The surgical anatomy of a (robot-assisted) minimally invasive transcervical esophagectomy.

BACKGROUND: Transcervical esophagectomy allows for esophagectomy through transcervical access and bypasses the thoracic cavity, thereby eliminating single lung ventilation. A challenging surgical approach demands thorough understanding of the encountered anatomy. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of surgical anatomy encountered during the (robot-assisted) minimally invasive transcervical esophagectomy (RACE and MICE). METHODS: To assess the surgical anatomy of the lower neck and mediastinum, MR images were made of a body donor after, which it was sliced at 24-µm intervals with a cryomacrotome. Images were made every 3 slices resulting in 3.200 images of which a digital 3D multiplanar reconstruction was made. For macroscopic verification, microscopic slices were made and stained every 5 mm (Mallory-Cason). Schematic drawings were made of the 3D reconstruction to demonstrate the course of essential anatomical structures in the operation field and identify anatomical landmarks. RESULTS: Surgical anatomy 'boxes' of three levels (superior thoracic aperture, upper mediastinum, subcarinal) were created. Four landmarks were identified: (i) the course of the thoracic duct in the mediastinum; (ii) the course of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve; (iii) the crossing of the azygos vein right and dorsal of the esophagus; and (iv) the position of the aortic arch, the pulmonary arteries, and veins. CONCLUSIONS: The presented 3D reconstruction of unmanipulated human anatomy and schematic 3D 'boxes' provide a comprehensive overview of the surgical anatomy during the RACE or MICE. Our findings provide a useful tool to aid surgeons in learning the complex anatomy of the mediastinum and the exploration of new surgical approaches such as the RACE or MICE.

Fit-for-Discharge Criteria after Esophagectomy: An International Expert Delphi Consensus.

There are no internationally recognized criteria available to determine preparedness for hospital discharge after esophagectomy. This study aims to achieve international consensus using Delphi methodology. The expert panel consisted of 40 esophageal surgeons spanning 16 countries and 4 continents. During a 3-round, web-based Delphi process, experts voted for discharge criteria using 5-point Likert scales. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Consensus was reached if agreement was ≥75% in round 3. Consensus was achieved for the following basic criteria: nutritional requirements are met by oral intake of at least liquids with optional supplementary nutrition via jejunal feeding tube. The patient should have passed flatus and does not require oxygen during mobilization or at rest. Central venous catheters should be removed. Adequate analgesia at rest and during mobilization is achieved using both oral opioid and non-opioid analgesics. All vital signs should be normal unless abnormal preoperatively. Inflammatory parameters should be trending down and close to normal (leucocyte count ≤12G/l and C-reactive protein ≤80 mg/dl). This multinational Delphi survey represents the first expert-led process for consensus criteria to determine 'fit-for-discharge' status after esophagectomy. Results of this Delphi survey may be applied to clinical outcomes research as an objective measure of short-term recovery. Furthermore, standardized endpoints identified through this process may be used in clinical practice to guide decisions regarding patient discharge and may help to reduce the risk of premature discharge or prolonged admission.

Fully robotic da Vinci Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy in four-arm technique-problems and solutions.

The aim of this technical note is a step-by-step description of a fully robotic abdominothoracic esophagectomy with an intrathoracic esophagogastrostomy. We report on our technique and short-term results of 75 patients undergoing an Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy using a fully robotic 4-arm approach in the abdominal and thoracic phase with a hand-sewn intrathoracic anastomosis. There are several important steps and differences to consider compared to the conventional minimal invasive approach (patient's positioning, anaesthesiological set up, port placement, gastric conduit pull up, technique of esophagostrostomy). Mean operative time was 392 minutes (240-610) with a 94% R0 resection status. Conversion to open procedure occurred in 2 (2.6%) in the abdominal, and 14 (18.2%) in the thoracic phase. Main reasons for conversion were problems during the lifting of the gastric conduit and difficulties in the construction of the esophagogastrostomy. The rate dropped during the last 20 patients (1/20 (10%). Our results suggest that the reported technique is safe and feasible. It satisfies the oncological principles and provides the advantages of robotic assisted minimal invasive surgery.

[Implementation of Robot-Assisted Surgery]. / Aufbau eines Roboterprogramms.

The implementation of robot-assisted surgery requires a multi disciplinary approach with appropriate training and cooperation of surgical, anesthetic and technical staff. Besides acquiring the technical skills and getting used to complex technique, patient selection and an appropriate frequency of procedures are required to avoid complications.

