Bernard Longis

How to successfully implement a robotic pediatric surgery program: lessons learned after 96 procedures.

BackgroundBoth our teams were the first to implement pediatric robotic surgery in France. The aim of this study was to define the key points we brought to light so other pediatric teams that want to set up a robotic surgery program will benefit.MethodsWe reviewed the medical records of all children who underwent robotic surgery between Nov 2007 and June 2011 in both departments, including patient data, installation and changes, operative time, hospital stay, intraoperative complications, and postoperative outcome. The department’s internal organization, the organization within the hospital complex, and cost were evaluated.ResultsA total of 96 procedures were evaluated. There were 38 girls and 56 boys with average age at surgery of 7.6 years (range, 0.7–18 years) and average weight of 26 kg (range, 6–77 kg). Thirty-six patients had general surgery, 57 patients urologic surgery, and 1 thoracic surgery. Overall average operative time was 189 min (range, 70–550 min), and average hospital stay was 6.4 days (range, 2–24 days). The procedures of 3 patients were converted. Median follow-up was 18 months (range, 0.5–43 months). Robotic surgical procedure had an extra cost of €1934 compared to conventional open surgery.ConclusionsOur experience was similar to the findings described in the literature for feasibility, security, and patient outcomes; we had an overall operative success rate of 97 %. Three main actors are concerned in the implementation of a robotic pediatric surgery program: surgeons and anesthetists, nurses, and the administration. The surgeon is at the starting point with motivation for minimally invasive surgery without laparoscopic constraints. We found that it was possible to implement a long-lasting robotic surgery program with comparable quality of care.

Assessment of paediatric thoracic robotic surgery

OBJECTIVES Many studies have reported that robotic-assisted surgery is safe and feasible for paediatric cases. However, very few paediatric thoracic robotic cases have been described. The aim of this study was to share our preliminary experience with robot-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS). METHODS We reviewed our first, consecutive thoracic robotic procedures between January 2008 and December 2013. Data describing the perioperative and intraoperative periods were prospectively collected in two surgical paediatric centres and then retrospectively analysed. Operation time, completion rate, length of hospitalization and postoperative complications were compared with thoracoscopic results in the literature. RESULTS Eleven patients were operated on with the robot, and this included operations for oesophageal atresia (3), mediastinal cyst (4), diaphragmatic hernia (2), oesophagoplasty (1) and oesophageal myotomy (1). The mean age at surgery was 72 (range 0-204) months, and the mean weight was 24.4 (range 3.0-51.5) kg. Three of the operations were converted to thoracotomies. The total operation time was 190 (120-310) min, and the average length of hospital stay was 13 (3-35) days. RATS offers similar advantages to thoracoscopy for mediastinal cyst excision in patients weighing more than 20 kg. Appropriate patient positioning and trocar placement were necessary for neonatal patients and thereby resulted in longer preparation times. Despite cautious adjustments, technical feasibility was reduced for low-weight patients. CONCLUSIONS These data support mediastinal cyst excision as a suitable indication for larger children. Currently, there is a lack of evidence that lower weight children, and particularly neonates, are good candidates for RATS.

Dorsal distal radius fractures in children: role of plaster in redisplacement of these fractures.

The aim of this study was to retrospectively identify the role of plaster in redisplacement of dorsal distal radius fracture in children. A total of 60 children with displaced dorsal distal radius fractures were included in this study. All these fractures were reduced under general anesthesia. A total of 22 redisplacements were observed. Statistical analysis was performed to search for risk factors of redisplacement. Poor modeling immobilization of the wrist in the cast, studied by the three-point index was the only significant risk factors for redisplacement. The three-point index is an excellent index to predict redisplacement and assess the quality of the cast treatment of these fractures. The type of study or level of evidence is therapeutic IV.

How robotic-assisted surgery can decrease the risk of mucosal tear during Heller myotomy procedure?

We report the first description of robotic-assisted Heller myotomy in children. The purpose of this study was to improve the safety of Heller myotomy by demonstrating, in two adolescent patients, the contribution of the robot to the different steps of this procedure. Due to the robot’s freedom of movement and three-dimensional vision, there was an improvement in the accuracy, a gain in the safety regarding different key-points, decreasing the risk of mucosal perforation associated with this procedure.

Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Fundoplications in Pediatric Surgery: Experience Review

Introduction Laparoscopic fundoplicature for gastroesophageal reflux disease has become the gold standard because of the improvement of postoperative rehabilitation compared with the open procedure. The robot‐assisted surgery has brought new advantages for the patient and the surgeon compared with laparoscopy. We studied this new approach and the learning curve. Materials and Methods Sixty robot‐assisted fundoplicatures were performed in two university pediatric surgery centers. Data of the patients were recorded, including peroperative data (operation length and complications), postoperative recoveries, and clinical evolution. The learning curve was evaluated retrospectively and each variable was compared along this learning curve. Results We observed a flattening of the learning curve after the 20th case for one surgeon. The mean operative time decreased significantly to 80 ± 10 minutes after 20 cases. There were no conversions to an open procedure. A revision surgery was indicated for 4.7% of the patients by a surgical robot‐assisted laparoscopic approach. Conclusion The robotic system appears to add many advantages for surgical ergonomic procedures. There is a potential benefit in operating time with a short technical apprenticeship period. The setting up system is easy with a short docking time.

Neurofibroma and Epidermoid Cyst: Unexpected Findings After First Foreskin Retraction

We report here 2 unusual cases of tumor of the glans penis in children. Abnormal findings were found on a 12-year-old and a 13-year-old boy soon after their first foreskin retraction. Initial medical examination suggested inclusions of smegma and they were referred to our Department of Pediatric Urology. Complete resection was performed under general anesthesia. Histologic examination revealed an epidermoid cyst in the first patient and a solitary neurofibroma in the second. These patients represent respectively the third and the second cases of such entities described in the pediatric age group. Cautious examination is required for persistent inclusions of smegma.