Robot-assisted right lobe donor hepatectomy

Abstract

Summary Recent advances in robotic surgical technology have enabled application to complex surgical procedures. Following extensive institutional experience with major robotic liver resections, we determined that it was safe to apply this technology to right lobe donor hepatectomy (RLDH). The procedure was performed using the Da Vinci Robotic Surgical System, in an entirely minimally invasive fashion, during which the liver graft was safely extracted through a limited lower abdominal incision. Both donor and recipient recovered well, without acute complications. To our knowledge, this is the first case reported in the literature. The technical feasibility of this minimally invasive approach is demonstrated, exemplifying the novel exciting opportunities offered by robotic technology.

Robotic liver surgery: technical aspects and review of the literature

“…Robotic surgery has the potential to overcome some of the limits of laparoscopy and, in past years, its range of applications in this field has quickly expanded. Major hepatectomies, extended right, extended left, posterior segments and living donor hepatectomies have been described in the literature (4,20,25,38,41,43,45,46). Perioperative and postoperative outcomes, as well as oncologic efficacy, are not inferior to open or laparoscopic surgery.…”

Use of robotics in liver donor right hepatectomy

“…As a pioneer of robotic approach in general surgery, Giulianotti et al presented the very first case of donor right hepatectomy in 2012 (18). It is not surprising that the robot-assisted system provided the first right-sided donor procedure in advance to the reports of conventional laparoscopic donor procurement.…”

Laparoscopic and robotic approach for hepatocellular carcinoma—state of the art

“…As for the LLR, robotic LR for HCC has been described as a bridge to LT (27). The stable magnified field, 3-D vision, and enhanced instrument articulation facilitate the vascular and biliary dissection of the right pedicle, and this helps in deciding the point of transaction (62). We discuss about totally laparoscopic ALPPS, however, robotic ALPPS may have a place for HCC patients (63).…”