Clinical Outcomes of Laparoscopic vs Robotic-Assisted Cholecystectomy in Acute Care Surgery

Importance: The use of robotic-assisted cholecystectomy in acute care surgery is increasing, but its safety and efficacy compared with laparoscopic cholecystectomy remain unclear. Objective: To compare clinical outcomes and bile duct injury rates between robotic-assisted cholecystectomy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy in acute care surgery. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a retrospective cohort study using patient data from a commercial claims and encounter database from 2016 to 2021. Included in the study were adult patients undergoing robotic-assisted cholecystectomy or laparoscopic cholecystectomy in acute care surgery. Data were analyzed from January to October 2024. Exposures: Robotic-assisted or laparoscopic cholecystectomy in acute care surgery. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was bile duct injury. Results: A total of 844 428 patients (mean [SD] age, 45.6 [12.5] years; 547 665 female [64.9%]) were included in this analysis. After propensity score matching, robotic-assisted cholecystectomy (n = 35 037) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (n = 35 037) had similar bile duct injury rates (0.37% [128 of 35 037] vs 0.39% [138 of 35 037]; odds ratio [OR], 0.93; 95% CI, 0.73-1.18; P = .54). Robotic-assisted cholecystectomy had higher major postoperative complications (8.37% [2934 of 35 037] vs 5.50% [1926 of 35 037]; OR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.48-1.67; P < .001), more postoperative drain use (0.63% [219 of 35 037] vs 0.48% [132 of 35 037]; OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.34-2.07; P < .001), and longer median (IQR) hospital length of stay (3 [2-4] days vs 2 [1-4] days; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: In this large, propensity-matched cohort analysis of acute care surgery cholecystectomy, robotic-assisted and laparoscopic cholecystectomy had similar bile duct injury rates, but robotic-assisted cholecystectomy was associated with higher postoperative complications, longer hospital stays, and increased drain use. Further research is needed to optimize the use of robotic-assisted cholecystectomy for acute gallbladder disease. These findings suggest that, under current practice conditions, robotic-assisted cholecystectomy may not offer clear benefits compared with the standard, established laparoscopic cholecystectomy approach.