[Robot-assisted Pylorus-Preserving Partial Pancreaticoduodenectomy (Kausch-Whipple Procedure)]. / Roboterassistierte, pyloruserhaltende partielle Duodenopankreatektomie nach Kausch-Whipple.

BACKGROUND: The surgical treatment of pancreatic head tumours is one of the most complex procedures in general surgery. In contrast to colorectal surgery, minimally-invasive techniques are not very commonly applied in pancreatic surgery. Both the delicate dissection along peri- and retropancreatic vessels and the extrahepatic bile ducts and subsequent reconstruction are very demanding with rigid standard laparoscopic instruments. The 4-arm robotic surgery system with angled instruments, unidirectional movement of instruments with adjustable transmission, tremor elimination and a stable, surgeon-controlled 3D-HD view is a promising platform to overcome the limitations of standard laparoscopic surgery regarding precise dissection and reconstruction in pancreatic surgery. INDICATION: Pancreatic head resection for mixed-type IPMN of the pancreatic head. PROCEDURE: Robot-assisted, minimally-invasive pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (Kausch-Whipple procedure). CONCLUSION: The robotic approach is particularly suited for complex procedures such as pylorus-preserving pancreatic head resections. The fully robotic Kausch-Whipple procedure is technically feasible and safe. The advantages of the robotic system are apparent in the delicate dissection near vascular structures, in lymph node dissection, the precise dissection of the uncinate process and, especially, bile duct and pancreatic anastomosis.

[Robotic-Assisted Oesophageal Surgery]. / Roboterchirurgie am Ösophagus.

BACKGROUND: Abdominothoracic oesophageal resections, also known as Ivor Lewis procedures, are complex visceral surgery procedures. In recent years, substeps have increasingly been performed using minimally invasive techniques. However, intrathoracic anastomosis is still a challenge given the instrumental and technological possibilities available to date. This article provides a detailed description of the use of the Da Vinci robotic system and our techniques in oesophageal surgery. METHODS: In a prospective data collection, we analysed the robotic-assisted oesophageal surgeries performed at the University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, between November 2013 and November 2015. RESULTS: A total of 56 patients underwent robotic-assisted oesophageal surgery, with 43 patients undergoing the Ivor Lewis technique, 10 patients undergoing the McKeown procedure and 3 patients undergoing enucleation of a leiomyoma. A complete tumour resection (R0 margin) was achieved in 53 patients (93.4%); the mean number of resected lymph nodes was 23 (14-75). Forty-five (80.5%) patients received an induction therapy. Mean operative time was 412 min (120-610); mean hospital stay was 19 days (4-145). A conversion to open surgery was necessary in 19 (34.1%) cases, most notably in the thoracic part of the surgical procedure (17 patients). Forty-three patients received intrathoracic oesophagogastrostomy; 4 out of 5 patients with an initial side-to-side anastomosis developed a leakage, whereupon the technique was switched to a hand-sewn procedure (leakage in 3 out of 20 patients). Other major morbidities included leakage of the gastric conduit in 2 patients (3.6%), airway fistula in 2 patients (3.6%), mesenteric ischaemia in one patient (1.8%), and peritonitis due to a dislocated feeding tube in one other patient. Pulmonary complications occurred in 19 patients (34%). Four patients (7.1%) died of pulmonary embolism, heart attack, and septic organ failure. CONCLUSION: Robotic-assisted, minimally invasive oesophagectomy is a feasible and useful approach for oncological surgery. This technique should be implemented in a structured program with an extensive and critical evaluation of the users' own results and an exchange with other experienced work teams. This helps to avoid pitfalls and to speed up the learning curve. Further technological developments and increasing experience might lead to a more widespread use of this technique.

[Interdisciplinary Diagnosis and Treatment of Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis]. / Interdisziplinäre Diagnostik und Therapie der tief infiltrierenden Endometriose.

