Implementing the da Vinci SP® Robotic Platform in Pediatric General Surgery: Improved Single-Site Surgery

Area of Science:

• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Robotic Surgery
• Pediatric Surgery

Background:

• Single-port robotic surgery (SPRS) offers a less invasive alternative to multiport robotic surgery (MPRS).
• The da Vinci SP® system enhances instrument articulation, addressing limitations of earlier single-site platforms.
• SPRS aims to maintain surgical benefits while reducing incision number.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and short-term outcomes of SPRS in adolescent patients.
• To assess perioperative and postoperative results of SPRS using the da Vinci SP® system.
• To determine the safety and efficacy of SPRS in a pediatric population.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 5 adolescent patients undergoing SPRS with the da Vinci SP® system.
• Procedures included cholecystectomy, femoral hernia repair, and ovarian cystectomy.
• Data collected on perioperative outcomes, postoperative recovery, and complications within 3 weeks.

Main Results:

• All 5 procedures were successfully completed via a single umbilical incision without conversion to open surgery.
• Patients were discharged the same day with no narcotic use and no postoperative complications at 3 weeks.
• Mean patient age was 16.4 years, with a mean console time of 41 minutes.

Conclusions:

• SPRS with the da Vinci SP® system is technically feasible in selected adolescents.
• Favorable short-term outcomes were observed in this small case series.
• Larger studies are required to confirm long-term safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness.