The prevention of extraction site incisional hernia after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy

Extraction site incisional hernia (IH) has been recognized as an important complication in minimally invasive procedures but has not been as well characterized following robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP). Approximately 29% of IH required surgical repair. A number of techniques have been utilized to reduce the rates of IH following minimally invasive procedures. First, off-midline extraction was investigated, this did not demonstrate a reduction in incisional hernia rates. Recently, supra-umbilical transverse incisions have been utilized to extract prostate specimen and this method decreased the extraction site IH rate compared to the vertical midline incision. In addition, the choice of fascial closure technique and choice of the suture may influence the incidence of extraction site IH. For example, studies showed that abdominal fascial closure using a nonabsorbable suture and a continuous running suture technique decreased IH rate from 32 to 17%. Finally, "the small bites technique" has been recommended to reduce hernia incidence after midline fascial closure following a randomized controlled trial (RCT) which demonstrated the superiority of the small-bite technique. In summary, a supra-umbilical transverse incision to extract the specimen was shown to decrease the rate of extraction site IH. In vertical midline incisional closure, the small bites technique with slowly- or non-absorbable suture, such as #0 or 2-0 PDS II with SH or CT-2 needle (26 mm arch length), reduces the IH rate. Urologists should consider this data to reduce the risk of IH following RALP.

The Silent Operation Theatre Optimisation System (SOTOS©) to reduce noise pollution during da Vinci robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

To reduce noise pollution and consequently stress during robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) the aim of our study was to evaluate the silent operation theatre optimisation system (SOTOS) in its effectiveness. In the operating room (OR) the noise level is between 80 and 85 decibel (dB). Noise corresponds to a major stress factor for surgical teams and especially surgeons. The use of the da Vinci surgical system entails an additional aspect of noise in the OR. The SOTOS surgical team used wired or wireless headphone/microphone combinations to communicate. We measured sound pressure levels in two different locations in the OR and the heart rate of every surgical team member as an indicator of the stress level. We further captured subjective acceptance of SOTOS as well as perioperative data such as surgical time. We prospectively randomised 32 RALP patients into two study arms. Sixteen surgeries were performed using SOTOS and 16 without (control). Overall, the mean sound pressure level in the SOTOS group was 3.6 dB lower compared to the control (p < 0.001). The highest sound pressure level measured was 96 dB in the control group. Mean heart rates were 81.3 beats/min for surgeons and 90.8 beats/min for circulating nurses. SOTOS had no statistically significant effect on mean heart rates of the operating team. Subjective acceptance of SOTO was high. Our prospective evaluation of SOTOS in RALP could show a significant noise reduction in the OR and a high acceptance by the surgical stuff.

A comparative analysis of the effects of sevoflurane and propofol on cerebral oxygenation during steep Trendelenburg position and pneumoperitoneum for robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy

Purpose

Steep Trendelenburg position and pneumoperitoneum during robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) increase intracranial pressure (ICP) and may alter cerebral blood flow (CBF) and oxygenation. Volatile anesthetics and propofol have different effects on ICP, CBF, and cerebral metabolic rate and may have different impact on cerebral oxygenation during RALP. In this study, we measured jugular venous bulb oxygenation (SjO₂) and regional oxygen saturation (SctO₂) in patients undergoing RALP to evaluate cerebral oxygenation and compared the effects of sevoflurane and propofol. We also verified whether SctO₂ may be an alternative to SjO₂.

Methods

Fifty patients scheduled for RALP were randomly assigned to undergo sevoflurane (group S) or propofol (group P) anesthesia. SjO₂, SctO₂, mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), cardiac index (CI), central venous pressure (CVP), partial pressures of arterial oxygen (PaO₂) and carbon dioxide (PaCO₂), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), Bispectral Index (BIS) and nasopharyngeal temperature (BT) were recorded 5 min before surgery commencement, 5 min after pneumoperitoneum, 5, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after pneumoperitoneum in a Trendelenburg position, and after desufflation in a supine position.

Results

SjO₂ was significantly higher in group S than in group P at all measurement points [group S vs. group P: 77 % (11) vs. 65 % (13), mean of all measurement points (1SD); p < 0.01]. Linear regression analysis (β = 0.106; r² = 0.065; p = 0.004) shows a weak relationship between SjO₂ and SctO₂.

Conclusions

Sevoflurane maintains higher SjO₂ levels than propofol during RALP. SctO₂ does not accurately reflect SjO₂.

Athermal early retrograde release of the neurovascular bundle during nerve-sparing robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

While cancer control is the primary objective of radical prostatectomy, maintenance of sexual function is a priority for the majority of men presenting with prostate cancer. Preservation of the neurovascular bundles is the challenging and critical step of radical prostatectomy with regards to maintenance of potency. The objective of this study is to describe the surgical steps of our hybrid technique: athermal early retrograde release of the neurovascular bundle during nerve-sparing robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. This technique involves releasing the neurovascular bundle in a retrograde direction from the apex toward the base of the prostate, during an antegrade prostatectomy. It is a hybrid of the traditional open and the laparoscopic approaches to nerve sparing. With this approach we are able to clearly delineate the path of the bundle and avoid inadvertently injuring it when controlling the prostatic pedicle. Our hybrid nerve-sparing technique combines aspects of the traditional open anatomical approach with those of the laparoscopic antegrade approach. The benefits of robotic technology allow a retrograde neurovascular bundle dissection to be performed during an antegrade radical prostatectomy.