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A decade of experience with minimally invasive anti-reflux operations: robot vs. LESS

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Abstract

Background

The increasing use of robotic systems for anti-reflux operations prompted this study to evaluate and compare the efficacy of robotic and Laparo-Endoscopic Single-Site (LESS) approaches.

Methods

From 2012, 228 robotic fundoplication and 518 LESS fundoplication patients were prospectively followed, analyzing perioperative metrics. Data are presented as median (mean ± SD); significance at p ≤ 0.05.

Results

Patients undergoing a robotic vs. LESS fundoplication were 67 (64 ± 13.7) vs. 61 (59 ± 15.1) years-old with BMIs of 25 (25 ± 3.2) vs. 26 (25 ± 3.9) kg/m2 (p = 0.001 and 1.00, respectively). 72% of patients who underwent the robotic approach had a previous abdominal operation(s) vs 44% who underwent the LESS approach (p = 0.0001). 38% vs. 8% had a re-operative fundoplication (p = 0.0001), 59% vs. 45% had a type IV hiatal hernia (p = 0.0004). Operative duration was 160 (176 ± 76.7) vs. 130 (135 ± 50.5) min (p = 0.0001). There were 0 (robotic) vs. 5 (LESS) conversions to a different approach (p = 0.33). 5 Patients vs. 3 patients experienced postoperative complications (p = 0.06), and length of stay (LOS) was 1 (2 ± 2.6) vs. 1 (1 ± 3.2) days (p = 0.0001). Patient symptomatic dysphagia preoperatively for the robotic vs. LESS approach was scored as 2 (2.4 ± 1.9) vs. 1 (1.9 ± 1.6). Postoperatively, symptomatic dysphagia was scored as 1 (1.5 ± 1.6) vs. 1 (1.7 ± 1.7). The change in these scores was − 1 (− 1 ± 2.2) vs. 0 (− 0.5 ± 2.2) (p = 0.004).

Conclusion

Despite longer operative times and LOS in older patients, the robotic approach is efficient in undertaking very difficult operations, including patients with type IV or recurrent hiatal hernias. Furthermore, preoperative anti-reflux operations were more likely to be undertaken with the robotic approach than the LESS approach. The patient’s postoperative symptomatic dysphagia improved relatively more than after the LESS approach. The vast majority of patients who underwent the LESS approach enjoyed improved cosmesis, thus, making LESS a stronger candidate for more routine operations. Despite patient selection bias, the robotic and LESS approaches to anti-reflux operations are safe, efficacious, and should be situationally utilized.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Digestive Health Institute, AdventHealth Tampa, 3000 Medical Park Drive, Suite #500, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA

    Sharona B. Ross, Iswanto Sucandy, Michael Trotto, Maria Christodoulou, Tara M. Pattilachan, Jenna Jattan & Alexander S. Rosemurgy

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  1. Sharona B. Ross
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  2. Iswanto Sucandy
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Correspondence to Sharona B. Ross.

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Disclosures

Sharona B. Ross is a consultant for Intuitive Surgical (Sunnyvale, CA) and Ethicon. Sharona B. Ross receives educational grants for her Women in Surgery Career Symposium from Intuitive Surgical and Medtronic (Minneapolis, MN). Iswanto Sucandy, Michael Trotto, Maria Christodoulou, Tara M. Pattilachan, Jenna Jattan, and Alexander S. Rosemurgy have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose.

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Ross, S.B., Sucandy, I., Trotto, M. et al. A decade of experience with minimally invasive anti-reflux operations: robot vs. LESS. Surg Endosc 38, 2641–2648 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-024-10771-5

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