Robotic resection of the uncinate process of the pancreas.

Since the development of the robotic platform, the number of robotic-assisted surgeries has significantly increased. Robotic surgery has gained growing acceptance in recent years, expanding to pancreatic resection. Here, we report a total robotic resection of the uncinate process of the pancreas performed in a patient with a cystic neuroendocrine tumor. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a robotic resection of the uncinate process of the pancreas. A 46-year-old man with no specific medical history was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumor after undergoing routine imaging. Biopsy guided by echoendoscopy revealed a well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor. We decided to perform a robotic resection of the uncinate process of the pancreas after obtaining informed consent for the procedure. According to preoperative echoendoscopy and magnetic resonance imaging, there was a safe margin between the neoplasm and the main pancreatic duct. The technique uses five ports. The duodenum is fully mobilized, and Kocher maneuver is carefully performed. The uncinate process of the pancreas is then identified. The resection of the uncinate process begins with the division of small arterial branches from the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery in its inferior portion, followed by control of venous tributaries to the superior mesenteric vein. Intraoperative localization of the ampulla of Vater is performed using indocyanine green enhanced fluorescence, thus defining the superior margin of the uncinate process. The pancreatic division is made about 5 mm below its upper margin for safety. Surgical specimen is then retrieved through the umbilical port inside a plastic bag. The raw pancreatic area is covered with hemostatic tissue and drained. The total operation time was 215 min. The docking time was 8 min and console time was 180 min. Blood loss was minimum, estimated at less than 50 mL. The postoperative period was uneventful, except for hyperamylasemia in the drain fluid. The patient was discharged on the 3rd postoperative day. The final pathological report confirmed well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. Robotic resection of the uncinate process of the pancreas is safe and feasible, providing parenchymal conservation in a minimally invasive setting. Robotic resection should be considered for patients suffering from low-grade pancreatic neoplasms located in this part of the pancreas.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided treatment of pancreatic fluid collections with lumen apposing metallic stents: lessons learned.

Pancreatic fluid collections are common pancreatitis complications that frequently require drainage. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided placement of expandable lumen apposing metallic stents has recently emerged as an effective and less invasive treatment option. It is associated with less morbidity, lower costs, and faster clinical recovery than other therapeutic modalities. Nevertheless, this procedure may result in severe complications such as bleeding, buried stent syndrome, and prosthesis dislodgement (with perforation and peritoneal leakage). We performed 108 EUS-guided drainages with lumen apposing metallic stents for the treatment of pancreatic fluid collections with 8 complications and only two cases that required urgent surgical procedures resulting in one fatality. We present this two severe complications submitted to surgical treatment and discuss potential signs of alarm that must be taken under consideration before choosing a treatment modality.

Robotic Repeat Right Hepatectomy for Recurrent Colorectal Liver Metastasis.

BACKGROUND: Repeat hepatectomy often is required for primary and metastatic tumors. The purpose of this video was to present a robotic repeat hepatectomy for recurrent colorectal metastasis after multiple previous open surgeries. PATIENT: A 64-year-old man underwent open left colectomy complicated by anastomotic leak. He was reoperated for colostomy, which was reverted. One year later, he underwent open metastasectomy. Recently, he presented a recurrence in the right liver, and a robotic right hepatectomy was indicated. TECHNIQUE: This approach used five trocars. The operation began with adhesiolysis. The next step was to dissect and divide the right hepatic artery and the right portal vein. A retrohepatic tunnel is created on the right side of the inferior vena cava for a modified liver hanging maneuver. The liver was pulled upwards and liver transection resumed towards the right hepatic vein. The liver was divided with bipolar forceps under continuous saline irrigation. The right hepatic duct was found inside the liver and was divided. Finally, the right hepatic vein was divided inside the liver parenchyma using a vascular stapler, and robotic right hepatectomy was completed. RESULTS: The operative time for docking was 10 min; adhesiolysis took 90 min while robotic right hepatectomy was completed in 240 min. The Pringle maneuver was not used. Estimated blood loss was 150 mL with no need for transfusion. Recovery was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the fifth postoperative day. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic repeat hepatectomy is feasible and safe in experienced hands and may have some advantages over laparoscopic and open repeat liver resections.

