Robot-assisted intracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion: A two-center comparative study of Bricker versus Wallace ureteroileal anastomosis.

INTRODUCTION: This study was performed to evaluate the differences in the perioperative results, renal function, and incidence of hydronephrosis over time between the use of Bricker anastomosis and Wallace anastomosis for robot-assisted intracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion (RICIC). METHODS: Fifty-five patients who underwent RICIC at two institutions were evaluated (Bricker, n = 23; Wallace, n = 32). We investigated changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate and hydronephrosis before surgery and at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: The patients in the Bricker group were significantly older than those in the Wallace group. The urinary diversion time was significantly longer in the Bricker group. No significant difference in postoperative renal function was observed. Additionally, no significant difference was observed in the incidence of postoperative hydronephrosis. However, the incidence of right hydronephrosis tended to be high overall, especially in the Wallace group. No patients in either group required repair surgery or ureteral stent placement. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing RICIC, there was no difference in postoperative renal function or the incidence of hydronephrosis between Wallace and Bricker anastomosis. Symptomatic hydronephrosis was not observed in either group. The present study showed that each method was equally effective and safe.

Environmental impact of hybrid (reusable/single-use) ports versus single-use equivalents in robotic surgery.

Given the rise in robotic surgery, and parallel movement towards net zero carbon, sustainable healthcare systems, it is important that the environmental impact of robotic approaches is minimised. The majority of greenhouse gas emissions associated with robotic surgery have previously been associated with single-use items. Whilst switching from single-use products to hybrid equivalents (predominantly reusable, with a small single-use component) has previously been found to reduce the environmental impact of a range of products used for laparoscopic surgery, the generalisability of this to robotic surgery has not previously been demonstrated. In this life cycle assessment, use of hybrid 5 mm ports compatible with emerging robotic systems (143 g CO2e) was found to reduce the carbon footprint by 83% compared with using single-use equivalents (816 g CO2e), accompanied by reductions in fifteen out of eighteen midpoint environmental impact categories. For endpoint categories, there was an 81% reduction in impact on human health and species loss, and 82% reductions in resource depletion associated with using hybrid robotic 5 mm ports. Whilst the carbon footprint of 5 mm hybrid ports compatible with emerging robotic equipment was 70% higher than previous estimates of ports appropriate for conventional laparoscopic approaches, the six-fold reductions seen with hybrids in this analysis point to the generalisability of the finding that reusable or hybrid products have a lower carbon footprint when compared with single-use equivalents. Surgeons, procurement teams, and policy makers should encourage innovation towards clinically safe and effective robotic instruments with maximal reusable components.

Is the robotic approach the future of distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy? A propensity score matched analysis.

Our study provides a comparative analysis of the Laparo-Endoscopic Single Site (LESS) and robotic surgical approaches for distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy, examining their cosmetic advantages, patient outcomes, and operative efficiencies through propensity score matching (PSM). We prospectively followed 174 patients undergoing either the LESS or robotic procedure, matched by cell type, tumor size, age, sex, and BMI from 2012 to 2023. Propensity score matching (PSM) was utilized for data adjustment, with results presented as median (mean ± SD). Post-PSM analysis showed no significant differences in age or BMI between the two groups. LESS approach exhibited a shorter operative duration (180(180 ± 52.0) vs. 248(262 ± 78.5) minutes, p = 0.0002), but increased estimated blood loss (200(317 ± 394.4) vs. 100 (128 ± 107.2) mL, p = 0.04). Rates of intraoperative and postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, readmissions within 30 days, in-hospital mortalities, and costs were comparably similar between the two procedures. While the robotic approach led to lower blood loss, LESS was more time-efficient. Patient outcomes were similar in both methods, suggesting that the choice between these surgical techniques should balance cosmetic appeal with technical considerations.

Predictive factors of renal function after robot-assisted partial nephrectomy in clinical T1b tumors.

Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) has been shown to be a safe and effective method for treatment of small renal tumors, including clinical T1b renal cell carcinoma (RCC); however, the impact of RAPN for cT1b renal tumors on renal function is not well understood. In this retrospective study, 50 patients who underwent RAPN for cT1b renal tumors were evaluated for pre- and post-operative renal function and perioperative clinical factors. Renal function was assessed using the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at baseline and on postoperative days (POD) 1, 7, 30, and 180.A significant renal functional decline was defined as ≥ 15% reduction in eGFR at POD180 compared with eGFR at baseline. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors for renal function decline, including age, sex, RENAL nephrometry score, operative time, and estimated blood loss. The median patient age was 62 years, and the median tumor diameter and RENAL nephrometry score were 44 mm (IQR 43-50) and 8 (IQR 7-9), respectively. Of these patients, 16 (36%) showed a significant renal functional decline at POD 180. In the multivariate analysis, the L component of the RENAL nephrometry score and an estimated blood loss of 200 mL or more were identified as significant risk factors for renal functional decline. These findings suggest that the preoperatively definable L component of the RENAL nephrometry score and intraoperative blood loss, which may be modifiable factors, play significant roles in post-RAPN renal function decline.

Conversion to Radical Nephrectomy From Robotic Partial Nephrectomy Is Most Commonly Due to Anatomic and Oncologic Complexity.

PURPOSE: Partial nephrectomy is standard-of-care treatment for small renal masses. As utilization of partial nephrectomy increases and includes larger and complex tumors, the risk of conversion to radical nephrectomy likely increases. We evaluated incidence and reason for conversion to radical nephrectomy in patients scheduled for partial nephrectomy by surgeons participating in MUSIC (the Michigan Urologic Surgery Improvement Collaborative). MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients in whom robotic partial nephrectomy was planned were stratified by completed procedure (robotic partial nephrectomy vs radical nephrectomy). Preoperative and intraoperative records were reviewed for preoperative assessment of difficulty and reason for conversion. Patient, tumor, pathologic, and practice variables were compared between cohorts. RESULTS: Of 650 patients scheduled for robotic partial nephrectomy, conversion to radical nephrectomy occurred in 27 (4.2%) patients. No conversions to open were reported. Preoperative documentation indicated a plan for possible conversion in 18 (67%) patients including partial with possible radical (n = 8), partial vs radical (n = 6), or likely radical nephrectomy (n = 4). Intraoperative documentation indicated that only 5 (19%) conversions were secondary to bleeding, with the remaining conversions due to tumor complexity and/or oncologic concerns. Patients undergoing conversion had larger (4.7 vs 2.8 cm, P < .001) and higher-complexity tumors (64% vs 6%, P < .001) with R.E.N.A.L. (for radius, exophytic/endophytic, nearness of tumor to collecting system, anterior/posterior, location relative to polar line) nephrometry score ≥ 10. The converted cases had a higher rate of ≥ pT3 (27% vs 8.4%, P = .008). CONCLUSIONS: There was a low rate of conversion from robotic partial to radical nephrectomy in the MUSIC-KIDNEY (Kidney mass: Identifying and Defining Necessary Evaluation and therapY) collaborative, and an even lower risk of conversion due to uncontrolled bleeding. Targeted review of each conversion identified appropriate decision-making based on oncologic risk in most cases.

100 anastomoses: a two-year single-center experience with robotic-assisted micro- and supermicrosurgery for lymphatic reconstruction.

