Francesco M. Bianco

Robotic liver surgery: results for 70 resections.

BACKGROUND Robotic surgery is gaining popularity for digestive surgery; however, its use for liver surgery is reported scarcely. This article reviews a surgeons experience with the use of robotic surgery for liver resections. METHODS From March 2002 to March 2009, 70 robotic liver resections were performed at 2 different centers by a single surgeon. The surgical procedure and postoperative outcome data were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS Malignant tumors were indications for resections in 42 (60%) patients, whereas benign tumors were indications in 28 (40%) patients. The median age was 60 years (range, 21-84) and 57% of patients were female. Major liver resections (≥ 3 liver segments) were performed in 27 (38.5%) patients. There were 4 conversions to open surgery (5.7%). The median operative time for a major resection was 313 min (range, 220-480) and 198 min (range, 90-459) for minor resection. The median blood loss was 150 mL (range, 20-1,800) for minor resection and 300 mL (range, 100-2,000) for major resection. The mortality rate was 0%, and the overall rate of complications was 21%. Major morbidity occurred in 4 patients in the major hepatectomies group (14.8%) and in 4 patients in the minor hepatectomies group (9.3%). All complications were managed conservatively and none required reoperation. CONCLUSION This preliminary experience shows that robotic surgery can be used safely for liver resections with a limited conversion rate, blood loss, and postoperative morbidity. Robotics offers a new technical option for minimally invasive liver surgery.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic extended right hepatectomy with biliary reconstruction.

Robotic surgery represents one of the most advanced developments in the field of minimally invasive surgery. In this article, we describe the case of an extended right hepatectomy with a left hepaticojejunostomy performed for radical resection of a hilar cholangiocarcinoma. This operation was performed by using the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA). In this case, the operative time was 540 minutes, with an intraoperative blood loss of 800 mL. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged at postoperative day 11. This report confirms the technical feasibility and safety of robot-assisted extended hepatic resections with biliary reconstruction. Further experience and a long follow-up are required to validate this initial report.

Minimally Invasive Robotic Kidney Transplantation for Obese Patients Previously Denied Access to Transplantation

Epidemiological data indicate that 20-50% of patients on dialysis for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are obese (body mass index [BMI] ≥30 kg/m2) (1). Obese patients with chronic renal failure have longer wait times until kidney transplantation (2) and inferior patient outcomes (3-7). In the US, for example, patients with a BMI 40 kg/m2 (2). Higher BMIs in kidney transplant recipients are associated with excess risk of surgical site infections (SSIs), which negatively impact graft survival (8). Obesity is also associated with comorbidities such as diabetes, although data on whether obesity increases mortality in kidney transplanted patients remains unclear (8,9). Provider perceptions of these risks accompanied by the expectation of some centers to give obese patients time to lose weight are the main reasons why a number of transplant centers are reluctant to list obese patients for transplantation (2,10). Unfortunately, many of these obese patients have diabetes and hypertension likely secondary to their obesity (11) and such patients who remain on dialysis have a very high mortality rate. The 5-year mortality rate for diabetic and hypertensive dialysis patients is 75 and 70%, respectively (1). A recent study demonstrated that obese patients who did not present with any SSIs had the same kidney transplant success rate as patients with a normal BMI (8). If surgical procedures could be developed that prevent SSIs and demonstrate successful outcomes, transplant centers may become less reluctant to list obese patients for kidney transplantation. Although any benefit would still have to be weighed against potential increased risks from obesity-related comorbidities. The prevalence of obesity and ESRD is higher among racial and ethnic minority populations, including African-Americans and Hispanics, compared to Non-Hispanic whites (12-15). These observations suggest developing kidney transplantation options for obese patients with ESRD may also help to reduce health disparities in racial and ethnic minorities. We therefore developed a new, minimally invasive, robotic-assisted kidney transplantation method using a short epigastric incision. This method avoids any incision in the infection prone lower quadrants of the abdomen. We hypothesized a priori that the robotic approach would reduce SSIs and improve outcomes in obese kidney transplant patients. Herein, we present our experience and outcomes of the patients undergoing minimal invasive, robotic kidney transplantation at a single institution compared to patients who underwent the conventional open procedure.

