Completely automated robotic surgery: on the horizon?

In a series of trial runs, the Smart Tissue Autonomous Robot (STAR) sutured incisions, manipulated tissue and sewed it up well enough to withstand hydraulic pressure from within. (Photo courtesy Children's National Health System/TNS)

Letting robots perform surgery independently may ultimately improve outcomes for patients, researchers say. 

In experiments on pigs, surgical stitches made by autonomous robots were as good as, or better than, stitches made by skilled surgeons. The same may be true in humans, according to the study's senior author.