Robotic pancreatic resection: how far can we go?

Abstract

Minimally invasive pancreatic resection remains one of the most challenging abdominal procedures. A wide diffusion of the laparoscopic approach for pancreatic resection is still waited. However, interest is growing since the introduction of robotics in this field and many reports have been published so far. Distal pancreatectomy with or without spleen-preservation, pancreaticoduodenectomy, total and middle pancreatectomy and even extended resections or reconstructions have been reported with good outcomes. This review reports and evaluates the robotic approach for such advanced pancreatic resections. While complex pancreatic resections are feasible and safe by a robotic approach, it is still very early to draw definitive conclusions. Further randomized and controlled studies are required to support a routine use of the robotic technology for pancreatic resection.