Comparison of clinical outcomes of robotic-assisted and video-assisted esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Robotic-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) is a recently developed technique for the treatment of resectable esophageal cancer. The present study compares the outcomes of RAMIE and video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy (VATE). METHOD: Patients undergoing minimally invasive esophageal surgery between December 2020 and September 2022 were included in the study, while those undergoing conventional surgery were excluded. The patients were divided into two groups, as those undergoing RAMIE (Group 1) and those undergoing VATE (Group 2). The demographic and clinical characteristics, intraoperative parameters, pathological data, and postoperative parameters of the groups were compared. RESULTS: A total of 28 patients were included in the study, with 13 patients in Group 1 and 15 patients in Group 2. The gender distribution was similar (P = 0.488), and the mean age was 64.7 and 59.0 years in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P = 0.068). The majority of the sample was in the ASA2 category (46.2% vs. 66.7%, P = 0.341); Ca19.9 levels were higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (25.7 vs. 13.7, P = 0.027); preoperative Hb was lower in Group 1 than in Group 2 (10.9 g/dL vs. 12.2 g/dL, P = 0.043); the most commonly performed surgery was the McKeown procedure (69.2% vs. 66.7%, P = 0.492); an intraoperative feeding jejunostomy was placed only in Group 2; the operation time was similar between the groups (338.5 min vs. 340 min, P = 0.916); and the distribution of tumor localizations was similar between the groups (P = 0.407). In terms of tumor histology, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was the most common tumor type in the two groups (84.6% vs. 80%, P = 0.636); the tumor diameter was similar between the groups (14.9 vs. 18.1, P = 0.652); the number of removed lymph nodes was similar between the groups (24.9 vs. 22.5, P = 0.419); and the number of metastatic lymph nodes was higher in Group 2 (0.08 vs. 1.07, P = 0.27). One patient in Group 2 underwent repeat surgery due to suspected ischemic anastomosis; the distribution of postoperative complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification system was similar in the two groups (P = 0.650); there was no early mortality within the first 30 days in either group; one patient in Group 2 was re-admitted within 90 days of discharge with decreased oral intake; the length of hospital stay was shorter in Group 1 (9 days vs. 16.5 days, P = 0.006); and the patients in Group 2 more often received neoadjuvant therapy in proportion to the disease stage (15.4% vs. 60%, P = 0.016). CONCLUSION: Robotic procedures can be safely performed in esophageal cancers with complication rates and oncological radicality similar to those of other minimally invasive techniques.

Short-term surgical outcomes of robotic gastrectomy. A single center/single surgeon experience.

AIM: Surgical resection is considered the optimum approach to the treatment of gastric cancer. The present study evaluates the efficacy of robotic surgery for the treatment of gastric cancer. METHOD: Included in the study were 30 patients who underwent robotic surgery for gastric cancer at the General Surgery Clinic between July 2021 and 2022. The demographic and clinical properties of the patients,intraoperative and postoperative results, tumor Characteristics, and early morbidity and mortality values were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age of the 30 (F/M:8/22) patients was 63.9 (42-83) years, among which 20 (66.7%) had undergone neoadjuvant treatment. The mean surgery duration was 252.82 (110-380) minutes. A subtotal gastrectomy was performed in 10 patients (33%), while the remaining 20 patients (67%) underwent a total gastrectomy. The operation was converted to open surgery in four patients (13.2%). No intraoperative complications were seen, although one patient (3%) underwent re-anastomosis on postoperative day 3 due to an obstruction in the gastroenterostomy anastomosis. The mean largest diameter of the tumor was 4.6 (0-9) cm; the mean number of resected lymph nodes was 30.8 (11-58); and the mean duration of hospital stay was 5.9 (3-12) days. Early mortality within the first 30 days was seen in one patient with a cardiac cause. The rate of re-admission to hospital within the first 90 days was 11% (3 patients). CONCLUSION: Robotic surgery in patients with gastric cancer can be applied efficiently considering the successful clinicopathological results, short hospital stay, and low morbidity and mortality rates. KEY WORDS: Cancer, Morbidity, Mortality, Robotic Surgery, Stomach.

An early experience with the Da Vinci Xi surgical system in colorectal surgery. A single-center study.

