Laparoscopic cholecystectomy as solo surgery with the aid of a robotic camera holder: a case-control study.
BACKGROUND
By using robotic camera holders, a laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is possible as a solo-surgeon operation. The purpose of this paper is to examine the safeness and efficiency of solo-surgeon LCs.


METHODS
A series of 72 solo-surgeon LCs was retrospectively compared with a control cohort (matched pairs). Efficiency and safety parameters were compared by means of equivalence tests (scope=10%).


RESULTS
Nearly identical incision-suture times (means: 69.6 vs. 70.7 min) were recorded. An equivalence was also found in the cohorts for the total time in the operating room (means: 117.4 vs. 117.2 min). In terms of the rate of complications, the perioperative difference in hemoglobin, and the conversion rate, the robot cohort proved to be at least equal to the control cohort. The postoperative hospital stay was shorter for the robot cohort.


CONCLUSIONS
Solo-surgeon LC with a robotic camera holder is an efficient and safe method.
Kalteis
Manfred
M
Surgical Department of St Franziskus Hospital, Grieskirchen, Austria. manfred.kalteis@aon.at
Pistrich
Renate
R
Schimetta
Wolfgang
W
Pölz
Werner
W
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000379:methods*; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000601:surgery; D041881:Cholecystitis, Acute / Q000601:surgery; D002908:Chronic Disease; D013502:General Surgery; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008875:Middle Aged; D012371:Robotics; D012449:Safety; D013503:Surgery Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D000078329:Workforce