Current Environment:

Clinical research

Researchers from Boston Children's developed and perfected the technique for performing robotically assisted pediatric pyeloplasties and completed an 18-month study that showed that the same technique is effective for bladder augmentation procedures. Results from research conducted here have also led to advances and refinements in robotic equipment, making it more suitable for use in pediatric surgery.

View our research projects and our award-winning publications. These projects and abstracts encompass many realms, including laparoscopic techniques, quality of life results, and robotic testing.

Clinical projects

The Robotic Surgery Program promotes learning for medical professionals and patients through its wide range of research projects. These research projects are divided into four main categories:

1. Robot-assisted and conventional laparoscopy

  • assessment of the quality of robot-assisted laparoscopic suturing

  • development of robot-assisted techniques for pediatric urology

  • evaluation of the learning-curve effects in robot-assisted and conventional laparoscopic reconstructive procedures

  • understanding the physiology of laparoscopic procedures

2. Quality of life and outcomes

  • assessment of patient satisfaction in laparoscopic vs. open procedures

  • pre-operative and post-operative management of pain associated with laparoscopic procedures

3. Materials and instruments

  • development and evaluation of novel laparoscopic and robotics instruments

  • assessment of trocar designs and insertion techniques

  • development of suture materials for laparoscopic procedures

  • evaluation of the designs and properties of stents used in pediatric urology

4. Development of new fields

  • robot-assisted laparoscopic fetal surgery (fetobotics)

  • molecular urological imaging

  • radiologic histologic imaging (radiopathology)

  • microrobotics