Robotic surgery for liver, pancreas, and bile duct pathologies: A critical analysis and personal views

Abstract

At the beginning of this millennium robotic surgery was launched and quickly became accepted in many surgical specialties. Initially only resection procedures were performed with a few surgical steps made towards reconstructive elements. Robotic surgery helped to overcome disadvantages seen and experienced when performing laparoscopic procedures, mainly lack of haptic feedback, lack of 'free movement' in the abdominal cavity and inferior visualization. Since its initiation, robotic surgery was utilized more and more in complex procedures. Its use in complex liver and pancreatic surgery is still controversial as it requires a high volume center and superb training to achieve acceptable results. Robotic surgery for hepato-pancreato-biliary disease is only performed by a few centers in the United States. A team approach is mandatory and the bed side assistant is as important as the console surgeon in achieving acceptable oncological outcome. This article aims to review the most recent literature and gives some personal views into the near future with anticipated development of this exciting technology.