Update Course Rewind 2025: Robotics in Pediatric Surgery: Which indications benefit the most?
With Dr. Juan Gurria · hosted by Dr. Jill Knepprath
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Pediatric Oncology 716 items
Chapter 3 of 4 · Evidence & Research
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Educational content from recorded physician discussions — not medical advice. Talk to your (or your child's) care team about your situation.
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What the experts said
Robotic instruments have 7 degrees of freedom compared to 6 for the human hand.
The learning curve for robotic surgery is better than laparoscopic surgery.
Time to reduce operative times is way faster for robotic than laparoscopic after a few cases.
There is currently no FDA approval for robotic surgery in pediatrics, but it should be coming soon.
After a few cases, robotic surgery decreases operative time, which reduces costs in the long run.
New robotic systems allow surgeons to detect when suture is about to rupture.
With trained personnel, room turnover time for robotic surgery equals that of laparoscopic surgery.
Basic proficiency in laparoscopy requires 20 to 30 cases.
Basic proficiency in robotic surgery requires 10 to 15 cases.
Robotic surgery does not impair outcomes in oncologic surgeries.
Future pediatric surgeons entering the field will be doing robotic surgery rather than laparoscopy.
Robotic surgery reduces postoperative pain and infection risk, leading to faster recovery.
Robotic surgery improves depth perception compared to laparoscopic surgery.
Robotic surgery reduces surgeon fatigue compared to laparoscopic surgery.
In colorectal surgery, robotic operative time is longer than laparoscopic, but laparoscopy has a higher conversion rate to open surgery.
Both robotic and laparoscopic surgery have comparable oncological results.
Robotic surgery can be indicated for surgeries in the chest, pelvic reconstruction, abdominal tumors, and urology.
In smaller patients, ports should be measured 3 centimeters apart.
Robotic surgery is ideal in select pediatric cases including adrenal masses, polycystic kidneys, and nephrectomies.