The ZEUS robotic system: experimental and clinical applications

Laparoscopic procedures provide shorter hospitalization, less pain, better cosmetic results, and faster returns to normal than traditional surgery. Surgeons performing them, however, are hampered by lack of tridimensional view and haptic sense, and by remoteness; but this physical gap also allows robotic and computer interfaces. The computer digitizes surgical movements and images and modifies this information to filter out nonfinalized movements such as tremor, increasing dexterity and precision. Digitized information can also be transmitted to remote locations, allowing surgical care in remote or underserved areas, and enhancing surgical education. There are several robotic surgical systems available; this article reviews the experimental and clinical use of the ZEUS robotic system and discusses its possible role in the future operating room.