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.