Total robot-assisted choledochal cyst excision using da Vinci surgical system in pediatrics: Report of 10 cases

Background: The robotic surgery has been proposed as another adjunct for pediatric minimal surgery for choledochal cyst. However, the Roux-en-Y jejunal limb in most reports on robot-assist choledochal cyst resection is usually created extracorporeally in children. The pediatric surgery team of West China Hospital of Sichuan University had completed 10 cases of total robot-assisted choledochal cyst resection. The aim of this current study was to present our initial experience in total robot-assisted surgery and discuss the technical points.

Methods: Between January 2015 and February 2020, patients with choledochal cysts treated with total robot-assisted procedures were retrospectively analyzed. The data collected included demographic information of all patients, type and size of cyst, operative details and postoperative outcomes.

Results: A total of 10 episodes of patients were enrolled in the study. The median age of the patient was 69.50 months with a mean weight of 20.50 kg. The most common symptoms were abdominal pain, vomiting, and jaundice (60%, 30%, and 30%, respectively). The types of cyst included 2 Ia, 7 Ic and 1 IV. The mean operation time was 218.70 min and there were no red blood cell transfusion and conversion in the 10 patients. The mean time to taking water was 3.37 days and mean time to starting liquid diet was 3.77 days. And the average length of postoperative hospital stay was 7.92 days. All 10 patients were eventually discharged and made uneventful recoveries after the operation.

Conclusions: Total robot-assisted choledochal cyst excision comprising Roux-en-Y limb formation, excision of the cyst and hepaticojejunostomy appears to be safe and feasible in pediatrics. Our initial experience shows that it is recommended to perform total robot-assisted choledochal cyst excision for patients over 4 years while a Roux-en-Y jejunojejunal anastomosis is recommended to be performed extracorporeally by prolapsing the jejunum out of abdominal cavity for patients under 4 years old.

Level of evidence: Treatment Study.

Type of study: Retrospective Study.