Toward a fully robotic surgery: Performing robotic major liver resection with no table-side surgeon

Background Evidence has suggested that robotic system helps perform more major liver resections. However, the required table-side surgeon has remained a concern because of the uncertain performance and the incomplete control of console surgeon. Methods Data were reviewed for consecutive 333 robotic liver resections, of which 56 patients underwent left liver resection with the usual setting, and 35 with no table-side surgeon. Results No conversion was required in the setting with no table-side surgeon. The group without the table-side surgeon had similar complication rates, blood loss, and operative time compared with that of the normal settings, as well as focused analysis on major left hemihepatectomy. Conclusion Our data suggest that performing robotic major liver resection without the presence of the table-side surgeon is safe and feasible. The concise performance of robotic platforms might accelerate the machine learning process along with the ability to predict patterns of future autonomous surgery.