Robotic surgery: bibliometric analysis, continental distribution, and co-words analysis from 2001 to 2023.

The project aimed to conduct an up-to-date and comprehensive bibliometric analysis of robotic surgery to provide a detailed and holistic understanding of the field. Three strategies were employed in the data analysis i.e. search terms were explored in (A) the title, abstract, and keywords and (B) only in the title of the documents. In 3rd part we analyzed the top 100 most cited papers. Vosviewer and R Studio were utilized for detailed bibliometric and network analyses. Strategy one identified 38,469 publications, and strategy two identified 6451 publications from 2001 to 2023. The top authors, universities, countries, sponsors, and sources based on the number of publications were identified for both strategies. The top 100 most cited papers were analyzed, providing the annual number of publications and various citation metrics. Top authors (by number of publications, total citations, h-index, g-index, and m-index), universities, and countries within these highly cited papers, along with their co-authorship networks and dynamics, were examined. Co-words analysis of the top 100 most cited papers revealed the primary focus of these documents across 25 categories. This comprehensive bibliometric analysis of robotic surgery highlighted significant contributions and collaborations in the field, emphasizing the importance of global and collaborative efforts in advancing robotic surgery research.

Da Vinci single-port robotic system current application and future perspective in general surgery: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: The da Vinci Single-Port Robot System (DVSP) allows three robotic instruments and an articulated scope to be inserted through a single small incision. It received FDA approval in 2014 and was first introduced in 2018. The aim of this new system was to overcome the limitations of single-incision laparoscopic and robotic surgery. Since then, it has been approved for use only for urologic and transoral surgeries in some countries. It has been used as part of experimental protocols in general surgery. OBJECTIVE: By obtaining the CE mark at the end of January 2024, DVSP will soon enter the European market. This review aims to comprehensively describe the applications of DVSP in general surgery. DESIGN: A search of PubMed, Embase, and Ebsco databases up to March 2024 was conducted, with registration in PROSPERO (CRD42024536430), following the preferred reporting items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analyses for scoping review (PRISMA-Scr) guidelines. All the studies about the use of DVSP in general surgery were included. RESULTS: Fifty-six studies were included. The following surgical areas of use were identified: transabdominal and transanal colorectal, cholecystectomy, abdominal wall repair, upper gastroesophageal tract, liver, pancreas, breast, and thyroid surgery. The reported surgical and short-term outcomes are promising; a wide range of procedures have been performed safely. Some groups have found advantages, such as faster discharge, shorter operative time, and less postoperative pain compared to multiport robotic surgery. CONCLUSION: Five years after its initial clinical applications, the use of the DVSP in general surgery procedures has demonstrated feasibility and safety. Hernia repair, cholecystectomy, and colorectal surgery emerge as the most frequently conducted interventions with this robotic system. Nevertheless, there is anticipation for further studies with larger sample sizes and extended follow-up periods to provide more comprehensive insights and data on the long-term outcomes, including the incidence of incisional hernia.

Intelligent medicine in focus: the 5 stages of evolution in robot-assisted surgery for prostate cancer in the past 20 years and future implications.

Robot-assisted surgery has evolved into a crucial treatment for prostate cancer (PCa). However, from its appearance to today, brain-computer interface, virtual reality, and metaverse have revolutionized the field of robot-assisted surgery for PCa, presenting both opportunities and challenges. Especially in the context of contemporary big data and precision medicine, facing the heterogeneity of PCa and the complexity of clinical problems, it still needs to be continuously upgraded and improved. Keeping this in mind, this article summarized the 5 stages of the historical development of robot-assisted surgery for PCa, encompassing the stages of emergence, promotion, development, maturity, and intelligence. Initially, safety concerns were paramount, but subsequent research and engineering advancements have focused on enhancing device efficacy, surgical technology, and achieving precise multi modal treatment. The dominance of da Vinci robot-assisted surgical system has seen this evolution intimately tied to its successive versions. In the future, robot-assisted surgery for PCa will move towards intelligence, promising improved patient outcomes and personalized therapy, alongside formidable challenges. To guide future development, we propose 10 significant prospects spanning clinical, research, engineering, materials, social, and economic domains, envisioning a future era of artificial intelligence in the surgical treatment of PCa.

Robot-assisted vascular surgery: literature review, clinical applications, and future perspectives.

