Robotic transanal surgery: initial experience in a developing country / Cirugía robótica transanal: experiencia inicial en un país en vías de desarrollo

Background: Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) is a surgical technique used for the excision of rectal neoplasia that gained popularity during the last decade. Due to the technical difficulty (non-articulated instruments, reduced workspace) and the long learning curve associated with this technique, the use of robotic platforms to improve resection results has been suggested and reported, at the same time that the learning curve decreases and the procedure is facilitated. Materials and Methods: From March 2017 to December 2019, all patients with rectal lesions eligible for TAMIS were offered the possibility to receive a robotic TAMIS (RTAMIS). We used a transanal GelPoint Path (Applied Medical Inc., Santa Margarita, CA, USA) in the anal canal to be able to do the Da Vinci Si (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) robotic platform docking, which we used to perform the excision of the rectal lesion as well as the resection site defect. Results: Five patients between 34 and 79 years of age underwent R-TAMIS. The mean distance to the anal verge was 8.8 cm. There were no conversions. The mean surgery time was 85 minutes, and the mean docking time was 6.6minutes. Conclusions: Robotic TAMIS is a feasible alternative to TAMIS, with a faster learning curve for experienced surgeons in transanal surgery and better ergonomics. Further studies are needed to assess the cost-benefit relationship. (AU)

Introdução: A cirurgia transanal minimamente invasiva (TAMIS, na sigla em inglês) é uma técnica que se tornou popular na última década para a excisão local de neoplasias no reto. Devido à dificuldade técnica (instrumentos não articulados, espaço de trabalho reduzido) e à longa curva de aprendizado representada por essa técnica, o uso de plataformas robóticas para melhorar os resultados da ressecção tem sido sugerido e relatado, aomesmo tempo emque a curva de aprendizado diminui e o procedimento é facilitado. Materiais e Métodos: De março de 2017 a dezembro de 2019, foi oferecida aos pacientes comlesões retais candidatos aoTAMIS a possibilidade de ressecção transanal robótica (R-TAMIS). Foi utilizada uma porta de acesso transanal GelPoint Path (Applied Medical Inc. Santa Margarita, CA, EUA), que foi introduzida no canal anal para posteriormente criar pneumoperitônio e realizar o acoplamento do sistema robótico Da Vinci Si (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, EUA) para realizar a ressecção e o fechamento do defeito por robótica. Resultados: Cinco pacientes entre 79 e 34 anos foram submetidos à R-TAMIS. A distânciamédia àmargemanal foi de 8,8 cm. Não houve conversões. O tempo cirúrgico médio foi de 85 minutos, e o tempo médio de acoplamento foi de 6,6 minutos. Conclusões: A R-TAMIS é uma alternativa à TAMIS convencional, com menor curva de aprendizado para cirurgiões experientes em cirurgia transanalminimamente invasiva e melhor ergonomia para ressecção e fechamento. Outros estudos são necessários para avaliar a relação custo-benefício. (AU)

Combined Endoscopic-Robotic Resection of a Giant Polyp to Avoid Colorectal Resection.

Colorectal cancer prevention relies on effective screening through colonoscopy and polypectomy. Several techniques and methods have been described to manage complex colonic polyps such as the ones that are endoscopically unresectable. Across time, we have been able to perform less invasive techniques that include different types of colonic resections, ranging from partial thickness, full-thickness and, segmental colectomies, however, none has proven to be the treatment of choice for these lesions. The technique presented here is an attractive alternative to segmental colectomy using a robotic platform to perform a full-thickness resection.

A novel approach for rectal trauma. The use of a transanal platform to repair a combined high-velocity rectal gun fire wound / Uma nova abordagem para trauma retal. Uso de uma plataforma transanal para reparo de ferimento retal combinado por disparo de arma de fogo de alta velocidade

Abstract Up to 80 % of the rectal injuries reported in US trauma centers occur secondary to firearm injuries. Rectal gunshot wounds are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Diverse surgical approaches and techniques have been described; however, controversy persists regarding the best management for these complex injuries. Nowadays, no single approach has proven to provide optimal results when dealing with these injuries. We present a case of a young male that suffered a combined (intra-extraperitoneal) gun shot gun to the rectus and the use of a transanal platform to repair it.

Resumo Até 80 % das lesões retais relatadas nos centros de trauma dos EUA ocorrem secundariamente às lesões por armas de fogo. Ferimentos retais por arma de fogo estão associados a significativa morbimortalidade. Foram descritas diversas abordagens e técnicas cirúrgicas; no entanto, ainda há controvérsias quanto qual é o melhor tratamento para essas lesões complexas. Atualmente, nenhuma abordagem isolada provou ótimos resultados ao lidar com essas lesões. Apresentamos um caso de um jovem do sexo masculino que sofreu um ferimento de pistola combinada (intra-extraperitoneal) no reto e o uso de uma plataforma transanal para repará-la.

Effect of Surgical Expertise on Biomechanical Properties of Sutures After Abdominal Wall Closure.

BACKGROUND: Despite preventive methods and careful surgical technique, surgical site infection and incisional hernias are of main concern after the closure of surgical incisions and keep haunting abdominal wall wound healing. The aim of this study is to find how surgical expertise level modifies biomechanical properties of sutures commonly used in abdominal wall fascial closure (polypropylene, polyglactin 910, polydioxanone). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Surgery residents with different experience levels performed abdominal wall fascial closure in swine models with the previously mentioned suture materials. A standardized technique was used. Sutures were removed, and a tensile stress test was performed on the removed sutures. A total of 81 abdominal fascial closures were achieved. Time, extension, maximum tensile force (Ftmax), and maximum stress were measured and analyzed. RESULTS: The results of the polydioxanone stress test present a trend in three variables: extension, tensile force, and stress. The trend shows higher medians in the expert group and lower medians in the novice group. While using polypropylene sutures, medians in the expert group are the highest; however, a trend is not observed. Polyglactin 910 sutures have nonspecific behavior among the different experience groups and variables. Polypropylene is the material with the lowest Ftmax tested and fails at 42.64 (IQR 40.98-44.89) N. Regarding the elastic properties of the material, polyglactin demonstrates the least extension of all sutures tested, with a 14 (IQR 13.33-14.83) mm extension. This study demonstrates that polydioxanone has a superior Ftmax compared with polypropylene and has a superior extension at failure properties compared with polyglactin, confirming that polydioxanone could be the suture of choice used for abdominal wall fascial closure. CONCLUSIONS: Study results do not show statistically significant differences regarding the impact of the experience level of different general surgery residents in the biomechanical properties of sutures used in abdominal wall fascial closure.