Shamil Aliyev

Comparison of intraoperative time use and perioperative outcomes for robotic versus laparoscopic adrenalectomy

BACKGROUND Recently, robotic techniques have been described for adrenalectomy. However, scant data exist in the literature regarding the comparison of robotic with the conventional laparoscopic approach. We aimed to analyze intraoperative time use and perioperative outcomes in robotic vs laparoscopic adrenalectomy for both lateral transabdominal (LT) and posterior retroperitoneal (PR) approaches. METHODS A robotic adrenalectomy program was started in September 2008, and techniques for both the LT (n = 32) and PR (n = 18) approaches were established. Data of robotic cases were compared with those of 50 consecutive laparoscopic cases (LT = 32, PR = 18) before the onset of the program from a prospective, institutional review board-approved database. Operative times for individual steps of the procedures were captured from operative video recordings, including docking, exposure, dissection, and hemostasis. RESULTS For both LT and PR approaches, there was no difference when we compared the robotic with the laparoscopic groups regarding demographics, tumor type, and body mass index. For the LT approach, despite larger tumor size (x ± SEM) in the robotic vs the laparoscopic group (4.7 ± 0.4 vs 3.8 ± 0.4 cm, P = .05), the operative times were similar (168 ± 10 minutes vs 159 ± 8 minutes, P = .5). There was no difference between the two approaches regarding the time spent for the individual steps of the operation. In the PR approach, with similar tumor sizes (2.7 ± 0.3 cm vs 2.3 ± 0.3 cm, P = .4), operative time (minutes) was equivalent (166 ± 9 vs 170 ± 15; P = .8). Time spent intra-operatively for each step was similar, except for shorter hemostasis time in the robotic group (23 ± 4 minutes vs 42 ± 9 minutes, P = .03). The robotic docking time (21 vs 25 minutes) decreased by 50% in the second year of the study for both approaches. The presence of two staff surgeons vs a staff and a fellow decreased operative time for the robotic LT (P < .02) but not the robotic PR approach. For laparoscopic and robotic procedures, the morbidity was 10% and 2%, respectively. Overall, hospital stay was 1.5 ± 0.9 days (range, 1-4 vs 1.1 ± 0.3 days) (range, 1-2; P = .006). The percentage of patients requiring more than 1 day of hospital stay was 28% vs 14% (P = .09). CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting an intraoperative time analysis for robotic adrenalectomy. Intraoperative time use was similar between the laparoscopic and robotic groups for both LT and PR approaches. However, the morbidity was less and hospital stay was shorter after the robotic procedures.

Robotic transaxillary total thyroidectomy through a single axillary incision

BACKGROUND There is controversy in the literature about whether robotic total thyroidectomy should be performed through unilateral or bilateral axillary incisions. The aim of this study was to perform a detailed critical analysis of the single-incision technique with a focus on postoperative pain, morbidity, and oncologic outcomes. METHODS Between June 2009 and May 2012, 30 patients underwent robotic neck surgery through a single axillary incision. The perioperative outcomes of 16 patients who underwent robotic total thyroidectomy were compared with 30 consecutive patients undergoing conventional total thyroidectomy. Data were collected from a prospectively maintained, institutional review board-approved database. All data are presented as mean values ± standard error of the mean. RESULTS Both groups were similar regarding age, gender, body mass index, tumor size, and tumor type. For all patients, skin-to-skin operative time (OT) was less in the conventional group (139 ± 8 vs 183 ± 11 minutes, respectively; P = .002). In the robotic group, a significant improvement of the OT occurred after the 6th case: 245 ± 12 minutes for the first 6 cases versus 153 ± 10 minutes for the last 10 cases (P < .001). Estimated blood loss was similar between groups. The median hospital stay was 1 day for both groups. The morbidity was 13% in the conventional and 19% in the robotic group (P = .631). CONCLUSION Our results show that robotic total thyroidectomy through a single axillary incision is feasible, with similar short-term oncologic results. However, owing to the extent of dissection, the 2-week operative site discomfort is greater after robotic versus conventional total thyroidectomy.

