A Comparative Analysis of Surgical Results: The hinotori™ Robotic System Versus the da Vinci® Surgical System in Simple Hysterectomy for Benign Uterine Diseases

Introduction Simple hysterectomy (SH) is a frequently performed surgery for treating benign uterine conditions. The da Vinci® Surgical System (dVSS; Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Sunnyvale, California, US) received FDA approval in 2005 for robot-assisted minimally invasive gynecological surgeries. In Japan, insurance coverage for dVSS applications in benign uterine conditions, such as uterine myomas, began in 2018, driving a sharp rise in robotic procedures. The hinotori™ Surgical Robot System (hinotori; Medicaroid Corporation, Kobe, Japan), developed in Japan, was introduced in 2020. This study compares the operative results of SH performed by the hinotori and the dVSS. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 40 patients who underwent SH for benign disease at Kagoshima University Hospital between 2017 and 2024. Surgical parameters, including operation times, cockpit or console times, and complication rates, were compared across the two systems. Results Median operation times and cockpit or console times for the hinotori were comparable to those of the dVSS, with no statistical differences observed. However, roll-in to cockpit or console initiation was significantly longer for the hinotori (P = 0.024) while hospital stays were notably shorter. Conversion rates to laparotomy and operative complications showed no significant differences among the groups. Conclusions The hinotori demonstrated surgical results equivalent to the dVSS, supporting its safety and effectiveness in SH for benign uterine conditions. Further studies are recommended to confirm these results.