Da Vinci surgical system-assisted precise hepatectomy

Abstract

Objective To assess the feasibility,safety and advantages of robotic-assisted precise hepatectomy.Methods Between April and July 2009,13 consecutive patients underwent robotic-assisted hepatectomy for hepatic diseases.The clinical data were analyzed retrospectively.Results All 13 Da Vinci surgical systemassisted precise hepatectomies were successfully performed without conversion to laparotomy.Major hepatectomies were performed in 9 patients,left lateral segmentectomies in 4 patients.All the Da Vinci surgical system-assisted hepatectomies were performed anatomically with hilum dissection.Prior to the parenchymal transaction,vascular control of the portal vessels was carried out whenever possible.The mean operative time was 338 minutes(range,150-720 minutes).The mean blood loss was 208 ml(range,50-800 ml).No patient required blood transfusion,and no mortality,transient bile leakage was observed in patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma.The mean postoperative stay was 7 days(range,2-13 days).Conclusions These preliminary results show that Da Vinci surgical system-assisted precise hepatectomy is safe and feasible with potential benefits of a minimally invasive approach.Da Vinci surgical system may broaden the indications for laparoscopic hepatactomy,and it enables surgeons to perform precise laparoscopic hepatectomy which required hilum dissection,hepatocaval dissection,endoscopic suturing and microanastamosis. Key words: Da Vinci surgical system; Surgical procedures,minimally invasive; Liver neoplasms; Laparoscopy; Precise hepatectomy