Although robot-assisted surgical procedures using the da Vinci robotic system (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA) have been performed in more than 13 million procedures worldwide over the last two decades, the vascular surgical community has yet to fully embrace this approach (Intuitive Surgical Investor Presentation Q3 (2023) https://investor.intuitivesurgical.com/static-files/dd0f7e46-db67-4f10-90d9-d826df00554e . Accessed February 22, 2024). In the meantime, endovascular procedures revolutionized vascular care, serving as a minimally invasive alternative to traditional open surgery. In the pursuit of a percutaneous approach, shorter postoperative hospital stay, and fewer perioperative complications, the long-term durability of open surgical vascular reconstruction has been compromised (in Lancet 365:2179-2186, 2005; Patel in Lancet 388:2366-2374, 2016; Wanhainen in Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 57:8-93, 2019). The underlying question is whether the robotic-assisted laparoscopic vascular surgical approaches could deliver the robustness and longevity of open vascular surgical reconstruction, but with a minimally invasive delivery system. In the meantime, other surgical specialties have embraced robot-assisted laparoscopic technology and mastered the essential vascular skillsets along with minimally invasive robotic surgery. For example, surgical procedures such as renal transplantation, lung transplantation, and portal vein reconstruction are routinely being performed with robotic assistance that includes major vascular anastomoses (Emerson in J Heart Lung Transplant 43:158-161, 2024; Fei in J Vasc Surg Cases Innov Tech 9, 2023; Tzvetanov in Transplantation 106:479-488, 2022; Slagter in Int J Surg 99, 2022). Handling and dissection of major vascular structures come with the inherent risk of vascular injury, perhaps the most feared complication during such robotic procedures, possibly requiring emergent vascular surgical consultation. In this review article, we describe the impact of a minimally invasive, robotic approach covering the following topics: a brief history of robotic surgery, components and benefits of the robotic system as compared to laparoscopy, current literature on "vascular" applications of the robotic system, evolving training pathways and future perspectives.

[History and trends of robot-assisted spine surgery].

Spanning two decades since the 1st generation spinal robotics inception, the robot-assisted spine surgery (RSS) technology has evolved through generations, culminating in the 4th generation characterized by real-time visual navigation and wire-free screw placement. The fundamental principles of RSS technology include surgical planning, tracking, image registration, and robotic arm control technologies. Currently, RSS technology is maturely employed in thoracolumbar procedures and is progressively being applied in cervical surgeries, spinal tumor resections, and percutaneous operations, offering advantages in reducing tissue trauma and exposure to radiation, thereby improving patient outcomes. Emerging research also focuses on the cost-effectiveness of clinical applications and robot-specific complications. With the integration of artificial intelligence into surgical planning, RSS technology is poised to further incorporate emerging technologies and expand its application across a broader clinical spectrum.

National trends and outcomes of robotic emergency general surgery in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Robot-assisted surgery has seen exponential adoption over the last decade. Although the safety and efficacy of robotic surgery in the elective setting have been demonstrated, data regarding robotic emergency general surgery remains sparse. METHODS: All adults undergoing non-elective appendectomy, cholecystectomy, small or large bowel resection, perforated ulcer repair, or lysis of adhesions were identified in the 2008 to 2020 National Inpatient Sample. Temporal trends were analyzed using a rank-based, non-parametric test developed by Cuzick (nptrend). Using laparoscopy as a reference, multivariable regressions were used to evaluate the association between robotic techniques and in-hospital mortality, major complications, and resource use for each emergency general surgery operation. RESULTS: Of an estimated 4,040,555 patients undergoing emergency general surgery, 65,853 (1.6%) were performed using robotic techniques. The robotic proportion of minimally invasive emergency general surgery increased significantly overall, with the largest growth seen in robot-assisted large bowel resections and perforated ulcer repairs. After adjustment for various patient and hospital-level factors, robot-assisted large bowel resection (adjusted odds ratio 0.73, 95% confidence interval 0.58-0.91) and cholecystectomy (adjusted odds ratio 0.66, 95% confidence interval 0.55-0.81) were associated with significantly reduced odds of perioperative blood transfusion compared to traditional laparoscopy. Although robotic techniques were associated with modest reductions in postoperative length of stay, costs were uniformly higher by increments of up to $4,900. CONCLUSION: Robotic surgery appears to be a safe and effective adjunct to laparoscopy in minimally invasive emergency general surgery, although comparable cost-effectiveness has yet to be realized. Increasing use of robotic techniques in emergency general surgery may be attributable in part to reduced complications, including blood loss, in certain operative contexts.

Fluorescence and tracers in surgery: the coming future.

