Trend of robot-assisted surgery system in gastrointestinal and liver surgery: A bibliometric analysis

BACKGROUND Robot-assisted gastrointestinal and liver surgery has been an important development direction in the field of surgery in recent years and it is also one of the fastest developing and most concerning fields in surgical operations.AIM To illustrate the major areas of research and forward-looking directions over the past twenty-six years.METHODS Using the Web of Science Core Collection database,a comprehensive review of scholarly articles pertaining to robot-assisted gastrointestinal and liver surgery was researched out between 2000 and 2023.We used Citespace(Version 6.2.4)and Bibliometrix package(Version 4.3.0)to visualize the analysis of all publications including country,institutional affiliations,authors,and keywords.RESULTS In total,346 articles were retrieved.Surgical Endoscopy had with the largest number of publications and was cited in this field.The United States was a core research country in this field.Yonsei University was the most productive institution.The current focus of this field is on rectal surgery,long-term prognosis,perioperative management,previous surgical experience,and the learning curve.CONCLUSION The scientific interest in robot-assisted gastrointestinal and liver surgery has experienced a significant rise since 1997.This study provides new perspectives and ideas for future research in this field.

Machine learning in liver surgery:Benefits and pitfalls

The application of machine learning(ML)algorithms in various fields of hepatology is an issue of interest.However,we must be cautious with the results.In this letter,based on a published ML prediction model for acute kidney injury after liver surgery,we discuss some limitations of ML models and how they may be addressed in the future.Although the future faces significant challenges,it also holds a great potential.

Awake robotic liver surgery:A case report

BACKGROUND In recent years,minimally invasive liver resection has become a standard of care for liver tumors.Considering the need to treat increasingly fragile patients,general anesthesia is sometimes avoided due to respiratory complications.Therefore,surgical treatment with curative intent is abandoned in favor of a less invasive and less radical approach.Epidural anesthesia has been shown to reduce respiratory complications,especially in elderly patients with pre-existing lung disease.CASE SUMMARY A 77-year-old man with hepatitis-C-virus-related chronic liver disease underwent robotic liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma.The patient was suffering from hypertension,diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program score for developing pneumonia was 9.2%.We planned a combined spinal–epidural anesthesia with conscious sedation to avoid general anesthesia.No modification of the standard surgical technique was necessary.Hemodynamics were stable and bleeding was minimal.The postoperative course was uneventful.CONCLUSION Robotic surgery in locoregional anesthesia with conscious sedation could be considered a safe and suitable approach in specialized centers and in selected patients.

Indocyanine green kinetics to assess liver function: Ready for a clinical dynamic assessment in major liver surgery?

Indocyanine green(ICG) kinetics(PDR/R15) used to quantitatively assess hepatic function in the perioperative period of major resective surgery and liver transplantation have been the object of an extensive, updated and critical review. New, non invasive bedside monitors(pulse dye densitometry technology) make this opportunity widely available in clinical practice. After having reviewed basic concepts of hepatic clearance, we analysed the most common indications ICG kinetic parameters have nowadays in clinical practice, focusing in particular on the diagnostic and prognostic role of PDR and R15 in the perioperative period of major liver surgery and liver transplantation. As recently pointed out, even if of extreme interest, ICG clearance parameters have still some limitations, to be considered when using these tests.

