ABSTRACT
The da Vinci robot is a sophisticated tool for performing minimal access surgery. The actions of the instruments are entirely under the control of a surgeon seated separately from the patient. The camera and instruments are controlled by hand and foot movements of the surgeon. The surgeon can operate the instruments from a comfortable position, with forearms supported and completely intuitive reproduction of hand movements to the operating instruments. The surgery is aided by high-definition three-dimensional optics. The surgery may be performed entirely using the robotic instruments or as a hybrid procedure combining standard laparoscopy with robotics.
