Impact of assistant surgeon on outcomes in robotic surgery

Introduction: It is believed that the outcomes of robotic surgery depends not only on the experience of the console surgeon but also the patient-side assistant. However, objective data supporting it is lacking. The aim of this study was to objectively determine change in operative outcomes with increasing experience of patient-side assistant. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 222 urologic robotic procedures performed by two teams of surgeon-assistant and split the data into two chronological halves according to date of surgery. We considered that the assistant was inexperienced in the 1st half and had become experienced by the 2nd half, and we compared mean operative time and blood loss between these two halves of his experience. Results: We observed that with increasing experience of the assistant, the mean operative time reduced from 138.06 to 124.32 min (P = 0.001) and mean blood loss decreased from 191.93 to 187.61 ml (P = 0.57). On subset analysis, a consistent trend of reduction in the mean operative time was noted for both the assistants separately and for all surgical procedures included in the analysis. Maximum reduction was noted for pyeloplasty which was the most commonly performed surgery. The mean blood loss had a varied relation to the experience of the assistant and did not reach statistical significance in either direction. Conclusions: With increasing experience of the patient-side surgeon, the mean operative time for all robotic procedures showed a consistent trend of reduction across all types of surgery with greater reduction for commonly performed procedures

Systemic dissemination of tumor cells during transurethral resection in patients with bladder tumor and its clinical relevance: A follow up study.

OBJECTIVE: Tumor cells are shed during transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) and form the basis for use of single dose immediate chemotherapy instillation to reduce recurrences. Systemic dissemination of these cells along with the irrigation fluid is also possible but not consistently proven. In this study, we evaluated such dissemination of tumor cells into the circulation during TURBT and its clinical impact. METHODS: Patients with primary presentation of bladder tumor who underwent TURBT were included. Peripheral venous blood samples before and after TURBT were analyzed for circulating tumor cells (CTCs) using flow-cytometry. A CD45 negative cell with positive expression of cytokeratin 18, 19, and EpCam was defined as CTC. The CTC counts, pre and post TURBT, were compared and correlated with final histopathology. The patients were also followed up for any local and/or systemic recurrences. RESULTS: Nine (16.98%) out of 53 patients developed a measurable rise in CTCs after TURBT. All of these patients had high grade and muscle invasive disease. Overall, a measurable rise in CTCs was seen in 9 out of 17 (52.94%) patients with muscle invasive disease. There was no difference in the clinico-pathological stage or the status of cystectomy and/or chemotherapy between those who did or did not show a rise in CTCs. On follow up, 7 patients with muscle invasive disease developed local and/or systemic recurrences and the rise in CTCs was not found to be associated with adverse oncological outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the hypothesis of inadvertent dissemination of tumor cells into the circulation during TURBT, especially in patients with high grade and muscle invasive disease. The long-term oncological impact of such dissemination remains to be confirmed

Extraperitoneal robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: Initial experience

Objectives: To report our initial experience and technique of performing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) with the extraperitoneal approach. Materials and Methods: Twenty-seven patients, between September 2010 to January 2012, were included in the study. All patients underwent extraperitoneal robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Patients were placed supine with only 10-15 0 Trendelenburg tilt. The extraperitoneal space was developed behind the posterior rectus sheath. A five-port technique was used. After incision of endopelvic fascia and ligation of the deep venous complex, the rest of the procedure proceeded along the lines of the transperitoneal approach. Results: The mean patient age, prostate size and Gleason score were 67 ± 1.8 years, 45 ± 9.55 g and 6, respectively. The mean prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was 6.50 ng/mL. The mean time required for creating extraperitoneal space, docking of robot and console time were 22, 7 and 94 min, respectively. The mean time to resume full oral feeds was 22 ± 3.45 h. There were no conversions from extraperitoneal to transperitoneal or open surgery in our series. Pathological stage was pT1, pT2a and pT3b in 11 (40.74%), 14 (51.85%) and two (7.4%) patients, respectively. Two patients had positive surgical margins and two had biochemical recurrence at the last follow-up. Our mean follow-up was 12 ± 3.30 (2-17) months. The overall continence rate was 83.33% and 92.4% at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Conclusions: Extraperitoneal RALP is an efficacious, minimally invasive approach for patients with localized carcinoma of the prostate

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging-transrectal ultrasound fusion biopsies increase the rate of cancer detection in populations with a low incidence of prostate cancer

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate the diagnostic yield of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI)-fusion, transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsies for detection of prostate cancer in an Asian population with a low incidence of prostate cancer. Materials and Methods: A total of 131 males with suspected prostate cancer were recruited to undergo fusion biopsy with the Artemis prostate fusion biopsy device (Eigen, Grass Valley, CA, USA). All patients underwent standard 12-core systematic biopsies in addition to biopsies targeted at the mpMRI-identified abnormal regions. Yield from the standard cores was compared with that from the targeted cores. Gleason scores of 4+3 or higher were considered significant. Results: The mean age of the patients was 63.54±7.96 years and the mean prostate-specific antigen value was 9.75±5.35 ng/mL. A total of 36 patients had cancer, of which 3 (8.3%) were detected only on standard cores and 3 (8.3%) only on targeted cores. Of the clinically significant cancers (n=30), targeted biopsy detected a higher number (28/30, 93.3%) than standard biopsy (21/30, 70.0%). A total of 6 of 8 cancers (75.0%) that were insignificant on standard biopsy were upgraded to significant cancer on targeted cores. Conclusions: Eight percent of cancers were detected only on MRI-TRUS fusion-targeted biopsies, whereas the method upgraded more than two-thirds of insignificant cancers to significant cancers. Fusion biopsies thus provide incremental information over standard TRUS biopsies in the diagnosis of significant prostate cancer in populations with a low incidence of prostate cancer

