Single-port hysterectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection in the porcine model: feasibility and validation of a novel robotic lightweight endoscope positioner

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and validity of a modified single-port robotic lightweight endoscope in the performance of single-port hysterectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection in the porcine model. Task completion times were recorded for each component of the procedure: port placement, docking of the surgical robot, operative time for the procedures. For each task, linear regression modeling was performed using SPSS to determine whether a correlation existed between task completion time and increasing surgeon experience. All robotic-assisted LESS procedures were performed successfully without the addition of laparoscopic ports or open conversion. Regression analysis demonstrated a strong correlation between the number of procedures and task completion time for robot docking and pelvic lymph node dissection, correlation coefficients 0.74 and 0.77, p=0.001, respectively. This study demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of a new, compact single-port robotic voiceactivated endoscope at improving laparoscope guidance during the performance of single-port hysterectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection in the porcine model. Further work is needed to better define the ideal operative procedure for single-site surgery in oncology and integration of new single-port robotic platforms into clinical practice.

da Vinci® single‐site platform: anthropometrical, docking and suturing considerations for hysterectomy in the cadaver model

“…An emerging area in MIS is single‐port laparoscopy (SPL), or laparoendoscopic single‐site surgery (LESS). New technologies such as flexible scopes, angle instruments and novel robotic platforms have improved the success and consistency of the single‐port approach . Fusion of single‐site surgery and robotic technology is an area of active research and innovation in MIS.…”