No advantages to using robot-assisted laparoscopic cholecystectomy

January 01, 0001

No advantages to using robot-assisted laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Clinical Question:How effective is robot-assisted laparoscopic cholecystectomy?

Bottom line: Compared to human-assisted laparoscopic cholecystectomy, robot assisted surgery is safe but does not offer any advantages. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups for morbidity, conversion to open cholecystectomy, total operating time, or hospital stay. The instrument set-up time was significantly lower in the human assistant group. In 2 of the 3 trials that reported surgeons’ preference, the surgeons preferred a robot assistant to a human assistant. Based on the current available evidence, robot-assisted surgery should not replace human assistants in workforce planning.

Caveat: All trials were at high risk of bias. In one trial, about one-sixth of the laparoscopic cholecystectomies in which robot assistance was used, required temporary use of a human assistant. The re•viewers were unable to identify trials comparing one type of robot assistant with another.

Context: All trials were at high risk of bias. In one trial, about one-sixth of the laparoscopic cholecystectomies in which robot assistance was used, required temporary use of a human assistant. The re•viewers were unable to identify trials comparing one type of robot assistant with another.

Cochrane Systematic Review: Gurusamy KS et al. Robot assistant for laparoscopic cholecystec•tomy. Cochrane Reviews 2009, Issue 1. Article No. CD006578. DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD006578.pub.2. This review contains 5 trials involving 453 participants.

Cochrane PEARLS Practical Evidence About Real Life Situations. No. 193, August 2009.
Written by Brian R McAvoy. Published by the Cochrane Primary Care Group

Category: D. Digestive. Keywords: cholescystectomy, robot, laparoscopic surgery
Synopsis edited by Dr Linda French, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 9 February 2010

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Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.