Current status of robotic bariatric surgery: a systematic review

Abstract

BackgroundBariatric surgery is an effective treatment to obtain weight loss in severely obese patients. The feasibility and safety of bariatric robotic surgery is the topic of this review.MethodsA search was performed on PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, BioMed Central, and Web of Science.ResultsTwenty-two studies were included. Anastomotic leak rate was 8.51% in biliopancreatic diversion. 30-day reoperation rate was 1.14% in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and 1.16% in sleeve gastrectomy. Major complication rate in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass resulted higher than in sleeve gastrectomy ( 4,26% vs. 1,2%). The mean hospital stay was longer in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (range 2.6-7.4 days).ConclusionsThe major limitation of our analysis is due to the small number and the low quality of the studies, the small sample size, heterogeneity of the enrolled patients and the lack of data from metabolic and bariatric outcomes. Despite the use of the robot, the majority of these cases are completed with stapled anastomosis. The assumption that robotic surgery is superior in complex cases is not supported by the available present evidence. The major strength of the robotic surgery is strongly facilitating some of the surgical steps (gastro-jejunostomy and jejunojejunostomy anastomosis in the robotic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or the vertical gastric resection in the robotic sleeve gastrectomy).

Laparoscopic and Robotic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Short- and Long-Term Results

“…It has more recently been used for sleeve gastrectomy. RASG is particularly advantageous in the super morbidly obese cohort [15,41,42] and in patients with previous and extensive surgeries such as liver transplant [16], as reported by Elli and colleagues who demonstrated a better approach to adhesiolysis using the robot. Still, there is no clear identification of the best indications for use of the robotic system.…”

SAGES TAVAC safety and effectiveness analysis: da Vinci® Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA)

“…The use of robotic technology has been increasingly reported in bariatric surgery, including five systematic reviews [52][53][54][55][56]. The only procedure studied in any volume is the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.…”

The Surgical Robot: Applications and Advantages in General Surgery

“…In fact, even if the surgeons choose to staple the anastomoses during Roux en Y gastric bypass, the robotic technology enables them to perform the enterotomy or gastrotomy closure more efficiently [62].…”