Laparoscopic Billroth I Gastroduodenostomy in Robotic Distal Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancers: Fusion Surgery

Abstract

PURPOSE: The authors outline their stapling technique and retrospectively compare outcomes of laparoscopic staplers versus robotic staplers in patients undergoing robotic distal gastrectomy (RDG) with Billroth I gastroduodenostomy for gastric cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of our 28 consecutive patients who underwent RDG, 18 underwent Billroth I gastroduodenostomy using laparoscopic staplers (fusion group); robotic staplers were used in the remaining 10 patients (robot group). All RDG procedures were performed using the da Vinci Surgical System. RESULTS: The duration of reconstruction was significantly longer for the robot group than for the fusion group. There were no conversions to conventional laparoscopy or open surgery in the fusion group, but 1 patient in the robot group required conversion to laparoscopic reconstruction for duodenal injury during anastomosis. No postoperative complications developed in the fusion group. CONCLUSION: Regarding short-term surgical outcomes, robotic-assisted laparoscopic stapling techniques for reconstruction after RDG are both feasible and safe for gastric cancers.