Laparoscopic assisted radical cystoprostatectomy with Y-shaped orthotopic ileal neobladder constructed with non-absorbable titanium staples through a 5 cm Pfannensteil incision

INTRODUCTION: We performed a laparoscopic radical cystoprostatectomy followed by constructing a Y-shaped reservoir extra-corporeally with titanium staples through a 5-cm muscle-splitting Pfannenstiel incision. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Upon completion of the extirpative part of the operation, the surgical specimen was entrapped and removed intact through a 5-cm Pfannenstiel incision. Through the extraction incision, the distal ileum was identified and a 40 cm segment isolated. With the aid of the laparoscope, the ureters were brought outside the abdominal cavity and freshened and spatulated for approximately 1.5-cm. Bilateral double J ureteral stents were then inserted up to the renal pelvis and the ureters were directly anastomosed to the open ends of the limbs of the neobladder. Following this, the isolated intestinal segment was arranged in a Y shape with two central segments of 14 cm and two limbs of 6 cm. The two central segments were brought together and detubularized, with two sequential firings of 80 x 3.5 mm and 60 x 3.5 mm non-absorbable mechanical stapler (Multifire GIA - US Surgical) inserted through an opening made at the lowest point of the neobladder on its anti-mesenteric border. The neobladder was reinserted inside the abdominal cavity and anastomosed to the urethra with intracorporeal laparoscopic free-hand suturing. CONCLUSION: Although this procedure is feasible and the preliminary results encouraging, continued surveillance is necessary to determine the lithiasis-inducing potential of these titanium staples within the urinary tract.

The boatman's knot: a new option for renal hilum ligation during laparoscopic nephrectomy

OBJETIVO: Os autores apresentam e descrevem uma adaptação original para o uso do nó de barqueiro na ligadura da veia renal durante a nefrectomia laparoscópica. O procedimento pode substituir a necessidade da sutura mecânica endovascular, considerada o tratamento padrão, mas não disponível em muitas instituições no Brasil. Este nó é tembém conhecidocomo "nó de porco" em várias fazendas no Brasil. MÉTODOS: Quatorze nefrectomias laparoscópicas foram realizadas pou um único cirurgião utilizando a técnica padrão em sete porcas. A veia e a artéria renal foram ligadas utilizando o "nó de barqueiro" como o único método de hemostasia. Dois nós foram colocados tanto na artéria quanto na veia renal, um deles proximal e o outro distal, e os vasos seccionados entre os nós. Esta técnica é baseada a confecção intra-corpórea de duas alças pela mão direito com um par de pinças, com o auxílio da mão esquerda. Após a secção dos vasos, as condições da hemostasia foram observadas. RESULTADOS: Todas as nefrectomias laparoscópicas foram realizadas com sucesso. O "nó de barqueiro" foi realizado pelo mesmo cirurgião sem complicações nem dificuldades, obtendohemostasia completa em todos os casos como técnica única. CONCLUSÃO: O nó de barqueiro é uma técnica factível e segura para o controle do hilo renal durante a nefrectomia laparoscópica em porcos. Entretanto, a eficácia e segurança desta técnica deve ser avaliada por outros cirurgiões antes da recomendadção do emprego na prática clínica.

Telerobotic-assisted laparoscopic operation performed at a remote site: initial experience

Robotic surgery is an option to laparoscopy that may offer some benefits including the possibility of performing surgery when the surgeon is geographically away from the patient and faster tireless repetitive movements with greater precision. At present, robot-assisted surgery has been done routinely in several institutions around the world, however, to the best of our knowledge, it is the first time such procedure is performed in our academic environment and herein is reported the first telerobotic-assisted laparoscopic cystectomy performed in a domestic pig at our institution using the Zeus® robotic system (Computer Motion, EUA). The procedure was performed using two different operating rooms geographically apart from each other. The assistant was in an operating room that was set with the operating table and the pig as well as with the Zeus® robotic arms. In the other operating room, the surgeon was seated in the control console with a three-dimensional imaging five meters away from the operating table connected with electric cables. The assistant surgeon established the pneumoperitoneum and five trocars were placed in a fan configuration. The surgeon started performing the surgery using three out of the five ports taking control of the laparoscope (voice control) and manual control of laparoscopic instruments connected to the robotic arms using the joysticks. The other two ports were used by the assistant for traction and clips placement that was also necessary for exchanging the many laparoscopic instruments connected to the robot. The laparoscopic total cystectomy was successfully performed in 25 minutes with no complications. The truly benefits as well as the cost-effectiveness of the robotic surgery in our environment is yet to be determined after experience acquisition with telerobotic before start performing such procedures routinely in humans. The present report shows the technical feasibility of telerobotic surgery in a developing country.