Robotic vs. laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: Systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare clinical outcome following laparoscopic and robotic Nissen fundoplication. A systematic literature search of Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library databases was performed. Primary outcome measures were the requirement for re-operation, postoperative mortality and postoperative dysphagia. Secondary outcome measures were operative time, length of hospital stay, operative complications and cost. Six randomized trials, of 226 patients, were included in this meta-analysis. There was no significant difference in requirement for re-operation or in postoperative dysphagia. There was a significantly reduced total operative time in the laparoscopic group (weighted mean difference = 4.154; 95% CI = 1.932-6.375; p = 0.0002). There was no significant difference between robotic and laparoscopic groups for hospital stay or operative complications. Clinical results from robotic Nissen fundoplication were comparable to the standard laparoscopic approach, but there was associated increased operative time and procedure cost.