Project description:Robot-assisted surgery has been progressively involved in various fields of adult and pediatric surgery, demonstrating many advantages over either mini-invasive or open surgery. The aim of this review is to provide the most recent evidence on robot-assisted pediatric surgery, in all its subspecialties. A comprehensive electronic literature search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library was conducted using appropriate Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms and keywords. The interval time considered was a 5-year period [2017-2022], and no language restrictions were applied. A total of 685 titles were identified. After applying exclusion criteria, 73 articles for robotic pediatric surgery have been published and were included in this review. We extrapolated and summarized the current evidence on robot-assisted surgery in pediatric age through all the fields of applicability. Robot-assisted surgery is technically feasible in case of a selected pediatric cohort, and it is going to achieve similar or better surgical results if related to the standard open or mini-invasive procedures. Copious case series and randomized trials are still required. Due to the great potential that this new technology is demonstrating, in the close future, the evolution of robotic platform will offer a valid and solid alternative in the treatment of various pediatric pathologies.
Project description:Background: Indocyanine green (ICG)-guided near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) has been recently adopted in pediatric minimally invasive surgery (MIS). This study aimed to report our experience with ICG-guided NIRF in pediatric laparoscopy and robotics and evaluate its usefulness and technique of application in different pediatric pathologies. Methods: ICG technology was adopted in 76 laparoscopic and/or robotic procedures accomplished in a single division of pediatric surgery over a 24-month period (January 2018-2020): 40 (37 laparoscopic, three robotic) left varicocelectomies with intra-operative lymphography; 13 (10 laparoscopic, three robotic) renal procedures: seven partial nephrectomies, three nephrectomies, and three renal cyst deroofings; 12 laparoscopic cholecystectomies; five robotic tumor excisions; three laparoscopic abdominal lymphoma excisions; three thoracoscopic procedures: two lobectomies and one lymph node biopsy for suspected lymphoma. The ICG solution was administered into a peripheral vein in all indications except for varicocele and lymphoma in which it was, respectively, injected into the testis body or the target organ. Regarding the timing of the administration, the ICG solution was administered intra-operatively in all indications except for cholecystectomy in which the ICG injection was performed 15-18 h before surgery. Results: No conversions to open or laparoscopy occurred. No adverse and allergic reactions to ICG or other postoperative complications were reported. Conclusions: Based upon our 2 year experience, we believe that ICG-guided NIRF is a very useful tool in pediatric MIS to perform a true imaged-guided surgery, allowing an easier identification of anatomic structures and an easier surgical performance in difficult cases. The most common applications in pediatric surgery include varicocele repair, difficult cholecystectomy, partial nephrectomy, lymphoma, and tumors excision but further indications will be soon discovered. ICG-enhanced fluorescence was technically easy to apply and safe for the patient reporting no adverse reactions to the product. The main limitation is represented by the specific equipment needed to apply ICG-guided NIRF in laparoscopic procedures, that is not available in all centers whereas the ICG system Firefly® is already integrated into the robotic platform.
Project description:Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) has emerged as a technique that allows head and neck surgeons to safely resect large and complex oropharyngeal tumors without dividing the mandible or performing a lip-split incision. These resections provide a reconstructive challenge because the cylinder of the oropharynx remains closed and both physical access and visualization of oropharyngeal anatomy is severely restricted. Transoral robotic reconstruction (TORRS) of such defects allows the reconstructive surgeon to inset free flaps or perform adjacent tissue transfer while seeing what the resecting surgeon sees. Early experience with this technique has proved feasible and effective. Robotic reconstruction has many distinct advantages over conventional surgery, and offers patients a less morbid surgical course. In this review, we discuss the clinical applicability of transoral robotic surgery in head and neck reconstruction, highlighting the benefits and limitations of such an approach, and outlining the guidelines for its utilization.
