Robotic rectal surgery: Outcomes of the first 102 totally robotic cases handled using the single-docking technique in a reference institution.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Rectal cancer is often surgically treated, but it is still associated with morbidity rates. Minimally invasive techniques are increasingly being used to reduce complications, and the use of such techniques can be found in the literature. This study aims to report our experience in a reference oncology center. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed on a prospective database of patients who underwent robotic surgery for rectal cancer using the single-docking technique from September 2014 to April 2018. Clinical and surgical variables, as well as morbidity and mortality rates, were analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred and two patients underwent robotic surgery. Intraoperative complications occurred in six patients (4.9%), and postoperative complications in 24 patients (23.5%), of which anastomotic fistula represented 3.9%. The conversion rate was 1.96%. Two cases (1.9%) faced death within 30 days. The median length of hospitalization was 3 days. The median number of lymph nodes dissected was 15. Clinical and surgical data were correlated with postoperative complications, and no statistically significant differences were found. CONCLUSION: Robotic surgery is a safe and feasible approach to manage rectal cancer. The method presents satisfactory results with regard to the rate of operative complications, conversion rate, oncologic outcomes, and length of hospitalization.

Overview and perspectives about the robotic surgical certification process in Brazil: the new statement and a national web-survey.

OBJECTIVE: to appraise the general profile of the Brazilian robotic surgeon and the acknowledgment of the new certification process for robotic surgery upon the Associação Médica Brasileira (AMB - Brazilian Medical Association) statement. According to the AMB statement, medical societies and proctors have to achieve leading roles in training and certification of surgeons, acting in partnership with industry. METHODS: a national web-based survey was promoted by the Colégio Brasileiro de Cirurgiões (CBC - Brazilian College of Surgeons) among their members. RESULTS: the 294 answers were split into two groups: 133 (45.3%) who had robotic console certification, and 161 (54.8%) who did not have it. The overall median age was 46, but the non-robotic group presented more surgeons with at least 30 years of experience than to the robotic group (32.3% versus 23.3%, p=0.033). Surgeons with robotic certification more frequently work in a city with at least one million inhabitants than surgeons who were not certified (85.7 versus 63.4%, p<0.001). The majority of surgeons in both groups have similar positioning for all main points of the statement. However, the agreement proportions for the preceptors responsibility during the procedures were higher among non-robotic surgeons that expected the preceptor to assume co-responsibility for the procedure (85% versus 60.9%, p<0.001), and intervene during the procedure as much as necessary (97.5% versus 91.7%, p=0.033). CONCLUSION: the overall agreement of the answers to the AMB statement seems to be a promising pathway to increase the participation of the medical entities into the robotic certification in Brazil.

Overview and perspectives about the robotic surgical certification process in Brazil: the new statement and a national web-survey / Visão geral e perspectivas sobre o processo de certificação em cirurgia robótica no Brasil: o novo regimento e uma pesquisa nacional online

ABSTRACT Objective: to appraise the general profile of the Brazilian robotic surgeon and the acknowledgment of the new certification process for robotic surgery upon the Associação Médica Brasileira (AMB - Brazilian Medical Association) statement. According to the AMB statement, medical societies and proctors have to achieve leading roles in training and certification of surgeons, acting in partnership with industry. Methods: a national web-based survey was promoted by the Colégio Brasileiro de Cirurgiões (CBC - Brazilian College of Surgeons) among their members. Results: the 294 answers were split into two groups: 133 (45.3%) who had robotic console certification, and 161 (54.8%) who did not have it. The overall median age was 46, but the non-robotic group presented more surgeons with at least 30 years of experience than to the robotic group (32.3% versus 23.3%, p=0.033). Surgeons with robotic certification more frequently work in a city with at least one million inhabitants than surgeons who were not certified (85.7 versus 63.4%, p<0.001). The majority of surgeons in both groups have similar positioning for all main points of the statement. However, the agreement proportions for the preceptors responsibility during the procedures were higher among non-robotic surgeons that expected the preceptor to assume co-responsibility for the procedure (85% versus 60.9%, p<0.001), and intervene during the procedure as much as necessary (97.5% versus 91.7%, p=0.033). Conclusion: the overall agreement of the answers to the AMB statement seems to be a promising pathway to increase the participation of the medical entities into the robotic certification in Brazil.

