Eric M. Haas

A Three-Arm (Laparoscopic, Hand-Assisted, and Robotic) Matched-Case Analysis of Intraoperative and Postoperative Outcomes in Minimally Invasive Colorectal Surgery

PURPOSE: Robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery is an emerging modality in the field of minimally invasive colorectal surgery. However, there is a dearth of data comparing outcomes with other minimally invasive techniques. We present a 3-arm (conventional, hand-assisted, and robotic) matched-case analysis of intraoperative and short-term outcomes in patients undergoing minimally invasive colorectal procedures. METHODS: Between August 2008 and October 2009, 70 robotic cases of the rectum and rectosigmoid were performed. Thirty of these were organized into triplets with conventional and hand-assisted cases based on the following 6 matching criteria: 1) surgeon; 2) sex; 3) body mass index; 4) operative procedure; 5) pathology; and 6) history of neoadjuvant therapy in malignant cases. Demographics, intraoperative parameters, and postoperative outcomes were assessed. Pathological outcomes were analyzed in malignant cases. Data were stratified by postoperative diagnosis and operative procedure. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in intraoperative complications, estimated blood loss (126.1 ± 98.5 mL overall), or postoperative morbidity and mortality among the groups. Robotic technique required longer operative time compared with conventional laparoscopic (P < .01) and hand-assisted (P < .001) techniques; however, this difference was not maintained in cases with low pelvic anastomoses. The overall mean length of stay was 3.3 ± 1.8 days with no significant difference between the groups. Pathological analysis of malignant cases revealed a median lymph node extraction of 17 with no significant difference among the 3 modalities. CONCLUSION: In this 3-arm case-matched series, the robotic approach results in short-term outcomes comparable to conventional and hand-assisted laparoscopic approaches for benign and malignant diseases of the rectum and rectosigmoid. With 3-dimensional visualization, additional freedom of motion, and improved ergonomics, this enabling technology may play an important role when performing colorectal procedures involving the pelvic anatomy.

Robotic-assisted single-incision laparoscopic partial cecectomy.

Single‐incision laparoscopic surgery is an emerging approach in the field of minimally invasive colon and rectal surgery. This modality utilizes a ‘scarless’ incision concealed within the umbilicus, and results in improved cosmesis with the potential for reduced trauma, pain and length of hospital stay. However, unique technical challenges have curbed its adaptation. Robotic‐assisted technique may help overcome these limitations when applied to the single‐incision approach.

Prospective Multicenter Trial Comparing Echodefecography With Defecography in the Assessment of Anorectal Dysfunction in Patients With Obstructed Defecation

BACKGROUND: Defecography is the gold standard for assessing functional anorectal disorders but is limited by the need for a specific radiologic environment, exposure of patients to radiation, and inability to show all anatomic structures involved in defecation. Echodefecography is a 3-dimensional dynamic ultrasound technique developed to overcome these limitations. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to validate the effectiveness of echodefecography compared with defecography in the assessment of anorectal dysfunctions related to obstructed defecation. DESIGN: Multicenter, prospective observational study. PATIENTS: Women with symptoms of obstructed defecation. SETTING: Six centers for colorectal surgery (3 in Brazil, 1 in Texas, 1 in Florida, and 1 in Venezuela). INTERVENTIONS: Defecography was performed after inserting 150 mL of barium paste in the rectum. Echodefecography was performed with a 2050 endoprobe through 3 automatic scans. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The &kgr; statistic was used to assess agreement between echodefecography and defecography in the evaluation of rectocele, intussusception, anismus, and grade III enterocele. RESULTS: Eighty-six women were evaluated: median Wexner constipation score, 13.4 (range, 6–23); median age, 53.4 (range, 26–77) years. Rectocele was identified with substantial agreement between the 2 methods (defecography, 80 patients; echodefecography, 76 patients; &kgr; = 0.61; 95% CI = 0.48–0.73). The 2 techniques demonstrated identical findings in 6 patients without rectocele, and in 9 patients with grade I, 29 with grade II, and 19 patients with grade III rectoceles. Defecography identified rectal intussusception in 42 patients, with echodefecography identifying 37 of these cases, plus 4 additional cases, yielding substantial agreement (&kgr; = 0.79; 95% CI = 0.57–1.0). Intussusception was associated with rectocele in 28 patients for both methods (&kgr; = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.41–0.83). There was substantial agreement for anismus (&kgr; = 0.61; 95% CI = 0.40–0.81) and for rectocele combined with anismus (&kgr; = 0.61; 95% CI = 0.40–0.82). Agreement for grade III enterocele was classified as almost perfect (&kgr; = 0.87; 95% CI = 0.66–1.0). LIMITATIONS: Echodefecography had limited use in identification of grade I and II enteroceles because of the type of probe used. CONCLUSIONS: Echodefecography may be used to assess patients with obstructed defecation, as it is able to detect the same anorectal dysfunctions found by defecography. It is minimally invasive and well tolerated, avoids exposure to radiation, and clearly demonstrates all the anatomic structures involved in defecation.

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery for restorative proctocolectomy with ileal J pouch-anal anastomosis

Abstract Restorative proctocolectomy (RP) with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the surgical procedure of choice for chronic ulcerative colitis (CUC). Robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery (RALS) has been shown to have its greatest merits in colorectal procedures involving the pelvis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of RP with IPAA using an innovative robotic technique. A total of five consecutive patients underwent RALS RP with IPAA between August 2008 and February 2010. Patient demographics, intraoperative parameters, and postoperative outcomes were tabulated and assessed. Surgery was indicated for medically intractable CUC in three patients (60%), CUC-related dysplasia in one patient (20%) and CUC-related adenocarcinoma in one patient (20%). An ileal pouch-anal anastomosis was successful in all five cases. The mean operative time was 330 min and estimated blood loss was 200 cc. There were no intraoperative complications or conversions. The mean length of hospital stay was 5.6 days and no patients developed major postoperative complications. RALS is an innovative technique offering technical and visual advantages to the colorectal surgeon and can be offered for those who are seeking restorative proctolectomy for chronic ulcerative colitis.

