Robotic-assisted laparoscopy in gynecological surgery.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic surgery has revolutionized the concept of minimally invasive surgery for the last 3 decades. Robotic-assisted surgery is one of the latest innovations in the field of minimally invasive surgery. Already, many procedures have been performed in urology, cardiac surgery, and general surgery. In this article, we attempt to report our preliminary experience with robotic-assisted laparoscopy in a variety of gynecological surgeries. We sought to evaluate the role of robotic-assisted laparoscopy in gynecological surgeries. METHODS: The study was a case series of 15 patients who underwent various gynecologic surgeries for combined laparoscopic and robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery. The da Vinci robot was used in each case at a tertiary referral center for laparoscopic gynecologic surgery. An umbilicus, suprapubic, and 2 lateral ports were inserted. These surgeries were performed both using laparoscopic and robotic-assisted laparoscopic techniques. The assembly and disassembly time to switch from laparoscopy to robotic-assisted surgery was measured. Subjective advantages and disadvantages of using robotic-assisted laparoscopy in gynecological surgeries were evaluated. RESULTS: Fifteen patients underwent a variety of gynecologic surgeries, such as myomectomies, treatment of endometriosis, total and supracervical hysterectomy, ovarian cystectomy, sacral colpopexy, and Moskowitz procedure. The assembly time to switch from laparoscopy to robotic-assisted surgery was 18.9 minutes (range, 14 to 27), and the disassembly time was 2.1 minutes (range, 1 to 3). Robotic-assisted laparoscopy acts as a bridge between laparoscopy and laparotomy but has the disadvantage of being costly and bulky. CONCLUSION: Robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgeries have advantages in providing a 3-dimensional visualization of the operative field, decreasing fatigue and tension tremor of the surgeon, and added wrist motion for improved dexterity and greater surgical precision. The disadvantages include enormous cost and added operating time for assembly and disassembly and the bulkiness of the equipment.     

Recurrent asystolic cardiac arrest and laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a case report and review of the literature.

Laparoscopic surgery has become a durable alternative for both gynecologic and general surgical procedures, but reported complications are increasing. We describe the case of a 70-year-old male undergoing routine laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallstone pancreatitis who developed asystolic cardiac arrest intraoperatively. A review of the literature revealed 2 cases of asystolic cardiac arrest during laparoscopy: one was during laparoscopic cholecystectomy and one was during diagnostic laparoscopy for gynecologic evaluation.     

A comparison of the incidence of nausea after laparoscopic cholecystectomy and diagnostic laparoscopy

Thirty-four patients undergoing gynecologic diagnostic laparoscopy and 30 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomies were followed prospectively for nausea and vomiting 24 hours postoperatively. Diagnostic laparoscopy patients had a significantly higher incidence of nausea and vomiting than laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients with similar anesthetic techniques, duration of surgery, and population parameters. All patients had their stomach contents suctioned after induction. While both procedures involve bowel manipulation, patient position and organ manipulation differ: diagnostic laparoscopy involves the Trendelenburg position and laparoscopic cholecystectomy involves the reverse Trendelenburg; diagnostic laparoscopy involves the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes while laparoscopic cholecystectomy involves mainly the gall-bladder and its appendages. These factors may contribute to the differences found in this study.     

妇科腹腔镜手术271例临床分析

目的:探讨腹腔镜手术用于治疗妇科疾病的临床价值。方法:回顾分析为271例患者行腹腔镜妇科手术的临床资料,评价平均手术时间、术中出血量等指标。结果:271例均在腹腔镜下完成手术,包括腹腔镜全子宫切除术83例,次全切除术80例,子宫肌瘤切除术42例,附件切除术33例,附件囊肿剥除术28例,输卵管妊娠取胚术5例。2例(0.74%)发生并发症。结论:腹腔镜妇科手术患者创伤小,康复快,只要严格掌握手术适应证,大部分妇科良性疾病可用腹腔镜手术治疗。     

