title: Laparoscopic splenectomy: conventional versus robotic approach--a comparative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic splenectomy is accepted as a safe approach in the surgical treatment of blood disorders worldwide. Compared with the laparotomic technique, it is associated with a lower risk of intraoperative bleeding, less postoperative pain, and faster discharge times. The advent of robotic surgery (RS) has changed the concept of minimally invasive surgery because, in addition to allowing a three-dimensional view, it permits greater freedom of movement and higher levels of accuracy than laparoscopic surgery (LS). The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate whether RS presents advantages over LS in spleen surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  In two Surgical Units with experience in laparoscopic splenectomy, over a 7-year period, two groups of 45 patients underwent LS and RS. The two groups were well matched for demographic characteristics, indications, and spleen size.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No statistically significant differences were found regarding intraoperative blood loss, conversion rate to laparotomy, food intake, drain removal, postoperative complications, and median time to discharge. On the contrary, statistically increased differences were observed in median operative time and costs. In both groups, the transfusion and mortality rate was 0%. At the 6-month follow-up no surgical complications were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although RS offers a three-dimensional view, greater freedom of movement, and higher levels of accuracy, it is associated with longer operative times and higher costs. It can consequently be concluded that with the intrinsic limits of the study design used, at the current time, RS does not have any significant advantage over LS in splenectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. roberta.gelmini@unimore.it
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gelmini
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Franzoni
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spaziani
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Patriti
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Casciola
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saviano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012371:Robotics; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000379:methods*