Early experiences of robotic-assisted laparoscopic liver resection.
OBJECTIVE
The surgical robotic system is superior to traditional laparoscopy in regards to 3-dimensional images and better instrumentations. Robotic surgery for hepatic resection has not yet been extensively reported.


METHODS
Between March and May 2007, we performed 3 robot-assisted left lateral sectionectomies of the liver. Case 1 had a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), case 2 had colon cancer with liver metastasis, and case 3 had intrahepatic duct stones.


RESULTS
All patients had successful operation and recovered without complications. Shorter length of hospital stays, earlier start of oral feeding and less amount of ascites were found. However, case 1 had recurrent HCC at 3 months after operation.


CONCLUSIONS
Robotic-assisted liver surgery is still a new field in its developing stage. In patients with small malignant tumors and benign liver diseases, robotic-assisted laparoscopic resection is feasible and safe. Through experience, the use of robotics is expected to increase in the treatment of benign diseases and malignant neoplasms. However, careful patient selection is important and long-term outcomes need to be evaluated.
Choi
Sae Byeol
SB
Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 250 Seongsanno, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-752, Korea.
Park
Joon Seong
JS
Kim
Jae Keun
JK
Hyung
Woo Jin
WJ
Kim
Kyung Sik
KS
Yoon
Dong Sup
DS
Lee
Woo Jung
WJ
Kim
Byong Ro
BR
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012371:Robotics; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome