Preliminary experience with a new robotic technique to facilitate distal pancreatectomy with spleen preservation: left lateral approach in right lateral decubitus position.

Spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy (SP-DP), for patients with benign or small low-grade malignant tumors of the body or tail of the pancreas, is the ideal procedure although it is technically demanding. The robotic da Vinci system has been introduced to overcome these technical challenges and reduce operative risks. We report our experience of a new variation in surgical technique: the left lateral approach robotic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy (RSP-DP) in right lateral decubitus position. We performed this new variant of SP-DP, in five patients, using the da Vinci Xi system. Technical and clinical feasibility are described. The mean age and body mass index were 53.4 years and 31.4 kg/m2, respectively. The mean total operative time was 323 min. The estimated mean blood loss was 240 ml. In all patients, the spleen could be preserved. In four patients, the splenic vessels were also preserved. One patient required a Warshaw technique due to significant fibrosis attached to the splenic vein. The postoperative period of all patients was uneventful except the presence of biochemical leak (BL) in two patients that only required maintenance of the drainage at home. The mean length of hospital stay was 6 days after surgery. The left lateral approach robotic SP-DP in right lateral decubitus position is a feasible and safe procedure for distal benign or small low-grade malignant tumors of the left pancreas. The right lateral decubitus position associated to robotic surgery can facilitate this complex procedure, especially when splenic vessels preservation is indicated, with a lower risk of conversion and shortening of the learning curve.

Impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on post-hepatectomy regeneration for patients with colorectal cancer liver metastasis - Systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Today, there is still debate on the impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NeoChem) on liver regeneration (LivReg). The objectives of this study were to assess the impact of NeoChem and its characteristics (addition of bevacizumab, number of cycles and time from end of NeoChem) on post-hepatectomy LivReg. MATERIAL & METHODS: Studies reporting LivReg in patients submitted to liver resection were included. Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched. Only studies comparing NeoChem vs no chemotherapy or comparing chemotherapy characteristics from 1990 to present were included. Two researchers individually screened the identified records registered in a predesigned database. Primary outcome was future liver remnant regeneration rate (FLR3). Bias of the studies was evaluated with the ROBINS-I tool, and quality of evidence with the GRADE system. Data was presented as mean difference or standard mean difference. RESULTS: Eight studies with a total of 681 patients were selected. Seven were retrospective and one prospective comparative cohort studies. In patients submitted to major hepatectomy, NeoChem did not have an impact on LivReg (MD 3.12, 95% CI -2,12-8.36, p 0,24). Adding bevacizumab to standard NeoChem was associated with better FLR3 (SMD 0.45, 95% CI 0.19-0.71, p 0.0006). DISCUSSION: The main drawback of this review is the retrospective nature of the available studies. NeoChem does not have a negative impact on postoperative LivReg in patients submitted to liver resection. Regimens with bevacizumab seem to be associated with better postoperative LivReg rates when compared to standard NeoChem.

Prevention of Incisional Hernia after Open Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery: A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: Most hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) procedures are still performed through open approach. Incisional hernia (IH) is one of the most common complications after open surgery. To date, published data on IH after HPB surgery are scarce; therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the current evidence regarding incidence, risk factors, and prevention. METHODS: Medline/PubMed (1946-2020), EMBASE (1947-2020), and the Cochrane library (1995-2020) were searched for studies on IH in open HPB surgery. Animal studies, editorials, letters, reviews, comments, short case series and liver transplant, laparoscopic, or robotic procedures were excluded. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020163296). RESULTS: A total of 5,079 articles were retrieved. Eight studies were finally included for the analysis. The incidence of IH after HPB surgery ranges from 7.7% to 38.8%. The identified risk factors were body mass index, surgical site infection, ascites, Mercedes or reversed T incisions, and previous IH. Prophylactic mesh might be safe and effective. CONCLUSIONS: IH after open HPB surgery is still an important matter. Some of the risk factors are specific for the HPB operations and the incision type should be carefully considered. Randomized controlled trials are required to confirm the role of prophylactic mesh after HPB operations.

