Robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy

Prostate cancer remains a significant health problem worldwide and is the second highest cause of cancer-related death in men. While there is uncertainty over which men will benefit from radical treatment, considerable efforts are being made to reduce treatment related side-effects and in optimising outcomes. This article reviews the development and introduction of robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP), the results to date, and the possible future directions of RALP.     

腹腔镜超声在腹腔镜手术中的应用研究

目的探讨腹腔镜超声在腹腔镜手术中的应用价值。方法 36例腹腔镜手术患者,因行腹腔镜解剖性肝切除、病灶太小、部位较深、或病灶周围结构复杂,无法准确定位手术,手术医师联合应用腹腔镜超声及时调整手术方案。两位超声医师执行超声引导,一人负责操作仪器、测量数据及储存图像,另一人操控超声探头,完成病灶探测及定位引导。结果 36例患者共41个病灶,大小0.4 cm×0.3~5.4 cm×4.6 cm,全部病灶腹腔镜超声检查均能快速发现,并准确定位引导。34例按既定方案顺利完成手术,1例胰腺癌发现肝内微小转移灶放弃手术,1例发现术前检查遗漏病灶,改开腹手术。结论腹腔镜超声弥补了腹腔镜单纯表象的局限性,可提高病灶检出率,准确定位引导,是决定手术方式、指导手术操作的必要依据,对微创外科的发展具有重要意义。     

Errors in laparoscopic surgery

Laparoscopic surgery is the most significant advancement in the field of surgery over the past 15 years. This minimal access approach has been widely embraced and adopted to many common operations. Demonstrated benefits include decreased post-operative pain, shorter lengths of in-patient hospitalization, increased patient acceptance, and a more rapid return to gainful employment. With its ever-growing popularity, it has become fertile ground for civil litigation, ranking along with birth injuries and failure to diagnose cancer. A brief synopsis of the history of its evolution is presented along with general and specific comments concerning potential errors as they relate to specific common operations which are commonly done utilizing this technique.     

Peritoneum and laparoscopic environment

Laparoscopic surgery takes place in a closed environment, the peritoneal cavity distended by the pneumoperitoneum whose parameters, such as pressure, composition, humidity and temperature of the gas, may be changed and adapted to influence the intra and postoperative surgical processes. Such changes were impossible in the "open" environment. This review includes recent data on peritoneal physiology, which are relevant for surgeons, and on the effects of the pneumoperitoneum on the peritoneal membrane. The ability to work in a new surgical environment, which may be adapted to each situation, opens a new era in endoscopic surgery. Using nebulizers, the pneumoperitoneum may become a new way to administer intraoperative treatments. Most of the current data on the consequences of the pneumoperitoneum were obtained using poor animal models so that it remains difficult to estimate the progresses, which will be brought to the operative theater by this new concept. However this revolution will likely be used by thoracic or cardiac surgeon who are also working in a serosa. This approach may even appear essential to all the surgeons who are using endoscopy in a retroperitoneal space such as urologists or endocrine surgeons.     

Long-term outcomes after laparoscopic colectomy

AIM:To evaluate long-term outcomes in a large series of patients who randomly received laparoscopic or open colorectal resection.METHODS:From February 2000 to December 2004,six hundred sixty-two patients with colorectal disease were randomly assigned to laparoscopic(LPS,n = 330) or open(n = 332) colorectal resection.All patients were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis.Long-term follow-up was carried out every 6 mo by office visits.In 526 cancer patients five-year overall and disease-free survival were evaluated.Median oncologic follow-up was 96 mo.RESULTS:Eight(4.2%) LPS group patients needed conversion to open surgery.Overall long-term morbidity rate was 7.6%(25/330) in the LPS vs 11.1%(37/332) in the open group(P = 0.17).In cancer patients,fiveyear overall survival was 68.6% in the LPS group and 64.0% in the Open group(P = 0.27).Excluding stage Ⅳ patients,five-year local and distant recurrence rates were 32.5% in the LPS group and 36.8% in the Open group(P = 0.36).Further,no difference in recurrence rate was found when patients were stratified according to cancer stage.CONCLUSION:LPS colorectal resection was associated with a slightly lower incidence of long-term complications than open surgery.No difference between groups was found in overall and disease-free survival rates.     

Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery for cancer

Minimally invasive surgical approaches were designed to enhance quality of care and improve patient outcome by minimizing postoperative pain, shortening hospital stay, reducing costs, and facilitating early return to work and presurgical lifestyle. The hand-assisted laparoscopic approach for resection of cancer is still in its formative stage, and this review places it in proper perspective within the context of minimally invasive surgery currently being performed for both benign and malignant disease. The review also outlines the potential advantages and disadvantages, techniques, and site-specific procedures of hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery for cancer.     

腹腔镜根治性前列腺切除术研究进展

对近年来标准腹腔镜、机器人腹腔镜根治性前列腺切除术等方面的进展做一综述,包括手术适应证与禁忌证、手术方法、并发症、手术效果、手术经验、各种手术途径的优缺点及手术效果之间的比较.     

Pure laparoscopic and robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy in the management of prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Until recently, open radical prostatectomy was the only approach for the surgical management of prostate cancer. Laparoscopy is now increasingly used as an alternative approach. The procedure can be performed directly or with robot assistance. METHODS: We review the relevant literature regarding oncologic and functional outcomes with laparoscopic surgery in the management of localized prostate cancer. RESULTS: Oncologic and functional outcomes are similar between open and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Pure laparoscopic prostatectomy and robotic assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy result in less blood loss and shorter convalescence. Costs associated with the initial investment, disposables, and maintenance of the robot system are higher than for pure laparoscopic prostatectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, either pure or robotic, is becoming the preferred approach for the surgical management of localized prostate cancer. Oncologic and functional outcomes are similar to the open approach.     

Practical guidelines for performing laparoscopic liver resection based on the second international laparoscopic liver consensus conference

Laparoscopic liver resection is rapidly increasing, and certain types of resection are considered standard procedures for liver resection, especially for small malignant tumors located on the liver surface or in the anterolateral segments of the liver. Several specialized centers have performed many types of highly complex hepatectomies, anatomical resections, and laparoscopic donor hepatectomies. Even though several international consensus conferences and expert meetings have been held, until now there have been no practical guidelines for beginners or experts conducting laparoscopic liver resection. We describe here practical guidelines for performing laparoscopic liver resection, including the indications, technical considerations, and training required.     

Comparison of totally laparoscopic and laparoscopic assisted gastrectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced gastric cancer

BackgroundNeoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and laparoscopic surgery have been increasingly used in the treatment of gastric cancer, however, the feasibility and safety of totally laparoscopic gastrectomy after NACT still remain unknown.Materials and methodsAt the Gastrointestinal cancer center of Peking university cancer hospital and institute in Beijing, clinical and pathological data of patients who has received NACT, followed by radical laparoscopic gastrectomy was retrospectively reviewed between March 2011 and November 2019. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether intracorporeal anastomosis or extracorporeal anastomosis had been performed, short-term outcomes (post-operative recovery index and complications) and economic cost were compared between 2 groups.ResultAll of 139 patients underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy. 87 [62.6%] patients had totally laparoscopic gastrectomy (TLG) and 52 [37.4%] patients had laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy (LAG). Overall complication rate was 28.8% in all patients. TLG group was significantly associated with lower overall complication rate (21.8% VS 40.4%; p = 0.019) and major complication rate (3.4% VS 13.5%; p = 0.001) compared with LAG group. Overall cost was similar (p = 0.077). In subgroup analysis, totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy (TLTG) group showed lower overall postoperative complication rate (19.0% VS 56.5%; p = 0.011), as well as marginal significant differences in major complication (0% VS 21.7%; p = 0.05) than laparoscopic-assisted total gastrectomy (LATG) group. Earlier first liquid diet (4 [3.5–5] day VS 6 [4–6.5] day; p = 0.047), earlier first aerofluxus (3 [3-4] day VS 4 [3–4.5] day; p = 0.02) and a shorter hospital stay (9 [8-12] day VS 12 [10-15] day; p = 0.004) were observed in TLTG group. Overall and major complication rate were similar in totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (TLDG) and laparoscopic assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) group (22.7% VS 27.6%; p = 0.611; 4.5% VS 6.9%; p = 0.639; respectively). Significant differences were found between TLDG and LADG groups regarding time to first liquid diet (4 [3-5] day VS 6 [3.75–6] day; p = 0.006), time to first aerofluxus (3 [3–3] day VS 4 [3-6] day; p< 0.001), time to first defecation (4 [4-5] day VS 5 [4-6] day; p = 0.045), time to remove all drainage (7 [6-8] day VS 8 [6-9] day; p = 0.021), white blood cell count on postoperative Day 1 (9.54 ± 2.49 10⁹/L VS 10.91 ± 2.89 10⁹/L; p = 0.021)and postoperative hospital stay (9 [8-10] day VS 10 [9,13] day; p = 0.009).ConclusionFor patients with Locally advanced gastric cancer who received NACT, totally laparoscopic gastrectomy, including TLTG and TLDG, doesn’t increase complications and overall cost compared with LAG, and has advantages in gastrointestinal function recovery, incision length and postoperative hospital stay.     

Augmented reality in laparoscopic surgical oncology

Minimally invasive surgery represents one of the main evolutions of surgical techniques aimed at providing a greater benefit to the patient. However, minimally invasive surgery increases the operative difficulty since the depth perception is usually dramatically reduced, the field of view is limited and the sense of touch is transmitted by an instrument. However, these drawbacks can currently be reduced by computer technology guiding the surgical gesture. Indeed, from a patient’s medical image (US, CT or MRI), Augmented Reality (AR) can increase the surgeon’s intra-operative vision by providing a virtual transparency of the patient. AR is based on two main processes: the 3D visualization of the anatomical or pathological structures appearing in the medical image, and the registration of this visualization on the real patient. 3D visualization can be performed directly from the medical image without the need for a pre-processing step thanks to volume rendering. But better results are obtained with surface rendering after organ and pathology delineations and 3D modelling. Registration can be performed interactively or automatically. Several interactive systems have been developed and applied to humans, demonstrating the benefit of AR in surgical oncology. It also shows the current limited interactivity due to soft organ movements and interaction between surgeon instruments and organs. If the current automatic AR systems show the feasibility of such system, it is still relying on specific and expensive equipment which is not available in clinical routine. Moreover, they are not robust enough due to the high complexity of developing a real-time registration taking organ deformation and human movement into account. However, the latest results of automatic AR systems are extremely encouraging and show that it will become a standard requirement for future computer-assisted surgical oncology. In this article, we will explain the concept of AR and its principles. Then, we will review the existing interactive and automatic AR systems in digestive surgical oncology, highlighting their benefits and limitations. Finally, we will discuss the future evolutions and the issues that still have to be tackled so that this technology can be seamlessly integrated in the operating room.     

Feasible laparoscopic repeat hepatectomy using double intercostal ports and laparoscopic vascular clamp (with video)

