Robot-assisted liver resection was associated with fewer postoperative complications than open surgery while maintaining equivalent oncologic outcomes, according to research presented by Alexander Wilk, MD, and colleagues from Augusta Kliniken Bochum Mitte and Knappschaft Kliniken Bottrop at United European Gastroenterology (UEG) Week 2025. Surgical approaches emerged as the strongest predictor of complications, with robotic procedures showing a lower incidence compared with open techniques (p = 0.004).

In this retrospective, single-center study, investigators reviewed 185 patients who underwent liver resections for benign or malignant disease between 2010 and 2024. Of these, 86 underwent open liver resection (OLR) and 99 underwent robotic liver resection (RLR). Major complication rates graded by Clavien-Dindo classification were significantly lower with RLR (p = 0.011; d = 0.4203).

Perioperative measures also favored robotic surgery. Median blood loss was reduced from 400 mL with OLR to 200 mL with RLR. Intensive care unit stay decreased from 1 day [IQR 2.3] in the open group to 1 day [IQR 1.0] with robotics. Hospital length of stay declined from 13 days [IQR 14.0] to 9 days [IQR 8.0].

Subgroup analysis of major resections showed greater benefit with robotic procedures, including shorter ICU stays (2 days vs 1 day ), reduced hospital stays (14 days vs 10.5 days), and lower blood loss (650 mL vs 300 mL). Resection quality was similar between groups, with R0 rates of 91.9% for OLR and 89.5% for RLR.

Source: United European Gastroenterology (UEG) Week 2025