Robotic Single-Site Cholecystectomy: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

Objective Our goal is to describe and report the outcomes of patients undergoing robotic single-site cholecystectomy at a single institution. Background Cholecystectomy is a common procedure performed to remove the gallbladder. Robotic single-site cholecystectomy (RSSC) is rapidly emerging as a safe and feasible alternative to conventional 4-port laparoscopic techniques. Patients who undergo RSSC procedures may also have a decreased need for postoperative analgesics and a lower postoperative pain score. Methods From September 2020 to August 2023, there were 33 cases of RSSC performed by a single surgeon at a single institution. We recorded demographic data including sex, age, and BMI as well as postoperative outcome data including wound dehiscence, postoperative infection, biliary leakage, wound herniation, blood loss, and conversion to open procedure. Results The patient group included 24 females (72.7%) and nine males (27.3%) with a median age of 32 (Range: 9-70) and a median BMI of 24.2 kg/m² (Range: 18.1-30.7). The majority of these patients were receiving cholecystectomies for benign conditions such as symptomatic cholelithiasis (n = 18, 54.5%), biliary dyskinesia (n = 13, 39.4%), acute cholecystitis (n = 1, 0.03%), and biliary colic (n = 1, 0.03%). The average estimated blood loss was 5.91 mL. Thirty-two patients (96.9%) were discharged home the same day of surgery. One patient was admitted overnight for observation due to severe biliary dyskinesia diagnosed preoperatively. The patient had no complications and was discharged the following day. One patient presented with acute abdominal wall cellulitis and omphalitis with no underlying abscess four weeks after the operation. They were treated with therapeutic antibiotics. No patients underwent conversion to an open procedure. There were no incidences of postoperative wound dehiscence or biliary leakages. One patient was admitted overnight for observation of biliary dyskinesia and another experienced abdominal wall cellulitis four weeks post-operation. Conclusions Although conventional multi-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy remains the gold standard treatment for benign gallbladder disease, our study demonstrates the practicality and safety of Robotic Single-Site Cholecystectomy procedures.