Five millimetre-instruments in paediatric robotic surgery: Advantages and shortcomings

Purpose: The study was designed to assess the utility and controversies surrounding the usage of 5-mm instruments in paediatric robotic surgery. Adequate, delicate instruments for surgery in very narrow spaces are still lacking. Material and methods: Thirty children underwent elective abdominal robotic surgery. Working sites, assembly and operative time, hospital stay, advantages, complications and shortcomings are reported. Results: Interventions were performed in the following anatomical sites: 11 upper abdominal, nine pelvic, ten renal procedures. The majority of procedures required two operative trocars. A 2-3 mm accessory port was necessary for operations in the renal area and upper abdomen. The ports had to be placed at least 3 cm from the costal margins and superior iliac spines and at an angle of at least 130 degrees with respect to the camera trocar. This configuration allowed intra-corporal knotting, vessel ligation and dissection with instruments in the inverted position. Operative times and hospital stays were similar to those reported for 8 mm-instruments. Conclusion: The use of 5-mm instruments was advantageous in renal and pelvic sites. The benefits in upper abdominal surgery need further evaluation, particularly in patients weighing <10 kg. Smaller sized instruments with high endowrist dexterity would resolve the problems encountered in paediatric robotic-assisted surgery using 5-mm instruments.