When one hears about robotic surgery, many people think of a standard robot of sci-fi lore performing surgery on a human. The thought is more than a little alarming.

Joyce Anthony from Erie, Pa., certainly thinks so. Even after doing some research on the subject and knowing that isn't true, she still has her doubts. "I have done some reading on robotic surgery, but I'm not sure I would trust such a procedure on my child," Anthony says. "There are too many variables involved ... I still prefer knowing a human is in charge when it comes to the important issues – like my child's life."

But with the newer technology, is robotic surgery the way to go when dealing with babies?

Though there are several different types of "robots" used in robotic surgery, they all basically do the same thing. After gaining access into the body, the surgeon sits at a computer console that offers a magnified, three-dimensional view of the area in which the surgery will take place. The surgeon uses special hand controls that manipulate specially designed surgical instruments.

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