Robotic cholecystectomy using Senhance robotic platform versus laparoscopic conventional cholecystectomy: a propensity score analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Our study objective was to evaluate differences in intraoperative and postoperative outcomes of robotic cholecystectomy (RC) using Senhance robotic platform vs laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective case - matched analysis was performed for all patients who underwent cholecystectomy from November 2018 to November 2019. RC cases were matched to LC. RC was performed using Senhance robotic platform. Propensity score matching analysis with a ratio of 1:1 (RC: LC) was performed. The groups were matched according to age, sex, body mass index (BMI). All procedures were performed by two same experienced robotic surgeons at Klaipeda University Hospital (O.D. and V.E.). Age, BMI, operative time, blood loss and length of hospital stay were collected and analysed between those patient groups. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients underwent RC or LC. There were no statistical differences between groups in concern of length of hospital stay, blood loss or complications. There were no bile duct injuries in either group, no intraoperative complications, no conversions either RC to LC or LC to open surgery. One patient in robotic group was reoperated on postoperative day 5 regarding sub-hepatic haematoma. The only statistical significance was in operative time (p < .05) which was longer in RC group. Median docking time was 12 min (range 5-23). CONCLUSIONS: Robotic cholecystectomy using Senhance robotic platform appears to be safe in comparison with laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy might be feasible in gaining robotic surgery skills.

Robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy with the Senhance® robotic platform: single center experience.

OBJECTIVE: To describe our institution's initial experience with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) using the Senhance® robotic system. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective analysis of 127 robot-assisted radical prostatectomies was performed. Patient demographics, preoperative and intraoperative parameters, histopathological examination results, intraoperative and early postoperative complications were obtained and analyzed. RESULTS: The median patient age was 61.0 ± 6.36 (from 37 to 73) years, with a mean body mass index of 26.2 ± 3.79 kg/m2. Of 127 patients, 16.5% (n = 21) underwent a pelvic lymph node dissection, 29.1% (n = 37) underwent one sided or bilateral nerve sparing. Post-operative extracapsular invasion (≥ pT3) was found in 15% (n = 19) of the cases and a Gleason score ≥ 7 in 74.8% of all patients. Our median operative time was 180 ± 41.98 min [interquartile range (IQR) 150-215], and median blood loss was 250 ± 236 (IQR 175-430) ml. Of 127 patients, 33.9% (n = 43) had positive margins, of them 28.7% in pT2 and 57.9% in pT3. Fifteen patients (11.8%) experienced complications, of them only three had Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3. Operation time decreased by about 60 min and estimated blood loss decreased by about 200 ml from the initial experience of each surgeon. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic prostatectomy using a Senhance® robotic system is feasible, and warrants further study to determine whether it can improve patient outcomes.

Robotic gynaecological surgery using Senhance® robotic platform: Single centre experience with 100 cases.

OBJECTIVE: In this article, we present the first 100 gynaecological robotic surgeries in Klaipeda University Hospital, Klaipeda, Lithuania. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective analysis was performed of 100 women age range 22-82, on average 52 years. Patients underwent various robotic gynaecological operations, 61 (61 %) procedures were robotic total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. RESULTS: Duration of the surgery varied from 30 min to 185 min, on average 99 ± 33 min. Of all 25 (25 %) patients had operations in the past. Most operations (72 %) were performed for benign diseases and 28 % of the patients were operated for various types of gynaecological malignancies. All cancer surgeries were radical (R0). In-hospital stay was on average 4 ± 2.3 days, range 1-14 days. There were six (6%) conversions: one to laparoscopy and five to open. Three (3%) complications occurred during 30 days after surgery, one demanded surgery (Clavien-Dindo II-IIIb). There was no mortality in this patient population. CONCLUSION: Our early experience with different types of robotic gynaecological surgeries allows us to state that Senhance® robotic system is feasible and safe in gynaecology.

Robotic surgery using Senhance® robotic platform: single center experience with first 100 cases.

