Robotic approaches to breast reconstruction

Abstract

The purpose of this manuscript is to fully characterize modern approaches to robotic breast reconstruction. The authors review and describe preoperative planning, operative anatomy & techniques, and clinical outcomes regarding robotic breast reconstruction. In the modern era of robotic surgery, many of the beneficial outcomes in other surgical specialties also apply to breast reconstruction. When comparing outcomes between traditional and robotic latissimus flap reconstruction, a robotic approach is associated with a shorter hospital length of stay, lower postoperative opioid requirements, and higher patient satisfaction. For robotic DIEP flap reconstruction, outcomes from several studies also report favorable results with no flap losses, intraabdominal complications, or postoperative hernia/bulge. Although barriers exist regarding this technology, robotic latissimus and DIEP flap reconstruction can be safely learned and applied with thoughtful patient selection and preoperative planning. Robotic breast reconstruction facilitates a minimally invasive approach that decreases donor-site morbidity, length of stay, and opioid requirements, and even improves patient satisfaction.