Robotic systems were developed to overcome limitations of laparoscopic surgery with its mechanical advantages. Along with the technical advances, robotic
gastrectomy for
gastric cancer is increasing. However, the evidence regarding safety and efficacy for robotic
gastrectomy for
gastric cancer is not mature yet. Although studies are limited, it is evident that robotic
gastrectomy has a longer operation and less blood loss compared with laparoscopic
gastrectomy. Studies revealed long-term oncological outcomes after robotic
gastrectomy was comparable to those after laparoscopic
gastrectomy. Taken together, robotic
gastrectomy with systemic
lymph node dissection is suggested as a safe procedure with equivalent short- and long-term oncologic outcomes to either laparoscopic or open
gastrectomy for the surgical treatment of
gastric cancer. However, high cost is the most significant barrier to justify robotic surgery as a routine and standard treatment for patients with
gastric cancer. In the meanwhile, robotic surgery will be expansively used as long as technologic developments continue.