Operative technique in robotic left colonic resection

Comparative Evaluation of the Short-Term Treatment Outcomes Between Open, Laparoscopic- and Robotic-Assisted Surgical Approaches for Rectal Cancer Treatment

The open surgeries and more recently minimal invasive surgeries aided by laparoscopic or robotic approaches are employed for rectal cancer treatment procedures. The open approach is the most commonly opted technique, but recent studies have also shown that laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) has become the standard of care. There are certain shortcomings of laparoscopic surgery such as long learning curve, inadequate counter traction, limited dexterity, lack of tactile feedback and limited two-dimensional visions. Robotic surgery also offers several benefits to overcome the drawbacks of laparoscopic procedures, such as providing better dexterity and a more stable visualization. This study aims to analyse the surgical results in terms of completion of TME, short-term surgical outcomes and hospital stay in after open, laparoscopic- and robotic-assisted rectal resections respectively. A retrospective review of prospectively maintained database of patients operated for carcinoma rectum between January 2013 and August 2018 at Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Manipal-Vattikuti Institute of Robotic Surgery, Bangalore, was analysed in this study. The surgical parameters like completion of total mesorectal excision; proximal, distal and circumferential resection margins; number of nodes retrieved; and total post operative hospital stay were analysed in the open, laparoscopic-assisted and robotic-assisted groups. A total of 100 patients were included in the study consisting of 25, 25 and 50 patients each in the open, laparoscopic and robotic arms respectively. In case the desired results were not obtained using the advanced technique the procedure was converted and open technique was adopted. The conversion rate to open procedure was 8% (2of 25) in the laparoscopic-assisted group and 2% (1/50) in the robotic-assisted group. The average post operative hospital stay was 7.4, 7.36 and 6 days in the open, laparoscopic- and robotic-assisted group (p = 0.01) respectively. Robotic rectal resections show a trend towards better surgical results in the form of improved circumferential resection margins, completeness of TME and lower conversion rates.

First Report of Gallbladder Volvulus Managed with a Robotic Approach

Gallbladder volvulus (GV) is an axial twisting of the gallbladder (GB). If not treated on time, this condition has a mortality up to 6%. It is usually diagnosed intraoperatively, because it can mimic a typical acute cholecystitis. An 81-year-old female patient presented with an acute onset of right upper quadrant pain accompanied with nausea. The patient was admitted to receive treatment for acute cholecystitis after the findings of ultrasound imaging. Robotic-assisted cholecystectomy was the approach chosen. GV was diagnosed after initial diagnostic laparoscopy. Cholecystectomy was performed uneventfully. Indocyanine green fluorescence was used to assess the biliary anatomy. The postoperatory course went uneventful. The patient was discharged home on postoperatory day 2.

Robotic right colonic resection. Is the robotic third arm a game-changer?

BACKGROUND

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) approaches have produces relevant advancements in the pre/intra/postoperative outcomes. The conventional laparoscopic approach presents similar oncological results in comparison to laparotomic approaches. Despite these evidences, a considerable part of the colorectal operations are still being performed in an open way. This is in part because traditional laparoscopy may have some hurdles and a long learning curve to reach mastery. The robotic technology may help in increasing the MIS penetrance in colorectal surgery. The use of the R3 can potentially increase the number of surgical options available.

METHODS

In this retrospective case series, after a long robotic colorectal experience connected to a robotic program started by Giulianotti et al. in October 2000, we present our results regarding a subset of colorectal patients who underwent robotic right colonic resections performed, all by a single surgeon (P.C.G.), using the R3 according to our standardized technique.

RESULTS

Out of all the robotic colorectal operations performed, this sub-sample sample included 33 patients: 21 males and 12 females. The age range was between 51 and 95 years old. The Body Mass Index (BMI) was between 21.6 to 43.1. The conversion rate to laparoscopy or to open surgery has been 0%. No intraoperative complications have been registered. The postoperative complications rates are reported in this manuscript. The perfusion check of the anastomosis by Near-infrared ICG (Indocyanine Green) enhanced fluorescence has been used. In 11.2% of the sample, the site of the anastomosis has been changed after ICG-Test. Moreover, when the ICG perfusion test has been performed no leakage occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

This subset of patients suggests the potential role of R3 and the benefits correlated to robotic surgery. In fact, the laparoscopic approach uses mostly a medial to lateral mobilization. Indeed, during laparoscopic surgery an early right colon mobilization may create problems in the surgical field visualization. In robotic surgery, R3 can lift upwards the cecum/ascending colon/hepatic flexure exposing, in doing so, the anatomical structures. Hence, we can use also the same approach of the open surgery (where the first step is usually the mobilization of the ascending colon mesentery). In other words, the R3 offers more operative options in terms of surgical pathways maintaining at the same time good perioperative outcomes. However, more studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Surgical technique in robotic right colonic resection. How we do it: operative steps and surgical video

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has produced an important improvement in terms of peri-operative outcomes. Laparoscopic colorectal surgery presents comparable outcomes vs. open approach from an oncological standpoint. However, there are some technical challenges/hurdles that laparoscopy may have. Worldwide there are still too many colonic/rectal operations carried out by the open approach. The robotic technology may be useful in solving some of the potential laparoscopic issues and potentially it may increase the number of procedures performed in a minimally invasive way. This is a description of our standardized operative technique for Robotic Right Colonic Resection. Conceivably, this manuscript may be useful to collect more repeatable data in the future. Moreover, it might be a guide to learn the robotic technique and also for the expert surgeons as an additional tool which they may find useful during their teaching activity. In this manuscript, taking advantage of the long and extensive expertise in minimally invasive colorectal resections, connected to a robotic experience started by Giulianotti in October 2000, we present our standardized technique for the robotic right colonic resection. The currently available literature data have proven that robotic colorectal surgery is safe/feasible. From the literature data, and from our experience as well, we think that these are the following main points: 1) the right colectomy is often an operation which can be performed in a relatively simple way even with traditional laparoscopy. However, the robotic approach is easier to standardize and this operation is very useful from a teaching standpoint in order to master multiple robotic surgical skills (that can be applied in more complex colorectal operations); 2) the robotic surgery may increase the MIS penetrance in this field. 3) the robotic third arm (R3) is an important technical advantage which can potentially increase the range of surgical options available; 4) the robotic technology is relatively recent. Most of the available data are retrospective and there is literature heterogenity (this affects also the conclusions of the currently available meta-analysis results, which sometimes are conflicting); 5) we need more data from prospective randomized well-powered studies (with standardized technique). Achieving a standardized technical approach will be essential in robotic colorectal surgery.

Operative technique in robotic rectal resection

A still too high percentage of the colorectal resections are currently performed by open technique. This in part because laparoscopy has some technical hurdles: not ideal ergonomics, poor control on the traction exerted by the Assistant, long/steep learning curve, confined dexterity, low tactile feedback, hand-tremor and 2D vision with a not completely stable camera. The robotic approach, given the increased surgical dexterity and the better surgical view, may be used to solve the laparoscopic downsides (in particular in the most complex cases). In the present work, after an extensive robotic experience and a robotic program started by Giulianotti et al. in October 2000, we show our operative steps for the robotic rectal resection. The aim is to propose a model to standardize the surgical technique and potentially pave the way for the acquisition of more reproducible data among different centers. This proposal may be also a technical guide to learn the robotic way and also for the expert surgeons as an adjunct in the teaching strategy.