KEY POINTS

1. Robotic surgery is accomplished by an autonomous, reprogrammable manipulator designed to move and articulate specialized instruments through programmed motions that achieve a specific task. A robot can be given three-dimensional coordinates from any imaging devices (e.g., CT) that allow it to recognize surfaces on which it will do a specific, programmed task.
2. Robotically assisted surgery involves mechanical devices that move by a motorized system under partially programmed control and that can be instantly controlled or modified by a surgeon's intervention.
3. Computer-assisted surgery involves systems that are manually controlled by the surgeon and that include a tracking system, sensors, and end-effector instruments. This system provides direct and continuous control of movements.
4. Telesurgery refers to the ability to perform surgery using computer-assisted instruments from a remote location.
5. Telemanipulation refers to the ability to electronically produce precise instrument movements at a distance from a remote location.
6. Telepresence refers to virtual projection of images from remote sites. This allows the surgeon to visualize intended robotic movements at distant locations. It also enables telementoring, which is supervision and instruction from a distant location.