Robotic single-site versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Which is cheaper? A cost report and analysis.

OBJECTIVE: There is a need for a comparison of costs of robotic single-site cholecystectomy (RSSC) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in the US healthcare model. Cholecystectomy is one of the most common procedures in general surgery. Single-incision laparoscopic surgery is beneficial but cumbersome. Robotic surgery is ergonomic but expensive. Costs of RSSC and LC have not been compared within the US healthcare model. METHODS: Cost categories were compared between RSSC and LC in consecutive outpatient-elective cases during the same period. Cost efficiency of outpatient-elective cases before and after the first 50 institutional RSSC cases (including outpatients, inpatients, emergent, and elective) were compared to investigate for a learning curve that would subsequently affect cost. RESULTS: A total of 458 cases included 177 RSSCs and 281 LCs. Non-emergent non-admitted cases included in cost analysis were 46 RSSCs and 175 LCs. Costs were less with RSSC: median total ($1319 vs. $1710, p < 0.001), driven mainly by cost category "Supplies" ($913 vs. $1244, p < 0.001), and to a lesser extent "Operating room" ($196 vs. $232, p < 0.001), and "Anesthesiology" ($127 vs. $168, p < 0.001). Supplies were responsible for 87% of median total cost reduction. Other cost categories were not significantly different. There were 11 and 9% drops (p < 0.006) in RSSC OR times and costs, respectively, after our 50th institutional case. CONCLUSION: In a hospital that has already acquired infrastructure for robotic surgery, we observed procedural costs for RSSC that were lower than LC. This decreased cost was mainly driven by cutting down on supplies (87% of median total cost reduced), and to a lesser extent OR time. A steep learning curve exists after which RSSC OR times can be significantly shortened. A randomized study is needed.

Preventing Distal Catheter Obstruction in Laparoscopic Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Placement in Adults: The "Falciform Technique".

BACKGROUND: Distal obstruction of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts is a major problem in the treatment of hydrocephalus. To avoid this complication, we describe a simple method using the falciform ligament to place and hold the distal catheter in the right subdiaphragmatic space, preventing catheter migration and distal obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively collected data of all VP shunt insertion and revision for adults with idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus between November 2011 and September 2013. All of these were done using the "falciform technique," with the distal catheter portion performed laparoscopically. No exclusion criteria were applied. A neurosurgeon and a laparoscopic surgeon were involved in each case. The falciform ligament was used to tether the distal catheter above the liver, with the distal tip of the catheter reaching the hepatic flexure to allow for drainage directly into the right paracolic gutter. Baseline, operative, and postoperative data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 58 patients underwent a shunt procedure during the period of study. The majority (74%) underwent new VP shunt placement, and 26% underwent revision and replacement for catheter obstruction. The female to male ratio was 1.14:1. Mean age was 67.3±17.5 years. Revisions due to distal catheter obstruction were subsequent to previous surgery placement. Median follow-up was 329 days. Three patients (5%) had proximal catheter obstruction requiring shunt revision. None of the patients (0%) was found to have distal obstruction at the end of the study period at the most recent follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The faparoscopic falciform technique significantly reduces the rate of distal VP shunt obstruction in adults with idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus. Continued follow-up is needed to confirm long-term patency of the catheter.

Robotic single-site cholecystectomy in the obese: outcomes from a single institution.

BACKGROUND: Robotic single-site cholecystectomy (RSSC) has been shown to be a safe alternative to the laparoscopic approach in selected patients. Patient exclusion criteria have prevented RSSC as a surgical option in many obese patients. This study reports the feasibility of performing RSSC in obese patients (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30). METHODS: Between November 2012 and February 2014, a total of 200 patients underwent RSSC at our institution. All patients were offered the robotic procedure regardless of their BMI, age, previous surgery, and acuity of their disease with no exclusion criteria. All patients with BMI ≥ 30 were included in the study and were compared to nonobese patients for demographic characteristics, co-morbidities, and postoperative outcomes. Data were compared to RSSC performed in nonobese patients by the same surgeon, as well to published data for standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). RESULTS: A total of 112 cholecystectomies were successfully performed with the robotic approach in patients with BMI ≥ 30 without conversion to open, laparoscopic, or multiport procedures. The mean BMI was 39.5 (range 30.1-62.3). Twenty-eight patients had a BMI ≥ 40 (25%), and 13 patients had a BMI ≥ 50 (11.6%). Fifty-two patients (46.4%) had a history of prior abdominal surgery. Most procedures were nonelective (78.6%) with patients presenting with acute symptoms. Pathology showed chronic cholecystitis and cholelithiasis in 79 patients (70.5%), acute cholecystitis in 26 patients (23.3%), cholelithiasis in 4 patients (3.5%), and gangrenous cholecystitis in 3 patients (2.7%). Total mean operative time was 69.8 (26) minutes for obese patients compared to 59.2 (19.7) minutes in the nonobese, which was statistically significant (P = .0012). After a mean follow-up of 6 months, there were no major complications recorded including bile leak, hematoma, or ductal injury. There was 1 umbilical (incisional) hernia (0.9%) reported, and zero wound infections. When comparing RSSC performed in obese patients, RSSC in nonobese patients, and published data for standard LC, we found no difference in operative time, with less conversion to open. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic single-site cholecystectomy is a feasible option in the obese patient population with excellent short-term outcomes. Patients should not be excluded based on their high BMI although further study is needed to determine long-term outcomes.

