Robotic surgery in living liver donors and liver recipients

There have been nearly 60 years since Thomas Starzl’s first liver transplant.During this period,advancements in medical technology have progressively enabled the adoption of new methods for transplantation.Among these innovations,robotic surgery has emerged in recent decades and is gradually being integrated into transplant medicine.Robotic hepatectomy and liver implantation represent significant advancements in the field of transplant surgery.The precision and minimally invasive nature of robotic surgery offer substantial benefits for both living donors and recipients.In living donors,robotic hepatectomy reduces postoperative pain,minimizes scarring,and accelerates recovery.For liver recipients,robotic liver implantation enhances surgical accuracy,leading to better graft positioning and vascular anastomosis.Robotic systems provide more precise and maneuverable control of instruments,allowing surgeons to perform complex procedures with greater accuracy and reduced risk to patients.This review encompasses publications on minimally invasive donor liver surgery,with a specific focus on robotic liver resection in transplantation,and aims to summarize current knowledge and the development status of robotic surgery in liver transplantation,focusing on liver resection in donors and graft implantation in recipients.

Treatment of hemolymphangioma by robotic surgery: A case report

BACKGROUND Hemolymphangioma of the jejunum is rare and lacks clinical specificity,and can manifest as gastrointestinal bleeding,abdominal pain,and intestinal obstruction.Computed tomography,magnetic resonance imaging,and other examinations show certain characteristics of the disease,but lack accuracy.Although capsule endoscopy and enteroscopy make up for this deficiency,the diagnosis also still re-quires pathology.CASE SUMMARY A male patient was admitted to the hospital due to abdominal distension and abdominal pain,but a specific diagnosis by computed tomography examination was not obtained.Partial resection of the small intestine was performed by robotic surgery,and postoperative pathological biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of hemo-lymphangioma.No recurrence in the follow-up examination was observed.CONCLUSION Robotic surgery is an effective way to treat hemolymphangioma through minima-lly invasive techniques under the concept of rapid rehabilitation.

Robotic Surgery: An Effective Treatment Option for Epiphrenic Diverticulum Associated with Nutcracker Esophagus

Background: Epiphrenic Diverticulum is frequently associated with esophageal motility disorders, such as nutcrackers esophagus. The diagnosis is usually made using imaging studies such as a Barium esophagogram, and esophageal manometry. Surgical treatment options for epiphrenic diverticulum and EN include diverticulectomy and wide myotomy. Aim: The resection of three epiphrenic diverticula and extensive myotomy were performed by robotic thoracoscopy uneventfully. Case presentation: A 65-year-old female complaining of dysphagia for solid foods, Chest pain and regurgitation. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EDG) with difficulty in advancing the endoscope at 25 cm and demonstrating an ED, no hiatal hernia and normal stomach and duodenum. Barium Esophagogram showed multiple diverticula and tortuosity throughout the esophagus. Conclusion: With robotic surgery, surgeons can perform highly precise operations with enhanced 3D vision and control. Through this cutting-edge approach, the treatment of ED associated with EN can be drastically changed, promising better outcomes for patients.

Robotic4all project:Results of a hands-on robotic surgery training program

Objective Although robotic surgery adoption and its indications are growing worldwide,for multiple factors,including costs,there is a lack of training and experience.Our aim was to study the impact of a robotic introduction training program on gesture performance,such as suturing,in robot-naive individuals.Methods Using the DaVinci robot,a 2-hour program was based on virtual reality and anatomical model exercises.All participants performed 3 repetitions of virtual reality exercises on the virtual simulator,and then performed and were assessed on 2 tests,ie robot and laparoscopic training box.After the course,the participants were surveyed for this training program.Results Twenty-seven residents and surgeons were enrolled in the training program.With only 2 hours of training,all of the participants were able to complete the training program,thus learning generic and specific skills in robotic surgery.In virtual reality exercise,the scores of the 3 exercises increased significantly with every repetition(p<0.001)and the size of the increase was large.The completion time on the robot platform was 2.6 times faster(169.33±28.28 s vs.447.96±156.55 s,p<0.001)than that in the laparoscopic box,and the difference between both types of tests was large(pη2=0.797).The centralization and passage of the needle were significantly better on the robot platform(5 vs.3,p<0.001,r=0.47;5 vs.4,p<0.001,r=0.59)than in the laparoscopic box.For the intracorporeal stitch+knot test,every participant was able to perform the exercise on the robot but only 85.2%(23/27)in the laparoscopic box.Twenty-one participants answered the survey,and 13(61.9%)of them considered robotic performance independent of laparoscopic experience.Conclusions Surgeons are interested and seek training in robotic surgery.We implemented the first hands-on robotic surgery training program in Portugal and participants considered it was important and adequate for its purpose.All participants,even without robotic experience,learned quicker,performed better,faster and more precisely on the robot over laparoscopy.

