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OBJECTIVE: To gain insight in global practice of RAMIG and evaluated perioperative outcomes using an international registry. BACKGROUND: The techniques and perioperative outcomes of robot-assisted minimally invasive gastrectomy (RAMIG) for gastric cancer vary substantially in literature. METHODS: Prospectively registered RAMIG-cases for gastric cancer (≥10 per center) were extracted from 25 centers in Europe, Asia and South-America. Techniques for the resection, reconstruction, anastomosis and lymphadenectomy were analyzed, and related to perioperative surgical and oncological outcomes. Complications were uniformly defined by the Gastrectomy Complications Consensus Group. RESULTS: Between 2020-2023, 759 patients underwent total (n=272), distal (n=465) or proximal (n=22) gastrectomy (RAMIG). After total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y-reconstruction, anastomotic leakage rates were 8% with hand-sewn (n=9/111) and 6% with linear stapled anastomoses (n=6/100). After distal gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y (67%) or Billroth-II-reconstruction (31%), anastomotic leakage rates were 3% with linear stapled (n=11/433) and 0% with hand-sewn anastomoses (n=0/26). Extent of lymphadenectomy consisted of D1+ (28%), D2 (59%) or D2+ (12%). Median nodal harvest yielded 31 nodes [IQR 21-47] after total and 34 nodes [IQR 24-47] after distal gastrectomy. R0-resection rates were 93% after total and 96% distal gastrectomy. Hospital stay was 9 days after total and distal gastrectomy, and was 3 days shorter without perianastomotic drains versus routine drain placement. Postoperative 30-day mortality was 1%. CONCLUSIONS: This large multicenter study provided a worldwide overview of current RAMIG-techniques with their respective perioperative outcomes. These outcomes demonstrated high surgical quality, set a quality standard for RAMIG and can be considered an international reference for surgical standardization.
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BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal surgery has been at the forefront of advances in minimally invasive surgery (MIS). In the low resource settings of the developing countries, despite the benefits of MIS, its uptake in sub-Saharan African countries has been slow. OBJECTIVE: The present study reports the process of developing a minimally-invasive surgery service line as well as surgical outcomes in LASUTH. METHODS. We reviewed medical records of all patients who underwent minimally invasive surgery at LASUTH between March 2011 and March 2012. During each of three training missions in LASUTH patients with Gastrointestinal and gynaecological surgical conditions were carefully selected, and prepared for surgery. All patients were admitted a day prior to surgery. A description of the surgical technique and the skills training used is also presented. RESULTS: A total of 24 laparoscopic procedures were performed between March 2011 and March 2012. There were more females 17(70.8%) than males 7(29.2%), with a female to male ratio of 2.5:1. The age range was from 18 yrs to 75 yrs with a peak in the age group between 21-30 yrs. The chief complaints were right hypochondrial pain in 9 cases (37.5%) and right iliac fossa pain in 6 cases (25%) whilst others were right groin swelling, dysphagia, infertility and intersex state. CONCLUSION: The results presented in respect of conversion rate, length of post operative stay and complications rate are similar to the pattern in more established centers. The use of team training as done in LASUTH helps to accelerate the rate of learning and ensures sustainability.
