Minimally invasive surgery and liver transplantation: is it a safe, feasible, and effective approach?

The minimally invasive approach (MIS) is undoubtedly one of the most important breakthroughs in surgery in recent decades. Consequently, MIS has been increasingly in the field of liver transplantation (LT). The objective of the present review was to determine the current status of MIS with respect to liver transplantation (LT) and what would be the indications for an MIS in this context today. The literature was searched for publications reporting the MIS in LT. Only those articles that described the results according to whether the MIS had been performed to treat transplant complications (urgent or late), another pathology not related to the LT, or to perform the liver explantation and graft implantation were included. From 2000 to 2022, 33 studies and 261 patients were included. Most frequent indications were incisional hernias secondary to LT followed by the treatment of other pathologies not related with the LT and treatment of LT complications. Only a 12% were urgent interventions. Few studies describe conversions with an average rate of 2.5%. Morbidity do not differ significantly from open surgery. No case of mortality or graft loss was described. Purely laparoscopic liver explants in 9 patients with 2 conversions and 3 cases of graft implantation with a higher warm ischemia in the MIS implants grafts were described. The limitations of MIS in LT are relative and probably depend more on training, experience, and skills of the surgeons. This approach could be safety and feasibility to solved complications or in other individualized indications in LT patients. The initial experiences in liver explant and graft implantation need further investigations.

Transección hepática sin suturas mediante un nuevo instrumento asistido por radiofrecuencia. Modelado teórico, estudio experimental y ensayo clínico / Sutureless hepatic transection using a new radiofrequency assisted device. Theoretical model, experimental study and clinic trial

El instrumento ideal para realizar la transección hepática debería aunar en una sola herramienta hemostasia segura y rápida. Presentamos nuestra investigación multidisciplinar encaminada al desarrollo de un dispositivo de transección hepática asistido por radiofrecuencia (RF); la investigación incluye: modelado teórico por computador, estudio experimental y ensayo clínico de este dispositivo. El modelado teórico se realizó por computador basado en el Método de Elementos Finitos (MEF) con objeto de estudiar la distribución de energía eléctrica y temperatura en el tejido y valorar el efecto de las características del instrumento. El estudio experimental basado en un modelo in vivo porcino sugiere que el nuevo instrumento permitiría aumentar la velocidad de transección del parénquima hepático con una menor hemorragia por área de transección al compararlo con otras técnicas ampliamente extendidas en la cirugía hepática. Estos datos permitieron afrontar la realización de la primera fase de un ensayo clínico, cuyos resultados preliminares sugieren que el nuevo instrumento es seguro y eficaz (AU)

The ideal instrument for performing hepatic transection should combine safe and rapid haemostasis in a single tool. We present a new multidisciplinary investigation designed to develop a hepatic transection device assisted by radiofrequency (RF); the investigation included: a computerised theoretical model, and experimental study and a clinical trial of this device. The theoretic modelling was performed by computer, based on the Finite Elements Method (FEM), with the objective of studying the distribution of electrical energy and temperature in the tissue, and to assess the effect of the characteristics of the instrument. The experimental study, based on an in vivo porcine model, suggested that the new instrument would allow the transection velocity of the hepatic parenchyma to be increased with lower bleeding per transection area compared with other techniques extensively used in liver surgery. These data should enable the first phase of clinical trial to be conducted, with preliminary results that suggest that the new device is safe and effective (AU)

[Sutureless hepatic transection using a new radiofrequency assisted device. Theoretical model, experimental study and clinic trial]. / Transección hepática sin suturas mediante un nuevo instrumento asistido por radiofrecuencia. Modelado teórico, estudio experimental y ensayo clínico.

The ideal instrument for performing hepatic transection should combine safe and rapid haemostasis in a single tool. We present a new multidisciplinary investigation designed to develop a hepatic transection device assisted by radiofrequency (RF); the investigation included: a computerised theoretical model, and experimental study and a clinical trial of this device. The theoretic modelling was performed by computer, based on the Finite Elements Method (FEM), with the objective of studying the distribution of electrical energy and temperature in the tissue, and to assess the effect of the characteristics of the instrument. The experimental study, based on an in vivo porcine model, suggested that the new instrument would allow the transection velocity of the hepatic parenchyma to be increased with lower bleeding per transection area compared with other techniques extensively used in liver surgery. These data should enable the first phase of clinical trial to be conducted, with preliminary results that suggest that the new device is safe and effective.

Rehabilitación multimodal en cirugía electiva colorrectal: evaluación de la curva de aprendizaje con 300 pacientes / Multimodal (fast-track) rehabilitation in elective colorectal surgery: Evaluation of the learning curve with 300 patients

Introducción: El objetivo es evaluar la influencia del aprendizaje en la aplicación de un programa de rehabilitación multimodal (RHMM) sobre el cumplimiento del protocolo y la recuperación de los pacientes intervenidos de cirugía electiva colorrectal. Material y métodos: Estudio prospectivo comparativo de 3 cohortes consecutivas de 100 pacientes (P1, P2 y P3) intervenidos de cirugía de colon o recto. En todos los casos se aplicó el mismo protocolo de RHMM. Se ha analizado el cumplimiento del protocolo, tolerancia a la dieta y deambulación. También se han comparado los porcentajes de alta hospitalaria precoz. Resultados: El cumplimiento mejoró progresivamente alcanzando la significación estadística entre P1 y P3: el inicio de la dieta el día 1 del postoperatorio fue de 52 vs. 86% (p=0,0001) y la retirada de sueros fue de 21 vs. 40% (p=0,005). Esta diferencia se mantuvo durante los días 2 y 3. La tolerancia a la dieta en el día 1 (P1: 34 vs. P3: 66%; p=0,0001) y la deambulación en el día 2 (P1: 41 vs. P3: 68%; p=0,0002) también fueron mayores en el tercer periodo. No encontramos diferencias en la morbilidad entre los 3 períodos. El porcentaje de altas hospitalarias en el día 3 (P1: 1 vs. P3: 15%; p=0,0003), día 4 (P1: 12 vs. P3: 32%; p=0,001) y día 5 (P1: 30 vs. P3: 50%; p=0,002) fue mayor en el tercer periodo. Conclusiones: El cumplimiento del protocolo y los resultados de la aplicación de un programa de RHMM mejoran significativamente con la mayor experiencia de los profesionales implicados (AU)

Introduction: The aim of this paper is to assess the learning curve on compliance to the application of a multimodal rehabilitation program (MMRP) protocol and patient recovery after elective colorectal surgery. Material and methods: comparative prospective study of 3 consecutive cohorts of 100 patients (P1, P2 and P3) who had colonic or rectal surgery. The same MMRP protocol was applied in all cases. Compliance to the protocol, tolerance to the diet and walking have been analysed. The percentages of early hospital discharges have also been compared. Results: Compliance gradually improved, reaching statistical significance between P1 and P3. Starting the diet on day 1 post-surgery was 52% vs 86% (p=0.0001) and the removal of drips was 21% vs 40% (p=0.005). This difference remained during days 2 and 3. Tolerance to the diet on day 1 (P1: 34% vs. P3: 66%;p=0.0001) and walking on day 2 (P1: 41% vs. P3: 68%; p=0.0002) were also better in the third period. No differences in morbidity were found between the three periods. The percentage of hospital discharges on day 3 P1: 1% vs. P3: 15%; p=0.0003), day 4 (P1: 12% vs. P3: 32%; p=0.001) and day 5 (P1: 30% vs. P3: 50%; p=0.002) was higher in the third period. Conclusions: The compliance to the protocol and the results of applying the MMRP improved significantly with the greater experience of the professionals involved (AU)

[Multimodal (fast-track) rehabilitation in elective colorectal surgery: evaluation of the learning curve with 300 patients]. / Rehabilitación multimodal en cirugía electiva colorrectal: evaluación de la curva de aprendizaje con 300 pacientes.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this paper is to assess the learning curve on compliance to the application of a multimodal rehabilitation program (MMRP) protocol and patient recovery after elective colorectal surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A comparative prospective study of 3 consecutive cohorts of 100 patients (P1, P2 and P3) who had colonic or rectal surgery. The same MMRP protocol was applied in all cases. Compliance to the protocol, tolerance to the diet and walking have been analysed. The percentages of early hospital discharges have also been compared. RESULTS: Compliance gradually improved, reaching statistical significance between P1 and P3. Starting the diet on day 1 post-surgery was 52% vs 86% (p=0.0001) and the removal of drips was 21% vs 40% (p=0.005). This difference remained during days 2 and 3. Tolerance to the diet on day 1 (P1: 34% vs. P3: 66%; p=0.0001) and walking on day 2 (P1: 41% vs. P3: 68%; p=0.0002) were also better in the third period. No differences in morbidity were found between the three periods. The percentage of hospital discharges on day 3 P1: 1% vs. P3: 15%; p=0.0003), day 4 (P1: 12% vs. P3: 32%; p=0.001) and day 5 (P1: 30% vs. P3: 50%; p=0.002) was higher in the third period. CONCLUSIONS: The compliance to the protocol and the results of applying the MMRP improved significantly with the greater experience of the professionals involved.

Management of lower gastrointestinal bleeding after colorectal resection and stapled anastomosis.

BACKGROUND: Although limited haematochezia with the first bowel movement is frequent in patients undergoing colorectal resection, postoperative life-threatening lower gastrointestinal bleeding is very rare. The purpose of this study was to review our results in the management of this complication. METHODS: We analysed the cases of patients with severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding after colorectal surgery from 2000 to 2006 in our hospital. We studied the general characteristics, diagnostic data, therapeutic management and outcome. We also reviewed the published articles regarding this issue. RESULTS: This complication appeared in 7 (0.5%) of 1,389 colorectal procedures in the study period. In all the patients the anastomosis was stapled. In six of the seven patients bleeding resolved with conservative treatment including endoscopy. However, one patient required surgical treatment. There was no mortality and there were no anastomotic leaks in these seven patients. CONCLUSION: Severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding after colorectal resection and stapled anastomosis is a rare complication. Only in unstable patients or failure of conservative measures is surgery indicated.