Iatrogenic spleen injury risk during robotic left colonic and rectal resections performed with routine left flexure mobilization technique. Retrospective original paper.

CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, and according to some of the literature data as well, during robotic left colonic/rectal resections the routine mobilization of the left flexure as a standard procedure is not a risk factor in terms of iatrogenic spleen injury rate. Conversely, this technique may be beneficial: a) it does not excessively extend the operative time; b) It increases the surgical skills acquirement; c) It reduces the tension-related anastomotic ischemia; d) It allows a better oncological dissection. Standard laparoscopic approach reduces the rate of spleen by almost 3,5 times in comparison to open surgery. The improved technical accuracy provided by the robotic platform may decrease the rate of splenic injury. More studies are needed on the topic to confirm our findings. PMID: 29806761 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Minerva Chirurgica - Category: Surgery Tags: Minerva Chir Source Type: research