The Current Role of Single-Site Robotic Approach in Liver Resection: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Liver resection is a critical surgical procedure for treating various hepatic pathologies. Minimally invasive approaches have gradually gained importance, and, in recent years, the introduction of robotic surgery has transformed the surgical landscape, providing potential advantages such as enhanced precision and stable ergonomic vision. Among robotic techniques, the single-site approach has garnered increasing attention due to its potential to minimize surgical trauma and improve cosmetic outcomes. However, the full extent of its utility and efficacy in liver resection has yet to be thoroughly explored. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive systematic review to evaluate the current role of the single-site robotic approach in liver resection. A detailed search of PubMed was performed to identify relevant studies published up to January 2024. Eligible studies were critically appraised, and data concerning surgical outcomes, perioperative parameters, and post-operative complications were extracted and analyzed. RESULTS: Our review synthesizes evidence from six studies, encompassing a total of seven cases undergoing robotic single-site hepatic resection (SSHR) using various versions of the da Vinci© system. Specifically, the procedures included five left lateral segmentectomy, one right hepatectomy, and one caudate lobe resection. We provide a summary of the surgical techniques, indications, selection criteria, and outcomes associated with this approach. CONCLUSION: The single-site robotic approach represents an option among the minimally invasive approaches in liver surgery. However, although the feasibility has been demonstrated, further studies are needed to elucidate its optimal utilization, long-term outcomes, and comparative effectiveness against the other techniques. This systematic review provides valuable insights into the current state of single-site robotic liver resection and underscores the need for continued research in this rapidly evolving field.

Minimally Invasive Surgery for the Treatment of Moderate to Critical Acute Pancreatitis: A Case-matched Comparison With the Traditional Open Approach Over 10 years.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare short-term and midterm outcomes between patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) treated with minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and patients treated with open necrosectomy (ON). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared data of all patients who had undergone MIS for AP with a similar group of patients with ON patients between January 2012 and June 2021 using a case-matched methodology based on AP severity and patient characteristics. Inhospital and midterm follow-up variables, including quality-of-life assessment, were evaluated. RESULTS: Starting from a whole series of 79 patients with moderate to critical AP admitted to our referral center, the final study sample consisted of 24 patients (12 MIS and 12 ON). Postoperative (18.7±10.9 vs. 30.3±21.7 d; P =0.05) and overall hospitalization (56.3±17.4 vs. 76.9±39.4 d; P =0.05) were lower in the MIS group. Moreover, the Short-Form 36 scores in the ON group were statistically significantly lower in role limitations because of emotional problems ( P =0.002) and health changes ( P =0.03) at 3 and 6 months and because of emotional problems ( P =0.05), emotional well-being ( P =0.02), and general health ( P =0.007) at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: MIS for the surgical management of moderate to critical AP seems to be a good option, as it could provide more chances for a better midterm quality of life compared with ON. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Robotic Hepatectomy plus Biliary Reconstruction for Bismuth Type III and Type IV Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma: State of the Art and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: In Bismuth type III and IV Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma (III-IV HC), surgical resection is the only chance for long-term survival. As the surgical procedure is complex and Robotic-Assisted Surgery (RAS) may be particularly suitable in this setting, the aim of this study is to evaluate the potential benefits of RAS in III-IV HC in terms of post-operative outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review using the PRISMA checklist for article selection. We searched the PubMed database and included only studies with clinical data about the treatment of III-IV HC using RAS. RESULTS: A total of 12 papers involving 50 patients were included. All cases were Bismuth IIIa (n = 18), IIIb (n = 27) or IV type (n = 5) and underwent hepatectomy with biliary confluence resection and reconstruction. The mean operative time was 500 minutes with a conversion rate of 4%. The mean hospital stay was 12.2 days, and the morbidity and 30-day mortality rate were 61.9% and 2%, respectively. Over a mean follow up period of 10.1 months, 9/18 cases experienced recurrence (50%). CONCLUSIONS: RAS for III-IV HC is safe and feasible, at least if performed by experienced surgeons on selected cases. The oncological outcomes appear acceptable, given the aggressiveness of this pathology, but further studies are needed to fully elucidate the exact role of robotics in this setting.