Laparoscopic and robot-assisted gastrectomy for gastric cancer: Current considerations

Radical gastrectomy with an adequate lymphadenectomy is the main procedure which makes it possible to cure patients with resectable gastric cancer (GC). A number of randomized controlled trials and meta-analysis provide phase III evidence that laparoscopic gastrectomy is technically safe and that it yields better short-term outcomes than conventional open gastrectomy for early-stage GC. While laparoscopic gastrectomy has become standard therapy for early-stage GC, especially in Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea, the use of minimally invasive techniques is still controversial for the treatment of more advanced tumours, principally due to existing concerns about its oncological adequacy and capacity to carry out an adequately extended lymphadenectomy. Some intrinsic drawbacks of the conventional laparoscopic technique have prevented the worldwide spread of laparoscopic gastrectomy for cancer and, despite technological advances in recent year, it remains a technically challenging procedure. The introduction of robotic surgery over the last ten years has implied a notable mutation of certain minimally invasive procedures, making it possible to overcome some limitations of the traditional laparoscopic technique. Robot-assisted gastric resection with D2 lymph node dissection has been shown to be safe and feasible in prospective and retrospective studies. However, to date there are no high quality comparative studies investigating the advantages of a robotic approach to GC over traditional laparoscopic and open gastrectomy. On the basis of the literature review here presented, robot-assisted surgery seems to fulfill oncologic criteria for D2 dissection and has a comparable oncologic outcome to traditional laparoscopic and open procedure. Robot-assisted gastrectomy was associated with the trend toward a shorter hospital stay with a comparable morbidity of conventional laparoscopic and open gastrectomy, but randomized clinical trials and longer follow-ups are needed to evaluate the possible influence of robot gastrectomy on GC patient survival.

Overview of single-port laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancers: Past, present, and the future

Single-port laparoscopic surgery (SPLS) is implemented through a tailored minimal single incision through which a number of laparoscopic instruments access. Introduction of operation-customized port system, utilization of a camera without a separate external light, and instruments with different lengths has brought the favorable environment for SPLS. However, performing SPLS still creates several hardships compared to multiport laparoscopic surgery; a single-port system inevitably leads to clashing of surgical instruments due to crowding. To overcome such difficulties, investigators has developed novel concepts and maneuvers, including the concept of inverse triangulation and the maneuvers of pivoting, spreading out dissection, hanging suture, and transluminal traction. The final destination of SPLS is expected to be a completely seamless operation, maximizing the minimal invasiveness. Specimen extraction through the umbilicus can undermine cosmesis by inducing a larger incision. Therefore, hybrid laparoscopic technique, which combined laparoscopic surgical technique with natural orifice specimen extraction (NOSE) - i.e., transvaginal or transanal route-, has been developed. SPLS and NOSE seemed to be the best combination in pursuit of minimal invasiveness. In the near future, robotic SPLS with natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery’s way of specimen extraction seems to be pursued. It is expected to provide a completely or nearly complete seamless operation regardless of location of the lesion in the abdomen.

Wedge gastrectomy:Robot-assisted with a hand-sewn repair versus a laparoscopic linear stapler technique for gastric subepithelial tumors

Objective:Minimally invasive surgery has become common in surgical resections of gastric subepithelial tumors.An endostapler technique is simple and easy to perform when cutting the stomach.Gastrotomy using a hand-sewn repair is a new approach for identifying and removing gastric subepithelial tumors,but few studies have evaluated its efficacy.In this study,we demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of this novel technique using a robot-assisted approach.Materials and methods:A retrospective cohorts of all patients who presented with gastric subepithelial tumors and underwent robotic or laparoscopic resection at Ramathibodi Hospital from 2012 to 2018 was reviewed.Surgical outcomes and complications of the robot-assisted approach with a hand-sewn repair were analyzed and compared to those of the laparoscopic linear stapler technique.Results:In total,25 patients were included in this study.Most of the subepithelial tumors were gastrointestinal stromal tumors(17 patients,68%).Ten patients(40%)underwent a robot-assisted procedure with a hand-sewing technique,and 15 patients underwent a laparoscopic linear stapler procedure.Mean tumor size was 3.79±1.35 cm in the robot-assisted procedure with a hand-sewing technique group and 3.52±1.88 cm in the laparoscopic linear stapler procedure group.The former experienced a longer operative time(261±54 vs 144±64 minutes,p<0.001)and a longer time to return to a normal diet(5.7±2.0 vs 4.0±1.4 days,p=0.028).Neither group experienced perioperative complications or mortality.Conclusion:Although the time to return to a normal diet and operative time were significantly longer compared to a laparoscopic procedure using a linear stapler,the robot-assisted approach using a handsewn repair for gastric subepithelial tumors is feasible,effective,and safe.This can be an alternative for the surgical treatment of gastric subepithelial lesions.

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.

Present laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer in Japan

In many clinical studies,laparoscopic surgery(LS) for colon cancer has been shown to be less invasive than open surgery(OS) while maintaining similar safety.Furthermore,there are no significant differences between LS and OS in long-term outcomes.Thus,LS has been accepted as one of the standard treatments for colon cancer.In the treatments of rectal cancer as well,LS has achieved favorable outcomes,with many reports showing long-term outcomes comparable to those of OS.Furthermore,the magnification in laparoscopy improves visualization in the pelvic cavity and facilitates precise manipulation,as well as providing excellent educational effects.For these reasons,rectal cancer has seemed to be well indicated for LS,as has been colon cancer.The indication for LS in the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer,which is relatively unresectable(e.g.,cancer invading other organs),remains an open issue.In recent years,new techniques such as singleport and robotic surgery have begun to be introduced for LS.Presently,various clinical studies in our country as well as in most Western countries have demonstrated that LS,with these new techniques,are gradually showing long-term outcomes.

Feasibility of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis

AIM: To assess the safety of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy(SILC) for acute cholecystitis.METHODS: All patients who underwent SILC at Sano Hospital(Kobe, Japan) between January 2010 and December 2014 were included in this retrospective study. Clinical data related to patient characteristics and surgical outcomes were collected from medical records. The parameters for assessing the safety of the procedure included operative time, volume of blood loss, achievement of the critical view of safety, use of additional trocars, conversion to laparotomy, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and duration of postoperative hospital stay. Patient backgrounds were statistically compared between those with and without conversion to laparotomy.RESULTS: A total of 100 patients underwent SILC for acute cholecystitis during the period. Preoperative endoscopic treatment was performed for suspected choledocholithiasis in 41 patients(41%). The mean time from onset of acute cholecystitis was 7.7 d. According to the Updated Tokyo Guidelines(TG13) for the severity of cholecystitis, 86 and 14 patients had grade Ⅰ and grade Ⅱ acute cholecystitis, respectively. The mean operative time was 87.4 min. The mean estimated blood loss was 80.6 mL. The critical view of safety was obtained in 89 patients(89%). Conversion laparotomy was performed in 12 patients(12%). Postoperative complications of Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅲ or greater were observed in 4 patients(4%). The mean duration of postoperative hospital stay was 5.7 d. Patients converted from SILC to laparotomy tended to have higher days after onset.CONCLUSION: SILC is feasible for acute cholecystitis; in addition, early surgical intervention may reduce the risk of laparotomy conversion.

Single-site laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: Where are we going?

AIM:To review an evolution of laparoscopic surgery,there has been a growing interest in laparoendoscopic single-site surgery(LESS).METHODS:A comprehensive electronic literature search was conducted using PubM ed database to identify all publications relating to LESS-partial nephrectomy(PN).The research includes articles published from April 2008 to January 2014.We focused our attention only on articles in which were cited the single-site surgical technique(laparoscopic and robotic),tumour stage and grade,mean tumour size,intraoperative variables,blood loss and transfusion rate,length of postoperative stay and complication rates,Clavien classification,positive of surgical margins,pain assessment at discharge.RESULTS:A total of 9 studies were collected with 221patients included.The mean patients age was 62 years.The mean tumor size was 2.35 cm with a mean operative time of 181 min(range 111-270 min)and 58.3%were done by robot.The mean ischemia time was 23.6min.The 25.8%of patients underwent an unclamp LESS-PN.Mean estimated blood loss was 296 mL and median length of hospital stay was 4 d.The rate of severe post-operative complications(≥Clavien gradeⅢ)was 5.4%.Not all surgical series of LESS-PN or Robotic-LESS-PN shows conversion in Multiport Laparoscopic or Open Surgery.Regarding oncologic outcomes,surgical margins were positive 4%of patients(9/221),no distant or port-site metastases were recorded.CONCLUSION:LESS-PN and RLESS-PN are feasible and associated with reduced postoperative pain,shorter median hospital stay,shorter recovery time,and better cosmetic satisfaction without compromising surgical and oncological safety.

