INTRODUCTION

The prototype of surgical robotics, da Vinci Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical Inc, Sunnyvale, California, USA), was approved for use in gynaecology by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in April 2005 1. Since then, gynaecology has been the second leading speciality after urology utilising robotic surgery worldwide2. In addition to proven patient benefits of minimally invasive surgery, such as reduced bleeding, quick recovery and improved cosmesis, robotic surgery also offers surgical benefits of wristed instruments, three-dimensional vision and comfortable surgeon ergonomics3-5. It has been used to perform hysterectomy for benign and malignant disease, myomectomy, and tubal surgery with a full abdominal approach as well as to perform prolapse and fistula repairs with a combined abdomino-vaginal approach, producing outcomes that are comparable to laparoscopic surgery 6-8.
In this study we reviewed the uptake and outcomes of robotic gynaecological surgery in England between April 2006 and March 2018.