Robotic Surgery Twice Performed in the Treatment of Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma With Deep Jaundice: Delayed Right Hemihepatectomy Following the Right-Hepatic Vascular Control

Robotic Hepatectomy plus Biliary Reconstruction for Bismuth Type III and Type IV Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma: State of the Art and Literature Review

BACKGROUND

In Bismuth type III and IV Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma (III-IV HC), surgical resection is the only chance for long-term survival. As the surgical procedure is complex and Robotic-Assisted Surgery (RAS) may be particularly suitable in this setting, the aim of this study is to evaluate the potential benefits of RAS in III-IV HC in terms of post-operative outcomes.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review using the PRISMA checklist for article selection. We searched the PubMed database and included only studies with clinical data about the treatment of III-IV HC using RAS.

RESULTS

A total of 12 papers involving 50 patients were included. All cases were Bismuth IIIa (n = 18), IIIb (n = 27) or IV type (n = 5) and underwent hepatectomy with biliary confluence resection and reconstruction. The mean operative time was 500 minutes with a conversion rate of 4%. The mean hospital stay was 12.2 days, and the morbidity and 30-day mortality rate were 61.9% and 2%, respectively. Over a mean follow up period of 10.1 months, 9/18 cases experienced recurrence (50%).

CONCLUSIONS

RAS for III-IV HC is safe and feasible, at least if performed by experienced surgeons on selected cases. The oncological outcomes appear acceptable, given the aggressiveness of this pathology, but further studies are needed to fully elucidate the exact role of robotics in this setting.

The role of robotic surgery for the treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma: A systematic review

Background

The role of robotic surgery (RS) for hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HC) is under investigation. Surgical resection is the only curative modality of treatment but extremely complex and high risk of morbidity and mortality may occur. The aim of this study is to perform a systematic review of perioperative and oncological outcomes of RS for HC, across a comprehensive range of outcomes reported in recent literature.

Materials and Methods

PRISMA checklist was used as a basis for writing the systematic review and studies’ selection. Literature documenting RS for HC was analyzed by searching PubMed and Cochrane Library from 2009 to May 2022. The search terms, either independently or in combination, were used according to PICOT framework. The target population are patients treated with robotic surgical approach for HC.

Results

12 studies with 109 patients were included after screening process. The Bismuth classification in all series except one was: 21 type I, 7 type II, 12 type IIIa, 26 type IIIb and 4 type IV. Mean operative time for a total of 21 patients was 644 minutes. Other two case series reported a median operative time of 375 with a console time of 276 minutes. Mean blood loss for case reports and two case series was 662 milliliters. Blood transfusion rate for all operation was 33.3%. Overall Conversion rate was 2.8%. Pooled post operative morbidity and mortality was 39.8% and 1.8% respectively. Mean LOS for case reports and one case series for a total of 17 patients was 16 days. R0 resection rate for the 11 papers was 74.3%. Seven out of 12 studies reported on the oncological follow up: median observation time ranged from 5 to 60 months, recurrence rate was 52.6% (range 0-90%) reported only in 19 patients (10/19).

Conclusions

RS for HC was feasible and safe. However, although this systematic review could not be conclusive in most of the analyzed items, RS for the treatment of HC could represent the best tool for a future meticulous and precision surgery. The review’s results certainly indicate that further research in urgently is required on this field.

Robotic hepatectomy and biliary reconstruction for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma: a pioneer western case series

