Single-incision Robotic Cholecystectomy: Initial Experience and Results

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Continued efforts to reduce the invasiveness of conventional cholecystectomy techniques have resulted in the development of single-incision cholecystectomy. However, a single-port approach has significant limitations associated with proper triangulation and instrument crowding and collisions. Although the da Vinci Single-Site robotic system has been proposed to overcome these problems, objective evidence of the feasibility and ergonomics of single-incision robotic cholecystectomy (SIRC) is insufficient. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of SIRC by using objective data obtained from consecutive patients who underwent surgery with the single-incision robotic platform performed by a single surgeon. METHODS: Forty patients who underwent SIRC between August 2014 and December 2015 were identified. Demographic, perioperative, and postoperative data were collected retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean docking time was 10.82±4.85 min (range, 4~30 min). The mean console time was 49.63±10.82 min (range, 24~90 min). None of the patients required an additional laparoscopic arm, an additional robotic arm, or conversion to conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy. CONCLUSION: SIRC can provide a safe operative procedure, good operative results, and high patient satisfaction, and cause less surgeon fatigue. Therefore, our study results indicate that SIRC is feasible and favorable for both patients and physicians.