Robotic surgery for the treatment of early-stage lung cancer

A universal incision for robot-assisted thoracic surgery

Objective

This paper aimed to design and explore the versatility of the incision for the robot-assisted thoracic surgery.

Methods

The concept of universal incision was designed and put forward. The clinical data of 342 cases of robot-assisted thoracic surgery were summarized, including sex, age, clinical diagnosis, operative method, operative time, conversion to thoracotomy, intraoperative blood loss, number of lymph node dissections, postoperative hospital stays, postoperative pathology, and postoperative complications of the patients.

Results

The 342 cases of robot-assisted surgery included 178 pulmonary surgery cases (94 lobectomy cases, 75 segmentectomy cases, 6 wedge resection cases, and 3 sleeve lobectomy cases), 112 esophageal surgery cases (107 McKeown approach cases and 5 esophageal leiomyoma resection cases), and 52 mediastinal tumor cases (42 anterior mediastinum cases and 10 posterior mediastinum cases). Among these, two cases were converted to thoracotomy (both esophageal cases), and the rest were successful with no massive intraoperative bleeding and no perioperative death.

Conclusion

The universal incision of robot-assisted thoracic surgery is safe and feasible and is suitable for most cases of thoracic surgery.

Efficacy and Safety of Robot-assisted Thoracic Surgery (RATS) Compare with Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) for Lung Lobectomy in Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

In the past decade, many researchers focused on Robotic- Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (RATS), which has been introduced as an alternative minimally invasive approach, versus Video- Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) for lung lobectomy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. However, the advantage of RVATS compared to VATS is still under investigation. The results are unclear.

AIM

The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of Robot-assisted Thoracic Surgery (RATS) lobectomy versus Video-assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) for lobectomy in patients with Non- Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

A systematic electronic search of online electronic databases: Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane library updated in June 2017. The meta-analysis was performed including the studies are designed as randomized or non- randomized controlled.

RESULTS

Twenty retrospective cohort studies met our inclusion criteria. The pooled analysis of mortality showed that RATS lobectomy significantly reduced the mortality rate when compared with VATS lobectomy (RR =0.53, 95% CI 0.37 - 0.76; P = 0.0005). With the pooled result of duration of surgery indicated that RATS has a tendency towards longer surgery time (SMD= 0.52, 95% CI 0.23- 0.81; P < 0.0004=). However, the meta-analysis on the median length of hospital stay (MD =0.00, 95% CI -0.03 - 0.03; P = 0.91), number of dissected lymph nodes station (SMD =0.39, 95% CI -0.60 - 1.38; P = 0.44), the number of removed lymph nodes (SMD =0.98, 95% CI -0.61 - 2.56; P = 0.23), mean duration of drainage (SMD =0.29, 95% CI -0.15 - 0.73; P = 0.20), prolonged air leak (RR =1.01, 95% CI 0.84 - 1.21; P = 0.93), arrhythmia (RR =1.06, 95% CI 0.88 - 1.26; P = 0.54) (P= 0.54), pneumonia (RR =0.89, 95% CI 0.69 - 1.13; P = 0.33), the incidence of conversion (RR =0.82, 95% CI 0.54 - 1.26; P = 0.37) and morbidity (RR =1.05, 95% CI 0.90 - 1.23; P = 0.055) all showed no significant differences between RATS and VATS lobectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

RATS result in better mortality as compared with VATS. However, robotics seems to have longer operative time and higher hospital costs, without superior advantages in morbidity rates and oncologic efficiency. Since the advantages of RATS has been performed in some area, the continuation of a comparative investigation with VATS may be necessary. And some efforts need to be taken into consideration to reduce the operative time and cost.

Current status of robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for lung cancer

The robotic surgical system was designed to overcome the drawbacks of conventional endoscopic surgery. Since national health insurance in Japan began covering robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) for malignant lung and mediastinal tumors in 2018, the number of RATS procedures being performed domestically has increased rapidly. This review evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of RATS for patients with lung cancers, based on an electronic literature search of PubMed. The main advantages of RATS are its ability to achieve excellent lymph-node removal with low morbidity and mortality, and minimal postoperative pain. Conversely, its disadvantages include a long operation time and the need for specialized instruments. However, the learning curve for RATS is reported to be shorter than that for VATS: some studies recommend that a surgeon needs to perform 18-22 robotic operations to attain sufficient skill. RATS for lung cancer is more expensive than VATS and the cost of training is high. Although the main disadvantage of RATS is that it reduces operator's tactile senses, the endoscope, which is directly manipulated by the surgeon at the console, using various magnifications, and 3D HD images on the monitor, may compensate for this. Ultimately, RATS offers better maneuverability, accuracy, and stability over VATS.

