Outcomes and comparations of pediatric surgery about choledochal cyst with robot-assisted procedures, laparoscopic procedures, and open procedures: A meta-analysis

Comparison of robotic versus laparoscopic cyst excision and hepaticojejunostomy for choledochal cyst in children: a propensity score-matched study

BACKGROUND

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has become a standard approach in pediatric surgery, including for the treatment of choledochal cysts (CC). This study compared the long-term outcomes of laparoscopic (LA) and robot-assisted (RA) surgeries for pediatric CC. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to control for potential confounding variables that could influence surgical outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 159 pediatric patients who underwent MIS for CC at our tertiary referral center between June 2008 and December 2020 was conducted. PSM was used to minimize selection bias, resulting in 63 matched pairs of patients in the RA and LA groups. Key outcomes, including operative time, complication rates, and post-operative recovery, were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

After PSM, the RA group had a longer mean operative time compared to the LA group (359 vs. 319 min, p = 0.006). However, the RA group had a significantly lower incidence of anastomotic leaks (0% vs. 7.9%, p = 0.023). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of conversion to open surgery, length of hospital stay, or severe complications. The RA group had a shorter time to start feeding and to achieve full feeding postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

RA significantly enhances the quality of anastomosis, contributing to more secure anastomoses compared to LA, and provides the benefit of faster bowel movement recovery in pediatric choledochal cysts.

Robot-assisted puncture versus conservative treatment for severe brainstem hemorrhage: clinical outcomes comparison with experience of 138 cases in a single medical center

INTRODUCTION

The application of robot-assisted surgical technology in treating brainstem hemorrhage has garnered increasing attention. Treatments such as stereotactic hematoma aspiration and neuroendoscopic surgery are becoming more prevalent in China. The aim of this study is to provide a detailed comparative analysis of the clinical effects of robot-assisted puncture technology versus traditional conservative treatment, offering a scientific basis for optimizing treatment plans and improving patient outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective observational study was conducted from January 2019 to December 2023 at a single neurosurgery center. A total of 138 patients with severe brainstem hemorrhage were included, with 103 in the conservative treatment group and 35 in the robot-assisted puncture group.ROSA robot-assisted brainstem hemorrhage drainage is a precise neurosurgical procedure involving pre-surgical evaluations and examinations, including cranial CT, to determine the hemorrhage's location, extent, and severity. Baseline data was extracted from the hospital's electronic medical record system, including demographics, medical history, and clinical characteristics. Statistical analysis was performed to compare outcomes between the two treatment groups.

RESULTS

The baseline characteristics of the patients in both groups were similar, with no significant differences in age, gender, smoking history, alcohol consumption, or other relevant factors. The median stay time was longer in the robot-assisted group (21.0 days) compared to the conservative group (15.0 days), with a significant difference (p = 0.004). The median cost of hospitalization was also higher in the robot-assisted group (105231.0 yuan) compared to the conservative group (55221.5 yuan), with a significant difference (p < 0.001). The mortality rate of the robot assisted group was significantly lower than that of the conservative treatment group, and the difference was significant. Additionally, the robot-assisted group had a lower discharge hematoma volume and a trend towards better clinical outcomes, as measured by the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores.

DISCUSSION

The results suggest that robot-assisted puncture technology may offer improved clinical outcomes in patients with brainstem hemorrhage compared to traditional conservative treatment. The precision and accuracy of the ROSA robot may contribute to better hematoma drainage and reduced complications. While the cost of hospitalization was higher in the robot-assisted group, the potential for improved patient outcomes and reduced long-term healthcare costs should be considered when evaluating the cost-effectiveness of this treatment approach. Further research is needed to validate these findings in larger, multicenter studies and to explore the potential benefits of robot-assisted treatment in different subpopulations of patients with brainstem hemorrhage.

CONCLUSION

This study provides preliminary evidence that robot-assisted puncture technology may offer improved clinical outcomes in patients with brainstem hemorrhage compared to traditional conservative treatment. The precision and accuracy of the ROSA robot may contribute to better hematoma drainage and reduced complications, although the higher cost of hospitalization should be taken into account. Future research is needed to further validate these findings and explore the potential benefits of this innovative treatment approach.