LAPAROSCOPIC UNCINATECTOMY: A MORE CONSERVATIVE APPROACH TO THE UNCINATE PROCESS OF THE PANCREAS.

BACKGROUND: The isolate resection of the uncinate process of the pancreas is a rarely described procedure but is an adequate surgery to treat benign and low grade malignancies of the uncinate process of the pancreas. AIM: To detail laparoscopic uncinatectomy technique and present the initial results. METHOD: Patient is placed in supine position with the surgeon between legs. Three 5-mm, one 10-mm and one 12-mm trocars were used to perform the isolated resection of the uncinate process of the pancreas. Parenchymal transection is performed with harmonic scalpel. A hemostatic absorbable tissue is deployed over the area previously occupied by the uncinate process. A Waterman drain is placed. RESULT: This procedure was applied to an asymptomatic 62-year-old male with biopsy proven low grade neuroendocrine tumor of the pancreatic uncinate process. A laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy was proposed. During the initial surgical evaluation, intraoperative sonography was performed and disclosed that the lesion was a few millimeters away from the Wirsung. The option was to perform a laparoscopic uncinatectomy. Postoperative period until full recovery was swift and uneventful. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic uncinatectomy is a safe and efficient procedure when performed by surgical teams with large experience in minimally invasive biliopancreatic procedures.

Laparoscopic uncinatectomy: a more conservative approach to the uncinate process of the pancreas / Uncinectomia laparoscópica: uma operação mais conservadora que pode ser a melhor opção para acesso ao processo uncinado do pâncreas

ABSTRACT Background: The isolate resection of the uncinate process of the pancreas is a rarely described procedure but is an adequate surgery to treat benign and low grade malignancies of the uncinate process of the pancreas. Aim: To detail laparoscopic uncinatectomy technique and present the initial results. Method: Patient is placed in supine position with the surgeon between legs. Three 5-mm, one 10-mm and one 12-mm trocars were used to perform the isolated resection of the uncinate process of the pancreas. Parenchymal transection is performed with harmonic scalpel. A hemostatic absorbable tissue is deployed over the area previously occupied by the uncinate process. A Waterman drain is placed. Result: This procedure was applied to an asymptomatic 62-year-old male with biopsy proven low grade neuroendocrine tumor of the pancreatic uncinate process. A laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy was proposed. During the initial surgical evaluation, intraoperative sonography was performed and disclosed that the lesion was a few millimeters away from the Wirsung. The option was to perform a laparoscopic uncinatectomy. Postoperative period until full recovery was swift and uneventful. Conclusion: Laparoscopic uncinatectomy is a safe and efficient procedure when performed by surgical teams with large experience in minimally invasive biliopancreatic procedures.

RESUMO Racional: A ressecção isolada do processo uncinado do pâncreas é procedimento raramente relatado na literatura, mas consiste em operação adequada para o tratamento de tumores benignos e malignidades não-invasivas de baixo grau do processo uncinado do pâncreas. Objetivo: Detalhar a técnica da uncinectomia laparoscópica e apresentar os resultados iniciais. Método: Paciente é colocado em posição supina com o cirurgião entre as pernas. São utilizados três trocárteres de 5 mm, um de 10 mm e um de 12 mm para realizar a ressecção isolada do processo uncinado. A transecção parenquimatosa é realizada com bisturi harmônico. Tecido absorvível hemostático é implantado sobre a área anteriormente ocupada pelo processo uncinado. Dreno de Waterman é colocado sobre a área de superfície cruenta pancreática. Resultado: Este procedimento foi utilizado em um caso de tumor neuroendócrino de processo uncinado de pâncreas de baixo grau comprovado por biópsia guiada por ultrassonografia endoscópica. Ultrassonografia intra-operatória evidenciou lesão distando alguns milímetros do ducto de Wirsung, e assim optou-se pela realização de uncinectomia laparoscópica. A evolução pós-operatória até recuperação completa foi rápida e sem intercorrências. Conclusão: A uncinectomia por via laparoscópica é procedimento eficaz e seguro em equipes com experiência em cirurgia biliopancreática minimamente invasiva.

A Proposed Physiopathological Pathway to Hyperammonemic Encephalopathy in a Non-Cirrhotic Patient with Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma without Ornithine Transcarbamylase (OTC) Mutation.

