Guideline Implementation: Minimally Invasive Surgery, Part 1.

Since its inception in the early 1990s, technological developments have made minimally invasive surgery the preferred approach for many operative procedures. However, perioperative personnel have had to develop new skills and techniques to manage this technology. The advent of robotic-assisted procedures in the early 2000s added another level of complexity to the perioperative arena. The updated AORN "Guideline for minimally invasive surgery" provides guidance for creating a safe environment for patients undergoing a wide range of procedures in which complex, advanced equipment and techniques are used. This article focuses on key points of the guideline that address OR configuration for minimally invasive surgery, safe practices for robotic-assisted procedures, and reducing risks associated with gas insufflation media. Perioperative RNs should review the complete guideline for additional information and for guidance when writing and updating policies and procedures.

The surgical treatment of type II diabetes mellitus: changes in HOMA Insulin resistance in the first year following laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB).

BACKGROUND: Bariatric operations significantly improve glucose metabolism, decrease insulin resistance, and lead to clinical resolution of type II diabetes mellitus in many patients. The mechanisms that achieve these clinical outcomes, however, remain ill defined. Moreover, the relative impact of various operations on insulin resistance remains vigorously contested. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to compare directly the impact of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) on hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and insulin resistance in comparable groups of morbidly obese patients. METHODS: Data were entered prospectively into our bariatric surgery database and reviewed retrospectively. Patients selected operations. Principle outcome variables were percent excess weight loss (%EWL), HbA1c, and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA IR). RESULTS: The number of follow-up visits for 111 LAGB patients was 263 with a median of 162 days (17-1,016) and 291 follow-up visits for 104 LRYGB patients for a median of 150 days (8-1,191). Preoperative height, weight, body mass index, age, sex, race, comorbidities, fasting glucose, insulin, HbA1c, and HOMA IR were similar for both groups. In particular, the number of patients who were diabetics and those receiving insulin and other hypoglycemic agents were similar among the two groups. The LAGB patients lost significantly less weight than the LRYGB patients (24.6% compared to 44.0% EWL). LAGB reduced HbA1c from 5.8% (2-13.8) to 5.6% (0.3-12.3). LRYGB reduced HbA1c from 5.9% (2.0-12.3) to 5.4% (0.1-9.8). LAGB reduced HOMA IR from 3.6 (0.8-39.2) to 2.3 (0-55) and LRYGB reduced HOMA IR from 4.4 (0.6-56.5) to 1.4 (0.3-15.2). Postoperative HOMA IR correlated best with %EWL. Indeed, regression equations were essentially identical for LAGB and LRYGB for drop in %EWL versus postoperative HOMA IR. CONCLUSION: Percent excess weight loss significantly predicts postoperative insulin resistance (HOMA IR) during the first year following both LRYGB and LAGB.

Bariatric surgery: low mortality at a high-volume center.

BACKGROUND: The American Society of Bariatric Surgery has initiated a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence Program and the American College of Surgeons has followed with their Bariatric Surgery Center Network Accreditation Program. These programs postulate that concentration of weight loss operations in high-volume centers will decrease surgical mortality and improve outcomes. METHODS: The purpose of this study was to calculate the in-hospital mortality for bariatric operations accomplished at the highest volume bariatric surgery center in the state of New Jersey. After receiving Institutional Revew Board approval, the revised surgical schedule was used to identify all patients undergoing weight loss surgery (WLS) at Hackensack University Medical Center from 1998 through June, 2006. Data for these patients were then harvested from the hospital's electronic medical record. Step-wise and univariate logistic regression analysis tested the impact of various factors on hospital length of stay and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Between 1998 and June, 2006, 5,365 patients underwent WLS surgery: 2,099 open vertical banded gastroplasty-Roux en Y gastric bypass (VBG-RYGB); 2,177 laparoscopic Roux en Y gastric bypass (LRYGB); and 1,089 laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). 75.5% of patients were women. Median age was 41 years old (13-79), median weight 128 kg (81.2-290.3), and median body mass index 46.1 kg/m2 (35.0-92.6). Median total operating room time for VBG-RYGB was 115 min (33-328); LRYGB 155 min (53-493), and LAGB 92 min (33-274). Median length of stay for VBG-RYGB was 3 days (1-39 days), LRYGB 2 days (1-46 days), and LAGB 1 day (1-20). Seven patients died in hospital after the 5,365 WLS operations (0.13%): four after VBG-RYGB (0.19%); three after LRYGB (0.14%); and none after LAGB (0%). The characteristics of the patients who died did not significantly differ from the group as a whole. CONCLUSION: Surgeons at Hackensack University Medical Center, a high volume, accredited 1A American College of Surgeons Bariatric Surgery Center, achieved a 0.13% mortality among 5,365 patients undergoing weight loss operations between 1998 and June, 2006. This study supports the concept that high-volume centers perform bariatric operations with low mortalities.

