Robots better than humans at helping with gut surgeries: study

Robot assisted esophageal surgeries are more effective and safe, according to the largest study of its kind.
Robotic technology gives surgeons a better view during surgery and lymph nodes can be removed without additional incisions on the patient, said researchers from Allina Health, a not-for-profit health care system, in the US.
"Very few centres have adopted robots for this procedure because of the technical difficulties and unique skills that are needed by the surgeons and the operating room staff," said Daniel Dunn, a retired surgeon at Allina, and the study's principle investigator.
"But the robotic arms can turn and twist and reach more places than human hands will ever be able to," Dunn added.

Researchers studied about 100 patients, most of whom had cancer, interpreted clinical and safety information and analysed survival data.
The study was published in the journal Diseases of the Esophagus.