[What is the value of minimizing access trauma for patients?]

Robot-assisted transthoracic hybrid esophagectomy versus open and laparoscopic hybrid esophagectomy: propensity score matched analysis of short-term outcome

PURPOSE

Minimally invasive en-bloc esophagectomy is associated with a reduction of postoperative morbidity. This was demonstrated for both total minimally invasive and hybrid esophagectomy. However, little is known about any benefits of robotic assistance compared to the conventional minimally invasive technique, especially in hybrid procedures.

METHODS

For this retrospective study, all consecutive patients who had undergone elective esophagectomy with circular stapled intrathoracic anastomosis using the open and the minimally invasive hybrid technique at the University Hospital Magdeburg, from January 2010 to March 2021 were considered for analysis.

RESULTS

In total, 137 patients (60.4%) had undergone open esophagectomy. In 45 patients (19.8%), the laparoscopic hybrid technique and in 45 patients (19.8%), the robot-assisted hybrid technique were applied. In propensity score matching analysis comparing the open with the robotic hybrid technique, significant differences were found in favor of the robotic technique (postoperative morbidity, p < 0.01; hospital length of stay, p < 0.01; number of lymph nodes retrieved, p = 0.048). In propensity score matching analysis comparing the laparoscopic with the robotic hybrid technique, a significant reduction of the rate of postoperative delayed gastric emptying (p = 0.02) was found for patients who had undergone robotic esophagectomy. However, the operation time was significantly longer (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

En-bloc esophagectomy using the robotic hybrid technique is associated with a significant reduction of postoperative morbidity and of the hospital length of stay when compared to the open approach. However, when compared to the laparoscopic hybrid technique, only few advantages could be demonstrated.

Feasibility and Technique for Transvaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery Liver Resection: A Porcine Model

INTRODUCTION

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is a challenging minimally invasive procedure. Although laparoscopic techniques for liver resection are gaining acceptance worldwide, few studies have investigated NOTES liver resection. We used a porcine model to assess the feasibility and safety of transvaginal NOTES liver resection (TV NOTES LR).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Nine female pigs underwent TV NOTES LR. A nonsurvival acute porcine model with general anesthesia was used in all cases. Using hybrid NOTES technique, we placed only 1 umbilical 12-mm umbilical trocar in the abdominal wall, which was used to create pneumoperitoneum. A laparoscope was then advanced to obtain intra-abdominal visualization. A 15-mm vaginal trocar was inserted under direct laparoscopic vision, and a flexible endoscope was introduced through the vaginal trocar. A long, flexible grasper and endocavity retractor were used to stably retract the liver. The liver edge was partially transected using energy devices inserted through the umbilical trocar. To transect the left lateral lobe, a flexible linear stapler was inserted alongside the vaginal trocar. A specimen extraction bag was deployed and extracted transvaginally. Blood loss, bile leakage, operative time, and specimen size were evaluated. Necropsy studies were performed after the procedures.

RESULTS

Eighteen transvaginal NOTES partial liver resections and 4 transvaginal NOTES left lateral lobectomies were successfully performed on 9 pigs. Mean operative time was 165.8 minutes, and mean estimated blood loss was 76.6 mL. All TV NOTES LRs were performed without complications or deaths. Necropsy showed no bile leakage from remnant liver.

CONCLUSIONS

Our porcine model suggests that TV NOTES LR is technically feasible and safe and has the potential for clinical use as a minimally invasive alternative to conventional laparoscopic liver resection.

Reduction and retention of thoracolumbar fractures by minimally invasive stabilisation versus open posterior instrumentation

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was in thoracolumbar fractures to assess the effectiveness of minimal invasive stabilisation compared to the open technique with regards to the change in kyphosis angle, the loss of reduction and length of hospital stay.

METHODS

The retrospective study consisted of 104 patients who received minimally invasive stabilisation or open stabilisation. Patients were between 15 and 86 years of age, had a thoracolumbar fracture and no neurological deficits. Kyphotic angle (Cobb angle) and loss of reduction was compared after minimal invasive and open stabilisation. The Cobb angle was evaluated directly post operatively, at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after surgery.

RESULTS

Evaluated patients who received the minimally invasive technique had a shorter surgical intervention time and a shorter hospital stay compared to patients who received the open technique. Kyphosis angle and loss of reduction showed no significant difference compared to open technique. There was also no significant difference between minimally invasive poly-axial and mono-axial stabilisation.

CONCLUSION

In this study we provide evidence that MIS instrumentation in selected thoracolumbar fractures can effectively be used without significant differences in loss of reduction compared to open stabilisation. MIS can also sufficiently retain reduction as compared to traditional open techniques. The main advantages are reduced operation time and shorter hospital stay.

Prospective evaluation of transvaginal assisted cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Transvaginal video-assisted cholecystectomy (TVC) has so far not been prospectively evaluated using an internationally recognized health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessment. We report the results of a prospectively studied cohort of patients with clinical and quality of life data.