Robotic transabdominal kidney transplantation in a morbidly obese patient.

Kidney transplantation in morbidly obese patients can be technically demanding. Furthermore, morbidly obese patients experience a high rate of wound infections and related complications, which mostly result from the longer length and extent of the incision. These complications can be avoided through minimally invasive surgery; however, conventional laparoscopic instruments are unsuitable for the safe performance of a kidney transplant in morbidly obese patients. Herein, we report the first minimally invasive, total robotic kidney transplant in a morbidly obese patient. A left, deceased donor kidney was transplanted into a 29‐year‐old woman with a body mass index (BMI) of 41 kg/m2 who had been on hemodialysis for 5 years. The operation was performed intraabdominally using the DaVinci Robotic Surgical System with 4 trocars and a 7 cm midline incision. The operative time was 223 min, and the blood loss was less than 50 cc. The kidney had immediate graft function. No perioperative complications were observed, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 5 with normal kidney function. Minimally invasive access and robotic technology facilitated the safe performance of a successful kidney transplant in a morbidly obese patient.

Robot‐assisted right lobe donor hepatectomy

Recent advances in robotic surgical technology have enabled application to complex surgical procedures. Following extensive institutional experience with major robotic liver resections, we determined that it was safe to apply this technology to right lobe donor hepatectomy (RLDH). The procedure was performed using the Da Vinci Robotic Surgical System, in an entirely minimally invasive fashion, during which the liver graft was safely extracted through a limited lower abdominal incision. Both donor and recipient recovered well, without acute complications. To our knowledge, this is the first case reported in the literature. The technical feasibility of this minimally invasive approach is demonstrated, exemplifying the novel exciting opportunities offered by robotic technology.

Robotic extended pancreatectomy with vascular resection for locally advanced pancreatic tumors

Objectives: Limited involvement of the major peripancreatic vessels is no longer considered a contraindication for resection in cases of locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Extended open pancreatectomies associated with vascular resection are performed in experienced centers with mortality and morbidity rates comparable to standard pancreatic resection. We evaluate the safety, feasibility, and outcomes of robotic extended pancreatectomy with vascular resection. Methods: We reviewed data of 5 patients with a median age of 60 years (range, 52-74 years) who underwent robotic surgery for pancreatic tumors with vascular involvement between May 2007 and March 2010 at our institution. The types of resection included 2 left-sided splenopancreatectomy with celiac axis resection, 1 left-sided splenopancreatectomy with portal vein resection, and 2 pancreaticoduodenectomy with portal vein resection. Results: No conversions occurred. The overall mean operating time was 392 ± 66 minutes (range, 310-460 min). The overall mean blood loss was 200 ± 61 mL (range, 150-300 mL) with no transfusions. No mortalities occurred. At a median follow-up of 6 months (range, 3-20 months), 4 patients were alive and disease free. Conclusions: This early series by a single surgeon supports the feasibility and safety of robotic pancreatectomy with vascular resection for selected patients with locally advanced pancreatic tumor.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic middle pancreatectomy