Robotic surgery in elderly patients with colorectal cancer: Review of the current literature

With an ageing global population,we will see an increasing number of elderly patients with colorectal cancer(CRC)requiring surgery.However,it should be recognized that the elderly are a heterogenous group,with varying physiological and functional status.While traditionally viewed to be associated with frailty,comorbidities,and a higher risk of post operative morbidity,the advancements in minimally invasive surgery(MIS)and improvements in perioperative care have allowed CRC surgery to be safe and feasible in the elderly-chronological age alone should therefore not strictly be an exclusion criterion for curative surgery.However,as a form of MIS,laparoscopic assisted colorectal surgery(LACS)has the inherent disadvantages of:(1)Dependence on a trained assistant for retraction and laparoscope control;(2)The loss of wristed movement with reduced dexterity and suboptimal ergonomics;(3)A lack of intuitive movement due to the levering effect of trocars;and(4)An amplification of physiological tremors.Representing a technical evolution of LACS,robotic assisted colorectal surgery was introduced to overcome these limitations.In this minireview,we examine the evidence for robotic surgery in the elderly with CRC.

Transoral robotic surgery for adult parapharyngeal lymphangioma:A case report

BACKGROUND Lymphangiomas are a group of benign swellings which are commonly seen in children.The most common sites of presentation is the head and neck region,less commonly seen in axilla,chest,liver,spleen,etc.The ideal modality of treatment has always been surgical excision irrespective of the site and age group.But with the advent of minimally invasive surgical techniques,it is now possible to perform excision of parapharyngeal space lesions with minimal morbidity and good clearance.CASE SUMMARY A 42-year-old male patient who presented with difficulty in swallowing and had undergone surgery twice outside,where Transcervical approach was attempted to remove the parapharyngeal mass,but failed.Magnetic resonance imaging scan demonstrated a 6 cm x 5 cm x 4 cm left parapharyngeal mass.He underwent transoral robotic surgery for the excision of the parapharyngeal lesion and had an uneventful post-operative recovery.CONCLUSION Lymphangiomas are hamartomatous swellings which are benign in nature.The symptoms of the patient with large parapharyngeal mass include dysphagia,dyspnoea and neck swelling.Clinicoradiological evaluation is of utmost importance to determine the adjacent vital structures and the approach to the tumor.With the advent of robotics in oncology,transoral robotic excision is one of the best approaches to perform such a surgery.

Total mesorectal excision for mid and low rectal cancer: laparoscopic vs robotic surgery

AIM: To compare the short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic and robotic surgery for middle and low rectal cancer.METHODS: This is a retrospective study on a prospectively collected database containing 111 patients who underwent minimally invasive rectal resection with total mesorectal excision (TME) with curative intent between January 2008 and December 2014 (robot, n = 53; laparoscopy, n = 58). The patients all had a diagnosis of middle and low rectal adenocarcinoma with stage&#x02005;I-III disease. The median follow-up period was 37.4 mo. Perioperative results, morbidity a pathological data were evaluated and compared. The 3-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates were calculated and compared.RESULTS: Patients were comparable in terms of preoperative and demographic parameters. The median surgery time was 192 min for laparoscopic TME (L-TME) and 342 min for robotic TME (R-TME) (P &#x0003c; 0.001). There were no differences found in the rates of conversion to open surgery and morbidity. The patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery stayed in the hospital two days longer than the robotic group patients (8 d for L-TME and 6 d for R-TME, P &#x0003c; 0.001). The pathologic evaluation showed a higher number of harvested lymph nodes in the robotic group (18 for R-TME, 11 for L-TME, P &#x0003c; 0.001) and a shorter distal resection margin for laparoscopic patients (1.5 cm for L-TME, 2.5 cm for R-TME, P &#x0003c; 0.001). The three-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates were similar between groups.CONCLUSION: Both L-TME and R-TME achieved acceptable clinical and oncologic outcomes. The robotic technique showed some advantages in rectal surgery that should be validated by further studies.

