Introduction of a new surgical robot platform "hinotori™" in an institution with established da Vinci surgery™ for digestive organ operations.

BACKGROUND: New platforms for robotic surgery have recently become available for clinical use; however, information on the introduction of new surgical robotic platforms compared with the da Vinci™ surgical system is lacking. In this study, we retrospectively determined the safe introduction of the new "hinotori™" surgical robot in an institution with established da Vinci surgery using four representative digestive organ operations. METHODS: Sixty-one patients underwent robotic esophageal, gastric, rectal, and pancreatic operations using the hinotori system in our department in 2023. Among these, 22 patients with McKeown esophagectomy, 12 with distal gastrectomy, 11 with high- and low-anterior resection of the rectum, and eight with distal pancreatectomy procedures performed by hinotori were compared with historical controls treated using da Vinci surgery. RESULTS: The console (cockpit) operation time for distal gastrectomy and rectal surgery was shorter in the hinotori group compared with the da Vinci procedure, and there were no significant differences in the console times for the other two operations. Other surgical results were almost similar between the two robot surgical groups. Notably, the console times for hinotori surgeries showed no significant learning curves, determined by the cumulative sum method, for any of the operations, with similar values to the late phase of da Vinci surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that no additional learning curve might be required to achieve proficient surgical outcomes using the new hinotori surgical robotic platform, compared with the established da Vinci surgery.

[Manual suture or stapler closure: management of pancreatic stump during distal pancreatectomy].

Postoperative pancreatic fistula is the most common complication after distal pancreatectomy.With the update of the domestic and international guidelines or consensuses, the definition of pancreatic fistula has become more standardized.And the classification of pancreatic fistula is able to represent the severity of clinical outcomes more accurately.Currently, the determination of risk factors of pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy, the establishment of prediction model, and the surgical closure mode of pancreatic stump still remain the major topics.With the rapid development of laparoscopic and robotic surgery in pancreatectomy, there are more and more selectionsin transection and managing the pancreatic stump after distal pancreatectomy for prevention of pancreatic fistula.However, there has not been a uniform fashion in terms of manual suture or stapler use to close the pancreatic stump.Herein the current status and development of pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy are reviewed.The strategy of managing the pancreatic stump after distal pancreatectomy should be adopted individually according to the texture and thickness of pancreatic parenchyma.

Relationship between pancreatic thickness and staple height is relevant to the occurrence of pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy.

BACKGROUND: A triple-row stapler is widely used to divide the pancreas in distal pancreatectomy (DP). However, the selection criteria of the stapler cartridge to prevent postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) remain unclear. The objective of this study was to determine if factors concerning pancreatic thickness or staple size affect POPF after DP. METHODS: Datasets of patients from the Mayo Clinic and National Cancer Center Hospital East who underwent DP using a triple-row stapler were merged. Risk of POPF was analyzed using clinicopathological variables, including data for pancreatic thickness and staple height. A compression index was defined as the designated staple height (mm) after closure divided by the pancreatic thickness (mm). RESULTS: Among the 277 patients, POPF occurred in 65 (23%) patients. The median pancreatic thickness was 13.7 mm and the median compression index was 0.137. Multivariable logistic models showed that a greater pancreatic thickness (odds ratio, 1.190, P < 0.001) and a compression index ≤0.160 (odds ratio, 4.754, P < 0.001) were independently related with POPF. CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing DP using a triple-row stapler, the thickness of the pancreas was related with the occurrence of POPF. Selection of the stapler cartridge with a compression index of ≤0.160 may reduce the occurrence of POPF.

Surgical techniques and postoperative management to prevent postoperative pancreatic fistula after pancreatic surgery.

Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is one of the most severe complications after pancreatic surgeries. POPF develops as a consequence of pancreatic juice leakage from a surgically exfoliated surface and/or anastomotic stump, which sometimes cause intraperitoneal abscesses and subsequent lethal hemorrhage. In recent years, various surgical and perioperative attempts have been examined to reduce the incidence of POPF. We reviewed several well-designed studies addressing POPF-related factors, such as reconstruction methods, anastomotic techniques, stent usage, prophylactic intra-abdominal drainage, and somatostatin analogs, after pancreaticoduodenectomy and distal pancreatectomy, and we assessed the current status of POPF. In addition, we also discussed the current status of POPF in minimally invasive surgeries, laparoscopic surgeries, and robotic surgeries.

Technological Advances in Surgical Equipment in Exotic Pet Medicine.

