Robotic infrahepatic vena cava clamping and Pringle manoeuvre for major hepatectomy: A safe and bloodless procedure - First technical report.

Mini-invasive approaches in hepatic surgery are associated with a significant decrease in the incidence of post-operative morbidity and liver failure. Intraoperative blood loss represents the major intraoperative accident during hepatectomy. Infrahepatic inferior vena cava clamping is an emerging technical trick which guarantees a lower intraoperative blood loss and transfusion rates during liver surgery. Herein, we present the first report of infrahepatic caval clamping during robotic hepatectomy at our centre, highlighting some technical tips and tricks.

Hybrid Laparoscopic and Endovascular Treatment for Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome: Case Report and Review of Literature.

Median arcuate ligament syndrome is a rare cause of chronic gastrointestinal ischemia caused by compression of median arcuate ligament on the celiac trunk. A 38-year-old male presented at our institution with unspecific crampy abdominal pain. After several diagnostic examinations, he firstly underwent arcuate ligament resection by laparoscopic approach and 2 months later, he underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stenting of the stenotic vessel. Postoperatory and follow-up controls showed regular patency of the artery with complete relief of abdominal symptoms. We propose a review of the literature on this uncommon condition, describing different surgical approaches.

Full Robotic Distal Pancreatectomy: Safety and Feasibility Analysis of a Multicenter Cohort of 236 Patients.

Introduction. Despite the widespread use of the robotic technology, only a few studies with small sample sizes report its application to pancreatic diseases treatment. Our aim is to present the results of a multicenter study on the safety and feasibility of robot-assisted distal pancreatectomy (RDP). Materials and Methods. All RDPs for benign, borderline, and malignant diseases performed in 5 referral centers from 2008 to 2016 were included. Perioperative outcomes were evaluated. Results. Two hundred thirty-six patients were included. Spleen preservation was performed in 114 cases (48.3%). Operative time was 277.8 ± 93.6 minutes. Progressive improvement in operative time was observed over the study period. Conversion rate was 6.3%. Morbidity occurred in 102 cases (43.2%), mainly due to grade A fistulas. Reoperation was required in 10 patients. Postoperatively, 2 patients died of sepsis due to a grade C fistula. Hospital readmission was necessary in 11 cases. A R0 resection was always achieved, with a mean number of 16.2 ± 15 harvested lymph nodes. Conclusion. To our knowledge, this is one of the largest RDP series. Safety and feasibility including the low conversion rate, the high spleen preservation rate, the adequate operative time, and the acceptable morbidity and mortality rates confirm the validity of this technique. Appropriate oncological outcomes have been also obtained.

Short-term and long-term outcomes after robot-assisted versus laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs): a multicenter comparative study.

PURPOSE: Minimally invasive surgery has increasingly gained popularity as a treatment of choice for pancreatectomy with encouraging initial results in robotic distal pancreatectomy (RDP). However, few data are available on the comparison between RDP and laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs). Our aim, thus, is to compare perioperative and long-term outcomes as well as total costs of RDP and LDP for pNETs. METHODS: All RDPs and LDPs for pNETs performed in four referral centers from 2008 to 2016 were included. Perioperative outcomes, histopathological results, overall (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), and total costs were evaluated. RESULTS: Ninety-six RDPs and 85 LDPs were included. Demographic and clinical characteristics were comparable between the two cohorts. Operative time was 36.5 min longer in the RDP group (p = 0.009) but comparable to LDP after removing the docking time (247.9 vs 233.7 min; p = 0.6). LDP related to a lower spleen preservation rate (44.7% vs 65.3%; p < 0.0001) and higher blood loss (239.7 ± 112 vs 162.5 ± 98 cc; p < 0.0001). Advantages in operative time for RDP were documented in case of the spleen preservation procedures (265 ± 41.52 vs 291 ± 23 min; p = 0.04). Conversion rate, postoperative morbidity, and pancreatic fistula rate were similar between the two groups, as well as histopathological data, OS, and DFS. Significant advantages were evidenced for LDP regarding mean total costs (9235 (± 1935) € vs 11,226 (± 2365) €; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Both RDP and LDP are safe and efficacious for pNETs treatment. However, RDP offers advantages with a higher spleen preservation rate and lower blood loss. Costs still remain the main limitation of the robotic approach.