BackgroundLaparoscopic repeat hepatectomy is a technically challenging procedure owing to adhesions around the liver, causing difficulties in performing hepatic inflow control by conventional tourniquet method [1], and failure in hepatic mobilization [2].MethodThus, we introduce our technique using double intercostal ports to manipulate the fixed liver under the rib cage and using the laparoscopic Satinsky vascular clamp to perform hepatic inflow control to overcome the aforementioned concerns in ipsilateral laparoscopic repeat hepatectomy after previous open hepatectomy.VideoThe patient, with histories of abdominal aortic aneurysm repair and open Segment 7 subsegmentectomy, had recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma in the dorsal region of Segment 8. After establishing pneumoperitoneum with five abdominal ports, adhesiolysis around the liver was then performed, followed by identification of the caudal part of Spiegel's lobe as the landmark for the space between the left-side of the hepatoduodenal ligament and the vena cava. Although the space between the right side of the hepatoduodenal ligament and the vena cava was obstructed, the laparoscopic blunt-tip Satinsky vascular clamp successfully was applied on the stiff hepatoduodenal ligament due to previous hepatectomy and made inflow control. Because the liver could not be mobilized at all, double intercostal ports with balloons were introduced [3] for parenchymal resection for exposing the parenchymal resection plane and also to apply the vessel sealing device. A 12-Fr chest tube (Aspiration Kit. Argyle™, Tokyo, Japan) was introduced in the right thoracic cavity as our routine.ResultsThe operative time was 243 minutes and the blood loss was 50g. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged on the day 8.ConclusionsThe combination of intercostal ports and laparoscopic Satinsky vascular clamp could be significant aids for performing safe ipsilateral laparoscopic repeat hepatectomy, even after previous open hepatectomy.     

Pure laparoscopic surgery for repeat hepatectomy

In this study, we evaluate the capability of pure laparoscopic surgery for repeat hepatectomy. From June 2010 through March 2011, 15 cases of primary hepatectomy (hepatocellular carcinoma 11, liver metastasis 4) and 6 cases of re-hepatectomy patients (all cases were hepatocellular carcinoma) were underwent pure laparoscopic hepatectomy. As for the liver function in primary hepatectomy and re-hepatectomy, liver damage A/B was 8/7 and 2/4, median ICG R15 was 18 (4- 42) % and 30 (10-35) %, respectively. As for operative variables in primary hepatectomy and re-hepatectomy, the median operative duration was 265 (105-673) minutes, 296 (157-475) minutes, the median amount of bleeding was 10 (small amount-2,000) cc, 25 (small amount-140) cc, and the median post-operative hospital stay was 10 (6-17) days and 11 (6-24) days, respectively. Primary hepatectomy and re-hepatectomy represented equal clinical outcomes, although re-hepatectomy patients had lower hepatic function compared with primary hepatectomy patients.     

Benefits of laparoscopic prostate-sparing radical cystectomy

PURPOSE: Prostate-sparing radical cystectomy has been described in the literature and has proven to be a promising procedure owing to the continence and erectile function results without necessarily compromising the oncologic outcome in selected patients. TECHNIQUE POINTS: A transperitoneal approach is used. Lymph node dissection is performed with frozen section, and then the ureters are ligated and biopsied. The seminal vesicles are dissected, followed by complete mobilization of the bladder. Incision of the bladder neck is performed, followed by simple prostatectomy. Finally, bowel reconstruction is carried out via a small infra-umbilical incision that also permits the extraction of the surgical specimen and the anastomosis of neobladder to the prostate capsule. A total of 25 patients have undergone this procedure, with average surgical times of 285 min and blood loss of 640 ml. The complications encountered included: one bowel incarceration, one urinary leak, one lymphocele and one port hernia. At median 9 months follow-up, no patient presented with daytime incontinence, although seven complained of nocturia. A total of 20 patients maintained their preoperative sexual potency, and four reported a postoperative decrease in their erectile function. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic prostate-sparing radical cystectomy appears to be oncologically safe, reproducible and has promising functional benefits. The authors believe this procedure presents a good option in very select patients.     

Innovative laparoscopic surgery in gynecologic oncology

Minimally invasive surgery has been performed since the early 1990s, and gynecologic oncology surgeons continue to improve their skills for this procedure. Advanced laparoscopic techniques are used to evaluate and treat cervical, endometrial, and ovarian malignancies. Laparoscopy has significant benefits in selected oncologic patients and may be a more useful technique than the abdominal approach. The benefits of laparoscopy include less postoperative pain, less blood loss, shorter length of hospital stay, and a shorter recovery period with no significant increase in complications or morbidity. With emerging data, it appears that the risk of cancer recurrence does not increase with a minimally invasive approach. The incorporation of laparoscopic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy has expanded the types of procedures performed for the management of certain gynecologic malignancies. New techniques, including hand-assisted laparoscopic procedures and extraperitoneal lymph node dissections, are expanding the role of laparoscopy in the treatment of all gynecologic malignancies.     