Endometriosis is the second most common benign female genital disease after uterine myoma. This review discusses the interdisciplinary approach to the treatment of deep infiltrating endometriosis. Endometriosis has been defined as the presence of endometrial glands and stroma outside the internal epithelial lining of the cavum uteri. As a consequence, endometriosis can cause a wide range of symptoms such as chronic pelvic pain, subfertility, dysmenorrhea, deep dyspareunia, cyclical bowel or bladder symptoms (e.g., dyschezia, bloating, constipation, rectal bleeding, diarrhoea and hematuria), abnormal menstrual bleeding, chronic fatigue or low back pain. Approx. 50 % of teenagers and up to 32 % of women of reproductive age, operated for chronic pelvic pain or dysmenorrhoea, suffer from endometriosis. The time interval between the first unspecific symptoms and the medical diagnosis of endometriosis is about 7 years. This is caused not only by the non-specific nature of the symptoms but also by the frequent lack of awareness on the part of the cooperating disciplines with which the patients have first contact. As the pathogenesis of endometriosis is not clearly understood, a causal treatment is still impossible. Treatment options include expectant management, analgesia, hormonal medical therapy, surgical intervention and the combination of medical treatment before and/or after surgery. The correct treatment for each patient should take into account the severity of the disease and whether the patient desires to have children. The treatment should be as radical as necessary and as minimal as possible. The recurrence rate among treated patients lies between 5 and > 60 % and is very much dependent on the integrated management and surgical skills of the respective hospital. Consequently, to optimise the individual patient's treatment, a high degree of interdisciplinary cooperation in diagnosis and treatment is crucial and should, especially in the case of deep infiltrating endometriosis, be undertaken in appropriate centres.

Does neoadjuvant treatment before oncologic esophagectomy affect the postoperative quality of life? A prospective, longitudinal outcome study.

To evaluate the cancer patients' quality of life (QoL) following esophagectomy the focus was placed on the impact of neoadjuvant treatment before surgery. For patients undergoing oncologic surgery, the QoL is generally accepted as an important outcome parameter in addition to clinical parameters. This prospective nonrandomized study evaluated QoL in patients treated by preoperative chemo(radio)therapy followed by either surgery or surgery alone with special focus on the postoperative course. QoL was assessed in 131 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for esophageal cancer. The EORTC-QLQ-C30 and a tumor-specific module were administered before surgery, at discharge, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. Clinical data were collected prospectively and a follow up was performed every 6 months. The histological type of cancer was squamous cell carcinoma in 49.6% and adenocarcinoma in 50.4%. There was no significant difference between patients that were treated neoadjuvantly and those that were first operated on with regard to morbidity, mortality, and survival rates (5-year survival rate of 34%). Most QoL scores dropped significantly below the baseline in the early postoperative period and recovered slowly during the follow-up period to almost preoperative levels in many scores. There was no statistically significant difference in any of the QoL scales between neoadjuvantly treated or primary operated patients. Esophageal resections are associated with significant deterioration of QoL, which slowly recovers during the follow-up period to an almost preoperative level. Neoadjuvant treatment seems to not further negatively affect the QoL deterioration.

[Robot-assisted minimally invasive lobectomy with systematic lymphadenectomy for lung cancer]. / Roboterassistierte minimalinvasive Lobektomie mit systematischer Lymphadenektomie zur Behandlung des Bronchialkarzinoms.

BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION: Lobectomy for lung cancer is the standard therapy for lung cancer in limited stages. The adoption of minimally invasive lobectomy (video-assisted thoracic surgery or VATS lobectomy) has increased worldwide since its first description more than 15 years ago. However, the VATS technique has a long learning curve and sometimes limitations in terms of precise preparation and presentability of the central structures of the lung hilus due to the limited mobility of the standard thoracoscopic instruments. By using a four-arm robotic platform (DaVinci®), not only the preparation of the hilus structures but also the central lymphadenectomy can be performed in a comfortable and safe way under a clear and precise view. INDICATION: Surgical treatment of locally limited lung cancer in the right lower lobe (squamous cell carcinoma). PROCEDURE: Robot-assisted, minimally invasive right lower lobectomy with systematic lymphadenectomy. CONCLUSION: Robot-assisted minimal invasive lobectomy is feasible with special regard to oncological and technical aspects. Especially the intrathoracic precise dissection of the tissue under a perfect view allow a comfortable and safe operation technique.

[Robotic-assisted minimally invasive abdominothoracal oesophageal resection with intrathoracic anastomosis]. / Roboterassistierte, minimalinvasive abdominothorakale Ösophagusresektion mit intrathorakaler Anastomose.