Validity evidence for procedural competency in virtual reality robotic simulation, establishing a credible pass/fail standard for the vaginal cuff closure procedure

BACKGROUND

The use of robotic surgery for minimally invasive procedures has increased considerably over the last decade. Robotic surgery has potential advantages compared to laparoscopic surgery but also requires new skills. Using virtual reality (VR) simulation to facilitate the acquisition of these new skills could potentially benefit training of robotic surgical skills and also be a crucial step in developing a robotic surgical training curriculum. The study's objective was to establish validity evidence for a simulation-based test for procedural competency for the vaginal cuff closure procedure that can be used in a future simulation-based, mastery learning training curriculum.

METHODS

Eleven novice gynaecological surgeons without prior robotic experience and 11 experienced gynaecological robotic surgeons (> 30 robotic procedures) were recruited. After familiarization with the VR simulator, participants completed the module 'Guided Vaginal Cuff Closure' six times. Validity evidence was investigated for 18 preselected simulator metrics. The internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha and a composite score was calculated based on metrics with significant discriminative ability between the two groups. Finally, a pass/fail standard was established using the contrasting groups' method.

RESULTS

The experienced surgeons significantly outperformed the novice surgeons on 6 of the 18 metrics. The internal consistency was 0.58 (Cronbach's alpha). The experienced surgeons' mean composite score for all six repetitions were significantly better than the novice surgeons' (76.1 vs. 63.0, respectively, p < 0.001). A pass/fail standard of 75/100 was established. Four novice surgeons passed this standard (false positives) and three experienced surgeons failed (false negatives).

CONCLUSION

Our study has gathered validity evidence for a simulation-based test for procedural robotic surgical competency in the vaginal cuff closure procedure and established a credible pass/fail standard for future proficiency-based training.

Robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for lung resection: the first Canadian series

BACKGROUND

Robotic surgery was introduced as a platform for minimally invasive lung resection in Canada in October 2011. We present the first Canadian series of robotic pulmonary resection for lung cancer.

METHODS

Prospective databases at 2 institutions were queried for patients who underwent robotic resection for lung cancer between October 2011 and June 2015. To examine the effect of learning curves on patient and process outcomes, data were organized into 3 temporal tertiles, stratified by surgeon.

RESULTS

A total of 167 consecutive patients were included in the study. Median age was 66 (range 27-88) years, and 46.1% (n = 77) of patients were men. The majority of patients (n = 141, 84%) underwent robotic lobectomy. Median duration of surgery was 270 (interquartile range [IQR] 233-326) minutes, and median length of stay (LOS) was 4 (IQR 3-6) days. Twelve patients (7%) were converted to thoracotomy. Total duration of surgery and console time decreased significantly (p < 0.001) across tertiles, with a steady decline until case 20, followed by a plateau effect. Across tertiles, there was no significant difference in LOS, number of lymph node stations removed, or perioperative complications.

CONCLUSION

The results of this case series are comparable to those reported in the literature. A prospective study to examine the outcomes and cost of robotic pulmonary resection compared with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery should be done in the context of the Canadian health care system. We have presented the first consecutive case series of robotic lobectomy in Canada. Outcomes compare favourably to other series in the literature.

Robotic thoracic surgery: The state of the art

Minimally invasive thoracic surgery has come a long way. It has rapidly progressed to complex procedures such as lobectomy, pneumonectomy, esophagectomy, and resection of mediastinal tumors. Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) offered perceptible benefits over thoracotomy in terms of less postoperative pain and narcotic utilization, shorter ICU and hospital stay, decreased incidence of postoperative complications combined with quicker return to work, and better cosmesis. However, despite its obvious advantages, the General Thoracic Surgical Community has been relatively slow in adapting VATS more widely.

The introduction of da Vinci surgical system has helped overcome certain inherent limitations of VATS such as two-dimensional (2D) vision and counter intuitive movement using long rigid instruments allowing thoracic surgeons to perform a plethora of minimally invasive thoracic procedures more efficiently.

Although the cumulative experience worldwide is still limited and evolving, Robotic Thoracic Surgery is an evolution over VATS. There is however a lot of concern among established high-volume VATS centers regarding the superiority of the robotic technique. We have over 7 years experience and believe that any new technology designed to make minimal invasive surgery easier and more comfortable for the surgeon is most likely to have better and safer outcomes in the long run. Our only concern is its cost effectiveness and we believe that if the cost factor is removed more and more surgeons will use the technology and it will increase the spectrum and the reach of minimally invasive thoracic surgery.

