“New is always better”: single-center experience of over 300 cases of single-incision robotic cholecystectomy comparing the new da Vinci SP with the previous Si/Xi systems

Abstract

Minimally invasive surgery is usually more beneficial than open surgeries in various fields of surgery. With the newly developed Single-Port (SP) robotic surgical system, even single-site surgery has become easier to access. We compared single-incision robotic cholecystectomy between the Si/Xi and SP systems. This retrospective single-center study enrolled patients who underwent single-incision robotic cholecystectomy between July 2014 and July 2021. The clinical outcomes of the da Vinci Si/Xi and SP systems were compared. In total, 334 patients underwent single-incision robotic cholecystectomy (118 Si/Xi vs. 216 SP). The SP group had more chronic or acute cholecystitis than the Si/Xi group did. There was more bile spillage in the Si/Xi group during the surgery. The total operative and docking times were significantly shorter in the SP group. There was no difference in the postoperative outcomes. The SP system is safe and feasible in terms of comparable postoperative complication rates, and is more convenient in terms of docking and techniques.