BACKGROUND: Ivor Lewis oesophagectomy is one of the approaches used worldwide for treating oesophageal cancer. The adoption of minimally invasive oesophagectomy has increased worldwide since its first description more than 15 years ago. However, minimally invasive oesophagectomy with a chest anastomosis has advantages. By using a four-arm robotic platform, not only the preparation of the gastric tube and mobilisation of the oesophagus but also the intrathoracic anastomosis of the oesophagogastrostomy can be performed in a comfortable and safe way. INDICATION: The indication for oesophageal resection is oesophageal cancer. PROCEDURE: The operative procedure comprises robotic-assisted abdominothoracal oesophageal resection with reconstruction by a gastric tube and intrathoracic anastomosis (Ivor Lewis procedure). CONCLUSION: Robotic abdominal and thoracic minimally invasive esophagectomy is feasible, and safe with a complete lymph node dissection. Especially the intrathoracic anastomosis of the oesophagogastrostomy can be performed in a comfortable and safe way.

Site-specific gene expression and localization of growth factor ligand receptors RET, GFRα1 and GFRα2 in human adult colon.

Two of the glial-cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family ligands (GFLs), namely GDNF and neurturin (NRTN), are essential neurotropic factors for enteric nerve cells. Signal transduction is mediated by a receptor complex composed of GDNF family receptor alpha 1 (GFRα1) for GDNF or GFRα2 for NRTN, together with the tyrosine kinase receptor RET (rearranged during transfection). As both factors and their receptors are crucial for enteric neuron survival, we assess the site-specific gene expression of these GFLs and their corresponding receptors in human adult colon. Full-thickness colonic specimens were obtained after partial colectomy for non-obstructing colorectal carcinoma. Samples were processed for immunohistochemistry and co-localization studies. Site-specific gene expression was determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction in enteric ganglia and in circular and longitudinal muscle harvested by microdissection. Protein expression of the receptors was mainly localized in the myenteric and submucosal plexus. Dual-label immunohistochemistry with PGP 9.5 as a pan-neuronal marker detected immunoreactivity of the receptors in neuronal somata and ganglionic neuropil. RET immunoreactivity co-localized with neuronal GFRα1 and GFRα2 signals. The dominant source of receptor mRNA expression was in myenteric ganglia, whereas both GFLs showed higher expression in smooth muscle layers. The distribution and expression pattern of GDNF and NRTN and their corresponding receptors in the human adult enteric nervous system indicate a role of both GFLs not only in development but also in the maintenance of neurons in adulthood. The data also provide a basis for the assessment of disturbed signaling components of the GDNF and NRTN system in enteric neuropathies underlying disorders of gastrointestinal motility.

[Postnatal changes in the ductus arteriosus and brown adipose tissue: a review and an exploratory post-mortem study of lambs]. / Postnatale effecten op de ductus arteriosus botalli enhet bruin vetweefsel. Een literatuuroverzicht en een exploratief post-mortemonderzoek bij lammeren.

After a short review of the literature, postnatal changes in the ductus arteriosus Botalli are described in 52 lambs sampled in 1970 and 1971. Five groups of animals were formed on the basis of findings. (I) All lambs (n = 18) that died of asphyxia or prematurity had open ducti and, in most cases, severe adventitial bleeding (2). Completely anatomically closed ducti were found in I-week-old lambs (n = 9). Lambs that died within about 4 days of birth were grouped as (3) low-birth weight (dysmaturity) (n = 2), (4) normal weight and died after bacterial infection (n = 7), or (5) normal birth weight and died of other causes (n = 6). The dysmature lambs died because of cold and poor suckling. Compared with the lambs with a normal body weight, the dysmature lambs had almost completely closed ducti. Extensive, often circular, haemorrhages at the periphery of the necrotic muscular tissue of the ductal media were found in the dysmature and infected lambs. In these lambs, the brown adipose tissue surrounding the ductus was red-brownish and often depleted of its fat. This fat depletion and haemorrhages were less severe in lambs that died of other causes. The haemorrhages in the media of the ductus arteriosus, which were not found in older lambs, have not been described previously in other species, including humans. These haemorrhages are most likely the result of a short period of ductal relaxation, resulting in the passage of blood through the vasa vasorum and leakage of blood cells from degenerated capillaries at the border of the necrotic muscular tissue. It is hypothesized that the relaxation results from one or a combination of the following: (i) direct heat from heat-producing brown adipose tissue surrounding the ductus (because of cold or infection), (2) infection or inflammatory mediators, and (3) adipose tissue-derived relaxing factors.

Clinicopathologic prognostic markers of survival: an analysis of 259 patients with malignant melanoma >or=1 mm.

