The discussion on robotic assisted surgery is continuing .
Following our opinion statement on www.endometriosis.org John F Dulemba posted in World Endometriosis Research Foundation 7 January 07:43
PEOPLE. THE ROBOT IS JUST LAPAROSCOPY!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE WATCH THIS MINUTE VIDEO….TO THE VERY END. YOU WILL SEE HOW PRECISE THE INSTRUMENTS CAN BE, AND I DO NOT THINK ANY STANDARD LAPAROSCOPISTS CAN BE AS PRECISE AS THE DOCTOR IN THIS VIDE!!!!!!

When I wrote the comment below, the video has been withdrawn
Nice video but misleading
- obviously for specific movements a robot is superior to the human. Therefore I do expect that a robotic tubal reanastomosis will be superior to standard laparoscopy and come close to classic microsurgery. Unfortunately however , to the best of my knowledge, this superiority has never been demonstrated. No attemps were made even to demonstrate this in animal models. So doubt persists whether there is some uncertainty about outcome of such a trial. Failure indeed would killing a major indication
- except tubal reanastomosis I doubt that superiority can be proven for any other gynaecological intervention (since it probably does not exist)
- in addition robotic surgery can be potentially dangerous when performed by surgeons without sufficient training in laparoscopic surgery. (see blog http://www.gynsurgery.org/hysterectomy-myomectomy/robotic-surgery-is-not-superior-and-potentially-dangerous/)
- finally, in this period of economic crisis, it is unclear who is willing to carry the associated huge cost : the surgeon ? the hospital ? (for marketing reasons) the patient ? (I doubt any patient is willing to pay today if correctly informed)

I anyway want to stress my interest in robotic surgery as can be found in de development of the simple Vesalius robot

Philippe R. KONINCKX*,**, Anastasia Ussia**
*Chief Medical Officer Adhesion prevention, eSaturnus NV, pkoninckx@esaturnus.com www.eSaturnus.be
Prof em OBGYN : KULeuven Belgium, Univ of Oxford-Hon Consultant, UK, Univ Cattolica, Roma, Hon Prof State Univ Moscow. pkoninckx@gmail.com www.gynsurgery.org www.mondoginecologico.it
** Gruppo Ialo Belga , Leuven Belgium and Rome Italy