COMPARISON OF ROBOTIC VERSUS HUMAN LAPAROSCOPIC CAMERA CONTROL

Purpose: We investigated the accuracy and use of a robotic surgical ar m compared to a human surgical assistant during urological laparoscopi c surgery. Materials and Methods: A total of 11 patients undergoing pe lvic laparoscopic procedures that required identical bilateral surgica l manipulations was evaluated. On 1 side a robotic surgical arm was us ed to manipulate the laparoscopic camera, while on the contralateral s ide the camera was positioned by a human surgical assistant, The side (left versus right) on which the robot was used was alternated with ea ch case. Parameters assessed included operative time, erroneous camera motions, complications and outcome. Results: All procedures were succ essfully completed without complications. Laparoscopic camera position ing was significantly steadier with less inadvertent movements when un der robotic control (p < 0.0005), Operative times during dissections u sing the robot or human assistant; were not statistically different. C onclusions: A robotic device can more effectively manipulate and accur ately control the video endoscope than a human assistant during laparo scopic procedures.