Senhance Robotic Platform in Pediatrics: Early US Experience

Introduction: Different robotic systems have been used widely in human surgery since 2000, but pediatric patients require some features that are lacking in the most frequently used robotic systems. Hypothesis: The Senhance^® robotic system is a safe and an effective device for use in infants and children that has some advantages over other robotic systems. Methods: All patients between 0 and 18 years of age whose surgery was amenable to laparoscopy were offered enrollment in this IRB-approved study. We assessed the feasibility, ease and safety of using this robotic platform in pediatric patients including: set-up time, operative time, conversions, complications and outcomes. Results: Eight patients, ranging from 4 months to 17 years of age and weighing between 8 and 130 kg underwent a variety of procedures including: cholecystectomy (3), inguinal herniorrhaphy (3), orchidopexy for undescended testes (1) and exploration for a suspected enteric duplication cyst (1). All robotic procedures were successfully performed. The 4-month-old (mo), 8 kg patient underwent an uneventful robotic exploration in an attempt to locate a cyst that was hidden in the mesentery at the junction of the terminal ileum and cecum, but ultimately the patient required an anticipated laparotomy to palpate the cyst definitively and to excise it completely. There was no blood loss and no complications. Robotic manipulation with the reusable 3 mm instruments proved successful in all cases. Conclusions: Our initial experience with the Senhance^® robotic platform suggests that this is a safe and effective device for pediatric surgery that is easy to use, and which warrants continued evaluation. Most importantly, there appears to be no lower age or weight restrictions to its use.