Status of robotic assisted surgery (RAS) and the effects of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on RAS in the Department of Defense (DoD).

The purpose of this study is to update the available literature with information on the current use of robotic assisted surgery (RAS) in the Department of Defense (DoD) compared to the civilian world, and how the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic impacted RAS in the DoD. A total of 9,979 RAS cases between 01st October 2017 and 31st December 2020 were reviewed from every DoD Military Treatment Facility (MTF) that meets our inclusion criteria and employs various models of da Vinci robotic surgical systems (Intuitive Surgical). Specialty, number, and facility were recorded for each case. These data were then compared to previously known trends about RAS use in the DoD as well as with civilian trends. Before COVID-19, the use of RAS had increased over time, but not at the same rate as in the civilian sector. General surgery cases constituted most RAS cases in both the DoD and the civilian sector. The arrival of COVID-19 in the United States significantly decreased the use of RAS in the DoD as well as in the civilian sector in all surgical specialties because it led to postponement or cancellation of many non-emergent surgical procedures. In conclusion, the use of RAS has continued to increase, and general surgery cases continue to constitute most of these cases. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic began, there was a significant decline in both DoD and civilian RAS cases, with a more pronounced decline in the DoD.

Predictors of Success following Microvascular Replantation Surgery of the Upper Extremity in Adult Patients.

The purpose of this study is to ascertain which factors are associated with successful replantation in the upper extremity. Secondarily, the purpose was to determine patient factors that differentiate those patients who undergo initial replantation versus initial amputation. Methods: Data gathered for this retrospective study were obtained from a custom subset of the 2015-2020 IBM Truven MarketScan Commercial and IBM Truven MarketScan Medicare Supplemental databases. Data were sorted using Current Procedural Terminology codes and International Classification of Disease, Ninth and Tenth Revision, diagnosis codes. Results: Increasing age was significantly associated with undergoing initial amputation compared with replantation (P < 0.001; 95% CI, 47.146-50.654). Among comorbid conditions, patients with diabetes mellitus type II (2.4% versus 24.3%; P < 0.001), hypertension (11.9% versus 28.0%; P = 0.03), end-stage renal disease (0% versus 10.5%; P = 0.03), and hypertensive chronic kidney disease (0% versus 8.7%; P = 0.04) more commonly underwent an initial amputation procedure. When evaluating the need for secondary procedure after replantation, there was no statistical significance between groups when comparing age, gender, insurance type, general comorbidities, connective tissue disorders, mental health disorders, or geographic location. Conclusions: In conclusion, this study demonstrates that age and the presence of comorbidities are important factors in the differentiation of which patients undergo initial reimplantation versus initial amputation. Additionally, no specific factors were identified that were associated with secondary procedures after replantation.