Robotic surgery for locally advanced T4 rectal cancer: feasibility and oncological quality.

For T4 rectal tumours and local recurrences (LR) of rectal cancer, a radical resection beyond TME, sometimes by multi-visceral resection, is important to obtain safe margins and improve survival. The use of the laparoscopic approach (LA) for these cases is still controversial and associated with a high rate of conversion. However, robotic surgery might offer some advantages that can overcome some of the limitations of LA. Therefore, we aimed to analyse the postoperative outcomes and medium-term oncological results of robotic surgery for locally advanced rectal cancer (pathological T4) and LR. A retrospective analysis was performed including patients who had undergone robotic rectal resection in a single institution over an 11-year period, and had a T4 tumour confirmed in the pathological report. Primary endpoint was to analyse postoperative complications (30-day) and the rate of conversion. Secondary endpoints include pathological assessment of the quality of the specimen, local recurrence and survival [2-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS)]. A total of 41 patients were analysed, including a total of 24 patients (60%) that required a multivisceral resection. The median distance from the tumour to the anorectal junction was 7 (4-12) cm. Conversion to open surgery was necessary in 2 cases (5%). The overall morbidity rate was 78% (n = 32), with 37% of major complications, most of them urinary (n = 7). Median length of hospital stay (LOS) was 13 (7-27) days. The 30-day mortality rate was 7% (n = 3). An R0 resection was achieved in 85.4% of the cases (n = 35) due to 6 cases of the positive circumferential resection margin. 2-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) for the T4 tumours were 72% and 85%, respectively. There were 8 cases of local recurrence (22.2%); 6 of them met the selection criteria for salvage surgery. Robotic surgery for locally advanced T4 rectal cancer and multi-visceral resections is safe and feasible, with a low rate of conversion and an acceptable rate of postoperative morbidity in this subgroup of patients. Oncological results have shown to be comparable with the laparoscopic series published, preserving a good quality of the resected specimen. However, comparative studies and a longer follow-up period is needed to confirm the oncologic findings and to support the general adoption of the robotic system for these complex interventions.

Implementation of an enhanced recovery after surgery program with robotic surgery in high-risk patients obtains optimal results after colorectal resections.

Enhanced recovery after surgery programs reduce postoperative complications and length of stay after laparoscopic colorectal surgery, but are still under evaluation after robotic colorectal surgery. To evaluate potential benefits in terms of length of stay and complications of an Enhanced recovery after surgery program in colorectal surgery. A subanalysis was performed to assess what combination of surgical approach and perioperative care had better outcomes. Prospective observational cohort study. 300 consecutive colorectal surgery patients: 150 were prospectively included in the enhanced recovery after Surgery program group and 150 retrospectively in the traditional care group, and subdivided according to the type of surgery, in Hospital Marques de Valdecilla, between 2013 and 2016. Postoperative complications decreased significantly (p = 0.002) from 46 to 28% (traditional care vs program group). The length of stay was decreased by 2 days (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated similar effect sizes after adjusting for age, gender, Charlson score, and type of surgery. Type of surgery was an independent predictive factor for postoperative complications and length of stay. Compared to open surgery, postoperative complications decreased by 50% (p < 0.001) after robotic surgery and by 40% (p = 0.01) after laparoscopic surgery, while the median length of stay decreased by three days (p < 0.001) after minimally invasive surgery. Enhanced recovery after surgery program and minimally invasive surgery were associated with decreased morbidity and length of stay after colorectal surgery compared to open surgery and traditional care. An enhanced recovery after surgery program with robotic surgery in high-risk patients might be beneficial.

Polipectomía transanal asistida por robot: ¿tiene alguna indicación? / Robotic Assisted Transanal Polypectomies: Is There Any Indication?

