Robotic pelvic dissection as surgical treatment of complicated diverticulitis in elective settings: a comparative study with fully laparoscopic procedure

Background: Recently, minimally invasive treatment of complicated sigmoid diverticulitis is becoming a valid alternative to standard procedures. Robotic approach may be useful to allow more precise dissection in arduous pelvic dissection as in complicated diverticulitis. The aim of this study is to investigate effectiveness, potential benefits and short-term outcomes of robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgical resection, compared with fully laparoscopic resection in complicated diverticulitis. Methods: Between January 2009 and December 2017, 156 consecutive patients with history of complicated diverticular disease were referred to our Department of General, Mininvasive and Robotic Surgery. All patients underwent elective colonic resections performed by the same colorectal surgeon and followed a perioperative ERAS program. Demographic and clinical features, surgical data, postoperative data, 30-day morbidity and mortality, VAS for surgeon’s compliance were evaluated. Results: One hundred and fifty-six consecutive patients underwent elective colonic resection: 92 fully laparoscopic (FL) colorectal resections and 64 procedures with robotic hybrid approach (RHA). Conversion rate was none in the RHA group versus 6.5% in the FL group, because of poor vision due to bowel distension, inflammatory pseudotumor and peritoneal adhesions. No 30-day mortality was observed. Mean operative time was 167.5 ± 54.4 min (80–420) in the FL group and 172.5 ± 55.64 min (110–325) in the RHA group (p 0.079), mean intraoperative blood loss was 144.6 ± 40.6 ml (40–200) with the FL technique and 138.4 ± 28.3 ml (20–185) with the RHA (p 0.295). Mean hospital stay for FL was 5 ± 4.1 days (range 3–45) and 5 ± 2.7 days (range 3–20) for RHA (p 0.974). Overall postoperative morbidity rate was 21.6% in the FL group and 12.3% in the RHA (p 0.067). Major postoperative morbidity (Clavien–Dindo 3 and 4) represented 13% and 4.6%, respectively (p 0.091). VAS for surgeon’s compliance revealed a better performance in the robotic arm (p 0.059). Conclusions: This preliminary study highlights the potential benefits of robotic-assisted laparoscopy in colorectal resections for complicated diverticular disease in terms of surgical efficacy, postoperative morbidity and better surgeon’s compliance.