Is 3D faster and safer than 4K laparoscopic cholecystectomy? A randomised-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic surgery has well-established benefits for patients; however, laparoscopic procedures have a long and difficult learning curve, in large part due to the lack of stereoscopic depth perception. Developments in high-definition and stereoscopic imaging have attempted to overcome this. Three-dimensional high-definition (3D HD) systems are thought to improve operating times compared to two-dimensional high-definition systems. However their performance against new, ultra-high-definition ('4K') systems is not known.

METHODS

Patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomised to 3D HD or 4K laparoscopy. Operative videos were recorded, and the time from gallbladder exposure to separation from the liver (minus on table cholangiogram) was calculated. Blinded video assessment was performed to calculate intraoperative error scores.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty patients were randomised, of which 109 were analysed (3D HD n = 54; 4K n = 55). No reduction in operative time was detected with 3D HD compared to 4K laparoscopy (median [IQR]; 23.41 min [17.00-37.98] vs 20.90 min [17.67-33.03]; p = 0.91); nor was there any decrease observed in error scores (60 [56-62] vs 58 [56-60]; p = 0.27), complications or reattendance. Stone spillage occurred more frequently with 3D HD, but there were no other differences in individual error rates. Gallbladder grade and operating surgeon had significant effects on time to complete the operation. Gallbladder grade also had a significant effect on the error score.

CONCLUSIONS

A 3D HD laparoscopic system did not reduce operative time or error scores during laparoscopic cholecystectomy compared with a new 4K imaging system.

Perceptions and use of computer-assisted surgery (CAS) in the orbit

Computer-assisted surgery (CAS) plays a prominent role in certain surgical disciplines. We investigated the current perceptions and use of this technology for orbital surgery. An online survey was emailed to members of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Canadian Society of Oculoplastic Surgery, and British Oculoplastic Surgery Society. Respondents were asked to describe their practice type and seniority, their frequency of orbital surgery, experience, use, and accessibility of CAS, and their opinion on the technology. There were a total of 151 responses across the societies. 105 respondents (69.5%) had been in attending/consultant practice for over 10 years, with over half (54.7%) working in academic/teaching hospitals. The majority (66.7%) had superficial or no experience with CAS. In total, 84.8% of respondents rarely or never use CAS for orbital surgery (n = 128). Posterior orbital surgery (64.2%) and orbital decompression (49.0%) were the two most useful reasons to implement CAS. Longer operating time (58.3%) and cost (54.8%) were the two most selected weaknesses for CAS, whereas improved accuracy in attaining surgical end point(s) (80.8%) and patient safety (63.6%) were the principal advantages. Type of practice was significantly associated with CAS availability/accessibility (p < 0.05). Proportion of orbital surgery performed in practice was significantly associated with both CAS experience and use (p < 0.05). Our study confirms an expected variation in the perception and use of CAS for orbital surgery. Demonstrated patient benefit and integration of refined and cost-effective CAS systems into operating room environments may influence its future role.

[Dependence of the operation stress degree from the kind of operative intervention for an acute cholecystitis in the patients with high operative-anesthesiological risk]

The results of comparison between the operation stress degree in various kinds of surgical interventions, performed for an acute cholecystitis, using determination of cortizol, prolactin and glucose content before the operation, intraoperatively and postoperatively in 50 patients, are adduced. There was established, that the largest (in 5.3 times) and the most durable (more than 24 hours) intr erative raising of the cortizol level in the blood serum was noted in patients, to whom open cholecystectomy (OCH) was done, and the minimal (in 2.2 times) and the least durable (up to 1 hour)--while performing transcutaneous transhepatic draining (TTD) of gallbladder under ultrasonographic control. While performance of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LCH) there was noted the most pronounced intraoperative raising of prolactin level (in 3.6 times) and more rapid its lowering (during 24 hours) in comparison with such while the OCH performance (during 72 hours). In TTD there was observed the minimal intraoperative inhancing of the prolactin level (in 2.3 times) and its duration (during 1 hour) postoperatively. The above mentioned have witnessed, that while TTD of gallbladder performance stimulation of the anterior hypophysis is significantly lesser, than while LCH and OCH.