Robotic surgery at ABC Medical Center: first 500 procedures experience.

BACKGROUND: Robotic surgery is a technological advance that is used in multiple surgical specialties in the world. Its acceptance in various areas has been supported by comparative studies with laparoscopic surgery and open surgery. OBJECTIVE: To document the robotic surgery program initial experience in a private hospital of Mexico City by analyzing its results and complications. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The first 500 robotic surgeries practiced at ABC Medical Center were included, covering a three-year period (January 2017 to December 2019). The following was documented: specialties involved, surgeries broken down by specialty and type of surgery, surgical times, complications and number of doctors involved in the initial experience. RESULTS: Out of 500 patients, 367 (73.4 %) were males and 133 (26.4 %) were females. The three most common surgeries were radical prostatectomy (269), hysterectomy (64) and inguinal repair (33). Average age was 58 years (range: 18 to 90 years). A total of 40 certified surgeons from five specialties performed all the procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Starting a program in a private medical center has several implications. The creation of a robotic surgery committee made up of certified robotic surgery specialists from each specialty and hospital authorities for the accreditation of guidelines for both certification and recertification of their doctors can benefit programs like ours by creating a center of excellence in robotic surgery and thus reduce complications and improve results.

ANTECEDENTES: La cirugía robótica se utiliza en múltiples especialidades quirúrgicas a nivel mundial. OBJETIVO: Documentar la experiencia inicial del programa de cirugía robótica en un hospital de práctica privada. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Se incluyen las primeras 500 cirugías robóticas realizadas en el Centro Médico ABC, abarcando un periodo de tres años. Se documentan especialidades involucradas así como datos transoperatorios principales. RESULTADOS: De 500 pacientes, 367 (73.4%) fueron de sexo masculino y 133 (26.4%) de sexo femenino. Las tres cirugías más realizada fueron prostatectomía radical (269), seguido de histerectomía (64) y plastia inguinal (33). Un total de 40 médicos certificados de cinco especialidades realizaron la totalidad de los procedimientos. CONCLUSIONES: El iniciar un programa en un centro médico privado tiene diversas implicaciones. La creación de un comité de cirugía robótica integrado por médicos especialistas certificados en cirugía robótica de cada especialidad y autoridades del hospital para la acreditación de lineamientos tanto para la certificación como la recertificación de sus médicos puede beneficiar a programas como el nuestro por crear un centro de excelencia de cirugía robótica, disminuyendo complicaciones y mejorando resultados.

Cirugía robótica en el Centro Médico ABC: experiencia en los primeros 500 procedimientos realizados / Robotic surgery at ABC Medical Center: first 500 procedures experience

Resumen Antecedentes: La cirugía robótica se utiliza en múltiples especialidades quirúrgicas a nivel mundial. Objetivo: Documentar la experiencia inicial del programa de cirugía robótica en un hospital de práctica privada. Material y método: Se incluyen las primeras 500 cirugías robóticas realizadas en el Centro Médico ABC, abarcando un periodo de tres años. Se documentan especialidades involucradas así como datos transoperatorios principales. Resultados: De 500 pacientes, 367 (73.4%) fueron de sexo masculino y 133 (26.4%) de sexo femenino. Las tres cirugías más realizada fueron prostatectomía radical (269), seguido de histerectomía (64) y plastia inguinal (33). Un total de 40 médicos certificados de cinco especialidades realizaron la totalidad de los procedimientos. Conclusiones: El iniciar un programa en un centro médico privado tiene diversas implicaciones. La creación de un comité de cirugía robótica integrado por médicos especialistas certificados en cirugía robótica de cada especialidad y autoridades del hospital para la acreditación de lineamientos tanto para la certificación como la recertificación de sus médicos puede beneficiar a programas como el nuestro por crear un centro de excelencia de cirugía robótica, disminuyendo complicaciones y mejorando resultados.