Navigated liver surgery:State of the art and future perspectives

Background:In recent years,the development of digital imaging technology has had a significant influence in liver surgery.The ability to obtain a 3-dimensional(3D)visualization of the liver anatomy has provided surgery with virtual reality of simulation 3D computer models,3D printing models and more recently holograms and augmented reality(when virtual reality knowledge is superimposed onto reality).In addition,the utilization of real-time fluorescent imaging techniques based on indocyanine green(ICG)uptake allows clinicians to precisely delineate the liver anatomy and/or tumors within the parenchyma,applying the knowledge obtained preoperatively through digital imaging.The combination of both has transformed the abstract thinking until now based on 2D imaging into a 3D preoperative conception(virtual reality),enhanced with real-time visualization of the fluorescent liver structures,effectively facilitating intraoperative navigated liver surgery(augmented reality).Data sources:A literature search was performed from inception until January 2021 in MEDLINE(Pub Med),Embase,Cochrane library and database for systematic reviews(CDSR),Google Scholar,and National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence(NICE)databases.Results:Fifty-one pertinent articles were retrieved and included.The different types of digital imaging technologies and the real-time navigated liver surgery were estimated and compared.Conclusions:ICG fluorescent imaging techniques can contribute essentially to the real-time definition of liver segments;as a result,precise hepatic resection can be guided by the presence of fluorescence.Furthermore,3D models can help essentially to further advancing of precision in hepatic surgery by permitting estimation of liver volume and functional liver remnant,delineation of resection lines along the liver segments and evaluation of tumor margins.In liver transplantation and especially in living donor liver transplantation(LDLT),3D printed models of the donor’s liver and models of the recipient’s hilar anatomy can contribute further to improving the results.In particular,pediatric LDLT abdominal cavity models can help to manage the largest challenge of this procedure,namely large-for-size syndrome.

Three-dimensional modeling in complex liver surgery and liver transplantation

Liver resection and transplantation are the most effective therapies for many hepatobiliary tumors and diseases.However,these surgical procedures are challenging due to the anatomic complexity and many anatomical variations of the vascular and biliary structures.Three-dimensional(3D)printing models can clearly locate and describe blood vessels,bile ducts and tumors,calculate both liver and residual liver volumes,and finally predict the functional status of the liver after resection surgery.The 3D printing models may be particularly helpful in the preoperative evaluation and surgical planning of especially complex liver resection and transplantation,allowing to possibly increase resectability rates and reduce postoperative complications.With the continuous developments of imaging techniques,such models are expected to become widely applied in clinical practice.

Metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in liver surgery: The new scourges?

The aim of this topic highlight is to review relevant evidence regarding the influence of the metabolic syndrome(MS) and its associated liver manifestation, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD), on the development of liver cancer as well as their impact on the results of major liver surgery. MS and NAFLD, whose incidences are significantly increasing in Western countries, are leading to a changing profile of the patients undergoing liver surgery. A MEDLINE search was performed for relevant articles using the key words "metabolic syndrome", "liver resection", "liver transplantation", "non alcoholic fatty liver disease", "non-alcoholic steatohepatitis" and "liver cancer". On one hand, the MS favors the development of primary liver malignancies(hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma)either through NAFLD liver parenchymal alterations(steatosis, steatohepatitis, fibrosis) or in the absence of significant underlying liver parenchyma changes. Also, the existence of NAFLD may have a specific impact on colorectal liver metastases recurrence. On the other hand, the postoperative period following partial liver resection and liver transplantation is at increased risk of both postoperative complications and mortality. These deleterious effects seem to be related to the existence of liver specific complications but also higher cardio-vascular sensitivity in a setting of MS/NAFLD. Finally, the long-term prognosis after curative surgery joins that of patients operated on with other types of underlying liver diseases. An increased rate of patients with MS/NAFLD referred to hepatobiliary units has to be expected. The higher operative risk observed in this subset of patients will require specific improvements in their perioperative management.

Current status of minimally invasive liver surgery for cancers

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)patients have chronic liver disease with functional deterioration and multicentric oncogenicity.Liver surgeries for the patients should be planned on both oncological effects and sparing liver function.In colorectal patients with post-chemotherapy liver injury and multiple bilateral tumors,handling multiple tumors in a fragile/easy-to-bleed liver is an important issue.Liver surgery for biliary tract cancers is often performed as a resection of large-volume functioning liver with extensive lymphadenectomy and bile duct resection/reconstruction.Minimally invasive liver surgery(MILS)for HCC is applied with the advantages of laparoscopic for cases of cirrhosis or repeat resections.Small anatomical resections using the Glissonian,indocyanine greenguided,and hepatic vein-guided approaches are under discussion.In many cases of colorectal liver metastases,MILS is applied combined with chemotherapy owing to its advantage of better hemostasis.Two-stage hepatectomy and indocyanine green-guided tumor identification for multiple bilateral tumors are under discussion.In the case of biliary tract cancers,MILS with extensive lymphadenectomy and bile duct resection/reconstruction are developing.A robotassisted procedure for dissection of major vessels and handling fragile livers may have advantages,and well-simulated robot-assisted procedure may decrease the difficulty for biliary tract cancers.

