Colorectal Robotic-Assisted Surgery in Children. Long-Term Outcomes and Pitfalls

Carlos Delgado-Miguel1,2, Laura Reparaz1, Wright Clarkson1

  • 1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Prisma Health Children's Hospital, Columbia, South Carolina, USA.

Insights

Minimally invasive colorectal robotic surgery in children shows promising results, with low complication rates and good long-term outcomes for various procedures like Hirschsprung

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric surgery
  • Minimally invasive surgery
  • Robotic surgery

Background:

  • Colorectal procedures in children can benefit from minimally invasive techniques.
  • Limited studies exist on pediatric minimally invasive colorectal surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the safety and efficacy of colorectal robotic-assisted surgery in pediatric patients.
  • To assess short-term and long-term outcomes of these procedures.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective, single-center observational study.
  • Included pediatric patients undergoing colorectal robotic-assisted surgery from 2011-2022.
  • Analyzed operative time, hospital stay, complications, and long-term follow-up.

Main Results:

  • 50 patients included, median age 4.8 years; Hirschsprung's disease was the main indication (21 cases).
  • No intraoperative complications or conversions reported; median operative time 183 min.
  • 4 postoperative complications occurred (2 Clavien-Dindo IIIb); 8% required reintervention long-term.

Conclusions:

  • Colorectal robotic-assisted surgery is feasible in pediatric patients.
  • The procedures demonstrate low complication rates and satisfactory long-term results.
  • Robotic approach offers a viable minimally invasive option for pediatric colorectal conditions.
Abstract