The Added Value of Robotic Surgery

Abstract

Robotic surgery has recently emerged as a feasible alternative to open and laparoscopic procedures for the treatment of many urological diseases. The use of robotics allows the surgeon to overcome the limitations of standard laparoscopy while maintaining the advantages of a minimally invasive approach. Robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy is the most frequent surgery performed robotically, resulting in better functional outcomes and comparable oncological results with respect to open surgery. Given its advantages, the indications for robotic surgery have progressively extended to different fields, and there is increasing evidence for its effectiveness in high-risk prostate cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, and adrenal disease. Based on the available evidence in the literature, robotic surgery should be considered a viable option for the treatment of many urological conditions, with the final aim of optimizing patients' outcomes.