The current state of robotic retromuscular repairs-a qualitative review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: The management of ventral incisional hernias (VIH) has undergone many iterations over the last 5 years due to evolution in surgical techniques and advancement in robotic surgery. Four general principles have emerged: mesh usage, retromuscular mesh placement, primary fascial closure, and usage of minimally invasive techniques when possible. The application of robotic retromuscular repairs in VIH allow these principles to be applied simultaneously. This qualitative review attempts to answer what robotic retromuscular repairs are described, which patients are selected for these techniques, and what are current outcomes. METHODS: Using the key words: "robotic retromuscular repair", "robotic Rives Stoppa", and "robotic transversus abdominis release", a PubMed search of articles written up to December 2019 was critically reviewed. RESULTS: 44 articles were encountered, 9 high-quality articles were analyzed for this manuscript. Level of evidence ranged from 2B to 2C. Robotic TAR patients had BMI of 33 kg/m2, defect sizes ranging from 7-14 cm wide to 12-19 cm long, longer OR times, no difference in surgical site events, and shorter length of stay (LOS). The techniques to perform robotic Rives Stoppa (RS) were heterogeneous; however, extended totally extraperitoneal (ETEP) approach is most described. Defect width for RS repairs ranged 4-7 cm and LOS was less than 1 day. Complication rates were low, there is no long-term data on hernia recurrence, and information on cost is limited. CONCLUSION: In short-term follow-up, robotic retromuscular repairs show promise that VIH can be repaired with intramuscular mesh, few complications, and shorter LOS. Data on hernia recurrence, long-term complications, and rigorous cost analysis are needed to demonstrate generalizability.

Protocolized Training of Advanced Practice Providers for Robotic Surgery Improves the Quality of Intraoperative Assistance.

BACKGROUND: The expansion of robotic surgery requires identifying factors of competent robotic bedside assisting. Surgical trainees desire more robotic console time, and we hypothesized that protocolized robotic surgery bedside training could equip Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) to meet this growing need. No standardized precedent exists for training APPs. METHODS: We designed a pilot study consisting of didactic and clinical skills. APPs completed didactic tests followed by proctored clinical skills checklists intraoperatively. Operating surgeons scored trainees with 10-point Likert scale (< 5 not confident, > 5 = confident). APPs scoring > 5 advanced to a solo practicum. Competence was defined as: didactic test score > 75th percentile, completing < 5 checklists, scoring > 5 on the practicum. The probability of passing the practicum was calculated with Bayes theorem. RESULTS: Of 10 APP trainees, 5 passed on initial attempt. After individualized development plans, 4 passed retesting. Differences in trainee factors were not statistically significant, but the probability of passing the practicum was < 50% if more than four checklists were needed. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical experience, not didactic knowledge, determines the probability of intraoperative competence. Increasing clinical proctoring did not result in higher probability of competence. Early identification of APPs needing individualized improvement increases the proportion of competent APPs.

Implementation and Feasibility of the Re-Engineered Discharge for Surgery (RED-S) Intervention: A Pilot Study.

INTRODUCTION: Adapting Project Re-Engineered Discharge (Project RED), an intervention for reducing internal medicine hospital readmissions, is a promising option for reducing colorectal surgery readmissions. METHODS: We conducted a pilot study for the adaptation and implementation of Project RED with patients admitted for colectomy at a regional VA tertiary care center between July 2014 and January 2015. Implementation was evaluated using adherence to intervention components and results from the Survey of Healthcare Experiences of Patients. The adapted Project RED for Surgery has five components: surgical wound/ostomy-care education, scheduled follow-up appointments, medication reconciliation, an After Hospital Care Plan, and postdischarge phone calls. RESULTS: All (n = 21) participants received postoperative wound care education, and 77% of ostomy patients received education. Follow-up appointments were scheduled for 76% with surgery clinic and 67% with primary care. Half received pharmacist-led medication reconciliation. Seventy-five percent received a postdischarge phone call. Ninety five percent of participants reported positive or satisfactory care transitions versus less than 60% of a comparison group of surgery patients from the same institution. We summarized lessons learned from this intervention study to facilitate future dissemination efforts. CONCLUSION: The lessons learned from this pilot can guide quality improvement teams seeking to implement the Re-Engineered Discharge for Surgery intervention within their existing workflows.