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In robotic-assisted surgery, the surgeon—not the machine—directs the operation. From a console in the operating room, the surgeon controls a camera and instruments that enter the patient through small incisions. The system translates the surgeon’s movements into instrument movements; it does not independently decide or perform the surgery.
What happens during robotic-assisted surgery?
A typical system has a surgeon console, a bedside cart with mechanical arms, an endoscope and surgical instruments, and supporting hardware and software. The surgeon views the surgical field at the console and controls the camera and instruments. The instruments pass through small incisions to reach the surgical site. The operating-room care team remains with the patient while the surgeon works at the console.
For a description of the components and regulatory context, see the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Computer-Assisted Surgical Systems guidance. MedlinePlus’s Robotic surgery overview, reviewed April 29, 2025, also explains the process and its potential advantages and limitations.
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The surgeon controls the camera and the instruments from the console. Depending on the system and procedure, instruments may grasp, cut, dissect, cauterize, retract tissue, or perform other surgical tasks. The FDA describes the system as a tool under direct human control: “The device is not actually a robot because it cannot perform surgery without direct human control.”
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For da Vinci systems, the manufacturer describes the surgeon’s hand movements being translated into movements of small-diameter instruments inside the body. That is remote manipulation by the surgeon, not autonomous action. See How Does Da Vinci Surgery Work? and Intuitive’s How da Vinci Surgery Works.
How does it differ from conventional laparoscopy?
Both robotic-assisted surgery and conventional laparoscopy are minimally invasive approaches that use a camera and instruments introduced through small incisions. The difference is in the interface and how the surgeon operates the instruments. In conventional laparoscopy, the surgeon generally stands beside the patient, holds long-handled instruments, and watches a screen. In da Vinci surgery, the surgeon sits at a console, views a magnified 3D image, and controls miniaturized instruments. These distinctions are described in the manufacturer’s Da Vinci Robotic-Assisted Surgery Patient Q&A.
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The FDA says robotic-assisted systems may facilitate minimally invasive surgery and complex work in confined areas. MedlinePlus notes possible benefits such as precise small movements and improved visualization, but also explains that system setup can make an operation take longer, access varies among hospitals, and a robotic approach is not always the best choice. A robot’s presence alone does not establish better results or faster recovery for a particular patient.
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Which operations may use robotic systems?
In the United States, the FDA says these systems have been cleared for trained physicians to use in operating-room procedures across specialties including general, cardiac, colorectal, gynecologic, head and neck, thoracic, and urologic surgery. Examples include gallbladder removal, hysterectomy, and prostatectomy. These examples do not mean that every procedure—or every patient—is suitable for a robotic approach.
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Cancer-related procedures
The FDA states that it has not granted marketing authorization for a robotic-assisted surgical system specifically to prevent or treat cancer. A device may be cleared for certain procedures that are also performed in patients with cancer, but that does not establish cancer-related outcomes such as survival or recurrence. Ask the treating clinician how the proposed procedure and its evidence apply to the specific diagnosis.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should patients ask before deciding?
All surgery carries risks. The manufacturer lists serious complications such as injury to tissues or organs and the possibility that the surgeon may need to switch to another surgical technique. Outcomes can depend on patient and disease characteristics as well as surgeon experience. The FDA advises patients to discuss risks, benefits, alternatives, and the surgeon’s training and experience.
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- Am I a candidate for this approach for my condition?
- What are the risks and benefits compared with open surgery, conventional laparoscopy, nonsurgical treatment, or other appropriate options?
- How much experience do you have with this specific procedure?
- What recovery time, hospital stay, restrictions, and home support should I expect?
- What will insurance cover for this procedure?
These questions can help structure a conversation with the care team; they are not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Suitability and expected outcomes depend on the procedure, the patient, and the clinical circumstances.
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