Initial Experience With the da Vinci Single-Port System in Paediatric Abdominal Surgery: A Bicentric Retrospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND

Single-port (SP) robotic surgery is uncommon in paediatric abdominal pathologies. We report early experiences with SP robotic general surgery in children.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed children undergoing SP robotic procedures between August 2023 and September 2025 at two tertiary centres in South Korea. Surgeries were performed with the da Vinci SP system.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients (median 4.2 years, 47.6% male) were included, choledochal cyst excision (n = 7) with cholecystectomy, Kasai portoenterostomy, splenectomy, and hiatal hernia repair (n = 2 each). Single cases included anorectoplasty, redo-fundoplication, retroperitoneal teratoma excision, abdominal lymphatic malformation, and Swenson pull-through. The median operative time was 315 min; blood loss, 10 mL; median time to oral intake, 2 (1-6) days; and hospital stay, 6 (1-16) days. One conversion occurred. Six experienced complications (two grade ≥ IIIa; mortality, 0%). The median follow-up was 335 (8-587) days.

CONCLUSIONS

SP robotic surgery appears feasible and safe in selected children but requires multicenter evaluation.