The revolution that we are seeing in the world of surgery will determine the way we understand surgical approaches in coming years. Since the implementation of minimally invasive surgery, innovations have constantly been developed to allow the laparoscopic approach to go further and be applied to more and more procedures. In recent years, we have been in the middle of another revolutionary era, with robotic surgery, the application of artificial intelligence and image-guided surgery. The latter includes 3D reconstructions for surgical planning, virtual reality, holograms or tracer-guided surgery, where ICG-guided fluorescence has provided a different perspective on surgery. ICG has been used to identify anatomical structures, assess tissue perfusion, and identify tumors or tumor lymphatic drainage. But the most important thing is that this technology has come hand in hand with the potential to develop other types of tracers that will facilitate the identification of tumor cells and ureters, as well as different light beams to identify anatomical structures. These will lead to other types of systems to assess tissue perfusion without the use of tracers, such as hyperspectral imaging. Combined with the upcoming introduction of ICG quantification, these developments represent a real revolution in the surgical world. With the imminent implementation of these technological advances, a review of their clinical application in general surgery is timely, and this review serves that aim.

Robotic and Plastic Surgery: actuality and prospects for the near future, a scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: This work aims to review the existing use of robotics in plastic surgery. METHODS: A meticulous selection process identified 22 articles relevant to this scoping review. RESULTS: The literature on the use of robotics in plastic surgery is sparse. Nonetheless, this review highlights emerging benefits in microsurgery, breast reconstruction, and transoral surgery. CONCLUSION: This scoping review identifies critical articles reporting the emerging use of robotics in plastic surgery. While the scientific medical community has yet to extensively document its use, the available evidence suggests a promising future for robotics in this field.

Cutting Edge Developments in Spine Surgery at the University of Missouri.

The treatment of spinal pathologies has evolved significantly from the times of Hippocrates and Galen to the current era. This evolution has led to the development of cutting-edge technologies to improve surgical techniques and patient outcomes. The University of Missouri Health System is a high-volume, tertiary care academic medical center that serves a large catchment area in central Missouri and beyond. The Department of Neurosurgery has sought to integrate the best available technologies to serve their spine patients. These technological advancements include intra-operative image guidance, robotic spine surgery, minimally invasive techniques, motion preservation surgery, and interdisciplinary care of metastatic disease to the spine. These advances have resulted in safer surgeries with enhanced outcomes at the University of Missouri. This integration of innovation demonstrates our tireless commitment to ensuring excellence in the comprehensive care of a diverse range of patients with complex spinal pathologies.

Nationwide Trends in Utilization of Minimally Invasive Techniques for Blunt Abdominal Trauma.

BACKGROUND: Despite increasing use of minimally invasive surgical (MIS) techniques for trauma, limited large-scale studies have evaluated trends, outcomes, and resource utilization at centers that utilize MIS modalities for blunt abdominal trauma. METHODS: Operative adult admissions after blunt assault, falls, or vehicular collisions were tabulated from the 2016-2020 National Inpatient Sample. Patients who received diagnostic laparoscopy or other laparoscopic and robotic intervention were classified as MIS. Institutions with at least one MIS trauma operation in a year were defined as an MIS Performing Institution (MPI; rest: non-MPI). The primary endpoint was mortality, with secondary outcomes of reoperation, complication, postoperative length of stay (LOS), and hospitalization costs. Mixed regression models were used to determine the association of MPI status on the outcomes of interest. RESULTS: Throughout the study period, the proportion of MIS operations and MPI significantly increased from 22.6 to 29.8% and 45.9 to 58.8%, respectively. Of an estimated 77,480 patients, 66.7% underwent care at MPI. After adjustment, MPI status was not associated with increased odds of mortality (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] [.96,1.24]), reoperation (AOR 1.02, CI [.87,1.19]), or any of the tabulated complications. There was additionally no difference in adjusted LOS (ß-.18, CI [-.85, +.49]) or costs (ß+$1600, CI [-1600, +4800]), between MPI and non-MPI. DISCUSSION: The use of MIS operations in blunt abdominal trauma has significantly increased, with performing centers experiencing no difference in mortality or resource utilization. Prospectively collected data on outcomes following MIS trauma surgery is necessary to elucidate appropriate applications.

Temporal and institutional trends in robotic surgery.