Abstract Background: Robotic surgery is used in different surgical specialties worldwide. Objective: To documents the initial experience in a private hospital in the use robotic surgery in different surgical areas. Material and Methods: We included the first 500 robotic surgeries in our hospital in a 3 year period, documenting specialty and operative information. Results: Of the 500 patients, 367 (73.4%) were male and 133 (26.4%) female. The three most frequent surgeries performed were Radical Prostatectomy (269), Hysterectomy (64) an inguinal repair (33). A total of 40 certified surgeons ranging from 5 specialties performed the total number of surgeries. Conclusions: There are several implications in starting a robotic program in a private hospital setting. The creation of a robotic committee, formed by robotic certified physicians and hospital authorities, has helped in the certification process of its staff, lowering the complication rate and obtaining better surgical results.

[Rectal cancer: diagnosis, screening and treatment].

Rectal cancer is one of the primary malignant neoplasms occurring in Mexican patients of reproductive age. Unfortunately, randomized studies in rectal cancer do not exist as they do with well-recognized colon cancer. We must individualize the epidemiology, risk factors, diagnostic approach, staging and treatment because management is different in rectal cancers affecting the mid- and lower third of the rectum than in the upper third and in colon cancers. Histological staging is the primary prognostic factor. TNM staging (tumor, node, and metastasis) is used internationally by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC). Staging is done with the assistance of endorectal ultrasound, which is best used in early-stage cancer; however, there are certain disadvantages in detecting node involvement. Magnetic resonance, on the other hand, allows for the evaluation of stenotic tumors and node involvement. Once the correct diagnosis and staging have been made, the next step is correct treatment. Neoadjuvant treatment has demonstrated to be better than adjuvant treatment. Abdominoperineal resection is rarely practiced currently, with sphincter preservation being the preferred procedure. Laparoscopic approach has conferred the advantages of the approach itself when performed by experts in the procedure but there is insufficient evidence to make it the "gold standard." Rectal cancer is a complex pathology that must be considered totally different from colon cancer for diagnosis and treatment. The patient must be staged completely and appropriately for individualizing correct treatment. More long-term studies are needed for optimizing treatment modalities.

[Laparoscopic appendectomy. Present situation. ABC medical center experience during the last five years]. / Apendicectomia laparoscópica. Lugar actual. Experiencia del Centro Médico ABC en los ultimos cinco años.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic and therapeutic accuracy of laparoscopic appendectomy versus open appendectomy. BACKGROUND DATA: Appendectomy is the treatment of choice for acute appendicitis. Open Appendectomy (OA) has its complications rates (10-20%) and negative explorations in young women are about 25-30%. Acute appendicitis has a 3.1% morbidity and with perforation up to 47.2% and a mortality rate less than 1%. Advantages of laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) has been shown in many studies with lower intraoperatory and postoperatory complications, less hospitalization days, lower pain and faster return to daily activities when its compared with OA. METHODS: We perform a retrospective and descriptive trial with 1,883 patients with acute appendicitis between January 2000 to September 2004. Patients smaller than 15 years old and with other postoperatory diagnosis were excluded. Ji2 and t Student statistic tests were performed. RESULTS: We obtained 1,272 patients with acute appendicitis, 49% male and 51% female. LA was performed in 732 patients, 46.1% male and 53.9% female and OA was performed in 541 patients, 52.6% male and 47.3% female. Similar midage patients in both groups. LS was performed in 180 patients with complicated appendicitis and 116 patients by OA. LA was converted to open surgery in 4.5% patients. Morbidity was lower for laparoscopic group with statistical difference. There were no difference in fasting and hospitalization days. CONCLUSIONS: This procedure is a good choice for differential diagnosis overall in young women and complicated appendicitis with lower morbidity than the OA.

[Ileocecal valve lipoma. Case report and review of the literature]. / Lipoma de la válvula ileocecal. Informe de un caso clínico y revisión de la literatura.

BACKGROUND: Lipomas are the most frequent benign tumors of the digestive tract and 50% are localized in the colon. Most are found submucosally and may vary in their incidence, localization, symptoms and pathogenesis, making diagnosis difficult. We undertook this study to learn the different presentations of an ileocecal valve (ICV) lipoma and conduct a review of the literature due to this uncommon location. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 78-year-old female with intermittent small bowel occlusion, abdominal distention and constipation. Colonoscopy showed a submucous tumor at the ICV, CT scan showed a tumor at the ICV with fat density. Laparotomy was performed with primary resection of the lesion by cecotomy, frozen section was reported as nonmalignant so a primary closure without ICV involvement was achieved. Definitive pathology revealed a benign lipoma. CONCLUSION: It is important to know the different presentations of these benign tumors because if there is mucosal ulceration they can be mistaken for a malignant lesion and lead to greater resections. Resection is necessary if they are symptomatic or >2 cm.

