Robotic Morgagni's hernia repair in adults - A single centre experience.

BACKGROUND: This study was aimed at reporting the surgical outcomes and evaluating the safety and feasibility of robotic repair of Morgagni's repair in adults. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of seven cases of Morgagni's hernia in adults, managed by robotic method in a tertiary-level thoracic surgery centre over 9 years. A detailed analysis of all perioperative variables including complications was carried out. RESULTS: A total of seven patients underwent Robotic Morgagni's hernia repair during the study period. Males (71.4%) were predominant in the patient cohort. Median age group was 33 years (range: 28-78 years). All patients were pre-obese with median body mass index of 29.4 (range: 27.5-29.9). All patients underwent robotic-assisted hernia repair with no conversions. Omentum was the most common hernial content (100%). In all cases, the defect was reinforced with a composite mesh. Median operative time was 140 min (range: 120-160). Median hospital stay of 3 days (range: 2-4 days). No post-procedural complications. All the patients had complete resolution of presenting symptoms. No recurrence was noted in the median follow-up period of 32 months (range: 6-78 months). CONCLUSION: Robotic-assisted surgical repair of Morgagni's hernia in adults is safe, feasible and effective. However, studies with larger sample size and multi-institutional collaboration are recommended for further conclusions.

Effect of Multimodal Prehabilitation on Reducing Postoperative Complications and Enhancing Functional Capacity Following Colorectal Cancer Surgery: The PREHAB Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Colorectal surgery is associated with substantial morbidity rates and a lowered functional capacity. Optimization of the patient's condition in the weeks prior to surgery may attenuate these unfavorable sequelae. Objective: To determine whether multimodal prehabilitation before colorectal cancer surgery can reduce postoperative complications and enhance functional recovery. Design, Setting, and Participants: The PREHAB randomized clinical trial was an international, multicenter trial conducted in teaching hospitals with implemented enhanced recovery after surgery programs. Adult patients with nonmetastasized colorectal cancer were assessed for eligibility and randomized to either prehabilitation or standard care. Both arms received standard perioperative care. Patients were enrolled from June 2017 to December 2020, and follow-up was completed in December 2021. However, this trial was prematurely stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Interventions: The 4-week in-hospital supervised multimodal prehabilitation program consisted of a high-intensity exercise program 3 times per week, a nutritional intervention, psychological support, and a smoking cessation program when needed. Main Outcomes and Measures: Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI) score, number of patients with CCI score more than 20, and improved walking capacity expressed as the 6-minute walking distance 4 weeks postoperatively. Results: In the intention-to-treat population of 251 participants (median [IQR] age, 69 [60-76] years; 138 [55%] male), 206 (82%) had tumors located in the colon and 234 (93%) underwent laparoscopic- or robotic-assisted surgery. The number of severe complications (CCI score >20) was significantly lower favoring prehabilitation compared with standard care (21 of 123 [17.1%] vs 38 of 128 [29.7%]; odds ratio, 0.47 [95% CI, 0.26-0.87]; P = .02). Participants in prehabilitation encountered fewer medical complications (eg, respiratory) compared with participants receiving standard care (19 of 123 [15.4%] vs 35 of 128 [27.3%]; odds ratio, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.26-0.89]; P = .02). Four weeks after surgery, 6-minute walking distance did not differ significantly between groups when compared with baseline (mean difference prehabilitation vs standard care 15.6 m [95% CI, -1.4 to 32.6]; P = .07). Secondary parameters of functional capacity in the postoperative period generally favored prehabilitation compared with standard care. Conclusions and Relevance: This PREHAB trial demonstrates the benefit of a multimodal prehabilitation program before colorectal cancer surgery as reflected by fewer severe and medical complications postoperatively and an optimized postoperative recovery compared with standard care. Trial Registration: trialregister.nl Identifier: NTR5947.

Chyle Leak After Robotic Living Donor Nephrectomy: Literature Review And Management.

Chyle leak after living donor nephrectomy is a rare complication and is associated with a significant postoperative burden. To the best of our knowledge, only 1 case of chyle leak after robotic living donor nephrectomy has been reported in the literature. In this study, we present our experience with 2 cases of chyle leak: 1 after and 1 during robotic donor nephrectomy. We discuss previously published studies and man - agement options of chyle leak in kidney donors.

Safety of uro-oncology practice and robot-assisted surgery during the peak of COVID-19 pandemic: A report from India.

