BACKGROUND: Robotic surgery is a new clinical and technological advance in its early stage of development. The possibility of solosurgery brings up a discussion of feasibility and safety of robotic procedures in abdominal surgery. A prospective study was designed to test the learning curve and results of the new technique for cholecystectomy using robotic assistance with AESOP 3000. METHODS: Fifteen patients were prospective documented and submitted to laparoscopic robotic assisted surgery, using the robotic camera system AESOP 3000 with voice control and a fixed mechanical arm, allowing the execution of the procedures under the general concept of solo-surgery (without assistants). The camera was positioned at the umbilical port, adjusted to receive voicecontrol by the HERMES system, allowing the memorization of key positions. A fixed traction arm was connected to the operating table to retract organs when necessary. RESULTS: Operations succeed normally, and there were no need for converting to open surgery. Disconnection of the AESOP System for manual camera control was necessary in one case. Operating time was longer for robotic procedures, and time needed for adjusting the system alone was 21,9 minutes. Mean postoperative hospital stay was short, with most patients being discharged up to 48hs (86.7%). There were no local or systemic postoperative complications. Grade of satisfaction by the surgical teams was 3.94 for robotic assistance. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic surgery is a new evolving method. Potential advantages of AESOP 3000 and telerobotic systems were confirmed by the study. A short learning curve is necessary for the technique, which was easily learned by training doctors. With longer operative time than standard laparoscopic procedure, robotic surgery shows a great precision and camera stability, suggesting an early step for telerobotic surgery.
Robotics; Laparoscopy; Cholecystectomy, laparoscopic