Short-term outcomes for super-super obese (BMI > or =60 kg/m2) patients undergoing weight loss surgery at a high-volume bariatric surgery center: laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, laparoscopic gastric bypass, and open tubular gastric bypass.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported significantly longer operating room times and a trend toward increased complications and mortality in the super-super obese (body mass index [BMI] > or =60 kg/m(2)) early in our experience with laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The goal of this study was to re-examine the short-term outcomes for super-super obese patients undergoing weight loss surgery at our high-volume bariatric surgery center well beyond our learning curve. METHODS: The records for all patients who had undergone weight loss surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center from 2002 to June 2006 were harvested from the hospital's electronic medical database. This population was analyzed as 2 groups (those with a BMI <60 kg/m(2) and those with a BMI > or =60 kg/m(2)), as well as by type of operation. Step-wise and univariate logistic regression analyses assessed the effect of BMI on the outcome variables, including mortality, length of surgery, length of hospital stay, and disposition at discharge. RESULTS: A total of 3692 patients were studied. Of these patients, 3401 had a BMI <60 kg/m(2) and 291 had a BMI > or =60 kg/m(2). Of the 291 super-super obese patients, 130 underwent vertical banded gastroplasty-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, 116 laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, and 45 laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. The proportion of male patients, black patients, and patients with sleep apnea was increased in the BMI > or =60 kg/m(2) group. The number of co-morbid diseases per patient correlated with age but not BMI. The BMI > or =60 kg/m(2) group required a significantly longer total operating room time (136 versus 120 min). Hospital length of stay was significantly longer only in the laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients (3 d for the BMI > or =60 kg/m(2) group versus 2 d for the BMI <60 kg/m(2) group). A significantly greater percentage of patients in the super-super obese group were discharged to chronic care facilities. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 0.15% (5 of 3692) but did not significantly differ between the 2 groups: BMI <60 kg/m(2), rate of 0.12% (4 of 3401 patients), and BMI > or =60 kg/m(2), rate of 0.34% (1 of 291 patients). The type of operation did not significantly affect the disposition at discharge or in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: Super-super obese patients required longer total operating room times, a longer hospital length of stay, and were more likely to be discharged to chronic care facilities than were patients with a BMI <60 kg/m(2); however, the in-hospital mortality was similar for both groups.

30-day readmission rates at a high volume bariatric surgery center: laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, laparoscopic gastric bypass, and vertical banded gastroplasty-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies suggest that weight loss operations may actually increase the costs to society due to increased hospital readmission rates. The purpose of this study was to determine the 30-day readmission rates following bariatric operations at a high volume bariatric surgery program. METHODS: Records for all patients undergoing bariatric operations during a 3-year period were harvested from the hospital electronic medical database. All hospital readmissions within 30 days of surgery were reviewed to determine the cause, demographics, and patient characteristics. Logistic regression analysis assessed the impact of various factors on the risk of readmission. RESULTS: 2,823 consecutive patients were identified using the corrected operative log. Of these patients, 165 (5.8%) patients required 184 (6.5%) readmissions within 30 days of their index bariatric operation. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) had the lowest patient readmission rate of 3.1%; vertical banded gastroplasty-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (VBG-RYGBP) 6.8% and Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) 7.3%. Technical considerations were the most common cause for readmission (41% of readmissions). White race and undergoing LAGB decreased the odds for readmission, while total operating-room time >120 minutes, initial hospital stay of >3 days and deep venous thrombosis increased the odds for readmission. CONCLUSION: This study found an overall 30-day readmission rate of 6.5% following bariatric operations at a high volume bariatric surgery program. This study supports the concept of bariatric surgery Centers of Excellence and accreditation of Bariatric Surgery Programs based on hospital volume of bariatric operations.

Telerobotic-assisted laparoscopic right hemicolectomy: lateral to medial or medial to lateral dissection?

