Dae Keun Kim

Comparison of perioperative outcomes between robotic and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

CONTEXT Robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) is rapidly increasing; however, the benefit of RPN over laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) is controversial. OBJECTIVE To compare perioperative outcomes of RPN and LPN. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION We searched Ovid-Medline, Ovid-Embase, the Cochrane Library, KoreaMed, KMbase, KISS, RISS, and KisTi from their inception through August 2013. Two independent reviewers extracted data using a standardized form. Quality of the selected studies was assessed using the methodological index for nonrandomized studies. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS A total of 23 studies and 2240 patients were included. All studies were cohort studies with no randomization, and the methodological quality varied. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding complications of Clavien-Dindo classification grades 1-2 (p=0.62), Clavien-Dindo classification grades 3-5 (p=0.78), change of serum creatinine (p=0.65), operative time (p=0.35), estimated blood loss (p=0.76), and positive margins (p=0.75). The RPN group had a significantly lower rate of conversion to open surgery (p=0.02) and conversion to radical surgery (p=0.0006), shorter warm ischemia time (WIT; p=0.005), smaller change of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; p=0.03), and shorter length of stay (LOS; p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis shows that RPN is associated with more favorable results than LPN in conversion rate to open or radical surgery, WIT, change of eGFR, and shorter LOS. To establish the safety and effectiveness outcomes of robotic surgery, well-designed randomized clinical studies with long-term follow-up are needed. PATIENT SUMMARY Robotic partial nephrectomy (PN) is more favorable than laparoscopic PN in terms of lower conversion rate to radical nephrectomy, a favorable renal function indexed estimated glomerular filtration rate, shorter length of hospital stay, and shorter warm ischemia time.

Robotic Partial Nephrectomy for Completely Endophytic Renal Tumors: Complications and Functional and Oncologic Outcomes During a 4-Year Median Period of Follow-up

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the renal functional outcome, the oncologic safety, and the occurrence of complications after robotic-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (RPN) for completely endophytic tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS Data of 45 patients with completely endophytic tumors, 116 patients with mesophytic, and 64 patients with exophytic masses who underwent RPN were retrospectively analyzed. Perioperative, oncologic, and functional data were evaluated and analyzed with SPSS, version 18. RESULTS Demographic characteristics were similar among the groups. The median follow-up of the endophytic, the mesophytic, and the exophytic groups were 48, 43, and 38 months, respectively. Endophytic masses were more likely to be malignant and have a higher overall tumor complexity, estimated by the RENAL score (9 vs 8 vs 5.5; P <.01; P = .02). We did not detect any statistically significant differences among the groups regarding blood loss volume, transfusion rates, length of stay, and intraoperative and postoperative complications (P = .49, .25, .87, .42, and .20, respectively). There was a statistically significant difference in the estimated glomerular filtration rate percentage change on the first postoperative day (P = .02), but this significance was not observed after the first week. The patients in the endophytic group showed a tendency toward increased rates of positive surgical margins compared with the mesophytic and exophytic groups (P = .06). However, there were not any significant differences regarding the recurrence-free survival rates (P = .335) and the overall mortality rates (P = .570) according to the Kaplan-Meier analysis. CONCLUSION In experienced institutes, RPN for entirely intraparenchymal masses is a feasible procedure in terms of complication rates, functional and oncologic outcomes during an intermediate-term period of follow-up.

Outcomes of high-complexity renal tumours with a Preoperative Aspects and Dimensions Used for an Anatomical (PADUA) score of ≥10 after robot-assisted partial nephrectomy with a median 46.5-month follow-up: a tertiary centre experience

To compare perioperative trifecta achievement and long‐term oncological and functional outcomes between patients with renal tumours of low [Preoperative Aspects and Dimensions Used for an Anatomical (PADUA) score 6–7], intermediate (PADUA score 8–9) and high (PADUA score ≥10) complexity undergoing robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN), and to determine predictors for trifecta achievement.

