Published online Oct 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i40.14726
Revised: April 11, 2014
Accepted: June 14, 2014
Published online: October 28, 2014
Pancreatic surgery is one of the most challenging and complex fields in general surgery. While minimally invasive surgery has become the standard of care for many intra-abdominal pathologies the overwhelming majority of pancreatic surgery is performed in an open fashion. This is attributed to the retroperitoneal location of the pancreas, its intimate relationship to major vasculature and the complexity of reconstruction in the case of pancreatoduodenectomy. Herein, we describe the application of robotic technology to minimally invasive pancreatic surgery. The unique capabilities of the robotic platform have made the minimally invasive approach feasible and safe with equivalent if not better outcomes (e.g., decreased length of stay, less surgical site infections) to conventional open surgery. However, it is unclear whether the robotic approach is truly superior to traditional laparoscopy; this is a key point given the substantial costs associated with procuring and maintaining robotic capabilities.
Core tip: This invited article reviews the latest developments in robotic surgery of the pancreas in a clear and succinct manner. It highlights the merits of robotic surgery while explaining the challenges that physicians face when integrating new technology into clinical practice.