Augmented reality in robotic urology: from 3D printed models to cognitive surgical systems. A systematic literature review
In brief
Augmented reality lowers positive margin rates in robotic prostatectomy
A systematic review of 38 studies found that adding AR guidance to robot-assisted radical prostatectomy can reduce the incidence of positive surgical margins and improve early continence and erectile function recovery. Similar benefits were reported for partial nephrectomy, where AR helped shorten warm-ischemia time and preserve more healthy kidney tissue. Larger randomized trials are needed before AR becomes routine in urologic surgery.
- Journal
- Journal of robotic surgery (Q1)
- Published
- 16 September 2026
- Study design
- Systematic review / meta-analysis of RCTs
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1a)
- Authors
- Nikolaos Kostakopoulos, Stamatios Katsimperis, Themistoklis Bellos, Grigorios Athanasiadis, Lazaros Tzelves, Ioannis Varkarakis, et al.
- PMID
- 42747670
- DOI
- 10.1007/s11701-026-03952-y
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Health Informatics (top studies of the week, 20 September 2026): Systematic review of AR in robotic urology
- Picked for Urology (top studies of the week, 20 September 2026): AR in robotic urology improves prostatectomy outcomes
Abstract
Robotic urological surgery has evolved to become the foundation of contemporary, minimally invasive surgical care. However, current robotic platforms lack imaging systems with contextual interpretation and predictive capabilities, although they provide high resolution imaging. Augmented reality combining contemporary imaging technology and guidance from artificial intelligence and machine learning systems-have the potential to immensely improve robotic surgical training, intraoperative navigation and surgical decision making, in order to ultimately make robotic urological surgery safer with better outcomes. With this review article we systematically investigated recent advances in augmented reality (AR) technology, artificial intelligence guided AR, and their applications into robotic urological procedures. A systematic search of the available literature was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines from Pubmed and Cochrane databases, for studies published between 2015 and 2026. After title and abstract screening, 67 full-text articles were assessed, and 38 studies met inclusion criteria for final qualitative synthesis. A systematic literature review was conducted because of the low quality of data available and relatively high risk of bias. Studies analyzing applications of augmented reality navigation in intraoperative tissue characterization, and predictive surgical guidance, in the context of robotically assisted urological surgery, have been included in our review. The use of AR in robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) has shown the potential to reduce the rate of positive surgical margins, while also improving continence and erectile function recovery. In robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN), AR displays capabilities in reducing warm ischemia time and increasing healthy parenchyma preservation. Challenges related to clinical validation, data standardization, and ethical considerations are also discussed. Augmented reality is poised to redefine robotic urology by enabling real-time, context-aware surgical perception with predictive capabilities, although further research with prospective randomized controlled trials is essential to translate these technologies into clinical practice.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.