Medical technology3 min read
Robotically-assisted surgery
RAS
In robotically-assisted surgery the surgeon sits at a computer station and directs robotic arms. The device is not truly a robot, because it cannot operate without direct human control. The FDA has cleared it for specific laparoscopic procedures in several surgical specialties.
The FDA has cleared these devices for use by trained doctors in the operating room in laparoscopic procedures in general surgery, cardiac, colorectal, gynaecological, head and neck, thoracic and urological surgery. Common operations in which they may be used include cholecystectomy, hysterectomy and prostatectomy.
The FDA has not granted any robotic surgical device specific clearance for preventing or treating cancer, and has received reports of injuries and deaths associated with these devices, most of them involving malfunctions. According to MedlinePlus, this surgery has risks similar to open and laparoscopic surgery, and may not be available in every hospital.
- In widespread clinical use
- Approved for specific uses
- In clinical trials
- Preclinical
- Concept
Cleared by the FDA for specific laparoscopic procedures in several specialties, with no specific clearance for treating or preventing cancer.
- Specific laparoscopic proceduresApproved for specific uses
These include cholecystectomy, hysterectomy and prostatectomy.1
- Treating or preventing cancer specifically
The FDA has not granted any device specific clearance for this purpose.1
Status last checked: · What the maturity levels mean
What is it?
Robot-assisted surgical devices are a type of computer-assisted surgery system, and are not actually robots because they do not perform surgery without direct human control.
How does it work?
The surgeon sits at a computer console and directs the movements of the robotic arms.
Where is it used today?
The FDA has cleared them for laparoscopic procedures in general surgery, cardiac, colorectal, gynaecological, head and neck, thoracic and urological surgery.
Common operations include cholecystectomy, hysterectomy and prostatectomy, and it may be used in kidney transplantation.
Limits and risks
The FDA has not granted any robotic surgical device specific clearance for preventing or treating cancer.
The FDA has received reports of injuries and deaths associated with these devices.
It has risks similar to open and laparoscopic surgery, and may not be available in every hospital.
Common questions
Is robotic surgery always better than conventional surgery?
The sources do not say so; its risks are similar to open and laparoscopic surgery, and the choice of method is decided by the surgeon according to the case.2
Questions for your doctor
- What is the surgical team's experience with this method, and why is it recommended in my case?
- What are the surgical alternatives and the risks of each?
References
- 1U.S. FDA. Computer-Assisted Surgical Systems. www.fda.gov/medical-devices/surgery-devices/computer-assisted-surgical-systemsHealth agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-08
- 2MedlinePlus (NLM). Robotic surgery. medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007339.htmHealth agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-08
Review status: Edited content · Last updated:
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Educational content only — no diagnosis, and no substitute for a clinician.