Left upper quadrant entry during gynecologic laparoscopy

The use of the left upper quadrant technique in establishing a pneumoperitoneum during gynecologic laparoscopy was reviewed retrospectively in 267 patients who underwent gynecologic laparoscopy. The study population included all patients presenting to the University of Louisville Hospital outpatient surgery unit for laparoscopic gynecologic surgery from January 1994 to March 2002. Data sheets were prospectively compiled for each patient that included their demographics as well as the intraoperative insufflation technique used and the number of attempts necessary to achieve successful insufflation. All recognized complications associated with establishment of the pneumoperitoneum or insertion of the primary trocar were recorded. The database included 3314 patients of which 267 underwent insufflation via the left upper quadrant technique. Failure to achieve insufflation using this technique occurred in 4 patients (1.5%). There were no bowel or vessel injuries. Puncture of the left lobe of the liver occurred in 3 patients (1.12%). All injuries were managed without laparotomy, and the patients fully recovered without sequelae. The left upper quadrant entry technique is an effective means of establishing a pneumoperitoneum in patients undergoing gynecologic laparoscopic procedures.     

Robot-assisted single-incision laparoscopic myomectomy: initial report and technique

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery for gynecologic applications has recently been described. Such an ultra-minimally invasive technique is attractive to patients and may have clinical advantages because of the reduced number of abdominal incisions. However, because of its extreme geometrical challenges and instrument crowding, single-incision laparoscopy is such a major deviation from optimum surgical ergonomics that it is unlikely to gain popularity. Robot assistance in single-incision laparoscopy has recently been described for some ablative gynecologic procedures, and it seems to have technical advantages. However, no suture-intensive applications of this technique have yet been reported. We describe our initial experience with robot-assisted single-incision laparoscopic myomectomy and provide essential technical detail to enable successful replication of this technique in the context of an advanced robotic surgical team.     

免气腹腹腔镜用于妇科手术的临床价值

目的:探讨免气腹腹腔镜在妇科手术领域的应用价值。方法:回顾分析2006年以来在妇科领域施行免气腹腹腔镜手术的疗效,并与同期气腹法腹腔镜对比。结果:两种方法的手术时间、术中出血量、术后肛门排气时间、体温及腹胀时间差异有统计学意义。结论:免气腹腹腔镜手术在术中通气、血液动力学及术后疼痛等方面均明显优于气腹法,可作为腹腔镜手术发展的一个方向。     

单孔单点悬吊式腹腔镜技术在妇科手术中的应用

目的:探讨单孔单点悬吊式腹腔镜妇科手术的安全性与可行性。方法:在严格掌握适应证的前提下,为240例患者行腹腔镜手术,其中136例行单孔单点悬吊式腹腔镜手术,104例行气腹腹腔镜手术,比较两组患者围手术期情况,以充分了解两种手术的优缺点。结果:136例单孔单点悬吊式腹腔镜手术均获成功,手术时间、术中出血量、住院时间及住院费用等方面均优于气腹腹腔镜手术。结论:单孔单点悬吊式腹腔镜手术简便、实用,可为各种妇科腹腔镜手术提供足够的操作空间。     

电视腹腔镜妇科手术68例报告

目的 :探讨腹腔镜治疗妇科疾病的效果。方法 :应用腹腔镜治疗妇科疾病 6 8例并进行临床分析。结果 :6 8例中 1例中转开腹 ,余均在腹腔镜下完成。术中发生腹壁气肿 1例 ,术后并发会阴水肿 1例。结论 :与传统的开腹术相比 ,腹腔镜妇科手术具有切口小、出血少 ,术后恢复快 ,治疗效果确切等优点 ,适宜临床推广。     

Making the transition from standard gynecologic laparoscopy to robotic laparoscopy.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the feasibility of using a simple procedure, a bilateral tubal ligation, as a transition procedure when adopting robotic laparoscopy for gynecologic surgery. METHOD: To obtain robotic credentialing and gain experience with the robotic system, the surgeons first went through robotic training, then 4 women desiring permanent sterilization had robotically assisted laparoscopic bilateral tubal ligations performed, using the Parkland method. RESULTS: Total operating room time varied from 1 hour 25 minutes to 2 hours 31 minutes. Improvement in operating time for each surgeon was noted with each successive case. Best times in robotic cases were similar to those of standard laparoscopy. CONCLUSION: Robotically assisted laparoscopic tubal ligation using the Parkland method is a satisfactory procedure to provide transition for gynecologic surgeons and operating room personnel to gynecologic robotic surgery.     