Objetivos: La polipectomía transanal asistida por robot puede tener ventajas respecto a la cirugía laparoscópica transanal convencional. Evaluamos la seguridad, factibilidad y ventajas potenciales de esta técnica. Métodos: Entre febrero de 2014 y octubre de 2015, se realizaron un total de 9 polipectomías transanales en nuestro centro. Realizamos un estudio retrospectivo de datos recogidos prospectivamente referentes a las características de los pacientes, tumores tratados, resultados perioperatorios, informe anatomopatológico y morbimortalidad. Resultados: Fueron tratados 5 hombres y 4 mujeres mediante polipectomía robótica transanal. Las lesiones se encontraban a una distancia media de 6,2 cm respecto al margen anal. La superficie media de las lesiones fue de 15,8 cm2. Todos los procedimientos fueron realizados en posición de litotomía, independientemente de la localización de la lesión. Se realizó cierre del defecto en todos los casos. El sangrado intraoperatorio medio fue de 39,8 mL. El tiempo quirúrgico medio fue de 71,9 min. No se objetivaron complicaciones graves postoperatorias ni reingresos y la estancia mediana fue de 2,5 días. Conclusiones: La polipectomía transanal asistida por robot es útil para tratar lesiones rectales complejas o voluminosas. Nuestra plataforma de acceso transanal permitió un amplio rango de movimientos con los pacientes en litotomía (AU)

Objectives: Robotic assisted transanal polipectomy may have advantages compared with the conventional transanal minimally invasive surgery technique. We evaluate the safety, feasibility and advantages of this technique. Methods: Between February 2014 and October 2015, 9 patients underwent robotic transanal polypectomy. We performed a retrospective study in which we analyse prospectively collected data regarding patient and tumor characteristics, perioperative outcomes, pathological report, morbidity and mortality. Results: A total of 5 male and 4 female patients underwent robotic TAMIS. Lesions were 6,22 cm from the anal verge. Mean size was 15,8 cm2. All procedures were performed in the lithotomy position. Closure of the defect was performed in all cases. Mean blood loss was 39,8 ml. Mean operative time was 71,9 min. No severe postoperative complications or readmissions occured. Median hospital stay was 2,5 days. Conclusions: Robotic TAMIS is useful to treat complex rectal lesions. Our transanal platform allowed a wider range of movements of the robotic arms and to perform all procedures in the lithotomy position (AU)

Robotic Assisted Transanal Polypectomies: Is There Any Indication? / Polipectomía transanal asistida por robot: ¿tiene alguna indicación?

OBJECTIVES: Robotic assisted transanal polipectomy may have advantages compared with the conventional transanal minimally invasive surgery technique. We evaluate the safety, feasibility and advantages of this technique. METHODS: Between February 2014 and October 2015, 9patients underwent robotic transanal polypectomy. We performed a retrospective study in which we analyse prospectively collected data regarding patient and tumor characteristics, perioperative outcomes, pathological report, morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 5 male and 4 female patients underwent robotic TAMIS. Lesions were 6,22cm from the anal verge. Mean size was 15,8cm2. All procedures were performed in the lithotomy position. Closure of the defect was performed in all cases. Mean blood loss was 39,8ml. Mean operative time was 71,9min. No severe postoperative complications or readmissions occured. Median hospital stay was 2,5 days. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic TAMIS is useful to treat complex rectal lesions. Our transanal platform allowed a wider range of movements of the robotic arms and to perform all procedures in the lithotomy position.

Nueva técnica de proctectomía trasanal con escisión total del mesorrecto totalmente robótica en el tratamiento del cáncer de recto / New technique of transanal proctectomy with completely robotic total mesorrectal excision for rectal cancer

La resección anterior con escisión total mesorrectal es el tratamiento estándar para el cáncer de recto. Este tratamiento sigue siendo técnicamente dificultoso en los tumores localizados en el recto medio e inferior. Presentamos un caso de escisión total mesorrectal robótica transanal con asistencia robó tica en un varón de 57 años e IMC 32 kg/m2 con un adenocarcinoma T2N1M0 a 5 cm de línea pectínea tras tratamiento neoadyuvante. El tiempo quirúrgico fue de 420 min. La estancia postoperatoria fue de 6 días, sin objetivarse complicaciones. El estudio anatomopatológico demostró una pieza de 33 cm, una tumoración ypT2N0 con margen distal de 2 cm, margen circunferencial libre y buena calidad del mesorrecto. La tecnología robótica puede disminuir la dificultad inherente a las plataformas TEO/TEM o SILS para la realización de este tipo de procedimientos. La realización de ensayos clínicos es necesaria para la completa evaluación de esta técnica