Single-port versus multi-port cholecystectomy for patients with acute cholecystitis: a retrospective comparative analysis

BACKGROUND: Trans-umbilical single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy for chronic gallbladder disease is becoming increasingly accepted worldwide. But so far, no reports exist about the challenging single-port surgery for acute cholecystitis. The objective of this study was to describe our experience with single-port cholecystectomy in comparison to the conventional laparoscopic technique. METHODS: Between August 2008 and March 2010, 73 patients with symptomatic gallbladder disease and histopathological signs of acute cholecystitis underwent laparoscopic cholecystec- tomy at our institution. Thirty-six patients were operated on with the single-port technique (SP group) and the data were compared with a control group of 37 patients who were treated with the multi-port technique (MP group). RESULTS: The mean age in the SP group was 61.5 (range 21-81) years and in the MP group was 60 (range 21-94) (P=0.712). Gender, ASA status and BMI were not significantly different. The number of white blood cells was different before [SP: 9.2 (range 2.8-78.4); MP: 13.2 (range 4.4-28.6); P=0.001] and after the operation [SP: 7.8 (range 3.5-184.8); MP: 11.1 (range 5-20.8); P=0.002]. Mean operating time was 88 (range 34-174) minutes in the SP group vs 94 (range 39-209) minutes in the MP group (P=0.147). Four patients (5%) required conversion to an open procedure (SP: 1; MP: 3; P=0.320). During the follow- up period of 332 (range 29-570) days in the SP group and 428 (range 111-619) days in the MP group (P=0.044), eleven (15%) patients developed postoperative complications (P=0.745) and two patients in the SP group required reoperation (P=0.154). CONCLUSIONS: Trans-umbilical single-port cholecystectomy for beginning acute cholecystitis is feasible and the complicationrate is comparable with the standard multi-port operation. In spite of our good results, these operations are difficult to perform and should only be done in high-volume centers for laparoscopic surgery with experience in single-port surgery.

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.

Pheochromocytoma with delayed tumor thrombus detection in renal vein: A case report

BACKGROUND Pheochromocytomas with inferior vena cava(IVC)or renal vein tumor thrombus are rare.Surgical management is the first choice.CASE SUMMARY We presented a 42-year-old man with adrenal pheochromocytoma and delayed tumor thrombus detection in the renal vein at the entrance of the IVC three months after adrenalectomy.We performed laparoscopic adrenalectomy during the first surgery and robot-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy and resection of tumor thrombus during the second surgery.CONCLUSION We report the surgical management of a patient with adrenal pheochromocytoma with tumor thrombus at the entrance of the IVC.Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery is safe and efficient.

Our initial single port robotic cholecystectomy experience:A feasible and safe option for benign gallbladder diseases

BACKGROUND Although single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been performed for over 25 years, it is still not popular. The narrow working space used in this surgery limits the movement of instruments and causes ergonomic challenges. Robotic surgery not only resolves the ergonomic challenges of single-port laparoscopic surgery but is also considered a good option with its additional technical advantages, like a three-dimensional display and not being affected by tremors.However, the extent to which these technical and ergonomic advantages positively affect the surgical outcomes and how safe the single-port robotic surgeries need to be assessed for each particular surgery.AIM To evaluate the feasibility and safety of single-port robotic cholecystectomy for patients with cholelithiasis.METHODS The electronic records of the first 40 consecutive patients with gallbladder lithiasis who underwent single-port robotic cholecystectomy from 2013 to 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. In addition to the demographic characteristics of the patients, we analyzed American Society of Anesthesiologists(ASA) scores and body mass index. The presence of an accompanying umbilical hernia was also noted. The amount of blood loss during the operation, the necessity to place a drain in the subhepatic area, and the need to use grafts during the closure of the fascia of the port site were determined. Hospital stay, readmission rates, perioperative and postoperative complications, the Clavien-Dindo complication scores and postoperative analgesia requirements were also evaluated.RESULTS The mean age of the 40 patients included in the study was 49.5 ± 11.6 years, and 26 were female(65.0%). The umbilical hernia was present in 24(60.0%) patients,with a body mass index median of 29.3 kg/m^(2) and a mean of 29.7 ± 5.2 kg/m^(2). Fifteen(37.5%) of the patients were evaluated as ASA Ⅰ, 18(45.0%) as ASA Ⅱ, and 7(17.5%) as ASA Ⅲ. The mean bleeding amount during the operation was 58.4 ± 55.8 mL, and drain placement was required in 12patients(30.0%). After port removal, graft reinforcement during fascia closure was preferred in 14patients(35.0%). The median operation time was 93.5 min and the mean was 101.2 ± 27.0 min. The mean hospital stay was 1.4 ± 0.6 d, and 1 patient was readmitted to the hospital due to pain(2.5%).Clavien-Dindo I complications were seen in 14 patients(35.0%), and five(12.5%) complications were wound site problems.CONCLUSION In addition to the technological and ergonomic advantages robotic surgery provides surgeons, our study strongly supports that single-port robotic cholecystectomy is a feasible and safe option for treating patients with gallstones.