Excitation coil for sentinel lymph node harvesting: design, digital twin and prototype.

A recently developed prototype (Laparoscopic Differential Magnetometer, in short LapDiffMag) identifies magnetic tracer accumulated inside sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) during clinical laparoscopic procedures. The LapDiffMag relies on excitation of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and subsequent laparoscopic detection based on a nonlinear detection principle. The prototype uses an excitation coil to generate a magnetic field needed to activate SPIONs. This study reports on the process of developing a new excitation coil by describing the design choices based upon clinical requirements, by modeling delivered magnetic field using digital twin, and by comparing the magnetic fields of modeled and manufactured prototype. Digital twin technology was used to produce relevant and reliable data to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of the excitation coil. The magnetic field originating from manufactured prototype was validated at two different heights above the excitation coil and have shown a good concordance to the data generated by its digital twin. Clinical Relevance- Current standard-of-care for a variety of tumor types consists of minimally invasive radical resection of primary tumor and regional lymph nodes (LNs). The newly introduced excitation coil will (after full validation) enable minimally invasive harvesting of sentinel LNs by means of magnetic tracer detection.

Endoscopic surgery suturing techniques: a randomized study on learning.

BACKGROUND: Surgeons have widely adopted endoscopic suturing techniques using conventional laparoscopic instruments and the more advanced robotic systems. The FlexDex is a novel articulating laparoscopic needle driver providing enhanced dexterity in laparoscopic surgery. This study evaluates and compares the learning curve of endoscopic suturing with conventional laparoscopy, the FlexDex and robotic suturing in novices. METHODS: Participants performed a minimal invasive suturing task in three different ways in a randomized order: with a conventional laparoscopic needle driver, using the FlexDex needle driver and third, using the Da Vinci Si surgical system. Primary outcome was suturing task time. Secondary outcome parameters were assessment of suturing quality and workload perception. RESULTS: A total of 10 novice participants were included and completed a total of 300 sessions. Median (IQR) suturing time of the first 5 sessions was 231 s (188-291) in the laparoscopic group versus 378 s (282-471) in the FlexDex group versus 189 s (160-247) in the DaVinci Si group. The last 5 sessions showed significant reduction of median suturing time of 143 s (120-190), 232 s (180-265) and 172 s (134-199) respectively. Analysis identified that the learning curve for the laparoscopic needle driver and Da Vinci Si was reached in 5 sessions, compared to 8 sessions for the Flexdex. The laparoscopic needle driver and Da Vinci Si showed a significant shorter median suturing time compared to the FlexDex (p = 0.00). The FlexDex quality assessment scores were significantly lower compared to the laparoscopic (p = 0.00) and robotic (p = 0.00) scores and perceived workload remains high for the FlexDex users. CONCLUSIONS: Ex vivo endoscopic suturing with the FlexDex demonstrated a prolonged learning curve compared to laparoscopic and robotic suturing. The learning curve of the FlexDex is fundamentally different from conventional laparoscopic and robotic instruments. This study provides further insights in the implementation and training of endoscopic suturing techniques.

Efficiency in image-guided robotic and conventional camera steering: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Robotic camera steering systems have been developed to facilitate endoscopic surgery. In this study, a randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare conventional human camera control with the AutoLap™ robotic camera holder in terms of efficiency and user experience when performing routine laparoscopic procedures. Novelty of this system relates to the steering method, which is image based. METHODS: Patients undergoing an elective laparoscopic hemicolectomy, sigmoid resection, fundoplication and cholecystectomy between September 2016 and January 2018 were included. Stratified block randomization was used for group allocation. The primary aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of robotic and human camera control, measured with surgical team size and total operating time. Secondary outcome parameters were number of cleaning moments of the laparoscope and the post-study system usability questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients were randomized to have robotic (50) versus human (50) camera control. Baseline characteristics did not differ significantly between groups. In the robotic group, 49/50 (98%) of procedures were carried out without human camera control, reducing the surgical team size from four to three individuals. The median total operative time (60.0 versus 53.0 min, robotic vs. control) was not significantly different, p = 0.122. The questionnaire showed a positive user satisfaction and easy control of the robotic camera holder. CONCLUSION: Image-based robotic camera control can reduce surgical team size and does not result in significant difference in operative time compared to human camera control. Moreover, robotic image-guided camera control was associated with positive user experience.

