Robotic sleeve gastrectomy versus laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a comparative study with 200 patients.

The da Vinci Surgical System has shown its possible indications in obesity surgery. This clinical study aims to elucidate the benefits, potentials, or problems of applying robotic technology for sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Data from 200 patients who underwent SG either performed by laparoscopy or robotic approach were assessed. A review of the data was analyzed with 1-year follow-up. There were 143 female patients. Mean age was 43.6 years. Mean BMI was 48.4 kg/m2. Operative time was longer for the robotic SG group (p < 0.005). The overall leak rate was 3.5%. Robotic SG is feasible and may be an initial procedure to undergo more complex procedures. Cost issues and operative times will need to be more clearly estimated in the future.