BACKGROUND:: METHODS:: RESULTS:: The personnel equipment, numbers of trocars and operation technique were comparable in both groups. The mean operative time was 137 min (range 110-175) and 97 min (60-140) in robotic-assisted and conventional laparoscopy, respectively (P =0.04). Establishment of the pneumoperitoneum and placement of trocars and robotic arms took a mean of 30 min (15-45) in the robotic-assisted group, compared with 5 min in the control group (P <0.001). In 1 patient, intraoperative gastric injury was suspected and led to band removal in the robotic-assisted group. There was no postoperative complication. Average procedural costs were significantly higher in the robotic-assisted group. CONCLUSION