Until recently, robotic surgery has been associated only with the da Vinci robotic system. A novel Senhance® robotic system (TransEnterix Surgical Inc., Morrisville, NC, USA) was introduced almost 5 years ago. Published reports on experience using this robotic platform are very limited. We present a prospective analysis of the first 100 robotic surgeries in abdominal surgery, gynecology, and urology in Klaipeda University Hospital, Klaipeda, Lithuania. Out of 100 operated patients during the mentioned period, 49 were female and 51 men, age range 27-79 years, on an average 55 years. 39 underwent robotic abdominal surgical procedures, 31-urological, and 30 gynecological surgeries. Duration of surgery varied from 30 min to 6 h and 5 min, on an average 2 h 25 min. Almost half 49 (49%) were operated on for malignant diseases: prostate cancer-27, renal cell carcinoma-1, endometrial cancer-7, ovarian cancer-1, colorectal cancer-13 (7 colon and 6 rectum). In-hospital stay was on an average 4 days, range 1-15 days. There were 3 (3%) conversions: two to laparoscopy (both undergoing robotic radical prostatectomy) and one to open (undergoing total hysterectomy). 6 (6%) complications occurred during 30 postoperative days, 2 demanding surgery. According to the Clavien-Dido classification, they were grade II in 3, grade III a in 1 and grade III b in 2 cases. There was no mortality in this patient population. Our experience with different types of robotic surgeries allows us to state that the Senhance® robotic system is feasible and safe in general surgery, gynecology, and urology, and wider implementation of this system worldwide is simply a question of time.

Predictors of postoperative hypocalcemia occurring after a total thyroidectomy: results of prospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid surgeries are among the most common operations performed in the world. Hypocalcemia following total thyroidectomy is a common complication that is sometimes difficult to correct. The aim of this study is to determine the risk factors for hypocalcemia following total thyroidectomy and their clinical value. METHODS: From January 2015 through to April 2017, 400 patients were included in this prospective multicenter study. All patients underwent total thyroidectomy due to various thyroid diseases. The following risk factors were analyzed: pre-operative and post-operative biochemical blood parameters, clinical effects and factors related to surgery, the patient, and the disease. RESULTS: Post-operative hypocalcemia developed in 257 patients (64.2%). Of them, 197 patients (76.7%) were diagnosed with asymptomatic hypocalcemia. Clinical symptoms were present in 60 of the 257 patients with hypocalcemia (23.3%). The statistically significant predictors of hypocalcemia were decreased calcium and ionized calcium pre-operatively (p < 0.001), parathyroid hormone on day one following surgery (p < 0.001), thyrotoxicosis <10 years before surgery (odds ratio 1.65, 95% CI 1.01-2.70, p = 0.046), the number of parathyroid glands found during surgery (odds ratio 0.52, 95% CI 0.38-0.70, p < 0.001), ligation of the trunk of the left inferior thyroid artery (odds ratio 2.04, 95% CI 1.27-3.29, p = 0.003), ligation of the trunk of the right inferior thyroid artery (odds ratio 2.37, 95% CI 1.47-3.81, p < 0.001), and the number of transplanted parathyroid glands (odds ratio 1.87, 95% CI 1.12-2.97, p = 0.015). In the multivariate analysis, age (odds ratio 1.05, 95% CI 1.01-1.09, p = 0.029) and gender (odds ratio 5.94, 95% CI 1.13-31.26, p = 0.035) were statistically significant predictors. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that there is a number of different patient (gender, age, and duration of thyrotoxicosis <10 years before surgery) and surgical (number of parathyroid glands found during surgery, decreased calcium and ionized calcium before surgery, parathyroid hormone on day one following surgery, and ligation of the trunk of the left and right inferior thyroid artery) risk factors predictive of hypocalcemia following total thyroidectomy. Optimization of the surgical technique could possibly prevent the occurrence of hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy in some cases; in other cases, identification of known risk factors post-operatively could permit early detection and effective treatment of these patients.

Assessment of Correlation between Chromosomal Radiosensitivity of Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes after In vitro Irradiation and Normal Tissue Side Effects for Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy.

Patients receiving identical radiation treatments experience different effects, from undetectable to severe, on normal tissues. A crucial factor of radiotherapy related side effects is individual radiosensitivity. It is difficult to spare surrounding normal tissues delivering radiation to cancer cells during radiotherapy. Therefore, it may be useful to develop a simple routine cytogenetic assay which would allow the screening of a large number of individuals for radiosensitivity optimizing tumor control rates and minimizing severe radiotherapy effects with possibility to predict risk level for developing more severe early normal tissue adverse events after irradiation. This study was conducted to assess the correlation between in vitro radiosensitivity of peripheral blood lymphocytes from cancer patients who are undergoing radiotherapy using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN), G2 chromosomal radiosensitivity assays, and normal tissue acute side effects. The CBMN and G2 chromosomal radiosensitivity assays were performed on blood samples taken from cancer patients before radiotherapy, after first fractionation, and after radiotherapy. Acute normal tissue reactions were graded according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group/European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer. This study suggests that there is a correlation between higher frequency of micronuclei after in vitro irradiation of blood samples and higher degree of normal tissue reactions. In addition, higher number of chromatid breaks was observed in patients with more severe normal tissue reactions. This pilot study included only 5 cancer patients, and therefore, further studies with a bigger cohort are required to identify radiosensitive patients.

