Robotic surgery is not undertaken by “robots”. It is a version of laparoscopic surgery completed by a surgeon sitting in a live digital console rather than standing beside an operating table.
In patients with a known ovarian malignancy or morbid obesity (BMI >45) there is a potential advantage that a 5th or 6th operating port may help in completing the surgery with additional instruments able to be controlled remotely by the “robot”.
In patients with even the most invasive endometriosis, surgeries can be completed as effectively with substantially reduced cost to hospital and patient by advanced laparoscopic surgery.
There is currently NO evidence that robotically assisted surgery produces better outcomes for the patient.
There is no doubt however that robotic surgery is more ergonomic for the surgeon, with substantially reduced discomfort for both the surgeon and assistant surgeon.