Advanced Gynecologic Laparoscopy in a Fast-Track Ambulatory Surgery Center

Background/Objectives:

It has been shown that major gynecologic laparoscopy is safe in hospital ambulatory settings, but there is little data to suggest the same in freestanding ambulatory surgery centers. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of advanced gynecologic laparoscopic surgery using a fast-track model in freestanding ambulatory surgery centers and discusses our institution protocols.

Methods:

Retrospective, multicenter review was conducted of major gynecologic surgeries from August 1^st 2010 to September 30^th 2011 in 3 surgical centers with one primary surgeon. All patients were treated for symptomatic uterine leiomyomas and/or endometriosis. Primary outcome measures were unplanned admissions and discharge within 23 hours.

Results:

One hundred and thirty-four patients underwent major laparoscopic gynecologic surgery with a total of 160 procedures: 77 stage IV endometriosis treatment including 7 disk excisions of endometriosis from the large bowel, 3 ureteroneocystostomies and 1 partial bladder resection, 38 myomectomies, and 34 hysterectomies including 12 modified radical hysterectomies. The overall unplanned admission rate was 4.5%. One hundred and thirty-one patients (97.7%) were discharged within 24 hours after surgery. Three patients (2.2%) were transferred to the hospital postoperatively: 1 patient for observation of postoperative anemia and 2 patients for postoperative fever. Three patients (2.2%) were admitted to the hospital after discharge: 1 patient for postoperative ileus, 1 patient for postoperative fever, and 1 patient with septic pelvic thrombophlebitis. These postoperative issues all resolved without complication, and all patients had an uneventful follow-up.

Conclusions:

With appropriate resources and an experienced surgeon, advanced laparoscopic surgery can be safely performed in a fast-track ambulatory surgery center with a high rate of discharge within 23 hours and low unplanned readmission rate.     

Single-incision total laparoscopic hysterectomy

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery is an alternative to conventional multiport laparoscopy. Single-access laparoscopy using a transumbilical port affords maximum cosmetic benefits because the surgical incision is hidden in the umbilicus. The advantages of single-access laparoscopic surgery may include less bleeding, infection, and hernia formation and better cosmetic outcome and less pain. The disadvantages and limitations include longer surgery time, difficulty in learning the technique, and the need for specialized instruments. Ongoing refinement of the surgical technique and instrumentation is likely to expand its role in gynecologic surgery in the future. We perform single-incision total laparoscopic hysterectomy using three ports in the single transumbilical incision.     

Anesthesia for laparoscopy with emphasis on outpatient laparoscopy

Laparoscopy has developed extremely rapidly and is currently applicable to virtually every surgical subspecialty. Most of the experience is with gynecologic laparoscopy, which has been performed for many years. Some of these procedures are simple and brief, with minimal gas insufflation. In these cases, respiratory compromise is limited, and spontaneous ventilation appears acceptable. Such procedures therefore can be performed with the patient under local or regional anesthesia, or using the LMA with general anesthesia, because the risk of aspiration is small. As laparoscopy has developed, more prolonged operations have become possible, but these normally require general anesthesia, controlled ventilation, and tracheal intubation. More sophisticated laparoscopic surgery has reduced postoperative morbidity, shortened hospital stays, and moved many procedures into the outpatient arena. These newer laparoscopic operations present many challenges, especially in the provision of adequate analgesia and the minimization of PONV. Analgesia should be multimodal, using local anesthesia and NSAIDs as first-line therapy. This combination may be sufficient for more minor procedures, and the elimination of opioids helps to reduce PONV. For more extensive operations, opioids also are required, but should not be the mainstay of analgesia. PONV should be treated effectively whenever it occurs, with consideration given to the use of prophylactic antiemetics in especially high-risk groups. Laparoscopic surgery clearly offers significant advantages in many cases. Although this technology can make some procedures technically possible on an outpatient basis, the morbidity following operations such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considerable. The ever-greater cost savings from the expansion of outpatient surgery is being achieved at the expense of patient discomfort and dissatisfaction. Extended care (23 h) could be a better option in some circumstances. The future will see further developments in laparoscopic surgery. Microlaparoscopy permits simple procedures to be performed with minimal analgesia and sedation in an office setting. At present, this technology allows only diagnostic and minor operative procedures, the stage at which conventional laparoscopy was in the early 1980s. Further developments in optical fibers could reduce the requirements for general anesthesia for other operations and substantially reduce postoperative morbidity. Until then, laparoscopy continues to present many challenges.     