Mesh-related complications and recurrence after ventral mesh rectopexy with synthetic versus biologic mesh: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Ventral mesh rectopexy (VMR) is a widely accepted surgical treatment for rectal prolapse. Both synthetic and biologic mesh are used. No consensus exists on the preferred type of mesh material. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to establish an overview of the current literature on mesh-related complications and recurrence after VMR with synthetic or biologic mesh to aid evidence-based decision making in preferred mesh material. METHODS: A systematic search of the electronic databases of PubMed, Embase and Cochrane was performed (from inception until September 2020). Studies evaluating patients who underwent VMR with synthetic or biologic mesh were eligible. The MINORS score was used for quality assessment. RESULTS: Thirty-two studies were eligible after qualitative assessment. Eleven studies reported on mesh-related complications including 4001 patients treated with synthetic mesh and 762 treated with biologic mesh. The incidence of mesh-related complications ranged between 0 and 2.4% after synthetic versus 0-0.7% after biologic VMR. Synthetic mesh studies showed a pooled incidence of mesh-related complications of 1.0% (95% CI 0.5-1.7). Data of biologic mesh studies could not be pooled. Twenty-nine studies reported on the risk of recurrence in 2371 synthetic mesh patients and 602 biologic mesh patients. The risk of recurrence varied between 1.1 and 18.8% for synthetic VMR versus 0-15.4% for biologic VMR. Cumulative incidence of recurrence was found to be 6.1% (95% CI 4.3-8.1) and 5.8% (95% CI 2.9-9.6), respectively. The clinical and statistical heterogeneity was high. CONCLUSIONS: No definitive conclusions on preferred mesh type can be made due to the quality of the included studies with high heterogeneity amongst them.

Intestinal motility distal of a deviating ileostomy after rectal resection with the construction of a primary anastomosis: results of the prospective COLO-MOVE study.

PURPOSE: No consensus exists regarding the use of preoperative bowel preparation for patients undergoing a low anterior resection (LAR). Several comparative studies show similar outcomes when a single time enema (STE) is compared with mechanical bowel preparation (MBP). It is hypothesized that STE is comparable with MBP due to a decrease in intestinal motility distal of a newly constructed diverting ileostomy (DI). METHODS: In this prospective single-centre cohort study, patients undergoing a LAR with primary anastomosis and DI construction were given a STE 2 h pre-operatively. Radio-opaque markers were inserted in the efferent loop of the DI during surgery, and plain abdominal X-rays were made during the first, third, fifth and seventh postoperative day to visualize intestinal motility. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients were included. Radio-opaque markers were situated in the ileum or right colon in 100%, 100% and 97.1% of the patients during respectively the first, third and fifth postoperative day. One patient had its most distal marker situated in the left colon during day five. In none of the patients, the markers were seen distal of the anastomosis. CONCLUSION: Intestinal motility distally of the DI is decreased in patients who undergo a LAR resection with the construction of an anastomosis and DI, while preoperatively receiving a STE.

The additive value of restaging-CT during neoadjuvant chemotherapy for gastric cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Computed tomography (CT) is used for restaging of gastric cancer patients during neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). The treatment strategy could be altered after detection of distant interval metastases, possibly leading to a reduction in unnecessary chemotherapy cycles, its related toxicity, and surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the additive value of restaging-CT during NAC in guiding clinical decision making in gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective, multicenter cohort study identified all patients with surgically resectable gastric adenocarcinoma (cT1-4a-x, N0-3-x, M0-x), who started NAC with curative intent. Restaging-CT was performed after 2 out of 3 cycles of NAC. The primary outcome was treatment alterations made based on restaging-CT by a multidisciplinary tumor board. Confirmation of metastases was obtained by surgery or biopsy. RESULTS: Between 2007 and 2015, CT-restaging was performed in 122 out of 152 included patients and timed after 2 cycles (n = 76) or after 3 cycles (n = 46) of NAC. Restaging-CT revealed a metastasis in 1 out of 122 restaged patients (1%) after which surgical resection was omitted, whereas 4 patients (3%) with distant interval metastases were not identified by restaging-CT and underwent a futile laparotomy. In 5 out of 76 patients (7%) disease progression was detected while undergoing NAC, leading to omission of the 3rd cycle of chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: The additive value of restaging-CT during NAC in gastric cancer is limited in guiding clinical decision making and therefore not recommended. Further studies may identify subgroups that may benefit of alternative diagnostic modalities.

