Laparoscopic splenectomy with the da Vinci robot.
BACKGROUND
We report our first series of minimally invasive splenectomies with a robotic surgical system.


METHODS
From August 2001 to October 2003, laparoscopic splenectomies with the da Vinci operating robot were performed in 7 patients (five females and two males, ages 20 to 74 years).


RESULTS
Indications for splenectomy were hematologic disorders in four patients and hypersplenism in three patients. Median dimensions of the resected spleens were 140 +/- 34 mm x 80 +/- 11 mm x 50 +/- 17 mm and median weight was 307 +/- 193 g. Median total operative time was 147 +/- 58 minutes including 107 +/- 49 minutes for the robotic act. There were no intraoperative complications and no conversions to open surgery. The median postoperative hospital stay was 7 days.


CONCLUSIONS
This first series suggests that robotic splenectomy with the da Vinci surgical system is technically feasible and safe. It provides an alternative to the conventional laparoscopic procedure. Nevertheless, justification for this new technique will require a larger prospective series and longer follow-up.
Bodner
Johannes
J
Department of General and Transplant Surgery, Innsbruck University Hospital, Anichstrasse 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria. johannes.bodner@uibk.ac.at
Lucciarini
Paolo
P
Fish
John
J
Kafka-Ritsch
Reinhold
R
Schmid
Thomas
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006971:Hypersplenism / Q000601:surgery; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013997:Time Factors