Does single-site robotic surgery makes sense for gallbladder surgery?

BACKGROUND: Cholecystectomy is one of the most performed surgeries. Several techniques were created, generating less pain, better aesthetic results and faster return to activities. Robotic surgery through a single portal combined the advantages of single-incision surgery with the principles of conventional laparoscopy, making it a safe and feasible procedure. However, due to the high costs, this technology is hardly available in practice, especially in the public health system. The objective is to evaluate the safety of robotic cholecystectomy using the da Vinci Single-Site © Surgical Platform (DVSSP) in a tertiary public hospital, and to assess alternatives that can reduce the costs, influencing the final real value of the procedure. METHODS: Prospective and descriptive study evaluating robotic cholecystectomies using the DVSSP technology performed at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre from May 2017 to November 2018. RESULTS: A total of 37 cholecystectomies were performed. The average time of surgery was 82.62 min, and no intraoperative complications were observed. There was a need for conversion to conventional laparoscopy in two surgeries (5.4%). The average cost of the robotic procedure was U$ 1146.23 and the amount passed on to the institution by the Brazilian Unified Health System was on average U$ 212.59 (p < 0.05). Postoperative outcomes were satisfactory, with an incisional hernia index of 8.1%. CONCLUSION: Although robotic surgery in this setting is a safe and feasible alternative, the high cost of the procedure prevents its dissemination on a large scale. New alternatives are needed to reduce the value and to allow greater accessibility.

Two-port laparoscopic appendectomy as transition to laparoendoscopic single site surgery.

BACKGROUND: According to the precepts of reduced surgical trauma and better cosmesis, an intermediate laparoscopic appendectomy technique between the conventional three-trocar procedure and Laparoendoscopic Single Site Surgery (LESS) was performed, based on literature review and experience of the surgical team. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with early stage acute appendicitis and a favourable anatomical presentation were selected. The procedure was performed with two ports: A 10 mm trocar at the umbilicus site for laparoscope and a 5 mm one just above the pubic bone for grasper. The appendix was secured by external wire traction through a right iliac fossa puncture with 14-gauge intravenous catheter. RESULTS: From August 2009 to December 2012, we performed 42 cases; two required conversion to a conventional laparoscopic technique. There were no complications in the remaining, no wound infections and a mean operation time of 64.5 minutes. CONCLUSION: The use of two-port laparoscopic appendectomy can act as a LESS intermediate step procedure, without loss of instrumental triangulation and maintenance of appropriate counter-traction. This technique can be used as an alternative to the three-port laparoscopic procedure in patients with initial presentation of appendicitis and a favourable anatomical position.

Ki-67 Antigen Overexpression Is Associated with the Metaplasia-Adenocarcinoma Sequence in Barrett's Esophagus.

Introduction. The objective of this study was to evaluate Ki-67 antigen expression in patients with Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma and to assess its correlation with the metaplasia-esophageal adenocarcinoma progression. Methods. Using immunohistochemistry we evaluated the Ki-67 index in patients with Barrett's esophagus, esophageal adenocarcinoma, and controls. We included patients with endoscopically visible columnar mucosa of the distal esophagus (whose biopsies revealed specialized intestinal-type metaplasia), patients with esophageal and esophagogastric tumors types I and II, and patients with histologically normal gastric mucosa (control). Results. In the 57 patients studied there were no statistically significant differences between the groups with respect to age or race. Patients with cancer were predominantly men. The Ki-67 index averaged 10 ± 4 % in patients with normal gastric mucosa (n = 17), 21 ± 15 % in patients with Barrett's esophagus (n = 21), and 38 ± 16 % in patients with cancer (n = 19). Ki-67 expression was significantly different between all groups (P < 0.05). There was a strong linear correlation between Ki-67 expression and the metaplasia-adenocarcinoma sequence (P < 0.01). In patients with cancer, Ki-67 was not associated with clinical or surgical staging. Conclusions. Ki-67 antigen has increased expression along the metaplasia-adenocarcinoma sequence. There is a strong linear correlation between Ki-67 proliferative activity and Barrett's carcinogenesis.