Total Mesorectal Excision Using the STIFF-FLOP Soft and Flexible Robotic Arm in Cadaver Models

Abstract

In this chapter, we discuss the perspectives related to the use of a soft and flexible robotic camera during a series of rectal resections with total mesorectal excision (TME) that were performed in two human cadaver models. The robotic prototype comprised two modules that are 60 mm long and 14.3 mm large. The robot is connected to a rigid shaft that is in turn attached to an anthropomorphic robotic arm with six degrees of freedom. Briefly, three standard laparoscopic tools were employed to perform the surgical procedure. After the splenic flexure mobilization and the inferior mesenteric vessel division, the mesorectum was entirely en bloc excised. Neither intraoperative adverse effects nor technical issues were recorded. This preliminary experience shows that the STIFF-FLOP soft and flexible robotic optic arm is an effective tool that is characterized by a better vision of the surgical field than the standard laparoscopic rigid camera. The implementation of new soft and flexible robotic systems may help surgeons overcome the technical issues that are encountered during challenging minimally invasive surgical procedures performed using the standard rigid camera.