Robotic Colectomy Research Articles

Robotic versus conventional laparoscopic technique for the treatment of left-sided colonic diverticular disease: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Minimally invasive surgery has been universally accepted as a valid option for the treatment of diverticular disease, provided specific expertise is available. Over the last decade, there has been a growing interest in the application of robotic approaches for diverticular disease. We aimed at evaluating whether robotic colectomy may offer some advantages over the laparoscopic approach for surgical treatment of diverticular disease by meta-analyzing the available data from the medical literature. The PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, and Web Of Sciences electronic databases were searched for literature up to December 2020. Inclusion criteria considered all comparative studies evaluating robotic versus laparoscopic colectomy for diverticulitis eligible. The conversion rate to the open approach was evaluated as the primary outcome. The data of 4177 patients from nine studies were included in the analysis. There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics. Patients undergoing laparoscopic colectomy compared to those who underwent surgery with a robotic approach had a significantly higher risk of conversion into an open procedure (12.5% vs. 7.4%, p < 0.00001) and abbreviated hospital stay (p < 0.0001) at the price of a longer operating time (p < 0.00001). Compared with conventional laparoscopic surgery, the robotic approach offers significant advantages in terms of conversion rate and shortened hospital stay for the treatment of diverticular disease. However, because of the lack of available evidence, it is impossible to draw definitive conclusions.

Outcomes of robotic right colectomy with intracorporeal anastomosis compared with laparoscopic right colectomy

Outcomes of robotic right colectomy with intracorporeal anastomosis compared with laparoscopic right colectomy

8-mm portal incarcerated hernia after robotic colectomy: case report

Objective: The objective of this work is to report a hernia derived from the access portal used in robotic surgery. Details of the case: A 72-year-old woman, diagnosed with splenic angle adenocarcinoma of the colon, underwent robotic left colectomy and lymphadenectomy. On the 12th postoperative day, she developed vomiting and interrupted the elimination of feces and flatus. Computed tomography revealed hernia on the left flank with an 8 mm orifice with intestinal contents. Incisional herniorrhaphy was performed to correct the defect. PSH are associated with patient risk factors. They are also related to the diameter of the trocar and its place of passage. For its prevention, it is important to assess the need to close the aponeurosis according to each case. Final considerations: The disturbances created by the passage of 12 mm and 10 mm trocars must be closed. Those created by 5 mm trocars do not need to be closed, and those of 8 mm may or may not be closed, depending on the risk factors involved.

Optimizing outcomes in colorectal surgery: cost and clinical analysis of robotic versus laparoscopic approaches to colon resection.

The use of robotics in colorectal surgery has been steadily increasing, however, reported longer operative times and increased cost has limited its widespread adoption. We investigated the cost of elective colorectal surgery based on type of anatomic resection and the impact of a standardized protocol for robotic colectomies. A retrospective review was conducted of 279 elective colectomies at a single institution between 2013 and 2017. Clinical outcomes and detailed cost data were compared based on open, laparoscopic, or robotic surgical approach and stratified by anatomic resection. Robotic, laparoscopic and open colectomy rates were 35, 34 and 31%, respectively. While total costs were similar in robotic and laparoscopic surgery, anatomic resection stratification showed that low anterior resection (LAR) was significantly cheaper ($14,093 vs $17,314). When a standardized surgical protocol was implemented for robotic colectomies, significant reductions in operative times, length of stay, total cost, and operative cost were observed. Robotic surgery may be most cost effective for elective LAR compared to laparoscopic or open approaches. A standardized surgical protocol for robotic surgery may help reduce costs by reducing operative times, operating rooms expenditure, and lengths of stay.

