Future perspectives in robotic colorectal surgery

Abstract

The revolution of robotic colorectal surgery has caused a tremendous increase in its adoption, and the number of patients undergoing these procedures has grown quickly worldwide, including in Asia. Since the original concept of master and slave, robotic technology has maximized capabilities far beyond human limits, namely extra robotic arms controlled by the operating surgeon, wrist-like articulation, magnified three dimensional visualization with high-definition and depth perception with the use of an ergonomic and stable stereo-optic camera. The advantage of robotic surgery is maximized in confined spaces-in colorectal surgery, this is in the domain of low rectal cancers, for which robotic surgery can help to achieve good oncological and functional outcomes and improve the ease of surgery for the surgeon. New advances in technology integration of hardware, software, and design architectures, such as nanorobotic technology, hybrid augmented virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and concepts yet to be realized, may synergize and enhance robotic colorectal surgery in the future. Robotic surgical systems have the potential to optimize the surgical management of, and enhance survival and functional outcomes in, patients with low rectal cancer. © Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2018. All rights reserved.