The effect of preoperative chemotherapy on liver regeneration after portal vein embolization/ligation or liver resection in patients with colorectal liver metastasis: a systematic review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Liver resection (LR) in patients with liver metastasis from colorectal cancer remains the only curative treatment. Perioperative chemotherapy improves prognosis of these patients. However, there are concerns regarding the effect of preoperative chemotherapy on liver regeneration, which is a key event in avoiding liver failure after LR. The primary objective of this systematic review is to assess the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on liver regeneration after (LR) or portal vein embolization (PVE) in patients with liver metastasis from colorectal cancer. The secondary objectives are to evaluate the impact of the type of chemotherapy, number of cycles, and time between end of treatment and procedure (LR or PVE) and to investigate whether there is an association between degree of hypertrophy and postoperative liver failure. METHODS: This meta-analysis will include studies reporting liver regeneration rates in patients submitted to LR or PVE. Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases will be searched. Only studies comparing neoadjuvant vs no chemotherapy, or comparing chemotherapy characteristics (bevacizumab administration, number of cycles, and time from finishing chemotherapy until intervention), will be included. We will select studies from 1990 to present. Two researchers will individually screen the identified records, according to a list of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Primary outcome will be future liver remnant regeneration rate. Bias of the studies will be evaluated with the ROBINS-I tool, and quality of evidence for all outcomes will be determined with the GRADE system. The data will be registered in a predesigned database. If selected studies are sufficiently homogeneous, we will perform a meta-analysis of reported results. In the event of a substantial heterogeneity, a qualitative systematic review will be performed. DISCUSSION: The results of this systematic review may help to better identify the patients affected by liver metastasis that could present low regeneration rates after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. These patients are at risk to develop liver failure after extended hepatectomies and therefore are not good candidates for such aggressive procedures. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020178481 (July 5, 2020).

Programa de cirugía mayor ambulatoria para cáncer de mama: experiencia en el Hospital de Mataró / Major ambulatory surgery programme for breast cancer: experience in Hospital de Mataró (Spain)

Objetivos. Estudiar los resultados obtenidos desde el pleno funcionamiento del programa de cirugía mayor ambulatoria para cáncer de mama en nuestro centro. Métodos. Análisis retrospectivo de las pacientes intervenidas de cáncer de mama dentro del programa desde enero del 2012 hasta diciembre del 2014. Se han estudiado el número de pacientes tratadas en el programa, el tipo de procedimientos quirúrgicos realizados, la evolución del índice de sustitución del tratamiento quirúrgico para el cáncer de mama, la tasa y las causas de conversión a ingreso y los motivos de no inclusión en el programa. Resultados. Durante este período 369 pacientes fueron intervenidas de cáncer de mama, de las cuales 161 fueron incluidas en el programa. El índice de sustitución global fue del 44%. Del 2012 al 2014, la tasa de conversión al ingreso fue del 10% (18 pacientes) siendo las 2 primeras causas la linfadenectomía axilar por positividad del ganglio centinela (12 pacientes) y las complicaciones postoperatorias inmediatas médicas o anestésicas (5 pacientes); 31 pacientes no fueron incluidas en el programa: 19 (61%) por comorbilidades médicas, 5 (16%) por motivos sociales y 7 (23%) por decisión del cirujano responsable. Conclusiones. La cirugía ambulatoria para el tratamiento del cáncer de mama se muestra factible y segura. Desde el inicio del programa el índice de sustitución ha aumentado de forma progresiva, presentando una buena tasa de satisfacción por parte de las pacientes tratadas (AU)

Objectives. To study the results obtained after the full implementation of a major ambulatory surgery programme for breast cancer in our centre. Methods. A retrospective review was conducted of all patients undergoing breast cancer surgery within a major ambulatory surgery programme from January 2012 to December 2014. We studied the number of patients treated in the major ambulatory surgery programme, the trend in the substitution rate of breast cancer surgical treatment, the surgical procedures performed, the satisfaction rate, the inpatient rate and its causes, and the reasons for not including patients in the ambulatory programme. Results. During this period, 369 patients underwent breast cancer surgery, of which 161 were included in the major ambulatory surgery programme. The overall substitution rate was 44%. From 2012 to 2014, the inpatient rate was 10% (18 patients), the two main causes being axillary lymph node dissection due to a positive result of sentinel lymph node biopsy (12 patients) and medical and anaesthetic postoperative complications (5 patients). A total of 31 patients were not included in the program: 19 (61%) due to medical comorbidities, 5 (16%) due to social reasons and 7 (23%) due to the decision of the treating surgeon. Conclusions. Outpatient surgery programmes for breast cancer are feasible and safe. Since the start of the programme, the substitution rate in our centre has improved progressively, resulting in a good satisfaction rate among treated patients (AU)