BACKGROUND Hyperammonemic encephalopathy is a potentially fatal condition that may progress to irreversible neuronal damage and is usually associated with liver failure or portosystemic shunting. However, other less common conditions can lead to hyperammonemia in adults, such as fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma. Clinical awareness of hyperammonemic encephalopathy in patients with normal liver function is paramount to timely diagnosis, but understanding the underlying physiopathology is decisive to initiate adequate treatment for complete recovery. CASE REPORT A 31-year-old male with fibrolamellar carcinoma and peritoneal carcinomatosis presented with rapid onset hyperammonemic encephalopathy. Despite usual treatment for hepatic encephalopathy, his hyperammonemia was aggravated. A physiopathological pathway to encephalopathy resulting from hepatocellular dysfunction or portosystemic shunting was suspected and proper treatment was initiated, which resulted in complete remission of encephalopathy. Thus, we propose there is a physiopathology path to hyperammonemic encephalopathy in non-cirrhotic patients with fibrolamellar carcinoma independent of ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) mutation. An ornithine metabolism imbalance resulting from overexpression of Aurora Kinase A as a result of a single, recurrent heterozygous deletion on chromosome 19, common to all fibrolamellar carcinomas, can lead to a c-Myc and ornithine decarboxylase overexpression that results in ornithine transcarboxylase dysfunction with urea cycle disorder and subsequent hyperammonemia. CONCLUSIONS The identification of a physiopathological pathway allowed adequate medical treatment and full patient recovery from severe hyperammonemic encephalopathy.

Transition from open to laparoscopic ALPPS for patients with very small FLR: the initial experience.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic ALPPS (Associating Liver Partition and Portal vein ligation for Staged hepatectomy) has previously been reported but has been the authors' default option since 2015 in patients with small future liver remnant. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients undergoing ALPPS at a single referral center was performed using a prospective database from July 2011 to June 2016. Feasibility was studied by assessing conversions. The 90-day mortality and complications were analyzed using a Dindo-Clavien score and the comprehensive complication index. Operative time, blood loss, volumetric growth, and hospital stay were examined. The CUSUM analysis was performed. RESULTS: ALPPS was performed in 30 patients, 10 of whom underwent a laparoscopic approach. There was no mortality and no complication grade ≥3A observed in laparoscopic ALPPS. In open ALPPS, 10 of 20 patients experienced complications grade ≥3A (p = 0.006) and one patient died. Liver failure was not observed after laparoscopic ALPPS, but two patients in the open ALPPS group developed complications that precluded the second stage. The total hospital stay was shorter in the laparoscopic ALPPS group. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic ALPPS is feasible as the default procedure for patients with very small FLR, and it is not inferior to the open approach. Surgeons experienced with complex laparoscopy should be encouraged to use a laparoscopic approach to ALPPS.

First totally laparoscopic ALPPS procedure with selective hepatic artery clamping: Case report of a new technique.

BACKGROUND: ALPPS (Associating Liver Partition and Portal vein ligation for Staged hepatectomy) is a new surgical approach for the treatment of liver tumors. It is indicated in cases where the future liver remnant is not sufficient to maintain postoperative liver function. We report a totally laparoscopic ALPPS with selective hepatic artery clamping. Pneumoperitoneum itself results in up to 53% of portal vein flow and selective hepatic artery clamping can reduce blood loss while maintaining hepatocellular function. Therefore, the combination of both techniques may result in effective control of bleeding with no damage in the liver function that may have direct impact in the result of ALPPS procedure. METHODS: A 65-year-old man with colorectal liver metastases in all liver segments, except liver segment 1 (S1), were evaluated as unresectable. He underwent chemotherapy with objective response and multidisciplinary board decided for ALPPS procedure. First stage was performed entirely by laparoscopy and consisted of enucleation of metastases from segments 2 and 3, ligation of the right portal vein and liver splitting under selective common hepatic artery clamping. The second stage was done 3 weeks later and consisted of laparoscopic right trisectionectomy by laparoscopy. RESULTS: Operative time was 250 and 200 minutes, respectively. Estimated blood loss was 150 and 100 mL. There was no need for transfusion or hospitalization in intensive care. He was discharged on the 3rd and 5th postoperative day, respectively. Recovery was uneventful after both stages and patient did not present any sign of liver failure. Elevation of liver enzymes was minimal. Computerized tomography (CT) scan before second stage showed a liver hypertrophy of 53%, sFLR was 0.37 before second stage, or 33% of the total liver volume. CT scan shows no residual liver disease and optimum liver regeneration. Patient is well with no evidence of the disease 11 months after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Totally laparoscopic ALPPS is a feasible and safe approach for selected patients with liver tumors. The hypertrophy of the remaining liver was adequate and sequential procedures were performed without morbidity and no mortality. Selective hepatic artery clamping seems to be an interesting solution to decrease intraoperative blood loss without the harsh effect of Pringle maneuver.

