Robotic single-site hysterectomy: two institutions' preliminary experience

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the feasibility, safety and peri- and postoperative outcomes of robotic single-site hysterectomy for gynaecological diseases.

Methods: We studied 45 patients who underwent robotic single-site hysterectomy for benign and malignant disease at two institutions during May 2012-June 2013. We evaluated whether any correlation exists between BMI, patient's height, uterine size, operative time and blood loss, comparing the outcomes between the two centres.

Results: The mean operative and console times were 134 ± 36 and 93 ± 29 min, respectively, with no significant difference between the centres (p = 0.09; p = 0.08). The mean intra-operative blood losses were 53 ± 45 and 33 ± 44 ml, respectively (p = 0.15). We observed a low rate of complications.

Conclusions: Robotic single-site hysterectomy is feasible and safe and allows for optimal postoperative pain control and improved cosmetic results. This technique also seems to be successful in obese patients and in patients with a large uterine size.

Keywords: hysterectomy; robotic single-site; robotic surgery; single-port.