Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to major service disruptions, including the cessation of elective laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LC), causing delays in managing symptomatic gallstones. We hypothesised that this would lead to an increased need for percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) for acute cholecystitis.
Methods
We performed a retrospective cohort study in a single NHS trust. We included all patients who underwent either LC or PC during the periods of March 1st – August 31st over the years 2019 and 2020. Patient data was obtained from prospectively maintained patient electronic notes. Data are presented as median and interquartile ranges for continuous data and the percentages for categorical data and compared with Mann-Whitney U-test and Fisher’s exact tests respectively.
Results
We observed a substantial reduction in the number of LC performed in 2020 (n = 99) compared to 2019 (n = 198), whilst the number of PC performed in 2020 (n = 35) was more than double that in 2019 (n = 17) (Fig.1). This increase in numbers persisted even after our LC service was restarted. Comparing the patients who underwent PC in both years, there were no significant differences in age (2019: 68 (45-76) vs 2020: 72 (57-81), p = 0.41), comorbidities (Charlson comorbidity index≥4: 10 (59%) vs 16 (46%), p = 0.56), or in-hospital mortality (2019: 2 (12%) vs 2020: 3 (9%), p = 0.99). As a proportion of all biliary interventions for cholelithiasis, PC increased from 8% (17/214) in 2019 to 26% (35/134) in 2020 (p < 0.001).
Conclusions
These results show how the cessation of LC service was directly related to increased numbers of invasive ‘damage control’ procedures for acute cholecystitis, emphasising the importance of maintaining COVID-secure surgical pathways. The numbers of PC remained high even after the restart of LC service, consistent with a ‘COVID shadow’ resulting from interruptions to elective services that impacts patient care for a prolonged period.
Haemorrhoidal disease (HD) is a common condition that often requires surgical treatment. In comparison with other traditional techniques, radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFTC) has multiple advantages to traditional repairs and can be a good alternative in surgical management of HD. We retrospectively analysed 20 patients with Grades 2 (n = 6, 30%) and 3 (n = 12, 70%) haemorrhoids undergoing RFTC from 1 September 2019 to 31 December 2021. Outcomes including post-operative (PO) pain, immediate/late PO complications, recurrence and patient satisfaction were assessed. Twenty cases were included in this case series. All pathological symptoms showed significant improvement in PO period. Eight complications were noted, including minor bleeding (n = 2), bleeding that required admissions (n = 3), pain (n = 2) and recurrence (n = 1). The mean time off work is 7 days and all patients were satisfied or very satisfied PO as per telephone questionnaire. RFTC is a safe and effective solution in the management of HD and is a good alternative to conventional procedures.
Introduction:
Robotic platforms provide a stable tool with high-definition views and improved ergonomics compared to laparoscopic approaches.
Purpose
The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the intra- and short-term postoperative results of oncological resections performed robotically (RCR) and laparoscopically (LCR) at a single centre.
Methods
Between February 2020 and October 2022, retrospective data on RCR were compared to LCR undertaken during the same period. Parameters compared include total operative time (TOT), length of stay (LOS), re-admission rates, 30-day morbidity.
Results
100 RCR and 112 LCR satisfied inclusion criteria. There was no difference between the two group’s demographic and tumour characteristics. Overall, median operative time was shorter in LCR group [200 vs 247.5 min, p < 0.005], but this advantage was not observed with pelvic and muti-quadrant resections. There was no difference in the rate of conversion [5(5%) vs 5(4.5%), p > 0.9]. With respects to perioperative outcomes, there was no difference in the overall morbidity, or mortality between RCR and LCR, in particular requirement for blood transfusion [3(3%) vs 5(4.5%), p 0.72], prolonged ileus [9(9%) vs 15(13.2%), p 0.38], surgical site infections [5(4%) vs 5(4.4%), p > 0.9] anastomotic leak [7(7%) vs 5(4.4%), p 0.55], and re-operation rate [9(9%) vs 7(6.3%), p 0.6]. RCR had shorter LOS by one night, but this did not reach statistical significance. No difference was observed in completeness of resection but there was a statically significant increase in lymph node harvest in the robotic series.
Conclusion
Robotic approach to oncological colorectal resections is safe, with comparable intra- and peri-operative morbidity and mortality to laparoscopic surgery.
Aim
To present an analysis of the first 2-years’ experience of robotic-assisted colorectal procedures (RACP) using the DaVinci Xi platform.
Methods
This data were prospectively collected and include 72 RACP between February 2020 and December 2021.Indications were: malignancy in 74.3%, diverticular disease 10%, inflammatory bowel disease 8.6%, rectal prolapse 4.3%, intussusception 1.4% and recurrent volvulus 1.4%.
Results
Over the 13-month study period, 72 RACP were performed including elective 57 cases and 15 semi-elective cases. These comprised: 25 right hemicolectomies, 25 high anterior resections, 6 extended right hemicolectomies,4 low anterior resections, 4 subtotal colectomies 2 restorative proctectomies, 3 abdominoperineal excisions of the rectum, 3 rectopexies that were performed. 51.2% were female and 48.6% were male with a median age of 45 years (22–85 years) and the median body mass index was 31 (18–46) kg/m2. Preoperative American Society of Anaesthesiology scores were reported as 1–2 in 72.9% (n=51) of patients and 27.1%(n=19) as 3. The median length of stay was 5 days (1–35), with readmission rate within 30 days of 8.6% (n=6) that were resolved conservatively. The mean operating time was 268 minutes and the mean console operative time was 158 minutes, with only 3 (4.3%) reported cases of conversion to open. The incidence of postoperative complications was 24.3% (Clavien–Dindo (CD) I/II- 12.9%, CD III- 10%, and CD V-1 case with superimposed COVID 19 within 30 days.
Conclusion
RACP is a safe and viable modality in the treatment of colorectal conditions and can be introduced safely with appropriate guidance and proctorship.
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