Safety and efficacy of acute normovolemic hemodilution during liver surgery: a Meta-analysis

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of acute normovolemic hemodilution(ANH) during liver surgery.Methods Structured searches of the Pub Med,Chinese Biological Medicine Database,and Cochrane Library electronic databases were performed,followed by a meta-analysis of outcomes,including intraoperative blood transfusion(s),intraoperative bleeding,postoperative hematocrit(Hct) levels,postoperative prothrombin time(PT),and number of patients who underwent transfusions during liver surgery.Results In total,14 eligible studies were included in the meta-analysis,which revealed that ANH for liver resection was associated with a reduction in intraoperative blood transfusions [weighted mean difference(WMD)-1.99;95% confidence interval(CI)-2.82 to -1.16;P<0.00001].The ANH group experienced less intraoperative bleeding(WMD -72.81;95% CI -136.12 to -9.50;P<0.00001) and exhibited a lower postoperative Hct level(WMD -3.38;95% CI -7.14 to -0.67;P<0.00001) than the control group.Moreover,meta-analysis revealed that postoperative prothrombin time was not affected by ANH(WMD -0.02;95% CI -0.18 to -0.32;P=0.65).Finally,the number of patients requiring allogeneic transfusion was significantly smaller in the ANH group than in the control group(odds ratio 0.13;95% CI 0.09 to 0.18;P=0.24).Conclusion Results of the present meta-analysis indicated that ANH can reduce intraoperative bleeding and the need for blood transfusions.In addition,ANH did not negatively affect the coagulation system after surgery;therefore,ANH appears to be safe and effective during liver surgery.

Clinical use of augmented reality,mixed reality,three-dimensionalnavigation and artificial intelligence in liver surgery

A precise knowledge of intra-parenchymal vascular and biliary architecture and the location of lesions in relation to the complex anatomy is indispensable to perform liver surgery.Therefore,virtual three-dimensional(3D)-reconstruction models from computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging scans of the liver might be helpful for visualization.Augmented reality,mixed reality and 3Dnavigation could transfer such 3D-image data directly into the operation theater to support the surgeon.This review examines the literature about the clinical and intraoperative use of these image guidance techniques in liver surgery and provides the reader with the opportunity to learn about these techniques.Augmented reality and mixed reality have been shown to be feasible for the use in open and minimally invasive liver surgery.3D-navigation facilitated targeting of intraparenchymal lesions.The existing data is limited to small cohorts and description about technical details e.g.,accordance between the virtual 3D-model and the real liver anatomy.Randomized controlled trials regarding clinical data or oncological outcome are not available.Up to now there is no intraoperative application of artificial intelligence in liver surgery.The usability of all these sophisticated image guidance tools has still not reached the grade of immersion which would be necessary for a widespread use in the daily surgical routine.Although there are many challenges,augmented reality,mixed reality,3Dnavigation and artificial intelligence are emerging fields in hepato-biliary surgery.

Progress in research of liver surgery in China

INTRODUCTIONLiver surgery,was started in the late 1950s in Chinaand has developed rapidly in the past 40 years.The study on the diagnosis and treatment of primaryliver cancer in China underwent four stages:①Inthe 1950s,the anatomical study of the liver lay asolid foundation for liver resection.①In

Fast-track program in laparoscopic liver surgery:Theory or fact?