Development of simulator guidelines for resident assessment in flexible endoscopy.

Virtual reality (VR) simulators may hold a role in the assessment of trainee abilities independent of their role as instructional instruments. Thus, we piloted a course in flexible endoscopy to surgical trainees who had met Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education endoscopy requirements to establish the relationship between metrics produced by a VR endoscopic simulator and trainee ability. After a didactic session, we provided faculty instruction to senior residents for Case 1 upper endoscopy and colonoscopy modules on the CAE EndoscopyVR. Course conclusion was defined as a trainee meeting all proficiency standards in basic endoscopic procedures on the simulator. Simulator metrics and course evaluation comprised data. Eleven and eight residents participated in the colonoscopy and upper endoscopy courses, respectively. Average time to reach proficiency standards for esophagogastroduodenoscopy was 6 and 13 minutes for colonoscopy after a median of one (range, one to two) and one (range, one to four) task repetitions, respectively. Faculty instruction averaged 7.5 minutes of instruction per repetition. A subjective course evaluation demonstrated that the course improved learners' knowledge of the subject and comfort with endoscopic equipment. Within a VR-based curriculum, experienced residents rapidly achieved task proficiency. The resultant scores may be used as simulator guidelines for resident assessment and readiness to perform flexible endoscopy.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy poses physical injury risk to surgeons: analysis of hand technique and standing position.

BACKGROUND: This study compares surgical techniques and surgeon's standing position during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), investigating each with respect to surgeons' learning, performance, and ergonomics. Little homogeneity exists in LC performance and training. Variations in standing position (side-standing technique vs. between-standing technique) and hand technique (one-handed vs. two-handed) exist. METHODS: Thirty-two LC procedures performed on a virtual reality simulator were video-recorded and analyzed. Each subject performed four different procedures: one-handed/side-standing, one-handed/between-standing, two-handed/side-standing, and two-handed/between-standing. Physical ergonomics were evaluated using Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). Mental workload assessment was acquired with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration-Task Load Index (NASA-TLX). Virtual reality (VR) simulator-generated performance evaluation and a subjective survey were analyzed. RESULTS: RULA scores were consistently lower (indicating better ergonomics) for the between-standing technique and higher (indicating worse ergonomics) for the side-standing technique, regardless of whether one- or two-handed. Anatomical scores overall showed side-standing to have a detrimental effect on the upper arms and trunk. The NASA-TLX showed significant association between the side-standing position and high physical demand, effort, and frustration (p<0.05). The two-handed technique in the side-standing position required more effort than the one-handed (p<0.05). No difference in operative time or complication rate was demonstrated among the four procedures. The two-handed/between-standing method was chosen as the best procedure to teach and standardize. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy poses a risk of physical injury to the surgeon. As LC is currently commonly performed in the United States, the left side-standing position may lead to increased physical demand and effort, resulting in ergonomically unsound conditions for the surgeon. Though further investigations should be conducted, adopting the between-standing position deserves serious consideration as it may be the best short-term ergonomic alternative.

Gaze disruptions experienced by the laparoscopic operating surgeon.

