< 0.05) greater use of intraoperative EGD (22.8% vs 16.8%) and balloon distension studies (5.4% vs 1.5%). The robotic approach was associated with a longer median operative time (167 min vs 119.5 min) and independently associated with longer operative time on linear regression (β 35.39 min, CI 26.19-45.96 min). There were no significant differences in short-term complications including reoperation, readmission, and mortality.DiscussionThese data suggest no significant differences in the short-term outcomes between robotic and laparoscopic Heller myotomy. Robotic surgery was associated with longer operative times and utilization of more EGD and balloon distension studies. Further research is required to evaluate the clinical benefit of robotic surgery in achalasia.
Wisniowski et al. (Tue,) studied this question.