Implementation of robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy at a community tertiary care hospital utilizing a comprehensive curriculum.

Background: We evaluated the outcomes of a robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy (RPD) program implemented at a community tertiary care hospital.

Methods: A retrospective review of 65 RPD cases compared surgical outcomes and performance to benchmark data.

Results: Postoperative complications occurred in 31% (20) of patients vs. ≤73% (variance -42), with grade IV complications in 3% (2) vs. ≤5% (variance -2). Postoperative pancreatic fistula type B frequency was 12% (8) vs. ≤15% (variance -3). One 90-day mortality occurred (1.5% vs. 1.6%). Failure to rescue rate was 7% vs. ≤9% (variance -2), and R1 resection rate was 2% vs. ≤39% (variance -37). There was a downward trend of operative time (rho ​= ​-0.600, P ​< ​0.001), with a learning curve of 27 cases. Median hospital length of stay was 6 days vs. ≤15 days (variance -9).

Conclusion: Our comprehensive RPD training program resulted in improved operative performance and outcomes commensurate with benchmark thresholds.