The first experience of robot-assisted bariatric surgery using the Senhance system in patients with morbid obesity

Abstract

To study the results of robot-assisted bariatric surgery using the Senhance system in patients with morbid obesity. A prospective cohort study included 74 patients who underwent bariatric surgery (Senhance digital laparoscopy system) between January 2022 and May 2023. Of these, 12 patients underwent robot-assisted longitudinal gastrectomy, 20 patients - robot-assisted Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, 36 patients - robot-assisted gastric bypass with one anastomosis/mini-gastric bypass, 6 patients - surgical exploration. We assessed duration of surgery, docking, placement of trocars and robotic manipulators, the need for their intraoperative displacement, incidence of intraoperative complications and conversions to laparoscopic surgery, intraoperative blood loss and early postoperative complications, severity of pain syndrome on the 1st day after surgery. Mean surgery time was 87 [67, 120], 116 [78, 139], 96 [79, 125] and 141 [112, 184] min, respectively. Intraoperative blood loss was less than 50 ml. There were no complications requiring surgical treatment, cardiovascular, respiratory and other complications within 1 month. Robot-assisted bariatric surgery using the Senhance system is feasible and safe for patients. Immediate results of robotic surgery are comparable to those after laparoscopy. However, large experience and cost-effectiveness analysis are required to assess the feasibility of robotic systems in bariatric surgery.