Precision in robotic rectal surgery using the da Vinci Xi system and integrated table motion, a technical note.

Robotic rectal surgery is becoming increasingly more popular among colorectal surgeons. However, time spent on robotic platform docking, arm clashing and undocking of the platform during the procedure are factors that surgeons often find cumbersome and time consuming. The newest surgical platform, the da Vinci Xi, coupled with integrated table motion can help to overcome these problems. This technical note aims to describe a standardised operative technique of single docking robotic rectal surgery using the da Vinci Xi system and integrated table motion. A stepwise approach of the da Vinci docking process and surgical technique is described accompanied by an intra-operative video that demonstrates this technique. We also present data collected from a prospectively maintained database. 33 consecutive rectal cancer patients (24 male, 9 female) received robotic rectal surgery with the da Vinci Xi during the preparation of this technical note. 29 (88%) patients had anterior resections, and four (12%) had abdominoperineal excisions. There were no conversions, no anastomotic leaks and no mortality. Median operation time was 331 (249-372) min, blood loss 20 (20-45) mls and length of stay 6.5 (4-8) days. 30-day readmission rate and re-operation rates were 3% (n = 1). This standardised technique of single docking robotic rectal surgery with the da Vinci Xi is safe, feasible and reproducible. The technological advances of the new robotic system facilitate the totally robotic single docking approach.

Evaluating the Safety of Intraoperative Antiarrhythmics in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Patients.

Cardiac arrhythmias occurring during the intraoperative period for cardiac surgery have been associated with excess morbidity and mortality. Several antiarrhythmics have been utilized for the management of intraoperative arrhythmias. These antiarrhythmic medications can cause undesirable adverse outcomes in the intensive care setting. The incidence and treatment of adult intraoperative arrhythmias have been studied. In addition, the prevalence, risk factors, and optimal treatment of pediatric postoperative arrhythmias have also been studied. However, the literature has not been published on intraoperative antiarrhythmia treatment during pediatric cardiac surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine the safety of intraoperative antiarrhythmic medications utilized in pediatric cardiac surgery patients. This was a retrospective review of all patients who received an intraoperative antiarrhythmic in the cardiovascular operating room at Texas Children's Hospital. Patients were included if they underwent cardiovascular surgery from November 2008 to July 2013 and were excluded if antiarrhythmics were given intraoperatively for other indications (i.e., esmolol for hypertension) or if patients were older than 18 years of age. Safety of antiarrhythmic treatment was determined by the absence or presence of adverse events. Control or recurrence of the arrhythmia was analyzed as a secondary measure to help determine antiarrhythmic efficacy. A total of 45 patients were identified (53.3 % male). Patients were a median of 0.52 years at the time of surgery. Primary surgery types were tetralogy of Fallot repair (n = 6; 13.3 %) and ventricular septal defect closure (n = 5, 11.1 %). Thirty-one patients (68.9 %) had documented adverse events after the administration of antiarrhythmics. Most of these adverse events occurred after the administration of amiodarone (n = 16; 51.6 %) followed by esmolol (n = 15; 48.4 %). Fifty-one percent of the arrhythmias resolved in the operating room (n = 23), and nearly half (n = 19) of all patients were discharged home on an antiarrhythmic medication. A high incidence of adverse events was associated with intraoperative administration of antiarrhythmic medications.

Myocardial performance index with sevoflurane-pancuronium versus fentanyl-midazolam-pancuronium in infants with a functional single ventricle.

BACKGROUND: Patients with congenital heart disease characterized by a functional single ventricle make up an increasing number of patients presenting for cardiac or noncardiac surgery. Conventional echocardiographic methods to measure left ventricular function, i.e., ejection fraction, are invalid in these patients because of altered ventricular geometry. Two recently described Doppler echocardiographic modalities, the myocardial performance index and Doppler tissue imaging, can be applied to single-ventricle patients because they are independent of ventricular geometry. This study assessed the changes in myocardial performance index and Doppler tissue imaging in response to two anesthetic regimens, fentanyl-midazolam-pancuronium and sevoflurane-pancuronium. METHODS: Thirty patients aged 4-12 months with a functional single ventricle were randomized to receive fentanyl-midazolam or sevoflurane. Myocardial performance index and Doppler tissue imaging were measured by transthoracic echocardiography at baseline and two clinically relevant dose levels. RESULTS: Sixteen patients receiving sevoflurane and 14 receiving fentanyl-midazolam were studied. Myocardial performance index was unchanged from baseline with either agent (fentanyl-midazolam: 0.50 +/- 15 baseline vs. 0.51 +/- 0.15 at dose 2; sevoflurane: 0.42 +/- 0.14 baseline vs. 0.46 +/- 0.09 at dose 2). Doppler tissue imaging S (systolic)- and E (early diastolic)-wave velocities in the lateral ventricular walls at the level of the atrioventricular valve annulus were unchanged in the sevoflurane group; however, both Doppler tissue imaging S- and E-wave velocities were decreased significantly from baseline at dose 1 and dose 2 with fentanyl-midazolam, consistent with decreased longitudinal systolic and diastolic ventricular function. CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial performance index, a global measurement of combined systolic and diastolic ventricular function, is not affected by commonly used doses of fentanyl-midazolam or sevoflurane in infants with a functional single ventricle.