254. TODAY’S ISSUES IN ROBOT-ASSISTED ESOPHAGECTOMY

Abstract

Abstract Recently, effectiveness of robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) has been reported however, there are some issues specific to RAMIE which may lead to major complications. The issues include 1) interference with the right shoulder, 2) compression of vertebral bodies and blood vessels, 3) energy devices, and 4) education to young surgeons. In this study, we evaluated the short-term outcome of RAMIE in our department, and show the ideas for improving those issues. For 1), the assistant gives instructions to the surgeon, and uses a protector on right shoulder. In 2), port arrangement depending on the cases and switching the camera port is useful. 3) Because those devices are still under developing, careful procedure is required while using energy device, 4) Double console and extra thoracoscopic camera is useful in operating under the education. We conducted a comparative study of 81 cases of RAMIE performed at our institution from 2014 to January 2022 and 392 cases of prone thoracoscopic esophagectomy performed at about the same time, to evaluate the short-term outcomes including complications. RAMIE showed an increase in thoracic operation time (median 286 min vs 260 min), but amount of thoracic bleeding tended to be smaller (median 13 mL vs 19 mL). Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (G1) was about 40%, and pneumonia was about 18%, which was about the same. One case encountered to in-hospital death from RAMIE group by aspiration pneumonia and one cardiac tamponade by thoracoscopic surgery, respectively, Also, there was no difference in short-term outcomes between experienced and non-experienced surgeons, except operation time. It is difficult to educate young surgeons who cannot afford to pay attention to the surroundings because there is a possibility that the surrounding organs will be damaged without resistance. Therefore, experienced surgeon should observe and understand the situation using double console or an additional scope. Also, many other knacks and tricks are important to reduce the complications arises from robotic surgery.