Twenty years trends in mortality rates from stroke in Klaipeda.

BACKGROUND: During the past decades, mortality from stroke decreased in many western European countries; however, changes concerning long-term stroke mortality in eastern European countries are less evident. OBJECTIVE: To assess age- and gender-specific trends in stroke mortality in Klaipeda (Lithuania) from 1994 to 2013. DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiological study. SETTING/SUBJECTS: Permanent population of Klaipeda. METHODS: Data on 2509 permanent residents of Klaipeda aged 35-79 years who died from stroke between 1994 and 2013 were gathered. Directly, age-standardized (European population) stroke mortality rates were analyzed using joinpoint regression separately for specific age groups (35-64, 65-79, and 35-79 years) and by gender. Annual percentage change (APC) and 95% CIs were presented. RESULTS: Stroke mortality in the 35- to 79-year-old age group peaked in 1994-1997, it then decreased by -9.9% (95% CI: -18.7, -0.2) yearly up until 2001 and leveled off by -0.2% (-5.1, 4.9) between 2001 and 2013. Among men aged 35-64 years, mortality decreased substantially by 12.8% (-21.5, -3.3) per year from 1994 to 2001 and turned positive by 6.3% (0.8, 12.1) between 2000 and 2013. Among women aged 35-64 years, mortality decreased significantly by 15.5% (-28.1, -0.7) from 1994 to 2000. There was evidence of recent plateauing of trends for 35- to 64-year-old women between 2000 and 2013. In the 65- to 79-year-old age group, mortality decreased from 1994 onward yearly by -5.5% (-7.9, -3.0) in women and by -3.3% (-5.6, -0.9) in men. CONCLUSIONS: Joinpoint regression revealed steadily decreasing trend in stroke mortality between 1994 and 2001. The decline in death rates flattened out in the recent decade. Mortality rates varied among age groups and were more pronounced in adults aged 35-64 years. It is essential to monitor and manage stroke risk factors, especially among middle-aged population.

Ischemic stroke functional outcomes are independently associated with C-reactive protein concentrations and cognitive outcomes with triiodothyronine concentrations: a pilot study.

Elevated concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) and decreased concentrations of triiodothyronine (T3) were shown to predict poor outcomes in patients with stroke. However, the prognostic value of CRP and T3 has not been studied simultaneously in relation to stroke functional and cognitive outcomes despite of close interaction between inflammatory markers and thyroid function. We evaluated the association of thyroid hormone and CRP concentrations with immediate outcomes after ischemic stroke. Eighty-eight ischemic stroke patients on admission to the stroke unit were evaluated for clinical stroke severity (Scandinavian stroke scale or SSS) and concentrations of thyroid-stimulating hormone, free thyroxin, free T3, and CRP. Functional outcome (modified Rankin scale) and cognitive outcome (Mini mental state examination) were evaluated at discharge. Greater ln CRP concentrations (r = -0.35, p = 0.001), but not thyroid hormone concentrations, correlated with score on the SSS. In univariate analyses lower free T3 concentrations and higher CRP concentrations were associated with poor functional and poor cognitive outcomes. After adjustment for clinical stroke severity, higher CRP concentrations (ß = 0.18, p = 0.04) remained associated with worse functional outcome and lower free T3 concentrations with worse cognitive outcome (ß = 0.23, p = 0.03). In sum, clinical stroke severity is associated with elevated CRP concentration. Higher CRP concentration is independently associated with worse functional outcomes and lower free T3 concentration with worse cognitive outcomes at discharge. T3 and CRP can be important biomarkers in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Stroke mortality trends in the population of Klaipeda from 1994 to 2008.

