71 yrs old male s/p robotic low anterior resection with primary coloproctostomy and diverting loop ileostomy for bulky, locally advanced rectal cancer. Robotic approach for loop ileostomy closure was planned due to obese body habitus. We utilized DaVinci Xi robotic platform. The set up consisted in 4-port placement, with ports # 2, 3 and 4 positioned starting in the left upper abdominal quadrant along MCL and port # 1 in suprapubic area. After docking and insertion of robotic instruments, the RLQ ileostomy was visualized. Appropriate orientation of efferent and afferent limbs was confirmed. Two enterotomies were created with electrocautery at the antimesenteric border of each limb, approximately 10 cm from the fascia. Head and anvil components of a robotic 60 mm stapler were then inserted in each enterotomy and the stapler fired in order to create a common channel between the lumens. After stay suture with 3-0 Vicryl was placed at the crotch of the anastomosis, common enterotomy defect was approximated with running 3-0 V-Lock suture in two layers. The matured portions of the loop ileostomy were then divided right below the fascia level with robotic 60 mm stapler after gentle dissection of the mesenteric border of each limb, while the mesentery was divided with robotic vessel sealer. The robotic system was then undocked and the ports removed. The remaining portion of the loop ileostomy was finally dissected from the abdominal wall at the mucocutaneous junction and the fascia defect approximated in the usual fashion (not included in the video).
