Robotic spleen-preserving splenic hilar lymph node dissection during total gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Robotic system may have potential advantages to facilitate the technically challenging splenic hilar lymphadenectomy during gastrectomy for gastric cancer. However, robotic spleen-preserving splenic hilar lymphadenectomy is performed infrequently not only because of the limited availability of the robot but also because of its technical difficulty. In this study, we describe our technique of performing robotic spleen-preserving splenic hilar lymphadenectomy in detail to facilitate wider application and present operative outcomes and the follow-up results of the procedure. METHODS: From 2005 to 2015, 93 patients underwent robotic total gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy. One patient with obvious lymph node (LN) metastasis received splenectomy and was excluded from the analysis. Intraoperative complications, operation and console time, estimated blood loss, postoperative morbidity and mortality, the number of harvested LNs in total and at the splenic hilum, and 5-year overall survival were analyzed, retrospectively. RESULTS: Among the 92 patients, robotic spleen-preserving splenic hilar lymphadenectomy was successfully performed in 91 patients except one who experienced intraoperative splenic artery injury which demanded splenectomy to be performed simultaneously. The overall mean operation time and console time were 287.2 ± 66.0 and 180.2 ± 47.2 min, respectively. Mean estimated blood loss was 141.1 ± 227.0 ml. The mortality was 1.1% (1/92). The overall postoperative morbidity rate was 16.3% (15/92). There was no case of pancreatic fistula, whole splenic infarction, or the delayed aneurysm of splenic artery. The mean numbers of harvested LNs in total and at the splenic hilum were 50.8 ± 18.1 and 1.9 ± 2.6. The 5-year overall survival was 86.3% and 5-year recurrence-free survival was 87.4%. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that robotic application for spleen-preserving splenic hilar lymphadenectomy could be a feasible and safe method.

Laparoscopic splenic hilar lymph node dissection for proximal gastric cancer using integrated three-dimensional anatomic simulation software.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic lymph node (LN) dissection along the distal splenic artery (Station No. 11d) and around the splenic hilum (Station No. 10) remains challenging even for skilled surgeons. The major reason for the difficulty is the complex, multifarious anatomy of the splenic vessels. The latest integrated three-dimensional (3D) simulations may facilitate this procedure. METHODS: Usefulness of 3D simulation was investigated during 20 laparoscopic total gastrectomies with splenic hilar LN dissection while preserving the spleen and pancreas (LTG + PSP) or with splenectomy (LTG + S). Clinical information acquired by 3D simulation and the consistency of the virtual and real images were evaluated. Furthermore, clinical data of these patients were compared with that of the patients who underwent the same surgery before the introduction of 3D simulation (n = 10), to clarify its efficacy. RESULTS: The vascular architecture and morphologic characteristics were clearly demonstrated in 3D simulation, with sufficient consistency. The median durations of 14 LTG + PSP and 6 LTG + S operations were 318 and 322 min, respectively. The estimated blood losses were 18 and 38 g, respectively. There were no deaths. One postoperative peritoneal abscess (grade II according to Clavien-Dindo) was recorded. A comparison of clinical parameters between surgeries without or with 3D simulation showed no differences in operation time, blood loss, or complication rate; however, the number of retrieved No. 10 LNs has significantly increased in cases with the use of 3D simulation (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: This kind of surgery is not easy to perform, but the latest 3D computed tomography simulation technology has made it possible to reduce the degree of difficulty and also to enhance the quality of surgery, potentially leading to widespread use of these techniques.

Donor morbidity in right and left hemiliver living donor liver transplantation: the impact of graft selection and surgical innovation on donor safety.

