Emerging Role of Robotic Surgery in the Breast

Alissa Doll; Katherine Kopkash; Jennifer Baker

doi:10.1016/j.clbc.2023.12.009

Emerging Role of Robotic Surgery in the Breast

Clin Breast Cancer. 2024 Jan 9:S1526-8209(23)00326-9. doi: 10.1016/j.clbc.2023.12.009. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Alissa Doll¹, Katherine Kopkash², Jennifer Baker³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.
² Department of Surgery, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL; University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL.
³ Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA. Electronic address: jlbaker@mednet.ucla.edu.

PMID: 38220537
DOI: 10.1016/j.clbc.2023.12.009

Abstract

In recent years, there has been increased adoption of robotic technology in oncologic breast surgery, particularly with the use of robotic nipple sparing mastectomy (r-NSM). Here we review the emergence of robotic-assisted surgery in breast procedures, and discuss the safety, limited oncologic outcomes, apparent advantages, and potential limitations of r-NSM compared to conventional open-NSM (c-NSM). Limited data suggests that robotic-assisted surgery offers smaller incisions and potential for improved cosmesis and ergonomic advantage when compared to c-NSM. Similar periprocedural complication rates are seen with r-NSM compared with c-NSM. Short-term oncologic follow-up is reassuring however, but remains early and continues to be investigated. The increased cost of r-NSM compared to open surgery and feasibility of widespread adoption of the procedure are important considerations that need to be evaluated. Randomized trials are currently ongoing to address the apparent advantages, oncologic outcomes, and cost/feasibility of robotic breast surgery.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Nipple sparing mastectomy; Robotic surgery.

Publication types

Review