ROBOT-ASSISTED INTERVENTIONS IN PEDIATRIC ABDOMINAL SURGERY: RUSSIA’S INITIAL EXPERIENCE

Abstract

Purpose of this research was to apply the possibilities of robot-assisted surgery technology in children with abdominal pathology in terms of assessing feasibility and evaluating postoperative results. Material and methods used: the scientific study was carried out at the Irkutsk Oblast Regional Children's Clinical Hospital (Irkutsk, Russia) in Dec. 2022-June 2023. During this period, 11 robot-assisted procedures were performed on the abdominal organs. The study was conducted within the framework of the Clinical Trials Program for Medical Products approved by the Federal Service for Surveillance in Healthcare of the Russian Federation. All surgical procedures were implemented according to the same principles and patterns that the Authors have gathered previously with the Versius Surgical Robot. In all cases, the three robotic ports were used: a single 12-mm trocar for optics (intervened at the umbilicus) and two 5-mm trocars for robotic arms. Additionally, another 5-mm laparoport was installed for the assistant surgeon to work during the robotic intervention. During the study, patients' perioperative parameters related to data charts, surgical details and both early and long-term outcomes were recorded. Results: the total number of patients involved in robotic interventions on the abdominal organs was 11, 4 (36,4%) boys/7 (63,6%) girls. The mean age at the time of surgery was 10,9±5.1 y/o (Me 12.0 [7.0; 15.0] y/o), mean weight at the time of surgery was 39.7±18.0 kg (Me 43.0 [24.0; 53.8] kg). The distribution of reasons for surgical interventions was as follows: 3 (27,3%) patients with Nissen fundoplication, 3 (27,3%) patients with cholecystectomy, 2 (18,2%) patients with Heller esophagomyotomy with Dor fundoplication, 2 (18,2%) patients with splenic cyst fenestration and a single (9%) patient with enucleation of ovarian teratoma. The mean duration was 100±52.4 min (Me 70.0 [65.0; 122.5] min). None of the operations were accompanied by any intraoperative complications. There were also no conversions into laparoscopic and/or open surgeries. In the long-term period after the operations, the number of significant complications in the form of recurrence of symptoms of the initial disease did not increase, patients showed no digestive problems during the entire follow-up period as well. Conclusion: Russia’s initial experience with robotic-assisted abdominal surgery confirmed that robotics can be safely and effectively used in children. Fundoplication, esophagomyotomy and cholecystectomy are by far the most commonly performed basic interventions in pediatric surgery. Obviously, this is the first stage in the development of robotic abdominal surgery in children hence it would further involve a more complex procedure.