Open surgery
The surgeon works through an incision that provides direct sight and access. Its location and length depend on the operation.
Interactive comparison
Robotic vs open vs laparoscopic
Some operations can be performed through more than one access route, but the options are not interchangeable in every case. Pick a question and compare what changes, what remains uncertain, and what belongs in a shared decision with a qualified surgical team.
How does the team reach the operative area?
Laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery
A camera and long instruments pass through ports. An additional or enlarged incision may be needed to remove tissue.
Robot assisted surgery
A camera and surgeon-controlled instruments pass through ports. The number and placement are specific to the procedure and system.
The visual above is conceptual only. Ask your surgeon where the planned incisions are and whether one may be enlarged.
The full table
Every dimension side by side. Print it and bring it to your consultation: the best use of this page is as a list of questions for a surgeon who knows your case.
| Question | Open | Laparoscopic | Robot assisted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access and incisions | The surgeon works through an incision that provides direct sight and access. Its location and length depend on the operation. | A camera and long instruments pass through ports. An additional or enlarged incision may be needed to remove tissue. | A camera and surgeon-controlled instruments pass through ports. The number and placement are specific to the procedure and system. |
| Early recovery | For comparable operations, a larger access incision may change early wound recovery. The internal operation still sets much of the course. | Keyhole access may support a shorter recovery than an equivalent open approach, but the operation and patient factors still matter. | Robotic access is often minimally invasive, but the device alone does not guarantee less pain, a shorter stay, or faster recovery than laparoscopy. |
| How the team works | The surgeon sees and reaches the operative area directly. The team can use touch as well as vision. | The surgeon watches a camera view and controls long instruments from the operating table. | The surgeon controls the camera and instruments from a console while a trained bedside team remains with the patient. |
| What the device adds | No console or robotic instrument system is used. Other imaging, navigation, or energy devices may still assist the operation. | A camera provides the view and the surgeon works with laparoscopic instruments. Capabilities vary by equipment. | The system may provide a three dimensional console view and articulated instruments, and may assist with complex tasks in confined areas. |
| What evidence can say | Open surgery can remain the appropriate route for particular operations or circumstances. It is not simply an outdated option. | Conventional laparoscopy is the relevant comparison for many robotic procedures, not only open surgery. | Evidence must be assessed procedure by procedure. In a Cochrane gynaecology review, comparisons with conventional laparoscopy were low certainty and did not establish a universal advantage. |
| How the choice is made | Ask why direct access may be useful, what recovery may differ, and whether minimally invasive options are reasonable. | Ask about the team experience, expected benefits and risks, and how it compares with both open and robotic options. | Ask why robotic assistance is being proposed, what evidence supports it, who is trained on the system, and what the fallback plan is. |
Questions worth asking your surgeon
- Which approaches are realistic options for my specific operation, here or by referral?
- What does the evidence say for this procedure, not for robotic surgery in general?
- How experienced is the team with the approach you are recommending?
- If the plan changes during surgery, what would you convert to, and why?
Sources
- Laparoscopy (keyhole surgery) NHSGeneral description of keyhole surgery and recovery.
- Use of computer or robotic technology to assist surgeons in performing gynaecological surgery Cochrane, 2019Low-certainty, procedure-specific comparison with conventional laparoscopy and open surgery.
- Computer-Assisted Surgical Systems US Food and Drug AdministrationRegulator description, uses, patient questions, and known device risks.
Last reviewed: 2026-07-18