Robot-Assisted Surgery: Current Applications and Future Trends in General Surgery

Advancements in digital equipment have been applied to treating complex medical cases. However, the literature has not comprehensively reported these applications, and the outcomes of conventional surgeries have not been compared with robot-assisted surgeries to determine efficacy. Therefore, this literature review aimed to find and compare outcomes. According to existing literature, robot-assisted surgery has brought significant changes to various aspects of general surgical practice. The research outcomes have shown that robotic surgery minimizes surgical invasiveness by enabling smaller incisions, reducing blood loss, and accelerating patient recovery. The da Vinci Surgical System has shown enhanced surgical accuracy due to better control when operating in complex cases such as colorectal resections, pancreaticoduodenectomy, and hernia repairs. The use of robotic systems enables surgeons to remain comfortable while performing complex procedures because the system allows them to maintain ergonomic body positions. Robotic systems lead to better clinical outcomes for patients, such as rapid hospital discharge, fewer complications, and faster recovery times. The advantages of robotic surgery will become more apparent once technical challenges regarding costs, learning curves, and haptic feedback are fully addressed.