AIM: Surgery is the optimum treatment approach in cases of colorectal cancer, with open or minimally invasive surgery options applied to patients in general surgery clinics. We present here an assessment of our use of robotic colorectal surgery for the treatment of colorectal cancer. METHOD: The outcomes of robotic colorectal surgeries performed in the General Surgery Clinic of Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital were evaluated. The demographic data, indications, type of surgery, complications, duration of postoperative stay and pathology results of the patients were recorded, and the surgical results were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: Of the 50 patients who underwent robotic colorectal surgery selected for the study, 19 were female and 31 were male, with a mean age of 60.9 years. Among the patients, 48% received neoadjuvant treatment and the most common tumor localization was the rectosigmoid region (40%), the most frequently performed operation was low anterior resection (44%). An ostomy was created in 50% of the patients, and two patients were converted. The mean duration of surgery was 191 minutes, the mean tumor diameter was 36 mm, the mean total number of lymph nodes dissected was 22.2 and the rate of complications of Clavien Dindo grade 3 or higher was 10%, namely anastomotic leak, anastomotic bleeding and chylous fistula. The mean length of hospital stay was 5 days, and one patient was reoperated due to the development of stomal necrosis. The rate of 90-day unplanned readmission was 10% and the most frequent cause was sub-ileus. One patient died in the postoperative period. CONCLUSION: Robotic surgery is a minimally invasive surgical approach that can be successfully applied in centers where perioperative and postoperative complications can be managed. KEY WORDS: Colorectal Cancer, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Robotic Surgery.

Femoral artery aneurysm developed on intimal sarcoma: Case report.

Intimal angiosarcoma is a rare vascular malignancy, and diagnosis is very difficult due to nonspecific symptoms. There are controversial points regarding the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of intimal angiosarcomas. The purpose of this case report was to evaluate the diagnosis and treatment process of a patient diagnosed with femoral artery intimal angiosarcoma. Furthermore, in line with previous studies, it was aimed to illuminate controversial points. A 33-year-old male patient, who had been operated on due to ruptured femoral artery aneurysm, was diagnosed with intimal angiosarcoma with the pathology result. Recurrence was observed during clinical follow-up, and the patient was treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Since there was no response to treatment, the patient underwent aggressive surgery including the surrounding tissues. No recurrence or metastasis was observed in the patient's 10th month follow-up. Although intimal angiosarcoma is rare, it should be considered in differential diagnosis when femoral artery aneurysm is detected. The most important step in treatment is aggressive surgery, but adding chemo-radiotherapy to the treatment should be considered.

Does being a refugee affect prognosis in patients who underwent surgery due to peptic ulcer perforation?

BACKGROUND: Although Turkey hosts the largest number of Syrian immigrants, the interpretation of their health problems seems to be inadequate and understudied. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether being a refugee is a prognostic factor or not for peptic ulcer perforation (PUP). METHODS: A retrospective study was designed in Turkish Citizen patients and the refugees to compare the prognosis who underwent surgery for PUP. After ethical committee approval, the data of 143 patients, constituting 130 males and 13 females, operated for PUP, were collected. Patients' files, surgery notes and outpatient policlinic data were evaluated. RESULTS: In this study, 105 patients were Turkish Citizen, while the remaining 38 patients were refugees. Eight (7.6%) Turkish and one (2.6%) refugee patient died. There was no statistical significance between the two groups concerning mortality (p=0.445). Age, perforation diameter and localization, need of reoperation, nasogastric tube detention time, CRP, hematocrit, albumin, creatinine, BUN levels were found statistically significant for mortality. CONCLUSION: Although being a refugee has been identified as a risk in the etiopathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease, we found that being a refugee in Turkey is not a negative prognostic factor for PUP.

Elbow AVF configurations and indications.

INTRODUCTION: Brescia-Cimino radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula (AVF) remains the first-choice vascular access procedure for patients in need of long-term hemodialysis. The average life expectancy of patients receiving hemodialysis has increased in recent years and many patients now live longer and require secondary or tertiary procedures. Elbow fistulas should only rarely be constructed as primary fistulas. The aim of the surgeon must be not only to achieve a functioning fistula, but to avoid possible complications other than failure to mature (FTM), like distal ischemia and cardiac failure and to save the vessels as much as possible for future procedures. BACKGROUND: Both arterial and venous anatomy of the elbow and upper arm have significant variations. The surgeon must be aware of these variations during the operation, and try not to harm the vasculature of the extremity while trying to construct a functioning fistula. The main advantages of elbow fistulas are the opportunity to have multiple outflows, preservation of the major veins in their original place with no dissection and giving no harm to them, and having a longer outflow tract for cannulation. CONCLUSIONS: In the elbow, beginning to construct an AVF with the perforating vein is the most advantageous. If the perforating vein is not available or has been used before, median cubital vein, its branches, median antecubital vein or other available nearby veins may be used depending on the anatomy. Perforating vein should be ligated if any other elbow vein is used to prevent flow to deep veins.