Overview of Robotic Surgery in the U.S. Military: From Conception to Utilization, and Future Applications.

This article focuses on the development, current use, challenges, and future prospects of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) within the U.S. military. It traces the military's foundational role in early robotic surgery prototypes, including contributions from armed forces physicians and federal funding, leading to innovations such as the Green Telepresence Surgery System and the founding of Intuitive Surgical. While RAS usage is increasing in select military Medical Treatment Facilities (MTFs), challenges remain in training surgical residents due to deployment demands and limited access to complex systems like the da Vinci Surgical System. Collaborative efforts with civilian organizations aim to enhance military surgical education, and future advancements may include more integrated, cost-efficient robotic systems potentially applicable to battlefield care, though such deployment has yet to be realized.