Robotic-Assisted and Laparoscopic Splenectomy in Children: A Single Center Comparative Study

To explore the safety, efficacy, advantages, and disadvantages of robotic-assisted splenectomy (RS) in children by analyzing and comparing the clinical data of RS and laparoscopic splenectomy (LS). The clinical data of 35 children who underwent laparoscopic or RS or partial splenectomy from February 2010 to October 2022 were included. A retrospective analysis based on general information, clinical data, and prognosis were performed. Among 35 cases, 14 cases, and 21 cases underwent RS and LS, respectively. The average operation time was 167 (120-224) minutes in the RS group and 176 (166-188) minutes in the LS group. The intraoperative blood loss was significantly larger in LS group than RS group (P = .0009). The length of hospital stay was significantly longer in LS group than RS group (P = .0015), and the hospitalization cost was significantly higher in RS group than LS group (P < .0001). There were no cases of conversion to laparotomy in the RS group, but two cases in the LS group. In terms of postoperative complications, there were one and three cases in the RS and LS groups, respectively. The Robotic Surgical System was safe and feasible in pediatric splenectomy or partial splenectomy which was an alternative to laparoscopic surgery.