Robotic Whipple for pancreatic ductal and ampullary adenocarcinoma: 10 years experience of a US single-center

Int J Med Robot. 2020 Oct;16(5):1-7. doi: 10.1002/rcs.2135. Epub 2020 Jul 22.

Abstract

Background: There is currently ample consensus about the safety and feasibility of robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy (RPD). However, few studies are available on the long-term oncological outcomes of this procedure. We present a long-term survival analysis (up to 10 years) of our series of RPD carried out for ductal and ampullary adenocarcinoma.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected approved database was carried out including 39 patients who underwent RPD for pancreatic ductal and ampullary adenocarcinomas.

Results: The 5-year overall survival for ductal and ampullary carcinoma was 41% with an estimated median and mean survival of 27 and 52 months. The ampullary group had significantly longer 5-year survival (68%) than the ductal group (30%).

Conclusion: Our data show, within the limitations of their retrospective nature, that robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy provides similar short- and long-term survival outcomes compared to open technique in the treatment of pancreatic ductal and ampullary adenocarcinoma.

Keywords: computer assisted surgery; imaged guided surgery; minimal invasive surgery; oncology; pancreas; pancreaticoduodenectomy.

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma* / surgery
  • Ampulla of Vater* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Pancreaticoduodenectomy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Robotic Surgical Procedures*
  • Treatment Outcome