Objectives: Initial results in robot-assisted middle pancreatectomy (MP) have been encouraging. However, data comparing outcomes of robot-assisted MP with those of open MP are limited. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes in patients undergoing open and robot-assisted MP, respectively.
Methods: Outcomes in an initial experience with seven consecutive patients undergoing robot-assisted MP were compared with those in 36 patients undergoing open MP.
Results: The robot-assisted MP group included five women and two men with a median age of 55 years (range: 30-62 years). Median tumour size, operative time and blood loss were 3.0 cm (range: 0.5-5.0 cm), 210 min (range: 150-330 min) and 200 ml (range: 50-400 ml), respectively. Pancreaticogastrostomy was performed in all patients. No transfusion was given intraoperatively. Pathological examination revealed five serous cystic neoplasms, one mixed-type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm and one lipoma. Five patients experienced postoperative pancreatic fistula and one experienced post-pancreatectomy haemorrhage. No operative mortality was noted. Compared with the open MP group, the robot-assisted MP group demonstrated a shorter median length of postoperative gastrointestinal tract recovery [2 days (range: 2-3 days) versus 4 days (range: 2-11 days); P = 0.001].
Conclusions: Robot-assisted MP can be performed safely with satisfactory efficacy; patients experienced faster gastrointestinal tract recovery compared with patients undergoing open surgery.
© 2012 International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association.