Robotic-assisted microsurgery has gained significant attention in recent years following the introduction of two dedicated microsurgical robotic systems specifically designed for this purpose. These feature higher degrees of movement and motion scaling which are useful tools, especially when performing surgery in areas of the body which are difficult to access. Robotic-assisted microsurgery has been implemented in lymphatic surgery as well as soft tissue reconstructive surgery at our institution over the past 2.5 years. Our study gives an insight into the details and outcomes of the first 100 consecutive (super-) microsurgical anastomoses in peripheral and central lymphatic reconstruction performed with the Symani® Surgical System between 2021 and 2024. In total, 67 patients were treated, receiving robotic-assisted lymphatic reconstruction with lymphatic tissue transfer (LTT) and/or lymphovenous anastomoses (LVA)/lympholymphatic anastomoses (LLA). No anastomosis-associated complications were recorded postoperatively. The majority of patients reported a postoperative improvement of their lymphedema or central lymphatic disorder. In conclusion, we show the successful implementation of the Symani® Surgical System into our clinical practice of lymphatic reconstruction. Although the necessary intraoperative setup and the use of intrinsic motion scaling lead to a slight increase in operating time, the presented study demonstrates the advantages of robotic assistance which becomes particularly evident in lymphatic surgery due to the involved deep surgical sites and the need for supermicrosurgical techniques.

Prostatic Fossa Pseudoaneurysm After Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy (RARP): A Case Report.

BACKGROUND RARP is an established procedure in treatment of localized prostate cancer. Hemorrhagic complications in the postoperative period are rare, but sometimes life-threatening. Adequate monitoring and prompt intervention in these unusual scenarios rely on clinical judgement and blood and imaging studies. Prostatic fossa pseudoaneurysm formation after RARP is very rare and its etiology is not well known; it may be related to small vessel trauma. It becomes apparent with the development of hematuria 1-6 weeks after surgery. CASE REPORT A 58-year-old man underwent RARP with extended lymph node dissection for intermediate-risk prostate cancer, with bilateral preservation of neurovascular bundles and puboprostatic ligaments. He was discharged on day 2 without complications. In the following 4 weeks he came to the Emergency Department 3 times with hematuria and acute urinary retention. Four weeks after surgery, a pelvic CT angiogram showed a 20-mm pseudoaneurysm in the prostatic fossa, which was embolized by percutaneous angiography, with resolution of symptoms. He was discharged soon thereafter. CONCLUSIONS This case study describes a patient with prostatic fossa pseudoaneurysm after RARP. It was diagnosed 1 month after surgery and effectively managed by percutaneous embolization. Despite being a very rare condition, it must be kept in mind, especially when postoperative hematuria develops 1-6 weeks after surgery. Use of a management algorithm including serial blood tests, CT angiogram, and percutaneous angiography can lead to early detection and avoid life-threatening hemorrhage and overall postoperative morbidity.

The evolution of robotics: research and application progress of dental implant robotic systems.

The use of robots to augment human capabilities and assist in work has long been an aspiration. Robotics has been developing since the 1960s when the first industrial robot was introduced. As technology has advanced, robotic-assisted surgery has shown numerous advantages, including more precision, efficiency, minimal invasiveness, and safety than is possible with conventional techniques, which are research hotspots and cutting-edge trends. This article reviewed the history of medical robot development and seminal research papers about current research progress. Taking the autonomous dental implant robotic system as an example, the advantages and prospects of medical robotic systems would be discussed which would provide a reference for future research.

Renal artery pseudoaneurysm following robot assisted nephron sparing surgery: two case reports.

BACKGROUND: Renal artery pseudoaneurysm following partial nephrectomy is a rare entity, the incidence of this entity is more common following penetrating abdominal injuries, percutaneous renal interventions such as percutaneous nephrostomy(PCN) or Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Although rare, renal artery pseudoaneurysm can be life threatening if not managed timely, they usually present within two weeks postoperatively with usual presenting complains being gross haematuria, flank pain and/or anaemia. CASE PRESENTATION: We report case of two female patients 34 and 57 year old respectively of South Asian ethnicity, presenting with renal artery pseudoaneurysm following left sided robot assisted nephron sparing surgery for interpolar masses presenting clinically with total, painless, gross haematuria with clots within fifteen days postoperatively and their successful treatment by digital subtraction angiography and coil embolization. CONCLUSION: Renal artery aneurysm is a rare fatal complication of minimally invasive nephron sparing surgery however considering the preoperative and intraoperative risk factors for its development and prompt suspicion at the outset can be life saving with coil embolization of the bleeding arterial aneurysm.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal donor nephrectomy: a safe and efficient improvement.

