Robotic single-port cholecystectomy using a new platform: initial clinical experience.

BACKGROUND: The technique of single-port laparoscopy was developed over the past years in an attempt to reduce the invasiveness of surgery. A reduction of incisions and their overall size might result in enhanced postoperative cosmesis and potentially reduce pain when compared to conventional techniques. While manual single-port laparoscopy is technically challenging, a newly approved robotic platform used with the da Vinci Si System (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) might overcome some of the difficulties of this technique.
METHODS: Patients with cholelithiasis were scheduled for robotic single-port cholecystectomy in an initial clinical trial. Demographic data, intra- and short-term postoperative results were assessed prospectively.
RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients (22 females/6 males; median age, 48 years) underwent robotic single-port cholecystectomy in our first week of clinical cases. Median OR time was 80 min with a median docking time of 8 min and median robotic console time of 53 min. Two patients underwent intraoperative cholangiography. Eight cases presented with adhesions, tissue alterations, or anatomical abnormalities. No conversions, intra- or postoperative complications occurred.
CONCLUSION: Robotic single-port cholecystectomy appears feasible and safe in our early experience. The robotic approach to single-port surgery seems to overcome some of the technical difficulties of manual single-port surgery. This robotic platform may facilitate completion of more complex cases.