Open surgery is the standard of care for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA). With the aim of oncologic radicality, it requires a complex major hepatectomy with biliary reconstruction. The postoperative course is consequently often complicated, with severe morbidity and mortality rates of up to 27.5–54% and 18%, respectively. Robotic liver surgery is emerging as a safe, minimally-invasive technique with huge potential for pCCA management. After the first case described by Giulianotti in 2010, here we present the first western series of robot-assisted liver resections with biliary reconstruction for pCCA with the aim to preliminarily assess the feasibility and repeatability of the procedure. At our high-volume teaching hospital center dedicated to HPB surgery, 128 pCCA patients have been surgically treated in the last 15 years whereas more than 800 laparoscopic liver resections have been performed. Since the Da Vinci Xi Robotic platform was introduced in late 2018, 6 major robotic liver resections with biliary reconstruction have been performed, 4 of which were for pCCA. All 4 cases involved a left hepatectomy with caudate lobectomy. The median operating time was 840 min, with a median blood loss of 700 ml. One case was converted to open surgery during the reconstruction due to a short mesentery preventing the hepatico-jejunostomy. None of the patients experienced major complications, while minor complications occurred in 3 out of 4 cases. One biliary leak was managed conservatively. The median postoperative stay was 9 days. Negative biliary margins were achieved in 3 of the 4 cases. An included video clip shows the most relevant technical details. This preliminary series demonstrates that robot-assisted liver resection for pCCA is feasible. We speculate that the da Vinci platform has a relevant potential in pCCA surgery with particular reference to the multi-duct biliary reconstruction. Further studies are needed to better clarify the role of this high-cost technology in the minimally-invasive treatment of pCCA.

Systematic review of perioperative and oncologic outcomes of minimally-invasive surgery for hilar cholangiocarcinoma

Most surgeons have traditionally been reluctant toward minimally-invasive surgery for bile duct tumors. This study aimed to perform a systematic literature review on perioperative and oncologic results of pure laparoscopic and robotic curative-intent surgery for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. According to the PRISMA statement, a systematic review was conducted into Pubmed, EMBASE and Cochrane. A critical appraisal of study was performed according to the Joanna Briggs Institute tools. Nineteen studies (12 on pure laparoscopy and 7 on robotics) were included: 7 case reports, 9 case series, 3 case-control (193 patients). The pooled conversion, morbidity, biliary leak and mortality rates were 5.5%, 43%, 16.4% and 4%. The weighted mean of operative time, blood loss and postoperative stay were 388 min, 446 mL and 14 days. For pure laparoscopy, the pooled R0 rate was 86%; overall survival and disease-free survival rates ranged from 85 to 100% and from 80 to 100% (median observation time 6-18 months). For robotic surgeries, the pooled R0 rate was 69% and overall survival rates ranged from 90 to 100% (median observation time 5-15 months). Case reports were overall of high quality, case series of moderate / high-quality, case-control studies ranged from low to high quality. In selected patients, minimally-invasive surgery for Klatskin tumors appears feasible, safe, satisfactory for perioperative outcomes and adequate for oncologic results. However, the results are based on few studies, limited in patient numbers and with allocation criteria more restrictive than open, reporting short follow-up and mainly with non-comparative design: evidence of higher quality is recommended.

Current Advances in Minimally Invasive Surgical Management of Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

While the safety of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has been reported for several liver malignancies, the role of MIS in the management of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) has been poorly defined.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was performed utilizing MEDLINE/PubMed and Web of Science databases up to January 2020 to assess the safety and feasibility of MIS in the management of patients with pCCA.

RESULTS

Limited data exist on the MIS approach to treat pCCA. Staging laparoscopy carries a low diagnostic yield and typically is used only in select patients with high suspicion of metastatic disease. Data on the use of MIS approach for resection of pCCA have largely been limited to case reports or small case series. A MIS approach to pCCA resection has been demonstrated to be feasible and safe, yet in most series the surgeon failed to include resection of the caudate lobe. Given that caudate lobe involvement occurs in 31-98% of patients with pCCA, incomplete resection of the caudate lobe may be associated with higher local recurrence. More recently, several surgeons have reported complete R0 surgical with removal of the caudate lobe using a MIS approach. While patients may have a shorter length-of-stay, the true benefit of the MIS approach for pCCA needs to be better defined.

CONCLUSIONS

MIS may be a safe and feasible approach at high-volume centers with robust expertise in the management of patients with pCCA. Further studies with larger number of patients are required prior to universal application of MIS for pCCA.

Laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery for hilar cholangiocarcinoma: an updated systematic review

BACKGROUND

The role of laparoscopic surgery (Lap) and robotic surgery (Rob) for radical resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HC) is not clear. We summarized the safety and feasibility of Lap and Rob for HC.

METHODS

A search of all HC studies in English published on PubMed up to April 2020 was conducted. References from retrieved articles were reviewed to broaden the search.