UNLABELLED: The objective of the study was to evaluate the trends in stroke mortality in the population of Klaipeda aged 35-79 years from 1994 to 2008. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Mortality data on all permanent residents of Klaipeda aged 35-79 years who died from stroke in 1994-2008 were gathered for the study. All death certificates of permanent residents of Klaipeda aged 35-79 years who died during 1994-2008 were examined in this study. The International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9 codes 430-436, and ICD-10 codes I60-I64) was used. Sex-specific mortality rates were standardized according to the Segi's world population; all the mortality rates were calculated per 100 000 population per year. Trends in stroke mortality were estimated using log-linear regression models. Sex-specific mortality rates and trends were calculated for 3 age groups (35-79, 35-64, and 65-79 years). RESULTS: During the entire study period (1994-2008), a marked decline in stroke mortality with a clear slowdown after 2002 was observed. The average annual percent changes in mortality rates for men and women aged 35-79 years were -4.6% (P=0.041) and -6.5% (P=0.002), respectively. From 1994 to 2002, the stroke mortality rate decreased consistently among both Klaipeda men and women aged 35-64 years (20.4% per year, P=0.002, and 14.7% per year, P=0.006, respectively) and in the elderly population aged 65-79 years (13.8% per year, P=0.005; and 12% per year, P=0.019). During 2003-2008, stroke mortality increased by 16.3% per year in middle-aged men (35-64 years), whereas among women (aged 35-64 and 65-79 years) and elderly men (aged 65-79 years), the age-adjusted mortality rate remained relatively unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Among both men and women, the mortality rates from stroke sharply declined between 1994 and 2008 with a clear slowdown in the decline after 2002. Stroke mortality increased significantly among middle-aged men from 2003, while it remained without significant changes among women of the same age and both elderly men and women.

Focused versus conventional parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism: a prospective, randomized, blinded trial.

BACKGROUND: For many years bilateral neck exploration (BNE) was the gold standard operation for primary hyperparathyroidism (pPHP). With advances in preoperative pathological gland localization and intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IPTH) monitoring, minimally invasive approaches have evolved. This study is aimed to compare BNE and focused parathyroidectomy (FP) in a prospective, randomized, blind trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2005 and 2007, 48 patients with pPHP were enrolled in our study. Twenty three patients were randomized to the BNE group and 24 to the FP group. Patients in the FP group underwent preoperative localization studies. All parathyroidectomies were guided by intraoperative intact parathyroid hormone (IIPTH) monitoring. In the BNE group, neither IIPTH nor preoperative localization studies were performed. RESULTS: All patients were cured by the primary operation. Overall, the operative time was similar in both groups. In the focused exploration (FE) group, compared to the BNE group, there was lower pain intensity at 4, 8, 16, 24, 36 and 48 h after surgery (p < 0.001), lower consumption of analgesics (p < 0.001), lower analgesia request rate (p < 0.001), shorter scar length (p < 0.001), higher cosmetic satisfaction rate 2 days, 1 month (p < 0.001) and 6 months after surgery (p < 0.05), but after 1 year cosmetic satisfaction rate became not significant (p = 0.38). Focused exploration (FE) was more expensive (p < 0.05). We did not find any difference in quality of life after 1 month and 6 months after surgery in both groups. CONCLUSION: Both methods of parathyroidectomy for PHP are safe and effective. Focused exploration (FE) has several advantages: lower postoperative pain, lower analgesic request rate, lower analgesic consumption, shorter scar length, better cosmetic satisfaction rate in a short time period.

Introduction of total hip arthroplasty in Lithuania: results from the first 10 years.

BACKGROUND: Hip replacement as a routine procedure was introduced in Lithuania in 1991. At Klaipeda Hospital, one of the 2 hospitals at which this was begun, the arthroplasties were followed prospectively from the start. This study concerns the 10-year results from a country with no previous experience of hip replacement. The results are compared with those from a hospital with considerable experience of total hip replacement. METHODS: We compared the revision rate for the first 658 primary ScanHip arthroplasties inserted at Klaipeda to that for the first 939 ScanHip primary arthroplasties inserted at Lund University Hospital, Sweden. Only patients with osteoarthritis were included, and the endpoint was revision for aseptic loosening with exchange of one or both components. RESULTS: We found that patients operated at Klaipeda Hospital had a significantly higher risk of revision (12%) than those operated in Lund (6%). INTERPRETATION: Although we could not identify any specific reason for the Swedish results being better than the Lithuanian results, it is probable that previous surgical inexperience of hip replacement in Lithuania played a role. We believe that the findings will stimulate surgeons in Lithuania to analyze their failures and improve the results.

[Early results of total ankle arthroplasty]. / Ciurnos sanario endoprotezavimo ankstyvieji rezultatai.

UNLABELLED: Objective of the study was to evaluate total ankle arthroplasty as the treatment of choice for ankle arthritis; to analyze variables' influence upon early results after total ankle arthroplasty; and to determine early and late postoperative complications and the ways to avoid them. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated clinical results of 18 patients (out of 23 operated patients), for whom total ankle replacement was performed in 1998-2003. Uncemented Scandinavian Total Ankle Replacement (WLink, Germany) endoprosthesis was used in all cases. The patients were examined, questioned and evaluated according to modified rating system recommended by American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society. We observed early and late postoperative complications. RESULTS: Excellent and good results were observed in 9 cases (50%); fair results were in 6 cases (33%), poor in 2 cases (12%), and failure in 1 case (5%). Complications occurred in 11 cases (61%): 4 patients had neurological complaints in operated foot, delayed wound healing was observed in 2 cases, 3 patients had plantar flexion contracture, for 1 patient arthrodesis was done because of dislocation of meniscus component. CONCLUSIONS: Total ankle replacement is an alternative treatment to arthrodesis after posttraumatic ankle arthritis. Results after total ankle arthroplasty are worse than after total hip or knee replacement. Operative technique has great influence on total ankle replacement results. Accurately selected indications for surgery decrease complication rate.