Robotics in gynecology

The surgical robot has the potential to enable a laparoscopic approach to procedures that are presently performed by laparotomy due to the technical difficulties intrinsic to laparoscopy. The use of the current robot prototypes are not cost-effective for gynecologic procedures that are already performed by laparoscopy. The rapid evolution of robotics will likely allow for more widespread application in all surgical specialties in the future.     

Direct Trocar Insertion for Laparoscopy

Background:

The Veress needle (VN) technique for establishing pneumoperitoneum in laparoscopic surgery is widely used and yet is associated with slow insufflation rates and potentially life-threatening complications. Although these complications have been rarely reported, they represent a major source of morbidity and mortality from laparoscopic procedures and a major reason for conversion to open surgery. The open laparoscopy (OL) is an alternative to the VN technique, being relatively safer, even if considered cumbersome by many authors. Recently, the direct trocar insertion (DTI) technique of establishing pneumoperitoneum has been reported as an alternative to both techniques, but it is largely confined to gynecologic procedures. We report a case-series study where we evaluate the patients who underwent a DTI entry for laparoscopy during a recent 5-year period, focusing attention on feasibility, safety, and the benefits of DTI.

Methods:

This is a case series of 2175 different laparoscopic procedures (1456 [66.9%] scheduled cases and 719 [33%] emergencies). In 2091 (96.1%) of them (1425 [68.1%] scheduled cases and 666 [31.8%] emergencies), pneumoperitoneum was established with DTI, either in the umbilicus or in Palmer''s point.

Results:

There were no injuries, either minor or major. Peritoneal access and the creation of a laparoscopic workplace were obtained quickly and efficiently by DTI.

Conclusion:

Our results suggest that DTI is a fast, safe, and reliable alternative to traditional techniques for pneumoperitoneum establishment and should be regarded as a part of the surgical armamentarium of a trained laparoscopic surgeon.     

腰麻联合硬膜外麻醉在妇科腹腔镜手术中的应用

目的 :探讨腰麻联合硬膜外麻醉应用于妇科腹腔镜手术的可行性。方法 :选择 138例改良式腹腔镜辅助阴式子宫切除术 ,分别采用腰麻联合硬膜外麻醉和硬膜外麻醉。结果 :腰麻联合硬膜外麻醉用于妇科腹腔镜手术患者生命体征平稳 ,无严重不良反应 ,且麻醉诱导时间及手术时间明显短于硬膜外麻醉。结论 :腰麻联合硬膜外麻醉操作简易 ,用药量少 ,起效快 ,效果好 ,不良反应少 ,医疗费用低 ,适用于妇科腹腔镜手术     

Complications of laparoscopy

The frontiers of laparoscopic surgery have extended from gynecologic procedures to general surgical techniques. As new applications for laparoscopy emerge, anesthesiologists must be familiar with the possible complications associated with the various laparoscopic procedures. Only by an appreciation of the potential complications of a procedure can their overall incidence be minimized. A systematic approach must consider all potential complications during laparoscopy. In addition to routine evaluation (i.e., depth of anesthesia and volume status), anesthesiologists must confirm that intra-abdominal pressure is less than 15 mm Hg, and that inadvertent endobronchial intubation, pneumothorax, and gas embolism have not occurred. In the case of precipitous changes in vital signs not responding to routine management, it is imperative to release the pneumoperitoneum and place the patient in the supine (or Trendelenburg) position. After cardiopulmonary stabilization, cautious slow reinsufflation then can be attempted. With persistent signs of significant cardiopulmonary impairment, however, it is sometimes necessary to convert to an open procedure.     