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar o perfil do cirurgião robótico brasileiro e seu reconhecimento sobre o novo processo de certificação para cirurgia robótica que consta na declaração da Associação Médica Brasileira (AMB). De acordo com a declaração da AMB, as sociedades médicas e os preceptores devem alcançar papéis de liderança no treinamento e certificação de cirurgiões, atuando em parceria com a indústria. Métodos: uma pesquisa nacional pela Internet foi promovida pelo Colégio Brasileiro de Cirurgiões com seus membros. Resultados: entre as 294 respostas, os cirurgiões foram divididas em dois grupos: 133 (45,3%) que possuíam certificação de console robótico e 161 (54,8%) que não possuíam. A média geral de idade foi de 46 anos, mas o grupo não robótico teve mais cirurgiões com pelo menos 30 anos de experiência (32,3% versus 23,3%, p = 0,033). Cirurgiões com certificação robótica trabalhavam mais frequentemente em cidades mais populosas, com pelo menos um milhão de habitantes (85,7 versus 63,4%, p <0,001). A maioria dos cirurgiões de ambos os grupos tem posicionamento semelhante para todos os pontos principais da declaração. No entanto, as proporções de concordância para a responsabilidade do preceptor durante os procedimentos foram maiores entre os cirurgiões não robóticos que esperavam que o preceptor assumisse corresponsabilidade pelo procedimento (85% versus 60,9%, p <0,001), e que intervenha , tanto quanto necessário (97,5% versus 91,7%, p = 0,033). Conclusão: a aceitação por parte da maioria dos profissionais em relação à declaraçãoda AMB parece ser caminho promissor para aumentar a participação das entidades médicas na certificação robótica no Brasil.

Characterization of topoisomerase II α and minichromosome maintenance protein 2 expression in anal carcinoma.

The present study aimed to ascertain the significance of topoisomerase II α (TOP2A) and minichromosome maintenance protein (MCM) 2 expression in anal carcinoma. A total of 75 anal lesions were retrieved from the files of the Department of Pathology of Barretos Cancer Hospital (Barretos, Brazil) in order to verify the human papillomavirus (HPV) statuses of these lesions and characterize the immunohistochemical expression levels of TOP2A and MCM2 in anal carcinoma, as these are important markers for cervical HPV-induced lesions; their expression was also compared with respect to p16 and Ki-67. The vast majority of the cases tested positive for HPV16 (84%); 1 case tested positive for both HPV16 and HPV18. Positive HPV16 status was more frequent in early stages than in advanced stages (P=0.008). Positive immunohistochemical reactivity for MCM2 and TOP2A protein was observed in 71.6 and 100% of cases, respectively. Positive reactivity for p16 was significantly associated (P=0.001) with histological grade, and was more commonly expressed in squamous cell carcinoma than adenocarcinomas. HPV16 was strongly associated with positive p16 protein expression (76.6%). However, the high expression of Ki-67 combined with the high expression of p16 was predominantly observed in Stage III-IV cases. MCM2, TOP2A, p16 and Ki-67 exhibited intense positive staining in the anal lesions, indicating that these markers were significantly and constantly expressed in anal carcinoma.

Study on the prevalence of human papillomavirus in the anal canal of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade III.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the anal canal of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade III. STUDY DESIGN: Two groups were compared. In group I (study group), 40 women who had undergone cervical biopsy with a histopathological result indicating CIN III were evaluated. Group II (control) consisted of 40 women with normal results from colposcopic examination and colpocytological tests. The women in group I who presented high-grade neoplasia in colpocytological tests underwent collection of material from the uterine cervix and anal canal for investigating HPV DNA using the Hybrid Capture II technique. Colposcopy and cervical biopsy were then performed. If CIN III was confirmed, HPV DNA was investigated in the material collected. In group II, colpocytological tests and colposcopy were performed and, if normal, the procedure was similar to that followed for group I, except that no biopsy was performed. RESULTS: In group I, 39 women (97.5%) were positive for HPV in the uterine cervix and 14 women (35%) in the anal canal. In group II, only four women (10%) had a positive HPV test, for both the uterine cervix and the anal canal. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of HPV in the anal canal of the women with CIN III was greater than in the women without CIN III.

Prevention of cervical cancer in a poor population in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the possibility of providing a cervical screening facility to a poor population. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the period from December 1994 to December 1997, with 1384 women from the poor districts of Barretos, São Paulo and three other neighbouring cities. Performed by a nurse, the programme included door-to-door interviews and cervical screening. The Papanicolaou smears were taken either at the community centre or at home using a portable gynaecological table transportable by bicycle, developed by the Institution. RESULTS: From 1384 interviewed women, 1044 (75.4%) agreed to undergo the examination and 499 (47.8%) had never had the test or had not had it repeated within the last 3 years. Among 1044 examined women, seven cases of carcinoma 'in situ', one invasive squamous cell carcinoma (stage IB) and two polyps were found. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that programmes of cancer prevention in poor populations can be as successful as those carried out in more developed countries by taking advantage of innovations in the delivery of care.