PURPOSE: Reducing operative injuries is important in living donor nephrectomy. The robot-assisted transperitoneal approach has some advantages than traditional laparoscopic techniques. However, longer operation time and risks of abdominal complications indicate the need for improved techniques. The aim of this study is to present the robot-assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal donor nephrectomy and evaluate its safety and feasibility. METHODS: This was a retrospective study. From June 2016 to December 2020, 218 living donors underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal donor nephrectomy. Perioperative data such as operation time, warm ischemia time, length of stay and complications were collected and analyzed. To evaluate the feasibility of this surgical technique, the cumulative summation method was used to construct a learning curve. RESULTS: There were 60 male and 158 female donors aged 36-72 years, with an average age of 53.1 ± 6.8 years. Three patients (1.4%) were converted to open surgery. The mean operation time was 115.4 ± 41.9 min, the warm ischemia time was 206.6 ± 146.7 s, and the length of stay was 4.1 ± 1.4 days. Complications were reported in 22 patients (10.1%), three of whom (1.4%) had Clavien‒Dindo IIIa complications. No ileus occurred. No donors were readmitted. Four patients had delayed graft function. The cumulative summation curve showed that the number needed to reach proficiency was 33. The operation time and warm ischemia time after technical proficiency were 100.4 ± 21.6 min and 142.5 ± 50.7 s, respectively. CONCLUSION: Robot-assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal donor nephrectomy is a safe and efficient technique that offers advantages of shorter operation time and no abdominal organ interference.

Improvements of mid-thigh circumferences following robotic rehabilitation in hemiparetic stroke patients.

INTRODUCTION: Stroke has emerged as the leading cause of disability globally. The provision of long-term rehabilitation to stroke survivors poses a health care burden to many countries. Robotic devices have created a major turning point in stroke rehabilitation program. Currently, the anthropometric evidence to support the benefit of robotic rehabilitation (RR) among stroke patients is scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of RR on the mid-thigh circumferences of the paretic limbs in stroke patients. METHODS: Twenty stroke patients from conventional rehabilitation (CR) (n = 10) and RR (n = 10) groups were recruited through a purposive sampling method. Patients in the CR group received a two-hour session of a five-day-a-week home-based CR program for 4 weeks. Patients in the RR group received a five-day-a-week of an hour combined physiotherapy and occupational therapy session and a one-hour robotic therapy session using the HAL® Cyberdyne lower-limb, for 4 weeks. The mid-thigh circumferences of both limbs were measured on day 1 (baseline), week 2 and week 4 of rehabilitation program. RESULTS: The results revealed no statistically significant difference in the mid-thigh circumferences between the paretic (F1.05,9.44 = 1.96, p = 0.20), and the normal (F1.05,9.44 = 1.96, p = 0.20) sides in the CR group (n = 10). For the comparison between the paretic and normal sides in the RR group (n = 10), the paretic mid-thigh circumferences revealed significant time effect results (F2,18 = 11.91, p = 0.001), which were due to changes between baseline and week 2, and baseline and week 4 measurements. Interestingly, the normal mid-thigh circumferences also revealed a significant time effect (F2,18 = 6.56, p = 0.007), which is due to changes between baseline and week 4. One-way analysis of variance was employed to compare the mean average between groups due to the difference in the baseline measurements of the mid-thigh circumferences between the paretic side of the CR and the RR groups. With this adjustment, the average means mid-thigh circumferences after 4 weeks of therapy were shown to be significantly different between the CR and RR groups (F1,18 = 12.49, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Significant increments in the mid-thigh circumferences following RR were seen in the paretic limbs of stroke patients. Hence, this study may provide some insights into further potential research related to the benefits of RR in stroke patients.

On the relationship between various anticoagulants and robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a single-surgeon serial analysis.