Incidence of port-site metastasis after undergoing robotic surgery for biliary malignancies

AIM： To investigate the incidence of clinically detected port-site metastasis （PSM） in patients who underwent robotic surgery for biliary malignancies. METHODS： Using a prospective database, the patients undergoing fully robotic surgery for biliary malignan- cies between January 2009 and January 2011 were in- cluded. Records of patients with confirmed malignancy were reviewed for clinicopathological data and informa- tion about PSM. RESULTS： Sixty-four patients with biliary tract cancers underwent robotic surgery, and sixty patients met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 67 year （range： 40-85 year）. During a median 15-mo follow-up period, two female patients were detected solitary PSM after robotic surgery. The incidence of PSM was 3.3%. Pa- tient 1 underwent robotic anatomatic left hemihepa- tectomy and extraction of biliary tumor thrombi for an Klatskin tumor. She had a subcutaneous mass located at the right lateral abdominal wall near a trocar scar. Patient 2 underwent robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy for distal biliary cancer. She had two metachronous subcutaneous mass situated at the right lateral abdomi- nal wall under a same trocar scar at 7 and 26 mo. The pathology of the excised PSM masses confirmed meta- static biliary adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION： The incidence of PSIVls after robotic surgery for biliary malignancies is relatively low, and biliary cancer can be an indication of robotic surgery.

Robotic surgery of the pancreas

Pancreatic surgery is one of the most challenging and complex fields in general surgery.While minimally invasive surgery has become the standard of care for many intra-abdominal pathologies the overwhelming majority of pancreatic surgery is performed in an open fashion.This is attributed to the retroperitoneal location of the pancreas,its intimate relationship to major vasculature and the complexity of reconstruction in the case of pancreatoduodenectomy.Herein,we describe the application of robotic technology to minimally invasive pancreatic surgery.The unique capabilities of the robotic platform have made the minimally invasive approach feasible and safe with equivalent if not better outcomes(e.g.,decreased length of stay,less surgical site infections)to conventional open surgery.However,it is unclear whether the robotic approach is truly superior to traditional laparoscopy;this is a key point given the substantial costs associated with procuring and maintaining robotic capabilities.

A Novel Tele-Operated Flexible Robot Targeted for Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery

In this paper, a novel flexible robot system with a constrained tendon-driven serpentine manipulator(CTSM) is presented. The CTSM gives the robot a larger workspace, more dexterous manipulation, and controllable stiffness compared with the da Vinci surgical robot and traditional flexible robots. The robot is tele-operated using the Novint Falcon haptic device. Two control modes are implemented, direct mapping and incremental mode. In each mode, the robot can be manipulated using either the highest stiffness scheme or the minimal movement scheme. The advantages of the CTSM are shown by simulation and experimental results.

Robotic surgery in giant multilocular cystadenoma of the prostate:A rare case report

BACKGROUND Giant multilocular cystadenoma(GMC)of the prostate gland is a very rare benign tumor.Although the benign nature has been known,complete surgical excision is the major treatment consensus because of its high recurrence rate.We report a rare case of GMC with accompanying lower urinary tract symptoms and repeated urine retention initially thought to be symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia,which was treated with robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.CASE SUMMARY A 65-year-old man presented with a 2-year history of lower urinary tract symptoms that had deteriorated gradually within the previous six months,even though he had received treatment with a selective alpha-blocking agent.He had undergone two transurethral resections of the prostate(TURP)at a local hospital during a 4-mo interval because initial ultrasound imaging and prostatic core needle biopsy showed benign prostate hyperplasia.Upon the third recurrence,the patient underwent TURP with a green-light laser at our institution.The diagnosis was a tumor composed of variously sized dilated glandular and cystic structures lined by blended prostatic type epithelia positive for prostate-specific antigen;the final diagnosis was giant multilocular cystadenoma.Magnetic resonance imaging showed a large multilocular retrovesical mass 8.0 cm×7.3 cm×6.4 cm,with heterogeneous enhancement.A coexisting malignant part could not be excluded.Considering the high recurrence rate,risk of coexisting malignancy,and possible sequelae of open surgery for radical excision,the patient decided to undergo robot-assisted radical prostatectomy,with good outcomes at the 2-year follow-up.CONCLUSION Robot-assisted surgery for the treatment of prostate GMC provides another choice for simultaneous attention to disease-control and postoperative quality of life.