Conservative Treatment in Diverticulitis Patients with Pericolic Extraluminal Air and the Role of Antibiotic Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Recently published studies advocate a conservative approach with observation and antibiotic treatment in diverticulitis patients with pericolic air on computed tomography (CT). The primary aim of this study was to assess the clinical course of initially conservatively treated diverticulitis patients with isolated pericolic air and to identify risk factors for conservative treatment failure. The secondary aim was to assess the outcome of non-antibiotic treatment. METHODS: Patient data from a retrospective cohort study on risk factors for complicated diverticulitis were combined with data from the DIABOLO trial, a randomised controlled trial comparing non-antibiotic with antibiotic treatment in patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis. The present study identified all patients with Hinchey 1A diverticulitis with isolated pericolic air on CT. Pericolic air was defined as air located < 5 cm from the affected segment of colon. The primary outcome was failure of conservative management which was defined as need for percutaneous abscess drainage or emergency surgery within 30 days after presentation. A multivariable logistic regression of clinical, radiological and laboratorial parameters with respect to treatment failure was performed. RESULTS: A total of 109 patients were included in the study. Fifty-two (48%) patients were treated with antibiotics. Nine (8%) patients failed conservative management, seven (13%) in the antibiotic treatment group and two (4%) in the non-antibiotic group (p = 0.083). Only (increased) CRP level at presentation was an independent predictor for treatment failure. CONCLUSIONS: Conservative treatment in diverticulitis patients with isolated pericolic air is a suitable treatment strategy. Moreover, non-antibiotic treatment might be reasonable in selected patients.

Multicentre study of non-surgical management of diverticulitis with abscess formation.

This multicentre retrospective cohort study included 447 patients with Hinchey Ib and II diverticular abscesses, who were treated with antibiotics, with or without percutaneous drainage. Abscesses of 3 and 5 cm in size were at higher risk of short-term treatment failure and emergency surgery respectively. Initial non-surgical treatment of Hinchey Ib and II diverticular abscesses was comparable between patients treated with antibiotics only and those who underwent percutaneous drainage in combination with antibiotics, with regard to short- and long-term outcomes. Most do not need drainage.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of a multicentre randomized clinical trial comparing surgery with conservative management for recurrent and ongoing diverticulitis (DIRECT trial).

BACKGROUND: The results of the DIRECT trial, an RCT comparing conservative management with elective sigmoid resection in patients with recurrent diverticulitis or persistent complaints, showed that elective sigmoid resection leads to higher quality of life. The aim of this study is to determine the cost-effectiveness of surgical treatment at 1- and 5-year follow-up from a societal perspective. METHODS: Clinical effectiveness and resource use were derived from the DIRECT trial. The actual resource use and quality of life (EQ-5D-3L™ score) were documented prospectively per individual patient and analysed according to the intention-to-treat principle for up to 5 years after randomization. The main outcome was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), expressed as costs per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). RESULTS: The study included 106 patients, of whom 50 were randomized to surgery and 56 to conservative treatment. At 1- and 5-year follow-up an incremental effect (QALY difference between groups) of 0·06 and 0·43 respectively was found, and an incremental cost (cost difference between groups) of €6957 and €2674 respectively, where surgery was more expensive than conservative treatment. This resulted in an ICER of €123 365 per additional QALY at 1-year follow-up, and €6275 at 5 years. At a threshold of €20 000 per QALY, operative treatment has 0 per cent probability of being cost-effective at 1-year follow-up, but a 95 per cent probability at 5 years. CONCLUSION: At 5-year follow-up, elective sigmoid resection in patients with recurring diverticulitis or persistent complaints was found to be cost-effective. Registration number: NTR1478 (www.trialregistrer.nl).

Incidence of and risk factors for stoma-site incisional herniation after reversal.

BACKGROUND: Stoma reversal is often considered a straightforward procedure with low short-term complication rates. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of incisional hernia following stoma reversal and identify risk factors for its development. METHODS: This was an observational study of consecutive patients who underwent stoma reversal between 2009 and 2015 at a teaching hospital. Patients followed for at least 12 months were eligible. The primary outcome was the development of incisional hernia at the previous stoma site. Independent risk factors were assessed using multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 24 (range 12-89) months, 110 of 318 included patients (34·6 per cent) developed an incisional hernia at the previous stoma site. In 85 (77·3 per cent) the hernia was symptomatic, and 72 patients (65·5 per cent) underwent surgical correction. Higher BMI (odds ratio (OR) 1·12, 95 per cent c.i. 1·04 to 1·21), stoma prolapse (OR 3·27, 1·04 to 10·27), parastomal hernia (OR 5·08, 1·30 to 19·85) and hypertension (OR 2·52, 1·14 to 5·54) were identified as independent risk factors for the development of incisional hernia at the previous stoma site. In addition, the risk of incisional hernia was greater in patients with underlying malignant disease who had undergone a colostomy than in those who had had an ileostomy (OR 5·05, 2·28 to 11·23). CONCLUSION: Incisional hernia of the previous stoma site was common and frequently required surgical correction. Higher BMI, reversal of colostomy in patients with an underlying malignancy, stoma prolapse, parastomal hernia and hypertension were identified as independent risk factors.

