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J Reconstr Microsurg 2012; 28(07): 477-480
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1287674
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Robotic Harvest of the Rectus Abdominis Muscle: A Preclinical Investigation and Case Report

Niyant V. Patel
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Akron, Ohio
,
John C. Pedersen
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Akron, Ohio
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

11 May 2011

21 June 2011

Publication Date:
14 September 2011 (online)

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Abstract

In an attempt to decrease donor-site morbidity for rectus abdominis muscle harvest during free tissue transfer, we developed a technique of minimally invasive harvest. The da Vinci Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA) was used in two cadavers for dissection and harvest of four rectus abdominis muscles. After the cadaver dissections were performed, the technique was used in a 30-year-old woman to harvest the left rectus abdominis muscle for free tissue transfer to a lower extremity defect. Four cadaver dissections for harvest of the rectus abdominis muscle using the da Vinci Surgical System were performed. In the cadavers and actual case, three ports (11 mm, 11 mm, and 15 mm) were used to access the abdominal cavity and perform the dissection. An additional 3 cm incision was used to remove the muscle from the abdominal cavity. The patient has not developed any surgical-site morbidity, including bulge or hernia in the 6 months postprocedure. Minimally invasive harvest of the rectus abdominis muscle is possible with the assistance of the da Vinci Surgical System. Potential benefits may include decreased surgical-site morbidity. Also, this may provide an approach to minimally invasive transperitoneal reconstruction.

Keywords

robotic surgery - rectus abdominis harvest - minimally invasive surgery
 

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