Surgery can be challenging in exotic pets owing to their small size and blood volume, and their increased anesthetic risk compared with small animals. Various devices are available to facilitate suturing, cutting, and hemostasis in the human and veterinary fields. These surgical equipment improve the simplicity, rapidity, and effectiveness of surgery. Vessel-sealing devices, radiosurgery, lasers, and ultrasound devices are commonly used because of their ease of use and increase in surgical efficiency. Other surgical devices are available (eg, stapling devices) but are not discussed in this article.

Safety and effectiveness of the da Vinci robot with the "3+2" mode for distal pancreatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Recently, no relevant research has focused on the relationship between the clinical efficacy of da Vinci robotic distal pancreatectomy (RDP) and the number of mechanical arms and assistants used for RDP. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and advantages of RDP with the "3 + 2" mode. METHODS: Clinical data from 53 patients (observation group) who received RDP using the "3 + 2" mode in our department, from March 2016 to September 2018, were reviewed. An additional 53 patients who received RDP using the classical mode were chosen at random for the control group. Short-term outcomes for the two groups were compared. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups for estimated blood loss, postoperative day of flatus passage, postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative complication (P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the observation group had a significantly shorter operative time (166.9 ± 13.3 vs 192.6 ± 11.1 minutes, P < 0.001), lower surgical costs ($2827.79 ± $173.02 vs $3900.63 ± $317.29, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The RDP using the "3 + 2" mode can increase the exposure of surgical field, improve cooperation between assistants, lower the surgical costs, and shorten the operative time and learning curve. Moreover, the clinical effect is equal to that of RDP using the classical mode. These findings indicate that RDP using the "3 + 2" mode is safe and feasible for institutions that are equipped for robot-assisted surgery.

Reinforced stapler versus ultrasonic dissector for pancreatic transection and stump closure for distal pancreatectomy: A propensity matched analysis.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pancreatic fistula is the primary contributor to morbidity after distal pancreatectomy. To date, no techniques used for the transection and closure of the pancreatic stump have shown clear superiority over the others. This study aimed to compare the rate of postoperative pancreatic fistula after pancreatic transection conducted with a reinforced stapler versus an ultrasonic dissector after a distal pancreatectomy. METHOD: Prospectively collected data of consecutive patients who underwent distal pancreatectomy from 2014 to 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. We included distal pancreatectomies in which pancreatic transection was performed by reinforced stapler or ultrasonic dissector; we excluded extended distal pancreatectomies. To overcome the absence of randomization, we conducted a propensity matching analysis according to risk factors for postoperative pancreatic fistula. RESULTS: Overall, 200 patients met the inclusion criteria. The reinforced stapler was employed in 108 patients and the ultrasonic dissector in 92 cases. After one-to-one propensity matching, 92 patients were selected from each group. The matched reinforced stapler and ultrasonic dissector cohort had no differences in baselines characteristics except for the mini-invasive approach, which was more common in the ultrasonic dissector group (34% vs 51%, P = .025). Overall, 48 patients (26%) developed a postoperative pancreatic fistula, 46 (25%) a grade B postoperative pancreatic fistula, and 2 (1%) a grade C postoperative pancreatic fistula. In the reinforced stapler group, the rate of postoperative pancreatic fistula was 12% (n = 11) and in the ultrasonic dissector group 40% (n = 37) with a P < .001. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the use of reinforced stapler for pancreatic transection decreases the risk of postoperative pancreatic fistula. A randomized trial is required to confirm these preliminary data.

Use of a Reinforced Triple-row Stapler Following Distal Pancreatectomy Reduces the Incidence of Postoperative Pancreatic Fistula in Patients With a High BMI.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Although perioperative management and operative techniques for pancreatic surgery have improved, postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) remains the major cause of morbidity and mortality following distal pancreatectomy (DP). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the superiority of the reinforced stapler compared to the bare triple row stapler. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 93 patients who underwent DP at the First Department of Surgery at Yamanashi University were examined. The patients were divided into two groups according to the closure method for the pancreatic stump; the bare triple-row stapler (BTRS) group and the reinforced triple-row stapler (RTRS) group. The postoperative outcomes were then compared in terms of several clinicopathological factors between the two groups. RESULTS: Seven patients were diagnosed with Grade B/C POPF in this series. The incidence of POPF in the RTRS group was lower than that in the BTRS group (3.6% vs. 13.5%), although there was no significant difference (p=0.077). Further detailed analysis demonstrated that RTRS significantly reduced POPF compared to BTRS in obese patients with a BMI >25.0 kg/m2 (p=0.038). CONCLUSION: Reinforced triple-row staplers may reduce the incidence of severe POPF, especially in obese patients with a BMI >25 kg/m2.

