Comparison of clinical efficacy and safety between robotic-assisted and laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of robot-assisted adrenalectomy (RA) and laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) for pheochromocytoma (PHEO). We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Embase databases for studies comparing RA and LA treatment for PHEO, covering the period from database inception to January 1, 2024. Two researchers will independently screen literature and extract data, followed by meta-analysis using Review Manager 5.3 software. Six studies with 658 patients were included in the analysis. There were no significant differences in operation time [MD = −8.03, 95% CI (−25.68,9.62), P > 0.05], transfusion rate [OR = 1.10, 95% CI (0.55, 2.19) , P > 0.05], conversion rate [OR = 0.31, 95% CI (0.08, 1.12), P > 0.05], complication rate [OR = 0.93, 95% CI (0.52, 1.70), P > 0.05], Intraoperative max SBP [MD = −4.08, 95% CI (−10.13,1.97), P > 0.05], Intraoperative min SBP [MD = −2.71, 95% CI (−9.60,4.18), P > 0.05] among patients undergoing RA and LA. However, compared with patients who underwent LA, patients who underwent RA had less estimated blood loss [MD = −37.72, 95% CI (−64.11,−11.33), P < 0.05], a shorter length of hospital stay [MD = −0.43, 95% CI (−0.65,−0.21) P < 0.05]. RA has higher advantages in some aspects compared to LA. RA is a feasible, safe, and comparable treatment option for PHEO.