Single-incision robotic colectomy versus single-incision laparoscopic colectomy: A matched case control study

BackgroundSingle incision laparoscopic colectomy (SILC) and single incision robotic colectomy (SIRC) are both advanced minimally invasive operative techniques. However, studies comparing these two surgical methods have not been published. The purpose of this study is to compare and evaluate the short-term outcomes of SIRC with those of SILC. MethodsA total of 21 consecutive patients underwent SIRC and 136 consecutive patients underwent SILC in separate institutes between January 2013 and December 2019. We used retrospective cohort matching to analyze these patients. ResultsPrior to matching, patients who underwent SIRC had a lower percentage of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grades III–IV (5% vs. 19%, P = 0.11) compared with patients who underwent SILC. The SIRC group revealed a higher proportion of sigmoid colon lesions and anterior resections than the SILC group (61% vs. 45%, P = 0.16). After 1:4 cohort matching, 21 patients were enrolled in the SIRC group and 84 patients were enrolled in the SILC group. No statistically significant difference in terms of operative time (SIRC: 185 ± 46 min, SILC: 208 ± 53 min; P = 0.51), estimated blood loss (SIRC: 12 ± 22 ml, SILC: 85 ± 234 ml; P = 0.12), and complications (SIRC: 4.7%, SIRC: 7.1%; P = 0.31) was observed between these groups. Length of postoperative hospital stay (SIRC: 8.3 ± 1.7 days, SILC: 9.3 ± 6.5; P = 0.10) and number of harvested lymph nodes (SIRC: 21.3 ± 10.3, SILC: 21.3 ± 9.5; P = 0.77) were also similar between the two groups. In subgroup analysis, numbers of harvested lymph node is less in SIRC than SILC (SIRC: 18.1 ± 4.7 vs. SILC: 18.9 ± 8.1, P = 0.04) in anterior resection. ConclusionSIRC and SILC are safe and feasible procedures with similar surgical and pathological outcomes for right- and left-side colectomy.

Reduced-Port Robotic Right Colectomy with Intracorporeal Anastomosis for Right-Sided Colon Cancer Using the da Vinci Single-Site® Platform: A Pilot Case Series Study

Reduced-Port Robotic Right Colectomy with Intracorporeal Anastomosis for Right-Sided Colon Cancer Using the da Vinci Single-Site^® Platform: A Pilot Case Series Study

Robotic left colectomy with double indocyanine green guidance and intracorporeal anastomoses.

Radical surgery is the mainstay of treatment of colon cancer. Lymphatic drainage of splenic flexure colon cancer is variable, and the exact site of lymphatic dissection is uncertain. Hence, a true consensus of what kind of colectomy should be performed for tumours of the splenic flexure is lacking. Segmental left colectomy (splenic flexure colectomy) (extended), left colectomy as well as subtotal colectomy (extended right colectomy) all have their proponents. Robotic colectomy addresses the limitations of straight laparoscopic colon resections. We report our technique of single-docking totally robotic left hemicolectomy for splenic flexure adenocarcinoma using Da Vinci Xi® Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, USA) with indocyanine green near-infrared fluorescence for the assessment of both the lymph nodes and intestinal blood flow in real time.

Robotic elective colectomy for diverticular disease: short-term outcomes of 80 patients.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the robotic approach on the minimally invasive elective treatment of diverticular disease. Data from patients who underwent elective robotic colectomy for diverticular disease from January 2015 to February 2020 were prospectively collected and retrospectively analysed. Intraoperative and 30-day postoperative outcomes were the variables assessed. A total of 80 patients (71% with prior complicated diverticulitis) met the inclusion criteria. Mean operative time was 241 min, one intraoperative complication (1.2%) was observed, the conversion rate was 2.5%. Mean hospital stay was 6.4 days and overall 30-day complication rate was 22.5%. Fourteen patients (17.5%) had minor complications, while major postoperative complications occurred in four patients (5%). Anastomotic leak rate was 3.9% and the 30-day readmission rate was 3.7%. Robotic colectomy for diverticular disease has proven to be feasible and safe, with low intraoperative complications, conversion, and anastomotic leak rates.

