Application of Laparoscopic Ultrasound in Robot-Assisted Resection of Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma

Purpose To explore the clinical utilization of robot-assisted laparoscopic ultrasound in resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma.Materials and Methods Twenty-three patients with hilar cholangicarcinoma underwent robotassisted tumor resection using Da Vinci S system.Intraoperative laparoscopic ultrasound was routinely used to accurately define the relationship between the lesions and the surrounding tissues.This helped determine the tumor staging and operative strategy for guided resection ofthe tumor.The clinical data of these patients were analyzed and compared to 18 cases of laparotomy resection.Results Intraoperative laparoscopic ultrasound revealed previously undetected lesions in five patients that required a change in the operative strategy(5/23,21.73).The other 18 patients were successfully treated with robot-assisted radical resection.All the patients tolerated the surgery well.The RO resection rate was 94.44(17/18),significantly better than patients undergoing laparotomy resection(61.11,11/18).There were no perioperative deaths or device-related complications.Conclusion Laparoscopic ultrasound can not only help surgeons select the operative strategy and guide surgical approach,but also improve the rate of radical resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma.