摘要
BACKGROUND Laparoscopic colorectal surgery is still developing in the Anglophone Caribbean,having been first performed in the region in the year 2011.We report the initial outcomes using a robot camera holder to assist in laparoscopic colorectal operations.AIM To report our initial experience using the FreeHand®robotic camera holder(Freehand 2010 Ltd.,Guildford,Surrey,United Kingdom)for laparoscopic colorectal surgery in Trinidad&Tobago.METHODS We retrospectively collected data from all patients who underwent laparoscopic colorectal resections using the Freehand®(Freehand 2010 Ltd.,Guildford,Surrey,United Kingdom)robotic camera holder between September 30,2021 and April 30,2022.The following data were recorded:patient demographics,robotic arm setup time,operating time,conversions to open surgery,conversions to a human camera operator,number and duration of intra-operative lens cleaning.At the termination of the operation,before operating notes were completed,the surgeons were administered a questionnaire recording information on ergonomics,user difficulty,requirement to convert to a human camera operator and their ability to carry out effective movements to control the robot while operating.RESULTS Nine patients at a mean age of 58.9±7.1 years underwent colorectal operations using the FreeHand robot:Right hemicolectomies(5),left hemicolectomy(1),sigmoid colectomies(2)and anterior resection(1).The mean robot docking time was 6.33 minutes(Median 6;Range 4-10;SD±1.8).The mean duration of operation was 122.33±78.5 min and estimated blood loss was 113.33±151.08 mL.There were no conversions to a human camera holder.The laparoscope was detached from the robot for lens cleaning/defogging an average of 2.6±0.88 times per case,with cumulative mean interruption time of 4.2±2.15 minutes per case.The mean duration of hospitalization was 3.2±1.30 days and there were no complications recorded.When the surgeons were interviewed after operation,the surgeons reported that there were good ergonomics(100%),with no limitatio