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that telerobotic-assisted laparoscopic colectomy was feasible and could be accomplished safely. Nonetheless, we found that the current iteration of da Vinci was not well suited to a lateral to medial (LtM) dissection of the colonic mesentery. The motion scaling made the large excursion arcs required for adequate exposure in a LtM dissection cumbersome to achieve. AIM: As a result, the aim of this study was to compare the ability of the da Vinci telerobotic surgical system to perform telerobotic-assisted laparoscopic right hemicolectomy using a LtM dissection with a medial to lateral (MtL) dissection technique. METHODS: We compared 8 consecutive da Vinci-assisted laparoscopic right hemicolectomies performed using a LtM dissection to 8 consecutive operations using a MtL dissection technique. Results were compared using analysis of variance. RESULTS: Age for the 2 groups were not significantly different: LtM 64 (43 to 71) years and MtL 56 (39 to 68) years. Body mass index was similar: LtM 27 (22 to 34) and MtL 25 (20 to 32) kg/m. Total surgical time (including cystoscopy and intraoperative colonoscopy) were similar: LtM 212 (188 to 610) minutes and MtL 203 (135 to 220) minutes. There was no significant difference in lymph node harvest: LtM 12 (3 to 20) lymph nodes and MtL 18 (3 to 35) lymph nodes. There were no deaths or anastomotic leaks in either groups. Median length of stay was similar for both groups: LtM 5 (3 to 10) days and MtL 4 (2 to 9) days. CONCLUSIONS: da Vinci-assisted laparoscopic right hemicolectomy using a MtL dissection technique achieves similar outcomes as a LtM dissection approach.

The learning curve measured by operating times for laparoscopic and open gastric bypass: roles of surgeon's experience, institutional experience, body mass index and fellowship training.

BACKGROUND: Surgeons must overcome a substantial learning curve before mastering laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP). This learning curve can be defined in terms of mortality, morbidity or length of surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the learning curves in terms of surgical time for the first 3 surgeons performing LRYGBP in our hospital with the length of surgery for open gastric bypass (CONTROLS). METHODS: We compared 494 primary LRYGBPs performed by 3 surgeons (393 by 1st SURGEON, 57 by 2nd SURGEON and 44 by 3rd SURGEON) to 159 open vertical banded gastroplasty-Roux-en-Y gastric bypasses (CONTROLS). Data for LRYGBP patients were prospectively obtained. Factors that significantly affected the length of surgery were identified by univariate and multivariate linear regression analysis. RESULTS: LRYGBP and CONTROL patients were similar in age, height, weight and BMI, although more CONTROLS were male. Median time for the 1st SURGEON performing LRYGBP dropped for each subsequent 100 operations: 1st 100 - 190 min, 2nd 100 - 135 min, 3rd 100 - 110 min and 4th 100 - 100 min. Median time for 2nd SURGEON performing LRYGBP was 120 min, 3rd SURGEON 173 min and CONTROLS 64 min. Length of surgery significantly correlated with surgical experience in terms of numbers of operations and BMI of patient. Times for 2nd SURGEON, a fellowship trained laparoscopic surgeon, started significantly faster than 1st SURGEON's, but did not significantly improve with experience. 3rd SURGEON's initial times were similar to 1st SURGEON's, but his times improved more rapidly with experience. Times for CONTROLS were significantly faster than all laparoscopic groups and did not correlate with operation number or patient BMI. CONCLUSIONS: The length of surgery for LRYGBPs continued to shorten beyond 400 operations for the first surgeon performing LRYGBP in our hospital. Previous fellowship training in LRYGBP shortened surgical times during initial clinical experience as an attending for the second surgeon. The learning curve was truncated because of the already established LRYGBP program.

Patient characteristics impacting excess weight loss following laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.

BACKGROUND: Weight loss is more variable after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) than after gastric bypass. Subgroup analysis of patients may offer insight into this variability. The aim of our study was to identify preoperative factors that predict outcome. METHODS: Demographics, co-morbid conditions and follow-up weight were collected for our 1st 200 LapBand patients. Linear regression determined average %EWL. Logistic regression analysis identified factors that impacted %EWL. RESULT: 200 patients returned for 778 follow-up visits. Median age was 44 years (21-72) and median BMI 45 kg/m2 (31-76). 140 (80%) were women. Average %EWL was y % = 0.007 %/day (days since surgery) + 0.12% (correlation coef. 0.4823; P<0.001). %EWL at 1 year was 37%. The best-fit logistic regression model found 7 factors that significantly changed the odds of achieving average %EWL. Older patients, diabetic patients and patients with COPD had greater odds of above average %EWL. Female patients, patients with larger BMIs, asthmatic patients and patients with hypertension had increased odds of below average %EWL. CONCLUSION: Specific patient characteristics and comorbid conditions significantly altered the odds of achieving satisfactory %EWL following gastric banding.

