Perioperative outcomes of robotic-assisted liver surgery: A comparison between patients with and without previous abdominal surgery

Background Robotic-assisted liver surgery (RALSs) has numerous advantages over laparoscopic and open procedures. However, prior abdominal surgeries (PAS) are frequently considered as constraints for RALSs. Our study evaluated the impact of PAS on the intraoperative course and postoperative outcomes after RALSs. Materials and methods For this retrospective cohort study, clinicopathological data were collected from all patients who underwent RALSs at the University Hospital Münster between December 2018 and March 2024. Patients were stratified based on whether they had undergone PAS or not (NPAS), the intraoperative course and postoperative outcomes after RALSs were analyzed. Results In total, 116 patients were identified, 79 patients had undergone PAS, and 37 patients had not. The mean surgery time, conversion rate, intraoperative complications, postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and length of hospital stay (LOS) were comparable between the two groups. Forty-three patients had postoperative complications, without significant difference (PAS: 34 patients, NPAS: 9 patients). No deaths were observed within 30 days of surgery. One PAS patient died within 90 days of surgery. Discussion Perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing RALSs were comparable in between PAS and NPAS patients and PAS was not associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications. PAS alone should not be considered as contraindication for RALSs.