Robot-assisted vs laparoscopic lateral transabdominal adrenalectomy: a propensity score matching analysis

Robot-assisted vs laparoscopic bariatric procedures in super-obese patients: clinical and economic outcomes

The increased operative time and costs represent the main limitations of robotic technology application to bariatric surgery. Robotic platforms may help the surgeon to overcome the technical difficulties in super-obese (SO, BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2) patients, in which multi-quadrant operations could be challenging. We aimed to evaluate the effect of robot-assisted (R) versus laparoscopic (L) approaches in Single Anastomosis Duodeno-Ileal Bypass with Sleeve Gastrectomy (SADI-S) and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) in SO and Super-Super Obese (SSO, BMI ≥ 60 kg/m2) patients in terms of outcomes and cost-effectiveness. Bariatric procedures performed from 2012 to 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. The inclusion criteria were BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2, primary SADI-S or RYGB. Operative time (OT), early complications, post-operative stay (POS), overall costs and follow-up data were analyzed. A subgroup analysis for surgical procedures and SSO patients was also performed. Among 4596 patients, 174 RYGB and 91 SADI-S in BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2 patients were selected. After Propensity Score Matching analysis, two groups of patients were identified (laparoscopic and robot-assisted), each one composed of 18 RYGB and 26 SADI-S. Intraoperative and post-operative complication rates and POS were comparable. Mean OT was longer in robotic procedures compared with laparoscopy (199.1 ± 65.7 and 109.5 ± 39.1 min, respectively, p < 0.001). The difference in OT was eliminated after only SSO patients were included in the analysis (172.7 ± 24.1 vs 152.6 ± 26.2 min for R-SADI-S and L-SADI-S, respectively, p = 0.107). Robotic surgeries were associated with higher costs (8134.6 ± 1886.7 and 2386.7 ± 388.2 € in R-RYGB and L-RYGB, respectively; 7996.6 ± 873.1 and 3954.6 ± 631.1 € in R-SADI-S and L-SADI-S). Despite increased costs, robotic approach may represent an added value in more complex cases such as SSO patients.

Surgical approaches to the adrenal gland

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Review the literature on the surgical management of adrenal diseases, highlighting the various surgical approaches and their respective pros and cons.

RECENT FINDINGS

Minimally invasive adrenalectomy is commonly used for small and benign adrenal tumors, whereas open adrenalectomy is preferred for larger tumors and primary adrenal malignancy. Although minimally invasive adrenalectomy results in shorter recovery and fewer complications compared with open, the latter offers better oncologic outcomes in the setting of primary adrenal malignancy. Adrenalectomy is performed transabdominally or retroperitoneoscopically, both yielding equivalent results and recovery. Traditional laparoscopic or robotic equipment can be utilized for either minimally invasive approach. Subtotal adrenalectomy may be appropriate for patients with genetically associated pheochromocytoma to preserve cortical function and reduce the risk of adrenal insufficiency. However, the potential benefits of sparing adrenal function must be weighed against the risk of recurrence.

SUMMARY

Adrenalectomy is becoming increasingly common worldwide. For benign and small adrenal tumors, minimally invasive adrenalectomy is generally considered the standard approach, while open adrenalectomy is preferred for primary adrenal malignancy and larger tumors. Subtotal adrenalectomy may be appropriate for patients with bilateral adrenal pheochromocytoma, as it can reduce the need for lifelong glucocorticoid dependency.

Adoption of Robotic Adrenalectomy: A Two-Institution Study of Surgeon Learning Curve

BACKGROUND

Robotic adrenalectomy is feasible and safe, yet concerns over increased operative times and the learning curve (LC) for proficiency have limited its adoption. This study aimed to assess the LC for robotic adrenalectomy.

METHODS

This is a two-institution retrospective review of consecutive unilateral minimally invasive adrenalectomies performed by four high-volume adrenal surgeons between 2007 and 2022. Two surgeons transitioned from laparoscopic to robotic adrenalectomy, and two surgeons adopted the approach, with proctoring, after completion of fellowship training without robotic experience. Operative time and complications were analyzed. Multivariable regression was used to identify factors associated with operative time. The number of cases required to overcome the LC was determined using the LC-cumulative-sum (LC-CUSUM) analysis.

