Pilot study suggests robotic force feedback may reduce tissue trauma in colorectal surgery

Editor's Note

Early findings indicate the da Vinci 5 (DV5) platform’s force feedback technology can reduce the amount of force surgeons apply to tissue, potentially minimizing trauma during colorectal surgery. According to a pilot study published in the American Journal of Surgery on July 10, the feature allows surgeons to sense resistance at the console, providing tactile cues that modulate applied force.

The study’s researchers retrospectively analyzed 68 colectomies performed on the DV5 platform between April and July 2024 by a single experienced colorectal surgeon. Primary outcomes included time to bowel function and length of stay, while secondary outcomes assessed case complexity, complications, operative and console times, and readmissions. The average patient age was 58, with a moderate burden of medical comorbidities.

Results showed time to bowel function averaged 0.8 days and length of stay 1.4 days, with no significant differences across force feedback levels. Complex cases involved significantly more operative and console time. Force applied to tissue was higher in complex cases (2.40 vs 1.83 N, p=0.007), but higher feedback settings were linked to a trend toward lower force overall (1.54 vs 1.85 N, p=0.0646). Complication and readmission rates did not differ between groups.

The outlet reports while force feedback did not significantly impact short-term outcomes such as bowel recovery or hospital stay, it consistently reduced the total force applied to tissue. This suggests the technology may be particularly valuable in complex surgical procedures, where small reductions in tissue trauma could yield longer-term benefits.

The authors conclude force feedback could serve as a training tool for novice surgeons and a precision aid for experienced ones. Although its impact on clinical outcomes remains to be seen, its ability to reduce applied force highlights its promise as a safeguard against intraoperative injury. Larger studies are needed to determine whether this translates into measurable improvements in recovery and complication rates.