First report of surgery for congenital biliary dilatation using the hinotori™ Surgical Robot System (with video)

Robot-assisted surgery for congenital biliary dilatation has been evolving primarily with the da Vinci® Surgical System. The hinotori™ Surgical Robot System, developed in Japan, received approval for gastroenterological surgery in 2022. We present the inaugural case of congenital biliary dilatation surgery utilizing the hinotori™ system. A 57-year-old woman was referred to our institution for evaluation and treatment of common bile duct dilatation classified under Todani Type Ia congenital biliary dilatation. Robotic resection of the extrahepatic bile duct and hepaticojejunostomy with Roux-en-Y were performed. The operation lasted 292 min with minimal blood loss (10 mL). The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and was discharged 10 days after surgery. Robotic surgery using the hinotori™ system for congenital biliary dilatation can be safely performed.

Robotic Surgery for Pediatric Choledochal Cysts: An American Case Series and Literature Review

INTRODUCTION

Choledochal cysts are rare congenital biliary cystic dilations. The US incidence rate varies between 5 and 15 cases per 1,000,000 people. In contrast, Asians, which are a large subset of the population of Hawaii, have an incidence of approximately one in every 1000 births. We report our experience with robot-assisted laparoscopic surgical management with biliary reconstruction of choledochal cysts which to date is the largest American case series to be reported.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From 2006 to 2021, patients diagnosed with a choledochal cyst(s) at a tertiary children's hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Perioperative analysis was performed. Complications were defined as immediate, early, or late. The data underwent simple descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients underwent choledochal cystectomy and hepaticoduodenostomy. Thirteen underwent a robotic approach while the rest were planned laparoscopic. Eighteen of 19 were female with 15/19 of Asian descent. The ages ranged from 5 mo to 21 y. Presenting diagnoses included jaundice, primary abdominal pain, pancreatitis, and cholangitis. Sixty eight percent had type 1 fusiform cysts while the rest were type 4a. Operative time and length of stay for robotic versus laparoscopic were 321 versus 267 min and 8.2 versus 17.3 d, respectively. For the robotic group, there was one immediate complication due to peritonitis. One-year follow-up revealed two patients requiring endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with dilation/stenting for an anastomotic stricture. There were no anastomotic leaks.

CONCLUSIONS

Robot-assisted laparoscopic choledochal cystectomy with hepaticoduodenostomy is associated with overall good outcomes with the most common long-term complication being anastomotic stenosis.

Choledochal Cyst Excision in Infants-A Retrospective Study

A choledochal cyst is a rare malformation primarily diagnosed in children. The only effective therapy remains surgical cyst resection followed by Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. Treating asymptomatic neonates remains a point of discussion. Between 1984 and 2021, we performed choledochal cyst (CC) excision in 256 children at our center. Out of this group, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 59 patients who were operated on under one year of age. Follow-up ranged from 0.3 to 18 years (median 3.9 years). The preoperative course was asymptomatic in 22 (38%), while 37 patients (62%) had symptoms before surgery. The late postoperative course was uneventful in 45 patients (76%). In symptomatic patients, 16% had late complications, while in asymptomatic patients, only 4%. Late complications were observed in the laparotomy group in seven patients (17%). We did not observe late complications in the laparoscopy group. Early surgical intervention is not followed by a high risk of complications and may prevent the onset of preoperative complications, giving excellent early and long-term results, especially after minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery.

Da vinci robotic-assisted treatment of pediatric choledochal cyst

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of da Vinci robot and laparoscopy in treating pediatric choledochal cysts.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed clinical data from forty-two children diagnosed with choledochal cysts in our hospital from January 2018 to January 2021. Twenty children underwent da Vinci robotic surgery, and the others underwent traditional laparoscopy. We compared differences in general information and preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative differences between the two surgical groups.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference in age, gender, weight, type, maximum cyst diameter, preoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) value, postoperative complication rate, and postoperative pain score between the two surgical groups (P > 0.05). The average age of the robot-assisted group was 3.62 ± 0.71 years old (range = 1-12 years). There were nineteen cases of Todani type I, one patients of other types, and the maximum cyst diameter was 35.45 ± 9.32 mm (range = 12-56 mm). In the laparoscopic group, the average age was 3.08 ± 0.82 years old (range = 3-10 years). Twenty-one patients had Todani type I, and one had other types. The maximum cyst diameter was 31.94 ± 8.64 mm (range = 10-82 mm). The robot-assisted group had better abdominal drainage, postoperative CRP value, fasting time, and discharge time than the laparoscopic group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Compared with laparoscopy, the da Vinci system has the advantages of less tissue damage, faster recovery, and better healing in the treatment of children with congenital choledochal cysts. With technological advancements and an increased number of experienced surgeons, robotic surgery may become a new trend in surgery.