Abstract Background Robotic-assisted bariatric surgery enhances stapling precision in sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). This study analyzes cartridge use patterns in 140 robotic procedures (76 sleeves, 54RYGB, 10 revision surgeries) using the Intuitive Surgical app. Methods We retrospectively analyzed procedures (March 2024–May 2025) under IRB approval, collecting data on BMI (mean 49.8 kg/m²), comorbidities (for example, 40.2% T2DM, 48.0% OSA), cartridge types (green G, blue B, white W), firing times (18.7 min sleeve, 29.6 min RYGB), complications, and LOS. Staple lines were sutured robotically without buttress materials. We calculated white cartridge distribution, proportions, and averages, trends across case groups (sleeves: every 20 cases; RYGB: every 16), and BMI (40, 40–50, 50 kg/m²) and comorbidity (0, 1–3, 3) effects using chi-square and ANOVA (P 0.05). Results Total cartridges: 871 (13 green 1.4%, 291 blue 33.4%, 567 white 65.2%). Sleeves (471 cartridges): 6 green (1.2%), 205 blue (43,5%), 260 white (55.2%), mean 2.75 white/case. RYGB (348 cartridges): 59 blue (16.9 %), 288 white (82.7 %), mean 4.04 white/case. White use peaked in sleeves (3.10/case, cases 41–60) and remained stable in RYGB (∼4.0/case). Green use increased in sleeves with BMI 50 (P = 0.02); blue decreased in RYGB with BMI 50 (P = 0.03). Comorbidities influenced blue use in RYGB (P = 0.04). No leaks occurred; complications were 1.6%. One white cartridge stopped firing halfway due to tissue thickness and it was removed and upgraded to blue. Conclusion White cartridges dominate, with BMI and comorbidities influencing selection. Multicenter studies are needed to validate these patterns.
Ramar et al. (Thu,) studied this question.