title: Robotic-assisted single-site cholecystectomy in children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Though single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) is cosmetically appealing, it is technically a difficult operation. The recent introduction of robotic single-site cholecystectomy (RSSC) has made single incision cholecystectomy easier to perform. While a few papers have reported its application in adults, it has not been documented in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data on seventeen consecutive children who underwent RSSC by a single surgeon over a ten-month period were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, total operative time, console time, hospital stay, complications and reasons for procedural delay were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen operations were completed robotically using the single incision robotic platform. No major postoperative complications were noted. Median total operative time was 94 minutes with interquartile range (IQR) being 81.5-119.5 minutes. The median console time was 39 minutes (IQR: 30-72 minutes). The median total operative time for the first eight cases was 118 minutes (IQR: 103-127 minutes) and for the next nine cases 90 minutes (IQR: 76-93 minutes). Common causes for procedural delay were slipped clips, bile spillage, bleeding and leaking Single-Site® port.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This unique series of RSSC documents its feasibility and safety in children. A short learning curve and operative times comparable to RSSC in adults and SILC in children were observed. Being technically easier, RSSC becomes an attractive alternative to SILC to sustain its cosmetic benefit.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Surgery, Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center, West Islip, NY. Electronic address: vincis.jones@chsli.org.
authors.forename: Vinci S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002763:Cholecystectomy / Q000379:methods*; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D059032:Learning Curve; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D061646:Operative Time; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D065287:Robotic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Children; Laparoscopic cholecystectomy; Pediatric minimally invasive surgery; Robotic single-site cholecystectomy; Single incision