This study investigated adequate liver graft selection for donor safety by comparing postoperative donor liver function and morbidity between the right and left hemilivers (RL and LL, respectively) of living donors. Between April 2006 and March 2012, RL (n = 168) and LL (n = 140) donor operations were performed for liver transplantation at Kyoto University Hospital. Postoperative hyperbilirubinemia and coagulopathy persisted in RL donors, whereas the liver function of LL donors normalized more rapidly. The overall complication rate of the RL donors was significantly higher than that of the LL donors (59.5% vs. 30.7%; P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in severe complications worse than Clavien grade IIIa or in biliary complication rates between the two donor groups. In April 2006, we introduced an innovative surgical procedure: hilar dissection preserving the blood supply to the bile duct during donor hepatectomy. Compared with our previous outcomes (1990-2006), the biliary complication rate of the RL donors decreased from 12.2% to 7.2%, and the severity of these complications was significantly lower. In conclusion, LL donors demonstrated good recovery in postoperative liver function and lower morbidity, and our surgical innovations reduced the severity of biliary complications in living donors.

Laparoscopic Glissonian pedicle versus hilar dissection approach hemihepatectomy: A prospective, randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: This over 7-year case study is the first to compare the results of laparoscopic Glissonian pedicle approach hemihepatectomy (LGAH) and laparoscopic hilar dissection approach hemihepatectomy (LHAH) in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). METHODS: Patients who had undergone laparoscopic hemihepatectomy, either LGAH or LHAH, between March 2012 and December 2019 at our center were prospectively enrolled and assigned to the LGAH or LHAH group. Both groups were stratified and compared, and the preoperative and follow-up outcomes were analyzed. The primary endpoint was total operative time. RESULTS: The groups were equally matched for age, sex, HBsAg, Child-Pugh class, benign disease, malignancy, liver cirrhosis, tumor diameter and type of resection. Ninety-six patients had undergone LGAH and 94 had undergone LHAH. No preoperative death occurred in the two groups. LGAH did not enhance the postoperative overall complication rates (P = .465) or intraoperative blood loss (P = .535) compared with LHAH. However, the overall operative time (P = .014) and hilar dissection time (P = .000) were significantly shorter in the LGAH group than in the LHAH group. No significant differences were found between the groups regarding the 1-year (P = .384), 3-year (P = .332), and 5-year overall survival rates (P = .662) or 1-year (P = .856), 3-year (P = .348), and 5-year disease-free survival rates (P = .573). CONCLUSIONS: LGAH and LHAH are both effective procedures for treating the hilar structures in selected patients. LGAH has advantages over LHAH in reducing total operation time under the condition where both procedures can be used. LGAH for selected patients is worthy of promotion owing to its simplicity and convenience. REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01567631 (http://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov).

The use of Transcollation Technology for Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery lobectomy.

BACKGROUND: Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) lobectomy is now considered the preferred approach at many centers for early stage lung cancer. However, it needs an adequate learning curve, and it may be challenging in non-expert hands. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Transcollation Technology over Traditional Electrocautery to perform hilar and mediastinal dissection during VATS lobectomy. METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective study including consecutive patients undergoing VATS lobectomy for lung cancer. Patients were divided in two groups based on whether Transcollation Technology (TT Group) or Traditional Electrocautery (TE Group) was used for hilar and mediastinal lymphadenectomy. Operative time and surgical outcome, including number of transfusions, length of chest drainage, length of hospital stay, morbidity and mortality were registered, and the inter-group differences were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: 53 patients were included in the final analysis. The TT Group (n = 24) compared to the TE Group (n = 29) showed significant shorter operative time (75.2 ± 25.8 min versus 98.1 ± 33.3 min; p = 0.023), and reduction of length of chest tube stay (4.7 ± 0.8 days vs. 6.8 ± 1.1 days, p = 0.013) and length of hospital stay (5.3 ± 1.9 days vs. 6.8 ± 1.1 days, p = 0.007). No intraoperative or major postoperative complications were observed in either groups. CONCLUSIONS: Transcollation Technology represents a valid alternative to standard electrocautery instruments during VATS lobectomy. It contributes to reduce the operative time and length of hospital stay. Further larger prospective studies are required to confirm our data.

A Tailored Strategy for Recipient Hepatectomy: Left Portal Flow Preserving High Hilar Dissection.

