Initial laboratory experience with a novel ultrasound probe for standard and single-port robotic kidney surgery: increasing console surgeon autonomy and minimizing instrument clashing.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate a novel ultrasound probe specifically developed for robotic surgery by determining its efficiency in identifying renal tumors.


METHODS
The study was carried out using the Da Vinci™ surgical system in one female pig. Renal tumor targets were created by percutaneous injection of a tumor mimic mixture. Single-port and standard robotic partial nephrectomy were performed. Intraoperative ultrasound was performed using both standard laparoscopic probe and the new ProART™ Robotic probe. Probe maneuverability and ease of handling for tumor localization were recorded.


RESULTS
The standard laparoscopic probe was guided by the assistant. Significant clashing with robotic arms was noted during the single-port procedure. The novel robotic probe was easily introduced through the assistant trocar, and held by the console surgeon using the robotic Prograsp™ with no registered clashing in the external operative field. The average time for grasping the new robotic probe was less than 10 s. Once inserted and grasped, no limitation was found in terms of instrument clashing during the single-port procedure.


CONCLUSIONS
This novel ultrasound probe developed for robotic surgery was noted to be user-friendly when performing porcine standard and especially single-port robotic partial nephrectomy.
Section of Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgery, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Rachid
R
Yakoubi
Riccardo
R
Autorino
Humberto
H
Laydner
Julien
J
Guillotreau
Michael A
MA
White
Shahab
S
Hillyer
Gregory
G
Spana
Rakesh
R
Khanna
Wahib
W
Isaac
Georges-Pascal
GP
Haber
Robert J
RJ
Stein
Jihad H
JH
Kaouk
D000818:Animals; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000601:surgery; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D023421:Models, Animal; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014465:Ultrasonics; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*