In about 10 years there will be need to carry out surgical incisions in operations, the experts predict.
Some scientists say that in the future may use the holes in the human body and the umbilicus (the belly scar natural environment) in which robots are inserted to help carry out the surgical procedure.
Although it might sound like science fiction, there are already prototypes of robots that can move within the body and swim and take pictures in places of difficult access.
In particular, they have high expectations with Ares (acronym in English of Endoluminal Surgical System with Assembly and Reconfiguration), developed by the Sant'Anna School in Italy, with support from the European Commission.
The Ares is a robot that self-assembles in the body after the patient has swallowed up to 15 separate components and then helps the surgeon perform the procedure.
The introduction of the robot in the body avoids external incisions, minimize pain and shorten patient recovery time.
Another type of robot, such as Freehand (Handsfree), a robotic camera that can be controlled minimally invasive surgery.
Traditionally, laparoscopic camera (for minimally invasive surgery) is controlled by an assistant, but the Freehand allows the surgeon to control the camera using only head movements and a pedal.
Another example is the Da Vinci robot, which is mainly used to perform prostatectomies (the removal of all or part of the prostate), removal of tumors, and gastric and neurological operations.
Its robotic arms can rotate 360 degrees allowing the surgeon to operate with more precision than if they were using their own hands.
As said Dr. Justin Vale, urologic surgeon at Imperial College London, today's robots are already part of their work JOURNAL.
The specialist uses the Da Vinci robot for prostatectomies and all for half of their kidney tumor excisions.
"What I say to all my internal is that it is almost inconceivable, as surgeons, who in 10 years we are interfering in the body of our patients," the surgeon said.
"As we reduce the price and smaller factories is almost inevitable that robots are the norm."
But the expert adds that there are still issues to resolve, as the training and use of computers will be required for this new approach.
"There are certain limitations," said the expert.
"One of which surgeons will discuss the lack of sense of touch. When we use our hands with standard surgical instruments, we can have a sense of tension and pressure and feel if something is hard or white."
"But that we can not do with a robot."
"It's difficult when you're learning, because you feel you are losing one of your senses. But when you become an experienced robotic surgeon, you develop other skills to overcome this minor loss," adds Dr. Vale.
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