Does robot-assisted laparoscopic ileocystoplasty (RALI) reduce peritoneal adhesions compared with open surgery?

Robotics in Pediatric Urology: A Review

BACKGROUND

Recent technological advances have enabled pediatric urologist to push the envelope of minimally invasive techniques. Recently, implementing robots into laparoscopic procedures has enabled the mitigation of certain drawbacks, opening the door for the implementation of minimally invasive techniques. The purpose of this review is to identify the current state surrounding robotic surgery and explore future directions for the field.

METHODS

The authors undertook a literature search to explore the current state of robotic surgery in pediatric procedures.

RESULTS

While operative times are longer for robotic surgery, robotic surgery operations have reported shorter post-operative hospital stays, lower pain medication use, and similar success rates relative to open procedures. New advances in training may enable improved training paradigms for novice surgeons, decreasing future operative times.

CONCLUSION

Evidence from the field suggests robotic surgery is an optimal alternative to open procedures, conferring advantages to both the patient and surgeon.

Laparoscopic robotic-assisted restorative proctocolectomy and ileal J-pouch-anorectal anastomosis in children

PURPOSE

Total proctocolectomy with ileal J-pouch-anorectal anastomosis (IPAA) remains the preferred surgical treatment for ulcerative colitis (UC) in children. Considering the well-known advantages of minimally invasive approach, and its main application for the deep pelvis, robotic surgery may be used in UC reconstructive procedures. The aim of the study is to report our experience with Robotic IPAA in children.

METHODS

Single surgeon experience on Robotic IPAA were prospectively included. Data on patient demographics, surgical details, complications, and length of stay (LOS), were collected.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients were included. Median age was 13.2 years, median body weight 45 kg. Median operative time was 240 min. Median LOS was 7 days and mean follow-up time 1 year. No intraoperative complication occurred. Five postoperative complications happened: 3 minors treated conservatively (CD I-II), 2 majors needing reintervention under anesthesia (CD IIIb). No mortality was observed.

CONCLUSION

Our preliminary experience reveals that Robotic IPAA is a safe and feasible option for the surgical treatment of UC in children. A bigger patient sample and a long-term follow-up are needed to confirm our findings.

Bladder Reconstruction with Bowel: Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Ileocystoplasty with Mitrofanoff Appendicovesicostomy in Pediatric Patients

Neurogenic bladder occur as a consequence of several conditions, most commonly posterior urethral valves syndrome, spina bifida, tethered cord, sacral agenesis, and Arnold-Chiari malformation. It is characterized by diminished bladder capacity and/or reduced compliance, associated with high-pressure voiding that can lead to deterioration of renal function if left untreated. When medical management fails, bladder reconstruction with bowel (aumentation ileocystoplasty) becomes the treatment of choice for these patients. In most cases, it is accompanied by the creation of a continent catheterizable channel, with the appendix being the most commonly used conduit (Mitrofanoff appendicovesicostomy). Conventional open surgery has proven to be an efficient and safe approach in these patients. However, robot-assisted surgery not only offers a cosmetic advantage, but also results in a shorter hospital stay, less postoperative pain, and even decreased number of adhesions (as shown in porcine models). Nevertheless, the complexity of this technique has limited the wide adoption of this approach. We seek to provide a technical guide to robot-assisted laparoscopic ileocystoplasty and Mitrofanoff appendicovesicostomy in pediatric patients, as well as a critical review of literature about the perioperative care of these patients.

Surgery strategy of 13 cases to control bleeding from the liver on laparoscopic repeat liver resection for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma

Introduction:

Laparoscopic repeat liver resection (LRLR) is a safe and effective treatment in recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (rHCC) in particular patients. However, there are less reports about surgery strategy of LRLR for rHCC. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic strategy for bleeding of liver to increase the safety and feasibility of LRLR for rHCC.

Methods:

In this study, a total of 13 cases of LRLR for rHCC, including 8 males and 5 females; aged 28–72 years, mean age 54 years, who were received at least one laparotomy due to HCC. We employ to block the local blood flow, ligation of the left or right hepatic artery and/or approach of Pringle according to the assessment of the degree of adhesions in the abdominal and the first hepatic portal, the location of the tumour (edge/central).