The histopathologic status of the sentinel node (SN) and the ulceration of the primary tumor are important indicators of the clinical outcome of melanoma patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate potential correlations between prognostic factors and the sentinel lymph node status as well as their influence on disease-free survival (DFS), distant metastases-free survival (DMFS), and overall survival (OS). The medical records of 259 melanoma patients who underwent sentinel lymph node dissection between 2000 and 2006 were analyzed. DFS, DMFS, and OS were assessed. A uni- and a multivariate analysis to determine prognostic factors were performed. Histologic type, Clark's level, and Breslow's tumor thickness were the only parameters that showed a significant correlation with a positive SN. The univariate analysis revealed SN positivity (DFS and DMFS: p < 0.001; OS: p = 0.039) and ulceration (DFS: p < 0.001; DMFS: p = 0.001; OS: p = 0.003) to be significant prognostic markers. However, ulceration was the only independent prognostic factor for OS that was upheld by the multivariate analysis (p = 0.006; HR 3.89; CI 1.48-10.27). In stage I/II melanoma patients, ulceration of the primary tumor was the strongest prognostic factor for RFS, DMFS, and OS and superior to the pathology status of the SN.

Drainage of esophageal leakage using endoscopic vacuum therapy: a prospective pilot study.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Major leakage from an esophageal anastomosis is a life-threatening surgical complication. Endoscopically guided endoluminal vacuum therapy using polyurethane sponges is a new method for treating such leakage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between June 2007 and June 2009, five patients (mean age 68 years) who developed anastomotic leakage after esophageal surgery were prospectively evaluated. After endoscopic diagnosis of a major leakage, polyurethane sponges were endoscopically positioned in the wound cavity of the anastomosis. Continuous suction was applied via drainage tubes fixed to the sponges. Initially sponges were endoscopically changed three times per week. RESULTS: In all five patients treatment was successful. Median time to reduce levels of inflammation markers by 50 % was 10 days for white blood cell (WBC) count and 7 days for C-reactive protein (CRP). The smallest initial wound cavity size was 42 cm (3) and the largest was 157 cm (3). The median duration of drainage was 28 days, with a median of 9 sponge changes and a median time to total cavity closure of 42 days. Two patients needed anastomotic dilation by Savary-Miller bougienage due to stenosis found on further follow-up. One of these patients died of acute severe hemorrhage from an aortoanastomotic fistula after the dilation procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopically assisted vacuum therapy is a well-tolerated and effective therapeutic option for treatment of major esophageal leaks after surgery. Additional surgery was avoided in all cases. However, the occurrence of a delayed aortoesophageal fistula calls for careful further investigation of this new technique.

[Preconditioning of the lungs and circulation before visceral and thoracic surgical interventions]. / Präkonditionierung von Lunge und Kreislauf vor viszeral- oder thoraxchirurgischen Eingriffen.

BACKGROUND: Estimation of the perioperative risk plays a decisive role in the surgical indications, particularly in view of the demographic change. For this reason, prehabilitation concepts for reducing perioperative risk nowadays play an increasingly important role. OBJECTIVE: Presentation of the current recommendations for preoperative diagnostics in thoracic surgical interventions as well as existing prehabilitation concepts and their practical applicability. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A selective review of the literature was carried out by searching the electronic databases PubMed, Cochrane Library and ISRCTN, including the guidelines of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) and the European Society of Thoracic Surgery (ESTS). RESULTS: Preconditioning includes the conservative treatment of underlying diseases, smoking cessation and prehabilitation. Prehabilitation is an increasingly pressing concept in routine clinical practice, even though the evidence is limited due to the very heterogeneous study situation. Overall, however, there is a tendency for positive effects on the quality of life and postoperative complications as well as convalescence. CONCLUSION: In addition to preoperative diagnostics to assess the perioperative risk, effective preconditioning of patients is also necessary. For this an interdisciplinary approach including anesthesia, pneumology, psychotherapy and physiotherapy is necessary. In addition to the conservative medicinal optimization, prehabilitation concepts are gaining in importance and will certainly become established in routine clinical practice. From the surgical perspective, minimally invasive approaches and parenchyma-sparing resections also serve to reduce risks.

[Robot-assisted vs laparoscopic gastric bypass : First experiences with the DaVinci system in bariatric surgery]. / Roboterassistierter vs. laparoskopischer Magenbypass : Erste Erfahrungen mit dem DaVinci-System in der bariatrischen Chirurgie.

