Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Telesurgery, telementoring, virtual surgery, and telerobotics

  • Published:
Current Urology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

With the advent of laparoscopic surgery, a method characterized by a surgeon’s lack of direct contact with the patient’s organs and tissue and the availability of magnified video images, it has become possible to incorporate computer and robotic technologies into surgical procedures. Computer technology has the ability to enhance, compress, and transmit video signals and other information over long distances. These technical advances have had a profound effect on surgical procedures and on the surgeons themselves because they are changing the way surgery is taught and learned. This article provides an overview of the most important advances and issues developing from the use of computer and robotic technologies in surgery.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References and Recommended Reading

  1. Davis D, O’Brien MA, Freemantle N, et al.: Impact of formal continuing medical education: Do conferences, workshops, rounds, and other traditional continuing education activities change physician behavior or health care outcomes? JAMA 1999, 282:867–874.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Moore RG, Adams JB, Partin AW, et al.: Telementoring of laparoscopic procedures: initial clinical experience. Surg Endosc 1996, 10:107–110.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Rosser JC, Wood M, Payne JH, et al.: Telementoring: a practical option in surgical training. Surg Endosc 1997, 11:852–855.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Janetschek G, Bartsch G, Kavoussi LR: Transcontinental interactive laparoscopic telesurgery between the United States and Europe. J Urol 1998, 160:1413.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Kavoussi LR, Moore RG, Partin AW, et al.: Telerobotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery: initial laboratory and clinical experience. Urology 1994, 44:15–19.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Lee BR, Bishoff JT, Janetschek G, et al.: A novel method of surgical instruction: international telementoring. World J Urol 1998, 16:367–370.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Micali S, Virgili G, Vannozzi E, et al.: Feasibility of telementoring between Baltimore (USA) and Rome (Italy): the first five cases. J Endourol 2000, 14:493–496.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Halligan S, Fenlon HM: Virtual colonoscopy. BMJ 1999, 319:1249–1252.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Lamade W, Glombitza G, Fischer L, et al.: The impact of 3-dimensional reconstructions on operation planning in liver surgery. Arch Surg 2000, 135:1256–1261.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Rau HG, Schauer R, Helmberger T, et al.: Impact of virtual reality imaging on hepatic liver tumor resection: calculation of risk. Langenbecks Arch Surg 2000, 385:162–170.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Imai K, Tsujiguchi K, Toda C, et al.: Reduction of operating time and blood transfusion for craniosynostosis by simulated surgery using three-dimensional solid models. Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo) 1999, 39:423–426.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Satava RM: Emerging technologies for surgery in the 21st Century. Arch Surg 1999, 134:1197–1202.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Haluck RS, Krummel TM: Computers and virtual reality for surgical education in the 21st century. Arch Surg 2000, 135:786–792.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Buckingham RA, Buckingham RO: Robots in operating theatres. BMJ 1995, 311:1479–1482.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Marescaux J, Leroy J, Gagner M, et al.: Transatlantic robot-assisted telesurgery. Nature 2001, 413:379–380. This is the first report of robotic-assisted remote telesurgery.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Cuschieri A, Szabo Z: Philosophy and set up. In Tissue Approximation in Endoscopic Surgery. Edited by Cuschieri A, Szabo Z. Oxford: Isis Medical Media; 1995:68–81.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Soper NJ, Hunter JG: Suturing and knot tying in laparoscopy. Surg Clin North Am 1992, 72:1139–1152.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Marescaux J, Smith MK, Folscher D, et al.: Telerobotic laparoscopic cholecystectomy: initial clinical experience with 25 patients. Ann Surg 2001, 234:1–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Cadiere GB, Himpens J, Germay O, et al.: Feasibility of robotic laparoscopic surgery: 146 cases. World J Surg 2001, 25:1467–1477.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. LaPietra A, Grossi EA, Derivaux CC, et al.: Robotic-assisted instruments enhance minimally invasive mitral valve surgery. Ann Thorac Surg 2000, 70:835–838.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Carpentier A, Loulmet D, Aupecle B, et al.: Computer-assisted cardiac surgery. Lancet 1999, 353:379–380.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Kappert U, Schneider J, Cichon R, et al.: Development of robotic enhanced endoscopic surgery for the treatment of coronary artery disease. Circulation 2001, 104(suppl 1):I102-I107.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Guillonneau B, Jayet C, Tewari A, Vallancien G: Robot assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy. J Urol 2001, 166:200–201.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Pasticier G, Rietbergen JB, Guillonneau B, et al.: Robotically assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: feasibility study in men. Eur Urol 2001, 40:70–74.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Abbou CC, Hoznek A, Salomon L, et al.: Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy with a remote controlled robot. J Urol 2001, 165:1964–1966.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Falcone T, Goldberg JM, Margossian H, Stevens L: Roboticassisted laparoscopic microsurgical tubal anastomosis: a human pilot study. Fertil Steril 2000, 73:1040–1042.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Mack MJ: Minimally invasive and robotic surgery. JAMA 2001, 285:568–572. This article provides an overview of the application of robotics in cardiac surgery, and offers some insights into the possible advantages of enhancing dexterity in surgery.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Link RE, Schulam PG, Kavoussi LR: Telesurgery: remote monitoring and assistance during laparoscopy. Urol Clin North Am 2001, 28:177–187.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Marescaux J, Leroy J, Rubino F, et al.: Transcontinental robotassisted remote telesurgery: feasibility and potential applications. Ann Surg 2002, 235:487–492. This is the first case report of remote telesurgery performed on a human. The authors also extensively discuss the limitations and issues surrounding remote surgery.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. IRCAD-European Institute of Telesurgery, 1 Place de l’Hopital, 67091, Strasbourg, France

    Jacques Marescaux MD & Francesco Rubino MD

Authors
  1. Jacques Marescaux MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Francesco Rubino MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Marescaux, J., Rubino, F. Telesurgery, telementoring, virtual surgery, and telerobotics. Curr Urol Rep 4, 109–113 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-003-0036-9

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-003-0036-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation