Robot-assisted remote telepresence surgery

A potential application of robotic surgical systems is to act as the hands and eyes of a surgeon operating from a considerable distance, enabling the surgeon to offer a variety of surgical services through gaining true telepresence by the interface of the telecommunication link and a surgical robotic system. The limited use of robot-assisted remote telepresence surgery to date has demonstrated not only that this is technologically feasible and safe but also that the patients are willing to accept its limitations when it is used in an environment where significant value from its use is realized. This chapter will discuss some of the lessons learned, the potential future applications, and the necessary next steps for its safe and widespread adoption.