Totally robotic gastric bypass: approach and technique

Despite the advantages of the da Vinci robotic system in the performance of abdominal surgery (Maeso et al. Ann Surg 252:254–262, 2010), there has been limited application of this technology to bariatric surgery. The robotic platform may be ideal for performance of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), providing significant ergonomic advantage and greater ability to maneuver more precisely in limited spaces. However, there has been slow adoption of robotic technology for the performance of the RYGB procedure due, in part, to the perceived difficulty of conversion from laparoscopic to totally robotic procedures and the associated initial increase in operative time. In this report, we describe our approach to developing a standardized totally robotic technique with focus on patient safety and attention to operative times, the technique itself, and surgery outcomes of nearly 300 RYGB cases. Our findings show that totally robotic RYGB can be safely approached through systematic stepwise progression with minimal complications and comparable operative times.     

机器人手术系统在肝脏外科中的应用

机器人手术系统具有稳定、清晰及放大的3D视野,可滤过术者手部震颤,具有多个自由度的灵活稳定操作,克服了传统腹腔镜的不足。尽管机器人手术系统在泌尿外科、妇产科等外科领域得到广泛应用,但在肝脏外科中的作用仍未得到充分认识。笔者综合国内外相关文献,结合团队经验,针对机器人手术系统在肝脏外科应用中的适应证、机器人手术系统肝切除...     

Pneumonectomy for lung cancer: a further step in minimally invasive surgery

Robotic lobectomies have been proven to be technically and oncologically feasible. To date, however, pneumonectomy is still considered as a too extensive resection to be performed by the da Vinci robotic system (Intuitive Surgical, Mountain View, CA). We describe 2 patients with centrally located non-small cell lung cancer requiring pneumonectomy and radical lymph node dissection. The operations, consisting of a left and a right pneumonectomy, were successfully performed by a totally video-assisted robotic approach. Tips and pitfalls in this latest innovation in the minimally invasive surgery for lung cancer are discussed.     

机器人系统在结直肠肿瘤外科中的应用现状与挑战

使用机器人系统治疗结直肠肿瘤是微创外科领域重大改革和创新,并被证实安全可行。相比腹腔镜手术,机器人手术操作空间大且中转开腹率低。但是,机器人手术吻合口并发症发生率及泌尿生殖功能保护能力仍存争议,切除肿瘤远期效果与腹腔镜相比未见显著优势,有待进一步随访数据证实。目前机器人系统不断升级和改进,与更多新技术智能结合希望促进机器人手术推广普及。本文旨在阐述机器人系统在结直肠肿瘤根治术中发展现状,展望其应用前景。     

手术机器人系统和腹腔镜微创外科技术在胃癌治疗中的应用

腹腔镜外科在胃癌治疗中面临着两大困难,即D2淋巴结清扫及全腹腔镜下的消化道重建。而手术机器人系统具有图像立体三维、放大10倍、有7个自由度关节的器械和医生工作体位舒适等优点,有利于行胃癌D2淋巴结清扫及消化道吻合重建．增强微创手术的优势,拓展微创外科在胃癌治疗中的适应证。在加速康复外科理念下开展微创手术治疗胃癌,必将有利于促进患者的快速康复。     

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??Application status of robotic surgical system resection for colorectal cancer XU Ping-ping??XU Jian-min. Department of Colorectal Surgery??Zhongshan Hospital??Fudan University??Shanghai 20032??China
Corresponding author??XU Jian-min??E-mail??xujmin@aliyun.com
Abstract The outstanding advantages of robotic surgical system include the stable and three-dimension image and the convenience of surgery manipulation. The disadvantages include the lack of force feedback??high cost and prolonged surgery time. It was reported that robotic surgery for colorectal cancer was safe and feasible and it was associated with less trauma stress and faster recovery. Safety and efficacy of robotic colectomy was confirmed??but long-term survival benefit was still unclear. Currently, when compared to laparoscopic surgery, robotic rectal surgery has no short-term or long-term survival advantage. Above all, randomized controlled trials are necessarily conducted to convince the application of da Vinci surgical system resection for colorectal cancer. The latest da Vinci Xi surgical system may make up for the deficiencies through new technologies. With the advantage of more advanced surgical technique??robotic surgical system will play a more important role in the treatment of colorectal cancer.     