Results:

Three cases were less adhesions, nine cases were dense adhesions but 1 case was serious adhesions. Two cases were employed to block the local blood flow, 3 cases were employed to ligation of the left or right hepatic artery and 7 cases were employed to approach of Pringle. Twelve cases were successfully completed by LRLR whereas 1 case was completed by transfer to the open resection, including massive resection in 3 cases (the diameter of resection ≥3 cm), small hepatectomy in 10 cases (the diameter of resection <3 cm), no severe perioperative complication. The average operative time was (142 ± 34) min, the average intraoperative blood loss was (251 ± 92) ml and the average post-operative hospital time was (9 ± 3) d. The mean follow-up time was 25 months. Until the last follow-up, 11 cases survived while 2 cases died because of tumour recurrence.

Conclusions:

It can improve the safety and feasibility of LRLR for rHCC, according to the degree of adhesion of the peritoneal adhesions and the first hepatic portal, then selecting the appropriate technique to control the bleeding of the hepatectomy.

Expanding the indications of robotic surgery in urology: A systematic review of the literature

Objectives

To evaluate the recent developments in robotic urological surgery, as the introduction of robotic technology has overcome many of the difficulties of pure laparoscopic surgery enabling surgeons to perform complex minimally invasive procedures with a shorter learning curve. Robot-assisted surgery (RAS) is now offered as the standard for various surgical procedures across multiple specialities.

Methods

A systematic search of MEDLINE, PubMed and EMBASE databases was performed to identify studies evaluating robot-assisted simple prostatectomy, salvage radical prostatectomy, surgery for urolithiasis, distal ureteric reconstruction, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, augmentation ileocystoplasty, and artificial urinary sphincter insertion. Article titles, abstracts, and full text manuscripts were screened to identify relevant studies, which then underwent data extraction and analysis.

Results

In all, 72 studies evaluating the above techniques were identified. Almost all studies were retrospective single-arm case series. RAS appears to be associated with reduced morbidity, less blood loss, reduced length of stay, and comparable clinical outcomes in comparison to the corresponding open procedures, whilst having a shorter operative duration and learning curve compared to the equivalent laparoscopic techniques.

Conclusion

Emerging data demonstrate that the breadth and complexity of urological procedures performed using the da Vinci® platform (Intuitive Surgical Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA) is continually expanding. There is a gaining consensus that RAS is producing promising surgical results in a wide range of procedures. A major limitation of the current literature is the sparsity of comparative trials evaluating these procedures.

A multi-institutional study of perioperative and functional outcomes for pediatric robotic-assisted laparoscopic Mitrofanoff appendicovesicostomy

BACKGROUND

Robotic techniques are increasingly being used for reconstructive procedures in the pediatric population.

OBJECTIVE

The present study reported the functional and perioperative outcomes of a multi-institutional cohort of pediatric patients who underwent robotic-assisted laparoscopic Mitrofanoff appendicovesicostomy (RALMA).

STUDY DESIGN

Pediatric patients who underwent RALMA at five different centers were included. Positioning is shown (Summary Figure). Demographics were gathered, and intraoperative parameters included concomitant procedures, detrusor tunnel length, estimated blood loss (EBL) and operative time. Perioperative outcomes included length of hospital stay (LOS), morphine use and 30-day complications. Outcomes were reported in terms of stomal continence and surgical revisions.

RESULTS

Eighty-eight patients with a mean age of 10.4 ± 4.0 years were included in the analysis. Median follow-up was 29.5 months (IQR 11.8-45.0). Bladder augmentation was performed concomitantly in 15 (17%) patients, and bladder neck procedures in 34 (39%). Mean detrusor tunnel length was 3.9 ± 1.0 cm, EBL was 54 ± 70 ml, and operative time was 424 ± 120 min. Postoperatively, mean LOS was 5.2 ± 2.8 days. Patients who underwent concomitant augmentation had higher EBL and operative times (both P < 0.05). At 90 days, complications occurred in 26 patients (29.5%) with six Clavien grade ≥3 (6.8%). During follow-up, 11 (12.5%) patients required appendicovesicostomy revision. Regarding functional outcomes, 75 (85.2%) patients were initially continent. After additional procedures, 81 (92.0%) patients were continent at last follow-up.

DISCUSSION

Compared to previous open series, initial stomal continence rates with RALMA were acceptable, with a minority of patients requiring subsequent procedures to manage complications and achieve continence.

CONCLUSION

RALMA is safe and effective in a pediatric population with regard to perioperative complications and stomal continence.

