Laparoscopic, hybrid, and totally robotic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

The laparoscopic approach to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is a highly regarded and frequently used bariatric procedure. We review our experience with robotic approaches to RYGB. We hypothesized that the robotic approach is safe and may produce similar outcomes to previously reported laparoscopic surgery. We conducted our study at the University Hospital, USA. Data regarding RYGB procedures performed in 2006–2013 were retrospectively reviewed from a prospectively maintained, dedicated database. Procedures were categorized into three groups: laparoscopic, hybrid robotic (HR), and total robotic (TR). Patient characteristics, operative variables, and postoperative short- and long-term outcomes were compared between groups and to recently published larger laparoscopic series. Our study included 192 RYGB consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic, HR, or TR surgery. Mean patient age, preoperative body mass index, and preoperative weight were 40.4 ± 9.3 years (range 22–64), 46. 2 ± 5.9 kg/m² (range 35–64), and 130. 3 ± 22.1 kg (range 76.7–193.4) respectively. Ninety-two patients (47.9 %) had undergone previous abdominal surgery. Mean operative time, estimated blood loss, and length of stay were 223.4 ± 39.2 min (range 130–338), 21.9 ± 18.8 mL (range 5–10), and 2.6 ± 1.1 days (range 2–15), respectively. There were 248 concomitant procedures such as upper endoscopy, cholecystectomy, etc., 7 revisional surgeries, and 2 conversions to open surgery. Intraoperative complications included one liver laceration and one bowel injury. There were two cases each of bowel obstruction, transfusions, and deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolus, but no deaths or anastomotic leaks. Early experience with TR approach for RYGB is safe, with similar outcomes to the laparoscopic approach.