Robotic Systems in Surgery

Results of studies showing that surgery using the da Vinci robot (Intuitive Surgical, USA) has advantages over conventional methods for the radical treatment of prostate cancer are presented. Current information on robotic technology in medicine has been gathered and presented, using radical prostatectomy as an example. The advantages, drawbacks, and proposed pathways to improving the most widely used surgical system are discussed. Conclusions are drawn with respect to the prospects of introduction of the principle of telemedicine into surgery.