Table 1.
Characterization of all studies of robotic-assisted abdominal wall reconstruction with greater than 10 patients.
| Author (Year) | Type of Study | Level of Evidence | Population | Cohort size | Control group | Mean age (%female) | Inclusion Criteria | Exclusion Criteria | Mean Follow-Up | Outcomes Measured | Results | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shakir et al. (2021) | retrospective | II | Endoscopic, laparoscopic, and robotic harvest of deep inferior epigastric vessels Pennsylvania, USA |
135 3 (robotic) |
94 (endoscopic) 38 (total extraperitoneal laparoscopic (TEP-lap)) |
52.2 (endoscopic) 51.7 (laparoscopic) 53.2 (robotic) |
>18 yo. Underwent two-stage autologous breast reconstruction Preoperative computed tomographic angiography > 3 mo. follow-up |
< 90 days follow-up | > 3 mo. | Flap survival Intraoperative complications related to harvest (conversion to open, bleeding, intra-abdominal injury) Postoperative complications |
Flap loss (n = 2) Abdominal wall hematoma (n = 1) requiring operative takeback in endoscopic cohort No flap losses or abdominal wall complications in either TEP-lap or robotic cohorts |
Endoscopic operative time: 344.0 min. Laparoscopic operative time: 425.2 min. Robotic operative time: 535.3 min. Additional disposable costs: Endoscopic: $250 TEP-lap: $500 Robotic: $1500 |
| Choi et al. (2021) | Retrospective | IV | Deep inferior epigastric artery flap harvest Seoul, South Korea |
17 | 4 | N/A | Length of intramuscular pedicle less than 5 cm Either one large perforator or multiple perforators |
N/A | N/A | Operative time of harvest Total operation time |
Avg. operation time of robotic harvest: 65 mins Total operation time: 487 mins |
No comparisons to convential flap harvest Mention of high cost but no cost analysis compared to conventional flap harvest |
| Pedersen et al. (2014) | Case series | IV | Rectus abdominis harvest for extremity coverage and pelvic surgery Chicago, USA |
10 | N/A | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | less than 12 mo. | Hernia or bulge formation Infection |
No hernia or bulge at final followup 1 patient: stage 1 decubitus ulcer |
Average setup time: 15 min. Average harvest time: 45 min. |