Book excerpt: Handbook of Robotic Surgery serves as a primer covering the main areas of knowledge in robotic surgery. This comprehensive book provides essential information on all aspects related to robotic surgery, from the present up to the future. The discussion presented in sections ranges from the historical background of robotic surgery up to more recent and future technological innovations such as remote controls, surgically distant collaboration, simulators, modern surgical robotics, fluorescence-guided surgery, and virtual reality. The book also contains sections dedicated to the safety conditions in surgery and patient protection, which will be suitable for surgeons, health professionals, biomedical engineering professionals, healthcare administrators, and students. There are specific chapters for all areas in which robotic surgery has been used in daily clinical practice or is under development.• Written by doctors, engineers, and nurses, thus eliminating communication barriers and making it accessible for health and engineering professionals• Provides initial literature offering a broad overview of all aspects of robotic surgery that will serve as a solid theoretical base for future developments in robotic subfields• Analyzes cost-effectiveness of robotic surgery, discussing its use in developing countries, ethics, medical-legal aspects, education, training, mentorship, leadership, certification of professionals, and credentialing of robotic centers• Contributed to by key opinion leaders from several nations and continents, taking into account different socioeconomic and cultural regional realities which can influence the widespread use of robotic surgery in the world