BACKGROUND Middle pancreatectomy has been accepted as a valid surgical alternative to more extensive standard resections for the treatment of benign central pancreatic tumors. In this article, we describe a new minimally invasive approach to this procedure, using a robot-assisted laparoscopic technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS From May 2004 to October 2005, 3 patients (2 female and 1 male), with a mean age of 52 years (range, 44-68), underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic middle pancreatectomies at the Department of General Surgery of Misericordia Hospital in Grosseto, Italy. Two of the patients had symptomatic serous cystadenomas, and 1 patient had a mucinous cystadenoma, which was discovered incidentally. The da Vinci((R)) Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA) was used to perform the main steps of the intervention. All patients underwent a pancreaticogastrostomy for pancreaticoenteric reconstruction to the distal stump. RESULTS The mean operative time was 320 minutes (range, 270-380). Mean blood loss was 233 mL (range, 100-400). There were no mortalities. One patient developed a postoperative pancreatic fistula, which was managed conservatively. The postoperative hospital stay was 9 days for 2 patients and 27 days for the third patient. No endocrine or exocrine deficiencies were observed in the patients during a mean follow-up of 44 months (range, 38-48). CONCLUSIONS Robot-assisted laparoscopic middle pancreatectomy presents an interesting, less-invasive option for resection of benign tumors of the neck and proximal body of the pancreas. In benign disease, it allows for the preservation of functional pancreatic parenchyma and, subsequently, reduced operative trauma.

Indocyanine Green (ICG) Fluorescent Cholangiography During Robotic Cholecystectomy Results of 184 Consecutive Cases in a Single Institution

Background/Aim. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is currently the gold standard treatment for gallstone disease. Bile duct injury is a rare and severe complication of this procedure, with a reported incidence of 0.4% to 0.8% and is mostly a result of misperception and misinterpretation of the biliary anatomy. Robotic cholecystectomy has proven to be a safe and feasible approach. One of the latest innovations in minimally invasive technology is fluorescent imaging using indocyanine green (ICG). The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of ICG and the Da Vinci Fluorescence Imaging Vision System in real-time visualization of the biliary anatomy. Methods. A total of 184 robotic cholecystectomies with ICG fluorescence cholangiography were performed between July 2011 and February 2013. All patients received a dose of 2.5 mg of ICG 45 minutes prior to the beginning of the surgical procedure. The procedures were multiport or single port depending on the case. Results. No conversions to open or laparoscopic surgery occurred in this series. The overall postoperative complication rate was 3.2%. No biliary injuries occurred. ICG fluorescence allowed visualization of at least 1 biliary structure in 99% of cases. The cystic duct, the common bile duct, and the common hepatic duct were successfully visualized with ICG in 97.8%, 96.1%, and 94% of cases, respectively. Conclusions. ICG fluorescent cholangiography during robotic cholecystectomy is a safe and effective procedure that helps real-time visualization of the biliary tree anatomy.

Robot-assisted sleeve gastrectomy for super-morbidly obese patients.

BACKGROUND Sleeve gastrectomy represents a valid option for morbidly obese patients, either as a primary or as a staged bariatric procedure. Several variations of the technique have been reported. Herein, we report our initial experience with robot-assisted sleeve gastrectomy (RASG). MATERIALS AND METHODS A prospectively held database for patients who underwent RASG was reviewed. Data included patient demographics, operative parameters, morbidity, and follow-up outcomes. The outcomes after RASG were compared to the laparoscopic approach. RESULTS From September 2007 to February 2010, 69 morbidly obese patients underwent sleeve gastrectomy. Of these, 30 (43.5%) were robot-assisted and 39 (56.5%) were laparoscopic. There was no statistically significant difference in demographics between the two groups. The RASG group underwent an oversewing of the staple line, and mean operative time was 135 minutes. In the laparoscopic group, where the staple line was not oversewn, mean operative time was 114 minutes (P = .003). Morbidity after RASG was 3.3%, and there were no gastrointestinal leaks or staple line bleeding. Mean postoperative hospital stay after RASG was 2.6 days (range: 1.6-8.3 days). Mean body mass index decrease at 1 year was 16  kg/m(2). There were no differences between the two groups in terms of morbidity, mortality, length of stay, and weight loss. CONCLUSIONS RASG can be performed safely, with good outcomes. However, the exact role and the advantages of RASG require further study in larger series.

Robot-assisted adrenalectomy: a technical option for the surgeon?

The robotic approach is an interesting option for overcoming the limitations of laparoscopic adrenalectomy. We aimed to report our technique and outcomes of robot‐assisted adrenalectomy (RAA).