International consensus guidelines on robotic pancreatic surgery in 2023.

Area of Science:

• Surgical Oncology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Robotic Surgery

Background:

• Robotic pancreatic surgery (RPS) is increasingly utilized globally, particularly in abdominal procedures.
• A significant gap exists in evidence-based guidelines for RPS application, safety, and efficacy.
• This study addresses the need for robust evidence and standardized clinical practice in RPS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop comprehensive international guidelines for the use of robotic pancreatic surgery (RPS).
• To provide evidence-based recommendations for the application, safety, and efficacy of RPS.
• To establish a consensus guideline for surgeons, patients, and healthcare administrators.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the World Health Organization (WHO) Handbook for Guideline Development and the GRADE Grid method.
• Employed Delphi voting and the AGREE-II instrument for guideline development.
• Conducted three online expert meetings for recommendation voting and feedback from international minimally invasive surgery specialists.

Main Results:

• A systematic literature review identified 176 relevant studies.
• Nineteen clinical questions pertaining to RPS were addressed.
• Fourteen evidence-based recommendations were formulated through expert assessment and judgment.

Conclusions:

• The developed international RPS guidelines offer practical guidance for surgeons, patients, and healthcare stakeholders.
• These guidelines aim to standardize and improve the practice of robotic pancreatic surgery.
• Further randomized controlled trials are recommended to ascertain the comparative benefits of RPS over traditional surgical methods.