Robotic surgery: review of the latest advances, risks, and outcomes

Implementation and outcomes in benign gynecological surgery with HUGO™ RAS system 12 months initial experience

We share our experience with the Hugo™ Robotic-Assisted Surgery system in benign gynecological surgeries. We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent elective robotic surgeries for benign gynecological conditions at our surgical center from February 2023 to February 2024. Data collected included patient demographics, surgery indications, and outcomes. Perioperative data on port-placement time, arm configurations, docking, and console time were documented. Procedural outcome data including troubleshooting and overall satisfaction were also recorded. The primary outcome was perioperative data on port placement, docking time, arm configuration, and console time. The secondary outcome was defined as team satisfaction, system troubleshooting, arm repositioning, and complications graded 3-4 on the Clavien-Dindo Scale. A total of 60 patients underwent procedures for benign gynecological conditions using the Hugo™ RAS over the 12-month study period, primarily for pelvic endometriosis (53%), hysterectomies (27%), and adnexal surgery (10%). The mean port-placement time was 13 min and 41 s. In 31% of cases, low-port placement was used, with arm positioning being asymmetrical in 63% and symmetrical in 37%, demonstrating the system's flexibility in customizing port configurations while optimizing cosmetic outcomes. Docking time averaged 5 min and 51 s, and console time was 1 h and 5 min. Operational challenges included arm tremors and limited workspace for the assistant. This study details our knowledge using the Hugo™ RAS. Learning curves of port placement, arm positioning, docking, and procedure time can be rapidly adapted in a well-trained team. Our experience suggests the technology is still in its learning curve period.

Feasibility and Surgical Outcomes of Hybrid Robotic Single-Site Hysterectomy Compared with Single-Port Access Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy

We compared surgical outcomes between single-port access total laparoscopic hysterectomy (SPA-TLH) and hybrid robotic single-site hysterectomy (RSSH), a new technique of combining the benefits of SPA-TLH with RSSH in this study. A total of 64 patients were retrospectively analyzed. They underwent either hybrid RSSH or SPA-TLH for benign gynecologic disease between December 2018 and August 2021. To assess the feasibility of hybrid RSSH, the clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes were compared between the hybrid RSSH group (n = 29) and the SPA-TLH group (n = 35). All of the surgeries were completed without requiring additional ports or conversion to laparotomy. The surgical outcomes including total operative time, uterine weight, estimated blood loss, hemoglobin changes, length of hospital stay, and postoperative pain scores were not significantly different between the two groups. The colpotomy time, including the detachment of the uterosacral and cardinal ligaments, was shorter in the hybrid RSSH group than in the SPA-TLH group (8.0 min vs. 14.0 min; p = 0.029). However, the vaginal cuff closure time was longer in the hybrid RSSH group than in the SPA-TLH group (15.0 min vs.10.0 min; p = 0.001). No difference was observed with regards to intraoperative and postoperative complications. Hybrid RSSH appears to be a feasible procedure for hysterectomy in patients with benign gynecologic diseases.

Comparison of Open and Robot-Assisted Kidney Transplantation in terms of Perioperative and Postoperative Outcomes

Background

The gold standard treatment method for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is renal transplantation (RT). RT can be done with open or minimally invasive surgical methods. We aimed to compare the outcomes between patients who underwent robot-assisted renal transplantation (RART) and open renal transplantation (ORT).

Methods

Data of the patients who underwent ORT or RART in two institutions between June 2015 and February 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who underwent live donor RT were included, and all donor nephrectomy procedures were performed by the laparoscopic technique. Demographic data, ischemia times, anastomosis times, operation times, and postoperative complications were recorded.

Results

98 patients were included in the ORT group, while 91 patients were included in the RART group. There was a significant difference between the two groups regarding mean patient age. While total ischemia time was 86.9 ± 7 minutes in the RART group, it was calculated as 71.2 ± 3.3 minutes in the ORT group, with a significant difference. The anastomosis time was significantly shorter in the ORT group than in the RART group. The incision length and duration of hospital stay were significantly shorter, visual analogue scores were significantly lower, and estimated blood loss was less in the RART group than in the ORT group.

Conclusion

Both ORT and RART are effective and safe methods for treating ESRD. According to our study, RART is associated with relatively longer ischemia times but lower complication rates and higher patient comfort.

Application of Design Structure Matrix to Simulate Surgical Procedures and Predict Surgery Duration

Background

The complexities of surgery require an efficient and explicit method to evaluate and standardize surgical procedures. A reliable surgical evaluation tool will be able to serve various purposes such as development of surgery training programs and improvement of surgical skills.

Objectives

(a) To develop a modeling framework based on integration of dexterity analysis and design structure matrix (DSM), to be generally applicable to predict total duration of a surgical procedure, and (b) to validate the model by comparing its results with laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery protocol.

