Efficacy of robot-assisted hepaticojejunostomy and laparoscopic-assisted hepaticojejunostomy in pediatric congenital choledochal dilatation: a system review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The efficacy of robot-assisted hepaticojejunostomy (RAHJ) and laparoscopic-assisted hepaticojejunostomy (LAHJ) in children with congenital choledochal dilatation has been a topic of much debate and controversy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of RAHJ and LAHJ in pediatric congenital choledochal dilatation.

METHOD: The review program has been prospectively registered (PROSPEROID: CRD42022306868). We searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, CBM, VIP, Web of Science, CNKI databases, and Wanfang databases from March 2021. The Mantel-Haenszel method and a random-effects model were used to figure out the hazard ratio (95% CI).

RESULTS: Ten studies evaluated eight hundred and sixty-nine subjects (three hundred and thirty-two in the robotic group and five hundred and thirty-seven in the laparoscopic group), meeting all inclusion criteria. Compared with the laparoscopic group, robotic group demonstrated fewer postoperative complications [p = 0.0009; OR = 0.34 (95% CI, 0.18-0.64); I2  = 3%], shorter postoperative hospital stay [p < 00,001; MD = - 2.05 (95% CI, - 2.40-1.70); I2  = 0%], and less intraoperative bleeding [p = 0.008; MD = - 10.80 (95% CI, - 18.80-2.81); I2  = 99%]. There was no significant difference in operative time between the two groups [p = 0.10; MD = 24.53 (95% CI, - 5.11-54.17); I2  = 99%]. The same situation happened in short-term complication outcomes [p = 0.06; RR = 0.45 (95% CI, 0.19-1.04); I2  = 0%]. However, children in the RAHJ group had significantly lower levels of long-term complications [p = 0.04; OR = 0.41 (95% CI, 0.17-0.96); I2  = 0%]. Hospitalization costs were significantly higher in the RAHJ group [p < 0.00001; OR = 27,113.86 (95% CI, 26,307.24-27,920.48); I2  = 0%]. For overall complications, subgroup analysis of literature published after 2020 and of literature with high quality scores showed a significant decrease in the RAHJ group.

CONCLUSION: In children with congenital choledochal dilatation, RAHJ is associated with reduced intraoperative bleeding, postoperative complications, and length of stay. Robotic surgery has a bright future in the treatment of pediatric common hepatic duct cysts and deserves to be promoted and popularized.