Robotic single-access splenectomy using the Da Vinci Single-Site® platform: a case report

BackgroundSingle-access laparoscopic splenectomy can offer patients some advantages. It has many difficulties, such as instrument clashing, lack of triangulation, odd angles and lack of space. The Da Vinci Single-Site (R) robotic surgery platform could decrease these difficulties. We present a case of single-access robotic splenectomy using this device.MethodsA 37 year-old female with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura was operated on with a single-site approach, using the Da Vinci Single-Site robotic surgery device.ResultsThe procedure was successfully completed in 140 min. No intraoperative and postoperative complications occurred. The patient was discharged from hospital on day 3.ConclusionsSingle-access robotic splenectomy seems to be feasible and safe using the new robotic single-access platform, which seems to overcome certain limits of previous robotic or conventional single-access laparoscopy. We think that additional studies should also be performed to explore the real cost-effectiveness of the platform. Copyright (c) 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.