Robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) is here to stay and comes with the potential to completely transform the way aspects of surgical care are delivered.
It is already being used in many types of operations across the spectrum of surgical specialties. Some of its reported benefits include reduced peri-operative blood loss, reduced peri-operative pain, more efficient use of anaesthetics and shorter hospital stays. Used well and for the right patients, RAS has the potential to give greater precision during operations, result in fewer blood transfusions, free up hospital beds, increase patient satisfaction and help with a faster return to work and family, together with the potential for lower rates of return to theatre.
Studies across a variety of surgical procedures have shown some significant advantages of robotic-assisted surgery, particularly when performed by experienced robotic surgeons and on appropriately selected patients.
However, despite the recent rapid growth in RAS, there are no formal processes for providing robotic training in the UK or Europe, or introducing RAS to hospitals. Unregulated adoption has the potential to lead to varied accessibility, variable outcomes and possible patient harm.
The Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England) has published a new guide that discusses some of the challenges – and promises – of robotic surgery. ‘Robotic assisted surgery – A pathway to the future’ also looks at the potential future application of robotics and makes recommendations to encourage sound governance practices that can lead to the safe adoption and expansion of robotic surgery in UK hospitals.
The guidance proposes a structu