Robotic Surgery in Uro-oncology: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Robotic surgery represents a new horizon in minimally invasive urologic surgery. This systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis examines the effectiveness of robotic surgery compared with laparoscopic or open surgery for major uro-oncological procedures. Twenty-five articles reported findings from 8 trials of prostatectomy (4 trials) and cystectomy (4 trials) including 1033 participants. Robotic surgery is comparable with laparoscopic or open surgery for oncological outcomes and overall complications, and provides somewhat better functional outcome when compared with laparoscopic and open surgery. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc.