Towards Truly "Bespoke" Robotic Surgery: Vessel-Sparing Sigmoidectomy.

The proposed video-vignette represents a later step towards a truly robotically surgical approach, that combines oncological radicality and preservation of optimal blood flow during a sigmoidectomy for cancer. This totally robotic vessel-sparing approach doesn't result in longer operative times, higher blood loss or extended length of hospitalization.

Robotic right colectomy with robotic-sewn anastomosis: a pilot case series.

The background of this study is to assess the feasibility, clinical utility and safety of intra-corporeal robotic-sewn anastomosis (ICrA) in completely robotic right hemicolectomy (CRH) for adenocarcinoma. A protocol for completely robotic right hemicolectomy (CRH) and intra-corporeal robotic-sewn anastomosis (ICrA), was established at the authors' institution from January 2012 through December 2017. Univariate and multivariable models were constructed to explore the prognostic significance of clinical and surgical findings. Survival and recurrence analysis were performed using standard univariable and multivariable methods. The study population consisted of 123 patients. The median number of examined lymph nodes (ELN) was 25 (range 1-59), the median number of positive lymph nodes (PLN) was 1 (range 0-21). Mean operative time was 240 min (SD 43.56, range 180-360 min), and conversion to open rate was 0%. Anastomotic leaks rate was 1.6%. The median overall survival was 69 months. This pilot series, in which an intra-corporeal robotic-sewn anastomosis (ICrA) was performed during CRH, demonstrated the safety and feasibility of this approach. Compared to the current standard of care at a high-volume center, ICrA was associated with post-operative surgical outcomes similar to those reported in the literature. These results call for further validation in a prospective and controlled setting to be fully incorporated into clinical practice.

Impact of Preoperative Neutrophil-Lymphocyte and Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratios on Long-Term Survival in Patients with Operable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has an extremely poor prognosis. The outcomes of patients with cancer are determined not only by tumor-related factors but also by systemic inflammatory response. The objective of the study was to identify whether the preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are associated with the prognosis of PDAC of the pancreas head after curative pancreatoduodenectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-six patients were enrolled in this prospective, observational clinical study. The optimal NLR and PLR cut-off values were calculated using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. ROC curve analysis revealed an optimal NLR and PLR cut-off point of 5.41 and 205.56, respectively. Consequently, the NLR and PRL scores were classified as NLR <5.41 or ≥5.41 and PLR <205.56 or ≥205.56. The clinical outcomes of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were calculated by Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to analyze the prognostic value of NLR and PLR. RESULTS: Low preoperative NLR and PLR levels both correlated with better pathological features, including decreased depth of invasion (p < 0.001), less lymph node metastasis (p < 0.001), earlier stage (p < 0.001), and lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.004). Kaplan-Meier plots illustrated that higher preoperative NLR and PLR had does not influence OS and DFS. Univariate analysis revealed that depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, stage, PLR, and NLR are risk factors affecting OS and DFS. Multivariate analysis revealed that only stage was independently associated with OS and DFS. CONCLUSIONS: NLR and PLR measurements cannot provide important prognostic results in patients with resectable PDAC.

Robotic oncologic colorectal surgery with a new robotic platform (CMR Versius): hope or hype? A preliminary experience from a full-robotic case-series.

BACKGROUND: The present case-series describes the first full-robotic colorectal resections performed with the new CMR Versius platform (Cambridge Medical Robotics Surgical, 1 Evolution Business Park, Cambridge, United Kingdom) by an experienced robotic surgeon. METHODS: In a period between July 2020 and December 2020, patients aged 18 years or older, who were diagnosed with colorectal cancer and were fit for minimally invasive surgery, underwent robotic colorectal resection with CMR Versius robotic platform at "Casa di Cura Cobellis" in Vallo della Lucania,Salerno, Italy. Three right colectomies, 2 sigmoid colectomies and 1 anterior rectal resection were performed. All the procedures were planned as fully robotic. Surgical data were retrospectively reviewed from a prospectively collected database. RESULTS: Four patients were male and 2 patients were female with a median (range) age of 66 (47-72) years. One covering ileostomy was created. Full robotic splenic flexure mobilization was performed. No additional laparoscopic gestures or procedures were performed in this series except for clipping and stapling which were performed by the assistant surgeon due to the absence of robotic dedicated instruments. Two ileocolic anastomoses, planned as robotic-sewn, were performed extracorporeally. One Clavien-Dindo II complication occurred due to a postoperative blood transfusion. Median total operative time was 160 (145-294) min for right colectomies, 246 (191-300) min for sigmoid colectomies and 250 min for the anterior rectal resection. CONCLUSIONS: The present series confirms the feasibility of full-robotic colorectal resections while highlighting the strengths and the limitations of the CMR Versius platform in colorectal surgery. New devices will need more clinical development to be comparable to the current standard.

Importance of Nodal Metastases Location in Pancreatoduodenectomy for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Results from a Prospective, Lymphadenectomy Protocol.

BACKGROUND: Implementing a prospective lymphadenectomy protocol, we investigated the nodal yields and metastases per anatomical stations and nodal echelon following upfront pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) for cancer. Next, the relationship between the extension of nodal dissection, the number of examined and positive nodes (ELN/PLN), disease staging and prognosis was assessed. METHODS: Lymphadenectomy included stations 5, 6, 8a-p, 12a-b-p, 13, 14a-b, 17, and jejunal mesentery nodes. Data were stratified by N-status, anatomical stations, and nodal echelons. First echelon was defined as stations embedded in the main specimen and second echelon as stations sampled as separate specimens. Recurrence and survival analyses were performed by using standard statistics. RESULTS: Overall, 424 patients were enrolled from June 2013 through December 2018. The median number of ELN and PLN was 42 (interquartile range [IQR] 34-50) and 4 (IQR 2-8). Node-positive patients were 88.2%. The commonest metastatic sites were stations 13 (77.8%) and 14 (57.5%). The median number of ELN and PLN in the first echelon was 28 (IQR 23-34) and 4 (IQR 1-7). While first-echelon dissection provided enough ELN for optimal nodal staging, the aggregate rate of second-echelon metastases approached 30%. Nodal-related factors associated with recurrence and survival were N-status, multiple metastatic stations, metastases to station 14, and jejunal mesentery nodes. CONCLUSIONS: First-echelon dissection provides adequate number of ELN for optimal staging. Nodal metastases occur mostly at stations 13/14, although second-echelon involvement is frequent. Only station 14 and jejunal mesentery nodes involvement was prognostically relevant. This latter station should be included in the standard nodal map and analyzed pathologically.

Coronary Artery Stent for Securing High-risk Pancreatico-jejunal Anastomosis After Pancreatoduodenectomy: A Pilot Series.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility and clinical utility of coronary artery stent (CAS) in securing pancreatico-jejunal anastomosis (PJ) and avoid stent displacement after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Externalized trans-anastomotic stent (ETS) is a standard mitigation strategy for postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) in high-risk patients. However, major morbidity remains extremely elevated, especially in case of ETS malfunction due to displacement. METHODS: A pilot series of 72 patients underwent PD and PJ with CAS positioning between January 2016 and December 2019. All patients were at high-risk for POPF (soft pancreatic texture; main pancreatic duct diameter ≤ 3 mm) and underwent a CT-scan at postoperative day 5 and 10 to assess the correct CAS positioning. Postoperative outcomes were analyzed, and displacement rates were compared with a cohort of 141 patients with the same high-risk characteristics, undergoing PD with PJ and externalized trans-anastomotic stent (ETS). RESULTS: No CAS-related complications were registered in the study group. In particular, no CAS displacement was registered, compared to a 28% ETS malfunction (either displacement or occlusion). The POPF rate, major morbidity, and mortality were 11%, 6%, and 0% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The CAS positioning appears to be a feasible and safe mitigation strategy to secure PJ anastomosis after PD with high POPF risk avoiding stent displacement. Further validation and comparison with current standard of care is required in a prospective controlled setting.

Haemobilia secondary to a cystic artery pseudoaneurysm as complication of VLC.

INTRODUCTION: The laparoscopic approach has become the gold standard for cholecystectomy. However, it could have some major complications. Among them, it can be considered postoperative pseudoaneurysms of the cystic or hepatic arteries. Haemobilia secondary to a cystic artery pseudoaneurysm is extremely rare. CASE REPORT: Here we present a case from our centre of haemobilia in association with a cystic artery pseudoaneurysm, as a late complication of VLC. An 18-year-old girl underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy; during surgery, due to viscero-perietal tight adhesions and due to the close proximity of the cystic duct to the biliary ducts, we suspected a bile duct injury. So, decision was taken to convert to open surgery: a suture was performed to repair the coledocic duct injury and an endoscopic papillotomy was performed with subsequent positioning of an endoscopic plastic biliary endoprothesis at the hepatocholedochus. One month after surgery, the patient showed clinical signs of hypovolemic shock. She underwent Computed Tomography Angiography, showing a possible arterial lesion, just adjacent to surgical clip. Therefore, patient underwent angiographic examination, which confirmed an 8 mm pseudoaneurysm arising from cystic artery, just adjacent to surgical clips. Superselective catheterization of vessel was performed, and two coils were released, until obtaining complete exclusion of the vascular lesion. The patient was discharged five days after procedure, with good general condition. CONCLUSION: Pseudoaneurysms of the cystic artery are uncommon entities, rarely reported in the literature, and often caused by cholecystitis or iatrogenic biliary injury. All conditions that are responsible for vessels' injuries could also cause haemobilia. Even if pseudoaneurysm of cystic artery with haemobilia is a rare event, it has to be considered as a complication of VLC. Angiographic approach should be the treatment of choice.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: A role of inflammatory markers in the early detection of gastric leak.

SETTING: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is gaining popularity as a bariatric option. Gastric leak (GL) is the most dreaded septic complication of LSG. Early detection and treatment of this complication may improve outcomes. OBJECTIVES: This study investigates biomarkers that might be useful to predict GL before its clinical presentation in patients who underwent LSG. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study, prospective observational, was carried out in 151 patients, who underwent LSG for morbid obesity between February 2014 and October 2019. Blood samples were collected before the operation and on post-operative days one, three and five to dose serum C-reactive protein (CRP), pro-calcitonin (PCT), fibrinogen, white blood cells (WBCs) count and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). RESULTS: GL occurred in 6 patients (3.97%). According to the receiver operating characteristics curve, NLR detected leak with remarkably higher sensitivity (100%) and specificity (100%) than CRP, fibrinogen, WBC on all the days and higher than PCT in post-operative days 3 and 5. Moreover, the area under the curve (AUC) of NLR (AUC = 1) was higher than the AUC of CRP, fibrinogen, WBC on all the days and higher than PCT in post-operative days 3 and 5, suggesting important statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Because NLR and PCT detected GL with remarkably higher sensitivity and specificity than CRP, fibrinogen and WBC, these two markers seem to be more accurate for the early detection of this complication.

Branch Duct - IPMN and PanIN, in IgG4-Autoimmune pancreatitis: A case report.

The presence of pancreatic lesions in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis requires histological diagnosis (percutaneous or endoscopic biopsy) to exclude malignancy. A nonspecific histology after endoscopic or percutaneous biopsy of a pancreatic lesion may require surgical excision and definite histology.

Squamous cell anal cancer: Management and therapeutic options.

The incidence of anal cancer has increased during the second half of the 20th century, with an incidence rate over 2.9% greater than in the decade of 1992-2001. Yet, it still constitutes a small percentage, about 4%, of all anorectal tumours. Its risk factors are human papillomavirus infection, a history of sexually transmitted diseases, a history of vulvar or cervical carcinoma, immunosuppression related to human immunodeficiency virus infection or after organ transplantation, haematological or immunological disorders, and smoking. The most frequent symptom is rectal bleeding (45%), followed by anal pain, and sensation of a rectal mass. The diagnosis requires clinical examination, palpation of the inguinal lymph nodes, high resolution anoscopy followed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy or core biopsy. Subsequent histologic diagnosis is necessary, as well as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of the pelvic lymph nodes. Since 1980, patients with a diagnosis of anal cancer have shown a significant improvement in survival. In Europe during the years 1983-1994, 1-year survival increased from 78% to 81%, and the improvement over 5 years was between 48% and 54%. Prior to 1974, patients with invasive cancer were routinely scheduled for abdominoperineal amputation, after which it was demonstrated that treatment with 5-fluorouracil and radiotherapy associated with mitomycin or capecitabine could be adequate to treat the tumour without surgery. Today, numerous studies have confirmed that combined multimodal treatment is effective and sufficient.

Relationship between haemorrhoidal grade and toilet habits.

PURPOSE: Haemorrhoids are defined as the distal displacement and venous distention of the normal hemorrhoidal cushions. Multiple factors have been claimed to be causes of hemorrhoidal development, but the exact pathophysiology is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to assess how common is the habit to spend a long time on the toilet in patients seen for hemorrhoidal disease. Our hypothesis is that haemorrhoids could be significantly associated with a long sitting time because this practice contributes to the weakening and then dilatation of the hemorrhoidal cushions. METHODS: The survey was conducted from April 2019 to June 2019. The study group consisted of 52 adult non-obese patients with diagnosed internal or external haemorrhoids. These patients have been asked to fill an anonymous short questionnaire. We divided the group into four classes and we calculated the mean time spent on the toilet for each group. Then we realized a plot to assess a relationship among these two variables. RESULTS: We found that the two studied variables (time spent on the toilet and degree of haemorrhoids) seemed to be linked by a linear association (R2=0.95). CONCLUSION: The results obtained in our preliminary study encourage us to continue this work, increasing the number of patients. If our supposition should be confirmed by further studies, we could say that toilet habits modification should be advised to any patients with any degree of haemorrhoids, as a part of treatment and as a preventive measure. KEY WORDS: Haemorrhoids, Goligher's classification, Constipation, Toilet habit.

Endoscopic Double-Pigtail Catheter (EDPC) Internal Drainage as First-Line Treatment of Gastric Leak: A Case Series during Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Learning Curve for Morbid Obesity.

OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of morbid obesity has dramatically increased over the last several decades worldwide, currently reaching epidemic proportions. Gastric leak (GL) remains the potentially fatal main complication after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) for morbid obesity. To our knowledge, there are no standardized guidelines for GL treatment after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) yet. The aim of this study was to represent our institutional preliminary experience using the endoscopic double-pigtail catheter (EDPC) as the method of internal drainage and propose it as first-line treatment in case of GL after LSG. METHODS: One hundred and seventeen patients were admitted to our surgical department and underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) for morbid obesity from March 2014 to June 2019. In 5 patients (4.3%) of our series, GL occurred as a complication of LSG. EPDC was the stand-alone procedure of internal drainage and GL first-line treatment. The internal pig tail was endoscopically removed from 30th to 40th POD in all cases. RESULTS: Present data (clinical, biochemical, and instrumental tests) showed a complete resolution of GL, with promotion of a pseudodiverticula and complete re-epithelialization of leak. Follow-up was more strict than usual (clinical visit and biochemical test on 7th, 14th, and 21st day after discharge; a CT scan with gastrografin on 30th day from discharge if clinical visit and exams were normal). CONCLUSION: This was a preliminary retrospective observational study, conducted on 5 patients affected by GL as a complication of LSG for morbid obesity. EDPC maintains the safety, efficacy, and nonexpensive characteristic and may be proposed as better first-line treatment in case of GL after bariatric surgery.

