Transition from multiport to single-site surgery: A single institution experience in robotic supracervical hysterectomy for benign gynecological diseases

Objective: To share our experience of transition from multiport to single-site robotic surgery for benign gynecological conditions as well as to assess the selection criteria of candidates for robotic single-site supracervical hysterectomy (RSSH). Materials and methods: A retrospective review was conducted on patients undergoing robotic supracervical hysterectomy by a single surgeon in a single institute between June 2014 and December 2017. Patients who underwent additional procedures along with supracervical hysterectomy and who had unexpectant corpus malignancy proved pathologically were excluded from comparisons between patients undergoing RSSH and robotic multiport supracervical hysterectomy (RMSH). Results: Between June 2014 and December 2017, we accomplished 26 RSSH and 57 RMSH. There were no conversions, intraoperative complications, and readmissions within 30 days after surgery. In the RSSH group, the mean uterine weight was 264.6 ± 140.9 g with mean docking time of 15.8 ± 5.5 min, mean console time of 61.1 ± 35.6 min and mean operative time of 140.3 ± 34.4 min. In comparison to the RMSH group, the percentage of overweight/obese patients was lower (p = 0.018) and the uterine size was smaller (p < 0.001) with adenomyosis diagnosed more frequently (p = 0.002) in the RSSH group. While the operative time in the RSSH group was significantly shorter (p = 0.002), the RSSH group took longer time in docking (p < 0.001) and comparable time in console (p = 0.254). In view of chronological change, docking time and console time in the RMSH group remained steady, whereas steep decreases were observed in the RSSH group. The intraoperative blood loss and hemoglobin drop were comparable. The length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the RSSH group (p = 0.005). Conclusion: Transition from multiport to single-site surgery can be smooth for a surgical team experienced in the conventional multiport robotic system. RSSH is safe and feasible in properly selected patients.