Robots in the operating theatre—chances and challenges

• Published in: International journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery Vol. 33; no. 8; pp. 721 - 732
• Main Authors: Korb, W., Marmulla, R., Raczkowsky, J., Mühling, J., Hassfeld, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2004; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; computer-assisted surgery; Dentistry; Equipment Design; Humans; image guided surgery; Medical sciences; navigation; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; review; Robotics - classification; Robotics - instrumentation; Robotics - trends; safety; Surgery, Computer-Assisted; Surgical Procedures, Operative - classification; Surgical Procedures, Operative - trends; surgical robots; telemanipulators; navigation; telemanipulators; computer-assisted surgery; surgical robots; safety; review; image guided surgery; Navigation; Stomatology; Toxicity; Review; Image; Guidance; Treatment; Operating room; Surgery; Safety; Robot; Computer aid; Bibliographic review
• ISSN: 0901-5027; 1399-0020
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijom.2004.03.015

The use of surgical robots and manipulators is still being frequently discussed in the mass media as well as in the scientific community. Although it was already noted in 1985 that the first patient was treated by a joint team of robot and surgeon, today such systems are not routinely used. This can be explained by the high complexity of such systems and the often limited usability, but also, that it is difficult for surgeons to accept “automatic” machines. In this paper the possibilities and chances of robots and manipulators will be explained and it will be shown that robots will never work alone in the operating theatre as it is common in industry today. On the other hand, also limitations and challenges will be outlined. Therefore first a review on today’s systems is given in different disciplines including oral- and cranio-maxillofacial surgery, then advantages and disadvantages are shown.