Robotic Ileocecal Resection for Crohn's Disease Using Hugo RAS System
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Published on: February 7, 2025
Ana Cristina Silva1, Pedro N Brandão1, Mónica Sampaio1
1Serviço de Cirurgia Digestiva e Extradigestiva and Centro de Cirurgia Digital e Robótica, Hospital de Santo António, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, Unidade Local de Saúde de Santo António, 4099-001 Porto, Unidade Multidisciplinar de Investigação Biomédica, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, and ITR - Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal.
Background And Objectives:
Robotic-assisted ileocecal resection using the Hugo robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) system represents a novel alternative to conventional laparoscopic surgery for the management of Crohn's disease (CD). This study aimed to assess its feasibility, safety, and perioperative outcomes.
Methods:
A retrospective case series including 7 consecutive patients with CD who underwent fully robotic-assisted ileocecal resection using the Hugo RAS system was conducted after multidisciplinary team discussion. Demographic, clinical, and perioperative data were collected, including operative time, estimated blood loss, conversion rates, intraoperative and postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, and short-term postoperative outcomes. A narrative review of the literature on robotic-assisted ileocecal resection for CD was also performed.
Results:
Between December 2024 and January 2026, 7 consecutive patients with CD (mean age 45 years) and no previous intestinal resections underwent fully robotic-assisted ileocecal resection using the Hugo RAS system. Disease was limited to the terminal ileum in all cases, with a fistulizing phenotype in 2 patients. The median operative time was 235 minutes. No conversions to laparoscopic or open surgery, intraoperative complications, or blood transfusions were observed. Two postoperative complications occurred, with no hospital readmissions or mortality. After a mean follow-up of 11 months, endoscopic recurrence occurred in two patients (28.6%), whereas no clinical recurrence was observed.
Conclusions:
Fully robotic ileocecal resection using the Hugo RAS system appears feasible and is associated with favorable short-term perioperative outcomes in this initial series. Further studies with larger cohorts and longer follow-up are needed to validate these findings and determine its long-term role.
