OGC P45 Complications in patients undergoing robotic-assisted oesophagectomy at a single centre

Abstract Background Robotic-assisted oesophagectomy is increasingly being utilised in the management of oesophageal cancer. The implementation into practice comes with an inevitable learning curve and it is important to ensure that this does not occur at the expense of poor patient outcomes. This study looks at the complications rates from the implementation of a robotics program at a single centre. Methods A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of oesophageal cancer patients treated at a single centre was undertaken. The robotic oesophagectomy program commenced October 2019 and all patients undergoing oesophagectomy to June 2023 were identified. Demographics, operative variables, oncological outcomes, and complications were analysed. Type of operation was robotic when at least one phase was robot-assisted, minimally invasive (MIO) when one phase was thoracosopic or laparoscopic and open when both were open. CUSUM analysis was used to determine the effect of a change in anastomotic technique due to a real time observation of an increase in anastomotic leak rate. Results 229 patients underwent oesophagectomy; 67 robotic, 40 MIO and 122 open. Clinical stage, demographics, and CPEX parameters were similar. There were slightly fewer complications in the robotic group overall (robotic 71.6%, MIO 72.5%, Open 74.2%); this was not statistically significant. There were significantly more anastomotic leaks in the robotic group (19.4%) compared to open (12.9%) which was noted in real time and led to a change in anastomotic technique with CUSUM analysis after this showed a diminished anastomotic leak rate (0/9 cases). Chyle leak occurred in 6% of robotic and 4% of open cases, which was not significantly different. Conclusions We found that the outcomes following robotic oesophagectomy were mostly comparable to conventional techniques. Whilst we found no difference in overall complications, there was a significantly higher anastomotic leak rate observed and identified which led to a change in anastomotic technique. Early results from this indicates a significant reduction in anastomotic leakage. It is crucial that all centres adopting the robotic platform closely monitor outcomes in real-time.