Various Laparoscopic Surgery Using da VinciTM Robotic System in Pig Mode Pilot Study

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of a currently available robotic surgical system in performing various general surgical laparoscopic procedures in an acute porcine model. METHODS: Telepresence robotic laparoscopic surgeries, comprising cholecystectomy, Nissen-fundoplication, choledochocholedochostomy and gastrojejunostomy were performed in 5 swine models for 3 consecutive days by the same surgeon who is experienced in advanced conventional laparoscopic surgery. Data were collected from the da VinciTM Robotic System. RESULTS: Mean operative times were 24.4+/-10.6 minutes for cholecystectomy (N=5) 41.2+/-5.5 for Nissen fundoplication (N=5) 51+/-5.6 for choledochocholedochostomy (N=5), and 53.3+/-7.6 for gastrojejunostomy (N=3) but there were 2 cases of failure in the latter. In the case of choledochocholedochostomy, operative time was reduced from 76 minutes in the first case to 42 minutes in the last. Intra- operative blood loss was minimal and there was no intra- operative complication related with malfunction of robotic system. CONCLUSION: Robotic laparoscopic procedures can be performed effectively using the da VinciTM System. In this limited study, the learning curve and operative times were shorter with the da VinciTM System, and the intraoperative technical movements appeared inherently more intuitive. Additional chronic study comparing conventional laparoscopic with robotic surgery is mandatory.