In the year 2000, robotic surgery was brand new. Only around a thousand surgeons around the world would use robotic arms or other types of robotic devices to perform surgery. Most relied on their hands, and patients were understandably a little uncertain about robotics. Some horror stories about these robotic arms causing more damage than they repaired flooded the papers. However, by 2012, there were over 450,000 surgeons using some form of robotics to assist in surgery, and there are very few accidents.
What lead to this increase? Several things. First, technology has increased to the point that robotic surgical arms are small, precise, and safe. They allow doctors to perform surgery with smaller incisions, which means patients do not bleed as much and do not need as long of a hospital stay. They also do not scar as much. Surgeons can see more clearly using the tiny cameras on robotic arms than they can see with their own eyes, allowing for cuts that are more precise.
There are also benefits to the surgeon. They do not get as tired as they would standing over an operating table, so there’s less chance of doctor error or fatigue. They do not require a large operating room staff, either.