Advantages of robotic right colectomy over laparoscopic right colectomy beyond the learning curve: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Advantages of robotic right colectomy over laparoscopic right colectomy beyond the learning curve: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Sitting postural alignment and relationship with quality of life in Adult Spinal Deformity

The robotic platform has been used increasingly to perform colorectal surgery. The benefits of robotic colectomy when compared with laparoscopic colectomy have not been definitively established.A retrospective review of the NSQIP database was performed on patients undergoing elective laparoscopic or robotic colectomy in 2013. Demographic characteristics, length of stay, operative time, and 30-day postoperative complications were compared between the 2 groups.Of the 17,774 colectomies performed during the study period, 11,267 (63.4%) were performed laparoscopically and 653 (3.7%) were performed robotically. In comparison with laparoscopic colectomy, robotic colectomy was associated with increased operative time (233 vs 180 minutes; p < 0.01) and decreased length of stay (5.04 vs 6.06 days; p < 0.01). There was no significant difference with respect to mortality (0.2% vs 0.4%; p < 0.312), anastomotic leak (3.4% vs 3.1%; p = 0.715), reoperation (4.9% vs 4.0%; p = 0.27), conversion (10.3% vs 12.2%; p = 0.13), or readmission (9.3% vs 8.7%; p = 0.593) rates. The differences in length of stay and operative time persisted in the right colectomy and left colectomy/sigmoid resection subgroup analysis with no difference in conversion rates.In this head-to-head comparison of laparoscopic colectomy and robotic colectomy, the majority of postoperative outcomes were equivalent, except for an increase in operative time and shorter length of stay in the robotic group. Robotic colectomy appears to be a safe option for minimally invasive colectomy, but additional studies are needed to elucidate whether it is cost-effective when compared with laparoscopic colectomy.

Colectomy for patients with super obesity: current practice and surgical morbidity in the United States.

While minimally invasive surgery contributed to improved outcomes in bariatric surgery, less is known about current utilization trends and outcomes related to surgical technique for colorectal resections in super-obese patients (body mass index ≥50 kg/m2). The aim of this study was to compare surgical modalities and short-term outcomes of patients with super obesity who underwent elective colectomy in the United States. A retrospective review was performed of patients with super obesity who underwent elective colectomy between 2012 to 2018 using the American College of Surgeons National Quality Improvement Program data pool. Patients were categorized into an open, laparoscopic, or robotic group. Baseline characteristics and perioperative outcomes including 30-day complications and length of stay were compared between the 3 groups. Furthermore, utilization trends of surgical modalities were assessed. Of 1199 patients, 338 (28.2%) had open, 735 (61.3%) laparoscopic, and 126 (10.5%) robotic colectomy during the study period, primarily for colon cancer (50.8%). Patients in the open group tended to have more baseline co-morbidities. Laparoscopic approach showed better risk-adjusted outcomes compared with open for postoperative ileus (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: .6, 95% confidence interval [CI; .383-.965]), overall medical complications (aOR: .4, 95%CI [.3-.8]), and length of stay (OR .6, 95% CI [.394-.968]). Trend utilization showed increasing utilization of the robotic platform over the study period, which was associated with less unplanned conversion to open (aOR .417, 95%CI [.199-.872]). Laparoscopic colectomy provides advantageous outcomes over open surgery for colectomy in super-obese patients. The robotic platform has been increasingly used over time, and potential benefits need to be further studied.

Frailer Patients Undergoing Robotic Colectomies for Colon Cancer Experience Increased Complication Rates Compared With Open or Laparoscopic Approaches.

