Robot Application for Hepatopancreatic Disorders, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, and Achalasia

We undertook this study to describe the number and variety of robotic operations undertaken for hepatopancreatic and esophageal disorders.

Data from 2015 through March of 2018 were analyzed for da Vinci™ robot application for hepatopancreatic disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and achalasia.

From 2015 through 2017, robotic hepatopancreatic operations increased 49%, robotic hepatic operations increased 107%, and robotic pancreatic operations increased 26%. Quarter after quarter, robotic application increased for hepatopancreatic operations, hepatic operations, and pancreatic operations (P < .001 for each) with acceleration over the most recent months. The application of the Xi robot platform increased from 12% of robotic hepatopancreatic operations in 2015-71% in 2018 (1075% increase in numbers). From 2015 through 2017, robotic fundoplications and myotomies increased by 55%, robotic fundoplications increased by 59%, and robotic Heller myotomies increased by 211%. Quarter after quarter, robotic application increased for fundoplications and Heller myotomies (P < .001 for each) with acceleration over the most recent months. The application of the Xi robot platform increased from 13% of these robotic operations in 2015-64% in 2018 (935% increase in numbers). Less than 10% of hepatopancreatic operations, fundoplications, and myotomies are undertaken robotically.

There has been an accelerating increase in the number of robotic operations for hepatopancreatic disorders, GERD, and achalasia over the past 3 ¼ years. Application of the Xi robot has dramatically increased, both absolutely and relatively. Still only a small proportion of operations for hepatopancreatic disorders, GERD, and achalasia use the robotic platform; this is changing fast.