Clinical characteristics of remote Zeus robot-assisted laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a report of 40 cases.

AIM To summarize the performing essentials and analyze the characteristics of remote Zeus robot-assisted laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS Robot-assisted laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in 40 patients between May 2004 and July 2005. The operating procedures and a variety of clinical parameters were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS Forty laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedures were successfully completed with Zeus robotic system. And there were no post-operative complications. Total operating time, system setup time and performing time were 100.3 +/- 18.5 min, 27.7 +/- 8.8 min and 65.6 +/- 18.3 min, respectively. The blood loss and post-operative hospital stay were 30.6 +/- 10.2 mL and 2.8 +/- 0.8 d, respectively. Camera clearing times and time used for operative field adjustment were 1.1+/- 1.0 min and 2.0 +/- 0.8 min, respectively. The operative error was 7.5%. CONCLUSION Robot-assisted laparoscopic cholecystectomy following the principles of laparoscopic operation has specific performing essentials. It preserves the benefits of minimally invasive surgery and offers enhanced ability of controlling operation field, precise and stable operative manipulations.