SAN FRANCISCO– Before attempting robotic surgery, it’s important to be comfortable with both the open and laparoscopic versions of the procedure, according to Dr. Kenneth Meredith, director of robotic surgery at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
In experienced hands, robotic results can be good. In a case series of 138 robotic-assisted Ivor Lewis esophagectomies at the university for esophageal cancer, the median intensive care unit stay was 2 days and median hospital stay 9 days, Dr. Meredith. Complications occurred in about a quarter of patients.
In a video interview at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress, Dr. Meredith explained the significance of the findings and gave tips on how to negotiate the robotic surgery learning curve.