Girdhar S. Bora

Robot-assisted vesicovaginal fistula repair: a safe and feasible technique

Introduction and hypothesisOpen transabdominal repair of vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) requires a long cystotomy incision, suprapubic drainage and delayed recovery. Laparoscopic repair is limited by difficult suturing in pelvic procedures. Therefore, the utility of robotic assistance is being increasingly explored. We share our initial experience of robot-assisted laparoscopic VVF repair.MethodsThe data from patients who underwent robot-assisted VVF repair from December 2014 to August 2016 were recorded and analyzed. Patients underwent standard preoperative evaluation. After cystovaginoscopy and placement of an access catheter across the fistula, a four-port transperitoneal approach was used. Following adhesiolysis, limited posterior cystotomy was performed. The vaginal and bladder flaps were separated and repaired in the transverse and vertical directions, respectively. V-Loc sutures were used for bladder closure. Omental/sigmoid colon epiploicae or a peritoneal flap was interposed. A pelvic drain was placed.ResultsDuring the study period, 30 patients underwent surgery, of whom 11 (36.7xa0%) had complex VVF (9 with failure of a previous repair, 1 following radiotherapy, and 1 with a large defect following obstructed labor), and 27 had supratrigonal VVF. The mean age of the patients was 43.5u2009±u20098.6xa0years. The mean operative time was 133u2009±u200948xa0min. Median blood loss was 50xa0ml (IQR 50xa0ml). No suprapubic catheter was placed. The median durations of drain placement and hospital stay were 3xa0days (IQR 2xa0days) and 7.5xa0days (IQR 4.5xa0days), respectively. The median duration of follow up was 38xa0weeks (IQR 46xa0weeks). No recurrence was seen in 28 patients (93.3xa0%).ConclusionsCurrent data suggest that robot-assisted VVF repair is safe and feasible and probides the advantages of minimally invasive surgery.

Scratch to state-of-the-art: setting up a new robotic facility in a developing country

The potential challenges encountered for setting up a robotic assisted surgical facility in developing country like India are many. We describe the initial hurdles and troubleshooting in establishing a facility of such kind. This experience might help to decrease initial hiccups in setting up such an innovative technology at other institutes.

Needle in a haystack: lost in transition

A lost needle during minimally invasive surgery is a cause of undue anxiety to the entire surgical team and also causes prolongation of surgical time. There is no literature reporting follow-up of any patient with needle left behind as they are considered as a ‘never event’ during a surgical procedure. Preventing such events needs vigilance on part of the surgeon and assistant. Here, we report a case of lost needle during performance of a robot-assisted nephron sparing surgery. The robot needed to be de-docked and converted to laparoscopy. After a thorough search, the needle was found to be lodged at an unusual place. A brief review of available literature is also provided alongside.

Bladder paraganglioma: safe and feasible management with robot assisted surgery

Pheochromocytomas of extra-adrenal origin are known as paragangliomas. Urinary bladder is the most common site of genitourinary paragangliomas. The variable functional status of these tumors presents a surgical challenge in their management by minimally invasive surgery. Robot-assisted partial cystectomy offers the advantage of minimal handling of tumor, early ligation of feeding vessels and easy suturing. We hereby report the feasibility and safety of robot-assisted surgery in the management of one such case.

Predicting trifecta outcomes after robot-assisted nephron-sparing surgery: Beyond the nephrometry score

Purpose RENAL nephrometry score (RNS) was devised for deciding the approach for renal tumors. It is increasingly used in predicting perioperative outcomes with variable results. The actual difficulty encountered during surgery depends on a number of other variables. The main purpose of this prospective study was to identify these variables which are not addressed by current RNS. Materials and Methods Forty-nine patients undergoing robotic nephron sparing surgery from January 2015 onward were included. RNS was calculated from the imaging. Operating surgeon rated each surgery on a Likert scale of 0–4 after the completion of the procedure. The questionnaire was pre-validated in 5 cases before administration. The correlation between the surgeon rating and RNS with perioperative parameters and trifecta outcomes were calculated. Results Forty-seven percent surgeries were rated easy, and 53.0% were rated as difficult. Surgeries for hilar, posterior location and presence of supernumerary vessels were found to be the a cause of difficulty. Trifecta outcomes were achieved in 37/49 patients (75.5%). The mean rating was 2.580±0.900 in trifecta negative patients while it was 1.410±0.832 in trifecta positive patient (p<0.0001). Surgeons rating correlated positively with trifecta outcomes (likelihood ratio=15.75, p=0.006). Conclusions The RNS remained a useful tool for determining renal tumor complexity. The intraoperative difficulty faced by the surgeon can be rated which can better predict perioperative trifecta outcomes. A useful predicting tool can be developed using the two parameters (RNS and surgeon rated difficulty).

