Surgical Techniques and Related Perioperative Outcomes After Robot-assisted Minimally Invasive Gastrectomy (RAMIG): Results From the Prospective Multicenter International Ugira Gastric Registry.

OBJECTIVE: To gain insight in global practice of RAMIG and evaluated perioperative outcomes using an international registry. BACKGROUND: The techniques and perioperative outcomes of robot-assisted minimally invasive gastrectomy (RAMIG) for gastric cancer vary substantially in literature. METHODS: Prospectively registered RAMIG-cases for gastric cancer (≥10 per center) were extracted from 25 centers in Europe, Asia and South-America. Techniques for the resection, reconstruction, anastomosis and lymphadenectomy were analyzed, and related to perioperative surgical and oncological outcomes. Complications were uniformly defined by the Gastrectomy Complications Consensus Group. RESULTS: Between 2020-2023, 759 patients underwent total (n=272), distal (n=465) or proximal (n=22) gastrectomy (RAMIG). After total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y-reconstruction, anastomotic leakage rates were 8% with hand-sewn (n=9/111) and 6% with linear stapled anastomoses (n=6/100). After distal gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y (67%) or Billroth-II-reconstruction (31%), anastomotic leakage rates were 3% with linear stapled (n=11/433) and 0% with hand-sewn anastomoses (n=0/26). Extent of lymphadenectomy consisted of D1+ (28%), D2 (59%) or D2+ (12%). Median nodal harvest yielded 31 nodes [IQR 21-47] after total and 34 nodes [IQR 24-47] after distal gastrectomy. R0-resection rates were 93% after total and 96% distal gastrectomy. Hospital stay was 9 days after total and distal gastrectomy, and was 3 days shorter without perianastomotic drains versus routine drain placement. Postoperative 30-day mortality was 1%. CONCLUSIONS: This large multicenter study provided a worldwide overview of current RAMIG-techniques with their respective perioperative outcomes. These outcomes demonstrated high surgical quality, set a quality standard for RAMIG and can be considered an international reference for surgical standardization.

Expectations of Continuous Vital Signs Monitoring for Recognizing Complications After Esophagectomy: Interview Study Among Nurses and Surgeons.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing esophagectomy are at serious risk of developing postoperative complications. To support early recognition of clinical deterioration, wireless sensor technologies that enable continuous vital signs monitoring in a ward setting are emerging. OBJECTIVE: This study explored nurses' and surgeons' expectations of the potential effectiveness and impact of continuous wireless vital signs monitoring in patients admitted to the ward after esophagectomy. METHODS: Semistructured interviews were conducted at 3 esophageal cancer centers in the Netherlands. In each center, 2 nurses and 2 surgeons were interviewed regarding their expectations of continuous vital signs monitoring for early recognition of complications after esophagectomy. Historical data of patient characteristics and clinical outcomes were collected in each center and presented to the local participants to support estimations on clinical outcome. RESULTS: The majority of nurses and surgeons expected that continuous vital signs monitoring could contribute to the earlier recognition of deterioration and result in earlier treatment for postoperative complications, although the effective time gain would depend on patient and situational factors. Their expectations regarding the impact of potential earlier diagnosis on clinical outcomes varied. Nevertheless, most caregivers would consider implementing continuous monitoring in the surgical ward to support patient monitoring after esophagectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Caregivers expected that wireless vital signs monitoring would provide opportunities for early detection of postoperative complications in patients undergoing esophagectomy admitted to the ward and prevent sequelae under certain circumstances. As the technology matures, clinical outcome studies will be necessary to objectify these expectations and further investigate overall effects on patient outcome.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in the elderly: is age a determining factor in our outcomes?

BACKGROUND: While patients are becoming older and the prevalence of obesity increases worldwide, literature on the impact of age on outcomes after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is scarce. The balance between surgical risks and clinical benefits of LRYGB are unclear in relation to age. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of age on the risk of postoperative complications, postoperative weight loss, and remission of co-morbidities for patients who underwent LRYGB. SETTING: A high-volume center for bariatric surgery. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 582 patients who underwent LRYGB was performed. Linear logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the potential impact of age on the postoperative percentage of total weight loss (%TWL). Multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate whether age was independently associated with the risk of postoperative complications and likelihood of remission of co-morbidities (hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia). In addition, these outcomes were descriptively analyzed for the following 3 age groups: the young (18-39 yr), the middle aged (40-59 yr), and the elderly (≥60 yr). RESULTS: Patients with hypertension were more prone to developing postoperative complications (odds ratio 2.435, 95% confidence interval: 1.241-4.777) and no other factors were found to be associated with the risk of postoperative complications. Older age was significantly associated with lower %TWL at a postoperative follow-up of 6 (ß = -.117, P = .004), 12 (ß = -.177, P < .001), and 36 months (ß = -.169, P = .001), but not at 60 months (ß = -.097, P = .161). Nonetheless, a %TWL of 30% was observed in patients who were >60 years at the time of surgery. Age was not associated with the likelihood of co-morbidity resolution after LRYGB. The remission of hypertension was less likely in patients with co-existence of diabetes (odds ratio .334, 95% confidence interval: .136-.821) and in patients with a longer length of postoperative follow-up (odds ratio .982, 95% confidence interval: .966-.998). CONCLUSIONS: Although older age seems to be associated with lower postoperative %TWL, elderly patients can still achieve a %TWL of 30% after LRYGB. In this study, age was not found to be an independent predictor of postoperative complications nor the likelihood of co-morbidity resolution. Therefore, older age alone should not be an absolute contraindication for LRYGB.