Computer-assisted reproductive surgery: why it matters to reproductive endocrinology and infertility subspecialists

Trained fertility specialists possess a unique clinical perspective and an extensive medical and technological armamentarium to overcome reproductive dysfunction: it is their privilege and ethical duty to lead the field of reproductive surgery. However, modern reproductive surgery can no longer exist outside of the realm of advanced laparoscopy. This has been a major hurdle to the thriving of surgery within our subspecialty, owing to the time and effort required to achieve and maintain proficiency in the antiergonomic environment of conventional laparoscopy. Computer-assisted surgery minimizes aptitudinal restrictions to the adoption of advanced laparoscopy. As such, it promotes strategy over technique and may hold the key to the continued success of high-specialty reproductive surgery. (C) 2014 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.