Robotic-assisted right colectomy. Official expert recommendations delivered under the aegis of the French Association of Surgery (AFC).

Twenty-seven experts under the aegis of the French Association of Surgery (AFC) offer this reference system with formalized recommendations concerning the performance of right colectomy by robotic approach (RRC). For RRC, experts suggest patient installation in the so-called "classic" or "suprapubic" setup. For patients undergoing right colectomy for a benign pathology or cancer, RRC provides no significant benefit in terms of intra-operative blood loss, intra-operative complications or conversion rate to laparotomy compared to laparoscopy. At the same time, RRC is associated with significantly longer operating times. Data from the literature are insufficient to define whether the robot facilitates the performance of an intra-abdominal anastomosis, but the robotic approach is more frequently associated with an intra-abdominal anastomosis than the laparoscopic approach. Experts also suggest that RRC offers a benefit in terms of post-operative morbidity compared to right colectomy by laparotomy. No benefit is retained in terms of mortality, duration of hospital stay, histological results, overall survival or disease-free survival in RRC performed for cancer. In addition, RRC should not be performed based on the cost/benefit ratio, since RRC is associated with significantly higher costs than laparoscopy and laparotomy. Future research in the field of RRC should consider the evaluation of patient-targeted parameters such as pain or quality of life and the technical advantages of the robot for complex procedural steps, as well as surgical and oncological results.

Operative start time may impact the quality of mesorectal excision in minimally invasive rectal surgery: retrospective analysis of 137 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Timing of major elective operations is a potentially important outcome variable. This study examined the impact of operative start time (OST) on pathologic and short-term outcomes of minimally invasive rectal surgery (MIRS). METHODS: All rectal tumors patients who underwent MIRS from May 2012 to April 2016 were identified. Peroperative outcomes and the oncological quality of surgical excision were compared between patients with OST before 13.00h and after. RESULTS: A total of 137 patients were included in the study (71 Romarobot-assisted and 66 conventional laparoscopic). Ninety-nine (72%) patients were operated before 13.00h and 38 after 13.00h. The majority of cases were low/middle rectal tumors (69%). Patient's baseline characteristics were quite similar in both groups. The rate of severe complication (p=0.460) or reoperation (p=0.614) was the same. Pathologic criteria (T or N stage, number of harvested lymph nodes, and presence of any positive margin) were the same between groups except for the quality of mesorectal excision (ME) that was significantly poorer for cases beginning after 13.00h (complete 91% vs 74%; p=0.016). The OST was found to be the only parameter associated with a poor quality of ME [OR 2.55 (1.08 - 6.36)]. CONCLUSION: Perioperative outcome after MIRS does not appear to be influenced by OST. Poorer quality of ME was observed and may thus raise important questions about the timing and sequence of case scheduling.

Less Morbidity with Robot-Assisted Gastric Bypass Surgery than with Laparoscopic Surgery?

INTRODUCTION: Although several studies have compared totally robot-assisted gastric bypass (RA-GB) to laparoscopic gastric bypass (L-GB), the clinical benefit of the robotic approach remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared perioperative outcomes of 82 consecutive patients undergoing RA-GB between 2013 and 2016 to 169 consecutive patients having undergone L-GB between 2009 and 2016. Secondary endpoints included duration of hospitalization, readmission rate, weight loss at 1 year, and the learning curve of RA-GB, assessed by operation times and complication rates. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between groups concerning age (43.5 ± 11.2 vs. 42.2 ± 12.4 years), body mass index (42.4 ± 5.0 vs. 43.6 ± 7.2 kg/m2), or comorbidities. The rate of revision surgery was higher in L-GB group without reaching statistical significance. No statistically significant difference was observed for duration of operation (134 ± 35 vs. 135 ± 37 min), readmission rate at 90 days (4.9% vs. 8.9%), or percentage of excess weight loss at 1 year (RA-GB vs. L-GB) (76.8% ± 20.5 vs. 73.1% ± 23.5). There were fewer statistically significant complications overall in RA-GB (9.8% vs. 21.9%, p = 0.019). Median duration of hospital stay was shorter for RA-GB (3 vs. 4 days, p < 0.0001). The mean duration of operation for RA-GB decreased from 153 min in 2014 to 122 min in 2016; p = 0.004. CONCLUSION: In our experience, the robotic approach for gastric bypass was associated with fewer postoperative complications compared to traditional laparoscopic gastric bypass. Cost increment associated with RA-GB remains an important drawback that hampers its widespread.

Prognostic value and characteristics of N1c colorectal cancer.

AIM: The presence of tumour deposits (TDs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) is associated with poor prognosis. The seventh edition of TNM subclassified a new nodal stage, N1c, characterized by the presence of TDs without any concurrent positive lymph node (LN). It is not clear if the N1c category is or is not equal to LN metastasis. We aimed to examine the prevalence, characteristics and prognostic significance of this new subcategory. METHOD: Consecutive patients who underwent surgery for CRC in two centres (2011-2014) were analysed. N1 cM0 patients were matched against non-N1 cM0 (N0, N1a and N1b) patients for 3-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). RESULTS: We identified 1122 patients with 648 (57.8%) colonic cancers. In 57 patients (5.1%), N1c status was associated with rectal cancers [rectum = 33/57 (57.9%) vs colon = 24/57 (42.1%); P = 0.029], a higher pathological tumour stage [pT3-T4 N1c = 55/843 (6.5% vspT3-T4 non-N1c = 2/279 (0.7%); P < 0.0001] and vascular emboli [n = 35 (61.4%) vs n = 552 (51.8%); P = 0.0305]. Synchronous metastasis was observed in 23 cases (40%). After a mean follow-up of 31 months, 3-year OS for M0 patients, was 89.4%, 89.1%, 86.6% and 81.8% for N0, N1a, N1b and N1c tumours, respectively. DFS was significantly worse for N1c than for N0 (P = 0.0169), with N1c status having a significant effect on DFS in colonic cancers (P = 0.014). The presence of more than one TD was associated with a significantly worse DFS (P = 0.021). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that N1c CRC patients should be included among high-risk patients for whom it is widely accepted that adjuvant chemotherapy should be considered.