Method

A modeling framework is developed through DSM, a tool used in engineering design, systems engineering and management, to hierarchically decompose and describe relationships among individual surgical activities. Individual decomposed activities are assumed to have uncertain parameters so that a rework probability is introduced. The simulation produces a distribution of the duration of the modeled procedure. A statistical approach is then taken to evaluate surgery duration through integrated numerical parameters. The modeling framework is applied for the first time to analyze a surgery; laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a common surgical procedure, is selected for the analysis.

Results

The present simulation model is validated by comparing its results of predicted surgery duration with the standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy protocols from the Atlas of Minimally Invasive Surgery with 2.5% error and that from the Atlas of Pediatric Laparoscopy and Thoracoscopy with 4% error.

Conclusion

The present model, developed based on dexterity analysis and DSM, demonstrates a validated capability of predicting laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery duration. Future studies will explore its potential applications to other surgery procedures and in improving surgeons' performance and training novices.

Method for the Detection of Tumor Blood Vessels in Neurosurgery Using a Gripping Force Feedback System

Avoiding unnecessary bleeding during neuroendoscopic surgeries is crucial because achieving hemostasis in a narrow operating space is challenging. However, when the location of a blood vessel in a tumor cannot be visually confirmed, unintentional damage to the vessel and subsequent bleeding may occur. This study proposes a method for tumor blood vessel detection using a master-slave surgical robot system equipped with a force sensor in the slave gripper. Using this method, blood pulsation inside a tumor was detected, displayed as a gripping force wave, via the slave force sensor. The characteristics of gripping force due to blood pulsation were extracted by measuring the fluctuation of the force in real time. The presence or absence of blood vessels was determined on the basis of cross-correlation coefficients between the gripping force fluctuation waveform due to blood pulsation and model fluctuation waveform. Experimental validation using two types of simulated tumors (soft: E = 6 kPa; hard: E = 38 kPa) and a simulated blood vessel (E = 1.9 MPa, radius = 0.5 mm, thickness = 0.1 mm) revealed that the presence of blood vessels could be detected while gripping at a constant angle and during transient gripping.

Current applications and future perspectives of robotics in cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgery

Advances in robotic medicine have been adopted by various surgical subspecialties as the benefits of this technology become more readily apparent: precision in narrow operative windows, tremor controlled movements, and modestly improved outcomes, among others. Vascular neurosurgery, in particular, remains open to newer and more cutting edge treatment options for complex pathologies, and robotics may be on the horizon for such advances. We seek to provide a broad overview of these innovations in vascular neurosurgery for both practitioners well acquainted with robotics and those seeking to become more familiar. Technologies under development for cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgery include robot assisted angiography, guided operative microscopes, coil insertion systems, and endoscopic clipping devices. Additionally, robotic systems in the fields of interventional cardiology and radiology have potential applications to endovascular neurosurgery but require proper modifications to navigate complex intracerebral vasculature. Robotic technology is not without drawbacks, as broad implementation may lead to increased cost, training time, and potential delays in emergency situations. Further cultivation of current multidisciplinary technologies and investment into newer systems is necessary before robotics can make a sizable impact in clinical practice.

Minimally Invasive, Laparoscopic, and Robotic-assisted Techniques Versus Open Techniques for Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Systematic Review

CONTEXT

Literature on conventional and minimally invasive operative techniques has not been systematically reviewed for kidney transplant recipients.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically evaluate, summarize, and review evidence supporting operating technique and postoperative outcome for kidney transplant recipients.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A systematic review was conducted in PubMed-Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library between 1966 up to September 1, 2016, according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis guidelines. Articles were included and scored by two independent reviewers using Group Reading Assessment and Diagnostic Evaluation (GRADE), Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS), and Oxford guidelines for level of evidence. Main outcomes were graft survival, surgical site infection, incisional hernia, and cosmetic result. In total, 18 out of 1954 identified publications were included in this analysis.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Included reports described conventional open, minimally invasive open, laparoscopic, and robotic-assisted techniques. General level of evidence of included studies was low (GRADE: 1-3; NOS: 0-4; and Oxford level of evidence: 4-2). No differences in graft or patient survival were found. For open techniques, Gibson incision showed better results than the hockey-stick incision for incisional hernia (4% vs 16%), abdominal wall relaxation (8% vs 24%), and cosmesis. Minimally invasive operative recipient techniques showed lowest surgical site infection (range 0-8%) and incisional hernia rates (range 0-6%) with improved cosmetic result and postoperative recovery. Disadvantages included prolonged cold ischemia time, warm ischemia time, and total operation time.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the level of evidence was generally low, minimally invasive techniques showed promising results with regard to complications and recovery, and could be considered for use. For open surgery, the smallest possible Gibson incision appeared to yield favorable results.

PATIENT SUMMARY

In this paper, the available evidence for minimally invasive operation techniques for kidney transplantation was reviewed. The quality of the reviewed research was generally low but suggested possible advantages for minimally invasive, laparoscopic, and robot-assisted techniques.