Comparison of Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy and Open Radical Prostatectomy Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Purpose To systematically update evidence on the clinical efficacy and safety of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) versus retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP) in patients with prostate cancer. Materials and Methods Electronic databases, including ovidMEDLINE, ovidEMBASE, the Cochrane Library, KoreaMed, KMbase, and others, were searched, collecting data from January 1980 to August 2013. The quality of selected systematic reviews was assessed using the revised assessment of multiple systematic reviews and the modified Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for non-randomized studies. Results A total of 61 studies were included, including 38 from two previous systematic reviews rated as best available evidence and 23 additional studies that were more recent. There were no randomized controlled trials. Regarding safety, the risk of complications was lower for RARP than for RRP. Among functional outcomes, the risk of urinary incontinence was lower and potency rate was significantly higher for RARP than for RRP. Regarding oncologic outcomes, positive margin rates were comparable between groups, and although biochemical recurrence (BCR) rates were lower for RARP than for RRP, recurrence-free survival was similar after long-term follow up. Conclusion RARP might be favorable to RRP in regards to post-operative complications, peri-operative outcomes, and functional outcomes. Positive margin and BCR rates were comparable between the two procedures. As most of studies were of low quality, the results presented should be interpreted with caution, and further high quality studies controlling for selection, confounding, and selective reporting biases with longer-term follow-up are needed to determine the clinical efficacy and safety of RARP.

Robot-Assisted Laparoendoscopic Single-Site Partial Nephrectomy With the Novel Da Vinci Single-Site Platform: Initial Experience

Purpose To report our initial clinical cases of robotic laparoendoscopic single-site (R-LESS) partial nephrectomy (PN) performed with the use of the novel Da Vinci R-LESS platform. Materials and Methods Three patients underwent R-LESS PN from November 2013 through February 2014. Perioperative and postoperative outcomes were collected and intraoperative difficulties were noted. Results Operative time and estimated blood loss volume ranged between 100 and 110 minutes and between 50 and 500 mL, respectively. None of the patients was transfused. All cases were completed with the off-clamp technique, whereas one case required conversion to the conventional (multiport) approach because of difficulty in creating the appropriate scope for safe tumor resection. No major postoperative complications occurred, and all tumors were resected in safe margins. Length of hospital stay ranged between 3 and 7 days. The lack of EndoWrist movements, the external collisions, and the bed assistants limited working space were noticed to be the main drawbacks of this surgical method. Conclusions Our initial experience with R-LESS PN with the novel Da Vinci platform shows that even though the procedure is feasible, it should be applied in only appropriately selected patients. However, further improvement is needed to overcome the existing limitations.

Robot-assisted Partial Nephrectomy with the REVO-I Robot Platform in Porcine Models

After the introduction of the da Vinci system (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA), the trend in minimally invasive surgery accelerated, including robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RPN) for treatment of localized renal tumors [1]. Introduction of the robotic platform showed great advantages in terms of learning curve and feasibility in the field of minimally invasive surgery [2]. However, the robotic platform had some specific limitations such as the absence of tactile feedback, and the costs and maintenance of the equipment remain high [3]. Recently, the markets for robotic platforms have been varied, and new robotic platforms have been developed. In Korea, a new robotic platform has been developed, called REVO-I (model MSR5000; Meerecompany Inc, Seongnam, Republic of Korea), and we performed a pilot study of the benefits of this platform in porcine models with RPN. The REVO-I robot consists of a surgeon control console (MSRC-5000), a four-arm robotic operation cart (MSRO5000), a high-definition (HD) vision cart (MSRV-5000), and reusable endoscopic instruments (Fig. 1). After induction of general anesthesia, the pig was placed in a lateral flank position. The first and second procedureswere performed in lower pole kidney, and the third and fourth procedureswere performed in upper pole kidney. The surgeon was placed at the surgeon control console, and the first assistant was positioned at the robotic operation cart. RPN was performed through one supraumbilical 12.2mm port and three 9.3-mm robotic ports. A 12.2-mm camera port was inserted just superior to the umbilicus, a 9.3-mm port was placed just lateral to the midline between the umbilicus and xiphoid, and two 9.3-mm ports were caudal and lateral from the supraumbilical port. A 12-mm assistant port was placed caudal to the supraumbilical port. We used four robotic arms: one for the three-dimensional-HD 10-mm scope (Conmed, Utica, NY, USA) and three for the operative instruments. An additional lateral 12-mm port was placed for the assistant instruments. Instruments including a Maryland bipolar grasper, monopolar scissors,

Comparison of Trifecta and Pentafecta Outcomes between T1a and T1b Renal Masses following Robot-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy (RAPN) with Minimum One Year Follow Up: Can RAPN for T1b Renal Masses Be Feasible?

