Saudi Urological Association consensus guidelines on the use of robotic surgery in urology

Authors:
Raed A. Azhar, Danny Rabah, Abdullah M. Alenizi, Adel Alammari, Ahmed Alasker, Ali A. Alqahtani, Bader H. Alsaikhan, Fahad A. Alyami, Hassan M. Alzahrani, Khalid I. Alothman, Maher S. Moazin, Mofarej Alhgbani, Mohammed Baghdadi, Mohammed F. Alotaibi

Department of Urology, King Abdulaziz University; Department of Urology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center; Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah; Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, King Saud University; Department of Urology, Security Forces Hospital; College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences; King Abdullah International Medical Research Center; Department of Surgery, King Fahad Medical City; Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Ministry of the National Guard - Health Affairs, Riyadh; Department of Urology, Aseer Central Hospital, Abha; Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract
Over the past three decades, minimally invasive robotic technology has evolved substantially in urological practice, replacing many open procedures and becoming part of routine clinical practice. The Health Sector Transformation Program for the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 aims to restructure the health sector and optimize its status and prospects as an effective and integrated ecosystem centered on the patient’s health. Therefore, this consensus seeks to endorse the clinical practice guidelines for robotic surgery (RS) in the KSA, highlighting its effectiveness, safety, and favorable outcomes compared to open and laparoscopic surgeries in certain procedures when used by trained surgeons in well-structured RS programs.

Keywords: Consensus, robot, robot surgery, Saudi vision, training

INTRODUCTION
Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) provides superior results to open surgery, leading to shorter recovery and reduced blood loss and perioperative complications.[1] Minimally invasive robotic technology has evolved in urological practice over the previous three decades. Currently, it is replacing open surgical procedures and has incorporated into everyday clinical practice. Starting in this century, robotic surgical devices are routinely used in different minimally invasive surgical procedures, including urology. As they evolve and become less expensive, robotic devices will become more frequently utilized and widely disseminated in all surgical procedures.