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How does the robot affect outcomes? A retrospective review of open, laparoscopic, and robotic Heller myotomy for achalasia

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Abstract

Background

Robotic techniques are routinely used in urological and gynecological procedures; however, their role in general surgical procedures is limited. A robotic technique has been successfully adopted for a minimally invasive Heller myotomy procedure for achalasia. This study aims to compare perioperative outcomes following open, laparoscopic, and robotic Heller myotomy.

Methods

This study is a multicenter, retrospective analysis utilizing a large administrative database. The University Health System Consortium (UHC) is an alliance between academic medical centers and affiliate hospitals. The UHC database was accessed using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes and analyzed.

Results

2,683 patients with achalasia underwent Heller myotomy between October 2007 and June 2011. Myotomy was performed by open surgery (OM) in 418 patients, by laparoscopic approach (LM) in 2,116, and by robotic approach (RM) in 149. Comparison between LM and RM groups demonstrated no significant difference in mortality (0.14 vs. 0.0%; P = 1), morbidity (5.19 vs. 4.02%; P = 0.7), intensive care unit (ICU) admission (6.62 vs. 3.36%; P = 0.12), length of stay (LOS) (2.70 ± 3.87 days vs. 2.42 ± 2.69 days; P = 0.34), or 30-day readmission (1.41 vs. 2.84%; P = 0.27). However, hospital costs were significantly lower for the LM group (US $7,441 ± 7,897 vs. US $9,415 ± 5,515; P = 0.0028). Comparison between OM and RM demonstrated significant lower morbidity (9.08 vs. 4.02%; P = 0.02), ICU admission rate (14.01 vs. 3.36%, P = 0.0002), and LOS (4.42 ± 5.25 days vs. 2.42 ± 2.69 days; P = 0.0001).

Conclusions

The perioperative outcomes are superior in LM and RM groups when compared with OM. The outcomes for the LM and RM group are comparable, with the robotic group having slightly improved results, although with increased costs. We conclude that robotic surgery is equivalent in safety and efficacy to laparoscopic Heller myotomy, and feel that the increased cost should come down as surgeons and manufacturers work together on cost reduction strategies.

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Disclosures

Authors Abhijit Shaligram, Jayaraj Unnirevi, Vishal Kothari, Anton Simorov and Dmitry Oleynikov have no conflict of interest or financial ties to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA

    Abhijit Shaligram, Jayaraj Unnirevi, Anton Simorov, Vishal M. Kothari & Dmitry Oleynikov

  2. Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, 985126, NE, 68198-5126, USA

    Dmitry Oleynikov

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  1. Abhijit Shaligram
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  2. Jayaraj Unnirevi
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  3. Anton Simorov
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  4. Vishal M. Kothari
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  5. Dmitry Oleynikov
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Correspondence to Dmitry Oleynikov.

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Shaligram, A., Unnirevi, J., Simorov, A. et al. How does the robot affect outcomes? A retrospective review of open, laparoscopic, and robotic Heller myotomy for achalasia. Surg Endosc 26, 1047–1050 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-011-1994-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-011-1994-5

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