Learning curve in concurrent application of laparoscopic and robotic-assisted hysterectomy with lymphadenectomy in endometrial cancer

Comparison of Robotic-Assisted vs. Conventional Laparoscopy for Para-aortic Lymphadenectomy in Gynecological Malignancies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Robotic-assisted surgery is one of the novel minimally invasive surgical techniques for the treatment of gynecological malignancies. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the outcomes of robot-assisted vs. conventional laparoscopy for para-aortic lymphadenectomy (PAL) in patients with gynecological malignancies.

Methods

An electronic search in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Google Scholar databases was performed for articles, published up to 01^st November 2021. Outcomes including operating time (OT), total blood loss (TBL), length of stay (LOS), and complication rate (CR) in robot-assisted vs. conventional laparoscopy were investigated.

Results

A total of nine studies (7 non-RCTs and 2 RCTs) involving 914 participants were included. Of them, 332 patients underwent robotic laparoscopy (robotic group) and 582-conventional laparoscopy (conventional laparoscopy group). A significant decrease in TBL (MD = -149.1; 95% CI: -218.4 to -79.91) [ml] was observed in the robotic group as compared to the conventional laparoscopy group. However, no significant difference was noted for OT, CR, and LOS in the overall findings. Further subgroup analysis showed that the robotic group had a lower OT in mixed histological populations and studies reporting on the extraperitoneal approach. The lower chance of TBL was observed in mixed histological populations and studies involving extraperitoneal approach, Caucasian population, and non-RCTs design.

Conclusions

Robotic laparoscopy has a significant advantage over the conventional laparoscopy approach for PAL in gynecological malignancies. Further prospective observational studies embedded with a large sample size are needed to validate our findings.

Improvement of Post-Operative Quality of Life in Patients 2 Years after Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pain and Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis

This study addressed the improvement in the quality of life of patients 2 years after minimally invasive surgery for painful deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE), evaluated with EHP-5 (Endometriosis Health Profile-5) scores and the intensity of dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia. This was a retrospective study, performed in a referral centre for endometriosis, between January 2010 and January 2019. EHP-5 scores were complete for 54 patients, and two subgroups were analysed: classic laparoscopy (CL) vs. robotic laparoscopy (RL), and conservative surgery (ConservS) vs. total surgery (TS). There was an important decrease in 2-year post-operative EHP-5 scores in the global population (pre-op: 61.36 (42.18−68.75) and 2-year post-op: 20.45 (0−38.06); p < 0.001). The Visual Analogic Scale (VAS) was also lower for dysmenorrhea (pre-op: 8 (7−9.75) vs. 2-year post-op: 3 (2−5.25); p < 0.001) and dyspareunia (pre-op: 6 (3.1−8.9) vs. 2-year post-op: 3 (0−6); p < 0.001). In the subgroup analysis, EHP-5 scores were improved in the RL group (pre-op: 65.9 (59.09−71.02) vs. 2-year post-op: 11.4 (0−38.06); p < 0.001) and the CL group (pre-op: 50 (34.65−68.18) vs. 2-year post-op: 27.27 (14.20−40.90); p < 0.001), with a slight advantage for RL (p = 0.04), and the same improvements were found for ConservS (pre-op: 61.4 (38.06−71.59) vs. 2-year post-op: 22.7 (11.93−38.07); p < 0.001) and TS groups (pre-op: 61.59 (51.70−68.75) vs. 2-year post-op: 13.63 (0−44.30); p < 0.001). Minimally invasive surgery improved the quality of life for DIE patients 2 years after surgery, and conservative surgery showed comparable results to total surgery.

Robot-assisted Extraperitoneal Para-aortic Lymphadenectomy Is Associated with Fewer Surgical Complications: A Post Hoc Analysis of the STELLA-2 Randomized Trial

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To evaluate if extraperitoneal para-aortic lymphadenectomy (PALND) using a robot-assisted approach was associated with fewer complications than all other approaches (conventional laparoscopic transperitoneal or extraperitoneal and robot-assisted transperitoneal) without compromising lymph node yield, operative time, or length of stay.

DESIGN

Post hoc analysis of the prospective randomized open-label multicenter trial (STELLA-2).

SETTING

Three academic referral hospitals.

PATIENTS

Two hundred and three eligible patients from the STELLA-2 trial were included.

