Background: Liver resection is the standard treatment for resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The advent of robotic surgery has extended its application in liver surgery, reducing post-operative complications without compromising oncological safety. This study is a retrospective series with the aim of analyzing the preoperative patient’s and tumor’s characteristics and evaluating intraoperative and post-operative data in terms of hospital stay, complications, and oncological radicality. Methods: Data were collected from a multicenter retrospective database that includes 1070 consecutive robotic liver resections (RLRs) performed in nine European hospital centers from 2011 to 2023. Of the entire series, 343 liver resections were performed for HCC. Results: A total of 247 patients (72.3%) had mono-focal lesions. Major hepatectomies and anatomical resections have been perfomed in 87% and 55% of patients, respectively. All 17 conversions (4.95%) were to the open approach. The operative mean time was 239.56 min and the estimated blood loss was 229.45 mL. The overall post-operative complication rate was 22.74%, but severe complications occurred in 4.08% of patients and one of them (0.29%) was reoperated on. The mean hospital stay was 5.82 days with a mean ICU stay of 0.9 days. Twenty-six resections (7.6%) were R1 parenchymal. Forty-six patients (4.08%) were readmitted to the hospital within 90 days after discharge and seventy-eight patients (22.74%) had disease recurrence. Total deaths included 36 (10.5%) patients with a 90-day mortality of 0.9%. Conclusions: Robotic liver resection for HCC is feasible and safe when performed in experienced centers by surgeons who have completed the learning curve.
Introduction: The da Vinci Single-Port (SP) robotic system represents a newer minimally invasive surgical development with greater articulation and reduced surgical footprint through the use of a single incision. While originally applied in urology and otolaryngology, its application in general surgery is on the rise. This review aims to delineate the current applications, outcomes, and limitations of the SP platform in general surgical procedures. Methods: A descriptive literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases was conducted to identify relevant peer-reviewed studies up to September 2025. The included studies reported SP robotic surgeries in various fields of general surgery. Results: A growing body of literature was found that reports the safety and feasibility of SP robotic surgery within general surgery. Advantages reported include improved cosmesis, decreased postoperative pain, and shorter recovery time. The present evidence is largely made up of small case series and initial feasibility studies. Technical drawbacks, such as crowding of instruments and a learning curve, remain issues. Conclusions: The da Vinci SP system shows promising potential for application in general surgery, particularly for certain procedures. Additional prospective studies and larger case series need to outline its long-term results, cost-effectiveness, and optimal indications.
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is the second most common primary liver cancer with a poor prognosis. Negative-margin resection is presently the only potentially curative treatment option. Emerging trends with direct applicability to surgical strategy include margin thickness, lymphadenectomy, optimization of future liver remnant (FLR), minimally invasive techniques, incorporation of systemic therapy, and reconsideration of liver transplantation. This review emphasizes areas of consensus and ongoing debate. Margins ≥5–10 mm are associated with improved results, but biology generally takes precedence over prognosis. Regional lymphadenectomy enhances staging accuracy, although its therapeutic benefit remains unsettled. PVE is standard for FLR enlargement, LVD provides faster hypertrophy, and ALPPS remains reserved for highly selective cases. Minimally invasive and robotic hepatectomy share oncologic results in skilled institutions. Systemic therapies, including immunotherapy and biomarker-directed targeted therapy, are increasingly being incorporated perioperatively. Liver transplant may be of potential value in early-stage disease or on strict indications after neoadjuvant treatment. The modern surgical management of iCCA encompasses a blend of oncologic considerations, FLR optimization, minimally invasive surgery, and systemic therapy according to tumor biology. Multidisciplinary planning and participation in clinical trials are necessary to align surgical innovation with advancements in molecular and systemic treatments, ultimately leading to improved long-term outcomes.
Robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy (RPD) has emerged as a viable alternative to open and laparoscopic approaches, offering potential advantages in precision and dexterity. However, its complexity and lack of standardization remain as barriers to widespread adoption. We present a step-by-step surgical approach to RPD, emphasizing key technical strategies to enhance safety, efficiency, and reproducibility. Our technique is structured into defined surgical steps, facilitating learning curve optimization and intraoperative consistency. Key refinements include an optimized trocar placement, the strategic suspension of vascular structures, and specific reconstructive techniques to reduce the operative time and improve surgical ergonomics. These improvements may contribute to a reduction in perioperative morbidity and procedural standardization. Standardizing RPD through defined surgical steps and structured learning pathways may improve its feasibility, safety, and broader adoption. Further studies are needed to validate these strategies in high-volume centers.
Background: Robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy (RPD) is a less invasive alternative to open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD) with the potential for perioperative advantage. Concerns remain regarding its technical difficulty, cost, and oncologic adequacy. Methods: Review of PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase databases was conducted (January 2000–October 2025), focusing on systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and significant comparative studies of RPD. Outcomes assessed were perioperative outcomes, oncologic sufficiency, learning curve, model training, cost-effectiveness, and future developments. Results: Several studies report comparable R0 rates and lymph node yield between RPD and OPD, with reduced blood loss, shorter postoperative hospital stay, and faster recovery in high-volume centers. Morbidity (35–50%) and 90-day mortality (<2%) are similar to open or laparoscopic surgery. Competence is usually achieved after 40–60 cases, while optimal outcomes are achieved after 80–100 procedures. Structured mentorship and simulation training improve safety and reproducibility. Novel technologies such as augmented reality, intraoperative fluorescence, and artificial intelligence-based navigation may also enhance accuracy and shorten the learning curve. Conclusions: RPD appears to be a safe and effective minimally invasive option in carefully selected patients if done in specialized, high-volume centers. Future studies need to resolve long-term oncologic results, cost-effectiveness, and the role of next-generation robotic systems.
Background: Despite the advantages of robotic-assisted liver resection (RALR), intraoperative blood loss (IBL) remains a main concern in hepatic surgery. The current multicenter study was designed to evaluate the determinants of significant intraoperative bleeding in RALR and the clinical impact of such bleeding. Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed 708 consecutive RALR performed in nine high-volume European centers between 2011 and 2023. All demographic, intraoperative, and postoperative data were extracted from a shared database. Patients were stratified into two groups based on the IBL value (< 500 mL vs. ≥ 500 mL). Variables that reached the level of p < 0.10 at univariable analysis were included in a multivariate logistic regression model. Results: The mean IBL was 224.7 mL, and 9.6% of patients experienced IBL ≥ 500 mL. Both cirrhosis (OR 3.00, 95% CI 1.63–5.52; p < 0.001) and higher TAMPA score (OR 1.09 per point, 95% CI 1.03–1.16; p = 0.004) independently predicted major bleeding. Patients with IBL ≥ 500 mL had longer operative times (372 vs. 239 min, p < 0.001), higher morbidity (72% vs. 46%, p < 0.001), and greater mortality (4.4% vs. 0.6%, p = 0.022). Conclusions: During RALR significant bleeding persists in 10% of cases. Cirrhosis and procedural complexity remain independent predictors. Early identification of the high-risk patient and tailored perioperative strategies are of paramount importance in reducing bleeding and improving overall outcomes following robotic hepatobiliary surgery.