[Refundoplication for failed antireflux surgery. Experience in sixteen cases]. / Refunduplicatura por cirugía antirreflujo fallida. Experiencia en 16 casos.

BACKGROUND: We undertook this study to identify the main causes leading to a failed funduplication and to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of reoperation by laparoscopic approach. METHODS: A retrospective and descriptive study was carried out with a review of patient charts. Patients were reoperated for failed antireflux surgery between January 1999 and September 2004. RESULTS: Sixteen patient charts were reviewed, 10 men (62.5%) and 6 women (37.5%), average age 42.1 +/- 15.4 years (21 to 72 years). Main preoperative symptoms were severe reflux in seven patients (43.7%), severe dysphagia in five (31.3%), and dysphagia and pain in four (25%). Thirteen patients (81%) had previous Nissen laparoscopic funduplication (NL), one (6%) open Nissen (ON) and two (13%) open Toupet (OT). Four patients were reoperated with open surgery (two Nissen and two Toupet), and 12 laparoscopically (11 Nissen and 1 Toupet). The main causes of dysfunction were a) in LN: sliding of the funduplication in five patients (38%), angulation of the funduplication in three (23%) and others; b) in ON: sliding of the funduplication in one patient; and c) in OT: posterior sliding of the funduplication in two cases. The hospital stay for the laparoscopic group was 3.5 +/- 1 days (2 to 5 days) and for the open group, 5.2 +/- 1.3 days (4 to 7 days, p < 0.013, Student t-test). Morbidity 1 month postoperatively was 37.5%. Also reported were abdominal distention (19%), occasional distention with dysphagia (12%), reflux (6.5%), with 0% mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic reoperation for failed antireflux surgery is feasible with an acceptable morbidity and good results.

[Intraoperative endoscopy in laparoscopic fundoplications]. / Endoscopia transoperatoria en funduplicatura laparoscópica.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic fundoplications are the standard surgical treatment of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disorder. Adequate technique is the most important outcome factor. There is no standardized method to evaluate the procedure itself. Intraoperative endoscopy is a method to evaluate laparoscopic fundoplications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study of patients undergoing laparoscopic fundoplications from July 1999 to June 2004, excluding open procedures and reoperations of previous failed laparoscopic fundoplications. Intraoperative endoscopy was performed during the dissection and suturing of the procedure to determine if correction of the technique is necessary. Number of changes were recorded and analyzed with Student's t-test. RESULTS: Three hundred patients were operated on, 23 were excluded (14 reoperations and nine conventional laparotomies). Of the 277 patients included, 178 were males and 99 females. Average age was 43.4 +/- 14 years (range: 12-85). There were 71 Toupet and 206 Nissen fundoplications. Intraoperative endoscopy determined correction of the technique in 77 patients with 1.69 +/- 0.96 changes; 68 rotated and/or angled fundoplications, one rotation with distended stomach, one redundant gastric fundus, and seven change in the type of fundoplication from Nissen to Toupet because of tightness (3.7 +/- 1.1 changes, p = 0.0001) to achieve adequate fundoplication. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative endoscopy confirms adequate technique and prevents inadequate laparoscopic fundoplications. Further studies will determine if routine use is justified to prevent postoperative complications and to improve outcome.

