Long-term and immediate results of robot-assisted resection of liver and bile ducts in portal cholangiocarcinoma

Aim. To compare the immediate and long-term results of robot-assisted and open resection of the liver and bile ducts for portal cholangiocarcinoma.Materials and methods. The retrospective study was based upon the results of open and robot-assisted resections in 2013–2021. Patients without signs of the tumor invasion into the great vessels requiring resection and reconstruction were selected for the robot-assisted resection of the liver and bile ducts. Propensity score matching was carried out within the immediate environment in the ratio 1:2 for five covariates.Results. The results of 147 open resections of the liver and bile ducts and 17 robot-assisted resections were compared. After propensity score matching, the authors compared 33 open and 17 robot-assisted resections. Before and after propensity score matching, statistically significant differences were obtained only in the longer duration of robotassisted resections. Right hepatectomy and caudal resection were performed more frequently in the group of patients with robot-assisted interventions, but without significant differences. The authors noted a tendency to a higher frequency of R0 and a lower 90-day mortality rate after robot-assisted interventions, with no differences in the rate and nature of complications, as well as in duration of hospitalization. Survival did not differ before and after propensity score matching. After open and robot-assisted interventions the overall five-year survival rates before propensity score matching were 32% and 67%, after propensity score matching the overall four-year survival rates accounted for 62% and 63%.Conclusion. Analysis of the first experience shows a tendency to improve some immediate outcomes without worsening survival. Robot-assisted resection of the liver and bile ducts can be applied, without limitation of oncologic principles, in selected patients with portal cholangiocarcinoma if the resection is performed in specialized hepatological centers, where specialists have experience in minimally invasive surgery.