ROBOTIC SURGERY IN UROLOGY

The demand for improved surgical performance and reduced health care c osts have led to the evaluation of surgical robotic systems. Robotic d evices to assist urologists with transurethral resection of the prosta te, percutaneous renal access, and laparoscopy are currently in develo pment or are already in clinical use. The rapid advances made in telec ommunication technology also have allowed for the development of teles urgical systems that permit surgeons to participate in surgery from a remote location. In the twenty-first century, surgical robots will be efficient, invaluable, and safe adjuncts to urologic practice.