Validation of ergonomic instructions in robot-assisted surgery simulator training.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Training in robot-assisted surgery focusses mainly on technical skills and instrument use. Training in optimal ergonomics during robotic surgery is often lacking, while improved ergonomics can be one of the key advantages of robot-assisted surgery. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess whether a brief explanation on ergonomics of the console can improve body posture and performance. METHODS: A comparative study was performed with 26 surgical interns and residents using the da Vinci skills simulator (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA). The intervention group received a compact instruction on ergonomic settings and coaching on clutch usage, while the control group received standard instructions for usage of the system. Participants performed two sets of five exercises. Analysis was performed on ergonomic score (RULA) and performance scores provided by the simulator. Mental and physical load scores (NASA-TLX and LED score) were also registered. RESULTS: The intervention group performed better in the clutch-oriented exercises, displaying less unnecessary movement and smaller deviation from the neutral position of the hands. The intervention group also scored significantly better on the RULA ergonomic score in both the exercises. No differences in overall performance scores and subjective scores were detected. CONCLUSION: The benefits of a brief instruction on ergonomics for novices are clear in this study. A single session of coaching and instruction leads to better ergonomic scores. The control group showed often inadequate ergonomic scores. No significant differences were found regarding physical discomfort, mental task load and overall performance scores.

Risk factors for complicated diverticulitis: systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this systematic review is to identify risk factors that can predict complicated diverticulitis. Uncomplicated diverticulitis is a self-limiting and mild disease, but 10% of patients with diverticulitis develop complications requiring further treatment. It is important to estimate the risk of developing complicated diverticulitis at an early stage to set the right treatment at initial presentation. METHODS: Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane databases were searched for studies reporting on risk factors for complicated diverticulitis. Complicated diverticulitis was defined as Hinchey ≥Ib or severe diverticulitis according to the Ambrosetti criteria. Meta-analyses were performed when at least four studies reported on the outcome of interest. This study was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 12 studies were included with a total of 4619 patients. Most were of reasonable quality. Only the risk factors "age" and "sex" were eligible for meta-analysis, but none showed a significant effect on the risk for complicated diverticulitis. There was reasonable quality of evidence suggesting that high C-reactive protein; white blood cell count; clinical signs including generalized abdominal pain, constipation and vomiting; steroid usage; a primary episode; and comorbidity are risk factors for complicated diverticulitis. CONCLUSION: Although high-level evidence is lacking, this study identified several risk factors associated with complicated diverticulitis. Individually, these risk factors have little value in predicting the course of diverticulitis. The authors propose a prognostic model combining these risk factors which might be the next step to aid the physician in predicting the course of diverticulitis and setting the right treatment at initial presentation.

An unrestricted diet for uncomplicated diverticulitis is safe: results of a prospective diverticulitis diet study.

AIM: The optimal diet for uncomplicated diverticulitis is unclear. Guidelines refrain from recommendation due to lack of objective information. The aim of the study was to determine whether an unrestricted diet during a first acute episode of uncomplicated diverticulitis is safe. METHOD: A prospective cohort study was performed of patients diagnosed with diverticulitis for the first time between 2012 and 2014. Requirements for inclusion were radiologically proven modified Hinchey Ia/b diverticulitis, American Society of Anesthesiologists class I-III and the ability to tolerate an unrestricted diet. Exclusion criteria were the use of antibiotics and suspicion of inflammatory bowel disease or malignancy. All included patients were advised to take an unrestricted diet. The primary outcome parameter was morbidity. Secondary outcome measures were the development of recurrence and ongoing symptoms. RESULTS: There were 86 patients including 37 (43.0%) men. All patients were confirmed to have taken an unrestricted diet. There were nine adverse events in seven patients. These consisted of readmission for pain (five), recurrent diverticulitis (one) and surgery (three) for ongoing symptoms (two) and Hinchey Stage III (one). Seventeen (19.8%) patients experienced continuing symptoms 6 months after the initial episode and 4 (4.7%) experienced recurrent diverticulitis. CONCLUSION: The incidence of complications among patients taking an unrestricted diet during an initial acute uncomplicated episode of diverticulitis was in line with that reported in the literature.