BACKGROUND: Lee et al. (Liver Transpl 10(9):1158-1162, 2004) reported high hilar dissection (HHD) technique as a novel method for recipient hepatectomy to overcome limitations of conventional hilar dissection (CHD). HHD allowed performing multiple tension-free biliary anastomoses and easy reconstruction of double portal vein orifices. However, longer anhepatic phase is its main drawback. We describe a new modification of original HHD, called left portal vein flow preserving HHD (LFP-HHD). The new technique aims to gain the balance between CHD and original HHD. METHODS: The detailed technique of recipient hepatectomy by LFP-HHD is shown in the electronic video file. It involves high intrahepatic division of hilar structures while maintaining portal drainage through maintained left portal vein (LPV). Control of right hemi-liver inflow allows for division of right hepatic vein, and safe dissection of inferior vena cava (IVC) and hilar structures. According to coordination with donor surgery, the liver could be easily explanted. DISCUSSION: LFP-HHD has the same principle of original HHD allowing for multiple tension-free well-vascularized biliary anastomoses. LFP-HHD allows for shortening of anhepatic phase duration as portal venous drainage is continued through maintained LPV avoiding prolonged total portal clamping with bowel edema or the need for temporary porto-caval shunt. On the other hand, the number and the length of the hilar structures can be decreased compared with the original HHD technique. However, the level of division of the hilar structures is acceptable in most of the cases. CONCLUSION: LFP-HHD is a novel simple technique for recipient hepatectomy that can be tailored for certain clinical conditions.

The Extrahepatic Glissonian Versus Hilar Dissection Approach for Laparoscopic Formal Right and Left Hepatectomies in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have been performed to evaluate the value of the Glissonian approach (GA) for laparoscopic formal hemihepatectomy. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of extrahepatic GA with those of the conventional hilar dissection approach for laparoscopic formal right and left hepatectomies in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Between January 2015 and October 2017, a total of 95 HCC patients who underwent pure laparoscopic formal hemihepatectomies, of whom 49 underwent the GA, were included in this study. After a 1:1 propensity score matching, 42 laparoscopic GA hepatectomies were compared to 42 conventional approach (CA) hepatectomies. We have analyzed perioperative and oncologic outcomes of the two different operative approaches for HCC treatments. RESULTS: The GA did not increase the postoperative overall complication rates (P = 0.415) or the mean comprehensive complication index (P = 0.414) when compared with the CA. However, the operative time was significantly shorter (P = 0.006), and intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower (P < 0.001) in the GA group than in the CA group. There were no significant differences between the GA and CA groups regarding 3-year overall survival rate (P = 0.765) or 3-year disease-free survival rate (P = 0.622). CONCLUSIONS: Pure laparoscopic extrahepatic GA hemihepatectomy is safe and feasible, and it was associated with similar complication rates and equivalent 3-year survival outcomes compared to the conventional approach in selected patients with HCC.

Automatic segmentation of occluded vasculature via pulsatile motion analysis in endoscopic robot-assisted partial nephrectomy video.

Hilar dissection is an important and delicate stage in partial nephrectomy, during which surgeons remove connective tissue surrounding renal vasculature. Serious complications arise when the occluded blood vessels, concealed by fat, are missed in the endoscopic view and as a result are not appropriately clamped. Such complications may include catastrophic blood loss from internal bleeding and associated occlusion of the surgical view during the excision of the cancerous mass (due to heavy bleeding), both of which may compromise the visibility of surgical margins or even result in a conversion from a minimally invasive to an open intervention. To aid in vessel discovery, we propose a novel automatic method to segment occluded vasculature from labeling minute pulsatile motion that is otherwise imperceptible with the naked eye. Our segmentation technique extracts subtle tissue motions using a technique adapted from phase-based video magnification, in which we measure motion from periodic changes in local phase information albeit for labeling rather than magnification. Based on measuring local phase through spatial decomposition of each frame of the endoscopic video using complex wavelet pairs, our approach assigns segmentation labels by detecting regions exhibiting temporal local phase changes matching the heart rate. We demonstrate how our technique is a practical solution for time-critical surgical applications by presenting quantitative and qualitative performance evaluations of our vessel detection algorithms with a retrospective study of fifteen clinical robot-assisted partial nephrectomies.