Transanal endoscopic video-assisted excision: application of single-port access.

Transanal endoscopic video-assisted excision of benign and malignant rectal lesions with pneumorectal distension appears to optimize the visual field and avert several of the pitfalls commonly associated with transanal endoscopic microsurgery.

Single incision laparoscopic-assisted right hemicolectomy: technique and application (with video).

Purpose Most commonly employed for surgery of the gallbladder and appendix, single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is rapidly evolving in the field of minimally invasive surgery. The purpose of this report is to describe the feasibility and technique for SILS right hemicolectomy, which has not been widely reported. Methods We describe a laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with a modified single-incision technique for the management of a precancerous polyp of the ascending colon. Results The procedure was successfully performed in 105 minutes using 3 transumbilical trocars placed through a single port, and readily available nonarticulating laparoscopic instruments. In addition, we review the literature of SILS procedures involving the colon and discuss differences between our approach and those reported elsewhere. Conclusions SILS is a feasible modality applicable to minimally invasive surgery of the colon and can offer benefits to the patient.

Single-Incision Laparoscopic Colectomy for Cancer: Short-Term Outcomes and Comparative Analysis

Introduction. Single-incision laparoscopic colectomy (SILC) is a viable and safe technique; however, there are no single-institution studies comparing outcomes of SILC for colon cancer with well-established minimally invasive techniques. We evaluated the short-term outcomes following SILC for cancer compared to a group of well-established minimally invasive techniques. Methods. Fifty consecutive patients who underwent SILC for colon cancer were compared to a control group composed of 50 cases of minimally invasive colectomies performed with either conventional multiport or hand-assisted laparoscopic technique. The groups were paired based on the type of procedure. Demographics, intraoperative, and postoperative outcomes were assessed. Results. With the exception of BMI, demographics were similar between both groups. Most of the procedures were right colectomies (n = 33) and anterior resections (n = 12). There were no significant differences in operative time (127.9 versus 126.7 min), conversions (0 versus 1), complications (14% versus 8%), length of stay (4.5 versus 4.0 days), readmissions (2% versus 2%), and reoperations (2% versus 2%). Oncological outcomes were also similar between groups. Conclusions. SILC is an oncologically sound alternative for the management of colon cancer and results in similar short-term outcomes as compared with well-established minimally invasive techniques.

SAGES TAVAC safety and effectiveness analysis: da Vinci ® Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA).

AbstractBackgroundThe da Vinci® Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) is a computer-assisted (robotic) surgical system designed to enable and enhance minimally invasive surgery. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared computer-assisted surgical systems for use by trained physicians in an operating room environment for laparoscopic surgical procedures in general, cardiac, colorectal, gynecologic, head and neck, thoracic and urologic surgical procedures. There are substantial numbers of peer-reviewed papers regarding the da Vinci® Surgical System, and a thoughtful assessment of evidence framed by clinical opinion is warranted.Methods The SAGES da Vinci® TAVAC sub-committee performed a literature review of the da Vinci® Surgical System regarding gastrointestinal surgery. Conclusions by the sub-committee were vetted by the SAGES TAVAC Committee and SAGES Executive Board. Following revisions, the document was evaluated by the TAVAC Committee and Executive Board again for final approval.ResultsSeveral conclusions were drawn based on expert opinion organized by safety, efficacy, and cost for robotic foregut, bariatric, hepatobiliary/pancreatic, colorectal surgery, and single-incision cholecystectomy.ConclusionsGastrointestinal surgery with the da Vinci® Surgical System is safe and comparable, but not superior to standard laparoscopic approaches. Although clinically acceptable, its use may be costly for select gastrointestinal procedures. Current data are limited to the da Vinci® Surgical System; further analyses are needed.

Pearls and Pitfalls in Sils Colectomy

Single-incision laparoscopic colectomy has developed into a viable option for the treatment of benign and malignant colorectal diseases with the innovation of new access devices, instrumentation, and surgical techniques. Although cosmesis has been highly touted as the most apparent advantage of the approach, the single-incision platform also affords the potential for enhanced recovery, early hospital discharge, and reduction in postoperative wound complications. Despite increasing evidence demonstrating the safety and efficacy of single-incision laparoscopic colectomy, wide-ranging adaptation has been tempered in part as a result of the technical demands of the approach. We aim to describe our surgical pearls for overcoming various pitfalls and technical challenges experienced during single-incision laparoscopic colectomy to facilitate successful application of this technique.

Minimally Invasive Approaches for the Management of “Difficult” Colonic Polyps

Traditionally, patients with colonic polyps not amenable to endoscopic removal require open colectomy for management. We evaluated our experience with minimally invasive approaches including endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), laparoscopic-assisted endoscopic polypectomy (LAEP), and laparoscopic-assisted colectomy (LAC). Patients referred for surgery for colonic polyps were selected for one of three minimally invasive modalities. A total of 123 patients were referred for resection of “difficult” polyps. Thirty underwent EMR, 25 underwent LAEP, and 68 underwent LAC. Of those selected to undergo EMR or LAEP, 76.4% were successfully managed without colon resection. The remaining 23.6% underwent LAC. Nine complications were encountered, including two requiring reoperative intervention. Of the 123 patients, three were found to have malignant disease on final pathology. Surgical resection can be avoided in a significant number of patients with “difficult” polyps referred for surgery by performing EMR and LAEP. In those who require surgery, minimally invasive resection can be achieved.