Catherine J. Mohr

Robotic Approaches to the Posterior Spine

Study Design. This anatomic study described robotic approaches to the posterior thoracolumbar spine in a porcine model. Ergonomics, control, and approach and technical difficulties were noted. Objective. The objective of this study was to develop a robotic approach to the posterior thoracolumbar spine maximizing surgeon ergonomics and control. Summary of Background Data. Surgery is both physically and mentally demanding, and strains from ergonomics and the aging process may negatively impact surgical skills. In spine surgery, control and precision are extremely important due to the close proximity to the spinal cord. The da Vinci robotic surgery system has offered better ergonomics and control in urology, gynecology, and cardiac surgery, and is rapidly gaining adoption. To date, there have been no published reports of da Vinci robotic spine surgery, motivating us to assess its potential in posterior spine surgery. Methods. Posterior spine da Vinci approaches were tested on a pig without spinal pathology with an open subperiosteal dissection. A laser instrument and prototype robotic burr and rongeur instruments were tested on laminotomy, laminectomy, disc incision, and dural suturing procedures. Results. Open dissection of the posterior spine provided sufficient access to successfully perform laminotomy, laminectomy, disc incision, and dural suturing procedures. Prototype burr and rongeur instruments were effective with good control. The laser instrument coagulated the epidural venous plexus and incised the anulus. Robot ergonomics allowed the surgeon to perform procedures for a full day with significantly less fatigue and reduced hand tremor. Conclusion. The da Vinci could perform the major noninstrumented procedures of the posterior spine with improved ergonomics and control. Surgeon fatigue and tremor were reduced. With some modification of prototype and commercial instruments a posterior spine surgery instrument kit can be developed. Future clinical studies can better assess patient and surgeon benefits of using the da Vinci robot for posterior spine surgeries.

Nerve Mapping for Prostatectomies: Novel Technologies Under Development

Prostatic neuroanatomy is difficult to visualize intraoperatively and can be extremely variable. Damage to these nerves during prostatectomies may lead to postoperative complications such as erectile dysfunction and incontinence. This review aims to discuss the prostatic neuroanatomy, sites of potential nerve damage during a prostatectomy, and nerve-mapping technologies being developed to prevent neural injury. These technologies include stimulation, dyes, and direct visualization. Nerve stimulation works by testing an area and observing a physiologic response but is limited by the long half-life for an erectile response; examples include CaverMap, ProPep, and optical nerve stimulation. Few nerve dyes have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) because of the extensive testing required; examples of nerve dyes include compounds from Avelas and General Electric, fluorescent cholera toxin subunit B, indocyanine green, fluorescent inactivated herpes simplex 2, and Fluoro-Gold. Direct visualization techniques have a simpler FDA approval process; examples include optical coherence tomography, multiphoton microscopy, ultrasound, coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering. Many researchers are developing several novel technologies that can be categorized as stimulation based, dye-based, or direct visualization. As of yet, none has shown clear evidence to improve surgical outcomes and consequently lack wide adoption. Further development of these technologies may lead to improved complication rates after prostatectomies. Clinically, some technologies have demonstrated utility in predicting the development of complications. By using that information, more aggressive rehabilitation programs may lead to improved long-term function. These technologies can also be applied for research to improve our knowledge of the neuroanatomy and physiology of erection and incontinence.

Lateral palatal flap approach to the nasopharynx and parapharyngeal space for transoral robotic surgery: a cadaveric study

The da Vinci surgical robot has been used for minimally invasive surgery of the head and neck region including resection of tumors in the nasopharynx. Access to and vision of the nasopharynx with the robot are difficult. A pure transoral approach and midline palatal split approach have been described. The disadvantage of these approaches is the limited lateral access to the parapharyngeal space. The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of accessing the nasopharynx and parapharyngeal space with a lateral palatal flap. Two complete nasopharyngectomies with resection of the parapharyngeal space and exposure of the internal carotid artery and branches of the mandibular nerves were performed on two fresh cadavers with the da Vinci surgical robot. The set up of the robot, the surgical procedure of elevating the lateral palatal flap, and robotic resection of the nasopharynx and parapharyngeal space are described.