Predictors of prolonged hospital stay following open and laparoscopic gastric bypass for morbid obesity: body mass index, length of surgery, sleep apnea, asthma, and the metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The number of weight reduction operations performed for type II and type III obesity is rapidly escalating. Risk of surgery has been infrequently stratified for patient subgroups. The purpose of this study was to identify patient characteristics that increased the odds of a prolonged hospital length of stay (LOS) following open or laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP). METHODS: The hospital records of 311 patients who underwent RYGBP in a 6-month period were retrospectively reviewed. Patient characteristics including the presence of significant obesity-related medical conditions were recorded. Analysis was based on intent to treat. Univariate and step-wise logistic regression analysis was used to identify the odds ratio (OR) and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for predictors of an increased hospital LOS. RESULTS: Datasets for 311 patients were complete.159 patients underwent open vertical banded gastro-plasty-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (VBG-RYGBP) and152 laparoscopic RYGBP (LRYGBP). 78% of patients were female. Median age was 40 years (range 18-68). Median BMI was 49 kg/m2 (range 35-82). 17% of patients had sleep apnea, 18% asthma, 19% type 2 diabetes, 13% hypercholesterolemia and 44% hypertension. Median length of surgery for open VBG-RYGBP (64 minutes) was significantly faster than forLRYGBP (105 minutes). Median length of stay was significantly shorter for LRYGBP (2 days) than openVBG-RYGBP (3 days). Univariate logistic regression analysis identified 6 predictors of increased LOS:open surgery (0.4 OR); increasing BMI (60 kg/m2 0.38 OR; BMI 70 kg/m2 0.53 OR); increasing length of surgery (120 min 0.33 OR; 180 min 0.48 OR); sleep apnea (2.25 OR); asthma (3.73 OR); and hypercholesterolemia (3.73 OR). Subset analysis identified patients with the greatest odds for a prolonged hospital stay: women with asthma (2.47 AOR) or coronary artery disease (8.65 AOR); men with sleep apnea (5.54 OR) or the metabolic syndrome (6.67-10.20 OR); and patients undergoing a laparoscopic operation with sleep apnea (11.53 AOR) or coronary artery disease(12.15 AOR). CONCLUSIONS: Open surgery, BMI, length of surgery,sleep apnea, asthma and hypercholesterolemia all increased the odds of a prolonged LOS. Patients with the greatest odds of long LOS were women with asthma or coronary disease, men with sleep apnea or the metabolic syndrome, and patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery with sleep apnea or coronary artery disease. Patients at high-risk for prolonged hospital stay can be identified before undergoingRYGBP. Surgeons may wish to avoid high-risk patients early in their bariatric surgery experience.

Telerobotic laparoscopic repair of incisional ventral hernias using intraperitoneal prosthetic mesh.

Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair shortens the length of hospital stay and achieves low rates of hernia recurrence. The inherent difficulties of performing advanced laparoscopy operations, however, have limited the adoption of this technique by many surgeons. We hypothesized that the virtual operative field and hand-like instruments of a telerobotic surgical system could overcome these limitations. We present herein the first 2 reported cases of telerobotic laparoscopic ventral hernia repair with mesh. The operations were accomplished with the da Vinci telerobotic surgical system. The hernia defects were repaired with dual-sided, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) mesh. The mesh was secured in place with 8 sutures that were passed through the abdominal wall, and 5-mm surgical tacks were placed around the circumference of the mesh. The 2 operations were accomplished with total operative times of 120 and 135 minutes and total operating room times of 166 and 180 minutes, respectively. The patients were discharged home on postoperative days 1 and 4. The surgeon sat in an ergonomically comfortable position at a computer console that was remote from the patient. Immersion of the surgeon within the 3-dimensional virtual operative field expedited each stage of these procedures. The articulation of the wristed telerobotic instruments greatly facilitated reaching the anterior abdominal cavity near the abdominal wall. This report indicates that telerobotic laparoscopic ventral hernia repair is feasible and suggests that telepresence technology facilitates this procedure.

Robotic versus telerobotic laparoscopic cholecystectomy: duration of surgery and outcomes.

