Comparing a Mechanical Analogue With the Da Vinci User Interface: Suturing at Challenging Angles.

The da Vinci Surgical System offers a natural user interface and wrist articulation, which enable suturing and other complex surgical actions in confined spaces. However, both the one-time cost of the system and the recurring cost of the limited-use instruments remain high. This has motivated the development of several hand-held alternatives-some partially motorized, some fully mechanical-in recen...