Robot-assisted pelvic urologic surgeries: is it feasible to perform under reduced tilt?

To evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of performing robot-assisted pelvic surgery at a reduced angle of Trendelenburg position. This was a prospective case-control study of 67 patients in 2:1 ratio. Controls were operated with steep Trendelenburg position of 30°, whereas cases were operated using a graduated method to achieve minimal optimal angle of operating table. Various body habitus parameters, console time, blood loss, rise in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and end-tidal carbon-dioxide (ET-CO2), duration of ileus, postoperative stay and complications were recorded. All demographic profile and body habitus parameters were comparable among two groups except age which was lower in Reduced-Tilt group. Cases were operated at a mean angle of 20.5 ± 3.1° compared to 30° in control group. Rise in MAP, ET-CO2 and facial swelling were significantly low in Reduced-Tilt group compared to control. Notably blood loss, duration of ileus, postoperative stay and complications were also low in patients with Reduced Tilt. Various body habitus parameters were analysed with multiple regression analysis to predict minimal angle required for performing surgery with Reduced Tilt. BMI, xiphisterno-umbilical distance, umbilical-pubic-symphyseal distance and subcostal angle were found to predict the same. Robot-assisted pelvic surgeries can be performed in reduced Trendelenburg tilt which is associated with less hemodynamic and respiratory stress, complication rates and early postoperative recovery. BMI, subcostal angle, xiphisterno-umbilical distance and umbilical-pubic-symphyseal distance can predict the feasible angle of tilt.