Robotic foregut surgery.

BACKGROUND: Computer-assisted surgical systems, or surgical robots as they are more commonly called, are complex new devices which may be used to perform minimally invasive surgical procedures. There are certain technical limitations to a traditional laparoscopic approach that these devices can help a surgeon to overcome. Several surgical teams have applied these new devices to surgical procedures of the upper gastrointestinal tract and foregut.

METHODS: A retrospective review of the currently published literature on robotic foregut surgery.

RESULTS: Robotic foregut surgery appears to be feasible and safe. These procedures may be associated with increased operative time and cost when compared to their traditional laparoscopic counterparts. Procedures that require complex manoeuvres, delicate dissection, or a magnified high-definition image may be best suited to a computer-assisted approach.

CONCLUSIONS: Robotic foregut surgery is an exciting new field with tremendous potential for growth and dissemination.