Our Summary

This research was carried out to assess how safe and effective it is to use robotic surgery (RS) for emergency operations on patients with diverticulitis, a digestive disease. The hospital involved in the study uses a robotic system called Da Vinci Xi, with staff trained to operate it.

The researchers looked at data from 262 hospitals between 2018 and 2021, which covered over 22,000 emergency colorectal surgeries. Of these, more than 2500 were for diverticulitis. They compared results from 126 robotic surgeries, 446 laparoscopic surgeries (a less invasive procedure using a tiny camera), and 1952 open surgeries (traditional surgery with a larger incision).

They found that while robotic surgery took a bit longer, the patients had fewer complications. There were fewer ICU admissions and leaks from the surgical join in the bowel (anastomotic leaks) compared to open surgery. The length of hospital stay was also slightly shorter. When compared to laparoscopic surgery, the results were similar, but the robotic surgery still had fewer leaks.

Another significant finding was that laparoscopic surgeries had to be converted to open surgeries almost 29% of the time, while this was only necessary in about 8% of robotic surgeries.

In conclusion, the researchers suggest that robotic surgery could be a safe and effective option for emergency diverticulitis treatment.

FAQs

  1. How effective is robotic surgery for treating diverticulitis compared to traditional methods?
  2. What are the advantages of using robotic surgery for diverticulitis treatment?
  3. How often did laparoscopic surgeries have to be converted to open surgeries in the study?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about diverticulitis surgery using robotic surgery is that it may result in fewer complications, shorter hospital stays, and a lower risk of needing to convert to open surgery compared to traditional methods. They may also recommend discussing the option of robotic surgery with a surgeon trained in using the Da Vinci Xi system to see if it is a suitable option for their individual case.

Suitable For

Patients who may be recommended diverticulitis surgery typically include those with severe symptoms that do not respond to conservative treatments such as antibiotics or a liquid diet. Surgery may also be recommended for patients with recurrent episodes of diverticulitis, complications such as abscesses or fistulas, or if there is a concern for perforation or blockage of the colon. Additionally, patients who are immunocompromised or have other underlying health conditions that may put them at higher risk for complications may also be recommended for surgery. Ultimately, the decision to undergo surgery for diverticulitis is made on a case-by-case basis by a surgeon in consultation with the patient.

Timeline

Before diverticulitis surgery:

  1. Patient experiences symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, changes in bowel habits, and fever.
  2. Patient undergoes diagnostic tests such as a CT scan or colonoscopy to confirm the diagnosis of diverticulitis.
  3. The medical team determines the best course of treatment, which may include antibiotics, a liquid diet, and possibly surgery if the condition is severe or has complications.
  4. The patient undergoes pre-operative testing and preparation for surgery.

After diverticulitis surgery:

  1. Patient undergoes robotic surgery for diverticulitis, which takes longer than traditional open surgery but has fewer complications.
  2. Patient may experience a shorter hospital stay compared to open surgery.
  3. Patient is monitored for any post-operative complications such as infections or anastomotic leaks.
  4. Patient undergoes post-operative care and follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing and recovery.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about diverticulitis surgery include:

  1. What are the risks and benefits of robotic surgery compared to traditional open surgery or laparoscopic surgery for diverticulitis?
  2. How experienced is the surgical team in performing robotic surgery for diverticulitis?
  3. What is the expected recovery time and outcome for robotic surgery in comparison to other surgical options?
  4. Are there any specific criteria that make a patient a good candidate for robotic surgery over other types of surgery?
  5. What is the long-term success rate of robotic surgery for diverticulitis compared to other surgical options?
  6. What kind of follow-up care will be necessary after robotic surgery for diverticulitis?
  7. Are there any potential complications or side effects specific to robotic surgery that I should be aware of?
  8. How does the cost of robotic surgery compare to traditional open surgery or laparoscopic surgery for diverticulitis?
  9. Are there any specific pre-operative or post-operative instructions I should be aware of for robotic surgery for diverticulitis?
  10. Can you provide me with any additional information or resources about robotic surgery for diverticulitis to help me make an informed decision?

Reference

Authors: Curfman KR, Jones IF, Conner JR, Neighorn CC, Wilson RK, Rashidi L. Journal: Int J Colorectal Dis. 2023 May 25;38(1):142. doi: 10.1007/s00384-023-04436-3. PMID: 37225935