STAMPEDEing metastatic prostate cancer: CHAARTing the LATITUDEs

With the emergence of recent landmark trials, the treatment for hormone-sensitive metastatic prostate cancer (hsMPC) is changing from androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) alone to combination therapy. Both, docetaxel chemotherapy and abiraterone in addition to ADT have been extensively studied in well-conducted randomized controlled trials and were shown to improve outcomes. However, this paradigm shift in the treatment has also raised some queries. This mini review reflects upon the four landmark trials and tries to provide some perspective about the decision-making process for the patients with hsMPC.

Comparison of RENAL, PADUA, and C-index scoring systems in predicting perioperative outcomes after nephron sparing surgery

Introduction and Objective: The RENAL, PADUA and centrality index (C-index) nephrometry scoring systems (SS) have been individually evaluated for their role in predicting trifecta outcomes after nephron-sparing surgery (NSS). However, there is little data on their comparative superiority. The present study was designed to evaluate the predictive value of three SS and to assess interobserver reliability. Materials and Methods: Fifty patients undergoing NSS at our center between January 2014 and April 2016 were included in the study. The demographic details were noted. Images (computed tomography [CT] scans or magnetic resonance imaging) were reviewed by a urologist and a radiologist independently and RENAL, PADUA, and C-index were calculated. The correlation between these scoring system and trifecta outcomes were calculated. Results: The RENAL and PADUA score did not correlate with any of the perioperative parameters. However, C-index had a significant correlation with operative time (OT) (P = 0.02) and trifecta outcomes (P < 0.05). There was an excellent concordance between the two observers in scoring the RENAL score (α = 0.915; intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.814) and PADUA score (α = 0.816; ICC = 0.689 [P < 0.001]). There was lesser although acceptable concordance in the calculation of C-index (ICC −0.552; α −0.711). Conclusions: There is good correlation among all the 3 SS. C-index has lower reproducibility due to difficult mathematical calculation but correlated best with trifecta outcomes.

Congenital Segmental Megaureter in an Ectopic Kidney

We describe the imaging findings of a 19-year-old female patient who presented with recurrent urinary tract infections and pain abdomen which was diagnosed to be due to a left-sided focal segmental megaureter with a calculus. The highlights of the case are functioning moiety with no other associated anomalies like vesicoureteral reflux, Duplex system, and so on.

Robot-assisted bilateral simultaneous pyeloplasty: safe and feasible

Traditionally, bilateral UPJO in adults was managed by the staged approach during the open surgery era, because of need for two separate incisions and change of patient positioning. In addition, there was a feared risk of post-operative bilateral renal obstruction. Even with advent minimal invasive laparoscopic surgery, simultaneous pyeloplasty did not pick up due to difficult suturing. However, robot-assisted surgery, with its distinct advantageous, had made it feasible. In this case series, we demonstrate safety and feasibility of bilateral simultaneous pyeloplasty over short term.

Simultaneous robotic-assisted adrenalectomy and partial nephrectomy: technical aspects

Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy has become a safe and feasible procedure for small renal masses (SRM). Similarly, robot-assisted adrenalectomy has also been well established. Robotic surgery has provided the possibility to manage complex cases that are considered technically challenging for traditional laparoscopy. We describe in this video the details of performing simultaneous robotic adrenalectomy with partial nephrectomy highlighting the technical aspects of the same. A 62-year-old gentleman presented to us with incidentally detected left renal complex cyst (Bosniak IIF) and a concomitant left adrenal mass. Hormonal evaluation of adrenal tumor revealed raised levels of serum estrogen and DHEAS. A robotic-assisted simultaneous procedure was planned. Patient was positioned in right lateral position. After port placement, robot was brought from the shoulder of the patient and docked. We first excised the adrenal tumor followed by the renal cyst. Total operative time was 180xa0min with warm ischemia time of 20xa0min for renal cyst excision. Drain was removed on post-operative day 2. Patient was discharged on post-operative day 3. Histopathology revealed adrenocortical adenoma and benign hemorrhagic renal cyst. We found simultaneous ipsilateral adrenalectomy with partial nephrectomy using robotic assistance is feasible and safe with minimal morbidity. Port placement in such cases should be individualized according to the location of the SRM. The robot provides the ergonomic advantage and 3D vision for better anatomic definition as compared to laparoscopy.