Short-Term Outcomes Including Cost of Distal Pancreatectomy Using the Hinotori Surgical Robot System.

BACKGROUND

The first domestically developed Japanese surgical robot, the hinotori Surgical Robot System, was approved in August 2020, and its adoption has gradually increased in Japan. However, reports on its use in pancreatic surgery remain limited. This study evaluated the short-term perioperative outcomes of robot-assisted distal pancreatectomy (RDP) using the hinotori system.

METHODS

RDP using the da Vinci Surgical System Xi was introduced in our department in July 2020, and RDP using hinotori was initiated in October 2023. A total of 73 patients underwent RDP by June 2025. Perioperative outcomes of RDP performed using hinotori were retrospectively analyzed and compared with those performed using the da Vinci system.

RESULTS

The hinotori and da Vinci groups included 22 and 51 patients, respectively. The median age was 71.0 years in both groups (p = 0.782), with no significant difference in sex distribution (p > 0.999). The median operative time was 381.0 and 428.0 min (p = 0.108), and median blood loss was 100.0 and 62.5 mL (p = 0.272), respectively. The length of hospital stay was significantly shorter (9.0 vs. 13.5 days, p = 0.003), and hospitalization costs were also significantly lower (1 499 810 vs. 1 735 355 yen, p = 0.005) in the hinotori group.

CONCLUSION

Initial results suggest that RDP using the hinotori system is safe and feasible, with perioperative outcomes generally comparable to those achieved using the da Vinci system.