Medicaroid robotic assisted surgery system: A feasibility study

The hinotori™ surgical robotic system, by Medicaroid (Medicaroid Corporation, Kobe, Japan), is a new robotic system for minimally invasive surgery. We aimed at evaluating its usability and accessibility in a preclinical setting. This was a preclinical feasibility study. Two groups of surgeons, one with three experienced robotic surgeons (group 1) and one with three robotic-surgery naive participants (group 2), performed the following tasks using the hinotori™ system in a simulated preclinical setting: console setup, docking, instrument exchange, undocking, and suturing. Each participant repeated each task three times. The time required for performing each repetition and the count of failed repetitions were the primary outcomes of the study. The subjectively perceived workload in performing the tasks, as measured by the NASA-TLX score, was the secondary outcome. The improvement of participants within the three repetitions as well as a comparison between the performances of group 1 and 2 were evaluated. The time required to perform each task decreased with repetitions for both groups, so did the subjective workload score. The time measures required to perform the tasks and the mental effort scores were comparable between the two groups for the console setup, docking, instrument exchange, and undocking tasks. The NASA-TLX score was also comparable between the two groups for the console setup and the emergency undocking tasks and decreased significantly within all tasks after the third repetition. The incidence of failed repetitions was higher in group 2 for the suturing task, however the difference was not statistically significant. The results confirmed the usability of the hinotori™ system in a preclinical setting for both highly trained surgeons and nonexperienced operators and its accessibility for both long-time users of other systems and first-time users

GERD and Barett: Natural Course of One Disease - Update Diagnostics and Therapy

Berlth F, Lorenz F, Kleinert R, Langhammer N, Hadzijusufovic E, Chon S-H. GERD und Barrett. Natürlicher Verlauf einer Erkrankung – Update Diagnostik und Therapie. Therapeutische Umschau. Revue therapeutique. 2022;79(3-4):151-158.GERD and Barett: Natural Course of One Disease - Update Diagnostics and Therapy Abstract. The gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) represents a relatively frequent condition, which clinically includes orocervical, thoracic and abdominal complaints. GERD is defined as pathological gastroesophageal acidic reflux, which consecutively leads to mucosal damage of the esophagus such as reflux esophagitis. The most common symptom of GERD is heartburn but GERD symptoms include various complaints, which need to be considered in diagnosis and therapy. Besides endoscopy, barium swallow, pH metry and manometry are counted among the routine diagnostics for GERD patients. For therapy, dietary and lifestyle measures come along with medication such as proton pump inhibitors (PPI) as daily medication and antacids on demand. It has been demonstrated that anti-reflux surgery, minimally invasive fundoplication or magnet augmentation of the lower esophageal sphincter, produces an equal and lasting effect on GERD compared to PPI. Surgery is preferred in case of large hiatal hernia of voluminous reflux. Success of therapy is given if esophageal exposure to acid is reduced, which shows in remission of esophagitis or which can be demonstrated through pH-metry control. Additionally, improvement of quality of life stands in the focus of GERD treatment, which is to be considered for every therapeutic step. Barrett esophagus represents a subtype of GERD with rising incidence in Western countries. As potential precancerous lesion, the Barrett's esophagus is to be diagnosed early and needs to undergo a risk stratified surveillance in order to prevent dysplasia or carcinoma. Patients with low grade dysplasia, high grade dysplasia or early Barrett's carcinoma should be treated endoscopically. Soon artificial intelligence might contribute to improvement of Barrett's esophagus surveillance and treatment

Robot-Assisted Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy with Intrathoracic Anastomosis (Ivor Lewis): Promising Results in 100 Consecutive Patients (the European Experience)

Background!#!Robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) with intrathoracic anastomosis is gaining popularity as a treatment for esophageal cancer. The aim of this study was to describe postoperative complications and short-term oncologic outcomes for RAMIE procedures using the da Vinci Xi robotic system 4-arm technique.!##!Methods!#!Data of 100 consecutive patients with esophageal or gastro-esophageal junction carcinoma undergoing modified Ivor Lewis esophagectomy were prospectively collected. All operations were performed by the same surgeon using an identical intrathoracic anastomotic reconstruction technique with the same perioperative management. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were graded according to Esophagectomy Complications Consensus Group (ECCG) definitions.!##!Results!#!Mean duration was 416 min (±80); 70% of patients had an uncomplicated postoperative recovery. Pulmonary complications were observed in 17% of patients. Anastomotic leakage was observed in 8% of patients. Median ICU stay was 1 day and median overall postoperative hospital stay was 11 days. The 30-day mortality was 1%; 90-day mortality was 3%. A R0 resection was reached in 92% of patients with a median number of 29 dissected lymph nodes. All patients had at least 7 months of follow-up with a median follow-up of 17 months. Median overall survival was not reached yet.!##!Conclusion!#!RAMIE with intrathoracic anastomosis (Ivor Lewis) for esophageal or gastro-esophageal junction cancer was technically feasible and safe. Postoperative complications and short-term oncologic results were comparable to the highest international standards nowadays