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Robotic surgery for gastrointestinal malignancies
Author(s) -
Anderson C.,
Hellan M.,
Kernstine K.,
Ellenhorn J.,
Lai L.,
Trisal V.,
Pigazzi A
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the international journal of medical robotics and computer assisted surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.556
H-Index - 53
eISSN - 1478-596X
pISSN - 1478-5951
DOI - 10.1002/rcs.155
Subject(s) - medicine , surgery , anastomosis , colorectal cancer , robotic surgery , body mass index , port (circuit theory) , leak , cancer , general surgery , environmental engineering , electrical engineering , engineering
Background This report describes our initial experience with the use of robotic‐assisted surgery for the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies. Methods Between November 2004 and July 2007, 73 robotic procedures (26 female, 47 male) for GI cancer were performed and retrospectively reviewed. Procedures included 25 oesophagectomies, 11 gastrectomies and 37 rectal resections. The median body mass index (BMI) for this patient population was 26. Results The median operative times for rectal, oesophageal and gastric resections were 285, 482 and 430 min, respectively. There were three conversions. Major postoperative morbidity was 16% for rectal, 32% for oesophageal and 9% for gastric procedures. The leak rate was 11% for rectal, 16% for oesophageal and 9% for gastric anastomoses. Median length of stay was 4, 11 and 5 days, respectively. The median number of lymph nodes harvested was 13, 22, and 26 for rectal, oesophageal and gastric lymphadenectomies, respectively. At a median follow‐up of 9 months, one patient developed a port site recurrence; 30 day mortality was zero. Conclusion This initial experience suggests that the robotic approach is safe and feasible for a variety of radical oncological surgical procedures. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.