Both laparoscopic and robotic surgery are minimally invasive and use small incisions to access the abdomen. Laparoscopic surgery is performed with a camera and long-handled instruments controlled directly by the surgeon. Robotic surgery adds a mechanical platform between the surgeon's hands and the instruments, offering greater instrument articulation, tremor filtering, and a magnified 3D image. For most standard GI procedures, high-volume expert laparoscopy achieves equivalent outcomes to robotic surgery. Robotic platforms offer the most benefit in confined operative spaces, such as deep pelvic rectal surgery or complex oesophageal work, where the enhanced instrument range of motion makes a genuine technical difference. The choice depends on the specific procedure and the surgeon's training and experience with each approach.
Written by Dr. Lokesh H M, MBBS (Al-Ameen Medical College, Bijapur), MS General Surgery (PGIMER, Chandigarh), MCh Surgical Gastroenterology (SGPGIMS, Lucknow), Fellowship in Pancreato-Biliary Surgery (SGPGIMS, Lucknow), FMAS (Fellowship in Minimal Access Surgery), Senior Consultant Surgical Gastroenterologist, Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Mysuru (Monday to Saturday, 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM) and RK Speciality Clinic, Vijayanagar 2nd Stage, Mysuru (Monday to Saturday, 7 PM to 8:30 PM). Phone: +91 89719 08095.
