STRATA: Surgical Treatment Using Robotic Approach in The Acute Abdomen

In the researchers' words

Robotic surgery in the UK is now widely used in elective procedures based on evidence that it can improve outcomes, with improved vision and precision for the surgeon resulting in better results and greater rates of minimally invasive surgery. Despite this, there remain some concerns about its use with some saying it adds cost with limited or no benefit to patients. Its application in the emergency setting has not been well studied. However, emergency patients are the sickest patients, and so stand to potentially gain the most from robotic surgery, if it is shown to be beneficial by enabling more precise surgery. The investigators aim to evaluate the impact of robotics in emergency general surgery, on outcomes, patients, and surgeons as well as the greater health system. Given the need for modern health systems to reflect the needs and desires of their users, the investigators also aim to explore patient and surgeon preferences and priorities in emergency surgery with particular reference to surgical approach (open/laparoscopic/robotic).