Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026
Robotic Pancreatoduodenectomy for Pancreatic Head Cancer: a Case Report of a Standardized Technique
Published on: June 24, 2022
Robotic adrenalectomy: technical aspects, early results and learning curve
Annibale D'Annibale1, Giorgio Lucandri, Igor Monsellato
1Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgical Unit, San Giovanni-Addolorata Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Background:
Adrenal surgery is undergoing continuous evolution, and robotic technology may extend indications for a minimally invasive approach to adrenalectomy.
Methods:
Thirty robot-assisted unilateral transperitoneal adrenalectomy procedures have been performed at our Department over the last 5 years. The presence of bilateral lesions and vascular involvement were the only contra-indications for a minimally invasive approach. Several patients presented with significant co-morbidities: BMI > 35 kg/m(2) (20%); ASA score III-IV (58.7%); and moderate to severe impaired respiratory function (36.6%). In addition, 40% of patients had undergone previous abdominal surgery.
Results:
Two patients presented with intra-operative complications (6.6%) and only one patient required conversion to an open procedure (3.3%). None of the patients required intraoperative transfusions. Hospital morbidity was 10% but no mortality was recorded. The mean hospital stay was 5.2 ± 2.2 days. The mean size of the resected adrenal mass was 5.1 ± 2.4 cm. A significant reduction in operative times was found with gaining experience.
Conclusions:
Thanks to robotic technology, some subpopulations of patients with clinical or oncological contra-indications to laparoscopic treatment may be addressed with minimally invasive treatment.