AIM:To analyze our results after the introduction of a fast-track(FT) program after laparoscopic liver surgery in our Hepatobiliarypancreatic Unit.METHODS:All patients(43) undergoing laparoscopic liver surgery between March 2004 and March 2010 were included and divided into two consecutive groups:Control group(CG) from March 2004 until December 2006 with traditional perioperative cares(17 patients) and fast-track group(FTG) from January 2007 until March 2010 with FT program cares(26 patients).Primary endpoint was the influence of the program on the postoperative stay,the amount of re-admissions,morbidity and mortality.Secondarily we considered duration of surgery,use of drains,conversion to open surgery,intensive cares needs and transfusion.RESULTS:Both groups were homogeneous in age and sex.No differences in technique,time of surgery or conversion to open surgery were found,but more malignant diseases were operated in the FTG,and then transfusions were higher in FTG.Readmissions and morbidity were similar in both groups,without mortality.Postoperative stay was similar,with a median of 3 for CG vs 2.5 for FTG.However,the 80.8% of patients from FTG left the hospital within the first 3 d after surgery(58.8% for CG).CONCLUSION:The introduction of a FT program after laparoscopic liver surgery improves the recovery of patients without increasing complications or re-admissions,which leads to a reduction of the stay and costs.

Single port laparoscopic liver surgery:A minireview

Nowadays,the trend is to perform surgeries with"scarless"incisions.In light of this,the single-port laparoscopic surgery(SPLS)technique is rapidly becoming widespread due to its lack of invasiveness and its cosmetic advantages,as the only entry point is usually hidden in the umbilicus.The interest in"scarless"liver resections did not grow as rapidly as the interest in other scarless surgeries.Hepatopancreatobiliary surgeons are reluctant to operate a malignant lesion through a narrowincision with limited exposure.There are concerns over adverse oncological outcomes for single-port laparoscopic liver resections(SPL-LR)for hepatocellular carcinoma or metastatic colorectal cancer.In addition,getting familiar with using the operating instruments through a narrow incision with limited exposure is very challenging.In this article,we reviewed the published literature to describe history,indications,contraindications,ideal patients for new beginners,technical difficulty,advantages,disadvantages,oncological concern and the future of SPL-LR.

Pushing the limits of liver surgery for colorectal liver metastases:Current state and future directions

Liver surgery for the treatment of colorectal liver metastases is the standard treatment in a dynamic surgical field with many variables that should be considered in a curative intent scenario. Hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases has undergone constant changes over the last 30 years, including indications until the need for rescue procedures of recurrent and advanced diseases as well as minimally invasive surgery. These advancements in liver surgery have not only resulted from overall improvements in the surgical field but have also resulted from a better understanding of the biological behavior of the disease, liver regeneration, and homeostasis during and after surgery.Improvements in anesthesiology, intensive care medicine, radiology, and surgical devices have correlated with further advancements of hepatectomies. Moreover,changes are still forthcoming, and both fields of augmented reality and artificial intelligence will likely have future contributions in this field in regard to both diagnoses and the planning of procedures. The aim of this editorial is to emphasize several aspects that have contributed to the paradigm shifts in colorectal liver metastases surgery over the last three decades as well as to discuss the factors concerning patient selection and the technical aspects of liver surgery. Finally, this editorial will highlight the promising new features of this surgery for diagnoses and treatments in this field.

Up-to-date intraoperative computer assisted solutions for liver surgery

Computer assisted surgical planning allowed for a better selection of patients,evaluation of operative strategy, appropriate volumetric measurements,identification of anatomical risks, definition of tumour resection margins and choice of surgical approach in liver oncologic resections and living donor liver transplantations. Although preoperative computer surgical analysis has been widely used in daily clinical practice, intraoperative computer assisted solutions for risk analysis and navigation in liver surgery are not widely available or still under clinical evaluation. Computer science technology can efficiently assist modern surgeons during complex liver operations, mainly by providing image guidance with individualized 2 D images and 3 D models of the various anatomical and pathological structures of interest. Intraoperative computer assisted liver surgery is particularly useful in complex parenchyma-sparing hepatectomies, for intraoperative risk analysis and for the effective treatment of colorectal metastases after neoadjuvant therapy or when they are multiple. In laparoscopic liver surgery, intraoperative computer aid is definitively more important as, apart from a restricted field of view, there is also loss of the fine haptic feedback. Intraoperative computer assisted developments face challenges that prevent their application in daily clinical practice. There is a vast variety of studies regarding intraoperative computer assisted liver surgery but there are no clear objective measurements in order to compare them and select the most effective solutions. An overview of up-to-date intraoperative computer assisted solutions for liver surgery will be discussed.

