Clinical adoption of robotics in endoscopy: Challenges and solutions

Abstract

The endoscope was traditionally used as a diagnostic instrument. In past decades, it has increasingly been adapted for therapeutic intents. Subsequently, the master-slave robotic concept was introduced into the field of endoscopy to potentially reduce the difficulty and complication rates of endoscopic therapeutic procedures. As interest in robotic endoscopy intensified, progressively more robotic endoscopic platforms were developed, tested, and introduced. Nevertheless, the future of robotic endoscopy hinges on the ability to meet specific clinical needs of procedurists. Three aspects are vital in ensuring continued success and clinical adoption of the robotic endoscopedemonstration of clinical safety and cost-efficacy of the device, widespread availability of directed training opportunities to enhance technical skills and clinical decisionmaking capabilities of the procedurist, and continued identification of new clinical applications beyond the current uses of the device. This review provides a brief discussion of the historical development of robotic endoscopy, current robotic endoscopic platforms, use of robotic endoscopy in conventional therapeutic endoscopic procedures, and the future of robotic endoscopy. Historical development of robotic endoscopy Endoscopy began as a method for diagnosing pathologies in the gastrointestinal tract. Over the decades, endoscopes have

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“…Since 2015, we have, with the assistance of the Lanzhou University Evidence-Based Medicine Center, conducted a number of evidence-based studies on robotic surgery in the fields of general surgery, thoracic surgery, gynecology, cardiac surgery, and urology, and achieved fruitful results. Although systematic evaluation and meta-analysis are an excellent source of clinical evidence, only high-quality analyses can provide a scientific basis for clinicians, patients, and other decision-makers (Kaan & Ho, 2020). Similarly, owing to their importance and usefulness, clinical guidelines should be developed using EBM to select recent, reliable, and clinically valuable randomized controlled trials or systematic evaluations of large samples worldwide (Xun et al, 2022).…”