Project description:Introduction: Pediatric spinal deformity involves a complex 3-dimensional (3D) deformity that increases the risk of pedicle screw placement due to the close proximity of neurovascular structures. To increase screw accuracy, improve patient safety, and minimize surgical complications, the placement of pedicle screws is evolving from freehand techniques to computer-assisted navigation and to the introduction of robotic-assisted placement. Purpose: The aim of this review was to review the current literature on the use of robotic navigation in pediatric spinal deformity surgery to provide both an error analysis of these techniques and to provide recommendations to ensure its safe application. Methods: A narrative review was conducted in April 2021 using the MEDLINE (PubMed) database. Studies were included if they were peer-reviewed retrospective or prospective studies, included pediatric patients, included a primary diagnosis of pediatric spine deformity, utilized robotic-assisted spinal surgery techniques, and reported thoracic or lumbar pedicle screw breach rates or pedicle screw malpositioning. Results: In the few studies published on the use of robotic techniques in pediatric spinal deformity surgery, several found associations between the technology and increased rates of screw placement accuracy, reduced rates of breach, and minimal complications. All were retrospective studies. Conclusions: Current literature is of a low level of evidence; nonetheless, the findings suggest the accuracy and safety of robotic-assisted spinal surgery in pediatric pedicle screw placement. The introduction of robotics may drive further advances in less invasive pediatric spinal deformity surgery. Further study is warranted.
Project description:Robotic technology is positioned to transform the approach to tracheobronchial surgery. With its magnified 3D view, intuitive controls, wristed-instruments, high-fidelity simulation platforms, and the steady implementation of new technical improvement, the robot is well-suited to manage the careful dissection and delicate handling of the airway in tracheobronchial surgery. This innovative technology has the potential to promote the widespread adoption of minimally invasive techniques for this complex thoracic surgery.
Project description:Objectives To describe the potential uses of computed tomography image guidance in concert with the surgical robot for skull base surgery. Design An anatomical study was conducted. Setting Tertiary academic center. Participants Cadaveric skull. Main Outcome Measures The primary outcome measure was to measure the accuracy of robotic arm positioning to anatomical landmarks on a skull using image guidance and the surgical robot synchronously. Instruments with different angles of rotations were used. Estimated systematic error was calculated and compared with achieved errors. Clinical applications of metachronous image guidance and robotic system were discussed. Results The skull model approximated < 1 mm accuracy using standard image guidance instruments and the 0-degree robotic arm positioning. Increased angles of instruments from 20 to 60 degrees on the robotic system revealed more significant increases in error than estimated. Conclusions Image guidance may be useful for transoral robotic approaches. Precise movements are improved by limiting the angle of deviation. Future studies will help optimize the combined technologies before validating the study in clinical settings.
Project description:IntroductionFor a long time, the comprehensive application of minimally invasive techniques in lower gastrointestinal (GI) surgery was substantially impaired by inherent anatomical and technical complexities. Recently, several new techniques such as robotic operating platforms and transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME) have revolutionized the minimally invasive approach. This review aims to depict the current state of the art and evaluates the advantages and drawbacks in regard to perioperative outcome and quality of oncological resection.MethodsA systematic literature search was performed using the search terms 'colorectal cancer', 'rectal cancer', 'minimally invasive surgery', 'laparoscopic surgery', and 'robotic' to identify relevant studies reporting on robotic surgery (RS) either alone or in comparison to laparoscopic surgery (LS). Publications on taTME were analyzed separately.Results69 studies reporting on RS with a total of 20,872 patients, and 17 articles on taTME including 881 patients, were identified.ConclusionBoth RS and taTME can facilitate a minimally invasive approach for lower GI surgery in an increasing number of patients. Furthermore, combining both techniques might become an auspicious approach in selected patients; further prospective and randomized trials are needed to verify its benefits over conventional laTME.
