Robot-assisted duodenal switch with DaVinci Xi: surgical technique and analysis of a single-institution experience of 661 cases

Metabolic and bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for the management of obesity and related comorbidities. Although the duodenal switch has demonstrated superior results in terms of resolution of obesity-related comorbidities and weight loss, it is one of the less performed procedures. The use of robotic surgical platforms offers many advantages in obese patients and is particularly useful in technically demanding procedures such as duodenal switch. Observational, retrospective and analytical study of cases corresponding to robot-assisted duodenal switch performed between 2016 and 2021. We describe our technique using the system DaVinci Xi. Operative and perioperative variables, postoperative complications, and readmission rate were determined. A total of 661 patients underwent duodenal switch which correspond to the 20.7% of the total bariatric procedures performed in this period. A clear decrease in surgical time and length of stay was observed as the number of cases progressively increased. The complication rate during the first 30 days was 9.1%. Among these, only 1.9% corresponded to major complications, being strictures the most frequent (0.9%), followed by leaks (0.45%). Readmission rate in this period was 6.1%. Between 30 and 90 days postoperatively, the complication rate was 0.91%. Robotic-assisted duodenal switch is a safe surgery with a low complication rate. This procedure is highly effective in terms of durable weight loss in obese and super-obese patients. Robotic DaVinci Xi system allows surgeons to achieve a high level of proficiency and master technique resulting in reduction of surgical time and length of stay.