An analysis of whether surgeon-performed neck ultrasound can be used as the main localizing study in primary hyperparathyroidism

BACKGROUND Tc-99 sestamibi (MIBI) scan is the imaging study most frequently used in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP). Transcutaneous cervical ultrasonography (US) is the other modality used for preoperative localization. The aim of this study was to determine whether surgeon-performed neck US can be used as the primary localizing study in PHP. METHODS This was a prospective study of 1,000 consecutive patients with first-time, sporadic PHP who underwent parathyroidectomy at a tertiary academic center. All patients had surgeon-performed neck US and MIBI before bilateral neck exploration. RESULTS The findings at exploration were 72% single adenoma, 15% double adenoma, and 13% hyperplasia. When US suggested single-gland disease (n = 842), MIBI was concordant in 82.5%, discordant and false in 8%, negative in 7%, and discordant but correct in 2.5%. When US suggested multigland disease (n = 68), MIBI was concordant in 47%, discordant and false in 41%, and negative in 12%. When US was negative (n = 90), MIBI was positive and correct in 43%, negative in 31%, and positive but false in 26%. Surgeon-performed neck US identified unrecognized thyroid nodules in 326 patients (33%), which led to fine-needle aspiration biopsy in 161 (49%) patients and thyroid surgery in 103 (32%) patients, with a final diagnosis of thyroid cancer in 24 (7%) patients. CONCLUSION Our results show that MIBI provides additional useful information in only a minority of patients with a positive US in PHP. Nevertheless, MIBI benefits about half of patients with a negative US. Because one-third of this patient population has unrecognized thyroid nodules as well, we propose that the most cost-effective algorithm would be to do US first and reserve MIBI for US-negative cases.

Robotic Endocrine Surgery: State of the Art

Abstract Over the last decade, developments in technology have led a rapid progress in robotic endocrine surgery applications. Robotics is attractive to the surgeon because of the three-dimensional image quality, articulating instruments, and stable surgical platform. Safety and effectiveness of robotic adrenalectomy and thyroidectomy have been shown in many studies. While these robotic procedures offer better ergonomics for the surgeon, they provide similar outcomes compared to the laparoscopic approach for adrenalectomy and better cosmetic results versus the conventional option for thyroidectomy. Recently, while the robotic approach for adrenalectomy has been popularized, enthusiasm for robotic thyroidectomy has decreased. In the present review we aim to describe emerging robotic procedures and review the literature regarding outcomes.

The Utility of Intraoperative Ultrasound in Modified Radical Neck Dissection A Pilot Study

Background. Although the value of surgeon-performed neck ultrasound (SPUS) for thyroid nodules has been validated, the utility of intraoperative ultrasound (US) in modified radical neck dissection (MRND) has not been reported in the literature. The aim of this study was to analyze the utility of intraoperative SPUS in assessing the completeness of MRND for thyroid cancer. Methods. Between 2007 and 2011, a total of 25 patients underwent MRND by 1 surgeon for thyroid cancer. All patients underwent intraoperative SPUS, which was repeated at the end of the neck dissection (completion US) to look for missed lymph nodes (LNs). Results. There were 10 male and 15 female patients. Pathology included 23 papillary and 2 medullary carcinomas. The number of LNs removed per case was 23 ± 2, and the number of positive was LNs 5 ± 1. In 4 (16%) cases, intraoperative US detected 7 residual LNs, which would have been missed, if completion US were not done. These missed LNs were located in low-level IV (3 nodes), high-level II (2 nodes), and posterior level V (2 nodes) and measured 1.4 ± 0.2 cm. At follow-up, recurrence was seen in 2 (8%) patients, including a superior mediastinal recurrence in a patient with tall cell cancer and a jugular LN recurrence at level II in another patient with papillary thyroid cancer. Conclusion. This pilot study shows that intraoperative SPUS can help assess the completeness of MRND. According to our results, intraoperative completion US identifies LNs missed by palpation 16% of the time.

Predictors of recurrence in pheochromocytoma

BACKGROUND The recurrence rate of pheochromocytoma after adrenalectomy is 6.5-16.5%. This study aims to identify predictors of recurrence and optimal biochemical testing and imaging for detecting the recurrence of pheochromocytoma. METHODS In this retrospective study we reviewed all patients who underwent adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma during a 14-year period at a single institution. RESULTS One hundred thirty-five patients had adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma. Eight patients (6%) developed recurrent disease. The median time from initial operation to diagnosis of recurrence was 35 months. On multivariate analysis, tumor size >5 cm was an independent predictor of recurrence. One patient with recurrence died, 4 had stable disease, 2 had progression of disease, and 1 was cured. Recurrence was diagnosed by increases in plasma and/or urinary metanephrines and positive imaging in 6 patients (75%), and by positive imaging and normal biochemical levels in 2 patients (25%). CONCLUSION Patients with large tumors (>5 cm) should be followed vigilantly for recurrence. Because 25% of patients with recurrence had normal biochemical levels, we recommend routine imaging and testing of plasma or urinary metanephrines for prompt diagnosis of recurrence.

