I recently had an OB/GYN professor (I'm a medical student) give us a lecture on using the Da Vinci for post-menopausal hysterectomies. Apparently he makes only 5 small incisions superior and lateral to the umbilicus (hence the post-menopausal, it can't be covered with a bikini). He said he uses it quite frequently, and that when hiring new physicians heavily considers whether they have been trained in robotic procedures during their residency/fellowship.

He also said that they expected to have force feedback versions pretty soon.

... anyway, interesting stuff. The radiologists are already practicing interstate and intercontinental, sounds like the surgeons might not be far off.