Giant Spigelian Hernia presenting as small bowel obstruction: Case report and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: Spigelian Hernia is an uncommon pathology of abdominal wall (0.12-2.4%), usually small sized and with vague symptoms. It rarely presents as Small Bowel Obstruction or reaches dimensions that becomes clinically remarkable. PRESENTATION OF CASE: 84-year-old woman entered our Surgical Department for Small Bowel Obstruction due to a giant (8 × 7 cm) abdominal wall hernia, which was intraoperatively identified as Spigelian Hernia. We performed a minilaparotomy with reduction of viable small bowel and preperitoneal positioning of polypropilene mesh. Postoperative course was uneventfull. DISCUSSION: Due to its small dimensions and infrequence, the diagnosis could be challenging even if the patient undergoes a CT scan. The presentation with clear signs of small bowel obstruction associated with a large abdominal hernia is rare and suggests a urgent surgical approach with mesh repair to avoid recurrences. CONCLUSION: Even if rarely symptomatic, the Spigelian Hernia is an entity to consider in the differential diagnosis of small bowel obstruction in a virgin abdomen. Preoperative diagnosis, when available, is mandatory to guide a correct surgical approach.

Multidisciplinary palliation for unresectable recurrent rectal cancer: hypoxic pelvic perfusion with mitomycin C and oxaliplatin in patients progressing after systemic chemotherapy and radiotherapy, a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Innovative systemic treatments and loco-regional chemotherapy by hypoxic pelvic perfusion (HPP) have been proposed for unresectable recurrent rectal cancer (URRC). Regorafenib and trifluridine-tipiracil reported significantly increased PFS 1.9-2.0 months, OS 6.4-7.1 months vs placebo, respectively. Present study evaluated safety and efficacy of mitomycin/oxaliplatin HPP associated to intravenous cetuximab, and of third line systemic therapy in clinical practice. METHODS: HPP consisted of: isolation, perfusion, chemofiltration. Patients received mitomycin 25 mg/m2 and oxaliplatin 80 mg/m2 during HPP; from days 21 to 28, cetuximab 250 mg/m2/week. In case of partial response or stable disease, HPPs were repeated every 8 weeks. In control group, systemic third and further lines of therapy were defined in clinical practice according to clinical (age, comorbidities, performance status), biological parameters (KRAS, NRAS, BRAF genotype). RESULTS: From 2005 to 2018, 49 URRC patients were enrolled; 33 in HPP/target-therapy, 16 in systemic therapy control group. No HPP related complications were reported. Most common adverse events were skin, bone marrow toxicities. In HPP/target-therapy group, ORR and DCR were 36.4 and 100%; in systemic therapy control group, 18.7 and 31.25%, respectively. In HPP/target-therapy compared with systemic therapy group, respectively, DCR seemed significantly favourable (P = 0.001), as PFS 8 vs 4 months (P = 0.018), and OS 15 vs 8 months (P = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: Present data showed that integration of HPP/target-therapy may be effective in local control, and efficacy as third line treatment of URCC patients. This therapeutic strategy deserves further prospective randomized trials to be compared to conventional systemic treatments.

Importance of perforating vessels in nipple-sparing mastectomy: an anatomical description.

BACKGROUND: Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM), understood as an oncologically valid procedure, is relatively new, and is an evolution of traditional mastectomy, particularly in relation to breast-conserving surgery. The anterior perforating branches are responsible for the cutaneous vascularization of the breast skin, and their preservation is a fundamental step to avoid possible postoperative necrosis. Therefore, evaluating the potential complications of cancer-related reconstructive surgical procedures such as NSM, both the distance of the tumoral lesion from the skin and the surgical incision site should be carefully considered. The preferred site of incision corresponds to the inframammary fold or possibly the periareolar area. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 113 patients who underwent NSM from January 2005 to October 2012 to evaluate skin complications. The anatomical study was performed by magnetic resonance imaging of the breast. RESULTS: Only one of the 113 women who had undergone a NSM procedure had total necrosis (0.9%) and six patients had partial necrosis (5.8%) of the nipple-areola complex.