This article reviews worldwide experience with robotic thoracic surgery and addresses the potential benefits and limitations of using the robotic platform for the performance of thoracic surgical procedures.

A review of training research and virtual reality simulators for the da Vinci surgical system

PHENOMENON: Virtual reality simulators are the subject of several recent studies of skills training for robot-assisted surgery. Yet no consensus exists regarding what a core skill set comprises or how to measure skill performance. Defining a core skill set and relevant metrics would help surgical educators evaluate different simulators.

APPROACH

This review draws from published research to propose a core technical skill set for using the da Vinci surgeon console. Publications on three commercial simulators were used to evaluate the simulators' content addressing these skills and associated metrics.

FINDINGS

An analysis of published research suggests that a core technical skill set for operating the surgeon console includes bimanual wristed manipulation, camera control, master clutching to manage hand position, use of third instrument arm, activating energy sources, appropriate depth perception, and awareness of forces applied by instruments. Validity studies of three commercial virtual reality simulators for robot-assisted surgery suggest that all three have comparable content and metrics. However, none have comprehensive content and metrics for all core skills. INSIGHTS: Virtual reality simulation remains a promising tool to support skill training for robot-assisted surgery, yet existing commercial simulator content is inadequate for performing and assessing a comprehensive basic skill set. The results of this evaluation help identify opportunities and challenges that exist for future developments in virtual reality simulation for robot-assisted surgery. Specifically, the inclusion of educational experts in the development cycle alongside clinical and technological experts is recommended.

Initial results of robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in Japan

OBJECTIVES

As surgical robots have become increasingly used, verification of their usefulness in the general thoracic surgery field is required. Initial results of robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in Japan were investigated.

METHODS

A questionnaire survey was performed to retrospectively examine the current status of robotic surgery for general thoracic disease in Japan. The subjects were 112 cases performed by the end of September 2012 at 9 institutions.

RESULTS

There were 60 cases of primary lung cancer, 38 cases of anterior-middle mediastinal disease, and 14 cases of posterior mediastinal disease. In lung cancer cases, the operative time was 284.7 min, the blood loss was 129 mL, the drainage period was 3.3 days, and the conversion rate was 3.3 %. The incidence of postoperative complications was 6.7 %. The postoperative hospital stay was 8.2 days. In cases of anterior-middle mediastinal disease, the operative time was 184.3 min, the blood loss was 43.8 mL, the drainage period was 2.3 days, and there was no conversion. The incidence of postoperative complications was 7.9 %. The postoperative hospital stay was 7.1 days. In cases of posterior mediastinal disease, the operative time was 142.6 min, the blood loss was 61.4 mL, the drainage period was 1.6 days, and there was no conversion. No postoperative complication developed in any case. The postoperative hospital stay was 5 days. In all cases underwent robotic surgery, there was no operation related mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Robotic surgery was safely introduced, and the incidence of postoperative complications tended to be low, although the operative time was long. Preparations for its employment in advanced medical care and coverage by national health insurance are urgent issue.

Robot-assisted lung anatomic segmentectomy: technical aspects

Anatomic lung segmentectomy is a possible alternative to lobectomy for small (<2 cm) primary lung cancers. Interest in anatomic lung segmentectomy has increased further after the adoption of high-resolution computed tomography and the implementation of lung cancer screening studies, which are increasing the detection rate of small lung cancers. Robotic surgery seems well suited to the precise dissection required for anatomic segmentectomy. Initial experience of robotic anatomic segmentectomy in patients with a single primary or metastatic lung lesion is highly encouraging. The introduction of robotic staplers, aspirators, and 5-mm lung forceps will further increase precision.

Systematic review of published studies on safety and efficacy of thoracoscopic and robot-assisted lobectomy for lung cancer

The safety and efficacy of thoracoscopic and robot-assisted lobectomies for primary lung cancer were reviewed in the literature. Thoracoscopic surgery is less invasive compared to thoracotomy, and it has been reported to be superior with regard to the outcome. In addition, the operability of a surgical robot (da Vinci) is favorable and supplements the disadvantages of conventional endoscopic surgery. Robot-assisted lobectomy has been reported to be comparable to thoracoscopic surgery with regard to the safety and efficacy based on analysis of perioperative results and superior with regard to the operability and length of the learning curve. However, a high cost and a long operative time are of concern. Since robot-assisted surgery has been performed only in early cases, the continuation of a comparative investigation may be necessary.