ABSTRACT
Surgical robots were developed to facilitate minimally invasive surgery and to assist surgeons in performing procedures that could otherwise be technically challenging using traditional open or laparoscopic techniques. The development of robotic surgery was aided by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency which funded research into the possibility of a remote surgery program for battlefield triage. Robot-assisted surgery aims to offer the benefits of minimally invasive surgery, such as reduced post-operative pain, shorter hospital stay and quicker recovery time alongside the specific benefits associated with robotic surgery including less technically demanding, shorter learning curve and ergonomic benefits to the surgeon. Learning tools for robotic surgery include simulators, dual consoles, robotic courses and proctoring. Overall robot-assisted sacrocolpopexy is associated with increased operative time compared to the laparoscopic approach. Another area of urogynaecology where the robot-assisted approach has been used is vesicovaginal fistula repair.