Purpose/Objectives To investigate the feasibility of RAPN on T1b renal mass by assessment of Trifecta and Pentafecta rate between T1a and T1b renal mass. Materials/Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 277 cases of RPN performed from 2006 to 2015. Sixty patients with clinically T1b renal masses (> 4cm and ≤ 7 cm) were identified, and from 180 patients with clinically T1a renal mass, 60 patients were matched with T1b renal mass by propensity score. Tumor complexity was investigated according to R.E.N.A.L nephrometry score. “Pentafecta” was defined as achievement of Trifecta (negative surgical margin, no postoperative complications and warm ischemia time of ≤ 25 minutes) with addition of over 90% estimated GFR preservation and no chronic kidney disease stage upgrading at 1 year postoperative period. Propensity score matching was performed by OneToManyMTCH. Logistic regression models were used to identify the variables which predict the Trifecta, and Pentafecta ac. Results Preoperative variables (age, sex, body mass index, ASA score) were similar between T1a and T1b after propensity score matching. The median R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score was 8 vs 9 for T1a and T1b respectively (p<0.001). The median warm ischemia time was 20.1 min vs 26.2 min (p<0.001). Positive surgical margin rate was 5% vs 6.6% (p = 0.729) and overall complication rate of 13.3%. vs 15% (p = 0.793). The rate of achievement of Trifecta rate were 65.3% vs 43.3% (p = 0.017) and Pentafecta rate were 38.3% vs 26.7% (p = 0.172). For achievement of Pentafecta, R.E.N.A.L nephrometry score (HR 0.80; 95% CI (0.67–0.97); p = 0.031) was significant predictor of achieving Pentafecta. Subanalyis to assess the component of R.E.N.A.L nephrometry score, L component (location relative to the polar lines, HR 0.63; 95% CI (0.38–1.03); P = 0.064) was relatively important component for Pentafecta achievement. Conclusions The rate of Pentafecta after RAPN was comparable between T1a and T1b renal masses. RAPN is a feasible modality with excellent long term outcome for patients with larger renal mass (cT1b).

Stratified analysis of 800 Asian patients after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with a median 64 months of follow up.

To report the 5‐year oncological outcomes of robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy from the largest series ever reported from Asia.

Robot-assisted Fallopian tube transection and anastomosis using the new REVO-I robotic surgical system: feasibility in a chronic porcine model

To evaluate the feasibility and safety of the new REVO‐I robotic platform by performing Fallopian tube transection and anastomosis in live porcine models.

Single Positive Lymph Node Prostate Cancer Can Be Treated Surgically without Recurrence

Purpose/Objectives To investigate pN1 prostate cancer (PCa) patients treated surgically without immediate adjuvant treatment. Materials and Methods We analyzed the database of 2316 patients at our institution who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP)/radical prostatectomy (RP) between July 2005 and November 2012. 87 patients with pN1 PCa and received no neoadjuvant and immediate adjuvant therapy were included in the study. Included pN1 PCa patients were followed up for median of 60 months. Biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free survival, metastasis-free survival (MFS), cancer specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS) rates were determined by using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Cox regression analysis was performed to investigate the impact of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, Gleason score, extraprostatic extension, seminal vesicle invasion, perineural invasion, lymphovascular invasion, positive surgical margin, tumor volume, early post-operative PSA(6 weeks), PSA nadir, lymph node yield, and number of pathologically positive lymph nodes on survival. Results The 5-year OS rate of patients was 86.1%, while the CSS rate was 89.6%. The metastasis-free and BCR-free survival rates were 71% and 19.1%, respectively, and each was significantly correlated with the number of positive lymph nodes on log rank tests (p = 0.004 and p = 0.039, respectively). The presence of 2 or more pathologically positive LNs (HR:2.20; 95% CI 1.30–3.72; p = 0.003) and a Gleason score ≥8 (HR: 2.40;95% CI: 1.32–4.38; p = 0.04) were significant negative predictors of BCR free survival on multivariable regression analysis. Furthermore, the presence of 2 or more positive lymph nodes (HR: 1.06; 95% CI 1.01–1.11; p = 0.029) were significant negative predictors of metastasis-free survival on multivariable regression analysis. Additionally, in the patients who had no BCR without adjuvant treatment 9 patients out of 10 (90%) had single positive LN and 5 patients out of 10 (50%) had Gleason score 7. Therefore, single positive LN, and Gleason scores ≤7 have significantly low risk of disease progression. Conclusions pN1 PCa patients have heterogenous clinical courses. Patients with single positive LN, and Gleason scores ≤7 have low risk of recurrence. Close observation with delayed adjuvant hormone therapy can be considered in these patients.