The Use of Laparoscopy Simulation to Explore Gender Differences in Resident Surgical Confidence

Background. The objective of this study was to determine whether female surgical residents underestimate their surgical abilities relative to males on a standardized test of laparoscopic skill. Methods. Twenty-six male and female general surgery residents and 25 female obstetrics and gynecology residents at two academic centers were asked to predict their score prior to undergoing the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery standardized skills exam. Actual and predicted score as well as delta values (predicted score minus actual score) were compared between residents. Multivariate linear regression was used to determine variables associated with predicted score, actual score, and delta scores. Results. There was no difference in actual score based on residency or gender. Predicted scores, however, were significantly lower in female versus male general surgery residents (25.8 ± 13.3 versus 56.0 ± 16.0; p < 0.01) and in female obstetrics and gynecology residents versus male general surgery residents (mean difference 20.9, 95% CI 11.6–34.8; p < 0.01). Male residents more accurately predicted their scores while female residents significantly underestimated their scores. Conclusion. Gender differences in estimating surgical ability exist that do not reflect actual differences in performance. This finding needs to be considered when structuring mentorship in surgical training programs.

Faulty Analysis in Study of Robotic-Assisted Minimally Invasive Radical Prostatectomy

Author Affiliations: Department of Surgery, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee. Corresponding Author: Israel Fernandez-Pineda, MD, Department of Surgery, St Jude Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl, Memphis, TN 38103 (israel .fernandez-pineda@stjude.org). Published Online: February 18, 2015. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2014.3930. Conflict of Interest Disclosures: None reported. 1. Hasan HY, Hinshaw JL, Borman EJ, Gegios A, Leverson G, Winslow ER. Assessing normal growth of hepatic hemangiomas during long-term follow-up. JAMA Surg. 2014;149(12):1266-1271.

Evaluation of robotic-assisted platysmaplasty procedures in a cadaveric model using the da Vinci Surgical System

Abstract We are evaluating the technical feasibility of robotic-assisted laparoscopic vertical-intermediate platysmaplasty in conjunction with an open rhytidectomy. In a cadaveric study, the da Vinci Surgical System was used to access certain angles in the lower neck that are difficult for traditional short incision, short flap procedures. Ergonomics, approach, and technical challenges were noted. To date, there are no published reports of robotic-assisted neck lifts, motivating us to assess its potential in this field of plastic surgery. Standard open technique short flap rhytidectomies with concurrent experimental robotic-assisted platysmaplasties (neck lifts) were performed on six cadavers with the da Vinci Si Surgical System® (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA). The surgical procedures were performed on a diverse cadaver population from June 2011 to January 2012. The procedures included (1) submental incision and laser-assisted liposuction, (2) open rhytidectomy, and (3) robotic-assisted platysmaplasty using knot-free sutures. A variety of sutures and fat extraction techniques, coupled with 0° and 30° three-dimensional endoscopes, were utilized to optimize visualization of the platysma. An unaltered da Vinci Si Surgical System with currently available instruments was easily adaptable to neck lift surgery. Mid-neck platysma exposure was excellent, tissue handling was delicate and precise, and suturing was easily performed. Robotic-assisted surgery has the potential to improve outcomes in neck lifts by offering the ability to manipulate instruments with increased freedom of movement, scaled motion, tremor reduction, and stereoscopic three-dimensional visualization in the deep neck. Future clinical studies on live human patients can better assess subject and surgeon benefits arising from the use of the da Vinci system for neck lifts.EBM Level IVEvidence obtained from multiple time series with or without the intervention, such as case studies. Dramatic results in uncontrolled trials might also be regarded as this type of evidence.