Single-port Versus Multi-port Robotic-assisted Procedures From the Patient's Perspective: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Introduction: The da Vinci SP single-port system, differently from prior platforms, utilizes a single 2.5 cm incision to accommodate 1 flexible camera and 3 articulated robotic arms. Potential advantages include shorter hospitalization, improved cosmesis, and reduced postoperative pain. This project investigates the impact of the novel single-port system on cosmetic and psychometric patient assessment.

Methods: The Patient Scar Assessment Questionnaire (a validated patient-reported outcomes measure for surgical scar) has been administered retrospectively to patients who underwent either an SP or Xi urological procedure at a single center. Four domains were assessed: Appearance, Consciousness, Satisfaction With Appearance, and Satisfaction With Symptoms. Higher scores represent worse reported outcomes.

Results: Compared to 78 Xi procedure recipients (mean 15.28), 104 SP procedure recipients (mean 13.84) reported significantly better cosmetic scar appearance U(N=104, N=78) = 3,739 ( = .007) where U is the difference between the 2 rank totals, and N and N represent the number of single-port and multi-port procedure recipient respondents, respectively. Similarly, the SP cohort (mean 8.80) compared to the Xi group (mean 9.87) demonstrated significantly better consciousness of their surgical scar, U(N=104, N=78) = 3,329 ( = .045), and higher satisfaction with the cosmetic appearance of their surgical scar, U(N=103, N=78) = 3,232 ( = .022), with the SP group (mean 11.35) attaining better scores than the Xi group (mean 12.54). No significant difference was found for "Satisfaction With Symptoms," U(N=103, N=78) = 3,969 ( = .88), despite the SP group (mean 6.58) attaining lower scores than the Xi group (mean 6.74).

Conclusions: This study demonstrates patients' favorable perception of SP versus XI surgery in terms of aesthetic outcomes. An ongoing study is investigating the relationship between cosmetic satisfaction and length of stay, postoperative pain, and narcotic use.