Bilateral posterior retroperitoneal robotic adrenalectomy for ACTH-independent cushing syndrome

Background: Laparoscopic posterior retroperitoneal (PR) adrenalectomy is preferable in patients with bilateral adrenal masses, as it obviates the need for repositioning. Robotic adrenalectomy has been reported to improve surgeon ergonomics and facilitate dissection. Although robotic bilateral transabdominal lateral adrenalectomy has been described in the literature, to our knowledge, the robotic bilateral PR approach has not been reported before. Herein, we report a case of a bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia managed with robotic bilateral PR adrenalectomy. Methods: A 60-year-old man was incidentally found to have bilateral macronodular adrenal masses on a computed tomography scan performed for abdominal pain. His laboratory workup was significant for adrenocorticotropic hormone–independent bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia. He was consented for bilateral PR robotic adrenalectomy. Results: The procedure was performed robotically through a PR approach. Three robotic arms were used for the procedure on both sides using 5-mm instruments. Bilateral adrenalectomy was performed with a skin-to-skin operative time of 268 minutes (98 min for the left and 170 min for the right side). The patient was discharged on postoperative day 1 uneventfully on steroid supplementation. The final pathology revealed bilateral adrenal cortical hyperplasia. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first report of bilateral robotic PR adrenalectomy. This technique enables the resection of bilateral tumors without the need to reposition and may also provide potential advantages over laparoscopy, regarding the ease of dissection and surgeon ergonomics.

A comparison of laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation versus systemic therapy alone in the treatment of breast cancer metastasis to the liver

OBJECTIVES There is controversy about the roles of locoregional therapies in patients with liver metastases from breast cancer (LMBC). The aim of this study was to analyse survival after laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of LMBC and to compare this with survival in patients receiving systemic therapy (ST) alone. METHODS During 1996-2011, 24 patients who had failed to respond or had shown an incomplete response to ST underwent laparoscopic RFA for LMBC. Outcomes in these patients were compared with those in 32 patients with LMBC matched by tumour size and number, but treated with ST alone. Clinical parameters and overall survival were compared using t-tests, chi-squared tests and Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS The groups were similar in hormone receptor status and chemotherapy exposure. In the laparoscopic RFA and ST groups, respectively, the mean ± standard deviation size of the dominant liver tumour and the number of tumours per patient were 3.7 ± 0.4 cm and 2.4 ± 0.4 cm, and 2.6 ± 0.4 tumours and 3.3 ± 0.4 tumours, respectively. These differences were not significant. At a median follow-up of 20 months in the laparoscopic RFA group, 42% of patients were found to have developed local liver recurrence, 63% had developed new liver disease and 38% had developed extrahepatic disease. Overall survival after the diagnosis of liver metastasis was 47 months in the laparoscopic RFA group and 9 months in the ST-only group (P = 0.0001). Five-year survival after the diagnosis of liver metastasis was 29% in the RFA group and 0% in the ST-only group. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to compare outcomes in RFA and ST, respectively, in LMBC. The results show that survival after laparoscopic RFA plus ST is better than that after ST alone.

Oncologic results of laparoscopic liver resection for malignant liver tumors.

There are scant data regarding oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic liver resection (LLR). The aim of this study is to analyze the oncologic outcomes of LLR for malignant liver tumors (MLT).

The Use of the Harmonic Scalpel Versus Knot Tying for Modified Radical Neck Dissection

Background. Although the utility of the harmonic scalpel (HS) in thyroidectomy has been extensively demonstrated, there is little experience regarding its use for neck dissections. Methods. Within 10 years, 119 patients underwent modified radical neck dissection (MRND) for thyroid cancer. In 51 patients, MRND was performed using conventional knot tying and in 68 using the HS. The number of lymph nodes (LNs) removed, operative time, estimated blood loss (EBL), drain output, duration of the drainage, and complications were compared for 47 patients undergoing first-time unilateral MRND without concomitant additional surgical procedures. Results. The number of LNs removed, operative time, duration of drainage, and rate of lymphatic leak were similar between groups. For the HS group, EBL (5 ± 3 vs 32 ± 10; P = .006) and drain output on postoperative day 1 (51.7 ± 6.2 vs 78.9 ± 11.9; P = .02) and at 1 week (6.1 ± 1.2 vs 10.2 ± 1.8, respectively; P = .03) were significantly less. Conclusion. Despite the limitations of its retrospective nature, this study shows that the HS reduces EBL and the amount of lymphatic drainage compared to knot tying after MRND.