Outcomes of Pancreatoduodenectomy with Robotic Surgery Versus Open Surgery

Background: Pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic cancer is very challenging to many surgeons. Information regarding the advantage of using the Da Vinci robotic system over conventional open surgery for PD is rare. Therefore, a comparison of the outcomes of PD performed using the Da Vinci robotic system with outcomes using open surgery was conducted.

Methods: Between January 2009 and December 2009 sixteen patients underwent PD, eight patients receiving robot-assisted surgery using the Da Vinci surgical robotic system (Group I) and eight being treated using conventional open surgery (Group II).

Results: There was no significant difference in radical resection (R0) rate between the two groups, 87.5% vs 100%, P = 0.05. The operative time in group I was longer than in group II, 718 ± 186 vs 420 ± 127 min, P = 0.011, while the surgical blood loss in group I was less than in group II, 153 ± 43 vs 210 ± 53 mL, P = 0.045. The length of bed time and hospital stay after surgery in group I were shorter than in group II, 27.5 ± 7.1 vs 96 ± 18.1 h, P = 0.000; 16.4 ± 4.1 vs 24.3 ± 7.1 days, P = 0.04, respectively). Complication rate of group I was lower than that of group II, 25% vs 75%, P = 0.05.

Conclusion: It is feasible and safe to perform PD using the Da Vinci robot-assisted surgical system; patients recovered faster postoperatively with less blood loss during surgery.