Robotic Sleeve Gastrectomy for Treatment of Morbid Obesity
Hany M. Takla, MD, FACS, FASMBS, DABS-FPMBS
Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, Mass General Brigham

Robotic surgery as an approach for bariatric surgery has been a subject of debate for at least two decades since the platform passed FDA approval. One could argue that the exponential growth of robotics in surgery could end such a debate. The robotic platform offers several advantages that are always advertised, but in the morbidly obese population it offers an added advantage. It is arguable that with the advanced ergonomics, superior visual tools, and wristed instruments the robotic platform is superior in its offerings to the surgeon and enables a wider variety of surgeons with variable skill set to adopt minimally-invasive surgery (MIS), especially in bariatrics.

The Sleeve gastrectomy is technically a straightforward procedure to perform and is easier to learn for trainees and novel surgeons. It could, however, pose some challenges especially in patients with increased BMI, which is a huge advantage for the robotic platform as it allows easier exposure and comfort during the operation.