Initial experiences in robot‐assisted middle pancreatectomy

Abstract

ObjectivesInitial results in robot‐assisted middle pancreatectomy (MP) have been encouraging. However, data comparing outcomes of robot‐assisted MP with those of open MP are limited. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes in patients undergoing open and robot‐assisted MP, respectively. MethodsOutcomes in an initial experience with seven consecutive patients undergoing robot‐assisted MP were compared with those in 36 patients undergoing open MP. ResultsThe robot‐assisted MP group included five women and two men with a median age of 55 years (range: 30–62 years). Median tumour size, operative time and blood loss were 3.0 cm (range: 0.5–5.0 cm), 210 min (range: 150–330 min) and 200 ml (range: 50–400 ml), respectively. Pancreaticogastrostomy was performed in all patients. No transfusion was given intraoperatively. Pathological examination revealed five serous cystic neoplasms, one mixed‐type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm and one lipoma. Five patients experienced postoperative pancreatic fistula and one experienced post‐pancreatectomy haemorrhage. No operative mortality was noted. Compared with the open MP group, the robot‐assisted MP group demonstrated a shorter median length of postoperative gastrointestinal tract recovery [2 days (range: 2–3 days) versus 4 days (range: 2–11 days); P = 0.001]. conclusionsRobot‐assisted MP can be performed safely with satisfactory efficacy; patients experienced faster gastrointestinal tract recovery compared with patients undergoing open surgery.