Considerations on the learning curve for laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a view from the bottom

Introduction

Those who have surmounted the learning curve for laparoscopic colorectal resection state that considerable numbers of highly selected cases should comprise a department’s early experience to ensure reliability of technique before routine implementation. The objective of this study was to determine how this advice may interrupt case flow.

Methods

Details on all colorectal operations performed in a single institution over a 4-year period were gleaned from a prospectively maintained database. Patient profiles were scrutinised to identify how the application of various published exclusion criteria would impact upon the theoretical completion rates of our proposed learning curve.

Results

In total, 317 colorectal resections were performed; 259 operations were for adenocarcinoma (including 100 rectal tumours) while 58 were for benign disease. Of those with malignancy, 25(10%) were obese, 61(24%) had previous intra-abdominal surgery, while 52(20%) were aged over 80 years and 60(23%) were ASA ¾. Strictest exclusion criteria would halve the number of cases to be commenced laparoscopically. A specialist registrar rotating through the department would have case exposure cut from a mean of 33 to 11 in 6 months under this regimen. Prioritising benign cases in the initial experience as has been recommended by certain groups would mean that, at most, 1.2 cases would be performed every 4 weeks during the learning period.

Conclusion

Although our caseload seems sufficient to allow the acquisition of expertise in a timely fashion, procedural flow would be markedly interrupted by stringent pre-selection. A low threshold for initiating the procedure laparoscopically seems a pragmatic way of ensuring departmental confidence through familiarity.

     

Laparoscopic surgery for benign and malign diseases of the digestive system:Indications,limitations,and evidence

The laparoscopic technique was introduced in gastrointestinal surgery in the mid 1980s.Since then,the development of this technique has been extraordinary.Triggered by technical innovations(stapling devices or coagulation/dissecting devices),nowadays any type of gastrointestinal resection has been successfully performed laparoscopically and can be performed laparoscopically dependent on the patient’s condition.This summary gives an overview over 30 years of laparoscopic surgery with focus on today’s indications and evidence.Main indications remain the more common procedures,e.g.,appendectomy,cholecystectomy,bariatric procedures or colorectal resections.For all these indications,the laparoscopic approach has become the gold standard with less perioperative morbidity.Regarding oncological outcome there have been several highquality randomized controlled trials which demonstrated equivalency between laparoscopic and open colorectal resections.Less common procedures like esophagectomy,oncological gastrectomy,liver and pancreatic resections can be performed successfully as well by anexperienced surgeon.However,the evidence for these special indications is poor and a general recommendation cannot be given.In conclusion,laparoscopic surgery has revolutionized the field of gastrointestinal surgery by reducing perioperative morbidity without disregarding surgical principles especially in oncological surgery.     

Defining a learning curve for laparoscopic colorectal resections

PURPOSE: The purpose of this review was to define the learning curve for laparoscopic colorectal resections. METHODS: A prospectively accumulated, computerized database of all laparoscopic colorectal resections performed by three surgeons between April 1991 and March 1999 was reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 461 consecutive resections were evenly distributed among three surgeons (141, 155, and 165). Median operating time was 180 minutes for Cases 1 to 30 in each surgeon's experience and declined to a steady state (150–167.5 minutes) for Cases 31 and higher. Subsequently, Cases 1 to 30 were considered early experience, whereas Cases 31 and higher were combined as late experience for statistical analysis. There were no significant differences between patients undergoing resections in the early experience and those undergoing resections in the late experience with respect to age, weight, or proportion of patients with malignancy, diverticulitis, or inflammatory bowel disease. There were greater proportions of males (42vs. 54 percent,P=0.046) and rectal resections performed (14vs. 32 percent,P=0.002) in the late experience. Trends toward declining rates of intraoperative complications (9vs. 7 percent,P=0.70) and conversion to open surgery (13.5vs. 9.7 percent,P=0.39) were observed with experience. Median operating time (180vs. 160 minutes,P<0.001) and overall length of postoperative hospital stay (6.5vs. 5 days,P<0.001) declined significantly with experience. There was no difference in the rate of postoperative complications between early and late experience (30vs. 32 percent,P=0.827). CONCLUSIONS: The learning curve for performing colorectal resections was approximately 30 procedures in this study, based on a decline in operating time, intraoperative complications, and conversion rate. Learning was also extended to clinical care because it was appreciated that patients could be discharged to their homes more quickly.Presented at the meeting of the Canadian Association of General Surgeons, Montreal, Canada, September 24 to 26, 1999.     