Comparison of dynamic magnetic resonance defaecography with rectal contrast and conventional defaecography for posterior pelvic floor compartment prolapse.

AIM: This study compared the diagnostic capabilities of dynamic magnetic resonance defaecography (D-MRI) with conventional defaecography (CD, reference standard) in patients with symptoms of prolapse of the posterior compartment of the pelvic floor. METHOD: Forty-five consecutive patients underwent CD and D-MRI. Outcome measures were the presence or absence of rectocele, enterocele, intussusception, rectal prolapse and the descent of the anorectal junction on straining, measured in millimetres. Cohen's Kappa, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and the positive and negative likelihood ratio of D-MRI were compared with CD. Cohen's Kappa and Pearson's correlation coefficient were calculated and regression analysis was performed to determine inter-observer agreement. RESULTS: Forty-one patients were available for analysis. D-MRI underreported rectocele formation with a difference in prevalence (CD 77.8% vs D-MRI 55.6%), mean protrusion (26.4 vs 22.7 mm, P = 0.039) and 11 false negative results, giving a low sensitivity of 0.62 and a NPV of 0.31. For the diagnosis of enterocele, D-MRI was inferior to CD, with five false negative results, giving a low sensitivity of 0.17 and high specificity (1.0) and PPV (1.0). Nine false positive intussusceptions were seen on D-MRI with only two missed. CONCLUSION: The accuracy of D-MRI for diagnosing rectocele and enterocele is less than that of CD. D-MRI, however, appears superior to CD in identifying intussusception. D-MRI and CD are complementary imaging techniques in the evaluation of patients with symptoms of prolapse of the posterior compartment.

High-grade hemorrhoids requiring surgical treatment are common after laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy.

PURPOSE: To describe patients developing grade III and IV hemorrhoids requiring surgery after laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy (LVMR) and to explore the relationship between developing such hemorrhoids and recurrence of rectal prolapse after LVMR. METHODS: All consecutive patients receiving LVMR at the Meander Medical Centre, Amersfoort, the Netherlands, between 2004 and 2013 were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier estimates were calculated for recurrences. RESULTS: A total of 420 patients underwent LVMR. Sixty-five of these patients (actuarial 5-year incidence 24.3, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 18.6-30.0) developed symptomatic grade III/IV hemorrhoids requiring stapled or excisional hemorrhoidectomy. Re-do surgery for recurrent grade III/IV hemorrhoids was required for 15 of the 65 patients (actuarial 5-year recurrence rate 40.6, 95 % CI 23.2-58.0) after the primary hemorrhoidectomy. Three of the 65 patients developed an external rectal prolapse (ERP) recurrence and eight an internal rectal prolapse (IRP) recurrence. This generated a 5-year recurrence rate of 25.3 % (95 % CI 0-53.9) for ERP recurrence and 24.4 % (95 % CI 9.1-39.7) for IRP recurrence. The rest of the LVMR cohort not receiving additional surgery for hemorrhoids (n = 355) showed significantly lower actuarial 5-year ERP (0.8 %, p = 0.011) and IRP (11 %, p = 0.020) recurrence rates. CONCLUSION: High-grade hemorrhoids requiring surgery may be common after LVMR. The development of high-grade hemorrhoids after LVMR might be considered a predictor of rectal prolapse recurrence.

Recurrences and Ongoing Complaints of Diverticulitis; Results of a Survey among Gastroenterologists and Surgeons.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the current opinion of gastroenterologists and surgeons on treatment strategies for patients, with recurrences or ongoing complaints of diverticulitis. BACKGROUND: Treatment of recurrences and ongoing complaints remains a point of debate. No randomized trials have been published yet and guidelines are not uniform in their advice. DESIGN: A web-based survey was conducted among gastroenterologists and GE-surgeons. Questions were aimed at the treatment options for recurrent diverticulitis and ongoing complaints. RESULTS: In total, 123 surveys were filled out. The number of patients with recurrent or ongoing diverticulitis who were seen at the outpatient clinic each year was 7 (0-30) and 5 (0-115) respectively. Surgeons see significantly more patients on an annual basis 20 vs. 15% (p = 0.00). Both surgeons and gastroenterologists preferred to treat patients in a conservative manner using pain medication and lifestyle advise (64.4 vs. 54.0, p = 0.27); however, gastroenterologists would treat patients with mesalazine medication, which is significantly more (28%, p = 0.04) than in the surgical group. Surgeons are inclined more towards surgery (31.5%, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Both surgeons and gastroenterologists prefer to treat recurrent diverticulitis and ongoing complaints in a conservative manner. Quality of life, the risk of complications and the viewpoint of the patient are considered important factors in the decision to resect the affected colon.

