Robotic surgery for the treatment of achalasia.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the experience of the robotic approach for achalasia surgery in a tertiary center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with achalasia who underwent robotic surgery between May 2010 and April 2019 were analyzed. The study variables were collected in a prospective database and a descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS: 45 patients (55.6% male) with a mean age of 44 years were included. The main symptom at diagnosis was dysphagia. 19 patients (42.2%) received endoscopic treatment prior to surgery, mostly pneumatic dilation (84.2%). Heller's myotomy associated with Toupet fundoplication was the surgical technique of choice, with a mean operative time of 211 min. The average stay was 5 days. There were 2 postoperative perforations (4.4%). Perioperative mortality was 0%. The mean follow-up was 64 months. At 3 and 5 years, a significant decrease in the Eckardt score was observed and the manometric study showed a decrease in the lower esophageal sphincter pressure at rest of 58% and 70%, respectively, with persistence of hypomotility of the esophageal body. Pathological gastroesophageal reflux was diagnosed in two patients (5.4%) and 4 (10.8%) presented recurrence of symptoms, requiring endoscopic pneumatic dilations. In 2 cases, the dilations were not effective, so an endoscopic myotomy was considered. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, robotic surgery is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of achalasia.

Robotic surgery for the treatment of achalasia. / Cirugía robótica en el tratamiento de la acalasia.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the experience of the robotic approach for achalasia surgery in a tertiary center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with achalasia who underwent robotic surgery between May 2010 and April 2019 were analyzed. The study variables were collected in a prospective database and a descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS: 45 patients (55.6% male) with a mean age of 44 years were included. The main symptom at diagnosis was dysphagia. 19 patients (42.2%) received endoscopic treatment prior to surgery, mostly pneumatic dilation (84.2%). Heller's myotomy associated with Toupet fundoplication was the surgical technique of choice, with a mean operative time of 211minutes. The average stay was 5 days. There were 2 postoperative perforations (4.4%). Perioperative mortality was 0%. The mean follow-up was 64 months. At 3 and 5 years, a significant decrease in the Eckardt score was observed and the manometric study showed a decrease in the lower esophageal sphincter pressure at rest of 58% and 70%, respectively, with persistence of hypomotility of the esophageal body. Pathological gastroesophageal reflux was diagnosed in two patients (5.4%) and 4 (10.8%) presented recurrence of symptoms, requiring endoscopic pneumatic dilations. In 2 cases, the dilations were not effective, so an endoscopic myotomy was considered. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, robotic surgery is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of achalasia.

Cirugía mínimamente invasiva y robótica en el tratamiento quirúrgico de las neoplasias de la unión esofagogástrica / Minimally invasive and robotic surgery in the surgical treatment of esophagogastric junction cancer

La cirugía mínimamente invasiva permite el tratamiento de los tumores de la unión esofagogástrica en condiciones de seguridad, reduciendo las complicaciones respiratorias y parietales y mejorando la recuperación postoperatoria, manteniendo además los principios de la cirugía oncológica que permitan obtener unos resultados óptimos de efectividad a largo plazo. Para ello, es necesario un volumen de actividad suficiente y avanzar en la curva de aprendizaje de forma tutelada, para poder garantizar una resección R0 y una linfadenectomía adecuada. La mínima invasión no puede ser un objetivo en sí misma. En caso de gastrectomía total, el riesgo de afectación del margen proximal obliga a verificarlo mediante biopsia intraoperatoria, sin descartar la cirugía abierta de entrada. Por su parte, la esofagectomía mínimamente invasiva se ha ido imponiendo progresivamente. Su principal dificultad, la anastomosis intratorácica, puede realizarse mediante una sutura laterolateral mecánica o manualmente asistida por robot, gracias a la visión tridimensional y a la versatilidad del instrumental

Minimally invasive surgery provides for the treatment of esophagogastric junction tumors under safe conditions, reducing respiratory and abdominal wall complications. Recovery is improved, while maintaining the oncological principles of surgery to obtain an optimal long-term outcome. It is important to have a sufficient volume of activity to progress along the learning curve with close expert supervision in order to guarantee R0 resection and adequate lymphadenectomy. Minimal invasiveness ought not become an objective in itself. Should total gastrectomy be performed, the risk of a positive proximal margin makes intraoperative biopsy compulsory, without ruling out a primary open approach. Meanwhile, minimally invasive esophagectomy has been gaining ground. Its main difficulty, the intrathoracic anastomosis, can be safely carried out either with a mechanical side-to-side suture or a robot-assisted manual suture, thanks to the 3-D vision and versatility of the instruments

Minimally invasive and robotic surgery in the surgical treatment of esophagogastric junction cancer. / Cirugía mínimamente invasiva y robótica en el tratamiento quirúrgico de las neoplasias de la unión esofagogástrica.

