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.
Aim To present our learning-curve data for patients that underwent robotic-assisted colorectal surgery (RCRS) at a large NE London DGH. Methods We report our data from 50 initial colorectal cancer resections, performed by two surgeons. We report the gender, age, histopathology, surgery performed, surgical time, conversion, post-operative complications, and hospital stay. Results The first 50 patients who underwent RCRS between February 2020 and December 2021 for malignancy were included. Twenty-one were right hemicolectomies, 16 high anterior resection, 6 extended right hemicolectomies, 4 low anterior resections (including a planned robotic boari flap in 1 case by a trained urologist), 3 abdominoperineal excisions of rectum. The male to female ratio was 1:1 and the mean age was 65 (range: 22–85) years. The ASA class distribution was 4% ASA I, 64% ASA II, 32% ASA III. The median surgical time was 263 minutes (120–620) with median console time 136 minutes (50–540), the median hospital stay 5 days (range: 2–35) and a conversion rate of 6% (3/50 patients). The most common post-operative complications were ileus 4% (4/50), wound infection 6% (3/50), anastomotic leak 6% (3/50), and abscess formation 2% (1/50). 1 mortality occurred in a patient with an operated leak who contracted COVID-19. All patients underwent confirmed R0 resections with a negative CRM. Conclusion We report our first 50 robotic cases for colorectal malignancy, showing that robotic-assisted surgery can be performed with low rates of conversion 3 cases (6%) and low rates of post-operative complications despite a challenging patient demographic and a sharp learning curve.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.