[Advantages of using robotic Da Vinci system for unilateral adrenalectomy: early results].
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to report the early results of unilateral transperitoneal adrenalectomy using robotic Da Vinci system, and to compare them to the results of the laparoscopic standard adrenalectomy.


METHODS
Prospective study included all patients operated on for unilateral laparoscopic or robotic adrenalectomy from November 2000 to November 2002.


RESULTS
Twenty-eight patients underwent unilateral adrenalectomy using either standard laparoscopy (14 patients) or robotic Da Vinci system (14 patients). Mean duration of robotic adrenalectomy seemed to be longer than standard laparoscopy (111 vs. 83 min; P = 0.057). This tendency decreased while surgeons' experience was increasing. Mean duration of operating room activity was similar for both types of surgery. Peroperative events without conversion, conversion rate (7%), drainage, morbidity (21%), duration of hospitalisation were similar for both types of surgery. Duration of standard laparoscopic adrenalectomy was positively correlated to patients body mass index. This correlation was absent in patients operated on by robotic Da Vinci system.


CONCLUSIONS
This preliminary study found no objective data demonstrating that robotic Da Vinci system was superior to standard laparoscopic approach for unilateral adrenalectomy. However, we think that it is necessary to continue further evaluation of this system to demonstrate its possible superiority.
Brunaud
L
L
Service de chirurgie générale, digestive, viscérale et endocrinienne, CHU de Nancy-Brabois, 11, allée du Morvan, 54511, Vandoeuvre-lès-nancy, France.
Bresler
L
L
Ayav
A
A
Tretou
S
S
Cormier
L
L
Klein
M
M
Boissel
P
P
D000315:Adrenalectomy / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012371:Robotics; D013997:Time Factors