Oncologic Outcomes After Robotic Pancreatic Resections Are Not Inferior to Open Surgery

Compare oncologic outcomes after open and robotic pancreatic resections for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy improves survival after resected PDAC. Complications after pancreatectomy have been shown to prohibit the administration of adjuvant chemotherapy and survival. We examined the effect of surgical approach on receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy, complications, and overall survival after pancreatectomy.

A single-institution retrospective review of all patients with PDAC who underwent robotic or open pancreatectomy from 2011 to 2016 with 24-month follow-up.

Four hundred fifty-six patients underwent resection: 226 robotic and 230 open. No significant difference was identified in major complications or receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy between robotic and open pancreatectomy, nor was approach an independent predictor of these outcomes. Robotic pancreatectomy patients had a shorter length of stay than patients who underwent open pancreatectomy (7 days vs 9 days; P < 0.001). Additionally, wound infection rate (32.3% vs 12.4%, P < 0.0001) and transfusion (39.6% vs 12.4%, P < 0.0001) was improved in robotic pancreatectomy group with no differences in perioperative mortality. Improved median overall survival approached statistical significance for the robotic cohort (25.6 months vs 23.9 months; P = 0.055); however, on multivariable analysis the robotic approach predicted overall survival, (hazard ratio 0.77, P = 0.041). Robotic approach was an independent predictor of decreased blood loss and less transfusions than the open approach.

Robotic pancreatectomy was not inferior compared to open pancreatectomy in a high-volume experienced center for oncologic outcomes and due to decreased blood loss and transfusion may have improved survival.