Project description:BACKGROUND:To report our experience of postoperative haemorrhage in patients following transoral robotic surgery (TORS). METHODS:Data were collected on patients having TORS. Postoperative haemorrhage within 30 days was graded using the Mayo Clinic grading system. RESULTS:Transoral robotic surgery operations were performed on 122 patients. There were 23 bleeding events classified as minor to severe following 19 operations (16%). Haemorrhage requiring a return to the operating room occurred after 7 operations (6%). The odds of an emergent haemorrhage were 5.19 times greater in patients who had a staged neck dissection after TORS (P = .05). The odds of a postoperative bleeding event were 2.6 times greater in patients receiving a larger resection (P = .107). There were no haemorrhage events in the 36 patients who received a synchronous neck dissection with transcervical ligation of the external carotid artery. CONCLUSIONS:Surgical intervention for TORS haemorrhage occurred in 6% patients. No haemorrhage occurred in patients who had ligation of the external carotid artery.
Project description:BackgroundSeveral recent reports of CorPath GRX vascular robot (Cordinus Vascular Robotics, Natick, MA) use intracranially suggest feasibility of neuroendovascular application. Further use and development is likely. During this progression it is important to understand endovascular robot feasibility principles established in cardiac and peripheral vascular literature which enabled extension intracranially. Identification and discussion of robotic proof of concept principals from sister disciplines may help guide safe and accountable neuroendovascular application.ObjectiveSummarize endovascular robotic feasibility principals established in cardiac and peripheral vascular literature relevant to neuroendovascular application.MethodsSearches of PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar were conducted under PRISMA guidelines1 using MeSH search terms. Abstracts were uploaded to Covidence citation review (Covidence, Melbourne, AUS) using RIS format. Pertinent articles underwent full text review and findings are presented in narrative and tabular format.ResultsSearch terms generated 1642 articles; 177, 265 and 1200 results for PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar respectively. With duplicates removed, title review identified 176 abstracts. 55 articles were included, 45 from primary review and 10 identified during literature review. As it pertained to endovascular robotic feasibility proof of concept 12 cardiac, 3 peripheral vascular and 5 neuroendovascular studies were identified.ConclusionsCardiac and peripheral vascular literature established endovascular robot feasibility and efficacy with equivalent to superior outcomes after short learning curves while reducing radiation exposure >95% for the primary operator. Limitations of cost, lack of haptic integration and coaxial system control continue, but as it stands neuroendovascular robotic implementation is worth continued investigation.
Project description:BackgroundThere has been a recent rapid growth in the adoption of robotic systems across Europe. This study aimed to capture the current state of robotic training in gastrointestinal (GI) surgery and to identify potential challenges and barriers to training within Europe.MethodsA pan-European survey was designed to account for the opinion of the following GI surgery groups: (i) experts/independent practitioners; (ii) trainees with robotic access; (iii) trainees without robotic access; (iv) robotic industry representatives. The survey explored various aspects, including stakeholder opinions on bedside assisting, console operations, challenges faced and performance assessment. It was distributed through multiple European surgical societies and industry, in addition to social media and snowball sampling, between December 2023 and March 2024.ResultsA total of 1360 participants responded, with valid/complete responses from 1045 participants across 38 European countries. Six hundred and ninety-five (68.0%) experts and trainees were not aware of a dedicated robotic training curriculum for trainees, with 13/23 (56.5%) industry representatives not incorporating training for trainees in their programme. Among trainees with access to robotic systems, 94/195 (48.2%) had not performed any robotic cases, citing challenges including a lack of certified robotic trainers and training lists. Both experts and trainees agreed that trainees should start bedside assisting and operating on the console earlier than they currently do. Assessment tools of trainee performance were not being used by 139/479 (29.0%) participants.ConclusionThis pan-European survey highlights the need for a standardised robotic curriculum to address the gap in visceral training, assessment and certification. A greater emphasis may be required on implementing robotic training earlier through simulation training, dual console learning, bedside assisting, key clinical performance indicators, and assessment tools. The findings will guide the development of a pan-European consensus on the essential components of a comprehensive training programme for GI robotic surgery.