Robotic distal pancreatectomy: can results overcome cost-effectiveness prejudices?

Abstract

Pancreas surgery was historically considered the most challenging type of surgery for surgeons all over the world. It is related to higher morbidity and mortality rates as compared to other surgical procedures and survival rates for pancreatic adenocarcinoma are still disappointing (1). Few technical innovations have been produced so far and minimally invasive procedures represent the most important addition to the set of surgical strategies to treat pancreatic diseases.