Safety profile and oncological outcomes of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) robotic resection: Single center experience

Background Although usefulness of robot assisted surgery has been largely reported and accepted, robot assisted gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) treatment is rare. Hence, the aim of this study is to report a single center evaluation on gastric GIST's robotic resection. Methods Six patients were analyzed focusing on safe (conversion/complications rate, hospital stay), oncological (margin resection, recurrence rate), and feasible (operative time, technical tip, and tricks) profile of robotic‐assisted GIST surgery. Results The mean operative time and hospital stay was 173 ± 39 minutes and 3 ± 1 days, respectively. The conversion rate (to open or laparoscopy) was nil, and no intra and postoperative (mean follow‐up 12 months) complications were registered. In all cases, the resections were classified as R0. Conclusions This study supports the usefulness of robotic‐assisted surgery, as the anatomical hand‐sewn reconstruction might avoid the stomach distortion, and the oncological (100% R0) and safety profile outcomes encourage its use. However, further studies with larger sample size are recommended to confirm the outcomes of this study.