Professional risks when carrying out cytoreductive surgery for peritoneal malignancy with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC): A French multicentric survey.

BACKGROUND: Over the last two decades, many surgical teams have developed programs to treat peritoneal carcinomatosis with extensive cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Currently, there are no specific recommendations for HIPEC procedures concerning environmental contamination risk management, personal protective equipment (PPE), or occupational health supervision. METHODS: A survey of the institutional practices among all French teams currently performing HIPEC procedures was carried out via the French network for the treatment of rare peritoneal malignancies (RENAPE). RESULTS: Thirty three surgical teams responded, 14 (42.4%) which reported more than 10 years of HIPEC experience. Some practices were widespread, such as using HIPEC machine approved by the European Community (100%), individualized or centralized smoke evacuation (81.8%), "open" abdominal coverage during perfusion (75.8%), and maintaining the same surgeon throughout the procedure (69.7%). Others were more heterogeneous, including laminar flow air circulation (54.5%) and the provision of safety protocols in the event of perfusate spills (51.5%). The use of specialized personal protective equipment is ubiquitous (93.9%) but widely variable between programs. CONCLUSION: Protocols regarding cytoreductive surgery/HIPEC and the associated professional risks in France lack standardization and should be established.

[Acid sphingomyelinase deficiency and spleen trauma: splenectomy or not splenectomy?]. / Déficit en sphingomyélinase acide et rupture splénique : splénectomie ou traitement conservateur ?

INTRODUCTION: Acid sphingomyelinase deficiency leads to a severe infantile disease (Niemann-Pick disease type A) or an attenuated form of the disease encountered in adults (Niemann-Pick type B), including pulmonary fibrosis and splenomegaly. CASE REPORT: A 52-year-old man with Niemann-Pick disease type B was admitted with splenic rupture. Embolization of the splenic artery was initially performed. Three months later, the splenic volume had increased and functional asplenia was diagnosed. Splenic scintigraphy showed 20% of functional splenic tissue. Splenectomy was finally performed because of complete necrosis of the spleen. CONCLUSION: Despite its theoretical contra-indication in Niemann-Pick disease due to a risk of respiratory insufficiency, splenectomy must sometimes be considered.

Risk factors for development of desmoid tumours in familial adenomatous polyposis.

BACKGROUND: Desmoid tumours (DTs) are the primary cause of death of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) following restorative proctocolectomy. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for DT in a French population. METHODS: Clinical data for 442 patients with FAP from 1983 to 2004 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 124 DTs were documented in 50 patients (25 female). DT sites were mesenteric (73 tumours), abdominal wall (44) and extra-abdominal (seven). Female patients developed DT earlier than males. Although DTs appeared after colectomy in 34 patients, the type of surgery did not influence the risk of DT. An identified point mutation in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene after codon 1444 was a significant risk factor (hazard ratio 3.3 (95 per cent confidence interval 1.5 to 7.3)). Belonging to a family affected by DT did not increase the individual's risk in this population. CONCLUSION: No risk factor for life-threatening mesenteric DT could meaningfully modify the management of patients with FAP.

[Colonic lipoma: case report and literature review]. / Lipome colique : cas clinique et revue de la littérature.

Colonic lipoma is a rare benign tumor infrequently met in clinical practice. We report a case of symptomatic lipoma of the ascending colon in a 61-year-old woman. Diagnosis was suspected on CT scan. Colotomy with lipectomy was performed. The diagnosis was confirmed by histological examination. Reviewing the literature and combining with our experience, we discuss the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of this uncommon disease.

Right portal vein ligation is as efficient as portal vein embolization to induce hypertrophy of the left liver remnant.

BACKGROUND: Aim of this retrospective study was to compare induction of left liver hypertrophy after right portal vein ligation (PVL) and right portal vein embolization (PVE) before right hepatectomy for liver metastases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1998 and 2005, 18 patients underwent a PVE, whereas 17 patients underwent a PVL during a first stage laparotomy. RESULTS: There was no complication related to PVE or PVL. After a similar interval time (7 +/- 3 vs 8 +/- 3 weeks), the increase of the left liver volume was similar between the two groups (35 +/- 38 vs 38 +/- 26%). After PVE and PVL, right hepatectomy was performed in 12 and 14 patients, respectively. Technical difficulties during the right hepatectomy were similar according to duration of procedure (6.4 +/- 1 vs 6.7 +/- 1 h, p = 0.7) and transfusion rates (33 vs 28%, p = 0.7). Mortality was nil in both groups, and morbidity rates were respectively 58% for the PVE group and 36% for the PVL group (p = 0.6). CONCLUSION: Right PVL and PVE result in a comparable hypertrophy of the left liver. During the first laparotomy of a two-step liver resection, PVL can be efficiently and safely performed.

[Laparoscopic partial splenectomy using the Harmonic Scalpel. Two case reports]. / Splénectomie partielle par laparoscopie et ultracision. A propos de deux cas.

For the extirpation of a benign splenic cyst, partial splenectomy is an appropriate approach, since there is significant long-term morbidity following total splenectomy. We report two cases of laparoscopic partial splenectomy for benign splenic cyst. The use of the harmonic scalpel along with segmental ligation of the splenic pedicle allowed the completion of these interventions with minimal blood loss.