Robotic totally endoscopic surgery for congenital cardiac anomalies

BACKGROUND: During the last decade totally endoscopic cardiac surgery became a reality in dedicated centers. Apart from totally endoscopic coronary bypass surgery and endoscopic mitral valve repair, totally endoscopic surgery for simple congenital cardiac anomalies is feasible. In this review we summarize the possibilities and the outcome of robotic surgery for congenital cardiac anomalies, and give an outline of future perspectives for the treatment of more complex cardiac congenital anomalies in a totally endoscopic fashion. METHODS: A PubMed search for the period 1990 to 2010 was conducted with the following key words: "robotic heart surgery", "endoscopic ASD", "robotic ASD", "congenital robotic surgery", "robotic VSD", "robotic patent ductus arteriosus". Additional information from our own database and experience concerning robotic cardiac surgery was included in this review. RESULTS: Several procedures for congenital cardiac anomalies have been performed endoscopically. Robotic ASD closure, endoscopical removal of dislocated Amplatzer devices, closure of patent ductus arteriosus and division of vascular rings are reported. After initial experimental experiences with VSD closure recently the first clinical cases have been reported. In experimental models even coarctation of the aorta has been repaired. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic cardiac surgery for congenital anomalies is feasible and represents an attractive option for selected patients. In the future, with further development and refinement of this technology, more complex congenital lesions will most likely be addressed with this approach.     

机器人手术系统在结直肠癌手术临床应用现状

机器人手术系统的优点是三维图像清晰和操作稳定灵活,缺点是力反馈缺失、费用昂贵和手术时间延长。其可安全应用于结直肠癌手术,具有创伤小和术后恢复快的特点。机器人结肠癌手术的安全性和有效性已得到肯定,但关于长期生存的研究证据仍不够。目前,与腹腔镜手术比较,机器人直肠癌手术并未在肿瘤短期和长期结局方面显现出优势。机器人手术系统在结直肠癌手术中的合理应用还需进一步的前瞻性随机对照研究。随着第4代达芬奇Xi手术系统面世和外科技术的不断进步,机器人手术系统将在结直肠癌手术中发挥更重要的作用。     

A new application of the four-arm standard da Vinci? surgical system: totally robotic-assisted left-sided colon or rectal resection

Background  

The key to successful rectal cancer resection is to perform complete total mesorectal excision (TME). Laparoscopic TME can be challenging, especially in the narrow confines of the pelvis. Robotic-assisted surgery can overcome these limitations through superior three-dimensional (3-D) visualization and the increased range of movements provided by the endowrist function. To date, all totally robotic resections of the rectum have been described using da Vinci^? S or Si systems. Due to the limitations of the standard system, only hybrid procedures have been described so far.     

机器人手术系统在不同分期肺癌根治术中的应用

作为新一代微创手术平台,机器人手术系统具有三维高清术野、操作灵活的机械腕和震颤过滤系统等优势.目前,已有多项研究证实了机器人辅助肺癌根治术的安全性和有效性.对于不同分期的肿瘤,机器人肺癌根治术的应用情况不尽相同.出于手术复杂性和安全性考虑,在开展初期机器人肺癌根治术多应用于Ⅰ/Ⅱ期等早期肿瘤,采用肺段或肺叶切除术等术式.随着机器人辅助下血管和支气管吻合技术逐渐成熟,袖式切除术等复杂肺部手术得以开展,机器人手术系统也逐渐用于Ⅲ期等进展期肺癌根治术中.本文就机器人手术系统在不同分期肺癌根治术中的应用做一综述.     

Transoral robotic surgery for removal of a second branchial arch cyst: a case report

Second branchial arch cysts are a common cause of cystic neck mass in adults. The type-IV variant of the second branchial arch cyst is uncommon and presents as a parapharyngeal space mass. It lies medial to the carotid sheath and it is not easily amenable to access by the traditional, trans-cervical approach to the parapharyngeal space. Trans-oral robotic surgery is a new application of the da Vinci robotic surgical system (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA). The system has only recently been approved by the FDA for trans-oral robotic resection of oropharyngeal cancers. The technology has since been used for new trans-oral applications, including resection of parapharyngeal space tumours. This is a case report of successful trans-oral robotic resection of a type IV second branchial arch cyst in the parapharyngeal space.     

Robotic Coloanal Anastomosis with or without Intersphincteric Resection for Low Rectal Cancer: Starting with the Perianal Approach Followed by Robotic Procedure

Background  

Coloanal anastomosis (CAA)/intersphincteric resection (ISR) is a promising method of sphincter-preserving surgery for very low rectal cancer. Recently, a robotic system has been attempted in CAA/ISR. By means of a robotic system, an excellent stereoscopic view may be obtained with high illumination, and adequate traction and countertraction can be easily performed in a narrow pelvis using the Endowrist function. During robotic CAA/ISR, although the robotic system is necessary to perform pelvic dissection that comes before the perianal approach, the huge robotic arms located in the low abdominal region could interfere with comfortable perianal dissection for the surgeon. Therefore, the robotic system has to be withdrawn and then set up again above the patient’s abdomen, which is time-consuming. Moreover, this process also makes it difficult to maintain the aseptic circumstance of the robotic system. To address this problem, it is necessary to change the sequence of the procedure.     

