Pan-European survey on the implementation of robotic and laparoscopic minimally invasive liver surgery

Maurice J W Zwart, Burak Görgec, Abdullah Arabiyat, Carolijn L M Nota, Marcel J van der Poel, Robert S Fichtinger, Frederik Berrevoet, Ronald M van Dam, Luca Aldrighetti, David Fuks, Emir Hoti, Bjørn Edwin, Marc G Besselink, Mohammed Abu Hilal*, Jeroen Hagendoorn, Rutger-Jan Swijnenburg*, Dutch Liver Collaborative Group and E-AHPBA Innovation & Development Committee

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic and robotic minimally invasive liver surgery (MILS) is gaining popularity. Recent data and views on the implementation of laparoscopic and robotic MILS throughout Europe are lacking.

METHODS: An anonymous survey consisting of 46 questions was sent to all members of the European-African Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association.

RESULTS: The survey was completed by 120 surgeons from 103 centers in 24 countries. Median annual center volume of liver resection was 100 [IQR 50-140]. The median annual volume of MILS per center was 30 [IQR 16-40]. For minor resections, laparoscopic MILS was used by 80 (67%) surgeons and robotic MILS by 35 (29%) surgeons. For major resections, laparoscopic MILS was used by 74 (62%) surgeons and robotic MILS by 33 (28%) surgeons. The majority of the surgeons stated that minimum annual volume of MILS per center should be around 21-30 procedures/year. Of the surgeons performing robotic surgery, 28 (70%) felt they missed specific equipment, such as a robotic-CUSA. Seventy (66%) surgeons provided a formal MILS training to residents and fellows. In 5 years' time, 106 (88%) surgeons felt that MILS would have superior value as compared to open liver surgery.

CONCLUSION: In the participating European liver centers, MILS comprised about one third of all liver resections and is expected to increase further. Laparoscopic MILS is still twice as common as robotic MILS. Development of specific instruments for robotic liver parenchymal transection might further increase its adoption.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)322-331
Number of pages10
JournalHPB
Volume24
Issue number3
Early online date21 Aug 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2022

Keywords

  • CLINICAL-OUTCOMES
  • EXPERIENCE
  • HEPATECTOMY
  • IMPACT
  • RESECTION

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Pan-European survey on the implementation of robotic and laparoscopic minimally invasive liver surgery'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this