超能剪在胃肠恶性肿瘤腹腔镜手术中的应用效果观察

目的观察超能剪在胃肠恶性肿瘤腹腔镜手术中的应用效果。方法收集2011-10~2014-10于广西壮族自治区人民医院普外科由同一手术者进行胃肠恶性肿瘤腹腔镜手术的264例患者,将其随机分为超能剪手术组148例和超声刀手术组116例,分别接受超能剪辅助的腹腔镜手术及超声刀辅助的腹腔镜手术,比较两组患者的平均手术时间、术中出血量、淋巴结清扫数量、术后3 d平均引流量、术后住院时间。结果超能剪手术组的平均手术时间明显短于超声刀组(P0.01);两组术中出血量、淋巴结清扫数量、术后3 d平均引流量、术后住院时间比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论将超能剪应用于胃肠恶性肿瘤腹腔镜手术能提高手术操作的效率,且使用成本相对较低,有较好的应用前景。     

Cooperative laparoscopic endoscopic and hybrid laparoscopic surgery for upper gastrointestinal tumors: Current status

AIM: To investigate the cooperative laparoscopic and endoscopic techniques used for the resection of upper gastrointestinal tumors.METHODS: A systematic research of the literature was performed in PubMed for English and French language articles about laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative, combined, hybrid and rendezvous techniques. Only original studies using these techniques for the resection of early gastric cancer, benign tumors and gastrointestinal stromal tumors of the stomach and the duodenum were included. By excluding case series of less than 10 patients, 25 studies were identified. The study design, number of cases, tumor pathology size and location, the operative technique name, the endoscopy team and surgical team role, operative time, type of closure of visceral wall defect, blood loss, complications and length of hospital stay of these studies were evaluated. Additionally all cooperative techniques found were classified and are presented in a systematic approach.RESULTS: The studies identified were case series and retrospective cohort studies. A total of 706 patients were operated on with a cooperative technique. The tumors resected were only gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) in 4 studies, GIST and various benign submucosal tumors in 22 studies, early gastric cancer (pT1a and pT1b) in 6 studies and early duodenal cancer in 1 study. There was important heterogeneity between the studies. The operative techniques identified were: laparoscopic assisted endoscopic resection, endoscopic assisted wedge resection, endoscopic assisted transgastric and intragastric surgery, laparoscopic endoscopic cooperative surgery (LECS), laparoscopic assisted endoscopic full thickness resection (LAEFR), clean non exposure technique and non-exposed endoscopic wall-inversion surgery (NEWS). Each technique is illustrated with the roles of the endoscopic and laparoscopic teams; the indications, characteristics and short term results are described.CONCLUSION: Along with the traditional cooperative techniques, new procedures like LECS, LAEFR and NEWS hold great promise for the future of minimally invasive oncologic procedures.     

A comparative clinical study of short-term results of laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer during the learning curve

Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the results of laparoscopic surgery for rectal carcinoma (LSRC) during the learning curve throughout the introduction of this technique at our medical center.Materials and methods From January 2003 to April 2004, 40 patients undergoing surgery were assigned to laparoscopic surgery group (LSG) (n=20) or conventional surgery group (CSG) (n=20). Data were prospectively collected to statistically analyze clinical, anatomopathological, and economic variables.Results Groups were comparable in age, sex, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, surgical technique performed, tumor size and distance, Dukes’ stage, and proportion of patients with previous abdominal surgery and radiotherapy. There was no difference in operative time. LSG blood loss was lower (p<.0001). LSG peristalsis and oral intake began earlier (p<.0001). LSG hospital stay was shorter (p<.0001). Intraoperative complications (10% LSG vs 15% CSG) and overall morbidity (35% LSG vs 45% CSG) were no different. LSG did not record any anastomotic leakages. Two patients (10%) were converted to open surgery. Regarding oncologic adequacy of resection, specimen length and number of nodes harvested were no different. LSG distal and radial resection margins were greater (p<.0001; p=.03). LSG operative costs were greater (p<.0001). However, CSG hospitalization costs were higher (p<.001). There was no overall difference (p=0.1).Conclusions LSRC has been a reliable and efficient technique during the learning curve at our hospital.     

Evolution of laparoscopy in colorectal surgery:An evidencebased review

Open surgery for colorectal disease has progressed significantly over the past century from humble beginnings to form the mainstay of treatment for colorectal cancer and a number of benign conditions.Following the introduction of laparoscopic abdominal surgery,the next stage in the evolution of the specialty began in the 1990s with the first laparoscopic colonic resection.Following some early concerns regarding its safety and oncological efficacy during the latter part of that decade,laparoscopic colorectal surgery rapidly came into mainstream use in the early part of the current century with evidence supporting its use being made available from large scale randomised controlled trials.This article provides an evidence-based summary of this evolutionary process as it relates to both benign and malignant colorectal disease,as well as discussion of the next phase of new technologies such as robotic surgery.     

