Initial Experience and Surgical Setup of Robot-Assisted Nephroureterectomy Using the Hugo Robot-Assisted Surgery System.

Abstract

Robot-assisted radical nephroureterectomy (RANU) has emerged as a valid alternative to open or laparoscopic nephroureterectomy in recent years. However, different types of robotic platforms can limit surgical maneuvers in various ways. This study aimed to describe the surgical procedure and demonstrate RANU's technical feasibility and safety using the Hugo robot-assisted surgery (RAS) system. Using the Hugo RAS system, we reported data from the first five consecutive patients who underwent RANU at Tottori University Hospital. We adjusted the docking angles of the four independent arm carts in each case and performed a complete RANU via a transperitoneal approach. We collected patients' sociodemographic and perioperative data, including complications, and compared them retrospectively with data obtained using the da Vinci surgical system. Arms positions were modified after the first patient to be placed all at the back of the patient. Median overall operative time was 283 min (203-377) and the median time using the robotic system was 187 min (121-277). The median estimated blood loss was 20 mL (5-155). None of the patients required a blood transfusion and none suffered postoperative complications of Clavien-Dindo grade ≥3. These outcomes were similar to those obtained with the da Vinci Xi system. This series represents the first report of RANU executed using the novel Hugo RAS system. Our proposed arm-setup will assist other surgeons and help ensure safe implementation of RANU on the Hugo platform.