Conventional laparoscopy is the gold standard in bariatric surgery. Internationally, robot-assisted surgery is gaining in importance. Up to now there are only few reports from Germany on the use of the system in bariatric surgery. Since January 2017 we have been performing robot-assisted gastric bypass surgery. It remains unclear whether the use of the robotic system has advantages over the well-established laparoscopic technique. Within a period from January to early August 2017 a total of 53 gastric bypass operations were performed. Of these 16 proximal redo Roux-en-Y gastric bypass operations were performed with the DaVinci Si system versus 29 laparoscopic procedures. A retrospective analysis of the perioperative course was carried out. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), Edmonton obesity staging system (EOSS) and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification did not show significant differences. There were also no significant differences in terms of estimated blood loss, intraoperative complications, duration of surgery, postoperative inflammatory parameters and weight loss. There was no mortality and no need for revisional surgery in either group. After laparoscopic surgery there was a delayed occurrence of a leak of the gastrojejunostomy followed by readmission and endoscopic negative pressure wound therapy. The results show that the proximal Roux-en-Y gastric bypass can be performed safely and efficiently using the DaVinci surgical system. Significant differences to the conventional laparoscopic procedure were not found. Larger randomized controlled trials are needed to define the role of the DaVinci system in bariatric surgery.

TRAIL promotes metastasis of human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has attracted considerable attention for its potential use in tumor therapy, as some recombinant variants of this ligand induce apoptosis in tumor cells without harming most normal cells. Here, we show that TRAIL strongly induces the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 and enhances the invasion of apoptosis-resistant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells in vitro by upregulation of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator expression. Most importantly, we also demonstrate for the first time that TRAIL treatment results in strongly increased distant metastasis of pancreatic tumors in vivo. We orthotopically transplanted human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells to the pancreata of severe combined immunodeficiency mice and observed a dramatic increase in metastatic spread including a sixfold increase in the volume and fourfold increase in the number of liver metastases upon TRAIL treatment. Our results point to the necessity to carefully evaluate in vivo side effects of TRAIL and to select therapy conditions that not only enhance apoptosis induction but in addition prevent proinvasive and proinflammatory non-apoptotic TRAIL signaling.

Safety of tibolone in the treatment of vasomotor symptoms in breast cancer patients--design and baseline data 'LIBERATE' trial.

Many patients with a history of breast cancer (BC) will suffer from vasomotor symptoms, which can be induced or exacerbated by treatment with tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors. The LIBERATE trial was designed as a randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial to demonstrate that tibolone 2.5mg/day (Livial) is non-inferior to placebo regarding BC recurrence in women with vasomotor symptoms surgically treated for primary BC within the last 5 years. Secondary objectives are effects on vasomotor symptoms as well as overall survival, bone mineral density and health-related quality of life. Mean age at randomization was 52.6 years, and the mean time since surgery was 2.1 years. The mean daily number of hot flushes and sweating episodes was 7.3 and 6.1, respectively. For the primary tumor, Stage IIA or higher was reported for >70% of the patients. In subjects whose receptor status was known, 78.2% of the tumors were estrogen receptors positive. At randomization, tamoxifen was given to 66.2% of all patients and aromatase inhibitors to 7%. Chemotherapy was reported by 5% at randomization. The adjuvant tamoxifen use in LIBERATE allows a comparison with the Stockholm trial (showing no risk of BC recurrence associated with hormone therapy), which was stopped prematurely subsequent to HABITS. The LIBERATE trial is the largest, ongoing, well-controlled study for treatment of vasomotor symptoms in BC patients.

[Robot-assisted liver resection]. / Roboterassistierte Leberresektion.

Robotic liver resection can overcome some of the limitations of laparoscopic liver surgery; therefore, it is a promising tool to increase the proportion of minimally invasive liver resections. The present article gives an overview of the current literature. Furthermore, the results of a nationwide survey on robotic liver surgery among hospitals in Germany with a DaVinci system used in general visceral surgery and the perioperative results of two German robotic centers are presented.

[Robotic pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy : Video article]. / Roboterassistierte pyloruserhaltende Pankreaskopfresektion : Videobeitrag.

Pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy is one of the most complex procedures in general surgery. Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy was initially described in 1994; however, its worldwide distribution is so far limited to only a few specialist centers. Robotic surgery using the DaVinci® system can overcome many limitations of laparoscopic surgery. The system is a promising tool for a more widespread introduction of minimally invasive surgery for pancreatic diseases. Mortality rates of 0-5% and pancreatic fistula rates of 0-35% are described in the literature; therefore, thorough complication management is crucial in the postoperative course. The video presents a robotic pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary carcinoma in a female patient.