Importance of conversion for results obtained with laparoscopic colorectal surgery

PURPOSE: The need for a conversion is a problem inherent in laparoscopic surgery. The present study points up the significance of conversion for the results obtained with laparoscopic colorectal surgery and identifies the risk factors that establish the need for conversion. METHOD: The study took the form of a multicentric, prospective, observational study within the Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery Study Group. A total of 33 institutions in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland participated. The study period was 3.5 years. Cases were documented with the aid of a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: Within the framework of the Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery Study Group, a total of 1,658 patients were recruited to a multicenter study over a period of three and one-half years (from August 1, 1995 to February 1, 1999). The observed conversion rate was 5.2 percent (n=86). The patients requiring a conversion were significantly heavier (body mass index, 26.5vs. 24.9) than those undergoing pure laparoscopy. Resections of the rectum were associated with a higher risk for conversion (20.9vs. 13 percent). Intraoperative complications occurred significantly more frequently in the conversion group (27.9vs. 3.8 percent). The duration of the operation was significantly increased after conversion in a considerable proportion of the procedures performed. Postoperative morbidity (47.7vs. 26.1 percent), mortality (3.5vs. 1.5 percent), recovery time, and postoperative hospital stay were all negatively influenced by conversion, in part significantly. Institutions with experience of more than 100 laparoscopic colorectal procedures proved to have a significantly lower conversion rate than those with experience of fewer than 100 such interventions (4.3vs. 6.9 percent). CONCLUSION: Although, of itself, conversion is not considered to be a complication of laparoscopic surgery, it is true that the postoperative course after conversion is associated with appreciably poorer results in terms of morbidity, mortality, convalescence, blood transfusion requirement, and postoperative hospital stay. The importance of experience in laparoscopic surgery can be demonstrated on the basis of the conversion rates. Careful patient selection oriented to the experience of the surgeon is required if we are to keep the conversion, morbidity, and mortality rates of laparoscopic colorectal procedures as low as possible.Supported by Ethicon Endosurgery, Norderstedt, Germany, and Takeda Pharma, Aachen, Germany.     

Predictive factors for anastomotic leakage after laparoscopic colorectal surgery

Every colorectal surgeon during his or her career is faced with anastomotic leakage(AL); one of the most dreaded complications following any type of gastrointestinal anastomosis due to increased risk of morbidity, mortality, overall impact on functional and oncologic outcome and drainage on hospital resources. In order to understand and give an overview of the AL risk factors in laparoscopic colorectal surgery, we carried out a careful review of the existing literature on this topic and found several different definitions of AL which leads us to believe that the lack of a consensual, standard definition can partly explain the considerable variations in reported rates of AL in clinical studies. Colorectal leak rates have been found to vary depending on the anatomic location of the anastomosis with reported incidence rates ranging from 0 to 20%, while the laparoscopic approach to colorectal resections has not yet been associated with a significant reduction in AL incidence. As well, numerous risk factors, though identified, lack unanimous recognition amongst researchers. For example, the majority of papers describe the risk factors for left-sided anastomosis, the principal risk being male sex and lower anastomosis, while little data exists defining AL risk factors in a right colectomy. Also, gut microbioma is gaining an emerging role as potential risk factor for leakage.     

Laparoscopic and robot-assisted laparoscopic digestive surgery: Present and future directions

Laparoscopic surgery is applied today worldwide to most digestive procedures. In some of them, such as cholecystectomy, Nissen’s fundoplication or obesity surgery, laparoscopy has become the standard in practice. In others, such as colon or gastric resection, the laparoscopic approach is frequently used and its usefulness is unquestionable. More complex procedures, such as esophageal, liver or pancreatic resections are, however, more infrequently performed, due to the high grade of skill necessary. As a result, there is less clinical evidence to support its implementation. In the recent years, robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery has been increasingly applied, again with little evidence for comparison with the conventional laparoscopic approach. This review will focus on the complex digestive procedures as well as those whose use in standard practice could be more controversial. Also novel robot-assisted procedures will be updated.     

