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. 2021 Apr 23;10(1):124.
doi: 10.1186/s13643-021-01673-x.

Intraoperative and postoperative outcomes of robot-assisted cholecystectomy: a systematic review

Rivfka Shenoy  1   2   3 , Michael A Mederos  4 , Linda Ye  4 , Selene S Mak  5 , Meron M Begashaw  5 , Marika S Booth  6 , Paul G Shekelle  5   6 , Mark Wilson  7   8 , William Gunnar  9   10 , Melinda Maggard-Gibbons  4   5   6   11 , Mark D Girgis  4   5
Affiliations

Intraoperative and postoperative outcomes of robot-assisted cholecystectomy: a systematic review

Rivfka Shenoy et al. Syst Rev. .

Abstract

Background: Rapid adoption of robotic-assisted general surgery procedures, particularly for cholecystectomy, continues while questions remain about its benefits and utility. The objective of this study was to compare the clinical effectiveness of robot-assisted cholecystectomy for benign gallbladder disease as compared with the laparoscopic approach.

Methods: A literature search was performed from January 2010 to March 2020, and a narrative analysis was performed as studies were heterogeneous.

Results: Of 887 articles screened, 44 met the inclusion criteria (range 20-735,537 patients). Four were randomized controlled trials, and four used propensity-matching. There were variable comparisons between operative techniques with only 19 out of 44 studies comparing techniques using the same number of ports. Operating room time was longer for the robot-assisted technique in the majority of studies (range 11-55 min for 22 studies, p < 0.05; 15 studies showed no difference; two studies showed shorter laparoscopic times), while conversion rates and intraoperative complications were not different. No differences were detected for the length of stay, surgical site infection, or readmissions. Across studies comparing single-port robot-assisted to multi-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy, there was a higher rate of incisional hernia; however, no differences were noted when comparing single-port robot-assisted to single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Conclusions: Clinical outcomes were similar for benign, elective gallbladder disease for robot-assisted compared with laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Overall, the rates of complications were low. More high-quality studies are needed as the robot-assisted technique expands to more complex gallbladder disease, where its utility may prove increasingly beneficial.

Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42020156945.

Keywords: Cholecystectomy; Gallbladder; Laparoscopic; Review; Robot-assisted.

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Conflict of interest statement

Dr. Rivfka Shenoy is supported by the VA Office of Academic Affiliations through the VA/National Clinician Scholars Program. The authors have no other financial or non-financial competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Comparison of robot-assisted versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy intraoperative outcomes
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Comparison of robot-assisted versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy postoperative outcomes
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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