METHODS

Prospectively controlled study of 128 patients undergoing TVC and 147 patients with conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC). Data reported include patient demography, body mass index, anesthetic risk score (ASA), laboratory data, surgical times, length of hospital stay, pain score, analgesic medication used, complications, and quality of life scores using the combined method of SF-36 and GIQoL.

RESULTS

Ninety-five TVC and 96 CLC patients fully completed pre- and postoperative HRQoL questionnaires. Patients with incomplete or missing questionnaires were excluded as well as patients with signs of acute cholecystitis. Differences included cardiovascular comorbidity and previous surgical procedures, but there was no difference in age (p = 0.4), body mass index (p = 0.4), ASA grade (p = 0.4), or preoperative quality of life. No difference was seen in laboratory data, surgical times, or length of hospital stay. Pain score and analgesic medication showed a clear trend and significant differences in favor of TVC. There was no difference in complications. Quality of life and postoperative sexual function did not show any differences between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to report HRQoL outcomes after TVC using a recognized combined HRQoL assessment method. Although differences do exist in patient comorbidity and previous surgical experience, both groups were comparable. Less postoperative pain and no difference in HRQoL in TVC patients underlines this new procedure as a feasible standard approach in female patients. This study also is the first to differentiate between acute cholecystitis and symptomatic cholecystolithiasis in patients undergoing TVC.

Endoscopic minimally invasive thyroidectomy (eMIT): a prospective proof-of-concept study in humans

BACKGROUND

We have developed a new approach for endoscopic minimally invasive thyroidectomy (eMIT) in anatomical studies. Safety and feasibility were demonstrated in an animal study and then the eMIT technique was applied for the first time successfully in humans on the 18 March 2009.

METHODS

In a prospective study, we performed this eMIT technique on eight patients suffering from nodular change of the thyroid gland. All patients were evaluated regarding recurrent laryngeal nerve function, intra- and postoperative complications, and postoperative outcome, particularly with respect to swallowing disorders.

RESULTS

A total thyroidectomy and a partial resection were performed in four cases each. In three cases, a conversion to open surgery was necessary due to specimen size. No local infection at the incision site or within the cervical spaces occurred within the direct postoperative course. No intraoperative bleeding necessitating conversion to open surgery was observed. In one case, a permanent palsy of the right recurrent laryngeal nerve was noted. Voice function and breathing were not affected. Paresthesia of the mental nerve did not occur in all patients and in those in which it did occur, it resolved within 3 weeks. Mean follow-up time was 10.9 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The experimental development of the eMIT technique has led to its first clinical application in humans. In this prospective proof-of-concept study in humans, the thyroid gland was reached via the transoral endoscopic approach in an anatomically defined layer without any relevant damage to vessels. Limitations to this technique are determined by specimen volume (up to 30 ml) and nodule size (up to 20 mm).

[Value of laparoscopic liver resection]

Whereas in other fields of surgery minimally invasive techniques have replaced the open surgery approach, liver resection is still a domain of conventional surgery. However, it is internationally emerging that laparoscopic hepatic surgery will become more important by conceptional improvements. This article describes the technical aspects of laparoscopic liver resection, in particular the procedure with respect to the individual liver segments. The advantages and disadvantages of the minimally invasive technique and also the indications for laparoscopic liver resection will be discussed.

Transoral endoscopic neck surgery: feasibility and safety in a porcine model based on the example of thymectomy

BACKGROUND

In anatomical studies and cadaver dissections, we developed an endoscopic transoral access to the anterior neck region to reduce surgical access trauma. Through a sublingual trocar and two additional trocars in the vestibule of the oral cavity, the pretracheal and thyroid region was reached with standard laparoscopic instruments.

METHODS

We conducted an experimental trial in five pigs under general anesthesia to estimate the safety and feasibility of the method; via this approach, the thymus was partially resected. Perioperative antibiotics were administered but analgesics were not given in the postoperative course. Oral intake and behavior were observed during the following 2 days. After necropsy, examination of the access route took place by means of dissections. The tissue surrounding the working trocar was histologically examined.

RESULTS

The pretracheal region could be reached without a problem and the procedure was performed almost "bloodlessly" in an anatomically defined layer. The intervention time decreased successively. Postoperative awakening was uneventful. Regular oral food intake was observed after 2-3 h. Pain reactions were not registered during the entire postoperative phase. After dissection, all relations appeared inconspicuous (no infections, fresh/old hematoma). Two local encapsulated seromas were observed. Histologically, only a mild tissue reaction was noted.

CONCLUSION

In this study, the endoscopic transoral approach to minimally invasive neck surgery seemed safe and feasible. Minimally invasive endoscopic procedures in the anterior neck region could be a possible application of this new approach.