Robotic cholecystectomy with a new port placement: Is it really beneficial?

Abstract

This study compared the effect of robotic cholecystectomy (RC) with a new port placement versus that of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) on surgical pain and postoperative complications. We prospectively collected medical data from 100 patients who underwent cholecystectomy (RC=50, LC=50) from March 2017 to January 2019. In the RC group, ports were positioned in the left-lower, mid-lower, and umbilical areas. In the LC group, ports were placed in the xiphoid, right-upper, and umbilical areas. Patient characteristics were similar between the two groups. Pain levels at 2, 4, and 8h were significantly lower in the RC group than in the LC group (p=0.04, 0.02, and 0.02, respectively). The LC group received more analgesics after surgery (RC=0.3±0.5 vs. LC=0.7±0.9, p=0.03). However, the total medical cost was significantly higher in the RC group (RC=7355.2±1270.9 USD vs. LC=4814.8±1572.5 USD, p<0.01). Mean operative time, length of hospital stay, and postoperative complications were not significantly different between the two groups. Regardless of the surgical procedure, postoperative complications were similar. RC with the new port placement can be recommended for patients who are more concerned about postoperative pain, incision, and hospital stay than surgical cost.