First experience in colorectal surgery with a new robotic platform with haptic feedback.

The use of robotic techniques is increasing in colorectal surgery. Recently, the Senhance™ surgical robotic system was introduced as a novel robotic platform designed to overcome some of the limits of standard laparoscopy. This study describes the initial, single center experience, evaluating feasibility and safety of the new robotic system in performing colorectal surgical procedures.

METHODS: From June 2015 to November 2016, perioperative data of the first 45 patients who underwent robotic colorectal surgery with the SenhanceTM surgical robotic system were collected and analyzed. Indications for surgery included inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, endoscopically unresectable adenomas and complicated diverticular disease.

RESULTS: The median age was 57 years (18-92) and the median BMI was 24 Kg/m2 (16-30). Surgical indications were colorectal cancer (66%), complicated inflammatory bowel disease (18%), diverticular disease (11%) and endoscopically unresectable adenoma (4.4%). The median operative time was 256 minutes; the median docking time 10.7 min (range 2-25). There were 3 conversions to standard laparoscopy, and none to laparotomy. All patients operated on for malignancy (28 adenocarcinoma, 2 neuroendocrine tumors) underwent an appropriate oncological procedure. The median time to discharge was 5 days (range 3-19). The incidence of post-operative complications was 35.5% (Clavien-Dindo I/II-14 patients, III-2 patients). One patient was readmitted in the postoperative period. No patient required reoperation.

CONCLUSION: The results of this audit suggest that adoption of The Senhance™ surgical robotic system in colorectal surgery is feasible and safe. More clinical data are needed to determine whether this approach can offer any other benefits over other minimally invasive surgical techniques. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.