Safety of fast-track rehabilitation after gastrointestinal surgery: Systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM: To compare the safety of fast-track rehabilitation protocols (FT) and conventional care strategies (CC), or FT and laparoscopic surgery (LFT) and FT and open surgery (OFT) after gastrointestinal surgery.METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, WHO International Trial Register, Embase and The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to 2014 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing FT and CC or comparing LFT and OFT, with 10 or more randomized participants and about 30 d follow-up. Two reviewers independently extracted data on complications, anastomotic leak, obstruction, wound infection, re-admission between FT and CC or LFT and OFT after gastrointestinal surgery.RESULTS: Twenty-four RCTs of FT vs CC or LFT vs OFT were included. Compared with CC, FT reduced overall complications and wound infection. However, anastomotic leak, obstruction and re-admission were not significantly reduced. The pooled risk ratio (RR) of 0.69 (95%CI: 0.60-0.78; P < 0.001), pooled RR of 0.71 (95%CI: 0.57-0.88; P < 0.001), pooled RR of 0.93 (95%CI: 0.68-1.25; P > 0.05), a pooled RR of 0.87 (95%CI: 0.67-1.15; P > 0.05) and pooled RR of 0.94 (95%CI: 0.73-1.22; P > 0.05) respectively. Compared with OFT, LFT reduced complications, with a pooled RR of 0.66 (95%CI: 0.54-0.81; P < 0.001).CONCLUSION: FTs are safe after gastrointestinal surgery. Additional large, prospective RCTs should be conducted to establish further the safety of this approach.     

In-house colorectal laparoscopic preceptorship: a model for changing a unit’s practice safely and efficiently

Purpose  There has been steady increase in demand for laparoscopic colonic resection as benefits are manifold compared to open and include smaller incisions, less pain, quicker recovery and convalescence, reduced morbidity and reduced analgesic demands. We devised a preceptorship programme with the aim of all four coloproctologists in our unit becoming proficient colorectal laparoscopic surgeons over a period of 12 months. Method  The surgeon in the unit with significant experience of laparoscopic colorectal surgery acted as a preceptor to the remaining three. A prospective database was set up to allow analysis of the impact of the preceptorship on the units’ elective practice and outcomes from January 2006. Results  Results were analysed 106 cases to assess the success of this novel method and were more than encouraging. During this period, 57 laparoscopic resections were performed compared 49 open resections. The proportion of patients undergoing laparoscopic resection had risen from 20% to 80% (p = 0.000). This was associated with a significant drop in post-operative stay from 14 to 4 days (p = 0.000). Analysis of patient demographics, pathology and type of resection found there to be no significant difference between the open and laparoscopic groups. The conversion rate was acceptably low (10.5%) and there were no re-admissions. Conclusions  For hospitals with the facilities and an appropriately experienced preceptor, we offer this as a patient-safe, cost-neutral method of significantly increasing a units’ laparoscopic practice over a relatively short period of time.     

Relationship between perfusion index and central temperature before and after induction of anesthesia in laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery: A prospective cohort study

The perfusion index (PI) cutoff value before anesthesia induction and the ratio of PI variation after anesthesia induction remain unclear. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between PI and central temperature during anesthesia induction, and the potential of PI in individualized and effective control of redistribution hypothermia. This prospective observational single center study analyzed 100 gastrointestinal surgeries performed under general anesthesia from August 2021 to February 2022. The PI was measured as peripheral perfusion, and the relationship between central and peripheral temperature values was investigated. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to identify baseline PI before anesthesia, which predicts a decrease in central temperature 30 minutes after anesthesia induction, and the rate of change in PI that predicts the decrease in central temperature 60 minutes after anesthesia induction. In cases with a central temperature decrease of ≥ 0.6°C after 30 minutes, the area under the curve was 0.744, Youden index was 0.456, and the cutoff value of baseline PI was 2.30. In cases with a central temperature decrease of ≥ 0.6°C after 60 minutes, the area under curve was 0.857, Youden index was 0.693, and the cutoff value of the PI ratio of variation after 30 minutes of anesthesia induction was 1.58. If the baseline PI is ≤ 2.30 and the PI 30 minutes after anesthesia induction is at least 1.58-fold the PI ratio of variation, there is a high probability of a central temperature decrease of at least 0.6°C within 30 minutes after 2 time points.     

Quality of life after laparoscopic and open colorectal surgery: a systematic review

This study was a systematic review of the available evidence on quality of life in patients after laparoscopic or open colorectal surgery. A systematic review was performed of all randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that compared laparoscopic with open colorectal surgery. Study selection, quality assessment and data extraction were carried out independently by two reviewers. Primary endpoint was quality of life after laparoscopic and open colorectal surgery, as assessed by validated questionnaires. The search...