Robot-assisted laparoscopic aortobifemoral bypass: initial experience developing a new program

Despite improved technology for endovascular treatment of aorto iliac occlusive disease, aortobifemoral bypass (ABF) continues to offer superior long-term patency. In an effort to reduce the morbidity of surgical ABF, multiple minimally invasive techniques have been reported. The da Vinci robot may facilitate the construction of a minimally invasive aortic anastomosis using standard vascular suture techniques. Our initial experience in the development of a minimally invasive surgical aortic reconstruction program is reported. After extensive time in the laboratory developing our surgical technique in human cadavers and a pig model, our team initiated a robotic vascular surgery program in 2007. A retrospective review of our initial six robot-assisted laparoscopic ABF cases was conducted. The aorta was exposed laparoscopically using the Stadler technique and the aortic anastomosis performed with the da Vinci robot. These results are compared with currently published reports of robotic ABF and alternative methods of minimally invasive aortic reconstruction. From January 2007 to August 2007, six robot-assisted laparoscopic ABFs were performed. Two patients had prior abdominal surgical procedures. Four patients had prior endovascular or surgical aorto iliac reconstruction. Operative time varied from 5 h 26 min to 8 h 12 min. Total clamp time, for the aortic anastomosis, ranged from 70 to 100 min with a mean of 75 min. Estimated blood loss ranged from 300 to 2,000 ml with a mean of 850 ml. Conversion with a short upper midline incision was required in one patient (16%) with an associated abdominal aortic aneurysm. Post operative length of stay ranged from five to ten days with a median of seven days. There was no operative mortality. Results from robotically assisted laparoscopic ABF are equivalent to those from other minimally invasive options while enabling a much shorter learning curve. Using the technique described, minimally invasive ABF was accomplished in a safe and reliable manner despite prior vascular treatment.