Aim: The pandemic by novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the biggest threat to global health care. Routine care of cancer patients is affected the most. Our institute, situated in Mumbai, declared as the hotspot of COVID-19 in India, continued to cater to the needs of cancer patients. We did an observational study to review the experience of managing uro-oncology patients and who underwent either open, endoscopic, or robot-assisted surgery for urological malignancy. Materials and Methods: During the peak of COVID-19 pandemic from March 21, 2020, to June 21, 2020, all the uro-oncology cases managed in our tertiary care hospital were analyzed. Teleconsultation was started for follow-up patients. All patients requiring surgery underwent reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for COVID-19. Institutional protocol was formulated based on existing international guidelines for patient management. Adequate personal protection and hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis were provided to health-care professionals. Results: During the study period, 417 outpatient consultations were made. Forty-nine patients underwent surgery for different urological malignancies. Majority of the surgeries were robot-assisted surgeries (59.2%, 29 patients), followed by endoscopic procedures (28.5%, 14 patients) and few open procedures (10.2%, five patients). Most of our patients were elderly males (mean, 62.5 years). With a median follow-up of 55 days (interquartile range, 32-77), there was no report of COVID-19 infection in any patient or health-care provider. Conclusions: We can continue treating needy cancer patients with minimal risk by taking all precautions. Our initial experience of managing uro-oncology cases during this pandemic is encouraging. Robotic surgeries can be safely performed.

Robotic Repair of Complicated Vesico-[utero]/Cervicovaginal Fistula after Cesarean Section.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate intra- and postoperative steps in a successful management of a complicated vesico-[utero]/cervicovaginal fistula. DESIGN: Stepwise demonstration of the technique with narrated video footage. SETTING: A urogenital fistula in developed countries mostly occurs after gynecologic surgeries but rarely from obstetric complications. The main treatment of a urogenital fistula is either transvaginal or transabdominal surgical repair. We present a case of a 36-year-old woman, gravida 3 para 3-0-0-3, who developed a complicated large vesico-[utero]/cervicovaginal fistula after an emergent repeat cesarean section. Robotic repair was performed 2 months after the injury using the modified O'Connor method. Blood loss was minimal, and the patient was discharged from the hospital 1 day postoperatively. Follow-up showed complete healing of the fistula with no urine leakage, frequency of urination, or dyspareunia. The patient resumed normal bladder function and menstrual period up to 4 months after the repair procedure. INTERVENTIONS: The basic surgical principle of urogenital fistula repair is demonstrated: (1) development of vesicovaginal spaces by dissection of the bladder from the uterus and the vagina, (2) meticulous hemostasis, (3) adequate freshened of the fistula edges, (4) tension-free and watertight closure of the bladder. We also demonstrate some other techniques that have developed though our own practice: (1) facilitating bladder distention by temporarily blocking the fistula, (2) placement of a ureteral catheter to protect the ureters, (3) interposition with omental flap, (4) single layer through and through closure of a cystotomy with 2-0 V-Loc suture (Covidien, Irvington, NJ). CONCLUSION: Complicated urogenital fistulas may be repaired successfully using minimally invasive surgery using robotic assistance, enabling less blood loss, faster recovery, shorter hospital stay, and fewer complications, etc.

Minimizing Contagion Risks of COVID-19 During Transoral Robotic Surgery.

In this communication, we would like to share our experience in managing TORS patients during COVID-19 pandemic. Laryngoscope, 130:2593-2594, 2020.

A critical review of the safety of minimally invasive surgery in the era of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected surgical practice around the world. While several abdominal emergencies can be managed effectively and safely using minimally invasive surgery (MIS), the safety of using MIS amid the COVID-19 pandemic has been debated. MIS, including laparoscopy and robotic surgery, is considered an aerosol-generating procedure and some recent research demonstrated possible spread of the virus through aerosol. This review assessed the available evidence on the safety of MIS in the COVID-19 era, explored the possible precautions to be taken when using MIS to prevent exposure of the operating team to infection, and highlighted the recommendations of several surgical societies in this regard. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Electronic databases, Google Scholar, and pre-print archives were searched for evidence on airborne transmission of COVID-19 and the safety of MIS amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations of recognized surgical societies were also searched. The available evidence was summarized in a narrative manner. RESULTS: Limited data on the possibility of airborne transmission of COVID-19 were found. The studies that reported on the presence of the SARS-COV-2 in the air samples of patients with COVID-19 had conflicting results. Several precautions to minimize the presumed risk of exposure of the operation room staff to COVID-19 were devised. CONCLUSION: According to the available evidence and recommendations of different surgical societies, MIS may be used in the treatment of acute abdominal emergency. However, considerable caution should be taken to avoid the presumed risk of aerosolization of the virus particles during the procedure, which may expose the operating staff to the risk of COVID-19.