Abstract:The rapid diffusion of new technologies in surgery, together with high expectations of both patients and the mass media, has led to many gastrointestinal procedures being approached using robots. Robotic technology seems to resolve many of the drawbacks of laparoscopic advanced procedures, such as anastomotic reconstructions, accurate lymphadenectomy, and vascular sutures. In addition, a deeper tridimensional steady vision with excellent high definition, the EndoWrist technology offering seven degrees of freedom, tremor filtration, scaled motion, optimal working ergonomics, and avoidance of the 'fulcrum effect', are the main strengths of the da Vinci ® system. The use of near-infrared technology and the possibility of tutoring through a double-console will most likely add many more advantages of this technology over laparoscopy alone. However, none of the gastrointestinal robotic interventions has reached a level of evidence-based efficacy that enables it to be routinely applied. The main limitations of robotic gastrointestinal procedures are represented by the learning curve, the higher costs of robotic surgery compared to traditional and laparoscopic surgery, and the longer operation times, including setup and organizational troubles. Moreover, while the limits of robotics for benign diseases are mainly represented by technical issues, oncologic outcomes remain the foundation of any procedures to cure malignancies, and long-term follow-up is still lacking. On the other hand, a word of caution should be presented on the adoption of robotics in too many surgical units without the correct and formal technical background and third-party control to guarantee the best outcomes for patients at minimum risk. Therefore, the robotic treatment of gastrointestinal diseases requires a thorough analysis of the published evidence, in order to determine the correct indications and patient selection. This review aims to examine the evidence for the use of robotic surgery in both malignancies and benign disease arising from the gastrointestinal area. Future developments in robotics and ongoing areas of research are also analyzed.