Robot-Assisted Pancreatic Surgery—the Russian Experience

[Robotic sleeve gastrectomy: single-center experience]

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate safe introduction of a new technology (Da Vinci robotic system) into laparoscopic bariatric practice.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We analyzed treatment outcomes in patients with morbid obesity who underwent robot-assisted sleeve gastrectomy between 2020 and 2023. The same team of surgeons performed all operations. Evolution of technique and preparation of the operating theatre were recorded. Demographic data of patients, surgery time (docking and total surgery time), simultaneity of intervention, intraoperative and postoperative complications, as well as weight loss after 6 months were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

There were 15 robot-assisted sleeve gastrectomies between 2020 and 2023. Of these, 14 patients underwent surgery without complications. One patient was diagnosed with portal vein thrombosis that required anticoagulation. Median surgery time 194 [173.5; 241] min, period between incision and docking - 35 [30; 36] min. The length of hospital-stay was 3 days. The median weight loss after 6 months was 37.5% [29.5; 51.2].

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates safe introduction of a new technology to prepare the bariatric team for more complex surgical interventions in the future.

Robotic central pancreatectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Central pancreatectomy is usually performed to excise lesions of the neck or proximal body of the pancreas. In the last decade, thanks to the advent of novel technologies, surgeons have started to perform this procedure robotically. This review aims to appraise the results and outcomes of robotic central pancreatectomies (RCP) through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

A systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, and Web Of Science identified studies reporting outcomes of RCP. Pooled prevalence rates of postoperative complications and mortality were computed using random-effect modelling.

RESULTS

Thirteen series involving 265 patients were included. In all cases but one, RCP was performed to excise benign or low-grade tumours. Clinically relevant post-operative pancreatic fistula (POPF) occurred in 42.3% of patients. While overall complications were reported in 57.5% of patients, only 9.4% had a Clavien-Dindo score ≥ III. Re-operation was necessary in 0.7% of the patients. New-onset diabetes occurred postoperatively in 0.3% of patients and negligible mortality and open conversion rates were observed.

CONCLUSION

RCP is safe and associated with low perioperative mortality and well preserved postoperative pancreatic function, although burdened by high overall morbidity and POPF rates.