Patterns of Recurrence after Resection for Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: Who, When, and Where?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pan-NENs) represent an increasingly common indication for pancreatic resection, but there are few data regarding possible recurrence after surgery. The aim of the study was to describe the frequency, timing, and patterns of recurrence after resection for pan-NENs with consequent implications for postoperative follow-up. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of pan-NENs resected between 1990 and 2015 at The Pancreas Institute, University of Verona Hospital Trust. Predictors of recurrence were assessed. Survival analysis was conducted using the Kaplan-Meier and conditional survival (CS) methods. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 487 patients with a median follow-up of 71 months. Recurrence developed in 12.3%: 54 (11.1%) liver metastases, 11 (2.3%) local recurrence, 10 (2.1%) nodal recurrence, and 8 (1.6%) metastases in other organs. Thirty-one (6.4%) died due to disease recurrence. Size > 21 mm, G3 grade, nodal metastasis, and vascular infiltration were independent predictors of overall recurrence. Recurrence occurred either during the first year of follow-up (n = 9), or after 10 years (n = 4). CS analysis revealed that nonfunctioning G1 pan-NEN ≤20 mm without nodal metastasis or vascular invasion had a negligible risk of developing recurrence. In the present series, after 5 years of follow-up without developing recurrence, tumor recurrence occurred only in the form of liver metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrence of pan-NENs is rare and is predicted by tumor size, nodal metastasis, grading, and vascular invasion. Patients with G1 pan-NEN without nodal metastasis and vascular invasion may be considered cured by surgery. After 5 years without recurrence, follow-up should focus on excluding the development of liver metastases.

Minimally Invasive versus Open Distal Pancreatectomy for Ductal Adenocarcinoma (DIPLOMA): A Pan-European Propensity Score Matched Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare oncological outcomes after minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy (MIDP) with open distal pancreatectomy (ODP) in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). BACKGROUND: Cohort studies have suggested superior short-term outcomes of MIDP vs. ODP. Recent international surveys, however, revealed that surgeons have concerns about the oncological outcomes of MIDP for PDAC. METHODS: This is a pan-European propensity score matched study including patients who underwent MIDP (laparoscopic or robot-assisted) or ODP for PDAC between January 1, 2007 and July 1, 2015. MIDP patients were matched to ODP patients in a 1:1 ratio. Main outcomes were radical (R0) resection, lymph node retrieval, and survival. RESULTS: In total, 1212 patients were included from 34 centers in 11 countries. Of 356 (29%) MIDP patients, 340 could be matched. After matching, the MIDP conversion rate was 19% (n = 62). Median blood loss [200 mL (60-400) vs 300 mL (150-500), P = 0.001] and hospital stay [8 (6-12) vs 9 (7-14) days, P < 0.001] were lower after MIDP. Clavien-Dindo grade ≥3 complications (18% vs 21%, P = 0.431) and 90-day mortality (2% vs 3%, P > 0.99) were comparable for MIDP and ODP, respectively. R0 resection rate was higher (67% vs 58%, P = 0.019), whereas Gerota's fascia resection (31% vs 60%, P < 0.001) and lymph node retrieval [14 (8-22) vs 22 (14-31), P < 0.001] were lower after MIDP. Median overall survival was 28 [95% confidence interval (CI), 22-34] versus 31 (95% CI, 26-36) months (P = 0.929). CONCLUSIONS: Comparable survival was seen after MIDP and ODP for PDAC, but the opposing differences in R0 resection rate, resection of Gerota's fascia, and lymph node retrieval strengthen the need for a randomized trial to confirm the oncological safety of MIDP.

Robotic pancreatectomies.

Pancreatic surgery represents one of the most challenging fields in general surgery. Its complexity is related to the severity of the disease and the technical skills required for surgical approach. Given this, most pancreatic resections are performed through classic open surgery. Minimally invasive approaches are gradually gaining widespread popularity also in this specific setting, as for distal resections and enucleations. The robotic platform, due to its 3-dimensional vision and articulated movements, represents the natural progress of laparoscopic surgery overcoming the technical defaults and opening up the possibility to perform major pancreatic resections as pancreaticoduodenectomies. This review focuses on the impact of robotic platform in pancreatic surgery in terms of surgical and oncological outcome.

Minimally invasive pancreatic surgery - a review.

During the past 20 years the application of a minimally invasive approach to pancreatic surgery has progressively increased. Distal pancreatectomy is the most frequently performed procedure, because of the absence of a reconstructive phase. However, middle pancreatectomy and pancreatoduodenectomy have been demonstrated to be safe and feasible as well. Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy is recognized as the gold standard treatment for small tumors of the pancreatic body-tail, with several advantages over the traditional open approach in terms of patient recovery. The surgical treatment of lesions of the pancreatic head via a minimally invasive approach is still limited to a few highly experienced surgeons, due to the very challenging resection and complex anastomoses. Middle pancreatectomy and enucleation are indicated for small and benign tumors and offer the maximum preservation of the parenchyma. The introduction of a robotic platform more than ten years ago increased the interest of many surgeons in minimally invasive treatment of pancreatic diseases. This new technology overcomes all the limitations of laparoscopic surgery, but actual benefits for the patients are still under investigation. The increased costs associated with robotic surgery are under debate too. This article presents the state of the art of minimally invasive pancreatic surgery.