Anterior resection with total mesorectal excision is the standard method of rectal cancer resection. However, this procedure remains technically difficult in mid and low rectal cancer. A robotic transanal proctectomy with total mesorectal excision and laparoscopic assistance is reported in a 57 year old male with BMI 32 kg/m2 and rectal adenocarcinoma T2N1M0 at 5 cm from the dentate line. Operating time was 420 min. Postoperative hospital stay was 6 days and no complications were observed. Pathological report showed a 33 cm specimen with ypT2N0 adenocarcinoma at 2 cm from the distal margin, complete TME and non affected circumferential resection margin. Robotic technology might reduce some technical difficulties associated with TEM/TEO or SILS platforms in transanal total mesorectal excision. Further clinical trials will be necessary to assess this technique

New technique of transanal proctectomy with completely robotic total mesorrectal excision for rectal cancer.

Anterior resection with total mesorectal excision is the standard method of rectal cancer resection. However, this procedure remains technically difficult in mid and low rectal cancer. A robotic transanal proctectomy with total mesorectal excision and laparoscopic assistance is reported in a 57 year old male with BMI 32 kg/m2 and rectal adenocarcinoma T2N1M0 at 5 cm from the dentate line. Operating time was 420 min. Postoperative hospital stay was 6 days and no complications were observed. Pathological report showed a 33 cm specimen with ypT2N0 adenocarcinoma at 2 cm from the distal margin, complete TME and non affected circumferential resection margin. Robotic technology might reduce some technical difficulties associated with TEM/TEO or SILS platforms in transanal total mesorectal excision. Further clinical trials will be necessary to assess this technique.

Efecto de la simulación quirúrgica en la implementación clínica de procedimientos colorrectales laparoscópicos / Effects of surgical simulation on the implementation of laparoscopic colorectal procedures

INTRODUCCIÓN: La cirugía laparoscópica avanzada necesita complementar el aprendizaje fuera del quirófano. La simulación clínica con animales o cadáveres favorece este aprendizaje. OBJETIVO: Mostrar el grado de impacto en la práctica quirúrgica diaria en los cirujanos que realizaron un curso clínico-experimental de cirugía colorrectal laparoscópica. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Entre marzo de 2007 y marzo de 2012, realizamos 30 cursos de 4 días de duración, durante 35 h (18 en quirófano, 12 en animales de experimentación y 4 en seminarios), en los que participaron 163 cirujanos. En mayo de 2012, vía online, se les remitió una encuesta con la finalidad de evaluar el impacto que este curso podía haber tenido en su práctica diaria de cirugía colorrectal laparoscópica. RESULTADOS: El número de encuestas contestadas fue de 70 (47%), que correspondían a cirujanos de 60 hospitales diferentes. El periodo medio tras el curso fue de 11,5 meses (2-60). El 75% de los cirujanos iniciaron o aumentaron el número de cirugías que realizan después del curso, siendo este aumento menor de 5 casos/mes en el 56% y mayor de 10 casos/mes en el 19%. El 38% iniciaron esta vía de abordaje. CONCLUSIONES: El 75% de los cirujanos encuestados aumentaron la implementación clínica de una técnica quirúrgica compleja como es la cirugía colorrectal por vía laparoscópica, después de realizar un curso de entrenamiento apoyado en simulación clínica

