Publication details
Robot – assisted colorectal surgery
| Authors | |
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| Year of publication | 2009 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | INTRODUCTION:Robotic assistance provides a number of potential benefits for laparoscopic surgery by addressing several inherent limitations. However, its utility in colorectal surgery has not been determined. This is a report of our initial experience with robot-assisted colon resections. The aim of this study was to compare the traditional laparoscopic approach and robotic techniques in the treatment of colorectal diseases. METHODS:.The study compares a consecutive series of patients treated surgically for colorectal disease from May 2006 to May 2008 with the da Vinci robotic system (Intuitive Surgical) and a matched number of patients who underwent conventional laparoscopy during the same time interval. The factors analyzed were the time required to prepare the patient and the room, total time of surgery, number of lymph nodes retrieved, blood loss, complications, and postoperative results. RESULTS: We prospectively followed 56 patients who underwent robotic-assisted laparoscopic colorectal surgery using da Vinci robotic System/Intuitive Surgical/. Surgical outcomes were compared with those of 56 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic colorectal surgery in the same institution for similar indications prior to the start of robotic-assisted surgery. All 56 robotic-assisted procedures were completed with no intraoperative complications or mortality. The average blood loss was less than 80 ml in all cases. Morbidity and hospital stay were comparable to those for the patients undergoing standard laparoscopic procedures. DISCUSSION:Robot-assisted surgery proved to be as safe and effective as laparoscopic techniques in the treatment of colorectal diseases. Because of its dexterity and three-dimensional view, the da Vinci system was particularly useful in specific stages of the procedure, e.g., takedown of the splenic flexure, dissection of a narrow pelvis, identification of nervous plexus, and handsewn anastomosis. The value of robotic assistance in colorectal surgery needs to be further evaluated in a larger comparative study |
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