Robotic-assisted versus laparoscopic left pancreatectomy at a high-volume, minimally invasive center.

INTRODUCTION: While minimally invasive left pancreatectomy has become more widespread and generally accepted over the last decade, opinions on modality of minimally invasive approach (robotic or laparoscopic) remain mixed with few institutions performing a significant portion of both operative approaches simultaneously. METHODS: 247 minimally invasive left pancreatectomies were retrospectively identified in a prospectively maintained institutional REDCap™ database, 135 laparoscopic left pancreatectomy (LLP) and 108 robotic-assisted left pancreatectomy (RLP). Demographics, intraoperative variables, postoperative outcomes, and OR costs were compared between LLP and RLP with an additional subgroup analysis for procedures performed specifically for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (35 LLP and 23 RLP) focusing on pathologic outcomes and 2-year actuarial survival. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in preoperative demographics or indications between LLP and RLP with 34% performed for chronic pancreatitis and 23% performed for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. While laparoscopic cases were faster (p < 0.001) robotic cases had a higher rate of splenic preservation (p < 0.001). Median length of stay was 5 days for RLP and LLP, and rate of clinically significant grade B/C pancreatic fistula was approximately 20% for both groups. Conversion rates to laparotomy were 4.3% and 1.8% for LLP and RLP approaches respectively. RLP had a higher rate of readmission (p = 0.035). Pathologic outcomes and 2-year actuarial survival were similar between LLP and RLP. LLP on average saved $206.67 in OR costs over RLP. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that at a high-volume center with significant minimally invasive experience, both LLP and RLP can be equally effective when used at the discretion of the operating surgeon. We view the laparoscopic and robotic platforms as tools for the modern surgeon, and at our institution, given the technical success of both operative approaches, we will continue to encourage our surgeons to approach a difficult operation with their tool of choice.

Ultrasound-Guided Robotic Enucleation of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs) are relatively rare neoplasms with a low to mild malignant potential. They can be further divided into functioning and nonfunctioning, according to their secretive activity. Surgery is an optimal approach, but the classic open approach is challenging, with some patients having long hospitalization and potentially life-threatening complications. The robotic approach for PanNETs may represent an option to optimize their management. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our prospectively maintained databases from 2 high-volume Italian centers for pancreatic surgery. Demographics, pathological characteristics, perioperative outcome, and medium-term follow-up of patients who underwent robotic pancreatic enucleations were collected. RESULTS: Twelve patients with final diagnosis of PanNET were included. The mean age of the patients was 53.8 years (25-77). The median body mass index was 26 (24-29). Three lesions were functioning insulinomas, while the others were nonfunctioning tumors. No deaths occurred. Mild postoperative complications occurred, except for 1 grade B pancreatic fistula. The mean postoperative stay was 3.9 days (2-5). CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm that robotic enucleation is a feasible and safe approach for the treatment of PanNETs, with short hospital stay and low incidence of morbidity.

Laparoscopic Spleen Preserving Distal Pancreatectomy with Splenic Vessels Preservation.

Spleen preserving Distal Pancreatectomy (SPDP) is commonly applied in patients with benign or low-grade malignant tumors in the body and tail of the pancreas. Our aim is to present our technique and the early results in performing laparoscopic spleen preserving distal pancreatectomy with splenic vessel preservation (LSPDP-SVP) during 2017-2018 in Ponderas Academic Hospital.

Endoscopic linear stapler-assisted resection of a giant solid pseudopapillary pancreatic tumor with concurrent regional portal hypertension: a case report.

Solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas (SPTP) is a rare neoplasm with a low incidence and low rate of malignancy. We herein report a rare case of SPTP concurrent with regional portal hypertension (RPH) that was successfully treated by distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. A 22-year-old woman presented with a left upper abdominal apophysis and normal liver function. She was diagnosed with an SPTP and RPH by abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography, and she subsequently underwent distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. Noticeably, varicose vein plexus with wide range appeared on the upper edge of the pancreatic body and posterior gastric wall of the patient. Therefore, we created a path to avoid touching the varicose veins and took advantage of the endoscopic linear stapler to staple the veins. We herein report our surgical experience on SPTP assisted with the endoscopic linear stapler, which will be very realistic for the management of this rare clinical entity.

Usefulness of three-dimensional visualization technology in minimally invasive treatment for infected necrotizing pancreatitis.

