R. Caruso

Robotic versus standard open pancreatectomy: a case matched analysis comparison

R. Caruso, E. Vicente, Y. Quijano, B. Ielpo, H. Duran, I. Fabra, V. Ferri, E. Barzola, R. Isernia and C. Plaza Sanchinarro University Hospital, Spain Background: Interest in robotic pancreatectomy has been greatly increasing over the last decade. However, evidence supporting the benefits of robotic over open pancreatectomy is still outstanding. This study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of robotic pancreatectomy compared with the conventional open surgical approach. Methods: Propensity score matched (1:1) was used to balance age, sex, BMI, ASA, tumour size andmalignancy of 17 robotic pancreaticoduodenectomies (PD), 12 pancreatic enucleations (PE) and 28 distal pancreatectomies (DP) and were compared with the open standard approach. Results: Robotic PD was associated with longer operative time (594 vs 413 min; p = 0.03) and decreased blood loss (190 vs 394 ml; p = 0.001). Robotic PE showed a lower mean length of hospital stay (8.4 vs 12.8 days, p = 0.04) and, in addition robotic DP showed less blood loss (175 vs 375 ml; p = 0.01), less severe morbidities (7.14 vs 17.9%; p = 0.02), and a reduced mean length of hospital stay (8.9 vs 15.1; p = 0.001). Overall conversion rate was 4 (7%). The histopathology of specimen showed disease-free margins in all cases. Conclusion: Robotic pancreatectomy is as safe and effective as the standard open surgical approach with reduced blood loss in PD and DP, length of hospital stay in PE and DP, and severe morbidity in DP.