Feasibility of robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery: an evaluation of 35 robot-assisted laparoscopic cholecystectomies

Laparoscopic surgery offers patients distinct benefits but is not without its disadvantages to surgeons in terms of maneuverability and visualization. Robotic telemanipulation systems were introduced with the objective of providing a solution to the problems in this field of surgery. The feasibility of robot-assisted surgery was assessed by performing 35 laparoscopic cholecystectomies with the da Vinci robotic system. Time necessary for system setup and operation was recorded, as were complications, technical problems, postoperative hospital stay, morbidity, and mortality. Thirty-four of 35 cholecystectomy procedures were completed laparoscopically with the da Vinci system. Technical problems occurred in three cases, resulting in one intraoperative complication (a minilaparotomy caused by the loss of an instrument part). Median hospitalization was 2 days. There were no postoperative deaths or morbidity within 30 days after surgery. System setup time decreased as the experience of the operating team increased. Operating times were comparable with those reported for standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Robot-assisted surgery was repeatedly proven as a safe and feasible approach to laparoscopic cholecystectomy.