Lipoma de la válvula ileocecal: informe de un caso clínico y revisión de la literatura / Ileocecal valve lipoma: case report and review of the literature

Introducción: los lipomas son los tumores benignos más frecuentes en tubo digestivo y hasta 50 % se encuentra en el colon. La mayoría son submucosos y varían de acuerdo a su incidencia, localización, sintomatología y patogénesis, lo que dificulta su diagnóstico. Nuestro objetivo fue conocer las diferentes manifestaciones clínicas causadas por un lipoma en la válvula ileocecal, y hacer una revisión de la literatura de esta localización poco frecuente. Caso clínico: mujer de 78 años que presentó cuadros repetidos de oclusión intestinal parcial con distensión abdominal, constipación y obstipación. Se realizó colonoscopia que mostró tumoración submucosa de 30 mm en válvula ileocecal; la tomografía computarizada de abdomen mostró tumoración nodular de densidad grasa en válvula ileocecal. La paciente fue sometida a laparotomía exploradora y cecotomía, donde se identificó y resecó tumoración submucosa, la cual fue enviada a estudio transoperatorio; dado que se trató de una tumoración benigna, se respetó la válvula ileocecal y se realizó cierre primario. El reporte histopatológico definitivo fue lipoma, negativo para malignidad. Conclusiones: es importante conocer las distintas formas de presentación de los lipomas, ya que fácilmente pueden confundirse con lesiones malignas (sobre todo si existe ulceración de la mucosa) y someter al paciente a procedimientos mayores. Sólo deben resecarse si producen síntomas o son mayores a 2 cm.

BACKGROUND: Lipomas are the most frequent benign tumors of the digestive tract and 50% are localized in the colon. Most are found submucosally and may vary in their incidence, localization, symptoms and pathogenesis, making diagnosis difficult. We undertook this study to learn the different presentations of an ileocecal valve (ICV) lipoma and conduct a review of the literature due to this uncommon location. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 78-year-old female with intermittent small bowel occlusion, abdominal distention and constipation. Colonoscopy showed a submucous tumor at the ICV, CT scan showed a tumor at the ICV with fat density. Laparotomy was performed with primary resection of the lesion by cecotomy, frozen section was reported as nonmalignant so a primary closure without ICV involvement was achieved. Definitive pathology revealed a benign lipoma. CONCLUSION: It is important to know the different presentations of these benign tumors because if there is mucosal ulceration they can be mistaken for a malignant lesion and lead to greater resections. Resection is necessary if they are symptomatic or >2 cm.

Melanoma primario en el esófago. Caso inusual con esófago de Barrett / Primary melanoma in the esophagus. An unusual case with Barrettïs esophagus

Objetivo: presentar una entidad clinicopatológica rara, de difícil diagnóstico preoperatorio. Antecedentes: el melanoma primario esofágico no rebasa 0.1 por ciento de todas las neoplasias malignas en esta región, y puede asociarse con melanocitosis y melanosis en mucosa esofágica. Aunque la presentación clínica es semejante a la de cualquier otra neoplasia en el esófago, el comportamiento de los melanomas es más agresivo y fatal en la mayoría de los casos. La endoscopia generalmente muestra lesiones vegetantes no obstructivas, la pigmentación es oscura de la variante melánica, la única evidencia sugestiva diagnóstica previa al estudio microscópico. Es indispensable descartar clínicamente la posibilidad de un melanoma metastásico. Método: se revisan las características clínicas, imagenológicas, endoscópicas y anatomopatológicas de una neoplasia ulcerovegetante en la unión esofagogástrica, resecada a un hombre de 65 años de edad, que padecía disfagia progresiva. El paciente ha permanecido sin recidiva tumoral durante 18 meses ulteriores a la cirugía. Resultados: la masa tumoral resultó ser un tumor de células anaplásicas, con pigmentación melánica muy focal, teñido de manera difusa con el antígeno HMB-45 y la proteína S100, considerándolo como melanoma esofágico primario. La mucosa aledaña mostró un típico esófago de Barrett con hiperplasia melanocítica. Conclusiones: 1) la endoscopia puede sugerir la posibilidad de melanoma esofágico cuando se observa un tumor vegetante no obstructivo y pigmentado; 2) la inmunohistoquímica corrobora la entidad con la positividad para HMB-45 y S100, la negatividad para queratina y antígeno común leucocitario descartan carcinoma y linfoma, y 3) en este caso, la presencia de esófago de Barrett es excepcional, porque no ha sido descrita previamente en la literatura revisada.

Prolapso rectal / Rectal prolapse

Se hace una revisión de los conceptos actuales que se aplicaron en el estudio diagnóstico y en el tratamiento del prolapso rectal.