Robotic technology has been used in urological surgery since the late 1980's with the invention of robotic endoscopic prostate surgery. The major technological landmark has been the widespread introduction of the da Vinci master-slave manipulator which is now used in up to 60% of radical prostatectomy operations in the USA. These machines offer a number of tools to facilitate laparoscopic surgery though they require both a human console operator and a surgical team to connect the device to laparoscopic ports in the patient's abdomen. We outline the improved outcomes and future development of prostatectomy, cystectomy and pyeloplasty associated with robotic technology.