INTERVENTIONS

The patients were randomized to extraperitoneal or transperitoneal PALND using a minimally invasive approach (either laparoscopic or robot-assisted) for surgical staging of endometrial or ovarian cancer. The minimally invasive approaches were not subjected to randomization.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The primary end point was evaluated through a composite variable that included at least 1 of the following events: blood loss ≥500 mL during PALND, any intraoperative complication related to PALND, severe postoperative complication (Clavien-Dindo ≥grade IIIA), impossibility of completing the procedure, or conversion to laparotomy. Of the 203 patients analyzed, 68 were assigned to the extraperitoneal laparoscopic group (X-L), 62 to the transperitoneal laparoscopic group (T-L), 35 to the extraperitoneal robotic group (X-R), and 38 to the transperitoneal robotic group (T-R). A reduced trend in complications was observed in the extraperitoneal robot-assisted arm when considering the primary end point (X-L: 25.0%, T-L: 24.2%, X-R: 5.7%, T-R: 28.9%; p = .073). In a multivariable analysis, age (odds ratio [OR] 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-1.09), body mass index (OR 1.09; 95% CI, 1.03-1.16), and waist-to-hip ratio (OR 1.66; 95% CI, 1.12-2.47) were found to independently increase the risk of PALND complications, whereas the extraperitoneal robotic approach (OR 0.13; 95% CI, 0.02-0.64) was an independent protective factor for complication occurrence.

CONCLUSION

Robot-assisted extraperitoneal PALND is associated with fewer surgical complications, without compromising lymph node retrieval, operative time, or length of stay. Robot-enhanced 3D visualization, surgeon ergonomics, or hemostatic precision could explain our results.

Learning curve of laparoscopic extraperitoneal para-aortic lymphadenectomy for endometrial carcinoma: A cumulative sum analysis

OBJECTIVE

Minimally invasive surgery including lymphadenectomy for endometrial cancer is widely standardized for the management of endometrial cancer in recent decades. However, the learning curve for laparoscopic para-aortic lymphadenectomy is poorly reported, specifically that for the extraperitoneal approach.

METHODS

We examined the learning curve for laparoscopic extraperitoneal para-aortic lymphadenectomy by cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis by retrospectively analyzing 134 patients with early-stage endometrial cancer who had undergone laparoscopic extraperitoneal para-aortic lymphadenectomy, including the first case. Data on the surgical factors that improved and were statistically correlated with the number of procedures experienced were extracted and used to create CUSUM curves.

RESULTS

The average time for para-aortic lymphadenectomy was 149.4 min to harvest an average of 65.3 para-aortic lymph nodes. Intra- and postoperative complications were observed in nine cases (6.7%). A switch to the transperitoneal approach was necessary in three cases (2.2%). The number of harvested para-aortic lymph nodes and the procedure time were strongly correlated with the number of procedures the patient underwent (p < 0.01). The CUSUM curve of the number of harvested para-aortic lymph nodes indicated an inflection point at the 51st case. The procedure time for para-aortic lymphadenectomy stabilized after the 59th case. CUSUM analysis of "unexpected events," including intra- and postoperative complications and switch to the transperitoneal approach, showed an improved incidence at 60 cases and later.

CONCLUSION

Gaining proficiency in laparoscopic extraperitoneal thorough para-aortic lymphadenectomy is associated with a long learning curve of over 60 procedures. Careful management is required when introducing the procedure.

Evaluation of a remote-controlled laparoscopic camera holder for basic laparoscopic skills acquisition: a randomized controlled trial

Background

Unsteady camera movement and poor visualization contribute to a difficult learning curve for laparoscopic surgery. Remote-controlled camera holders (RCHs) aim to mitigate these factors and may be used to overcome barriers to learning. Our aim was to evaluate performance benefits to laparoscopic skill acquisition in novices using a RCH.

Methods

Novices were randomized into groups using a human camera assistant (HCA) or the FreeHand v1.0 RCH and trained in the (E-BLUS) curriculum. After completing training, a surgical workload questionnaire (SURG-TLX) was issued to participants.

Results

Forty volunteers naïve in laparoscopic skill were randomized into control and intervention groups (n = 20) with intention-to-treat analysis. Each participant received up to 10 training sessions using the E-BLUS curriculum. Competency was reached in the peg transfer task in 5.5 and 7.6 sessions for the ACH and HCA groups, respectively (P = 0.015), and 3.6 and 6.8 sessions for the laparoscopic suturing task (P = 0.0004). No significance differences were achieved in the circle cutting (P = 0.18) or needle guidance tasks (P = 0.32). The RCH group experienced significantly lower workload (P = 0.014) due to lower levels of distraction (P = 0.047).

Conclusions

Remote-controlled camera holders have demonstrated the potential to significantly benefit intra-operative performance and surgical experience where camera movement is minimal. Future high-quality studies are needed to evaluate RCHs in clinical practice.