Feasibility of automated target centralization in colonoscopy.

PURPOSE: Early detection of colorectal cancer is key to full recovery. This urged governments to start population screening programs for colorectal cancer, often using flexible endoscopes. Flexible endoscopy is difficult to learn and time-consuming. Automation of flexible endoscopes may increase the capacity for the screening programs. The goal of this pilot study is to investigate the clinical and technical feasibility of an assisting automated navigation algorithm for a colonoscopy procedure. METHODS: Automated navigation (lumen centralization) was implemented in a robotized system designed for conventional flexible endoscopes. Ten novice and eight expert users were asked to perform a diagnostic colonoscopy on a colon model twice: once using the conventional and once using the robotic system. Feasibility was evaluated using time and location data as measures of the system's added value. RESULTS: Automated target centralization (ATC) was turned on by the novices for a median of 4.2% of the time during insertion and 0.3% during retraction. Experts turned ATC on for 4.0% of the time during insertion and 11.6% during retraction. Novices and experts showed comparable times to reach the cecum with the conventional or the robotic setup with ATC. CONCLUSION: The ATC algorithm combined with the robotized endoscope setup works in an experimental setup that closely resembles the clinical environment and is considered feasible, although ATC use was lower than expected. For novices, it was unclear whether the low usage was due to unfamiliarity with the system or because they did not need ATC. Experts used ATC also during the retraction phase of the procedure. This was an unexpected finding and may indicate an added value of the system.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic hiatal hernia and antireflux surgery.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a common disorder of the GE-junction that allows gastric acid to enter the esophagus. Surgery is indicated when the presence of the disease is objectively documented. The laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication is the preferred treatment of GERD. There is no clear advantage in robotic assistance for primary antireflux surgery. In our center we find the robot to be of added value for redo surgery or large and giant hiatal repair.

The relation between quality of life and histopathology in diverticulitis; can we predict specimen-related outcome?

PURPOSE: An important factor in the decision to perform laparoscopic sigmoid resection for patient suffering from recurrent and ongoing diverticulitis is quality of life (QoL). It is unknown whether quality of life relates to the severity of diverticulitis as seen in the resected colonic segment. The aim of this study is to analyze histopathological findings of patients suffering from recurrent or ongoing diverticulitis and their QoL before and after surgery in order to improve patient outcome prediction. METHODS: A cohort of consecutive patients with diverticulitis between January 2010 and April 2014 was analyzed. All patients were scheduled for surgery and had at least three episodes of diverticulitis or more within the last 2 years or experienced ongoing complaints for at least 3 months or more and confirmation by a radiologist. We compared QoL questionnaires, to known histopathological entities. RESULTS: For this study, 54 consecutive patients were included, 15 (27.8%) men and 39 (72.2%) women. A marked difference in quality of life before and after surgery for patients having a more severe histopathological entity was not found (p = 0.83). However, a clinically relevant higher VAS score 6 months after surgery was shown in patients with peritonitis. Furthermore, these patients had more fibrosis in the histopathological samples. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, even though a relation between the different pathological entities and QoL could not be determined, patients with diverticulitis and concomitant microscopic peritonitis had significantly more fibrosis and suffered from a higher VAS scores 6 months after surgery.

Robotic transanal total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: experience with a first case.

BACKGROUND: A transanal approach for total mesorectal excision (TME) using a single incision port is feasible. The disadvantages are technical difficulties associated with limited manoeuvrability. METHODS: We present our first experience with robotic-assisted transanal total mesorectal excision. A 48 year-old woman with a tumour 8 cm from the anal verge was successfully operated using a transanal approach. A complete mesorectal excision was performed through a single incision port, using two robot arms. RESULTS: TME was performed successfully and the patient recovered quickly without any complications. The histological report showed a complete mesorectal excision with free distal and circumferential margins. A sigmoidoscopy showed an intact anastomosis and the patient was planned for reversal of her ileostomy. CONCLUSIONS: Transanal total mesorectal excision using the robot is feasible. Robotics may help to overcome technical difficulties associated with the single incision port.