Machine learning approach to predict acute kidney injury after liver surgery

BACKGROUND Acute kidney injury(AKI)after surgery appears to increase the risk of death in patients with liver cancer.In recent years,machine learning algorithms have been shown to offer higher discriminative efficiency than classical statistical analysis.AIM To develop prediction models for AKI after liver cancer resection using machine learning techniques.METHODS We screened a total of 2450 patients who had undergone primary hepatocellular carcinoma resection at Changzheng Hospital,Shanghai City,China,from January 1,2015 to August 31,2020.The AKI definition used was consistent with the Kidney Disease:Improving Global Outcomes.We included in our analysis preoperative data such as demographic characteristics,laboratory findings,comorbidities,and medication,as well as perioperative data such as duration of surgery.Computerized algorithms used for model development included logistic regression(LR),support vector machine(SVM),random forest(RF),extreme gradient boosting(XGboost),and decision tree(DT).Feature importance was also ranked according to its contribution to model development.RESULTS AKI events occurred in 296 patients(12.1%)within 7 d after surgery.Among the original models based on machine learning techniques,the RF algorithm had optimal discrimination with an area under the curve value of 0.92,compared to 0.87 for XGBoost,0.90 for DT,0.90 for SVM,and 0.85 for LR.The RF algorithm also had the highest concordance-index(0.86)and the lowest Brier score(0.076).The variable that contributed the most in the RF algorithm was age,followed by cholesterol,and surgery time.CONCLUSION Machine learning algorithms are highly effective in discriminating patients at high risk of developing AKI.The successful application of machine learning models may help guide clinical decisions and help improve the long-term prognosis of patients.

Application of intraoperative ultrasound in liver surgery

With the development of color Doppler and laparoscopic ultrasound, now intraoperative ultrasound(IOUS) plays an important role in liver surgery. Compared to percutaneous ultrasound(US), IOUS is conducted directly on the liver surface, with no blind spots or dead ends, thus improves the detection, localization and characterization of lesions without influencing factors, such as obesity.

Spontaneous splenic rupture during Pringle maneuver in liver surgery

During liver resection clamping of the hepato-duodenal ligament (the Pringle maneuver) is performed to reduce intraoperative blood-loss. During this maneuver acute portal hypertension may lead to spontaneous splenic rupture requiring rapid splenectomy in order to control blood loss. We present 2 case of patients with hemorrhage from the spleen during clamping for liver surgery. A review of the literature with an emphasis on the pathophysiology of splenic hemorrhage is presented.

Modern technology,liver surgery and transplantation

Since the first right hepatectomy performed by Jean-Louis Lortat-Jacob on October 16,1951 and the first liver transplantation by Thomas Earl Starzl on March 1,1963,hepatobiliary surgery and liver transplantation had a spectacular development[1,2].After the hesitating beginning in the 1950’s and 1960’s,their evolution really took off in the 1980’,reaching high-speed velocity in the 21st century.

Robotic liver surgery is the optimal approach as bridge to transplantation

The role of minimally invasive liver surgery as a bridge to transplantation is very promising but still underestimated. However, it should be noted that surgical approach for hepatocellular carcinomas(HCC) is not merely a technical or technological issue. Nowadays, the epidemiology of HCC is evolving due to the increasing role of non-alcoholic fatty-liver-disease, and the emerging concerns on direct-acting antivirals against hepatitis C virus in terms of HCC incidence. Therefore, a fully multidisciplinary study of the cirrhotic patient is currently more important than ever before, and the management of those patients should be reserved to tertiary referral hepatobiliary centers. In particular, minimally invasive approach to the liver showed several advantages compared to the classical open procedure, in terms of:(1) the small impact on abdominal wall;(2) the gentle manipulation on the liver;(3) the limited surgical trauma; and(4) the respect of venous shunts. Therefore, more direct indications should be outlined also in the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer model. We believe that treatment of HCC in cirrhotic patients should be reserved to tertiary referral hepatobiliary centers, that should offer patient-tailored approaches to the liver disease, in order to provide the best care for each case, according to the individual comorbidities, risk factors, and personal quality of life expectations.