Global benchmarks in primary robotic bariatric surgery redefine quality standards for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Whether the benefits of the robotic platform in bariatric surgery translate into superior surgical outcomes remains unclear. The aim of this retrospective study was to establish the 'best possible' outcomes for robotic bariatric surgery and compare them with the established laparoscopic benchmarks. METHODS: Benchmark cut-offs were established for consecutive primary robotic bariatric surgery patients of 17 centres across four continents (13 expert centres and 4 learning phase centres) using the 75th percentile of the median outcome values until 90 days after surgery. The benchmark patients had no previous laparotomy, diabetes, sleep apnoea, cardiopathy, renal insufficiency, inflammatory bowel disease, immunosuppression, history of thromboembolic events, BMI greater than 50 kg/m2, or age greater than 65 years. RESULTS: A total of 9097 patients were included, who were mainly female (75.5%) and who had a mean(s.d.) age of 44.7(11.5) years and a mean(s.d.) baseline BMI of 44.6(7.7) kg/m2. In expert centres, 13.74% of the 3020 patients who underwent primary robotic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and 5.9% of the 4078 patients who underwent primary robotic sleeve gastrectomy presented with greater than or equal to one complication within 90 postoperative days. No patient died and 1.1% of patients had adverse events related to the robotic platform. When compared with laparoscopic benchmarks, robotic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass had lower benchmark cut-offs for hospital stay, postoperative bleeding, and marginal ulceration, but the duration of the operation was 42 min longer. For most surgical outcomes, robotic sleeve gastrectomy outperformed laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with a comparable duration of the operation. In robotic learning phase centres, outcomes were within the established benchmarks only for low-risk robotic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. CONCLUSION: The newly established benchmarks suggest that robotic bariatric surgery may enhance surgical safety compared with laparoscopic bariatric surgery; however, the duration of the operation for robotic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is longer.

Vectisol Formulation Enhances Solubility of Resveratrol and Brings Its Benefits to Kidney Transplantation in a Preclinical Porcine Model.

Current organ shortages have led centers to extend the acceptance criteria for organs, increasing the risk for adverse outcomes. Current preservation protocols have not been adapted so as to efficiently protect these organs. Herein, we target oxidative stress, the key mechanism of ischemia reperfusion injury. Vectisol® is a novel antioxidant strategy based on the encapsulation of resveratrol into a cyclodextrin, increasing its bioavailability. We tested this compound as an additive to the most popular static preservation solutions and machine perfusion (LifePort) in a preclinical pig model of kidney autotransplantation. In regard to static preservation, supplementation improved glomerular filtration and proximal tubular function early recovery. Extended follow-up confirmed the higher level of protection, slowing chronic loss of function (creatininemia and proteinuria) and the onset of histological lesions. Regarding machine perfusion, the use of Vectisol® decreased oxidative stress and apoptosis at the onset of reperfusion (30 min post declamping). Improved quality was confirmed with decreased early levels of circulating SOD (Superoxide Dismutase) and ASAT (asparagine amino transferase). Supplementation slowed the onset of chronic loss of function, as well as interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy. The simple addition of Vectisol® to the preservation solution significantly improved the performance of organ preservation, with long-term effects on the outcome. This strategy is thus a key player for future multi-drug therapy aimed at ischemia reperfusion in transplantation.

Preclinical Modeling of DCD Class III Donation: Paving the Way for the Increased Use of This Challenging Donor Type.

Deceased after circulatory death (DCD) donors offer a viable solution to the current organ shortage, particularly the Maastricht Class III (arrest subsequent to cessation of life support in the hospital). Although current results from these donors are very satisfactory, the number of included donors is too low and future expansion of inclusion criteria will likely decrease organ quality, with negative consequences on the complication rate. This donor type thus represents a priority in terms of scientific exploration, so as to study it in controlled settings and prepare for future challenges. Hence, we mimicked the DCD Class III clinical conditions a Large White pig model. Herein, we detail the different strategies attempted to attain our objectives, including technical approaches such as animal positioning and ventilator settings, as well as pharmacological intervention to modulate blood pressure and heart rate. We highlight the best combination of factors to successfully reproduce DCD Class III conditions, with perfusion pressures and functional warm ischemia (hypoperfusion) closely resembling clinical situations. Finally, we detail the functional and histological impacts of these conditions. Such a model could be of critical value to explore novel management alternative for these donors, presenting a uniquely adapted platform for such therapeutics as normothermic regional circulation and/or pharmacological intervention.

Preventing acute kidney injury during transplantation: the application of novel oxygen carriers.

INTRODUCTION: Delayed graft function (DGF) has a significant impact on kidney transplantation outcome. One of the underlying pivotal mechanisms is organ preservation and associated hypothermia and biochemical alteration. AREAS COVERED: This paper focuses on organ preservation and its clinical consequences and describes 1. A comprehensive presentation of the pathophysiological mechanism involved in delayed graft function development; 2. The impact on endothelial cells and microvasculature integrity and the consequences on transplanted organ outcome; 3. The reassessment of dynamic organ preservation motivated by the growing use of extended criteria donors and the interest in the potential of normothermia; 4. The role of oxygenation during dynamic preservation; and 5. Novel oxygen carriers and their proof of concept in transplantation, among which M101 (HEMO2life®) is currently the most extensively investigated. EXPERT OPINION: Metabolic disturbances and imbalance of oxygen supply during preservation highlight the importance of providing oxygen. Normothermia, permitted by recent advances in machine perfusion technology, appears to be the leading edge of preservation technology. Several oxygen transporters are compatible with normothermia; however, only M101 also demonstrates compatibility with standard hypothermic preservation.