Robotic surgery has become increasingly prevalent in general surgery practice. While previous studies have shown the safety and efficacy of robotic assistance in laparoscopic general surgery procedures, few studies have evaluated the temporal and regional trends in implementation. In our retrospective population-based study, we aim to evaluate the national trends in robotic surgery. National Inpatient Database (NIS 2009-2014) was used to identify adults who underwent robotic assisted surgery (ICD 9 codes 17.41 to 17.49). Robotic procedures related to seven abdominal organ systems were compared against the trends of Urology, Gynaecologic, and Orthopedic robotic procedures. Discharge weights were applied to calculate National temporal trends separated by hospital size, teaching status and US geographic region. 894,163 patients received a robotic assisted procedure between 2009 and 2014 with 64% increase in utilization. The largest percent change was witnessed in biliary robotic procedures with 2984% change in utilization, followed by hernia (1376%). Lowest percent change was witnessed in esophageal procedures with 114% increase. Medium sized hospitals had the largest change in robotic utilization (41%), with large institutions seeing 18% decrease. Gastric procedures were the most common robotic procedure performed at small institutions (7917 total cases; 316%). Large institutions saw an overall decrease in gastric (- 47%), esophageal (- 17%), small and large intestinal (-16%), and hepatic (- 7%) robotic procedures. Rural non-teaching hospitals saw the largest increase in robotic surgery (274%). Urban non-teaching hospitals saw a decrease of 29%. While urban teaching institutions saw a 20% and 6% increase in gynecological and urological procedures, an overall decrease was seen in esophageal (- 10%), gastric (- 12%), intestinal (- 11%), hepatic (- 17%), biliary (- 10%), pancreatic (- 11%) and hernia procedures (- 14%). Biliary procedures saw the largest increase in rural institutions (740 cases; 392%), followed by hernia (144% increase). South region of the nation had the largest increase in robotic procedures (23%). No change was seen in the use of robotic surgery in the northeast region with the midwest and west seeing an overall decrease (- 4% and - 22%, respectively). Our study highlights the increase in use of robotics for both general and specialty surgery, with an increase in utilization over time. Increased incidence of robotic surgery in smaller, rural institutions with overall decrease in larger, urban teaching hospitals suggests increasing comfort in robotic surgery in the community setting. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the factors associated with increased utilization in smaller institutions.

The current status and global trends of clinical trials related to robotic surgery: a bibliometric and visualized study.

Conducting clinical trials can evaluate the effectiveness and safety of surgical robots. To promote the advancement of academic robotic programs in surgery, this study captures the development trend and research hotspots of clinical trials related to surgical robots by bibliometric analysis. Bibliometrix package in R software was used to analyze the publication year, authors, countries, institutes, and journals. The visualization maps of keywords were formed using VOSviewer. The keywords with the strongest citation bursts and the institutional collaboration map were created by CiteSpace. Urology dominates with 31.3% of publications and the controlled clinical trials in urology and orthopedic accounted for the highest proportion, reaching 73%. North America, the USA, and Seoul National University lead in productivity. The most productive country, region and institution are North America, USA and Seoul National University, respectively. The trend of collaboration is regional instead of international. Keyword and burst keyword analysis revealed a primary focus in clinical research on robotic surgery: evaluating process improvements, comparing robotic and traditional surgery, and assessing feasibility. Long-term clinical trials assess surgical robots not only intraoperative performance but also postoperative complications and overall surgical outcomes. The development in the field is unbalanced between regions and countries. To promote multi-center clinical trials, governments can streamline review procedures and establish international consensus review standards, while academic institutions can form academic alliances. Also, the study offers recommendations for the development of academic robotic programs and regional collaboration units in robotic surgery, which may provide researchers with a strong reference for future research.

The death of laparoscopy.

