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autonomous soft tissue procedures on living pig models. We programmed the
robot to attach various bowel segments that varied in size, shape and thickness,
and then compared the results to the same tasks performed by experienced sur-
geons using open surgical tools, minimally invasive instruments and currently
available robotic platforms. To our surprise, the robot outperformed the
surgeons in several metrics, including the consistency and evenness of suturing,
the pressure at which the anastomosis leaked and the number of mistakes that
required removing the needle from the tissue.
Will the technology someday make surgeons obsolete?
We're not trying to replace surgeons. Widespread adoption of robotic technolo-
gy is lacking. One of the ways to increase its usage is to make the tools smarter
and able to work with surgeons instead of depending on their dexterity and
technical proficiency. Linking smarter robots to cloud-based data of optimal sur-
gical techniques will let surgeons perform more effective and safer surgeries for
many different types of procedures from anywhere in the world. That's the ulti-
mate vision.
OSM
Dr. Kim (pkim@childrensnational.org) is a pediatric surgeon and the vice president
and associate surgeon-in-chief of the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical
Innovation at Children's National Health System in Washington, D.C.
