Robotic-assisted ventral hernia repair: a multicenter evaluation of clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The open approach continues to be widely performed for ventral hernia repair, while the minimally invasive laparoscopic approach has grown adoption over the last decade. Recently, robotic operation was described as a new modality due to the ease for performing intracorporeal closure of the hernia defect. This study is one of the first multi-institutional case series evaluating robotic-assisted laparoscopic ventral hernia repairs, with the goal of describing robotic-assisted surgical techniques for ventral and incisional hernia repair and the outcomes in teaching and community hospital settings. METHODS: Medical records of consecutive patients (including surgeon's learning curve cases) who underwent ventral or incisional hernia repair utilizing the da Vinci Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical Inc, Sunnyvale CA) were retrospectively reviewed. Data collected included preoperative history and perioperative outcomes. RESULTS: Data for a total of 368 patients from four institutions involving five surgeons were analyzed. They were predominantly females (60.3 %), and the mean age was 51 years. The majority of the patients were obese or morbidly obese (47.8 and 20.9 %), and 83.2 % of the patients had a history of prior abdominal operation. Conversion rate was 0.8 %, and mean length of stay was 1 day. Total postoperative complications rate up to 30 days was 8.4 %, of which incidence of paralytic ileus was 2.4 %. CONCLUSION: This large case series of 368 patients demonstrates reproducibility of safety and performance associated with robotic-assisted ventral hernia repairs performed by five surgeons at four institutions. In addition, the results of short term perioperative outcomes for surgeons during their early experience for robotic-assisted cases are in the range of what is reported in the existing published data on laparoscopic and open ventral hernia repairs. Further comparative evidence initiatives are being pursued to determine the benefits of robotic-assisted technique and technology for long-term and patient-reported outcomes.

Current perspectives in robotic hernia repair.

The surgical treatment of hernias has developed throughout the evolution of surgery. The fascination with hernia surgery is in part driven by its prevalence and by the variety of treatment options. Minimally invasive hernia surgery has a goal of a robust repair with minimal complications, and new robotic techniques are being developed in complex abdominal wall hernias with promising results. This review focuses on inguinal, ventral, and incisional hernias and their outcomes with a discussion on the traditional open, laparoscopic, and robotic techniques. The prevalence of minimally invasive hernia surgery and its advantages are also outlined. We highlight our experience in these procedures, specifically robotic herniorrhaphy, as it pertains to ventral incisional and inguinal hernia repair. We conclude that the robotic platform is proving to be a benefit to hernia repair. Many studies are showing its feasibility and comparable results to standard laparoscopy, and some have shown improved results, including shorter hospital stay without significant increases in cost. The robotic option of hernia repair has resulted in an increase in minimally invasive hernia repair, a number that has remained stagnant for the last decade. With more surgeons gaining training and experience and greater availability of the robotic platform, we expect to see greater numbers of minimally invasive hernia repair.

A multicenter study of initial experience with single-incision robotic cholecystectomies (SIRC) demonstrating a high success rate in 465 cases.

BACKGROUND: Recently, the robotic single-site platform has been used to ameliorate the difficulties seen in single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILC) while preserving the benefits of standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The purpose of this study is to describe the clinical outcomes of a large series of single-incision robotic cholecystectomy (SIRC). METHODS: Medical records of consecutive patients who underwent SIRC were retrospectively reviewed. All procedures were performed by six surgeons at five different North American centers involved in the study. All patients included in the study underwent a cholecystectomy attempted through single site at the umbilicus, using the da Vinci(®) Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical Inc. Sunnyvale, CA). RESULTS: A total of 465 patients met study criteria. Median age was 48 years (range 18-89); 351 (75.5 %) were female and 304 (66.4 %) were overweight or obese. Except for gender, case characteristics differed significantly by surgeon/site. Previous abdominal surgery was reported for 226 (48.6 %) cases. SIRC was successfully completed in 455 (97.8 %) cases, and there were no conversions to open surgery. Median surgical time was 52 min with a decreasing trend after 55-85 cases. Male gender, obesity and diagnoses other than biliary dyskinesia were independent predictors of longer surgical times. The complication rate was 2.6 %. CONCLUSIONS: Our large, multicenter study demonstrates that robotic single-site cholecystectomy is safe and feasible in a wide range of patients.

Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair with primary closure versus no primary closure of the defect: potential benefits of the robotic technology.

BACKGROUND: Some authors recommend primary closure of the defect before placement of the mesh. The purpose of this study is to compare laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) without primary closure of the defect (NPCD) versus LVHR with primary closure of the defect (PCD). METHODS: A retrospective review of 134 LVHR was performed. Each group included 67 cases. For the PCD group the robotic platform was used. RESULTS: Groups were similar in terms of demographics and comorbidities. For NPCD and PCD groups mean surgical time was 87.9±53.1 and 107.6±33.9 minutes (p = 0.012); conversion to open surgery was seen in 3(4.5%) and 1(1.5%) (p = 0.310); complications were 7(10.4%) and 2(3%) (p = 0.084); and finally, recurrences were seen in 5(7.5%) and 1(1.5%) (p = 0.095). CONCLUSIONS: PCD has longer surgical time, however, a tendency in terms of complications and recurrences was found favoring the PCD group. The robotic assistance is a good alternative when primary closure of the defect is attempted.

Rare use of robotic surgery for removal of large urachal carcinoma.

Minimally invasive surgery has been used traditionally for removal of colorectal, gastric and gallbladder disease pathologies with great success. Many advantages have been demonstrated with the addition of robotic surgery, such as 3-D visualization, articulation of instruments and improved surgeon ergonomics while operating. These benefits have allowed the implementation of robotic surgery into new areas. We describe here a rare case of a robotic resection of an urachal carcinoma. A 53-year-old female patient presented to her primary care physician (PCP) with a chief complaint of recurrent urinary tract infections. An initial urinary bladder ultrasound showed a large mass anterior and superior to the bladder, thus prompting an abdominal/pelvic MRI, which confirmed a large complex cystic mass anterior to and abutting the urinary bladder (5.4 × 6.7 × 5.9 cm). A follow-up cystoscopy showed no abnormal findings within the bladder. Based on the patient's symptoms and imaging, a careful evaluation by her PCP, oncology and surgical team prompted for the removal of the mass. Because of the uncertainty, complexity and location of the mass the patient was offered surgical treatment with the da Vinci robot. Histopathology revealed an urachal adenocarcinoma, well differentiated. We present that surgical resection of an urachal tumor can be performed with the da Vinci robot. Robotic surgery can add to the benefits seen with the conventional laparoscopic approach and thus can be an accepted method for treatment of abdominal wall masses.

Robotic sleeve gastrectomy: experience of 134 cases and comparison with a systematic review of the laparoscopic approach.

BACKGROUND: Robotic technology has recently emerged in different surgical specialties, but the experience with robotic sleeve gastrectomy (RSG) is scarce in the literature. The purpose of this study is to compare our preliminary experience with RSG versus the descriptive results of a systematic review of the laparoscopic approach. METHODS: Data from our RSG experience were retrospectively collected. Two surgeons performed all the cases in one single surgery center. Such information was compared with a systematic review of 22 selected studies that included 3,148 laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) cases. RSG were performed using the daVinci Surgical System. RESULTS: This study included 134 RSG vs. 3,148 LSG. Mean age and mean BMI was 43 ± 12.6 vs. 40.7 ± 11.6 (p = 0.022), and 45 ± 7.1 vs. 43.6 ± 8.1 (p = 0.043), respectively. Leaks were found in 0 RSG vs. 1.97% LSG (p = 0.101); strictures in 0 vs. 0.43% (p = 0.447); bleeding in 0.7 vs. 1.21% (p = 0.594); and mortality in 0 vs. 0.1% (p = 0.714), respectively. Mean surgical time was calculated in 106.6 ± 48.8 vs. 94.5 ± 39.9 min (p = 0.006); and mean hospital length of stay was 2.2 ± 0.6 vs. 3.3 ± 1.7 days (p = <0.005), respectively. Four (2.9%) complications were found in our robotic series. CONCLUSIONS: Our series shows that RSG is a safe alternative when used in bariatric surgery, showing similar results as the laparoscopic approach. Surgical time is longer in the robotic approach, while hospital length of stay is lower. No leaks or strictures were found in the robotic cases. However, further studies with larger sample size and randomization are warranted.