Minimally invasive surgical techniques are routinely promoted as alternatives to open surgery because of improved outcomes. However, the impact of robotic surgery on certain subsets of the population, such as frail patients, is poorly understood. The purpose of our study was to examine the association between frailty and minimally invasive surgical approaches with colon cancer surgery. This is a retrospective study of prospectively collected outcomes data. Thirty-day surgical outcomes were compared by frailty and surgical approach using doubly robust multivariable logistic regression with propensity score weighting, and testing for interaction effects between frailty and surgical approach. Patients undergoing an open, laparoscopic, or robotic colectomy for primary colon cancer, 2012 to 2016, were identified from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Patients undergoing a colectomy with an operative indication for primary colon cancer were selected. The primary outcomes measured were 30-day postoperative complications. After propensity score weighting of patients undergoing colectomy, 33.8% (n = 27,649) underwent an open approach versus 34.3% (n = 28,058) underwent laparoscopic surgery versus 31.9% (n = 26,096) underwent robotic surgery. Robotic (OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.42-0.69, p < 0.001) and laparoscopic (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.52-0.66, p < 0.001) surgeries were independently associated with decreased rates of major complications. Frailer patients had increased complication rates (OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.07-2.25, p = 0.018). When considering the interaction effects between surgical approach and frailty, frailer patients undergoing robotic surgery were more likely to develop a major complication (combined adjusted OR, 3.15; 95% CI, 1.34-7.45, p = 0.009) compared with patients undergoing open surgery. Use of the modified Frailty Index as an associative proxy for frailty was a limitation of this study. Although minimally invasive surgical approaches have decreased postoperative complications, this effect may be reversed in frail patients. These findings challenge the belief that robotic surgery provides a favorable alternative to open surgery in frail patients. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B163. LOS PACIENTES MÁS FRÁGILES SOMETIDOS A COLECTOMÍA ROBÓTICA POR CÁNCER DE COLON EXPERIMENTAN MAYORES TASAS DE COMPLICACIONES EN COMPARACIÓN CON ABORDAJES LAPAROSCÓPICO O ABIERTO: Las técnicas quirúrgicas mínimamente invasivas estan frecuentement promovidas como alternativas a la cirugía abierta debido a sus mejores resultados. Sin embargo, el impacto de la cirugía robótica en ciertos subgrupos de población, como el caso de los pacientes endebles, es poco conocido.El propósito de nuestro estudio fue examinar la asociación entre la fragilidad de los pacientes y el aborgaje quirúrgico mínimamente invasivo para la cirugía de cáncer de colon.Estudio retrospectivo de datos de resultados recolectados prospectivamente. Los resultados quirúrgicos a 30 días se compararon entre fragilidad y abordaje quirúrgico utilizando la regresión logística multivariable doblemente robusta con ponderación de puntaje de propensión y pruebas de efectos de interacción entre fragilidad y abordaje quirúrgico.Los pacientes identificados en la base de datos del Programa Nacional de Mejora de la Calidad Quirúrgica del Colegio Estadounidense de Cirujanos, que fueron sometidos a una colectomía abierta, laparoscópica o robótica por cáncer de colon primario, de 2012 a 2016.Todos aquellos pacientes seleccionados con indicación quirúrgica de cáncer primario de colon que fueron sometidos a una colectomía.Las complicaciones postoperatorias a 30 días.Luego de ponderar el puntaje de propensión de los pacientes colectomizados, el 33.8% (n = 27,649) fué sometido a laparotomía versus el 34.3% (n = 28,058) operados por laparoscopía versus el 31.9% (n = 26,096) operados con tecnica robótica. Las cirugías robóticas (OR 0.53, IC 95% 0.42-0.69, p < 0.001) y laparoscópicas (OR 0.58, IC 95% 0.52-0.66, p < 0.001) se asociaron de forma independiente con una disminución de las tasas de complicaciones mayores. Los pacientes más delicados tenían mayores tasas de complicaciones (OR 1.56, IC 95% 1.07-2.25, p = 0.018). Al considerar los efectos de interacción entre el abordaje quirúrgico y la fragilidad, los pacientes más débiles sometidos a cirugía robótica tenían más probabilidades de desarrollar una complicación mayor (OR ajustado combinado 3.15, IC 95% 1.34-7.45, p = 0.009) en comparación con los pacientes sometidos a cirugía abierta.El uso del índice de fragilidad modificado como apoderado asociativo de la fragilidad.Si bien los abordajes quirúrgicos mínimamente invasivos han disminuido las complicaciones postoperatorias, este efecto puede revertirse en pacientes lábiles. Estos hallazgos desafían la creencia de que la cirugía robótica proporciona una alternativa favorable a la cirugía abierta en pacientes frágiles. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B163. (Traducción-Dr. Xavier Delgadillo).

A comparative analysis of outcomes of open, laparoscopic, and robotic elective (procto-) colectomies for benign and malignant disease.