BACKGROUND: The introduction of laparoscopy in 1989 revolutionized surgical practices, reducing post-operative complications, and enhancing outcomes. Despite its benefits, limitations in laparoscopic tools have led to continued use of open surgery. Robotic-assisted surgery emerged to address these limitations, but its adoption trends and potential impact on open and laparoscopic surgery require analysis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis used the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) databases from 2012 to 2021. The study encompassed various abdominal procedures, employing Vector Autoregressive (VAR) models to analyze the dynamic relationships between surgical techniques. The models predicted future trends in open, laparoscopic, and robotic surgery until Q2 of 2025. RESULTS: The analysis included 360,171 patients across diverse procedures. In urology, robotic surgery dominated prostatectomies (83.1% in 2021) and nephrectomies (55.1% in 2021), while the open approach remained the predominant surgical technique for cystectomies (72.5% in 2021). In general surgery, robotic colectomies were forecasted to surpass laparoscopy, becoming the primary approach by 2024 (45.7% in 2025). Proctectomies also showed a shift towards robotic surgery, predicted to surpass laparoscopy and open surgery by 2025 (32.3%). Pancreatectomies witnessed a steady growth in robotic surgery, surpassing laparoscopy in 2021, with forecasts indicating further increase. While hepatectomies remained predominantly open (70.0% in 2025), esophagectomies saw a rise in robotic surgery, predicted to become the primary approach by 2025 (52.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests a transformative shift towards robotic-assisted surgery, poised to dominate various minimally invasive procedures. The forecasts indicate that robotic surgery may surpass laparoscopy and open surgery in colectomies, proctectomies, pancreatectomies, and esophagectomies by 2025. This anticipated change emphasizes the need for proactive adjustments in surgical training programs to align with evolving surgical practices. The findings have substantial implications for future healthcare practices, necessitating a balance between traditional laparoscopy and the burgeoning role of robotic-assisted surgery.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gastric surgery in Japan: A nationwide study using interrupted time-series analyses.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Changes in the number of surgeries for gastric cancer during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have been reported, but data are insufficient to understand the impact at the national level. This study aimed to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gastric surgery in Japan. METHODS: Insurance claims data registered from January 2015 to January 2021 were used. Changes in the number of endoscopic resections and gastrectomies for gastric cancer were estimated using an interrupted time-series analysis. RESULTS: The number of endoscopic resections significantly decreased in July 2020 (-1565; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -2022, -1108) and January 2021 (-539; 95% CI: -970, -109), and the number of laparoscopic surgeries significantly decreased in July 2020 (-795; 95% CI: -1097, -492), October 2020 (-313; 95% CI: -606, -19), and January 2021 (-507; 95% CI: -935, -78). Meanwhile, the number of open gastrectomies remained unchanged, and the number of robot-assisted gastrectomies steadily increased since their coverage by public health insurance in April 2018. CONCLUSIONS: The decreased number of endoscopic resections and laparoscopic surgeries in Japan suggests a decline in early-stage gastric cancer diagnosis, likely due to the suspension of gastric cancer screening and diagnostic testing during the pandemic. Meanwhile, the number of open and robot-assisted gastrectomies remained unchanged and increased, respectively, indicating that these applications were not affected by the pandemic-related medical crisis. These findings highlight that procedures for cancer diagnosis, including screening, should still be provided during pandemics.

Artificial intelligence in shoulder and elbow surgery: overview of current and future applications.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is amongst the most rapidly growing technologies in orthopedic surgery. With the exponential growth in healthcare data, computing power, and complex predictive algorithms, this technology is poised to aid providers in data processing and clinical decision support throughout the continuum of orthopedic care. Understanding the utility and limitations of this technology is vital to practicing orthopedic surgeons, as these applications will become more common place in everyday practice. AI has already demonstrated its utility in shoulder and elbow surgery for imaging-based diagnosis, predictive modeling of clinical outcomes, implant identification, and automated image segmentation. The future integration of AI and robotic surgery represents the largest potential application of AI in shoulder and elbow surgery with the potential for significant clinical and financial impact. This editorial's purpose is to summarize common AI terms, provide a framework to understand and interpret AI model results, and discuss current applications and future directions within shoulder and elbow surgery.

Looking to the Future; Veterinary Robotic Surgery.

This article details the rise of surgical robots in the human surgical sphere as well as their use in veterinary medicine. Sections will describe in detail the equipment required for these procedures and the advantages and disadvantages of their use. Specific attention is given to the articulated instrumentation, which affords psychomotor benefits not only for surgical precision but also for surgeon ergonomics. A discussion of the possible indications and current use of robotics in veterinary medicine and the challenges to integrating robotics is also provided.

Current status and future perspectives on robot-assisted kidney autotransplantation: A literature review.

This review presents the latest insights on robot-assisted kidney autotransplantation (RAKAT). RAKAT is a minimally invasive surgical procedure and represents a promising alternative to conventional laparoscopic nephrectomy followed by open kidney transplantation for the treatment of various complex urological and vascular conditions. RAKAT can be performed either extracorporeally or intracorporeally. Additionally, a single-port approach can be performed through one small incision without the need to reposition the patient. Of 86 patients undergoing RAKAT, 8 (9.3%) developed postoperative > Grade 2 Clavien-Dindo (CD) complications. Although the feasibility of RAKAT was established in 2014, the long-term efficacy and safety along with outcomes of this surgical approach are still being evaluated, and additional studies are needed. With improvements in the technology of RAKAT and as surgeons gain more experience, RAKAT should become increasingly used and further refined, thereby leading to improved surgical outcomes and improved patients' quality of life.