Robotic repair of giant paraesophageal hernias.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Giant paraesophageal hernia accounts for 5% of all hiatal hernias, and it is commonly seen in elderly patients with comorbidities. Some series report complication rates up to 28%, recurrence rates between 10% and 25%, and a mortality rate close to 2%. Recently, the da Vinci Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) has shown equivocal benefits when used for elective surgeries, whereas for complex procedures, the benefits appear to be clearer. The purpose of this study is to present our preliminary experience in robotic giant paraesophageal hernia repair. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data from patients who had a diagnosis of giant paraesophageal hernia and underwent a paraesophageal hernia repair with the da Vinci Surgical System. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (12 women [63.1%]) underwent surgery for giant paraesophageal hernia at our center. The mean age was 70.4 ± 13.9 years (range, 40-97 years). The mean American Society of Anesthesiologists score was 2.15. The mean surgical time and hospital length of stay were 184.5 ± 96.2 minutes (range, 96-395 minutes) and 4.3 days (range, 2-22 days), respectively. Nissen fundoplications were performed in 3 cases (15.7%), and 16 patients (84.2%) had mesh placed. Six patients (31.5%) presented with gastric volvulus, and 2 patients had other herniated viscera (colon and duodenum). There were 2 surgery-related complications (10.5%) (1 dysphagia that required dilatation and 1 pleural injury) and 1 conversion to open repair (partial gastric resection). No recurrences or deaths were observed in this series. CONCLUSION: In our experience robotic giant paraesophageal hernia repair is not different from the laparoscopic approach in terms of complications and mortality rate, but it may be associated with lower recurrence rates. However, larger series with longer follow-up are necessary to further substantiate our results.

Possible available treatment option for early stage, small, node-negative, and HER2-overexpressing breast cancer.

Trastuzumab is known for its clinical activity in women with HER2-overexpressing breast cancer. Randomized clinical trials have shown significant improvement in disease-free and overall survival with trastuzumab administered in conjunction with adjuvant chemotherapy for early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer. However, there is no direct evidence of clinical benefit from adjuvant trastuzumab in patients with node-negative, HER2-overexpressing, small (T1a-b) breast cancers. Previous literature shows that most breast cancers with node-negative small tumors have a good prognosis, but HER2-overexpressing disease might still be worse in this population. Some recent retrospective studies showed that an adjuvant trastuzumab-based regimen has a better prognostic effect, even in patients with node-negative, HER2-overexpressing, small breast cancers, although absolute survival differences were small. On the basis of the available literature, we believe that trastuzumab should be considered for patients with minimal HER2-overexpressing disease, although tools for accurate selection of patients at risk of relapse still need to be developed.

Lapatinib: new opportunities for management of breast cancer.

Approximately 20% of new diagnosed breast cancers overexpress the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (EGFR2), also known as erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 2 (ERBB2) protein, as a consequence of ERBB2 gene amplification, resulting in a poor prognosis. Clinical outcome can be substantially improved by ERBB2-targeted therapy. Lapatinib is a potent, orally bioavailable small molecule that reversibly and selectively inhibits epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR1 or ERBB1) and ERBB2 tyrosine kinases. Lapatinib binds the adenosine triphosphate-binding site of the receptor's intracellular domain to inhibit tumor cell growth. This review summarizes the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and tolerability of lapatinib, and reviews both Food and Drug Administration-approved and investigational uses of lapatinib in breast cancer therapy. The drug is generally well tolerated in patients, with diarrhea and rashes being the most common (usually mild or moderate) adverse effects. Unlike trastuzumab, lapatinib has infrequent adverse effects on cardiac function. Lapatinib has substantial activity for advanced ERBB2-positive breast cancer, particularly in combination with capecitabine, following progression after anthracyclines, taxanes, and trastuzumab. Lapatinib combined with capecitabine yielded significant improvements in time to progression and response rate compared with capecitabine alone. This drug can also be combined with letrozole for the treatment of postmenopausal women with ERBB2-positive breast cancer, for whom hormonal therapy is indicated. Lapatinib has shown early promise in treatment of central nervous system metastasis and is being further evaluated in various clinical settings.