Laparoscopy has emerged as a common alternative to the open approach for colorectal operations. Robotic surgery has many advantages, but cost and outcomes are an area of study. There are no randomized-controlled trials of all techniques. The present study evaluated a cohort of veterans undergoing (procto-) colectomy for benign or malignant colorectal disease. This is a single-institution retrospective review. We compared open, laparoscopic, and robotic colectomies. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. The secondary endpoints included morbidity, operative times, estimated blood loss (EBL), length of stay (LOS), conversion rate, and the learning curve (LC). Subgroup analyses were undertaken for: (1) right hemicolectomies (RHC) and (2) by specific surgeons most familiar with each approach. The cohort included 390 patients (men = 95%, White = 70.8%, BMI = 29.3 ± 6.4kg/m2, age = 63.7 ± 10.2years) undergoing (open = 117, laparoscopic = 168, and robotic = 105), colorectal operations for colorectal adenocarcinoma (52.8%) and benign disease. Thirty-day morbidity was similar across all techniques (open = 46.2%, laparoscopic = 42.9%, and robotic = 38.1%; NS). EBL and LOS were decreased with minimally invasive techniques compared to open. Operative time was longer in robotic, but equalized to laparoscopic after 90 cases. The learning curve was reduced to 20 when performed by the surgeon most familiar with the robot. EBL and operative time independently predicted complications for the entire cohort. The best technique for colorectal operations rests on the surgeon's experience, but minimally invasive techniques are gaining momentum over open colectomies. Robotic colectomy is emerging as a non-inferior approach to laparoscopy in terms of outcomes, while maintaining all its technical advantages.

Single-port robotic left colectomy: first clinical experience using the SP robot (rSILS).

The single-port daVinci robot is a new platform designed to facilitate single-incision surgeries. The objective of this study was to describe the first clinical experience in colorectal surgery using a novel single-port robotic system and report its feasibility and safety. After Institutional Review Board approval was obtained and the study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, we performed single port robot-assisted left colectomy using the novel daVinci SP surgical system on two patients. The surgeries were completed through a single incision. The multichannel port accommodates a three-dimensional articulating camera and three double-jointed articulating instruments. The primary aim of this study was to report, for the first time in the USA, the technical feasibility of the procedure in the living human. The secondary aim was to report the outcomes including blood loss, number of incisions, number of dockings, docking time of the robot, incision length, operative time, console time, need for additional port and instrumentation, intraoperative complications, morbidity and mortality, time for tolerating diet, bowel function, and discharge. Both surgeries were completed without conversion through a single incision, 4.0 and 4.5cm in size. Estimated blood loss was less than 60ml in both cases. The robot was docked two and three times. Mean time to dock was 13min (range 3-33min). There were no intraoperative complications, no morbidity or death. Discharges occurred on postoperative days 2 and 3. Single-port robotic colectomy using the new robot is feasible and can be safely completed. The overall utility and functionality of the SP robot portends wide utilization and expansion of this technique. Careful development and analysis of the procedure outcomes, training, and cost will be necessary to properly advance the field.

The use of intra-abdominal drain in minimally invasive right colectomy: a propensity score matched analysis on postoperative outcomes.

No evidences supporting or not the use of intra-abdominal drain (AD) in minimally invasive right colectomies have been published. This study aims to assess the outcomes on its use after robotic or laparoscopic right colectomies. This is a multicenter propensity score matched study including patients who underwent minimally invasive right colectomy with (AD group) or without (no-AD group) the use of AD between February 1, 2007, and January 31, 2018. AD patients were matched to no-AD patients in a 1:1 ratio. Main outcomes were postoperative morbidity and mortality and anastomotic leak. A total of 653 patients were included. Of 149 (22.8%) no-AD patients, 124 could be matched. The rate of postoperative complications (AD n= 26, 21% vs. no-AD n= 26, 21%; p= 1.000), mortality (AD n= 2, 1.6% vs. no-AD n= 1, 0.8%; p= 1.000), anastomotic leak (AD n= 2, 1.6% vs. no-AD n= 5, 4.0%; p= 0.453), and wound infection (AD n= 9, 7.3% vs. no-AD n= 6, 4.8%; p= 0.581) did not significantly differ between the groups. Time to oral feeding was significantly shorter in the no-AD group [2 (1-3) vs. 3 (2-3), p= 0.0001]. The median length of hospital stay was 8 (IQR 7-9) in the AD group while it was 6 (IQR 5-9) in the no-AD group (p= 0.010). In conclusion, the use of AD after minimally invasive right colectomies has no influence on postoperative morbidity and mortality rates.

