Worldwide diffusion of robotic approach in general surgery

Area of Science:

• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Surgical Robotics
• General Surgery

Background:

• Robotic surgical systems overcome laparoscopic limitations, offering enhanced visualization and instrument control.
• Robotic surgery adoption has increased in general surgery, correlating with a decrease in traditional laparoscopic procedures.
• While proven safe and effective for many operations, complex robotic procedures remain concentrated in specialized centers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the global diffusion of robotic surgery across key general surgery procedures: hepatectomy, gastrectomy, esophagectomy, colectomy, and pancreatectomy.
• To identify factors influencing the uneven worldwide adoption of robotic surgery.

Main Methods:

• Review of global trends and adoption rates of robotic surgery in general surgery.
• Analysis of factors such as economic status, healthcare policies, and surgeon preferences influencing robotic surgery implementation.

Main Results:

• The worldwide diffusion of robotic surgery is uneven across different regions and procedures.
• Factors influencing adoption include local economic strength, national healthcare policies, and surgeon preference for minimally invasive techniques.
• Specific procedures like hepatectomy, gastrectomy, esophagectomy, colectomy, and pancreatectomy show varying degrees of robotic adoption.

Conclusions:

• Robotic surgery adoption varies globally due to economic, policy, and surgeon-related factors.
• Decreasing system costs, procedure standardization, and insurance coverage are anticipated to drive wider adoption.
• Robotic surgery is poised to become the gold standard in general surgery in the future.