Multimodular robotic systems (Hugo RAS and Versius CMR) for pelvic surgery: tasks and perspectives from the bed-side assistant

Initial experience with the Carina™ platform in robotic-assisted hysterectomy for gynecological malignant disease

OBJECTIVE

This retrospective study was performed to evaluate the efficiency and safety of a new modular robotic system, the Carina™ Platform (Ronovo Surgical, Shanghai, China), in gynecological surgery.

METHODS

All patients underwent robotic hysterectomies (RH) using the Carina performed by a single gynecologist experienced in laparoscopic and robotic surgery from November to December 2023. Patients were evaluated for estimated blood loss (EBL), intraoperative and postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, conversion rate, as well as console and docking times.

RESULTS

Two separate populations were involved: 10 cervical cancer patients (group 1) and six endometrial cancer patients (group 2). There were no conversions to laparotomies or laparoscopies. The mean docking time was 5.75 ± 2.38 min. The mean console time and mean operative time were 154.60 ± 26.01 min and 211.90 ± 53.65 min in group 1, respectively. The mean console time and mean operative time were 98.67 ± 26.71 min and 153.33 ± 22.77 min in group 2, respectively. The median estimated blood loss for group 1 and group 2 were 30 ml (20, 50) and 20 ml (7.5, 20), respectively. No intraoperative or postoperative complications related to the device were recorded.

CONCLUSION

Our experience allows us to state that the modular Carina Platform is safe and efficient in complex gynecologic surgery.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

researchregistry10353  https://www.researchregistry.com/browse-the-registry#home/registrationdetails/665c1a398a97c302739cce06/.

Safety and feasibility of "three arms settings" robot-assisted radical prostatectomy using the Hugo RAS system: surgical set-up in a double-center large case series

PURPOSE

Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RARP) is the most common robotic procedures performed in urologic oncology. The Hugo Robot-Assisted Surgery (RAS) System (Medtronic, USA©) has recently been launched on the market and is characterized by the modularity of four different independent arm carts. The aim of this study is to describe and evaluate safety and feasibility of three-arms setting for RARP using the Hugo RAS™ System in a large case series.

METHODS

Between October 2022 and December 2023, a large case series of patients from two tertiary referral center who underwent RARP through HUGO™ RAS were prospectively enrolled. Informed written consent was obtained before the procedure and a three-arms setting was used in every case. Follow-up was scheduled according to EAU guidelines.

RESULTS

A total of 86 patients were included in this study and underwent RARP with Hugo™ RAS System. Median Console time time was 114 min (IQR, 75-150), median docking time 4 min (IQR, 3-5). Lymphadenectomy was successfully performed when indicated in 19 patients (22.1%). A vesicourethral anastomosis using the modified Van Velthoven technique was successfully achieved in all cases. No post-operative complications > Clavien II up to 30 post-operative days were reported. In all patients, catheter was removed on the 7th postoperative day.

CONCLUSION

We conducted the first large case series of RARP through the novel Hugo™ RAS System using a three-arms configuration. This innovative robotic platform showed an easily accessible docking system, providing excellent perioperative outcomes.

Cost analysis of new robotic competitors: a comparison of direct costs for initial hospital stay between Da Vinci and Hugo RAS for radical prostatectomy

Robotic surgery with Da Vinci has revolutionized the treatment of several diseases, including prostate cancer; nevertheless, costs remain the major drawback. Recently, new robotic platforms entered the market aiming to reduce costs and improve the access to robotic surgery. The aim of the study is to compare direct cost for initial hospital stay of radical prostatectomy performed with two different robotic systems, the Da Vinci and the new Hugo RAS system. This is a projection study that applies cost of robotic surgery, derived from a local tender, to the clinical course of robotic radical prostatectomy (RALP) performed with Da Vinci and Hugo RAS. The study was performed in a public referral center for robotic surgery equipped with both systems. The cost of robotic surgery from a local tender were considered and included rent, annual maintenance, and a per-procedure fee covering the setup of four robotic instruments. Those costs were applied to patients who underwent RALP with both systems since November 2022. The primary endpoint is to evaluate direct costs of initial hospital stay for Da Vinci and Hugo RAS, by considering equipment costs (as derived from the tender), and costs of theater and of hospitalization. The direct per-procedure cost is €2,246.31 for a Da Vinci procedure and €1995 for a Hugo RALP. In the local setting, Hugo RAS provides 11% of cost saving for RALP. By applying this per-procedure cost to our clinical data, the expenditure for the entire index hospitalization is € 6.7755,1 for Da Vinci and € 6.637,15 for Hugo RALP. The new Hugo RAS system is willing to reduce direct expenditures of robotic surgery for RALP; furthermore, it provides similar peri-operative outcomes compared to the Da Vinci. However, other drivers of costs should be taken into account, such as the duration of OR use-that is more than just console time and may depend on the facility's background and organization. Further variations in direct costs of robotic systems are related to caseload, local agreements and negotiations. Thus, cost comparison of new robotic platform still remains an ongoing issue.

A narrative review of the Medtronic Hugo RAS and technical comparison with the Intuitive da Vinci robotic surgical system

Medtronic launched the Hugo Robotic-Assisted Surgery (RAS) System in 2021, offering a modular alternative to the incumbent market leader in surgical robotics, the Intuitive da Vinci (dV) surgical system. A detailed technical review of the Hugo RAS was conducted to explore the strengths and weaknesses of this new robotic surgical system. Each component of the system-vision tower, arm cart, and surgeon console-was compared against the existing dV systems. The docking process, instrumentation, and external arm movement trajectories were analyzed. The modular Hugo RAS provides the possibility of operating using up to four arm carts. It has certain design features that are unique to itself, and others that have been implemented to address the shortcomings of the dV Si. While Medtronic's first-generation robot offers distinct advantages over the older Intuitive systems, the true test of its mettle will be its performance compared to the latest dV Xi.