Robot-assisted bile duct exploration gave fewer complications and shorter hospital stays than laparoscopy, even in patients with hilar adhesions, in a Chinese retrospective study of 212 matched patients.
- Conversion to open surgery and bile leakage were lower with the robot; suturing time and blood loss were also lower.
- Overall complications were fewer, and hospital stay was shorter, but total hospitalization cost was higher.
Robotic exploration is a safe, feasible option for common bile duct stones of at least 1 cm, and its advantage held in patients with hilar adhesions. Because this was a single-center retrospective study, treat it as strong support for robotic access, not proof of superiority.
Journal Article by Huang L, Wu D (…) Chen S et 3 al. in Surg Endosc
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