A protocol for the reporting and methodological quality of robotic surgery case reports

Background:Robotic surgery is a complex innovation intervention.Recently,the number of robotic surgery case reports is increasing,but there is unclear on its reporting and methodological quality.Methods:The PubMed database will be searched with high-specificity search strategy from Jan 1,2012 to Aug 1,2018 to identify relevant records.Microsoft Excel 2016 will be used to generate random number and to select 100 robotic surgery case reports according our eligibility criteria.A data extraction form will be used to extract relevant information including first author,year of publication,journal,etc.The CARE guideline and JBI checklist will be used to separately assess the reporting and methodological quality of included studies.The data extraction and assessment of quality will be completed by independent two authors and any disagreement will be resolved through discussion or consulting the third author.Stratified analyses will be conducted based on extracted information.Review Manager 5.3 software will be used to present the results of stratified analyses with Inverse-Variance random-effect model.Results:The study is ongoing and will be submitted to a peerreviewed journal.Conclusion:The present study will summarize evidence on the reporting and methodological quality of robotic surgery case reports,and provide reference for future case reports but not limited to robotic surgery.Ethics and dissemination:Ethical approval is not required because this study will not include any confidential personal data and interventions on the patients.The results of this study will be published in a peerreviewed publication.

Robotic Surgery of the Mediastinum: A Review

Background: The mediastinum is a complex anatomical region which contains many vital structures. Many aspects of mediastinal surgery, like that for other anatomic regions, have evolved from a maximally invasive approach involving a median sternotomy, anterior mediastinotomy, mediastinoscopy or thoracotomy, to a minimally invasive video-assisted approach. Robotic surgery is presently the most advanced form of minimally invasive surgery. Methods: We reviewed our experience with a robotic approach to mediastinal pathology. In addition, an extensive search was conducted using PubMed, in order to extract references for the application of robotics to surgical conditions of the mediastinum. Results: The first robotic procedure by our group was a mediastinal procedure in 2003. In the past eighteen years, 203 patients have undergone robotic surgery for mediastinal pathology. There were 119 procedures for the Anterior Mediastinum, 33 procedures for the Middle Mediastinum, and 51 procedures for the Posterior Mediastinum. 78 patients underwent robotic thymectomy using a left-sided approach. 43/78 (55%) patients underwent radical thymectomy for Myasthenia Gravis. Thymoma was histologically identified in 32% of patients with Myasthenia Gravis. In patients with thymoma, there was no tumor recurrence. In patients with Myasthenia Gravis, the overall improvement rate after robotic radical complete thymectomy was 91% (39/43). Following robotic surgery for the mediastinal disease, the median hospitalization was 3 days, major complications occurred in 0.9% of patients and there was no mortality. Conclusion: With the advent of robotic surgery, many of the current surgical approaches to diseases of the mediastinum will likely be replaced over time by robotic surgery. When applied to the mediastinum, robotics has a number of benefits when compared to conventional Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) including three-dimensional visualization, magnification of the operative field, precise instrument movement, and improved dexterity. Much of the mediastinal disease encountered in an adult is benign, making it especially suited to a minimally invasive approach. With the use of the robot, a complete anatomical and oncological procedure can be performed through a number of small incisions or ports, while at the same time providing the patient with minimally invasive benefits including shorter hospitalizations, quicker returns to preoperative activity, less pain, less inflammatory response and better cosmesis. The excellent range of motion of the robotic instruments makes them particularly suitable to maneuver around the vital structures and the rigid axial skeleton encountered in various compartments of the mediastinum, and for reaching those “distant” areas of the mediastinum that are difficult to explore and dissect with conventional Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS).

Robotic surgery in colon cancer: current evidence and future perspectives – narrative review

In the last 10 years,surgery has been developing towards minimal invasiveness;therefore,robotic surgery represents the consequent evolution of laparoscopic surgery.Worldwide,surgeons’performances have been upgraded by the ergonomic developments of robotic systems,leading to several benefits for patients.The introduction into the market of the new Da Vinci Xi system has made it possible to perform all types of surgery on the colon,an in selected cases,to combine interventions in other organs or viscera at the same time.Optimization of the suprapubic surgical approach may shorten the length of hospital stay for patients who undergo robotic colonic resection.From this perspective,single-port robotic colectomy,has reduced the number of robotic ports needed,allowing a better anesthetic outcome and faster recovery.The introduction on the market of new surgical robotic systems from multiple manufacturers is bound to change the landscape of robotic surgery and yield high-quality surgical outcomes.

