Intraoperative Complications and Conversion to Laparatomy in Gynecologic Robotic Surgery

Abstract

Introduction In this study our objective was to document complications encountered during our initial experience with the robotic system and also state the cases in which conversion to laparotomy was necessary. Material and Methods This study is a retrospective analysis of robotically performed gynecological and gynecologic oncology procedures at a single center from July 2016 to July 2018. Patient demographics and preoperative indications were obtained from the electronic medical records. Results The patients had a mean age of 53.6 years (range, 25–84 years). The operative time ranged from 1 h and 50 min to 9 h (mean, 5 h and 2 min). Most of the complications were managed within minutes and with robotic assisted suturing when necessary. Five patients out of 83 patients needed a surgical conversion from robotic surgery. Conversion rate was 6.02%. Conclusion During the study period we were able to manage complications uneventfully without requiring conversion to laparotomy most of the time. Vascular complications encountered during robotic surgery can be managed without requiring conversion to laparatomy.

Keywords

• robotic surgery
• minimally invasive surgery
• conversion
• complications
• surgery