This study found that robotic and telerobotic operations were accomplished with the same mortality, morbidity, blood loss, length of operations and length of stay. The DaVinci operations required longer total operating room time than the AESOP operations. Telerobotic laparoscopic cholecystectomy achieved the same clinical outcomes as standard robotic laparoscopic cholecystectomy in this small trial. This study justifies further comparison of these techniques in a randomized prospective trial.

Telerobotic-assisted laparoscopic right and sigmoid colectomies for benign disease.

PURPOSE: Telerobotic surgical systems attempt to provide technological solutions to the inherent limitations of traditional laparoscopic surgery. In this article, we present the first two reported cases of telerobotic-assisted laparoscopic colectomies performed on March 6 and 8, 2001. METHODS: In the first patient we performed a telerobotic-assisted laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy for diverticulitis. In the second patient, we accomplished a telerobotic-assisted laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for cecal diverticulitis. The Da Vinci telerobotic surgical system was used in both cases to mobilize the bowel. The mesenteric division, bowel transection, and anastomoses were accomplished with standard laparoscopic-assisted techniques. Both operations were completed with a three-trocar technique. RESULTS: We found that the Da Vinci system adequately replaced the camera holder. The three-dimensional virtual operative field helped to maintain the surgeon's orientation during the operation. The combination of three-dimensional imaging and the hand-like motions of the telerobotic surgical instruments facilitated dissection. The Da Vinci console offered an ergonomically comfortable position for the surgeon. Operative times for the sigmoid colectomy was 340 minutes and for the right hemicolectomy 228 minutes. Telerobotic-assisted laparoscopic colectomy is feasible, but required a longer operative time than our standard laparoscopic-assisted technique. CONCLUSION: Telerobotic-assisted laparoscopic colectomy is feasible and warrants further investigations in controlled trials.

Short-term results of laparoscopic gastric bypass in patients with BMI > or = 60.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) has been shown to be safe and effective. Little information is available about the subgroup of patients with BMI > or = 60. The goal of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of LRYGBP for patients with BMI > or = 60. METHODS: The study consisted of the first 300 attempted LRYGBPs performed by one surgeon (HJS). This population was analyzed as 2 groups of patients: those with BMI < 60 and those with BMI > or = 60. Outcome variables included mortality, complications, conversion, and operative time. RESULTS: Of the first 300 LRYGBP patients, 261 had BMI < 60 and 39 had BMI > or = 60. Age, comorbidity rate, and gender distribution were similar in both BMI groups. Conversion rates were < 3% in both groups. Mean operative time for the BMI > or = 60 group was 156 minutes vs 139 minutes in the lighter group (P = 0.04). Major complications occurred more commonly in the BMI > or = 60 group (10% vs 6%) but this difference was not significant. The types of complications differed between the 2 groups, with infectious complications and gastrointestinal leak occurring more frequently in the heavier group. The mortality rate was higher in the heavier group (5% vs 0.4%, P = 0.055). CONCLUSION: LRYGBP is feasible for patients with BMI > or = 60. Our data suggest that these patients are at a higher risk for GI leak, postoperative infection, and death.

Comparison of laparoscopic colectomy with and without the aid of a robotic camera holder.

The use of a robotic camera holder (AESOP 3000; Computer Motion, Inc., Santa Barbara, CA, U.S.A.) during laparoscopic surgery is slowly becoming more popular with laparoscopic surgeons. However, few published reports document the effects of the robot on operative outcomes or operative times. In the current study, we compared the use of a voice-controlled robotic camera holder to a human camera holder in a series of laparoscopic colectomies. The outcome data measured included the number of patients with postoperative complications, the patients' length of stay at the hospital, and the operative times for the procedures. There were 2 complications among the 11 patients in group 1 (colectomies performed without a robotic camera holder), versus 2 complications among the 15 patients in group 2 (colectomies performed with a robotic camera holder) (P = NS). Patients in group 1 had an average length of stay of 4.1 days, versus 4.4 days for those in group 2 (P = NS). The operative time for group 1 was 235 minutes, compared with 213 minutes for group 2 (P = NS). The use of a voice-controlled robotic camera holder does not alter the length of the operative procedure, the patient's length of stay, or postoperative morbidity. However, surgeons often have a subjective sense that there is less smudging, fogging, and inadvertent movements of the laparoscope when it is controlled by a robotic system. In addition, using a voice-controlled robot as a camera holder does eliminate the need for a surgical assistant.