Can I Make Robotic Surgery Make Sense in My Practice?

Over the past 10 years, robotic technology has had a significant impact on minimally invasive surgery. Because plastic surgery is rooted in "open" techniques, robotic applications in the specialty have been slow to emerge. That said, robotic technology possesses superhuman precision and high-definition, three-dimensional optics that are promising attributes in the hands of the plastic surgeon. In this article, the author explores three applications in robotic plastic surgery: (1) transoral robotic reconstructive surgery for head and neck reconstruction, permitting complex oropharyngeal reconstruction without dividing the lip or mandible; (2) robotic muscle harvest, permitting minimally invasive harvest of the latissimus dorsi and rectus abdominis muscle; and (3) robotic microanastomoses, extending the capabilities of the human hand in microvascular and microlymphatic surgery. An overview of the concepts, surgical techniques, and indications is provided. Although progress has been made, many barriers remain to adopting this technology in its current state, and these are also discussed. Robotic surgery is just beginning to have an impact on the field of plastic surgery. As this technology continues to advance in and out of the operating room, it will play an increasingly prominent role in our specialty and in our lives.