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Robotic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Experience of 134 Cases and Comparison with a Systematic Review of the Laparoscopic Approach

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Abstract

Background

Robotic technology has recently emerged in different surgical specialties, but the experience with robotic sleeve gastrectomy (RSG) is scarce in the literature. The purpose of this study is to compare our preliminary experience with RSG versus the descriptive results of a systematic review of the laparoscopic approach.

Methods

Data from our RSG experience were retrospectively collected. Two surgeons performed all the cases in one single surgery center. Such information was compared with a systematic review of 22 selected studies that included 3,148 laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) cases. RSG were performed using the daVinci® Surgical System.

Results

This study included 134 RSG vs 3,148 LSG. Mean age and mean BMI was 43 ± 12.6 vs 40.7 ± 11.6 (p = 0.022), and 45 ± 7.1 vs 43.6 ± 8.1 (p = 0.043), respectively. Leaks were found in 0 RSG vs 1.97 % LSG (p = 0.101); strictures in 0 vs 0.43 % (p = 0.447); bleeding in 0.7 vs 1.21 % (p = 0.594); and mortality in 0 vs 0.1 % (p = 0.714), respectively. Mean surgical time was calculated in 106.6 ± 48.8 vs 94.5 ± 39.9 min (p = 0.006); and mean hospital length of stay was 2.2 ± 0.6 vs 3.3 ± 1.7 days (p = <0.005), respectively. Four (2.9 %) complications were found in our robotic series.

Conclusions

Our series shows that RSG is a safe alternative when used in bariatric surgery, showing similar results as the laparoscopic approach. Surgical time is longer in the robotic approach, while hospital length of stay is lower. No leaks or strictures were found in the robotic cases. However, further studies with larger sample size and randomization are warranted.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Ignacio Danta (Clinical Research Coordinator), Julie Lamoureux (Statistician), and Tanya Judkins-Cohn (Research Specialist).

Conflict of Interest

Jorge Rabaza declares as a unique conflict of interest payment for lectures for Intuitive Surgical Inc. Anthony M. Gonzalez declares as a unique conflict of interest payment for lectures and development of educational presentations for Intuitive Surgical Inc. The rest of the authors declare no conflict of interest, which may arise from being named as authors on the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General and Bariatric Surgery, South Miami Hospital, Baptist Health South Florida, 7800 SW 87th Avenue Suite B210, Miami, FL, 33173, USA

    Rey Jesús Romero, Radomir Kosanovic, Jorge Rafael Rabaza, Rupa Seetharamaiah, Charan Donkor & Anthony Michael Gonzalez

  2. Center for Research & Grants, Baptist Health South Florida, 7800 SW 87th Avenue Suite B210, Miami, FL, 33173, USA

    Michelle Gallas

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  1. Rey Jesús Romero
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Correspondence to Anthony Michael Gonzalez.

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Romero, R.J., Kosanovic, R., Rabaza, J.R. et al. Robotic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Experience of 134 Cases and Comparison with a Systematic Review of the Laparoscopic Approach. OBES SURG 23, 1743–1752 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-013-1004-1

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