A novel technique for hepatic vein reconstruction during hepatectomy.

Surgical resection is the treatment of choice for malignant liver tumours. Nevertheless, surgical approach to tumours located close to the confluence of the hepatic veins is a challenging issue. Trisectionectomies are considered the first curative option for treatment of these tumours. However, those procedures are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates primarily due to post-operative liver failure. Thus, maximal preservation of functional liver parenchyma should always be attempted. We describe the isolated resection of Segment 8 for the treatment of a tumour involving the right hepatic vein and in contact with the middle hepatic vein and retrohepatic vena cava with immediate reconstruction of the right hepatic vein with a vascular graft. This is the first time this type of reconstruction was performed, and it allowed to preserve all but one of the hepatic segments with normal venous outflow. This innovative technique is a fast and safe method to reconstruct hepatic veins.

Laparoscopic Pancreatoduodenectomy in 50 Consecutive Patients with No Mortality: A Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic pancreatic surgery has gradually expanded to include pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). This study presents data regarding the efficacy of laparoscopic PD in a single center. METHODS: This was a single-cohort, prospective observational study. From March 2012 to September 2015, 50 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic PD using a five-trocar technique. Reconstruction of the digestive tract was performed with double jejunal loop technique whenever feasible. Patients with radiological signs of portal vein invasion were operated by open approach. RESULTS: Twenty-seven women and 23 men with a median age of 63 years (range 23-76) underwent laparoscopic PD. Five patients underwent total pancreatectomy. All, but 1 patient (previous bariatric operation), underwent pylorus-preserving resection. Reconstruction was performed with double jejunal loop in all cases except in 5 cases of total pancreatectomy. Conversion was required in 3 patients (6%) as a result of difficult dissection (two cases) and unsuspected portal vein invasion (1 patient). Median operative time was 420 minutes (range 360-660), and the 90-day mortality was nil. Pancreatic fistula occurred in 13 patients (26%). There was one grade C (reoperated), one grade B (percutaneous drainage), and all remaining were grade A (conservative treatment). Other complications included port site bleeding (n = 1), biliary fistula (n = 2), and delayed gastric emptying (n = 2). Mean hospital stay was 8.4 days (range 5-31). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic PD is feasible and safe, but is technically demanding and may be reserved to highly skilled laparoscopic surgeons with proper training in high-volume centers. Isolated pancreatic anastomosis may be useful to decrease the severity of postoperative pancreatic fistulas. Therefore, it could be a good option in patients with a high risk for developing postoperative pancreatic, as well as by less-experienced surgeons.

The laparoscopic Glissonian approach is safe and efficient when compared with standard laparoscopic liver resection: Results of an observational study over 7 years.