Preliminary experience with robot-assisted laparoscopic staging of gynecologic malignancies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of integrating robot-assisted technology in the performance of laparoscopic staging of gynecologic malignancies. METHODS: Seven patients underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic staging procedures for gynecologic cancers. Data were collected and analyzed as a retrospective case series analysis. RESULTS: We attempted 7 robot-assisted laparoscopic staging procedures with no conversions to laparotomy. The median lymph node count for lymphadenectomy was 15 (range, 4 to 29). Mean operating time was 257 minutes (range, 174 to 345). The average estimated blood loss was 50 mL. One patient developed sinusitis and required intravenous antibiotics. The median hospital stay was 2 days. CONCLUSION: Robot-assisted laparoscopic staging is a feasible technique that may overcome the surgical limitations of conventional laparoscopy.     

Development of urologic laparoscopy in Germany,Austria, and Switzerland: a survey among urologists

Purpose

Laparoscopy introduction has dramatically changed urology. Novel techniques, such as laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) and natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES), might also have substantial influence. This 2012 survey evaluated present laparoscopy use, its appraisal among urologic surgeons, laparoscopy training, and use of new techniques. Results were compared to the previous surveys, demonstrating the 10-year development of laparoscopy.

Methods

A detailed questionnaire regarding demographic data, laparoscopy use, attitudes concerning laparoscopy, and novel techniques was send to 424 departments in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Procedures performed in 25 indications were quantitatively evaluated.

Results

The response rate was 63 % (269). Eighty-six percent of the respondents reported performing laparoscopy, compared to 54 % in 2002. Only 16 % expected economic advantages with laparoscopy, whereas 67 % expected shorter hospitalization. Seventy percent of responders anticipated comparable functional and oncological results between laparoscopic procedures and open surgery. Slow learning curves (81 %) and insufficient training facilities (32 %) were reported to impair laparoscopic surgery. On average, laparoscopic and non-laparoscopic surgical teams consisted of 2.5 and 3.5 members, respectively. LESS procedures were performed at 15 % of institutions. Twenty-two percent of respondents considered NOTES techniques valuable for future urology. Few indications (laparoscopic prostatectomies or nephrectomies) were performed frequently in specialized centers, and the rapidly increasing procedure numbers observed between 2002 and 2007 had dropped to a mild accretion. The results demonstrate broad acceptance of laparoscopy in German urologic surgery, depict the need for structured training facilities, and indicate limited impact of novel techniques (LESS and NOTES).

Conclusions

The survey demonstrates the 10-year development of urologic laparoscopy and the broad acceptance of laparoscopic techniques.     

免气腹腹腔镜在妇产科手术中的应用体会

目的:探讨免气腹腹腔镜用于妇科手术的安全性及可行性。方法:用骨科Kirschner Wire针(克氏针)在脐下2cm沿腹白线向下自耻骨联合上4cm穿出,或下腹部横穿皮下(间径约10cm),克氏针两端固定后用吊链挂在悬吊棒横杆上,形成腹腔镜手术空间代替CO2气腹。观察手术时间、术中出血量、术中副损伤、术后并发症及术后患者康复情况等。结果:6例子宫肌瘤切除术,7例子宫附件切除术,10例卵巢囊肿剥除术,5例输卵管切除术,均用免气腹腹腔镜顺利完成,无中转开腹;平均手术时间(75±30)min,平均出血(135±43)ml,平均住院(3.00±0.75)d,无明显并发症发生。结论:免气腹腹腔镜比有气腹腹腔镜更加安全,免除了CO气腹引起的副作用。在直视下施术可用普通器械,手术更加方便。