Early Outcomes of Robotic Single Site Cholecystectomy Using the DaVinci Xi® System

Robotic surgery has become an established alternative to conventional laparoscopy or single site laparoscopy by solving the problems of angulation, improving the ergonomics of single-incision technology, and overcoming the intrinsic limitations of single-incision laparoscopy. Although the robotic single site technology is non-wristed and, unlike other conventional robotic instruments, only provides rotation, the ergonomics are nevertheless excellent. Therefore, the objective of this study is to present our initial experience in robotic single site cholecystectomy (RSSC) by a surgeon. Through this, we suggest that RSSC could be a feasible and safe procedure for overcoming the shortcomings of single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC).

This study is a retrospective data review of 74 patients who underwent RSSC between April 2019 and August 2020 at our institution. The demographic, pre-, and postoperative data were retrospectively collected.

A total of 74 patients underwent RSSC. The mean age of patients was 44.7 ± 9.5 years, and their mean body mass index was 24 ± 3 kg/m². Symptomatic gallbladder stone (56.8%) was the most common pre-operative diagnosis. Mean of total operation and docking times was 39.3 ± 12.5 (20 - 85) and 7.6 ± 3.1 (4 - 20) minutes, respectively. There was no conversion, additional port insertion, bleeding, or intra-operative complication; however, one patient had wound seroma.

RSSC for uncomplicated gallbladder disease may serve as an excellent alternative to SILC or conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy because of its low complication rates, good cosmesis, and ease of reproducibility without a substantial learning curve.