Minimally invasive surgery provides for the treatment of esophagogastric junction tumors under safe conditions, reducing respiratory and abdominal wall complications. Recovery is improved, while maintaining the oncological principles of surgery to obtain an optimal long-term outcome. It is important to have a sufficient volume of activity to progress along the learning curve with close expert supervision in order to guarantee R0 resection and adequate lymphadenectomy. Minimal invasiveness ought not become an objective in itself. Should total gastrectomy be performed, the risk of a positive proximal margin makes intraoperative biopsy compulsory, without ruling out a primary open approach. Meanwhile, minimally invasive esophagectomy has been gaining ground. Its main difficulty, the intrathoracic anastomosis, can be safely carried out either with a mechanical side-to-side suture or a robot-assisted manual suture, thanks to the 3-D vision and versatility of the instruments.

Resultados de la esofagectomía por cáncer tras la creación de un Comité de Tumores Esofagogástricos / Surgical outcomes of esophageal cancer resection since the development of an oesophagogastric tumour board

Introducción El tratamiento del cáncer de esófago con pretensión curativa requiere un planteamiento multidisciplinar. La terapia neoadyuvante, la radicalidad de la resección y la extensión de la linfadenectomía pueden incrementar la morbimortalidad postoperatoria. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar los resultados del tratamiento quirúrgico del cáncer de esófago desde la creación del Comité de Tumores Esofagogástricos. Método sEstudio retrospectivo (de enero de 2005 a marzo de 2012) de todos los pacientes con cáncer de esófago o de la unión esofagogástrica a los que se les realizó una esofagectomía. Se analizaron el tipo de resección, las complicaciones postoperatorias, la mortalidad y la supervivencia. Resultados: A 100 pacientes de un total de 392 diagnosticados se les realizó una esofagectomía. En 74 casos se administró tratamiento neoadyuvante. Se realizaron 82 esofagectomías transtorácicas en 2 o 3 campos, 10 esofagectomías transhiatales y 8 coloplastias. En 98 pacientes la resección fue R0. Se diagnosticaron 9 dehiscencias anastomóticas intratorácicas y 6 cervicales. La morbilidad global fue del 42% y la mortalidad hospitalaria y a los 90 días fue del 2%. La mediana de la estancia hospitalaria fue de 16 días. La supervivencia actuarial al año es del 82% y a los 5 años, del 56%.ConclusionesEl tratamiento quirúrgico con intención curativa de la neoplasia de esófago solo es posible en una cuarta parte de los pacientes diagnosticados. La elevada morbilidad se debe, sobre todo, a complicaciones torácicas (AU)

Introduction Treatment of oesophageal cancer with curative intent requires a multidisciplinary approach. Neoadjuvant therapy, the radicality of resection and extension of lymphadenectomy have been associated with increased operative morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the results of surgical treatment of oesophageal cancer since the presence of an interdisciplinary esophagogastric tumour board. Methods Patients with cancer of the oesophagus and oesophagogastric junction who underwent oesophagectomy between January 2005 and March 2012 were included in this retrospective study. Data concerning type of resection, postoperative complications, mortality and survival were analysed. Results Of the 392 patients with a diagnosis of oesophageal cancer over the study period, 100 underwent oesophagectomy. Seventy-four patients received neoadjuvant treatment. Eighty-two patients underwent transthoracic resection while a transhiatal was used in 10 patients. Colon interposition was required in 8 cases. An R0 resection was achieved in 98 patients. Anastomotic leaks developed in 15 patients, 9 were intrathoracic and 6 were cervical. Postoperative morbidity occurred in 42% of patients, and intra-hospital and 90-day mortality was 2%. Median length of hospital stay was 16 days. The respective actuarial survival at 1 and 5 years were 82% and 56%.ConclusionsSurgical treatment with curative intention for oesophageal cancer is only possible in a quarter of patients diagnosed. The high morbidity rate was mainly due to intrathoracic complications (AU)

[Surgical outcomes of esophageal cancer resection since the development of an Oesophagogastric Tumour Board]. / Resultados de la esofagectomía por cáncer tras la creación de un Comité de Tumores Esofagogástricos.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment of oesophageal cancer with curative intent requires a multidisciplinary approach. Neoadjuvant therapy, the radicality of resection and extension of lymphadenectomy have been associated with increased operative morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the results of surgical treatment of oesophageal cancer since the presence of an interdisciplinary esophagogastric tumour board. METHODS: Patients with cancer of the oesophagus and oesophagogastric junction who underwent oesophagectomy between January 2005 and March 2012 were included in this retrospective study. Data concerning type of resection, postoperative complications, mortality and survival were analysed. RESULTS: Of the 392 patients with a diagnosis of oesophageal cancer over the study period, 100 underwent oesophagectomy. Seventy-four patients received neoadjuvant treatment. Eighty-two patients underwent transthoracic resection while a transhiatal was used in 10 patients. Colon interposition was required in 8 cases. An R0 resection was achieved in 98 patients. Anastomotic leaks developed in 15 patients, 9 were intrathoracic and 6 were cervical. Postoperative morbidity occurred in 42% of patients, and intra-hospital and 90-day mortality was 2%. Median length of hospital stay was 16 days. The respective actuarial survival at 1 and 5 years were 82% and 56%. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment with curative intention for oesophageal cancer is only possible in a quarter of patients diagnosed. The high morbidity rate was mainly due to intrathoracic complications.