Laparoscopic splenectomy with the da Vinci robot

Background: We report our first series of minimally invasive splenectomies with a robotic surgical system. Methods: From August 2001 to October 2003, laparoscopic splenectomies with the da Vinci (R) operating robot were performed in 7 patients (five females and two males, ages 20 to 74 years). Results: Indications for splenectomy were hematologic disorders in four patients and hypersplenism in three patients. Median dimensions of the resected spleens were 140 +/- 34 mm x 80 +/- 11 mm x 50 +/- 17 mm and median weight was 307 +/- 193 g. Median total operative time was 147 +/- 58 minutes including 107 +/- 49 minutes for the robotic act. There were no intraoperative complications and no conversions to open surgery. The median postoperative hospital stay was 7 days. Conclusion: This first series suggests that robotic splenectomy with the da Vinci surgical system is technically feasible and safe. It provides an alternative to the conventional laparoscopic procedure. Nevertheless, justification for this new technique will require a larger prospective series and longer follow-up.