达芬奇机器人胰腺癌根治术与技巧

近十年来,应用达芬奇机器人手术系统行胰腺癌根治性手术在国内外逐渐得到开展。尽管达芬奇机器人手术系统是传统腹腔镜技术的突破,但与传统腹腔镜胰腺手术相比,应用机器人行胰腺手术在trocar孔布局、切除程序、淋巴结清扫以及消化道重建等方面仍不尽相同。机器人胰十二指肠切除术复杂、高危、昂贵,每一例均需严格认真对待,每一个微小和不经意的错误都有可能造成患者巨大的精神、身体创伤。为提高手术的安全性和规范化,本文以胰十二指肠切除术为例,重点介绍了机器人胰腺癌根治术的经验与技巧,希望笔者的经验可以给予学习曲线内的同行提供临床借鉴和帮助。     

Early experience with robotic technology for thoracoscopic surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Recently, robots have been introduced into surgical procedures in an attempt to facilitate surgical performance. The purpose of this study was to develop a technique to perform thoracoscopic lung resection using a telemanipulation system. METHODS: We have used a robotic system to perform thoracoscopic surgery in 12 cases: five lobectomies, three tumor enucleations, three excisions and one bulla stitching completed with fibrin glue for spontaneous pneumothorax. The operations were performed using the Intuitive Microsurgical system (Da Vinci System) through three ports and, a fourth space 'service entrance' incision, in the major lung resection. RESULTS: Three procedures begun with the robotic technique were completed by a minimal thoracotomy. No technical operative mishaps were associated with the manoeuvres of robotic arms. In all manoeuvres (up, down, insertion, extraction, etc.), the robotic arms moved appropriately in the favorable operative fields. All patients tolerated the procedure well and the post-operative course was satisfactory, requiring few analgesics. CONCLUSIONS: Although further studies on robotically assisted procedures are needed to clarify the clinical feasibility of this procedure, the results in our cases are encouraging. We believe that thoracoscopic procedures using a robotic manipulation system may be technically feasible in selected cases and in the hands of experienced thoracic surgeons.     

Recent advances in video-assisted thoracoscopic approach to posterior mediastinal tumours

Minimal invasive video-assisted thoracic surgery can be a safe alternative technique in the assessment, diagnosis and surgical resection of posterior mediastinal tumours. Video-assisted thoracic surgery may be particularly suited for the management of posterior mediastinal tumours as most are benign. Surgical technique continues to evolve from the classic 3-port access in order to tackle more complex tumours positioned at the apical and inferior recesses of the posterior mediastinum. The preoperative identification of dumbbell tumours is important to facilitate arrangements for a single-stage combined resection for both the intra-thoracic and intraspinal tumour. Results from Video-assisted thoracic surgery posterior mediastinal tumour resection are comparable with conventional surgical techniques in terms of symptomatic improvement, recurrence and survival. Video-assisted thoracic surgery approach has been shown to result in less post-operative pain, improved cosmesis, shorter hospital stay, and more rapid recovery and return to normal activities. In over a decade, video-assisted thoracic surgery has gradually matured and is now a promising therapeutic alternative to open approach. In certain selected patients, video-assisted thoracic surgery may be considered the standard of care for conditions of the posterior mediastinum. Recent developments in robotic surgery for the management of mediastinal tumours are promising, however, long-term results are pending.     

Totally robotic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that we could develop a safe and effective technique for performing a totally robotic laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure using the da Vinci surgical system. We anticipated that the learning curve for this totally robotic procedure could be shorter than the learning curve for standard laparoscopic bariatric surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective case comparison study. SETTING: Academic tertiary care center. PATIENTS: Consecutive samples of patients who met National Institutes of Health (NIH) criteria for morbid obesity and who completed the Stanford Bariatric Surgery Program evaluation process. INTERVENTION: A port placement and robot positioning scheme was developed so that the entire case could be performed robotically. The first 10 patients who underwent a totally robotic laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass were compared with a retrospective sample of 10 patients who had undergone laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient age, gender, body mass index (BMI), numbers of NIH-defined comorbidities, operative time, length of stay, and complications. RESULTS: No significant differences existed between the 2 patient series with regard to age, gender, or BMI. The median surgical times were significantly lower for the robotic procedures (169 vs 208 minutes; P = .03), as was the ratio of procedure time to BMI (3.8 vs 5.0 minutes per BMI for the laparoscopic cases; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: This study details the first report, to our knowledge, of a totally robotic laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and demonstrates the feasibility, safety, and potential superiority of such a procedure. In addition, the learning curve may be significantly shorter with the robotic procedure. Further experience is needed to understand the long-term advantages and disadvantages of the totally robotic approach.     

