The man-machine interface, a paradox of technology. Is the black box (BB) concept an angel or a demon?

Biomolecular inflammatory response to surgical energy usage in laparoscopic surgery: results of a randomized study

OBJECTIVE

Use of surgical energy is integral to laparoscopic surgery (LS). Energized dissection (ED) has a potential to impact the biomolecular expression of inflammation due to ED-induced collateral inflammation. We did this triple-blind randomized controlled (RCT) study to assess this biomolecular footprint in an index LS, i.e., laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

METHODS AND PROCEDURES

This RCT was conducted in collaboration with tertiary-level institutions, from January 2014 to December 2014 with institutional review board clearance. Consecutive, unselected, consenting candidates for LC were randomized (after anesthesia induction) into group I (ED) and group II (non-ED). They were managed with compliance to universal protocols for ethics, informed consent, anesthesia, drug usage and clinical pathway with blinded observers. Biomolecular inflammatory markers, i.e., interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and highly sensitive CRP (HS-CRP), were measured with blood drawn juxta-preoperatively (H0), at 4 h (H4) and at 24 h (H24). The quantitative changes induced by ED on IL-6, TNF-α and HS-CRP at H0, H4 and H24 with their kinetic behavior were the study endpoint. Prospective data were analyzed statistically with a p value of <0.05 being significant.

RESULTS

Two cases from the ED group had biliary injury and hence were withdrawn from analysis. The ED (n = 49) and non-ED (n = 51) groups had similar demographic, clinical and H0 biomolecular variables. There was a significant increase in IL-6, TNF-α and HS-CRP from H0 to H4 in both the groups (p values <0.001). From H4 to H24, all three cytokines showed significant increase in ED group (p < 0.05), whereas in the non-ED group, IL-6 showed significant fall (p = 0.004) and TNF-α showed no significant change (p = 0.063). Both the groups showed H4-H24 elevation of HS-CRP (p = 0.000).

CONCLUSION

Energized dissection adds to the cytokine-mediated postoperative inflammation. The additional ED-induced inflammation can be measured objectively by IL-6 and TNF-α levels.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRY

Clinical Trials Registry, India (REF/2014/06/007153).

Outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy done with surgical energy versus done without surgical energy: a prospective-randomized control study

OBJECTIVE

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), a gold standard procedure can be done without energized dissection (ED). We did a randomized study for the outcomes of LC done with ED or without ED, i.e., with cold dissection (CD).

METHODS AND PROCEDURES

At a tertiary level institution, open-ended prospective-randomized control study was conducted between September 2008 and June 2013. Consecutive, unselected, consenting candidates for LC were enrolled following standard ethics, informed consent, anesthesia, and clinical pathway protocol. They were allocated to control group (LC with ED) or study group (LC with CD, as per our published technique with the option for rescue ED). The study points were based upon Clavien-Dindo grading of postoperative complications. They were either, peri-operative events potentially affecting, hospital stay (Grade I) or Grade II-V, e.g., peri-operative hemodynamic instability, needing intervention/blood transfusion, injury to biliary ducts/hollow viscous, postoperative biliary leak, postoperative re-intervention, re-hospitalization, mortality, and any adverse event during a 90-day follow-up period. The data were prospectively collected in an integrated "hospital information system" that could be retrieved only by independent external coordinators.

RESULTS

Demographics, co-morbidities, and gallbladder inflammation profile of the control group (n = 361) and study group (n = 384) were comparable. There was no rescue ED usage in the study group. Hospital stay (Grade I adverse outcome dependent) was longer, i.e., 1.6 ± 1.03 in the control versus 1.35 ± 1.2 days in the study group (p < 0.001). Grade II-IV complications were significantly more (p < 0.009) in control group. There was one common bile duct (CBD) injury in each group. The index bilio-enteric anastomosis for CBD injury in control group failed and needed a revision with multiple interventions. There was one grade V adverse outcome, i.e., mortality in the control group.

CONCLUSION

Avoiding the use of ED in LC is associated with better outcomes.

Innovations in Endosurgery-Journey into the Past of the Future: To Ride the SILS Bandwagon or Not?

Progress in surgical practice has paralleled the civilizational evolution. Surgery has progressed from being the last resort in saving life to being form and function preserver. Post-renaissance Industrial age gave an impetus to this march of surgery. The currently on going digital technological revolution has further catalysed this march. Having achieved the stabilized and acceptable clinical outcomes, the surgeon has embarked on a journey of improving patient reported outcomes (PRO). Improvement in PROs with the advent of laparoscopic surgery with the attendant emphasis on minimising invasion has led to debates about invasion being just parietal or holistic in physiological sense. There is a concern that parietal invasiveness shouldn't be a trade-off for compromised clinical outcomes. Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS) in its current avatar with current instrumentation seems to be an enthusiastic bandwagon rolling on with the cosmetic benefits acting as veil to hide the potential clinical concerns. History of surgical innovations is riddled with tales of vindictiveness and vicissitude. Lest the same fate befalls SILS we would do better to examine the SILS bandwagon in its current form till the emerging technologies address the current concerns.