Feasibility of dexmedetomidine as sole analgesic agent during robotic urological surgery: A pilot study

Background and Aims: Opioid-free anesthesia decreases postoperative nausea and vomiting, emergence agitation, prolonged sedation, ileus, and urinary retention. The feasibility of the use of dexmedetomidine as sole analgesic agent has been shown in patients undergoing bariatric and gynecological laparoscopic surgery. We explored its use for robotic urological surgery. Material and Methods: Thirty patients were randomized to receive either dexmedetomidine (Group D) or fentanyl (Group F) along with total intravenous anesthesia with propofol. The hemodynamic parameters and number of doses of rescue analgesics used intraoperatively and postoperatively were noted. Recovery parameters at the end of surgery were also recorded. Results: The dose of intraoperative rescue fentanyl was not significantly different between groups (P = 0.13). The hemodynamic profile of patients in the two groups was comparable except the heart rate was significantly more in Group D after intubation and at 60 min. The mean arterial pressure was significantly lower after the initial loading dose of study drug in Group D. The recovery profiles were not significantly different between groups. Conclusion: The study reveals that dexmedetomidine has equal analgesic efficacy as fentanyl for intraoperative use and can be used as the sole analgesic agent in patients undergoing robotic urological surgery

Robot-assisted laparoscopic augmentation ileocystoplasty in a tubercular bladder

Some of the patients with genitourinary tuberculosis (GUTB) present to the urologist with small contracted bladders or with significant renal damage. [1] Additional reconstructive procedures are often required along with anti-tubercular treatment in these patients. These procedures commonly performed via the open approach, now have the advantage of minimally invasive approach provided by laparoscopic and robotic surgery. The technique of robot-assisted laparoscopic augmentation ileocystoplasty in a patient with a small contracted bladder due to GUTB will be described. The procedure was performed via a completely intra-corporeal technique using an ileal "cap" created from a 15 cm segment of distal ileum which was anastomosed to the urinary bladder bi-valved in the mid-sagittal plane. The procedure lasted for 420 minutes and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 5. At 6 month follow-up, the patient has no irritative urinary symptoms and voiding with insignificant post-void residual urine

Robotic Excision of Upper Ureteral Fibroepithelial Polyp Presenting as Pelviureteral Junction Obstruction: Surgical Surprise with Review of Literature

Background: Fibroepithelial polyps in the upper ureter are a rare cause of pelviureteral junction obstruction (PUJO). Its diagnosis usually remains challenging by clinical and radiologic means. Case Presentation: We discuss a case of 19-year-old boy who present with intermittent left flank pain. Radiologic imaging suggested diagnosis of PUJO. We planned for robotic pyeloplasty. Intraoperatively pelviureteral junction (PUJ) was dependent, nonstenotic with upper hydroureteronephrosis creating suspicion of polyp. Keeping suspicion of polyp in upper ureter, we did robotic upper ureterotomy. This procedure revealed a 1 × 1 cm benign polyp at PUJ, which was excised completely. Conclusion: Polyps in the upper ureter constitute uncommon clinical cause of PUJO and usually diagnosed intraoperatively. Robotic approach is a feasible, acceptable, and safe option in such clinical scenario. It provides all the benefits of minimal invasive surgical procedures

Robot assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in testicular tumor

The treatment options in clinical stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT) of testis are either surveillance, chemotherapy or retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND). While open RPLND still serves as the gold standard, laparoscopic and robot assisted laparoscopic approaches are gaining popularity. In this report, we share our experience and technique of robot assisted laparoscopic RPLND in a patient with clinical stage Ib NSGCT of testis

“Targeted” prophylaxis: Impact of rectal swab culture-directed prophylaxis on infectious complications after transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy

Purpose: To assess the prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistance among patients undergoing transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy and the impact of rectal swab culture-directed antibiotic prophylaxis on postbiopsy infectious complications.Materials and Methods: We prospectively analyzed all patients undergoing TRUS-guided prostate biopsy from April 2013 to Feb-ruary 2015. Antibiotic prophylaxis was tailored to the results of rectal swab cultures. If the organism was fluoroquinolone-sensitive, oral ciprofloxacin 500 mg with tinidazole 600 mg was prescribed. If the organism was fluoroquinolone-resistant, then a culture-directed antibiotic was prescribed. In both cases the antibiotic was continued for 3 days. All patients were followed for 14 days after biopsy to record infectious complications.Results: A total of 247 patients were included, and Escherichia coli was isolated on rectal swab cultures in 99.5% of the patients. Of these, 41.7% harbored fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli. Piperacillin/tazobactam was the most common culture-directed antibiotic prescribed (59.3%), with amoxicillin/clavulanic being the second most common (25.5%) for the fluoroquinolone-resistant group. Only 2 patients (0.9%) developed postbiopsy fever and none had sepsis.Conclusions: Colonization of rectal flora with fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli was seen in 40% of men undergoing prostate biop-sy. Targeted prophylaxis, which uses the results of prebiopsy rectal swab culture to direct antibiotic prophylaxis, results in low rates of postbiopsy infections