Single-Port Robotic Liver Surgery: A Pilot Feasibility Study of a Standardized Surgical Approach

Area of Science:

• Hepatobiliary Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Robotic Surgery

Background:

• Robotic systems offer enhanced dexterity and visualization in liver surgery.
• Single-port robotic surgery aims to further reduce invasiveness.
• Limited scientific literature exists on single-port robotic liver resection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the technical feasibility of single-port robotic liver resection.
• To evaluate short-term outcomes of this novel surgical approach.
• To investigate its applicability for lesions in the anterolateral liver segments.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 11 consecutive patients undergoing single-port robotic liver resection.
• Procedures focused on lesions in the anterolateral liver segments.
• Data collection included preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative parameters; cirrhotic patients were Child-Pugh A.

Main Results:

• Median age 67 years, 63.6% female; 27.3% had Child-Pugh A cirrhosis.
• Median operation time 190 minutes, median blood loss 50 mL.
• No postoperative complications, reinterventions, or 90-day readmissions; median hospitalization 2 days; minimal pain.

Conclusions:

• Single-port robotic liver resection is technically feasible for selected patients.
• The approach is suitable for intermediate-difficulty lesions in anterolateral liver segments.
• Further research is needed to define its role in minimally invasive liver surgery.