Prostate cancer patients often have other health conditions and take anticoagulants. It was believed that surgery under anticoagulants could worsen surgical results. This study aims to explore the safety of robot-assisted prostatectomy in anticoagulated patients, without any exclusion criteria. The study included 500 patients who underwent RARP by a single surgeon between April 2019 and August 2022. Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1, consisting of 376 men (75.2%), did not receive any anticoagulation, while Group 2, with 124 patients (24.8%), received different forms of anticoagulation. Then, the anticoagulation group was divided into 4 subgroups according to their definite anticoagulation: the aspirin 15.6%, new oral anticoagulants (NOAC) 5.4%, Vitamin K antagonist (VKA) 2%, and dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) 1.8% subgroup. Postoperative complications and readmission rates were compared between the two study groups and subgroups. Patients in the combined group 2 were older and they also carried more comorbidities compared to men in group 1 (p = 0.03, p = 0.001).The study groups had similar oncological results, with 40.4% of patients having locally advanced cancers. Catheter days were longer in the anticoagulation group (4.5 vs 4 days, p = 0.001). No significant differences were observed between study groups for overall, minor, and major complications (p = 0.160, 0.100, and 0.915, respectively). In addition, readmissions were low (5.6%) and similar between the study groups (p = 0.635). Under cautious management, RARP under diverse anticoagulation regimes is safe and has comparable results to men with no medications. Further prospective studies must be conducted to confirm our findings.

A meta-analysis of unilateral axillary approach for robotic surgery compared with open surgery for differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The Da Vinci Robot is the most advanced micro-control system in endoscopic surgical instruments and has gained a lot of valuable experience today. However, the technical feasibility and oncological safety of the robot over open surgery are still uncertain. This work is to systematically evaluate the efficacy of the unilateral axillary approach for robotic surgery compared to open surgery for differentiated thyroid carcinoma. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were utilized to search for relevant literatures of robotic thyroid surgery using unilateral axillary approach compared to open thyroid surgery, and a meta-analysis was performed using RevMan software version 5.3. Statistical analysis was performed through Mantle-Haenszel and inverse variance methods. RESULTS: Twelve studies with a total of 2660 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that compared with the open group, the robotic group had a longer total thyroidectomy time, shorter hospital stay, less intraoperative bleeding, more postoperative drainage, fewer retrieved central lymph nodes, and higher cosmetic satisfaction (all P < 0.05). In contrast, temporary and permanent laryngeal recurrent nerve injury, temporary and permanent hypoparathyroidism or hypocalcemia, brachial plexus nerve injury, number of retrieved central lymph nodes, number of retrieved lymph nodes in the lateral cervical region, number of lymph node metastases in the lateral cervical region, hematoma, seroma, lymphatic leak, stimulated thyroglobulin (sTg) and unstimulated thyroglobulin (uTg), and the number and recurrence rate of patients with sTg <1ng/ml were not statistically different between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The unilateral axillary approach for robotic thyroid surgery may achieve outcomes similar to those of open surgery. Further validation is required in a prospective randomized controlled trial.

Towards humanlike grasp in robotic hands: mechanical implementation of force synergies.

In the field of robotic hands, finger force coordination is usually achieved by complex mechanical structures and control systems. This study presents the design of a novel transmission system inspired from the physiological concept of force synergies, aiming to simplify the control of multifingered robotic hands. To this end, we collected human finger force data during six isometric grasping tasks, and force synergies (i.e. the synergy weightings and the corresponding activation coefficients) were extracted from the concatenated force data to explore their potential for force modulation. We then implemented two force synergies with a cable-driven transmission mechanism consisting of two spring-loaded sliders and five V-shaped bars. Specifically, we used fixed synergy weightings to determine the stiffness of the compression springs, and the displacements of sliders were determined by time-varying activation coefficients. The derived transmission system was then used to drive a five-finger robotic hand named SYN hand. We also designed a motion encoder to selectively activate desired fingers, making it possible for two motors to empower a variety of hand postures. Experiments on the prototype demonstrate successful grasp of a wide range of objects in everyday life, and the finger force distribution of SYN hand can approximate that of human hand during six typical tasks. To our best knowledge, this study shows the first attempt to mechanically implement force synergies for finger force modulation in a robotic hand. In comparison to state-of-the-art robotic hands with similar functionality, the proposed hand can distribute humanlike force ratios on the fingers by simple position control, rather than resorting to additional force sensors or complex control strategies. The outcome of this study may provide alternatives for the design of novel anthropomorphic robotic hands, and thus show application prospects in the field of hand prostheses and exoskeletons.