Applications and prospects of robotic surgery in esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer(EC)is among the most common malignances and one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide.Surgery plays a significant role in the multidisciplinary treatment for esophageal cancer.Recent advances in minimally invasive esophagectomy(MIE),including conventional thoracoscopic surgery and more recent robotic surgery,has been shown to improve short-term outcomes compared to open surgery.Robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy(RAMIE)was first performed in 2003 and has been increasingly utilized in tertiary medical centers.Compared to conventional video-assisted minimally esophagectomy(VAMIE),RAMIE provides certain advantages such as increased magnification,three-dimensional visual clarity and better lymphadenectomy,with superior short-term outcome and at least equivalent oncological results.This review focuses on the techniques,benefits and obstacles in applications of robotic esophagectomy for treating EC,meanwhile discussing the future of robotic esophageal surgery.

Robotic surgery and liver transplantation:A single-center experience of 501 robotic donor hepatectomies

Background:Over the past two decades robotic surgery has been introduced to many areas including liver surgery.Laparoscopic liver surgery is an alternative minimally invasive approach.However,moving on to the complexity of living donor hepatectomies,the advantages of robotic versus laparoscopic approach have convinced us to establish the robotic platform as a standard for living donor hepatectomy.Methods:From November 2018 to January 2022,501 fully robotic donor hepatectomies,including 177 left lateral donor lobes,112 full left lobes and 212 full right lobes were performed.Grafts were donated to 296 adult recipients and 205 pediatric recipients.Donor age,sex,body weight,body mass index(BMI),graft weight,graft to body weight ratio(GBWR),operative time,blood loss,first warm ischemic time,pain score,length of intensive care unit(ICU)stay and hospital stay,and complications were retrospectively analyzed based on a prospectively kept database.Recipients were evaluated for graft and patient survival,age,sex,BMI,body weight,model of end-stage liver disease score,blood loss,transfusions,operative time,cold ischemic time,length of hospital stay and complications.Results:There was no donor mortality.Two cases needed to be converted to open surgery.The median blood loss was 60 mL(range 20-800),median donor operative time was 6.77 h(range 2.93-11.53),median length of hospital stay was 4 days(range 2-22).Complication rate in donors classified following ClavienDindo was 6.4%(n=32)with one grade Ⅲ complication.Three-year actual recipient overall survival was 91.4%;87.5% for adult recipients and 97.1% for pediatric recipients.Three-year actual graft overall survival was 90.6%;87.5% for adult recipients and 95.1% for pediatric recipients.In-hospital mortality was 6%,9.1%(27/296)for adult recipients and 1.4%(3/205)for pediatric recipients.The recipients’morbidity was 19.8%(n=99).Twenty-eight recipients(5.6%)had biliary and 22(4.4%)vascular complications.Six(12.0%)recipients needed to be re-transplanted.Conclusions:With growing experience it is nowadays possible to perform any donor hepatectomy by robotic approach regardless of anatomical variations and graft size.Donor morbidity and quality for life results are encouraging and should motivate other transplant centers with interest in minimally invasive donor surgery to adopt this robotic technique.

Managerial perspectives of scaling up robotic-assisted surgery in healthcare systems:A systematic literature review

Objectives Robotic-assisted surgery(RAS)is a minimally invasive technique practiced in multiple specialties.Standard training is essential for the acquisition of RAS skills.The cost of RAS is considered to be high,which makes it a burden for institutes and unaffordable for patients.This systematic literature review(SLR)focused on the various RAS training methods applied in different surgical specialties,as well as the cost elements of RAS,and was to summarize the opportunities and challenges associated with scaling up RAS.Methods An SLR was carried out based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses reporting guidelines.The PubMed,EBSCO,and Scopus databases were searched for reports from January 2018 through January 2024.Full-text reviews and research articles in the English language from Asia-Pacific countries were included.Articles that outlined training and costs associated with RAS were chosen.Results The most common training system is the da Vinci system.The simulation technique,which includes dry-lab,wet-lab,and virtual reality training,was found to be a common and important practice.The cost of RAS encompasses the installation and maintenance costs of the robotic system,the operation theatre rent,personnel cost,surgical instrument and material cost,and other miscellaneous charges.The synthesis of SLR revealed the challenges and opportunities regarding RAS training and cost.Conclusions The results of this SLR will help stakeholders such as decision-makers,influencers,and end users of RAS to understand the significance of training and cost in scaling up RAS from a managerial perspective.For any healthcare innovation to reach a vast population,cost-effectiveness and standard training are crucial.

