Transition from multiport to single-site surgery: A single institution experience in robotic supracervical hysterectomy for benign gynecological diseases

Role of single port robotic surgery in gynecology

Robot-assisted Single-Site Laparoscopy (R-LSS) is a rapidly evolving minimally invasive technique. Although it is a very recent technology, the use of R-LSS have been increasingly report in gynecology, for both benign and malignant indications. This review aims to summarize the evolution of this innovative technique and to examine its feasibility and safety for gynecological surgical procedures. We evaluated studies dealing about R-LSS in gynecological surgery. We performed a comprehensive literature research on PubMed and the Cochrane Library in February 2024. Based on the study reviewed, R-LSS seems to be a feasible and effective alternative to other mini-invasive approach in gynecological surgery. R-LSS combine the advantages of robotics surgery with the aesthetic result of a single incision. Compare to Single-Site Laparoscopy, it restore triangulation of the instrument and improve visualization and ergonomic. R-LSS seems to be related to favourable intra-e post-operative outcomes. Although, further studies would be necessary allow us to draw any final conclusion.

Single-port plus one in pediatric robotic-assisted Lich-Gregoir ureteral reimplantation for vesicoureteral reflux, a comparative analysis with short-term outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To observe the safety and short-term outcomes of a new way of laparoscopic trocar placement in pediatric robotic-assisted Lich-Gregoir ureteral reimplantation for vesicoureteral reflux.

METHODS

The retrospective study included 32 patients under 14 years diagnosed with primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). All these patients underwent robotic-assisted Lich-Gregoir ureteral reimplantation in our department from December 2020 to August 2022. These patients were divided into the following groups according to the different ways of trocar placement: 13 patients in group single-port plus one (SR) and 19 patients in group multiple-port (MR). Patients' characteristics as well as their perioperative and follow-up data were collected and evaluated.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in the data regarding patients' characteristics and preoperative data. These data included the grade of vesicoureteral reflux according to the voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG), and the differential degree of renal function (DRF) at the following time points: preoperative, postoperative, and comparison of preoperative and postoperative. There was no difference between the two groups. During surgery, the time of artificial pneumoperitoneum establishment, ureteral reimplantation time, and total operative time in the SR group were longer than those in the MR group. Yet only the time of artificial pneumoperitoneum establishment shows a statistical difference (P < 0.0001). Also, the peri-operative data, including the volume of blood loss, fasting time, hospitalization, and length of time that a ureteral catheter remained in place, and the number of postoperative complications demonstrate no difference. In addition, the SFU grade and VCUG grade at the following time point also show no difference between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrates that SR in robotic-assisted Lich-Gregoir ureteral reimplantation has reached the same surgical effects as MR. In addition, the single-port plus one trocar placement receives a higher cosmetic satisfaction score from parents and did not increase the surgical time and complexity.

Robotic Single-Site Hysterectomy in Gynecologic Benign Pathology: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Background and objectives: Total hysterectomy is one of the most common gynecologic surgical procedures and it is mainly performed for benign pathologies. The introduction of robotic single-site surgery (RSS) as an acceptable alternative to laparoendoscopic surgery combines the advantages of robotics with the aesthetic result of a single incision. This study aims to review the existing literature on a single-site robotic hysterectomy in patients with benign pathologies and verify its safety and feasibility. Materials and Methods: Following the recommendations in the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement, FP and AR systematically screened the PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases. No temporal or geographical limitation was discriminatory. Studies containing data about feasibility and safety were included. Results: From 219, only eight studies met the inclusion criteria, and a total of 212 patients were included with a mean patient age of 45.42 years old (range 28-49.5 years old) and a mean BMI of 25.74 kg/m² (range 22-28.5 kg/m²). The mean presurgical time, including port placement and docking time, was 15.56 (range 3-30) minutes. Mean console time was reported in six studies and is 83.21 min (range 25-180 min). The mean operative time is 136.6 min (range 60-294 min) and the mean blood loss is 43.68 mL (range 15-300 mL). Only two patients in the total analyzed had intraoperative complications and no conversion to LPT occurred. The median hospital stay was 1.71 days (range 0.96-3.5 days). The postoperative complication rate was estimated at 1.4% (vaginal bleeding). Conclusions: Our review supports the safety and feasibility of robotic single-site hysterectomy for benign gynecological diseases.