INTRODUCTION: Advanced laparoscopic surgery requires supplementary training outside the operating room. Clinical simulation with animal models or cadavers facilitates this learning. OBJECTIVE: We measured the impact on clinical practice of a laparoscopic colorectal resection training program based on surgical simulation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between March 2007 and March 2012, 163 surgeons participated in 30 courses that lasted 4 days, of 35 hours (18 h in the operating room, 12 h in animal models, and 4 h in seminars). In May 2012, participants were asked via an on-line survey about the degree of implementation of the techniques in their day-to-day work. RESULTS: Seventy surgeons (47%) from 60 different hospitals answered the survey. Average time elapsed after the course was 11.5 months (2-60 months). A total of 75% initiated or increased the number of surgeries performed after the training. The increase in practice was > 10 cases/month in 19%, and < 5 cases/month in 56% of surgeons. 38% of participants initiated this surgical approach. CONCLUSIONS: Seventy five percent of the surveyed surgeons increased the clinical implementation of a complicated surgical technique, such as laparoscopic colorectal surgery, after attending a training course based on clinical simulation

Cirugía endoscópica transanal en tumores rectales / Transanal endoscopic operations for rectal tumours

INTRODUCCIÓN: La cirugía endoscópica transanal puede ser la técnica de elección para el tratamiento de las lesiones rectales, tanto benignas como malignas seleccionadas, con cifras de supervivencia equiparables a la cirugía convencional y tasas de morbilidad más bajas. MÉTODOS: Presentamos una serie de 70 pacientes intervenidos por operación endoscópica transanal (TEO); las indicaciones fueron lesiones rectales benignas o malignas en estadio precoz (T1) 86%. La cirugía se instrumentó con un sistema TEO (Karl Storz, Tüttlingen, Alemania) y bisturí armónico (Harmonic scalpel, Ethicon Endo-Surgery). RESULTADOS: En 43 pacientes la indicación fue lesión adenomatosa; en los 27 restantes el diagnóstico preoperatorio fue de adenocarcinoma. Sin embargo, tras la resección, 47% mostraron lesión maligna en el resultado anatomopatológico, incluyendo 13 de los 43 considerados inicialmente como benignos. La morbilidad postoperatoria global fue del 36%, Clavien III (5,7%), precisando reintervención inmediata 3 (4%). Todas las lesiones benignas se resecaron de forma completa y 7 malignas presentaron afectación del margen de resección. Con un seguimiento medio de 26,4 meses (1-71), la recidiva para tumores benignos ha sido del 9% para pT1 del 8% y, para pT2, del 12,5%. Precisaron nueva cirugía 8 pacientes. CONCLUSIONES: La TEO permite extirpar tumores benignos de recto no resecables mediante resección endoscópica o transanal con un bajo índice de morbilidad. También está indicada en el tratamiento curativo de las neoplasias malignas de recto que se confirman histológicamente como carcinomas pT1 de buen pronóstico

BACKGROUND: Transanal endoscopic operation (TEO) may be the technique of choice for the treatment of rectal lesions, both benign and selected malignant lesions, with similar survival rates to conventional surgery but with lower morbidity. METHODS: In this article we present a series of 70 patients operated on with this procedure (TEO) in our center. The indications were benign rectal lesions and malignant lesions at early stages (T1) 86%. The surgical procedure was performed with the the transanal endoscopic operation platform (TEO; Karl Storz, Tüttlingen, Germany) and ultrasonic scalpel (Harmonic scalpel, Ethicon Endo-surgery,...).RESULTS: The indication in 43 patients was a benign lesion (adenoma), in the other 27 the diagnosis was adenocarcinoma. After the resection, 61% of the series had a malignant lesion in the pathology report: 13 patients of the 43 with a benign lesion initially had a malignant lesion in the pathology report. Postoperative morbidity was 36%, Clavien III (5,7%). 3 patients (4%) needed emergency surgery. All of the benign lesions were completely excised, but 7 malignant lesions had resection margin involvement The median follow-up time was 26,4 months (range, 1-71 months), the overall recurrence for benign tumors was 9%, 8% for malignant pT1 and 12,5% for malignant pT2. Early salvage surgery was performed on 8 patients. CONCLUSIONS: TEO allows us to excise benign rectal lesions that could not be excised with a conventional approach (endoscopic or transanal resection) with a low morbidity rate. TEO can be used for malignant rectal tumors in early stages (pT1) with pathological confirmation

[Transanal endoscopic operations for rectal tumours]. / Cirugía endoscópica transanal en tumores rectales.