Perioperative Outcomes and Trends in the Use of Robotic Colectomy for Medicare Beneficiaries From 2010 Through 2016

The use of robotic surgery for common operations like colectomy is increasing rapidly in the United States, but evidence for its effectiveness is limited and may not reflect real-world practice. To evaluate outcomes of and trends in the use of robotic, laparoscopic, and open colectomy across diverse practice settings. This population-based study of Medicare beneficiaries undergoing elective colectomy was conducted between January 2010 and December 2016. We used an instrumental variable analysis to account for both measured and unmeasured differences in patient characteristics between robotic, open, and laparoscopic colectomy procedures. Data were analyzed from January 21, 2019, to March 1, 2019. Receipt of robotic colectomy. Incidence of postoperative medical and surgical complications and length of stay. A total of 191 292 procedures (23 022 robotic procedures [12.0%], 87 639 open procedures [45.8%], and 80 631 laparoscopic colectomy procedures [42.0%]) were included. Robotic colectomy was associated with a lower adjusted rate of overall complications than open colectomy (17.6% [95% CI, 16.9%-18.2%] vs 18.6% [95% CI, 18.4%-18.7%]; relative risk [RR], 0.94 [95% CI, 0.91-0.98]). This difference was driven by lower rates of medical complications (15.5% [95% CI, 14.8%-16.2%] vs 16.9% [95% CI, 16.7%-17.1%]; RR, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.87-0.96]) because surgical complications were higher with the robotic approach (3.0% [95% CI, 2.8%-3.2%] vs 2.4% [95% CI, 2.3%-2.5%]; RR, 1.18 [95% CI, 1.04-1.35]). There were no differences in complications between robotic and laparoscopic colectomy (11.1% [95% CI, 10.5%-11.6%] vs 11.0% [95% CI, 10.8%-11.2%]; RR, 1.00 [95% CI, 0.95-1.05]). There was an overall shift toward greater proportional use of robotic colectomy from 0.7% (457 of 65 332 patients) in 2010 to 10.9% (8274 of 75 909 patients) in 2016. In hospitals with the highest adoption of robotic colectomy between 2010 and 2016, increasing use of robotic colectomy (0.8% [100 of 12 522 patients] to 32.8% [5416 of 16 511 patients]) was associated with a greater replacement of laparoscopic operations (43.8% [5485 of 12 522 patients] to 25.2% [4161 of 16 511 patients]) than open operations (55.4% [6937 of 12 522 patients] to 41.9% [6918 of 16 511 patients]). While robotic colectomy was associated with minimal safety benefit over open colectomy and had comparable outcomes with laparoscopic colectomy, population-based trends suggest that it replaced a greater proportion of laparoscopic rather than open colectomy, especially in hospitals with the highest adoption of robotics.

Predictors and Consequences of Unplanned Conversion to Open during Robotic Colectomy: An American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Project (NSQIP) Database Analysis

Vossler, John D. MD, MS, MBA; Yim, Nicholas H. BA; Harbison, Gregory J. MS; Murayama, Kenric M. MD, FACS Author Information

A standardized suprapubic bottom-to-up approach in robotic right colectomy: technical and oncological advances for complete mesocolic excision (CME)

