Introduction

Establishing efficacious techniques for minimally invasive surgery has been one of the greatest progress in modern surgical care. While laparoscopy has opened the way for this impressive trend, robotic surgery has extended the ability to perform minimally invasive surgery in virtually all the procedures, including those of significant technical complexity.

As a surgeon trained in the late 1980s to early 1990s, I witnessed the rapid diffusion of laparoscopic techniques at a time in which attending surgeons were learning and surgical residents were “holding the camera.” Since my career has been focused on open case for abdominal organ transplantation, I reached the new millennium with minimal expertise in laparoscopic techniques. All changed when robotic surgery became available in early 2000: I finally had a minimally invasive option in which my open surgery skills could easily transition, with minimal change in surgical strategy. Working closely with one of the most-recognized masters in robotic surgery, Dr. Pier Cristoforo Giulianotti, my coauthor, I have been able to experience firsthand the incredible reach and potential of robotic surgery even in the field of organ transplantation.

Our over 20-years journey in the field of robotic surgery constitutes the basis for this ambitious textbook. Our aim is to provide a modern tool for robotic surgical techniques both for the beginner and the experienced surgeon who is performing a complex robotic procedure for the first time. I believe that the reader will greatly enjoy the accuracy and depth of the anatomical details as well as the precise “step-by-step” technique suggested by the top world experts in the specific procedure.

The spectacular iconography is an integral part of our attempt to provide an authoritative guide to perform robotic surgical procedure in the best and safest way possible. In line with a highly technological field such as robotic surgery, we have integrated the standard drawing and pictures with easily accessible videos, several in 3D format.

The future of surgery is certainly linked to continuously improved technology capable to expand the individual ability of the surgeon with the aim to treat the patients with minimal negative consequence on their function and physical appearance. Robotic surgery is here to stay and, with further technical improvement and cost containment through competition among companies, will soon become accessible to the majority of surgeons operating in highly developed countries. I sincerely hope that all our colleagues, one day, will have the possibility to consider the robotic approach in their armamentarium, regardless the country of origin.

I would like to dedicate this book to my wife, Carla, and my daughter, Eleonora, but also to my loyal friend and the Soul and Leader of Robotic Surgery at the University of Illinois, Pier Cristoforo Giulianotti.