AIM: To explore the value of three-dimensional (3D) visualization technology in the minimally invasive treatment for infected necrotizing pancreatitis (INP). METHODS: Clinical data of 18 patients with INP, who were admitted to the PLA General Hospital in 2017, were retrospectively analyzed. Two-dimensional images of computed tomography were converted into 3D images based on 3D visualization technology. The size, number, shape and position of lesions and their relationship with major abdominal vasculature were well displayed. Also, percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) number and puncture paths were designed through virtual surgery (percutaneous nephroscopic necrosectomy) based on the principle of maximum removal of infected necrosis conveniently. RESULTS: Abdominal 3D visualization images of all the patients were well reconstructed, and the optimal PCD puncture paths were well designed. Infected necrosis was conveniently removed in abundance using a nephroscope during the following surgery, and the median operation time was 102 (102 ± 20.7) min. Only 1 patient underwent endoscopic necrosectomy because of residual necrosis. CONCLUSION: The 3D visualization technology could optimize the PCD puncture paths, improving the drainage effect in patients with INP. Moreover, it significantly increased the efficiency of necrosectomy through the rigid nephroscope. As a result, it decreased operation times and improved the prognosis.

Application of a commercial single-port device for robotic single-incision distal pancreatectomy: initial experience.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy has proven to be feasible and safe. Moreover, robotic surgery provides unique advantages for pancreatic procedures, although single-incision robotic pancreatic surgery is rarely discussed. We applied the single-port modified platform to accomplish robotic distal pancreatectomy in a series of patients. METHODS: The subjects of this study were ten patients who underwent robotic distal pancreatectomy in our hospital between July 1, 2015 and Dec 31, 2016. All patients were placed supine in the reverse Trendelenburg position with the legs abducted. Surgery was performed via a trans-umbilical 5.0-cm incision, using a modified single-port platform (LAGIPORT®) combined with the da Vinci Si Surgical System. The three arms and scope (30-degree up) were inserted through the LAGIPORT® and positioned in a triangle. Endoscopic ultrasound was used to localize the tumor and plan the resection margin. We recorded the surgical time, operation time, blood loss, postoperative pain score, hospital stay, and complications. RESULTS: The surgical time was 236 ± 32 min, the operation time was 172 ± 30 min, and the blood loss was 149 ± 65 ml. All patients underwent robot-assisted distal pancreatectomy without conversion. The average pain score on postoperative day (POD) 3 was 4.5 ± 1. Complications included subsplenic hematoma (n = 1) and minor pancreatic leakage (n = 2). There was no surgical mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate the safety and efficiency of robotic single-incision distal pancreatectomy via the modified platform (LAGIPORT®).

A blunt dissection technique using the LigaSure vessel-sealing device improves perioperative outcomes and postoperative splenic-vessel patency after laparoscopic spleen- and splenic-vessel-preserving distal pancreatectomy.

BACKGROUND: We have recently performed a blunt dissection technique using LigaSure technology for laparoscopic spleen- and splenic-vessel-preserving distal pancreatectomy to reduce the risk of bleeding during the dissection of the splenic vessels. The aim of this study was to compare the utility of the blunt dissection technique and a conventional dissection technique during laparoscopic spleen- and splenic-vessel-preserving distal pancreatectomy. METHODS: Fifty-five patients who underwent laparoscopic spleen- and splenic-vessel-preserving distal pancreatectomy performed by a single surgeon between March 2003 and December 2015 were enrolled in this retrospective single-center study. The patients were divided into the LigaSure group (n = 23) and non-LigaSure group (n = 26). Perioperative clinical outcomes and the postoperative patency of the preserved splenic vessels in the two groups were compared. RESULTS: The patient and tumor characteristics did not differ significantly between the two groups. The incidence of postoperative complications was similar in the two groups. However, the mean operative time (145 vs. 231.1 min, P = 0.001), intraoperative blood loss (95.6 vs. 360 ml, P = 0.001), and postoperative hospital stay (6.4 vs. 9.8 days, P = 0.001) were significantly lower in the LigaSure group than in the non-LigaSure group, respectively. The splenic artery patency rate was similar in both groups, but the splenic vein patency was significantly better in the LigaSure group than in the non-LigaSure group (total occlusion rate: 4.5 vs. 30.8%, respectively, P = 0.017). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the blunt dissection technique using a LigaSure reduces the operating time and intraoperative blood loss during laparoscopic spleen- and splenic-vessel-preserving distal pancreatectomy and increases the patency of the preserved splenic vessels.