[Hip revision arthroplasty (long-term results)]. / Revizinis klubo sanario endoprotezavimas (velyvieji pooperaciniai rezultatai).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk factors after total hip replacement arthroplasty for rerevision and to analyze complications after hip revision surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We obtained data from 117 hip revisions and 12 hip rerevision arthroplasties performed in 1992-2001 in the Department of Orthopedics of Klaipeda Hospital. Special forms were filled in for every patient who participated in the study. Name, operation date, type of implants, operative technique, revision diagnosis, intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. All patients were checked for death until 2003. RESULTS: Hip revisions were performed for 77 (66%) women and 50 (44%) men in 1992-2001. We revised 22 (19%) cups, 6 (5%) stems, 86 (74%) total hip revisions; femoral head was exchanged for 3 patients. Revision diagnoses were: aseptic loosening in 106 (90%) cases, recurrent dislocations in 7 (6%) cases, and periprosthetic fractures in 4 (4%) cases. Patients' age varied from 26-82 years, average 63.5 years. In revision group only 8% of patients were less than 50 years old, compared to 33% in rerevision group. Morselized allografts and bone impaction technique for reconstruction of bone defects were used in 70 (60%) of cases. We rerevised one cup only for which revision morselized allografts were used. Eight (67%) rerevisions were performed after first 28 (24%) hip revisions. CONCLUSIONS: Patients, who underwent revision surgery being younger than 50 years old, were at higher risk for rerevision surgery. Revision with morselized bone allografts and bone impaction technique decreases number of rerevisions. Learning curve was steep and had great influence to our results.

[Review and results of our first ureteroscopy experience at the Klaipeda Hospital]. / Pirmuju ureterorenoskopiju Klaipedos ligonineje apzvalga ir rezultatai.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate an experience of our first ureteroscopic procedures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data of 65 patients, who underwent ureteroscopy in Klaipeda Hospital during period 2000 August - 2002 February were analyzed. The indications were: obstructive ureteral stones after not successful extracorporeal lithotripsy, rigid ureteral stones, radionegative ureteral stones and ureteral strictures. The procedures were performed mostly in general, less in spinal anesthesia. The operations were completed on average within 120 minutes. The whole procedure was performed in double visual and radiologic correction. In 42.3 percent of cases there was performed only lithextraction, in other 42.3 percent of cases pneumatic lithotripsy and lithextraction, the remainder underwent for fixing with Dormia basket, pneumatic lithtripsy and lithextraction. RESULTS: There were 65 ureteroscopies performed, of them 59 cases for the reason of ureterolithiasis. The overall success rate for ureterolithiasis was 92.3 percent. Two cases were transformed in open operation. All patients received postoperative stenting, which lasted from 3-4 days to several weeks. The required hospitalization after ureteroscopy was on average 4.7 days. No serious operative and postoperative complications were noticed. CONCLUSIONS: Ureteroscopy -minimally invasive, effective and comparatively safe method of treatment for complicated ureterolithiasis. This may be second - line treatment of ureteral stones after extracorporeal lithotripsy and even the choice of first line of treatment in some cases. An experience of surgeon is very definitive.

[Results of the treatment of kidney and ureteral stones by the method of extracorpored shock wave lithotripsy at the Klaipeda Hospital]. / Inkstu ir slapimtakiu akmenu gydymo ekstrakorporines litotripsijos metodu rezultatai Klaipedos ligonineje.

OBJECTIVE: review the cases, which are cured by extracorpored shock wave lithotripsy using the device of third generation "Lithostar Multiline" (Germany). There are data of 603 patients treated by extracorpored shock wave lithotripsy. Almost a thousand (979) renal stones' fragmentations were performed for 271 (45%) patients. The analysis had showed: a full success in 225 (83%) patients, partial in 28 (12.4%) ones and there wasn't any fragmentation in 18 (6.6%) of cases. Extracorpored wave lithotripsy of ureteral stones was performed in 364 (60.4%) cases. Full success was in 319 (87.6%) cases; partial fragmentation in 25 (6.9%) cases and there wasn't any effect in 24 (8%) cases.