BACKGROUND: Disruptions to surgical workflow have been correlated with an increase in surgical errors and suboptimal outcomes in patient safety measures. Yet, our ability to quantify such threats to patient safety remains inadequate. Data are needed to gauge how the laparoscopic operating room work environment, where the visual and motor axes are no longer aligned, contributes to such disruptions. We used time motion analysis techniques to measure surgeon attention during laparoscopic cholecystectomy in order to characterize disruptive events imposed by the work environment of the OR. In this investigation we identify attention disruptions as they occur in terms of the operating surgeon's gaze. We then quantify such disruptions and also seek to establish what occasioned them. METHODS: Ten laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedures were recorded with both intra- and extracorporeal cameras. The views were synchronized to produce a video that was subsequently analyzed by a single independent observer. Each time the surgeon's gaze was diverted from the operation's video display, the event was recorded via time-stamp. The reason for looking away (e.g., instrument exchange), when discernable, was also recorded and categorized. Disruptions were then reviewed and analyzed by an interdisciplinary team of surgeons and human factors experts. RESULTS: Gaze disruptions were classified into one of four causal categories: instrument exchange, extracorporeal work, equipment troubleshooting, and communication. On average, 40 breaks occurred in operating surgeon attention per 15 min of operating time. The most frequent reasons for these disruptions involved instrument exchange (38%) and downward gaze for extracorporeal work (28%). CONCLUSIONS: This study of laparoscopic cholecystectomy performance reveals a high gaze disruption rate in the current operating room work environment. Improvements aimed at reducing such disruptions-and thus potentially surgical error-should center on better instrument design and realigning the axis between surgeon's eye and visual display.

Relief of dysphagia after laparoscopic Heller myotomy improves long-term quality of life.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Quality of life (QoL) is getting more attention in the medical literature. Treatment outcomes are now gauged by their effect on the QoL along with their direct effect on the diseases they are targeting. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of residual dysphagia on QoL after laparoscopic Heller myotomy for achalasia. METHODS: QoL was evaluated using the short-form-36 (SF-36) and postoperative dysphagia was assessed using a dysphagia score. The score (range 0-10) was calculated by combining the frequency of dysphagia (0=never, 1 = < 1 day/wk, 2 = 1 day/wk, 3 = 2-3 days/wk, 4 = 4-6 days/wk, 5=daily) with the severity (0=none, 1=very mild, 2=mild, 3=moderate, 4=moderately severe, 5=severe). Patients were classified in the Nonresponder group when their dysphagia score was in the upper quartile. RESULTS: Questionnaires were mailed to 110 patients. The overall response rate was 91% with 100 patients (54 female) returning the questionnaires. The average follow-up was 3.3 years. There was a significative inverse correlation between dysphagia score and mental component (P = 0.0001) and total SF-36 (P = 0.001) scores. According to their postoperative dysphagia scores, 77 patients were assigned to the Responder Group and 23 patients to the Nonresponder Group. The two groups were similar in terms of age, gender, rate of fundoplication, and length of follow-up. Mental component and total SF-36 scores were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the Responder group. Successful relief of dysphagia after Heller myotomy was associated with health-related quality of life scores that were 13 higher in Vitality (P < 0.05), 11 points higher in mental health (P < 0.05), and 12 points higher in General Health (P < 0.05). Overall patient satisfaction with surgical outcome was 92%, with only eight patients not satisfied with the surgery. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic Heller myotomy offers excellent long-term relief of achalasia-related symptoms, namely dysphagia, and this was projected on a significant improvement in quality of life and patient satisfaction.

Internal hernia: postoperative complication of roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.

Obesity surgery is becoming one of the most common general surgery procedures done in the United States. Internal hernias are a known and increasingly more common occurrence after laparoscopic roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB). Increased clinical awareness of this complication will lead to decreased surgical morbidity and mortality. We retrospectively reviewed our database of 529 patients who had undergone LRYGB from 2000 to 2005 and identified those presenting with intestinal obstruction from an internal hernia. The type of internal hernia (jejunojejunostomy, transverse mesocolon, roux limb mesentery [Peterson's hernia]), length of time from presentation to operative intervention, and length of stay were obtained for all patients. Of 529 laparoscopic retrocolic retrogastric LRYGBs, 13 internal hernias (2.5%) were identified in 13 different patients. Eight of the hernias were at the mesenteric defect created by the jejunojejunostomy (62%), 3 originated from the transverse mesocolon defect (23%), and 2 were a Peterson's hernia (15%). The median time from initial operation to repair was 150 days. The average time from presentation to operative repair was 29.2 hours (range, 5-67.5 hours). The median length of stay was 3 days (range, 1.5-45 days). Eleven hernias were repaired laparoscopically (85%). There were no mortalities associated with obstruction from the internal hernia. Intestinal obstruction from an internal hernia after LRYGB is becoming increasingly more common. General awareness of this condition and high clinical suspicion allow for prompt surgical intervention with decreased morbidity and mortality.