Efficacy of robot-assisted hepaticojejunostomy and laparoscopic-assisted hepaticojejunostomy in pediatric congenital choledochal dilatation: a system review and meta-analysis

Purpose The efficacy of robot-assisted hepaticojejunostomy (RAHJ) and laparoscopic-assisted hepaticojejunostomy (LAHJ) in children with congenital choledochal dilatation has been a topic of much debate and controversy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of RAHJ and LAHJ in pediatric congenital choledochal dilatation. Method The review program has been prospectively registered (PROSPEROID: CRD42022306868). We searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, CBM, VIP, Web of Science, CNKI databases, and Wanfang databases from March 2021. The Mantel–Haenszel method and a random-effects model were used to figure out the hazard ratio (95% CI). Results Ten studies evaluated eight hundred and sixty-nine subjects (three hundred and thirty-two in the robotic group and five hundred and thirty-seven in the laparoscopic group), meeting all inclusion criteria. Compared with the laparoscopic group, robotic group demonstrated fewer postoperative complications [ p = 0.0009; OR = 0.34 (95% CI, 0.18–0.64); I 2 = 3%], shorter postoperative hospital stay [ p < 00,001; MD = − 2.05 (95% CI, − 2.40–1.70); I 2 = 0%], and less intraoperative bleeding [ p = 0.008; MD = − 10.80 (95% CI, − 18.80–2.81); I 2 = 99%]. There was no significant difference in operative time between the two groups [ p = 0.10; MD = 24.53 (95% CI, − 5.11–54.17); I 2 = 99%]. The same situation happened in short-term complication outcomes [ p = 0.06; RR = 0.45 (95% CI, 0.19–1.04); I 2 = 0%]. However, children in the RAHJ group had significantly lower levels of long-term complications [ p = 0.04; OR = 0.41 (95% CI, 0.17–0.96); I 2 = 0%]. Hospitalization costs were significantly higher in the RAHJ group [ p < 0.00001; OR = 27,113.86 (95% CI, 26,307.24–27,920.48); I 2 = 0%]. For overall complications, subgroup analysis of literature published after 2020 and of literature with high quality scores showed a significant decrease in the RAHJ group. Conclusion In children with congenital choledochal dilatation, RAHJ is associated with reduced intraoperative bleeding, postoperative complications, and length of stay. Robotic surgery has a bright future in the treatment of pediatric common hepatic duct cysts and deserves to be promoted and popularized.