Novel System for Robotic Single-port Surgery: Feasibility and State of the Art in Urology

Robotic urology has evolved in parallel with the development of new robotic systems. A recently conceived robotic platform, specifically designed for single-port (SP) surgery, has reignited the interest for the approach. In this review, the evolution of robotic SP surgery was analyzed. Since the first published experience with a robot-assisted SP urological procedure in 2010, despite technical adjustments, robotic SP has remained with limited diffusion. However, the limitations of the available instrumentation are going to be softened with an upcoming next-generation robotic platform. Indeed, a purpose-built SP platform is being tested. The new purpose-built SP robotic system seems to represent a step forward. Based on the preliminary available experience, it facilitates the SP approach being the platform specifically designed for SP surgery. The novel SP robot could sponsor the alternative approaches to common urological interventions, allowing for potentially further minimization of the invasiveness of robotic surgery. Clinical trials will be awaited when this technology is commercially available. PATIENT SUMMARY: A novel robotic platform has been designed to be used for single-port surgery. With this particular approach, the surgery is performed through a single skin incision. Alternative access for common urological interventions will be sponsored by the new robotic platform, allowing for further reduction of the invasiveness of robotic surgery.