RESULTS

In total, 23 reports were enrolled: 15 involving Lap, seven using Rob and one study reporting a minimally invasive approach (Lap or Rob, not specified). A total of 205 cases of HC were documented (Lap/Rob/not specified, 99/101/5): 37 cases of Bismuth type-I (Lap/Rob, 17/20), 22 cases of Bismuth type-II (Lap/Rob, 15/7), 68 cases of type-III (Lap/Rob, 39/29) and 13 cases of type-IV (Lap/Rob, 9/4). The pooled prevalence of R0 resection was 80.1% (Lap/Rob, 85.9%/71.0%). The weighted mean for operative time, blood loss and post-operative hospital stay was 458.4 min (Lap/Rob, 423.3/660.8 min), 615.3 mL (Lap/Rob, 521.0/1188.5 mL) and 14.0 days (Lap/Rob, 14.0/13.7 days), respectively. The pooled prevalence of conversion to open surgery, post-operative complications, and perioperative mortality was 9.1% (Lap/Rob, 12.2%/3.8%), 47.2% (Lap/Rob, 38.4%/61.3%) and 3.0% (Lap/Rob, 4.0%/2.0%), respectively.

CONCLUSION

With innovations in technology and gradual accumulation of surgical experience, the feasibility and safety of performing Lap and Rob for HC will improve.

The role of minimally invasive hepatectomy for hilar and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: A systematic review of the literature

Despite the fact laparoscopic liver resections (LLR) for cholangiocarcinoma is still limited, this systematic review addressed surgical and oncological outcomes of LLR to treat both perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). Five comparative and 20 noncomparative studies were found. Regarding iCCA, LLR had lower blood loss and less need for Pringle maneuver. However, open liver resections (OLR) were performed more for major hepatectomies, with better lymphadenectomy rates and higher number of harvested lymph nodes. High heterogeneity and selection bias were suggested for iCCA studies.

Minimally invasive surgery for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma: a systematic review

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is quickly becoming mainstream in hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery because of presumed advantages. Surgery for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) is highly demanding which may hamper the feasibility and safety of MIS in this setting. This study aimed to systematically review the existing literature on MIS for PHC. A systematic literature review was performed according to the PRISMA statement. The PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched and all studies describing MIS in patients with PHC were included. Data extraction and risk of bias were assessed by two independent researchers. Overall, 21 studies reporting on a total of 142 MIS procedures for PHC were included. These included 82 laparoscopic, 59 robot-assisted and 1 hybrid procedure(s). Risk of bias was deemed substantial. Pooled conversion rate was 7/142 (4.9%), pooled morbidity 30/126 (23.8%), and pooled mortality rate 4/126 (3.2%). The only comparative study, comparing 10 robot-assisted procedures to 32 open procedures, reported a significant increased operative time and higher morbidity rate with MIS. The available evidence on MIS for PHC is limited and generally of poor quality. This systematic review shows that the implementation of MIS for patients with PHC is still in its infancy.

Minimally invasive surgery for hilar cholangiocarcinoma: state of art and future perspectives

BACKGROUND

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA) occurs in the core section of the biliary system and has a strong tendency to broadly invade the surrounding vascular system, perineural tissue and major liver parenchyma. Thus, minimally invasive resection can only be achieved in limited cases. This article reviews the current laparoscopic and robotic surgery techniques for HCCA and analyses the difficulties and limitations of the current minimally invasive surgical techniques for HCCA.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted using multiple electronic databases. All studies involving minimally invasive resections of HCCA were included (up to November 2017).

RESULTS

Twelve studies were included, of which eight concerned laparoscopic surgery of HCCA and four involved robotic surgery for HCCA. For laparoscopic surgery, most of the surgical procedures were limited to partial hepatectomy or even bile duct resection; the post-operative morbidity rate was approximately 38.9% (range 0-100%); those with fewer complications were mostly restricted to Bismuth type I or type II carcinomas. For robotic surgery, only one study concerned caudate lobectomy of HCCA, with a reported median operative time of 703 min and post-operative morbidity of 90%.

CONCLUSIONS

Minimally invasive surgery for HCCA is restricted to highly selected cases and is deemed technically achievable in experienced hands. However, technical and instrumental improvement is needed to reduce the relevant morbidity and popularize the use of minimally invasive surgery to treat HCCA.