[Robotic surgery in urology: the Italian contribution]

The introduction of robotic technology has given a major boost to the urologic surgery by expanding the indications of minimally-invasive surgery. The Italian urological community has played a major role in this revolution, by contributing to the development and dissemination of technological innovation in urology, with several key publications stemming from this research. The most important revolution has been observed in radical prostatectomy, with robotic technology allowing to achieve better functional results. Nephron-sparing surgery has also been expanded, and leading Italian centers are being involved in international research groups focused on these topics. Major impact has been observed for pyeloplasty, where Italy has been a leader in the field with the introduction of robot-assisted single-site technique. In summary, the advent of robotics has improved collaborations between Italy and other Countries, with increased scientific activity, continuous improvement of surgical techniques and effective training of young urologists.