Comparative Outcomes and Perioperative Complications of Robotic Vs Open Cystoplasty and Complex Reconstructions

OBJECTIVE

To compare perioperative and surgical outcomes in a 2-center, 2-surgeon open vs robotic augmentation ileocystoplasty.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed patients undergoing augmentation ileocystoplasty open vs robotically between 2008 and 2014 at 2 centers. We compared the groups' preoperative characteristics, perioperative outcomes, complications, and interim functional outcomes.

RESULTS

The cohort consisted of 17 and 15 patients with median follow-up of 45 and 46 months, in open and robotic groups, respectively. Median operative time (incision to closure) was longer in the robotic cohort (265 minutes vs 623 minutes, P < .001). Median length of stay (7 days vs 6 days, P = .335), time to diet (4 days vs 4 days, P = .125), and mean intravenous morphine equivalents/kg (1.23 mg/kg vs 0.56 mg/kg, P = .091) were comparable between groups for open and robotic, respectively. There were 4/17 (23.5%) of the open cohort who had an epidural for an average of 93 hours. All patients had stable or improved hydronephrosis postoperatively. Major reoperations, such as for bowel obstruction, were required in 2/17 (11.7%) in the open group and none in the robotic cohort. Minor stomal complications requiring skin-level revision or endoscopic procedure occurred in 4/17 (23.5%) in the robotic cohort and 2 (11.7%) in the open group.

CONCLUSION

We reveal equivalent rates of complications, length of stay, and blood loss for augmentation cystoplasty among appropriately matched controls. Prolonged operative times of the robotic cohort did not lead to additional morbidity for patients. Further steps to reduce morbidity and additional investigations should be undertaken prior to widespread adoption of the intracorporeal technique in experienced robotic centers.

Robot-assisted Laparoscopic Augmentation Ileocystoplasty and Mitrofanoff Appendicovesicostomy in Children: Updated Interim Results

BACKGROUND

Robot-assisted laparoscopic augmentation ileocystoplasty with Mitrofanoff appendicovesicostomy (RALIMA) may protect the upper urinary tract and reestablish continence in patients with refractory neurogenic bladder. Robotic assistance can provide the benefits of minimally invasive surgery without the steep learning curve of pure laparoscopy.

OBJECTIVE

To highlight the interim outcomes of RALIMA with salient tips and technical modifications through comparison with patients undergoing open augmentation ileocystoplasty (OAI).

DESIGN, SETTINGS, AND PARTICIPANTS

A retrospective chart review of 17 patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic augmentation ileocystoplasty (RALI) and 13 patients undergoing OAI by a single surgeon at an academic center from 2008 to 2012 (OAI) or 2014 (RALI).

SURGICAL PROCEDURE

RALI and all concomitant procedures were performed completely intracorporeally using the da Vinci surgical system (Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA).

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Outcomes of interest included change in bladder capacity, operative time, pain medication use, hospitalization time, and perioperative complication rates.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

Of 17 patients selected, 15 successfully underwent RALI. Overall, 11, 6, and 4 patients had a concomitant Mitrofanoff appendicovesicostomy, antegrade colonic enema channel, and bladder neck closure, respectively. The median operative time was significantly longer in RALI (623 vs 287 min; p<0.01). Median length of stay (LOS) was shorter in RALI (6 vs 8 d; p=0.01). The postoperative percentage increase in bladder capacity, narcotic use, and complication rates did not differ between RALI and OAI. Limitations include the retrospective study design and the small cohort of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

RALI appears to offer functional outcomes similar to OAI. Although it is a significantly longer procedure, it may decrease LOS and avoid epidural use. Further refinements may reduce operative time.

PATIENT SUMMARY

In this report, we examined outcomes after robotic bladder augmentation surgery in children. We found that the robotic approach may eliminate epidural analgesia use and decrease hospitalization time after surgery.

Pediatric robotic urologic surgery-2014

We seek to provide a background of the current state of pediatric urologic surgery including a brief history, procedural outcomes, cost considerations, future directions, and the state of robotic surgery in India. Pediatric robotic urology has been shown to be safe and effective in cases ranging from pyeloplasty to bladder augmentation with continent urinary diversion. Complication rates are in line with other methods of performing the same procedures. The cost of robotic surgery continues to decrease, but setting up pediatric robotic urology programs can be costly in terms of both monetary investment and the training of robotic surgeons. The future directions of robot surgery include instrument and system refinements, augmented reality and haptics, and telesurgery. Given the large number of children in India, there is huge potential for growth of pediatric robotic urology in India. Pediatric robotic urologic surgery has been established as safe and effective, and it will be an important tool in the future of pediatric urologic surgery worldwide.