Robots: Not Always A Surgeon's Best Friend

[Bobby.Gray]

Although robots have been praised for their helpfulness in helping doctors perform surgeries, that isn't always the case, according to a new study. Researchers say that for a condition such as endometriosis, which affects more than 5 million teenage girls and women in the United States alone, surgeons didn't get better or faster results with a robotic system.

The researchers, who presented their work in the journal Fertility and Sterility, had expected robot-assisted surgeries to go more smoothly than those without the help. In an analysis of 78 minor surgeries (39 with a robot, 39 without) performed on women afflicted with endometriosis, there were no complications and no different in blood loss in either group. However, robotic surgeries took 40 minutes longer, clocking in with an average time of 3 hours and 11 minutes. Experts say that longer surgeries can result in a more fatigued surgeon, and, as a result, more chances for something to go wrong.

"We were surprised that (surgery with the robot) did not have better outcomes than (the surgeon alone), as we have always believed if you can see more and see better you can do more and do better," the authors write.

Nonetheless, the study authors suggest that a robot may be more helpful for the more complicated procedures used to treat severe endometriosis, which might require open surgery.