Global benchmarks in primary robotic bariatric surgery redefine quality standards for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy

Robotic bariatric surgery in Australia: early outcomes from a national clinical quality registry with propensity score matched analysis

The robotic approach to metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) is becoming more popular despite limited data supporting beneficial outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the early outcomes of robotic MBS in Australia. An observational analysis of prospectively maintained data from the Australian arm of the Australia and New Zealand Bariatric Surgery Registry between 2014 to June 2022 were conducted. All patients who underwent robotic MBS (RMBS) were propensity score matched 1:1 to laparoscopic MBS (LMBS) within the Registry. Clinical outcomes were compared using conditional logistic regression analyses. A total of 66,232 patients were included (LMBS n = 65,322; RMBS n = 910) in the analysis. The majority of RMBS were gastric or duodenal-ileal bypasses, significantly higher than the LMBS cohort (49.6 vs 24.3%, p < 0.0001) and more were revisional procedures (26% vs 19.6%, p < 0.0001). On direct comparison, there were significantly more defined adverse events in the RMBS group. When adjusted for cofounders, clinical outcomes of RMBS were comparable to LMBS with no increased risks of defined adverse events or complications.

Reversal of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: A Multi-Centric Analysis of Indications, Techniques, and Surgical Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass may present long-term complications that require revisional surgery or even reversal to normal anatomy. Data on the indications, surgical technique, and outcomes of RYGB reversal remain scarce.

METHODS

We identified 48 cases of RYGB reversals with complete 90-day follow-up within a multi-centric international retrospective database of elective secondary bariatric surgery. The operations were performed between 2010 and 2024 in high-volume referral centers in Europe and USA. Data were collected on body weight, associated diseases, and on surgical outcomes up to 1-year postoperatively.

RESULTS

Patients were mainly female (81.3%) with a median age of 50 years (IQR 39-56). RYGB reversal was performed 7 years (median) after primary RYGB in patients with a BMI of 23.9 kg/m2 (IQR 20-27). Half of the patients underwent at least 1 bariatric revision before the reversal. Main indications for reversal were dumping syndrome (33.3%), excessive weight loss (29.2%), marginal ulcer (14.6%), malabsorption (12.5%), and abdominal pain (10.4%). Rate of conversion to open surgery was 8.3%, and the postoperative complications during the first year reached 50%, including 31.3% Clavien-Dindo grade I-II, 16.7% grade III-IV complications, and one death. At 1 year, the mean BMI of the cohort increased by 18% to 28.25 kg/m2; only 1 patient reached pre-RYGB BMI.

CONCLUSION

Although RYGB is a theoretically reversible procedure, normal anatomy is re-established only in selected cases which are refractory to medical therapy and often also to revisional bariatric surgery. RYGB reversals entail high morbidity, while the extent of recurrent weight gain at 1-year post-reversal seems to allow patients to remain below the threshold of severe obesity.

Retrospective matched case-control comparison of Totally Robotic Sleeve Gastrectomy (RSG) during the learning curve with Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG): why is operative time different?

Robotic approach is slowly rising in metabolic surgery, and laparoscopy is still considered the gold standard for Sleeve Gastrectomy. Aim of our study was to assess and compare outcomes of RSG through a matched comparison with LSG. Retrospective search of prospectively maintained database of our surgical department was carried out find all consecutive patients who underwent RSG from April 2023 to August 2024. Each subject who underwent RSG was matched one-to-one with a patient treated with LSG in the same period. Operative time (docking + console time for the robotic procedures), length of stay, need for rescue drugs, and perioperative complications were recorded calculated and compared. A total number of 50 patients (25 RSG and 25 LSG) were included in the present analysis. Operative time in the LSG group was significantly shorter than in the RSG group (57.8 ± 12.3 VS 80.6 ± 16.6 min, p < 0.01), but it was comparable to console time (57.8 ± 12.3 VS 56.9 ± 19.6, p = 0.85). Mean docking time was 23.7 ± 11 min. Length of stay, readmissions, conversion to laparoscopy/open surgery, early complications, and rescue drugs administration were comparable between the two groups. Age, sex, and BMI were not good predictors neither of laparoscopic nor robotic operative time. RSG during the learning curve proved as safe as LSG, but it was associated with longer operative time due to the duration of the docking step. Operation length may become comparable once the learning curve plateau is reached. Age, BMI, and sex are not good criteria of choice between the two approaches.

The Combination of Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery: First Experience with the Dexter Robotic System™ in Visceral Surgery

INTRODUCTION

For over two decades, abdominal surgical procedures have been safely performed robotically. After the first patent expiration, alternative robotic systems entered the market. The Dexter Robotic System™ is a small-format, modular, and robotic platform consisting of a surgeon's console, two patient carts with instrument arms, and one endoscope arm. We report our initial experiences with Dexter since its installation at our visceral surgery department.

METHODS

The system and surgical setup are described. Demographic and perioperative data of all operated patients as well as the system docking times were analyzed.

RESULTS

From 56 procedures performed with Dexter, the most common ones included cholecystectomy (n = 15), inguinal hernia repair (TAPP; unilateral n = 15; bilateral n = 3), and right oncologic hemicolectomy (n = 15). The median docking time was 6 min (2-16 min) and was reduced to 4 min in the last tertile of procedures performed.

CONCLUSIONS

In our experience, Dexter can be implemented without any major challenges, and visceral surgical procedures of simple to medium complexity can be performed safely. The simplicity and accessibility of the system along with the ease of switching between robotics and laparoscopy could be particularly suitable for beginners in robotic surgery.

Intraoperative assessment of anastomotic blood supply using indocyanine green fluorescence imaging following esophagojejunostomy or esophagogastrostomy for gastric cancer

OBJECTIVE

This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of intraoperative assessment of anastomotic blood supply in patients undergoing esophagojejunostomy or esophagogastrostomy for gastric cancer using Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Imaging (IGFI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 2019 to October 2021, we conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who had undergone laparoscopic gastrectomy for the treatment of gastric cancer. The patients were consecutively enrolled and categorized into two study groups: the Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Imaging (IGFI) group consisting of 86 patients, and the control group comprising 92 patients. In the IGFI group, intravenous administration of Indocyanine Green (ICG) was performed, and we utilized a fluorescence camera system to assess anastomotic blood supply both before and after the anastomosis.

RESULTS

The demographic characteristics of patients in both groups were found to be comparable. In the IGFI group, the mean time to observe perfusion fluorescence was 26.3 ± 12.0 seconds post-ICG injection, and six patients needed to select a more proximal resection point due to insufficient fluorescence at their initial site of choice. Notably, the IGFI group exhibited a lower incidence of postoperative anastomotic leakage, with no significant disparities observed in terms of pathological outcomes, postoperative recovery, or other postoperative complication rates when compared to the control group (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study underscores the potential of IGFI as a dependable and pragmatic tool for the assessment of anastomotic blood supply following esophagojejunostomy or esophagogastrostomy for gastric cancer. The use of IGFI may potentially reduce the occurrence of postoperative anastomotic leakage.