Published in:
01-12-2019 | Original Article
Comparison of robotic versus laparoscopic hepaticojejunostomy for choledochal cyst in children: a first report
Published in: Pediatric Surgery International | Issue 12/2019
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Aim
We compared robotic hepaticojejunostomy anastomosis (RHJA) with laparoscopic hepaticojejunostomy anastomosis (LHJA) in children undergoing complete excision of choledochal cyst.
Methods
Difficulty of suturing (DOS) during anastomosis was scored blindly, from intraoperative video recordings, using: 5 = impossible; 4 = difficult; 3 = tedious; 2 = slow; and 1 = easy. A panel of fiveindependent surgeons was also asked to compare RHJA with matched LHJA and score + 1 if RHJA appeared superior to LHJA, 0 if RHJA appeared equivalent to LHJA, and − 1 if RHJA appeared inferior to LHJA.
Results
RHJA (n = 10) was performed between 2017 and 2019; LHJA (n = 27) was performed between 2009 and 2018. LHJA cases were matched for age, weight, and anastomosis diameter to RHJA cases. Complete excision was performed laparoscopically in both groups. DOS was lower in RHJA with less variance. The panel all scored RHJA as + 1. Total anastomotic time (TAT) and TAT per suture were significantly shorter for RHJA. Times taken to ambulate and for return of bowel sounds postoperatively were significantly shorter for RHJA. There was one anastomotic leak with LHJA (3.7%) and no anastomotic complications with RHJA.
Conclusions
RHJA is a more stable anastomosis that can be performed quicker, and thus, would appear to be superior to LHJA.