Robotic-Assisted Vesicovaginal Fistula Repair: A Comparative Analysis Between Hugo RAS and da Vinci Xi Systems

To compare the outcomes of vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) repair using two different robotic systems.

This retrospective comparative study analysed the surgical outcomes of VVF repair utilizing two different robotic platforms: the Hugo RAS Medtronic robot and the da Vinci Xi robot.

VVF repair was performed with da Vinci Xi system (n = 15) and Hugo RAS Medtronic robot (n = 11) in a non-randomized fashion. Patient demographics, operative details (operative time and blood loss), intraoperative complications and postoperative outcomes were recorded and analysed.

The mean age of patients undergoing VVF repair was 41.2 years. In the Medtronic arm, the mean operative time was 82 min, with a mean blood loss of 60 ml. In the da Vinci arm, the mean operative time was 76 min, with a mean blood loss of 60 ml. Intraoperative complication was not observed in either group. Postoperative complications were minimal, with none exceeding Clavien-Dindo grade 2. Outcomes were comparable between both groups.

Our study demonstrates the feasibility and safety of using both the Hugo RAS Medtronic robot and the da Vinci Xi robot for VVF repair. These preliminary findings suggest that robotic-assisted surgery is promising for VVF repair, irrespective of the robotic platform.