What is Robotic Surgery?

Raj Persad, Director and Consultant Urologist, talks about using robotic surgery at Southmead Hospital and how new wearable robotic systems could improve access to robot-assisted keyhole surgery in other areas.

A team of researchers led by the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) is developing a robotic system that can be worn to carry out minimally invasive surgery, also known as keyhole surgery, that will offer surgeons natural and dexterous movement as well as the ability to ‘sense’, ‘see’, control and safely navigate through the surgical environment.

Minimally invasive surgery for some clinical applications – such as urology – is replacing the traditional ‘open access’ approach, and has been associated with patient benefits such as reduced blood loss, fewer infections and faster recovery. More advanced robotic systems have the potential to replace laparoscopic tools for keyhole surgery in several clinical areas if developed with integrated better vision, precision and ergonomic systems.