A prospective non-randomised single-center study comparing laparoscopic and robotic distal pancreatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) is increasing in popularity thanks to the benefits that have been recently demonstrated by many authors. The Da Vinci(®) Surgical System could overcome some limits of laparoscopy, helping the surgeons to perform safer and faster difficult procedures. Nowadays, prospective clinical trials comparing LDP to robotic distal pancreatectomy (RDP) are lacking. The aim of this study is to present a prospective comparison between the two techniques. METHODS: Since November 2011, all patients suitable for minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy were assigned either to LDP or RDP, depending on the availability of the Da Vinci(®) Surgical System for our Surgical Unit. Demographics, clinical, and intra- and postoperative data, including estimated costs of the procedure, were prospectively collected. Follow-up included cross-sectional imaging ended on April 2014. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients underwent RDP and 21 LDP; patients' characteristics were similar. The median operative time was longer and procedures' cost was double in RDP group. The conversion to open rate and the median length of postoperative hospital stay were 4.5 % and 7 days, respectively, in both groups. Pancreatic fistula developed in 57.1 % (12/21) and 50 % (11/22) of LDP and RDP, respectively (p = 0.870), being grade A the most frequent. Mortality was nil and an R0 resection was achieved in all Patients. The overall number of lymph nodes harvested was similar between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both RDP and LDP are valid techniques for the treatment of distal pancreatic tumors. The advantages of RDP are claimed by many but still under investigation. Some of these advantages are more subjective than objective, and it seems difficult to demonstrate a real superiority of one technique over the other in a standardized fashion. In our experience, laparoscopy has not been abandoned in favor of the robot: we continue to perform both approaches choosing upon single patient's characteristics.

Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy: analysis of trends in surgical techniques, patient selection, and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: This study analyzed the time trends of demographic, operative, and pathologic variables in a consecutive series of patients undergoing laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP). In addition, we assessed the parameters potentially related to the learning curve, and evaluated the long-term outcomes. METHODS: LDP performed between 1999 and 2012 (minimum follow-up of 1 year) were included in the study. The time trends were studied categorizing the operative sequence in three equal groups, and the parameters related to the learning curve were assessed using local regression techniques. All the analyses were stratified by operation type (associated splenectomy vs. spleen-preserving procedures). RESULTS: The study population consisted of 100 patients. There were 57 LDP with associated splenectomy and 41 spleen-preserving LDP; conversion was necessary in 2 cases. The time trend analysis showed that there was not a tendency toward broadening the indications or selecting more difficult cases. Similarly, the study of learning curve components did not show any significant variation over time. Only 45 splenectomized patients received prophylactic vaccinations, and one unvaccinated patient developed an overwhelming post-splenectomy infection. At a median follow-up of 72.5 months, 12 patients developed diabetes mellitus, while 8 patients undergoing spleen-preserving LDP developed gastric and perigastric varices. CONCLUSION: This analysis did not identify parameters related to the patient selection process and the learning curve in LDP. The incidence of new-onset diabetes was lower than reported in other series. The possibility of serious infections following splenectomy has to be taken into account, such that a strict adherence to vaccine protocols is strongly recommended.

State of the art in robotic hepatobiliary surgery.

Hepatobiliary (HB) surgery is a challenging surgical subspecialty that requires highly specialized training and an adequate level of experience in order to be performed safely. As a result, minimally invasive HB surgery has been met with slower acceptance as compared to other subspecialties, with many surgeons in the field still reluctant to adopt the approach. Recently development of the robotic platform has provided a tool that can overcome many of the limitations of conventional laparoscopic HB surgery. Augmented dexterity enabled by the endowristed movements, software filtration of the surgeon's movements, and high-definition three-dimensional vision provided by the stereoscopic camera combine to allow steady and careful dissection of the liver hilum structures, as well as prompt and precise endosuturing in cases of intraoperative bleeding. These advantages have fostered many centers to widen the indications for minimally invasive HB and gastric surgery, with encouraging initial results. As one of the surgical groups that has performed the largest number of robot-assisted procedures worldwide, we provide a review of the state of the art in minimally invasive robot-assisted HB surgery.