Robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery for recurrent diverticulitis: experience in consecutive cases and a review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery has recently gained enthusiasm for application in colorectal surgery. We present the safety and feasibility of using the da Vinci® robotic system for the surgical treatment of sigmoid diverticulitis.


METHODS
Between August 2008 and November 2009, robotic-assisted laparoscopic anterior rectosigmoid resection (RALS-AR) for diverticulitis was performed in 24 consecutive patients. Demographic data, intraoperative parameters, and postoperative outcomes were assessed.


RESULTS
RALS-AR was performed in 14 male (58.3%) and 10 female (41.7%) patients with a diagnosis of recurrent diverticulitis. The mean patient age and BMI were 49.8 ± 9.3 years (range = 30-62 years) and 29.9 ± 6.3 kg/m(2) (range = 15.9-46.9 kg/m(2)), respectively. Disease stratification identified 15 cases of uncomplicated (62.5%) and 9 cases of complicated (37.5%) disease. The procedures required 14.1 ± 6.7 min (range = 6-30 min) for robotic docking, 100.5 ± 31.0 min (range = 50-180 min) for surgeon console time, and 224.2 ± 47.1 min (range = 150-330 min) for the total operative time. Robotic docking and surgeon console time represented 51.9% of the total operative time. A primary colorectal anastomosis was fashioned with avoidance of colostomy in all patients. There were no significant intraoperative complications, and none of the procedures required conversion to open, hand-assisted, or conventional laparoscopic technique. The length of hospital stay was 3.4 ± 2.6 days (range = 2-14 days), and the postoperative complication rate was 12.5% (n = 3). There were no anastomotic leaks, secondary surgical interventions, or hospital readmissions.


CONCLUSIONS
Robotic-assisted laparoscopic technique is a safe and feasible option for the surgical treatment of diverticulitis. The approach may be offered to patients with uncomplicated or complicated disease, and it results in a short hospital stay and low complication rate.
Ragupathi
Madhu
M
Division of Minimally Invasive Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
Ramos-Valadez
Diego I
DI
Patel
Chirag B
CB
Haas
Eric M
EM
D000328:Adult; D012809:Colon, Sigmoid / Q000601:surgery; D004238:Diverticulitis / Q000601:surgery*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012371:Robotics; D012810:Sigmoid Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome