Robot-assisted versus Standard Videoscopic Aortic Replacement. A Comparative Study in Pigs

Background. Reconstruction of the infrarenal aorta for aneurysms is routinely performed through laparotomy. A less invasive videoscopic approach has not gained wide acceptance due to technical difficulties. Robotic systems could potentially improve imaging of the operative field and surgeon's dexterity during videoscopic surgery and therefore might facilitate the performance of this procedure.The aim of this animal study was to compare the...