Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40232570›Full record

ArticleJournal of robotic surgery2025

Seven years of pediatric robotic-assisted surgery: insights from 105 procedures.

Ciro Esposito, Lorenzo Masieri, Claudia Di Mento, Mariapina Cerulo, Fulvia Del Conte, Vincenzo Coppola, Giorgia Esposito, Francesco Tedesco, Annalisa Chiodi, Francesca Carraturo and 5 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of robotic surgery, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

Ciro EspositoPediatric Surgery Unit, Federico II University Naples, Via Pansini, 5 80131, Naples, Italy. ciroespo@unina.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8858-6848
Lorenzo MasieriUrology Unit, Meyer University Hospital Florence, Florence, Italy.
Claudia Di MentoPediatric Surgery Unit, Federico II University Naples, Via Pansini, 5 80131, Naples, Italy.
Mariapina CeruloPediatric Surgery Unit, Federico II University Naples, Via Pansini, 5 80131, Naples, Italy.
Fulvia Del ContePediatric Surgery Unit, Federico II University Naples, Via Pansini, 5 80131, Naples, Italy.
Vincenzo CoppolaPediatric Surgery Unit, Federico II University Naples, Via Pansini, 5 80131, Naples, Italy.
Giorgia EspositoInternal Medicine Unit, Federico II University Naples, Naples, Italy.
Francesco TedescoPediatric Surgery Unit, Federico II University Naples, Via Pansini, 5 80131, Naples, Italy.
Annalisa ChiodiPediatric Surgery Unit, Federico II University Naples, Via Pansini, 5 80131, Naples, Italy.
Francesca CarraturoPediatric Surgery Unit, Federico II University Naples, Via Pansini, 5 80131, Naples, Italy.
Roberta GuglielminiPediatric Surgery Unit, Federico II University Naples, Via Pansini, 5 80131, Naples, Italy.
Francesca AlicchioPediatric Surgery Unit, Ruggi D'Aragona Hospital, Salerno, Italy.
Micaela BorrelliPediatric Surgery Unit, Ruggi D'Aragona Hospital, Salerno, Italy.
Leonardo ContinisioDepartment of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
Maria EscolinoPediatric Surgery Unit, Federico II University Naples, Via Pansini, 5 80131, Naples, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) has recently expanded its role in pediatric patients. We conducted a retrospective review of 105 cases over 7 years (2017-2024) to evaluate outcomes, efficiency, and training experiences. A total of 105 children (58 boys, 47 girls) aged 2-15 years underwent robotic-assisted procedures using the Da Vinci Xi system. The most common indications were ureteropelvic junction obstruction (n = 33), varicocele (n = 29), and primary obstructive megaureter (n = 16). Two senior surgeons performed the procedures, training seven junior surgeons via the dual-console system. Statistical analysis included paired t-tests for docking time and operative duration comparisons, and Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. Docking time significantly improved over time from 45 to 15 min (median 25 min) (p = 0.001). The total operative time significantly decreased over time (p = 0.001), with a median of 125 min (range 50-250). Robotic system-related issues were reported in 3/105 (2.8%). Conversion to laparoscopy was necessary in 1 (0.9%). Postoperative complications (Clavien grade 3b) occurred in 2/105 (1.8%) patients, requiring reintervention. The median hospital stay was 2 days (range 1-7). Monthly case volume increased from 1-2 to 4-7. Our 7 year experience with pediatric RAS demonstrates its safety, effectiveness, and growing role, especially in pediatric urology. It offers ergonomic advantages and facilitates training but is still limited by cost, larger instrument size (8 mm), and longer setup times compared to laparoscopy. Future developments, such as smaller robotic instruments and single-port technology, may help overcome these limitations and expand the applicability of RAS to younger and smaller patients.

Indexed as

Robotic Surgical ProceduresUrologic Surgical ProceduresAdolescentChildChild, PreschoolFemaleHumansLaparoscopyLength of StayMaleOperative TimePostoperative ComplicationsRetrospective StudiesTreatment OutcomeLearning curvesPediatricsPediatric urologyRobotRobotic-assisted surgery

Identifiers

PMID40232570
PMCPMC12000270

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.