Recent Trends and Future Prospects of Robotic Surgery in Health Care

Abstract

Robotic surgery has transformed modern medical procedures by integrating surgical precision with advanced technological innovation. This review traces its evolution from early robotic systems of the 1980s and 1990s to present-day platforms incorporating laparoscopy, telerobotics, artificial intelligence (AI), haptic feedback, and real-time imaging. Between 2013 and 2023, the field witnessed rapid innovation, including the development of modular, portable, single-port, and multi-arm robotic configurations tailored to diverse surgical needs. Ergonomic improvements and enhanced user interfaces have contributed to surgeon comfort, while semi-autonomous and autonomous systems, enabled by advanced path-planning algorithms, point toward a future of greater surgical autonomy. The potential of nanorobotics further expands the frontier of minimally invasive interventions. However, the rapid pace of development also raises ethical, legal, and safety concerns that must be addressed. This review highlights recent progress, current capabilities, and the future potential of robotic surgery, emphasizing its transformative impact and the interdisciplinary efforts required to ensure its responsible implementation.