Operative Time for Minimally Invasive Sacrocolpopexy: Comparison of Conventional Laparoscopy versus Robotic Platform

Abstract

To evaluate the operative time for minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy using conventional laparoscopy vs robotic assistance. In addition, we sought to compare intraoperative complications, mesh complications, anatomic prolapse recurrence, and retreatment. Retrospective cohort study. Academic hospital. All 142 women who underwent minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2019. We compared operative time between laparoscopic and robotic-assisted sacrocolpopexies. A total of 142 women were included. Mean age was 61.8 ± 9.6 years and mean body mass index 27.1 ± 4.4 kg/m2. A total of 86 (60.6%) sacrocolpopexies were performed laparoscopically and 56 (39.4%) with robotic assistance. There were no significant differences in baseline demographic variables. A higher proportion of concomitant hysterectomies were performed with robotic assistance as compared with laparoscopic cases (n=42, 73.7% robotic vs n=43, 50.6% laparoscopic; p <.01). Mean operative times were significantly different between robotic and laparoscopic groups (176.3 ± 45.5 minutes and 195.0 ± 45.4 minutes, p = .02). On linear regression, the variables predicting significant change in operative time were robotic assistance, concomitant hysterectomy, age, body mass index, and no resident involvement. There were no differences in intraoperative bladder or bowel injury, anatomic recurrence beyond the hymen, retreatment, or mesh complications (all p >.05). Contrary to previous research, the use of robotic assistance does not appear to increase operative time for patients undergoing minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy in a large academic practice.