BackroundSeveral studies have demonstrated a direct correlation between lymph node yield and survival after colectomy for cancer. Complete mesocolic excision (CME) in right colectomy (RC) reduces local recurrence but is technically demanding. Here we report our early single center experience with robotic right colectomy comparing our standardized bottom-to-up (BTU) approach of robotic RC with CME and central vessel ligation (CVL) facilitated by a suprapubic access with the “classical” medial-to-lateral (MTL) strategy.MethodsA 4-step BTU approach of robotic RC guided by embryonal planes in the process of retrocolic mobilization with suprapubic port placement was performed in the BTU-group (n = 24; all with intention to treat cancer). In step 1 CME was initiated with caudolateral mobilization of the right colon guided by the fascia of Toldt across the duodenum and up to the Trunk of Henle. Subsequently, dissection was performed BTU right of the middle supramesenteric vessels with central ileocolic vessel ligation in step 2. Subsequent to separation of the transverse retromesenteric space and completion of mobilization the hepatic flexure in step 3, the transverse mesocolon was then transected right of the middle colic vessels in step 4. An extracorporeal side to side anastomosis was performed. We compared the outcome of the BTU-group with a MTL-group (n = 7).ResultsPatient characteristics like age, gender, BMI, comorbidity (ASA) and M-status were comparable among groups. There was no conversion. Overall complication rate was 35.5%. We experienced no anastomoses insufficiency, grade Dindo/Clavien III/IV complication or mortality in this study. Type I and II complications and surgical characteristics incl. OR-time, ICU- and hospital-stay were comparable between the two groups. However, the lymph node yield was superior in the BTU-group (mean 40.2 ± 17.1) when compared with the MTL-group (16,3 nodes ±8.5; p < 0,001).ConclusionsCompared to the classical MTL approach, robotic suprapubic BTU RC changes from a search of the layers bordering the oncological dissection to a consequent utilization of the planes as a retro-mesocolic guide during CME. The BTU strategy could bear the potential to increase the lymph node yield. Robotic systems may provide the technical requirements to combine advantages of both open and minimally invasive RC.

Superior Mesenteric Vein-First Approach to Robotic Complete Mesocolic Excision for Right Colectomy: Technique and Preliminary Outcomes.

There is growing evidence supporting complete mesocolic excision as the optimal surgical approach for right-sided colon cancer to improve oncologic outcomes in comparison with conventional surgical resection. Although the feasibility of a minimally invasive approach to complete mesocolic excision has been reported, obesity has been associated with increased difficulty for finding the correct plane for dissection and delineating the vascular anatomy. We describe a novel approach with early identification of and dissection along the superior mesenteric vein during robotic complete mesocolic excision surgery, for all patients, regardless of BMI. The dissection is initiated with identification of the superior mesenteric vein as the starting point. Then, the vascular dissection is performed along the anterior superior mesenteric vein plane while observing complete mesocolic excision principles. The anterior superior mesenteric vein plane is an optimal and safe dissection plane because there are no anterior tributaries. The ileocolic vein and artery are ligated separately at their junction with the superior mesenteric vein and superior mesenteric artery. The dissection is then continued cephalad along the superior mesenteric vein, identifying additional colic arteries, including the middle colic arterial trunk as well as the venous tributaries to the superior mesenteric vein such as the gastrocolic trunk. The superior right colic vein is then ligated at the gastrocolic confluence and the middle colic vessels are ligated. After the vascular dissection is completed, the colon is then mobilized. A total of 66 patients received the "superior mesenteric vein-first" approach for robotic colectomy between 2013 and 2018, including 40.9% patients with BMI >30 kg/m. Median lymph node yield was 32 (interquartile range, 25-40). The median distance to the high vascular tie was 12 cm (interquartile range, 7-19). Median estimated blood loss was 33 mL (interquartile range, 25-50). Overall rate of grade ≥3 complications was 3.0%. Using the superior mesenteric vein-first approach, robotic complete mesocolic excision for right colectomy can be performed on patients with high or low BMI with excellent short-term oncologic outcomes and acceptable morbidity. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A960.

937 – Robotic Colectomy Outcomes Have Improved Over Time: An American College of Surgeons Nsqip Database Analysis

937 – Robotic Colectomy Outcomes Have Improved Over Time: An American College of Surgeons Nsqip Database Analysis