Robot-assisted distal gastrectomy and local resection for gastric cancer and gastrointestinal stromal tumor.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors surrounding the esophagogastric junction are often challenging to resect, with no consensus regarding the optimal surgical technique. Here in, we present a case of concurrent gastric cancer in the antrum and gastrointestinal stromal tumors adjacent to the esophagogastric junction. The patient underwent simultaneous distal gastrectomy and local resection assisted by a surgical robot, avoiding the need for total gastrectomy. The utilization of robot-assisted surgery has become an increasingly popular technique, holding promise for simplifying complex surgical procedures across diverse medical settings.

Thrombosed Persistent Median Artery with Coexisting Bifid Median Nerve in a Robotic Arthroplasty Surgeon: A Case Report.

CASE: A 47-year-old orthopaedic surgeon presented with acute volar left wrist pain. He performed over 250 robot-assisted knee arthroplasties each year. Color Doppler evaluation revealed bilateral persistent median arteries and bifid median nerves, with focal occlusive thrombosis of the left median artery. He was advised rest and oral aspirin. He could return to his professional activities after 1 month. He had no recurrence of symptoms at 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Orthopaedic surgeons use vibrating hand tools on a daily basis. The possibility of hand-arm vibration syndrome must be considered in the differential diagnosis of wrist pain among orthopaedic surgeons.

Proposal of set-up standardization for general surgery procedures with the CMR Versius system, a new robotic platform: our initial experience.

BACKGROUND: The article describes our initial experience using CMR Versius platform for several procedures in general surgery. METHODS: Between September 2022 and April 2023, seventy patients underwent robotic surgery in a multi-robotic referral center (San Paolo University Hospital, Milan, Italy). Three surgeons with only laparoscopic experience performed 24 cholecystectomies, 13 inguinal hernia repairs, 9 ventral hernia repairs, 7 right hemicolectomies, 11 left hemicolectomies, 1 sigmoidectomy, 1 ileocecal resection, 1 ventral rectopexy, 1 Nissen fundoplication, 1 total splenectomy, and 1 exploration with multiple biopsies. RESULTS: All surgeries were full-robotic, with only one conversion to laparoscopy. The short length of stay and low rate of severe morbidity are promising findings. Although operative time was lengthened, clinical outcomes were not affected. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience demonstrates that the adoption of Versius system is safe and feasible in general surgery. The standardization of port placement and BSU set-up can certainly reduce the operative time.

Acute kidney injury after robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the rates of acute kidney injury (AKI) post robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP). METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted to identify studies that reported the rates of AKI post-RALP. A random effects model was used, and the pooled rates of AKI were calculated. RESULTS: We identified 10 studies with 60,937 patients to be included. The mean age was 65.1 years. The mean anaesthesia time was 234.3 min (95% CI: 177.8-290.9). The mean operation time was 212.2 min (95% CI: 188.7-235.6). The mean estimated blood loss was 314.1 mL (95% CI: 153-475.3). The mean intraoperative IV fluids administered were 1985 mL (95% CI: 1516.3-2453.7). The pooled rate of AKI post RALP was 7.2% (95% CI 19-23.9). CONCLUSIONS: The rates of AKI after RALP are significant. Further studies are needed to detect the risk factors for AKI and to determine the rates of chronic kidney disease post-RALP.