Short-Term Clinical Outcomes of Robotic and Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Indian Patients

摘要

BACKGROUND: This study aims to present the short-term clinical outcomes of robotic-assisted cholecystectomy (RC) compared with laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), performed by a skilled laparoscopic surgeon who is just starting the RC learning curve. METHODS: A retrospective medical chart review was conducted for consecutive patients aged ≥18 who underwent non-complex cholecystectomy using either the RC or LC approach between July 2023 and August 2024. RESULTS: Data from 96 patients (26 in the LC group and 70 cases in the RC group) were collected and analyzed. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups. The mean total operating time was significantly shorter in the RC group compared with the LC group (21.73 ± 12.74 min vs. 32.94 ± 15.51 min; P = 0.0025). The mean length of hospital stay was also shorter in the RC group (P = 0.0368). In the LC group, one bile duct injury was reported. No conversions, postoperative complications, or surgical site infections (SSIs) occurred in either group. The quantity and duration of analgesic use did not differ significantly between the two groups. Pain scores at 24 hours (P < 0.05) and 48 hours (P = 0.0039) were significantly lower in the RC group. Quality of life (QoL) scores were significantly higher in the RC group at seven days (P = 0.0003) and 14 days (P = 0.0108) after surgery. CONCLUSION: RC outperformed LC in terms of total operating time, length of stay, pain scores, and QoL scores. Furthermore, a surgeon at the beginning of the RC learning curve can achieve outcomes comparable to those of a surgeon who has already surpassed it.