[Standardized access options for colorectal surgery with the da Vinci Xi system]

Area of Science:

• Robotic surgery
• Minimally invasive surgery
• Surgical technology

Background:

• Previous da Vinci systems had limitations in colorectal surgery, causing surgeon uncertainty with robotic adoption.
• The da Vinci Xi system was developed to address these limitations and facilitate multiquadrant colorectal procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explain the design of the da Vinci Xi system.
• To detail the standardized access protocol for colorectal surgery using the da Vinci Xi.

Main Methods:

• The da Vinci Xi system features an overhead boom for maximized arm workspace and universal port placement.
• Standardized colorectal surgical approaches were validated in cadaver models to confirm reproducibility.

Main Results:

• Universal straight-line port placement is feasible for all colorectal surgeries with the da Vinci Xi.
• Specific approaches for right-sided hemicolectomy, left-sided colectomy, sigmoid colectomy, low anterior resections, and proctocolectomy were demonstrated.
• Minor, manageable arm interferences occurred without requiring cart rearrangement or arm relocation.

Conclusions:

• The da Vinci Xi system provides standardized access for all colorectal procedures via universal straight-line port placement.
• Mastering this single principle simplifies application across various colorectal surgeries.
• This standardization is expected to shorten learning curves and reduce stress for surgeons using the new robotic platform.