Kangduo vs Da Vinci: a duel of robots in urological surgery

Robotic surgery is no longer a technology of the future: it has become a standard for managing complex pathologies. In urology, procedures such as nephrectomy, prostatectomy, and cystectomy particularly benefit from these innovations, offering enhanced precision and reduced surgical risks. For over two decades, the da Vinci system has dominated this field with its proven performance. However, its high cost limits accessibility. In this context, the Kangduo (KD), a recently developed surgical robot, emerges as a promising alternative. The question arises: can it rival the established leader, da Vinci?  

Can Kangduo compete with Da Vinci?

A total of 201 adult patients who underwent urological surgeries — nephrectomy, cystectomy, or prostatectomy — were selected and divided into two groups based on the system used (Kangduo or da Vinci). The performance of the two robots was compared using several criteria: operating time, blood loss, postoperative complications, and patient satisfaction.  

The results reveal that although the operating time is longer with the KD system (180 minutes compared to 130 minutes for da Vinci), it presents notable advantages. Specifically, blood loss is reduced, thereby lowering the risk of hemorrhage. Furthermore, postoperative complications are less frequent, with an infection rate of 11.7% compared to 29.1% for da Vinci, and fever rates of 15% compared to 30.5%. Patient satisfaction is comparable between the two systems, exceeding 95% in both groups. Finally, the cost of the KD system is approximately 25-30% of that of the da Vinci system, providing a significant economic advantage.  

Kangduo: a promising alternative in robotic surgery

The Kangduo system delivers performance comparable to that of da Vinci, with notable advantages such as reduced blood loss and lower postoperative complication rates. While operating times are currently longer with the KD system, this delay could decrease as surgeons become more familiar with the technology.