Robotic single‐port surgery: Preliminary experience in general surgery

BACKGROUND: We aim to analyse the safety and feasibility of the DaVinci Single Port (SP) platform in general surgery. METHODS: A prospective series of robotic SP transabdominal pre‐peritoneal inguinal hernia repairs (SP‐TAPP) and cholecystectomies (SP‐C) (off‐label) were analysed. Primary endpoints were safety and feasibility defined by the need for conversion and incidence of perioperative complications. RESULTS: A total of 225 SP procedures were performed; 84 (37.3%) SP‐TAPP (70 unilateral, 7 bilateral), and 141 (62.7%) SP‐C. There were no conversions or additional ports placed. Mean console time was 17.6, 31.9, and 54 min for SP‐C, unilateral, and bilateral SP‐TAPP, respectively. There was no mortality, intraoperative or major postoperative complications. Mean LOS was 2.7 h for elective SP‐TAPP and 2.3 h for SP‐C. CONCLUSION: Robotic SP surgery is safe and feasible for two of the most performed general surgery operations. Further experience might allow expanding the applications of robotic single‐incision surgery for other procedures.