OBJECTIVE: This study compares the Glissonian approach with the standard approach to laparoscopic liver resection for safety and efficacy. BACKGROUND: The standard laparoscopic approach to anatomic liver resection is the dissection of the elements of the Glissonian pedicle below the hilar plate. In contrast, the Glissonian approach identifies the intrahepatic pedicles by tentative clamping. Concerns have been raised about the safety of the Glissonian approach in laparoscopic liver surgery. The study was performed to examine the initial 7 years of experience in a single center with regard to safety and efficacy. METHODS: All consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic liver resections from April 2007 to April 2014 at a single referral center for liver tumors were included. An observational comparison was performed between Glissonian and standard laparoscopic liver resections performed by the same team but during different eras. The primary endpoint was safety of the procedures as assessed by the recently published comprehensive complication index. Secondary endpoints were parameters of surgical efficacy, such as operating time, blood loss, blood transfusion, conversion rate, duration of hospitalization, and pathologic margin of the specimen. RESULTS: Between 2007 and 2014, 234 resections were performed laparoscopically at our institution, 120 using the conventional approach and 114 using the Glissonian approach. There was no difference in age, sex, tumor types, or comorbidities between the groups. The number of major liver resections was greater in the Glissonian group, yet there were fewer complications in the Glissonian group compared with the standard group (P < .05). Operative time was greater and more transfusions were given in the standard group; in addition, more patients had positive margins (P < .01). Overall hospital stay was less in the Glissonian group. CONCLUSIONS: In the 7-year experience of a single center, the Glissonian approach is not less safe and may seems to offer advantages when compared with the standard laparoscopic approach.

A simple technique for hemostasis control after enucleation of deep located liver tumors or after liver trauma.

Modern liver techniques allowed the development of segment-based anatomical liver resections. Nevertheless, there is still a place for nonanatomical liver resections. However, in some cases, there is a need for enucleation of deep located liver tumors. The main problem with enucleation of a liver tumor deeply located in the middle of the liver is the control of bleeding resulting from the rupture of small or medium vessels. The authors describe a simple way to control the bleeding without the use of any special instrument or material. This technique can also be used to control bleeding from penetrating liver injury.

Innovative technique for gastric retraction during laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy: the marionette.

Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomies became more common in the past few years as a safe and effective treatment option for benign and low-grade malignant tumors of the body and tail of the pancreas. Adequate exposure and wide operative field are crucial to perform this procedure, and this is achieved by retraction of the stomach with an angled liver retractor or a grasper through a subxiphoid trocar, that is usually used only to this purpose. We developed an innovative technique to retract the stomach during laparoscopic distal pancreatectomies that provides excellent operative field and frees the subxiphoid trocar to be used in other tasks during the surgery.

Enucleation of liver tumors: you do not have to feel blue about it.

Enucleation of hepatic tumors is a low-morbidity technique with adequate oncological results that is useful in many clinical settings. Compared with anatomical liver resections, it offers the advantage of maximal hepatic parenchymal preservation. However, some technical adversities may occur during the enucleation of liver tumors, such as difficulty in finding the lesions by intraoperative ultrasonography after hepatic transection or further visually spotting the tumor within the parenchyma if a first specimen is retracted not containing the lesion. We describe an innovative technique that overcomes these possible adversities and makes the enucleation of liver tumors easier and more precise.

Pure laparoscopic liver resection for large malignant tumors: does size matter?

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for large malignant tumors can be technically challenging. Data on this topic are scarce, and many question its feasibility, safety, and oncologic efficiency. This study aimed to assess outcomes of LLR for large (≥ 5 cm) and giant (≥ 10 cm) malignant liver tumors. METHODS: A prospectively collected database of 422 LLRs was reviewed from August 2003 to August 2013. The data for 52 patients undergoing LLR for large malignant tumors were analyzed. A subgroup analysis of giant tumors also is reported. RESULTS: During the period studied, 52 LLRs were performed (males, 53.8 %; mean age, 64.6 years) for large malignant tumors. Colorectal liver metastasis was the most common indication (42.3 %). The 52 LLRs included 32 major (61.5 %) and 20 minor (38.5 %) LLRs for tumors with a mean diameter of 83 mm. The median operative time was 240 min [interquartile range (IQR), 150-330 min], and the blood loss was 500 ml (IQR, 200-1,373 ml). Eight conversions (15.4 %) were performed. Six patients experienced complications (11.5 %). Among the 44 patients with successful LLRs, two patients (4.5 %) had an R1 resection. The median hospital stay was 5 days (range, 1-21 days), and no mortality occurred during a 90-day period. A subgroup analysis of patients with giant tumors showed greater blood loss (p = 0.002) and a longer operative time (p = 0.052) but no difference in terms of conversions (p = 0.64) or complications (p = 0.32). CONCLUSION: The findings showed that LLR is feasible and safe for large malignant tumors and can be performed with acceptable morbidity and oncologic efficiency. When used for giant malignant tumors, LLR is associated with greater blood loss and a longer operative time but no increase in complications.