Surgical Outcomes Following Robotic Single-Site Versus Multiport Hysterectomy for Treatment of Endometrial Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Robotic single-site hysterectomy (RSSH) has emerged as a novel surgical approach for the treatment of endometrial cancer and atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AEH). Current research regarding the benefits of RSSH compared to robotic multiport hysterectomy (RMPH) for these indications has been inconclusive. Our team sought to compare surgical outcomes between these two approaches of robotic hysterectomy via systematic review and meta-analysis to ensure optimal surgical practices. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 Checklist guided our review. MEDLINE, Clinicaltrials.gov, and Cochrane Library were searched, yielding 59 results. Articles were filtered by title and abstract and then reviewed in full for inclusion and exclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria required that (1) studies compared outcomes for RSSH and RMPH, (2) hysterectomy was indicated for endometrial cancer or hyperplasia with atypia, and (3) studies were available in English. Excluded studies (1) compared single-site and multiport laparoscopic approaches, (2) compared robotic approaches to laparoscopic or abdominal (open) techniques, and (3) employed hysterectomy for benign conditions. Publication bias was assessed using the Egger Regression Correlation analysis. Four studies complied with the selection criteria, comprising 138 patients in the RSSH group and 259 in the RMPH group. Similar outcomes were noted across all measures, including conversion rate (relative risk [RR] = 1.84 and confidence interval [CI] = 0.99-3.43), blood loss (Cohen's d = 1.05 and Z = 18.62), operating time (Cohen's d = 0.29 and Z = 4.38), and length of hospital stay (Cohen's d = 1.06 and Z = 3.86). Publication bias was deemed minimal as indicated by Egger regression values of less than 0.05. These findings suggest that either a surgical approach or AEH with the proper standard of care can provide patients with endometrial cancer.

Laparoendoscopic Single Site Hysterectomy: Literature Review and Procedure Description

Laparoendoscopic single site surgery (LESS) refers to a spectrum of surgical techniques that allow the performance of laparoscopic surgery through consolidation of all ports into one surgical incision. LESS has emerged as a potentially less invasive alternative to multiport laparoscopy and in the last year in gynecology; hence, this approach has been largely applied for selective indications to perform total hysterectomy. We performed a literature review on single site hysterectomy and described indications and technique, highlighting practical problems, pointers, limitations and recent technical development as robotic assistance.

Pain after laparoscopic surgery: Focus on shoulder-tip pain after gynecological laparoscopic surgery

Laparoscopy, one of minimally invasive procedures, is a commonly used procedure in diagnosis and management of various kinds of clinical problems, including gynecologic organ-related diseases. Compared with conventional exploratory laparotomy, the benefits of laparoscopic surgery include reduction of surgical wound, decreasing in postoperative pain, shortening hospital stay, rapid recovery, and a better cosmetic result. However, there are still up to 80% of patients after laparoscopic surgery complaining of high levels of pain and needing pain relief. Postlaparoscopic pain can be separated into distinct causes, such as surgical trauma- or incision wound-associated inflammatory change, and pneumoperitoneum (carbon dioxide [CO2])-related morphological and biochemical changes of peritoneum and diaphragm. The latter is secondary to irritation, stretching, and foreign body stimulation, leading to phrenic neuropraxia and subsequent shoulder-tip pain (STP). STP is the most typical unpleasant experience of patients after laparoscopic surgery. There are at least 11 strategies available to attempt to decrease postlaparoscopic STP, including (1) the use of an alternative insufflating gas in place of CO2, (2) the use of low-pressure pneumoperitoneum in place of standard-pressure pneumoperitoneum, (3) the use of warmed or warmed and humidified CO2, (4) gasless laparoscopy, (5) subdiaphragmatic intraperitoneal anesthesia, (6) local intraperitoneal anesthesia, (7) actively expelling out of gas, (8) intraperitoneal drainage, (9) fluid instillation, (10) pulmonary recruitment maneuvers, and (11) others and combination. The present article is limited in discussing postlaparoscopic STP. We extensively review published articles to provide a better strategy to reduce postlaparoscopic STP.