Totally robotic left colectomy

Abstract

Laparoscopic colectomy has been a challenge for surgeons due to steep learning curves, limited dexterity of instruments and non-depth perception with visualization. Robotics for left colectomy has been described in the past years using mostly single docking or hybrid techniques. With the advantages of the robotic technology including the use of 3D visualization, increase dexterity with 360-degree motion of the instruments, surgeons may see an increase in the adoption of minimally invasive surgery for colectomies. Surgeons know that multi-quadrant dissection can be difficult at best with the current platforms available due to the approach of the angles with the robotic arms and collisions. The use of a single docking technique can be challenging especially for the dissection of the splenic flexure especially in obese patients. We describe a double docking technique for the approach of the left colectomy that may help surgeons in the approach of multi-quadrant colorectal surgery.