Robotic abdominal surgery: Initial experiences of a single center

Halil Alış; Murat Gönenç; Cemal Deniztaş; Selin Kapan; Ahmet Nuray Turhan; Erşan Aygün

doi:10.5097/1300-0705.UCD.916-11.01

Abstract

Purpose: After the technical and ergonomic disadvantages of videoendoscopic surgery had been clearly defined, robotic surgery has emerged as an alternative within the course of searching for the ideal treatment option. Patients and Methods: Medical data of the patients who have been treated by robotic surgery between February 2009 and February 2011 were reviewed. The surgical indication, type of the operation, technical details, morbidity and mortality rate, and the length of hospital stay for each patient were individually recorded. Results: Totally 16 patients had undergone robotic surgery. All of the procedures were carried out by “da Vinci” robotic system. Of these 16 patients, surgical indication was rectal cancer in 8, splenic hydatid cyst in 2, splenic tumor in 1, liver hydatid cyst in 1, rectal prolapsus in 1, surrenal adenoma in 1, morbid obesity in 1, and gastric tumor in 1. The rate of morbidity and mortality was 31% and 0%, respectively. Conclusion: The duration of the learning curve and overall cost are two important factors that limit the routine use of robotic surgery in Turkey. Although we have limited experience with robotic surgery, we suggest that robotic surgery provides significant advantages for the surgeon in certain indications.

Keywords:

“da Vinci” robotic system, robotic surgery, colorectal surgery, adrenalectomy, splenectomy

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