Robot-assisted resection of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST): a single center case series and literature review

Background: Robotic techniques are claimed to be an alternative to laparoscopic and open approaches for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) treatment. Our aim is to present our single center experience and a literature review. Materials and methods: From June 2012 to August 2014, six patients with preoperative diagnosis of GIST were treated by robotic surgery at Sanchinarro University Hospital. Results: Two GIST tumors were localized in the second part of the duodenum, one in the first portion, two in the gastricantrum and another in the angular notch. Surgical procedures performed were two subtotal gastrectomies, one gastric wedge resection and three duodenal enucleations. None of the interventions needed conversion to open surgery. Mean operative time was 245 min (150–540). Mean hospital stay was 10.5 days (6–24). All lesions had microscopically negative resection margins. Mean follow-up was 24 months (8–33) with a disease-free survival rate of 100%. Conclusions: A robotic approach for GIST tumors is a safe and feasible procedure with a well-accepted oncological surgical result.