Laparoscopic versus robot-assisted cholecystectomy: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Introduction: Robot-assisted surgery has permeated all surgical specialties including general surgery. Still, only a few small experimental series have compared experiences between laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and robotic cholecystectomy (RC). We present a single surgeon's experience with LC versus RC in a large case series.

Methods: We conducted an IRB-approved retrospective review of 326 patients (147 LC and 179 RC) who underwent surgery between September 2005 and June 2012. The same selection criteria and standardized surgical technique was used for all patients. Demographics collected included patient age, gender, body mass index (BMI), operating time, estimated blood loss (EBL), associated procedures, conversions, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and hospital length of stay (LOS).

Results: The LC group (26 males/121 females) had a mean age, BMI, operative time, and EBL of 41.1 years, 31.8 kg/m(2), 89.60 min, and 13.7 ml, respectively. Three cases were converted to open surgery and there were three major complications. The mean LOS was 1.01 days. The RC group (30 males/149 females) had a mean age, BMI, operative time, and EBL of 40.2 years, 32.9 kg/m(2), 95.7 min, and 13.9 ml, respectively. Two cases were converted to open surgery and there were three major complications. The mean LOS was 0.9 days.

Conclusions: LC and RC are comparable in terms of feasibility, safety, and reproducibility of outcomes in all cholecystectomy settings. Robotic assistance may be useful in managing biliary injuries during the LC procedure.

Keywords: Case series; Cholecystectomy; Laparoscopy; Outcomes; Robot-assisted surgery; Safety.