Trial registration

ISRCTN 83733979

Infectious complications of laparoscopic and robotic hysterectomy: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

We performed a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis of the infectious complications of hysterectomy, comparing robotic-assisted hysterectomy to conventional laparoscopic-assisted hysterectomy.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, CINAHL, CDSR, and EMBASE through July 2018 for studies evaluating robotic-assisted hysterectomy, laparoscopic-assisted hysterectomy, and infectious complications. We employed random-effect models to obtain pooled OR estimates. Heterogeneity was evaluated with I² estimation and the Cochran Q statistic. Pooled ORs were calculated separately based on the reason for hysterectomy (eg, benign uterine diseases, endometrial cancer, and cervical cancer).

RESULTS

Fifty studies were included in the final review for the meta-analysis with 176 016 patients undergoing hysterectomy. There was no statistically significant difference in the number of infectious complication events between robotic-assisted hysterectomy and laparoscopic-assisted hysterectomy (pooled OR 0.97; 95 % CI 0.74 to 1.28). When we performed a stratified analysis, similar results were found with no statistically significant difference in infectious complications comparing robotic-assisted hysterectomy to laparoscopic-assisted hysterectomy among patients with benign uterine disease (pooled OR 1.10; 95 % CI 0.70 to 1.73), endometrial cancer (pooled OR 0.97; 95 % CI 0.55 to 1.73), or cervical cancer (pooled OR 1.09; 95 % CI 0.60 to 1.97).

CONCLUSION

In our meta-analysis the rate of infectious complications associated with robotic-assisted hysterectomy was no different than that associated with conventional laparoscopic-assisted hysterectomy.

The first year is the hardest: a comparison of early versus late experience after the introduction of robotic hiatal hernia repair

While the majority of the literature written concerning minimally invasive hiatal hernia repair involves laparoscopy, little has been written concerning the transition to a robotic technique. We present our experience, with a transparent analysis of data, with regard to the introduction of robotic paraesophageal hernia (PEH) repair by an experienced laparoscopic surgeon. We reviewed our first 30 consecutive patients who underwent robotic PEH over a 2-year period after the introduction of robotic surgery at our institution. Patients were divided into two groups: the early experience group (procedures performed within the first year of introduction of robotic technique, n = 13) and a late experience group (procedures performed in the second year, n = 17). All procedures were performed by a single experienced foregut surgeon. The mean operative time for the early group was significantly greater than for the late group, 184 min versus 142 min, respectively (p < 0.01). Four patients in the early group required conversion to open, while zero patients in the late group required conversion (p = 0.03). Patient demographics and complications did not differ significantly between the two patient populations. The early robotic hiatal hernia repair experience can be more difficult than expected, even in the hands of an experienced laparoscopic team. We identify several areas of improvement including patient positioning, operating room team training, and technical experience. This data can help other surgeons prepare for the transition to robotic foregut surgery.

Adipose-only sentinel lymph nodes: a finding during the adaptation of a sentinel lymph node mapping algorithm with indocyanine green in women with endometrial cancer

Objective

To identify factors that affect successful adaptation of sentinel lymph node mapping and those that lead to unintended adipose-only sentinel lymph node identification.

Methods

Surgical and pathological data were prospectively collected on patients with endometrial cancer who underwent sentinel lymph node mapping with indocyanine green with or without pelvic and/or para-aortic lymph node dissection between November 2013 and April 2017. All mapping cases were performed with the robotic system. Adipose-only specimens were defined as a sentinel lymph node without a pathologically identified lymph node after ultrastaging.

Results

A total of 202 patients were included: 83% had endometrioid pathology, 12% serous, 3% carcinosarcoma, and 2% clear cell, with mixed pathology noted in 2%. The bilateral sentinel lymph node detection rate was 66%, and the rate of mapping at least a unilateral sentinel lymph node was 86%. Neither the bilateral nor the unilateral sentinel lymph node mapping rate changed with increased surgeon experience. The rate of adipose-only sentinel lymph node identification was more frequent when comparing the first 10 cases (37%), cases 11 – 30 (28%), and > 30 cases (9%) (P = 0.006). Body mass index > 30 kg/m2, uterine fibroids, The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) grade, and histology were not found to have a statistically significant impact on either sentinel lymph node identification or adipose-only sentinel lymph node identification. Adipose-only sentinel lymph nodes were more likely with increased time from cervical injection to identification of the sentinel lymph node in the right hemipelvis. The median range was 28 min (14–73) for true sentinel lymph node identification vs 33 min (23–74) for adipose-only sentinel lymph node identification (P = 0.02).

Conclusion

Patient and surgeon factors did not impact the identification of sentinel lymph nodes over time. Adipose-only sentinel lymph nodes were more frequently identified in the initial cases and represent a potential complication to adapting sentinel lymph node biopsy without lymphadenectomy. The increase in adipose-only sentinel lymph node identification that was associated with time from cervical injection may represent delayed or disrupted uptake of indocyanine green.