BACKGROUND: Transanal endoscopic operation (TEO) may be the technique of choice for the treatment of rectal lesions, both benign and selected malignant lesions, with similar survival rates to conventional surgery but with lower morbidity. METHODS: In this article we present a series of 70 patients operated on with this procedure (TEO) in our center. The indications were benign rectal lesions and malignant lesions at early stages (T1) 86%. The surgical procedure was performed with the the transanal endoscopic operation platform (TEO; Karl Storz, Tüttlingen, Germany) and ultrasonic scalpel (Harmonic scalpel, Ethicon Endo-surgery,…). RESULTS: The indication in 43 patients was a benign lesion (adenoma), in the other 27 the diagnosis was adenocarcinoma. After the resection, 61% of the series had a malignant lesion in the pathology report: 13 patients of the 43 with a benign lesion initially had a malignant lesion in the pathology report. Postoperative morbidity was 36%, Clavien III (5,7%). 3 patients (4%) needed emergency surgery. All of the benign lesions were completely excised, but 7 malignant lesions had resection margin involvement The median follow-up time was 26,4 months (range, 1-71 months), the overall recurrence for benign tumors was 9%, 8% for malignant pT1 and 12,5% for malignant pT2. Early salvage surgery was performed on 8 patients. CONCLUSIONS: TEO allows us to excise benign rectal lesions that could not be excised with a conventional approach (endoscopic or transanal resection) with a low morbidity rate. TEO can be used for malignant rectal tumors in early stages (pT1) with pathological confirmation.

[Effects of surgical simulation on the implementation of laparoscopic colorectal procedures]. / Efecto de la simulación quirúrgica en la implementación clínica de procedimientos colorrectales laparoscópicos.

INTRODUCTION: Advanced laparoscopic surgery requires supplementary training outside the operating room. Clinical simulation with animal models or cadavers facilitates this learning. OBJECTIVE: We measured the impact on clinical practice of a laparoscopic colorectal resection training program based on surgical simulation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between March 2007 and March 2012, 163 surgeons participated in 30 courses that lasted 4 days, of 35 hours (18 h in the operating room, 12h in animal models, and 4h in seminars). In May 2012, participants were asked via an on-line survey about the degree of implementation of the techniques in their day-to-day work. RESULTS: Seventy surgeons (47%) from 60 different hospitals answered the survey. Average time elapsed after the course was 11.5 months (2-60 months). A total of 75% initiated or increased the number of surgeries performed after the training. The increase in practice was>10 cases/month in 19%, and<5 cases/month in 56% of surgeons. 38% of participants initiated this surgical approach. CONCLUSIONS: Seventy five percent of the surveyed surgeons increased the clinical implementation of a complicated surgical technique, such as laparoscopic colorectal surgery, after attending a training course based on clinical simulation.

Tratamiento local del cáncer de recto / Local treatment of rectal cancer

La aplicación de protocolos de cribado ha determinado que el número de tumores de recto diagnosticados tempranamente haya aumentado de forma significativa. Consecuentemente, el tratamiento local de estos tumores tempranos ha pasado a ocupar un lugar destacado dentro de la terapéutica del cáncer de recto. Este artículo realiza una revisión de las indicaciones del tratamiento local, de las técnicas diagnósticas y terapéuticas disponibles y de sus resultados. La selección de candidatos ha de llevarse a cabo de manera rigurosa mediante la exploración clínica, la biopsia preoperatoria, la ecografía endorrectal y la utilización de otros procedimientos radiológicos. La destrucción tumoral mediante fulguración o radioterapia endocavitaria obtiene resultados similares a la escisión local. Sin embargo, el estudio patológico del tumor resulta imprescindible para identificar a aquellos pacientes que pueden necesitar un tratamiento quirúrgico radical, o que pueden beneficiarse de un protocolo de tratamiento radioquimioterápico adyuvante. La tasa de recidiva local tras estos procedimientos es mayor que la que corresponde a la cirugía radical. Aunque la mayoría de las recidivas son potencialmente resecables, el papel de la cirugía radical de rescate está en discusión. (AU)