Robotic natural orifice specimen extraction surgery I-type F method vs conventional robotic resection for lower rectal cancer

BACKGROUND Robotic resection using the natural orifice specimen extraction surgery I-type F method(R-NOSES I-F)is a novel minimally invasive surgical strategy for the treatment of lower rectal cancer.However,the current literature on this method is limited to case reports,and further investigation into its safety and feasibility is warranted.AIM To evaluate the safety and feasibility of R-NOSES I-F for the treatment of low rectal cancer.METHODS From September 2018 to February 2022,206 patients diagnosed with low rectal cancer at First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University were included in this retrospective analysis.Of these patients,22 underwent R-NOSES I-F surgery(RNOSES I-F group)and 76 underwent conventional robotic-assisted low rectal cancer resection(RLRC group).Clinicopathological data of all patients were collected and analyzed.Postoperative outcomes and prognoses were compared between the two groups.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software.RESULTS Patients in the R-NOSES I-F group had a significantly lower visual analog score for pain on postoperative day 1(1.7±0.7 vs 2.2±0.6,P=0.003)and shorter postoperative anal venting time(2.7±0.6 vs 3.5±0.7,P<0.001)than those in the RLRC group.There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of sex,age,body mass index,tumor size,TNM stage,operative time,intrao-perative bleeding,postoperative complications,or inflammatory response(P>0.05).Postoperative anal and urinary functions,as assessed by Wexner,low anterior resection syndrome,and International Prostate Symptom Scale scores,were similar in both groups(P>0.05).Long-term follow-up revealed no significant differences in the rates of local recurrence and distant metastasis between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION R-NOSES I-F is a safe and effective minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of lower rectal cancer.It improves pain relief,promotes gastrointestinal function recovery,and helps avoid incision-related complications.

Awake robotic liver surgery:A case report

BACKGROUND In recent years,minimally invasive liver resection has become a standard of care for liver tumors.Considering the need to treat increasingly fragile patients,general anesthesia is sometimes avoided due to respiratory complications.Therefore,surgical treatment with curative intent is abandoned in favor of a less invasive and less radical approach.Epidural anesthesia has been shown to reduce respiratory complications,especially in elderly patients with pre-existing lung disease.CASE SUMMARY A 77-year-old man with hepatitis-C-virus-related chronic liver disease underwent robotic liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma.The patient was suffering from hypertension,diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program score for developing pneumonia was 9.2%.We planned a combined spinal–epidural anesthesia with conscious sedation to avoid general anesthesia.No modification of the standard surgical technique was necessary.Hemodynamics were stable and bleeding was minimal.The postoperative course was uneventful.CONCLUSION Robotic surgery in locoregional anesthesia with conscious sedation could be considered a safe and suitable approach in specialized centers and in selected patients.

Summarizing the evidence for robotic-assisted bladder neck reconstruction: Systematic review of patency and incontinence outcomes

Objective:Bladder neck contracture and vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis are difficult to manage endoscopically,and open repair is associated with high rates of incontinence.In recent years,there have been increasing reports of robotic-assisted bladder neck reconstruction in the literature.However,existing studies are small,heterogeneous case series.The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review of robotic-assisted bladder neck reconstruction to better evaluate patency and incontinence outcomes.Methods:We performed a systematic review of PubMed from first available date to May 2023 for all studies evaluating robotic-assisted reconstructive surgery of the bladder neck in adult men.Articles in non-English,author replies,editorials,pediatric-based studies,and reviews were excluded.Outcomes of interest were patency and incontinence rates,which were pooled when appropriate.Results:After identifying 158 articles on initial search,we included only ten studies that fit all aforementioned criteria for robotic-assisted bladder neck reconstruction.All were case series published from March 2018 to March 2022 ranging from six to 32 men,with the median follow-up of 5e23 months.A total of 119 patients were included in our analysis.A variety of etiologies and surgical techniques were described.Patency rates ranged from 50%to 100%,and pooled patency was 80%(95/119).De novo incontinence rates ranged from 0%to 33%,and pooled incontinence was 17%(8/47).Our findings were limited by small sample sizes,relatively short follow-ups,and heterogeneity between studies.