This presentation focuses on the current and future impact of robots in the field of plastic surgery, specifically in the area of robots as replacement parts. Upper extremity prosthetics serve as the prototypical example.

There are three key points that will be elucidated through the discussion of four recent upper extremity prosthetic reconstructions performed at our institution: 1) The function and cosmesis of robotic parts can, in certain cases, exceed that of autologous reconstruction. 2) Plastic surgeons should add robotic parts as a new rung in the classic reconstructive ladder. 3) When faced with a patient suffering from the loss of a major limb or body part, plastic surgeons play a lead role in a multispecialty team deciding the best path to return of form and function.

Although robotic technology is too vast a topic to discuss comprehensively, the hope is that a basic understanding of currently available and future technologies will add to the armamentarium of the plastic surgeon seeking to offer patients the widest variety of solutions to their problems.