RESULTS

Of 457 adrenalectomies, 182 (40%) were laparoscopic and 275 (60%) robotic. The robotic approach was associated with shorter median operative time (106 vs 119 min; p = 0.002), fewer complications (6% vs 13%; p = 0.018), and fewer conversions to open adrenalectomy (1% vs 4%; p = 0.030), with no difference between the senior and junior surgeons. On adjusted analysis, factors associated with increased operative time were male sex (p < 0.001), BMI > 30 kg/m² (p < 0.001), and higher gland weight (p < 0.001). The LC-CUSUM analysis showed proficiency after 8-29 procedures. Compared with the first 10 cases, there was a mean reduction in operative time of 14 min after 10-20 cases, 28 min after 20-30 cases, and 29 min after > 30 cases, regardless of surgeon experience.

DISCUSSION

With dedicated teams and proctoring, robotic adrenalectomy can be safely adopted at high-volume centers with a minimal LC.

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic adrenalectomy (RARLA): What advantages and disadvantages compared to retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy (RLA)?

OBJECTIVE

To explore the advantages and disadvantages of robot-assisted laparoscopic adrenalectomy compared with retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy.

METHODS

A total of 101 patients with adrenal tumors who received retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy (RLA) (n=75) or robot-assisted laparoscopic adrenalectomy (RARLA) (n=26) in our hospital from January 2021 to December 2021 were retrospectively collected. Patients' demographics, tumor characteristics, and perioperative indicators were compared. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test for continuous variables and Pearson chi-square test or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables.

RESULTS

We found that blood loss in the RARLA group was significantly less than that in the RLA group (66.9 ± 35.5 ml vs 91.5 ± 66.1 ml, p = 0.020). Gastrointestinal function recovery time in RARLA group was significantly less than that in RLA group (19.9 ± 6.9 hours vs 32.0 ± 9.0 hours, p < 0.001). However, the operation time, drainage tube placement time, post-operative hospital stay in the RARLA group were significantly longer compared with the RLA group (149.6 ± 53.4 mins vs 118.7 ± 41.2 mins, p = 0.003; 4.9 ± 2.0 days vs 3.6 ± 1.1 days, p = 0.004; 6.4 ± 1.8 days vs 4.6 ± 1.6 days, p < 0.001). The hospitalization expense in the RARLA group is significantly higher than that in the RLA group (59284 ± 8724 RMB¥ vs 39785 ± 10126 RMB¥, p < 0.001). We found that there was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups. However, the pathological types of the two groups were significantly different. Patients in the RLA group had a higher proportion of adrenocortical adenoma, while patients in the RARLA group had a higher proportion of pheochromocytoma.

CONCLUSION

Compared with traditional laparoscopic adrenalectomy, robot-assisted laparoscopic adrenalectomy can significantly reduce intraoperative blood loss and accelerate postoperative gastrointestinal recovery. It is committed to studying how to reduce the hospitalization time and hospitalization cost of RARLA, which can make RARLA more widely used.

The new robotic platform Hugo™ RAS for lateral transabdominal adrenalectomy: a first world report of a series of five cases

Robotic assisted surgery is the most rapidly developing field of minimally invasive surgery. Its wide diffusion has led to the development and standardization of robotic-assisted approaches also for adrenalectomy. In this study, we present the first five robotic-assisted lateral transabdominal adrenalectomies performed with the new Hugo RAS™ system (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA). After an official training course of the surgical team, five consecutive patients scheduled for unilateral adrenalectomy, underwent robotic-assisted operations in our institution. Patients that were candidates for partial adrenalectomy were excluded. A description of the operating theatre, robotic arms and docking setup is provided. Four female and one male patient underwent lateral transabdominal adrenalectomy, three for lesions on the left side and two on the right. Median lesion size was 3.9 cm (range: 30-90) and preoperative diagnosis was Cushing's syndrome in three patients, an adrenal cystic lesion and a pheochromocytoma. The median docking time was 5 min (range: 5-8) and the median console time was 55 min (range: 29-108). Procedures were performed without intraoperative complications and no conversions or additional ports were needed. System's function and docking were uneventful. Based on our initial experience, adrenalectomy with the Hugo™ system is feasible. This study provides technical notes for other centres that wish to perform robotic-assisted adrenalectomies with the Hugo™ RAS as well as general information and our preliminary insights on this new platform.