Thoracoscopic IMA takedown.

In recent years, the field of minimally invasive cardiac surgery has grown rapidly beginning with the MIDCAB operation and evolving toward totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). It promotes the goal of decreasing surgical trauma while maintaining surgical efficacy. For MIDCAB, a limited anterior thoracotomy or mediastotomy have been proposed to harvest the internal mammary artery (IMA). However, complete graft harvesting of the IMA is difficult under direct vision in these circumstances and may necessitate costal resection and important chest wall retraction. Additionally, it carries the potential risk of kinking or coronary steal syndrome. Thoracoscopic harvesting of the IMA avoids these hazards. It permits complete dissection from the subclavian artery to the sixth inter-costal space (ICS) with section of all collateral branches issuing from the IMA without any traumatic retraction. The technique of IMA takedown described herein has been used regularly by us since 1995. Our current experience shows that it is safe and reproducible after a reasonable period of training. Furthermore, in the objective of performing a totally endoscopic and/or robotic CABG, thoracoscopic IMA takedown would be a prerequisite.     

An Alternative Method for Cardioplegia Delivery during Totally Endoscopic Robotic Surgery

Abstract   The optimal technique for myocardial protection and cardioplegia delivery during totally endoscopic robotic surgery is still under evolution. Cardioplegia delivery with endovascular clamping of the aorta is a common method used for this purpose but has several disadvantages and may lead to serious complications. Here we describe an alternative cardioplegia delivery method during totally endoscopic atrial septal defect closure and mitral valve repair. The method using a transthoracic aortic clamp and an antegrade cardioplegia cannula without any thoracotomy seems to be a safe and reproducible technique, which may enhance myocardial protection and prevent some of the complications of the endoclamp technique during robotically assisted cardiac surgery.     

Robotic Swenson pull-through for Hirschsprung's disease in infants

It has been demonstrated that infants with Hirschsprung's disease can be treated with a one-stage laparoscopic resection and coloanal pull-through. However, the feasibility and benefits of performing this operation using robotic technology have not yet been evaluated. We reviewed our experience with 12 infants diagnosed with Hirschsprung's disease and treated with laparoscopic-robotic assisted colonic resection with proctectomy and pull-through using the da Vinci robotic system. Patients were treated at a mean age/weight of 16 weeks/5.5 kg. The average operative time for the robotic procedure was 230 minutes, and average length of stay was 3 days. At discharge, all patients were having regular bowel movements and tolerating a completely oral diet. All patients received early postoperative anorectal dilation and six patients required dilations for an average of 12 weeks after surgery for management of minor rectal strictures. Only two patients developed postoperative enterocolitis with a mean follow-up of 36 months. A robotic approach for performing a Swenson-type resection and pull-through procedure can be performed safely and successfully in young infants. Robotic technology provided superior dexterity and visualization, essential in performing a more complete rectal dissection, thus allowing for a complete proctectomy and eliminating the risk of leaving a segment of aganglionic rectum behind.     

Open adenomectomy: past, present and future

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Open surgery has been the gold standard for the treatment of benign, symptomatic, large volume prostatic hyperplasia. Recent data series, however, have demonstrated that a minimally invasive approach can be used for the treatment of this pathology while duplicating the results of the open technique. This review will describe the different surgical techniques that have been used through the last century for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of each approach. RECENT FINDINGS: Surgical management for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia has made a journey from an open approach to robotic surgery. Modifications of the gold standard transurethral resection have been incorporated into clinical practice and include bipolar transurethral resection as well as holmium laser resection and potassium titanyl phosphate laser vaporization. Minimally invasive ablative techniques have also been popularized and include transurethral needle ablation and thermotherapy. Most recently, laparoscopy has demonstrated to be a feasible, safe, reproducible technique that can create similar outcomes to an open technique whilst maintaining the advantages of a minimally invasive approach. Although the future will see greater use of robotics, larger series are needed to prove the advantages of this technology. SUMMARY: Minimally invasive approaches for the treatment of symptomatic benign giant prostatic hyperplasia are replacing open surgery, which has been the gold standard for the surgical treatment of this pathology, duplicating its results with a lower morbidity. Recently we have seen a growing amount of experience treating this disease state with laparoscopic/robotics and the advantages it provides may permit the popularization of this technique.