An extraperitoneal single-port robotic approach to low anterior resection-Cadaveric experience.

Aim: A minimally invasive surgery (MIS) extraperitoneal (XP) approach to left-sided colorectal resection utilizing the laparoscopic approach has recently been shown to be safe and feasible and to have potential advantages over the transperitoneal approach, especially in high-risk surgical patients. The aim of this article is to provide a first cadaveric demonstration of the use of a single-port robotic platform in performing XP low anterior resection by MIS.

Method: A single-port robotic platform (DaVinci®SP™) was used to perform XP single-port low anterior resection in two cadavers with body mass indexes (BMIs) of 19 and 40 kg/m.

Results: The single-port robotic platform with versatile arms was successfully used to perform a complete low anterior resection with splenic flexure mobilization and total mesorectal excision through a single port.

Conclusions: A single-port robotic platform enhances complete XP dissection in the supine patient in extreme BMI ranges. Clinical studies are necessary to confirm these findings.