超声内镜在腹腔镜手术中的应用

腹腔镜在临床中的应用已有百年历史，特别是近二十年来快速发展，几乎覆盖了所有的腹部手术。与此同时，超声内镜的出现使内镜技术取得了巨大的进步。超声内镜技术越来越受到重视，其应用范围也在不断扩大。从单纯的图像诊断、超声内镜引导下细针抽吸（FNA）活检阶段，再到超声内镜下介入性诊断和治疗，超声内镜技术已成为腹腔镜手术不可缺少的诊疗手段。本文就当前腹腔镜手术的研究热点，综合评价超声内镜技术在腹腔镜手术中的研究现状，着重介绍超声内镜在胃间质瘤、胰腺假性囊肿、胆管结石、膀胱癌中的应用，对其临床意义进行客观性评价。     

MRI-guided laparoscopic and robotic surgery for malignancies

Endoscopic surgery has some clear benefits, but it also has some disadvantages in reducing surgeons' normal dexterity and limiting their ability to deal with difficult situations. Computer-aided surgery has been proposed to overcome some of the drawbacks of traditional minimally invasive surgery. The proposed systems make possible a secure, precise procedure with no limitations on the operator's freedom of movement. Image-guided surgery is a new technical tool in surgical oncology. Interventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has entered a new stage in which computer-based techniques play an expanding role in planning, monitoring, and controlling procedures. MRI-guided surgery not only represents a technical challenge but is a transformation from conventional hand–eye coordination to interactive navigational operations. We have recently developed an MRI-guided robot-assisted interventional surgical system as well as an MRI-compatible endoscope. They allow the performance of precise image-guided interventional therapy and endoscopic surgery. MRI-guided laparoscopic surgery is now feasible for malignancies and will play an important part in the development of minimally invasive therapy.     

Nerve-sparing techniques in open and laparoscopic prostatectomy

Open and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is a safe and effective treatment for organ-confined prostate cancer with excellent cancer control and quality of life outcomes. We present current nerve-sparing techniques used in open, laparoscopic and robot-assisted prostatectomy to maximize postoperative potency. We review the literature and describe important anatomical landmarks and technical aspects that differentiate between approaches. Nerve trauma is inherent to the surgery and cannot be completely avoided. These techniques serve to minimize injury without compromising oncologic outcomes. In combination with postoperative pharmacological and mechanical recuperative approaches, nerve-sparing surgery has made an impact in postprostatectomy quality of life.     

Esophagojejunostomy through minilaparotomy after laparoscopic total gastrectomy

Although laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) has been accepted as a surgical option for the treatment of early gastric cancer, laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) has been adopted less often, because a more difficult surgical technique is required for reconstruction. To reduce the technical difficulties, we made some modifications to the functional end-to-end anastomosis technique and performed esophagojejunal anastomosis through a minilaparotomy. First, for easier handling of the esophagus, the first application of the linear stapler to create the esophagojejunal anastomosis was performed before transection of the esophagus. Second, the jejunal limb was anastomosed to the left side of the esophagus, which, compared with the right side, made available more free space, sufficient to operate the stapling device. Third, to close the entry hole and complete the gastrectomy concurrently, a linear stapler was applied through the left lower trocar. With this technique, the closure of the access opening was performed easily and was monitored directly through the minilaparotomy. We successfully performed LTG with Roux-en-Y reconstruction using our modified procedure in seven patients without any anastomotic complications. We believe our procedure is a secure and reliable method for reconstruction after LTG and will facilitate adoption of LTG as a surgical option for patients with early upper gastric cancers.