Initial experience of robot-assisted breast conserving surgery for early breast cancer patients.

Abstract

17 Background: A traditional breast conserving surgery (BCS) operation inevitably results in an external scar on breast and axilla. Various attempts including endoscopy-assisted breast surgery has been successfully and reproducibly performed for improved cosmetic outcome. In an attempt to maximize esthetic effects, we performed robot-assisted BCS through only axillary incision. Methods: From Jan. 2021 to Dec. 2021, fifteen female patients underwent robot-assisted BCS. All patients underwent robot-assisted BCS with or without sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNBx.) through only 2.5cm axillary incision. All surgical procedures were performed in concordance with traditional BCS operation. Data on patient demographics, type of surgery, hospital stay, complications, and short-term postoperative outcomes were reviewed. Results: Mean patient age was 53.7 ± 6.35 years and mean tumor size was 1.6 ± 2.1 cm. Indications included in situ cancer in 7 cases and invasive cancer in 8 cases. Three patients underwent only BCS, and twelve patients underwent BCS + SLNBx. Two patients underwent axillary lymph node dissection. The mean operation time was 165.5±8.2 minute and the mean hospital stay was 6.4 ± 5.3 days. No open conversion case was observed. One seroma with infection occurred postoperatively and I & D performed. Two skin burn event during operation was occurred and scar revision was performed. The operative scars in axilla became inconspicuous in a few weeks. Conclusions: Our initial results show that robot-assisted BCS would be technically feasible, safe, and effective. This new technique can be a good alternative surgical option for BCS in early breast cancer patients.