Robotic dual-console distal pancreatectomy: could be considered a new and safe surgical teaching? An observational cohort study

Abstract

Purpose: The study aims to assess the safety and feasibility of the robotic dual-console during a robotic distal pancreatectomy Methods: The data of the consecutive patients submitted to RDP from 2012 to 2019 at the Verona University were retrieved from a prospectively maintained database. The patients submitted to RDP using the dual-console platform (DG) were compared to the standard robotic procedure (SG) Results: During the study period, 102 robotic distal pancreatectomies were performed, of whom 42 patients (41%) were submitted to dual-console technique (DG), and 60 patients (59%) underwent the standard procedure (SG). Higher operation time was recorded in the DG compared to the SG (410 vs. 265 minutes, p<0.001). The overall conversion rate of the series was 7% (n°7 patients). All the conversions were observed in the SG (p=0.021). No differences in morbidity or pancreatic fistula rate were recorded (p>0.05). No mortality events in the 90th postoperative days were reported in this series. Conclusions: The robotic dual-console approach for distal pancreatectomy is safe, feasible, and reproducible. The postoperative surgical outcomes are comparable to the standard RDP with the single-console da Vinci Surgical System®. This surgical technique can widely and safely improve the robotic surgical training program.