Current status of robotic liver resection: a systematic review

• Published in: Expert review of anticancer therapy Vol. 14; no. 2; pp. 237 - 246
• Main Authors: Buchs, Nicolas C, Oldani, Graziano, Orci, Lorenzo A, Majno, Pietro E, Mentha, Gilles, Morel, Philippe, Toso, Christian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Informa UK, Ltd 01.02.2014; Taylor & Francis; Future Drugs; Informa Healthcare
• Subjects: Antineoplastic agents; Biological and medical sciences; Hepatectomy - methods; Humans; laparoscopy; Laparoscopy - methods; liver; Liver Diseases - pathology; Liver Diseases - surgery; Liver Neoplasms - pathology; Liver Neoplasms - surgery; Medical sciences; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures - methods; oncological; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; resection; robotic; Robotics - methods; Digestive system; Liver; oncological; Systematic review; Surgical resection; Laparoscopy; Review; resection; robotic; Robotics; Treatment; Telemedicine; Surgery; Endoscopy
• ISSN: 1473-7140; 1744-8328
• DOI: 10.1586/14737140.2014.863155

Robotic surgery is an emerging technique for the management of patients with liver disease, and only a limited number of reports are available. A systematic search of electronic databases (PubMed, Embase and Cochrane), including only case series with more than five patients, identified nine series (with one from our institution), which totaled to 232 patients. Overall, the peri-operative outcomes of the reported patients are similar to those utilizing the laparoscopic and open approaches. Robotic surgery appears to be a valid option for selected hepatic resections in experienced hands. It could represent a bridge toward minimally invasive approaches for confirmed liver surgeons. By contrast, the long-term oncological outcomes remain uncertain and need further studies.