Computer-assisted laparoscopic repair of „upside-down“ stomach with the Da Vinci system

Recently introduced telerobotic surgical systems attempt to elude the inherent limitations of traditional laparoscopic surgery. The first 15 cases were prospectively evaluated. Mixed hiatal and paraesophageal hernias with fixed intrathoracic partial or complete displacement of the stomach were treated using the Da VinciÒ robotic system. Tissue dissection, hiatoplasty and anterior hemifundoplication (Dor) were performed by the telerobotic system. There were no surgical complications. The system broke down in the fourth patient due to software defect. Advantages were seen in terms of the intrathoracic dissection o…