Robotic surgery and cancer: the present state, problems and future vision

Area of Science:

• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Surgical Robotics
• Oncology

Background:

• Laparoscopic surgery, while standard for cholecystectomy, faces limitations in complex procedures due to technical difficulties and surgeon stress.
• Advanced technologies like surgical robots are crucial for expanding the scope of minimally invasive surgery.
• Existing research on robotic surgery indications for tumors and cancer is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review English-language studies on the application of robotic surgery in tumor and cancer treatment.
• To identify current challenges and future directions for robotic surgery in oncology.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of studies on robotic surgery for tumors/cancer.
• Analysis of technological advancements and their impact on surgical procedures.

Main Results:

• Surgical robots (e.g., AESOP, da Vinci, ZEUS) enhance surgeon capabilities, offering advanced vision and dexterity.
• Key challenges for widespread robotic surgery adoption include high cost, surgeon training, insurance coverage, device size, and navigation systems.
• Robotic surgery shows potential to revolutionize treatment for both benign and malignant diseases.

Conclusions:

• Robotic technology is poised to transform nearly all endoscopic surgeries in the near future.
• Continued development of surgical robots will likely lead to their widespread adoption for treating a broad range of conditions, including cancers.