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Background For a substantial part of patients with chronic low back pain, the origin is located in the sacroiliac joint (SIJ). Minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion (MISJF) is increasingly being implemented as a treatment option in SIJ dysfunction. Despite remaining controversy, evidence continues to increase. This study evaluates the clinical results and safety of MISJF in a double-center consecutive case series in patients with SIJ dysfunction over a one-year observation period. Methods SIJ complaints were diagnosed after history taking, physical examination and least a 50% reduction of SIJ pain 30–60 min following image-guided injection. Primary outcome measures were patient reported outcome measurements (PROMs), consisting of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain score and EuroQol 5-dimensions 3-levels (EQ-5D-3L). Patients’ perspectives on the effects of surgery were collected through questionnaires. Secondary outcome measures were implant positioning and (serious) adverse events ((S)AE’s). Results A total of 29 patients were included. In 44.8% of patients, SIJ dysfunction was of postpartum origin. The mean VAS-pain score improved from 7.83 (± 1.71) to 4.97 (± 2.63) postoperatively (p p p = 0.026). In 13.7% of patients, an (S)AE occurred. Conclusion MISJF appears to be an effective and safe procedure in this cohort. Statistically significant and clinically relevant improvements in pain and quality of life were observed one-year postoperatively. Future studies should focus on the long-term outcomes to further evaluate the safety and effectiveness of MISJF.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the pooled learning curves of Ivor Lewis totally minimally invasive esophagectomy (TMIE) in hospitals stratified by predefined hospital- and surgeon-related factors.BACKGROUND: Ivor Lewis (TMIE is known to have a long learning curve which is associated with considerable learning associated morbidity. It is unknown whether hospital and surgeon characteristics are associated with more efficient learning.METHODS: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of consecutive Ivor Lewis TMIE patients in 14 European hospitals was performed. Outcome parameters used as proxy for efficient learning were learning curve length, learning associated morbidity, and the plateau level regarding anastomotic leakage and textbook outcome. Pooled incidences were plotted for the factor-based subgroups using generalized additive models and 2-phase models. Casemix predicted outcomes were plotted and compared with observed outcomes. The investigated factors included annual volume, TMIE experience, clinic visits, courses and fellowships followed, and proctor supervision.RESULTS: This study included 2121 patients. The length of the learning curve was shorter for centers with an annual volume >50 compared to centers with an annual volume CONCLUSIONS: More efficient learning was observed in centers with higher annual volume. Visiting an expert clinic, completing a fellowship, or implementation under a proctor's supervision were not associated with more efficient learning.

Abdominal cerclage is an effective treatment for cervical incompetence in patients with a previously failed vaginal cerclage or with anatomic restrictions to a vaginal cerclage. Management of second trimester complications that warrant a delivery impose a complex clinical situation in patients with an abdominal cerclage. We report 3 cases of successful removal of an abdominal cerclage by posterior and anterior colpotomy in the second trimester of pregnancy. This new and minimally invasive surgical technique avoids the need for extensive dilation, laparoscopy, or laparotomy to remove the cerclage and allow a vaginal delivery.

Background Textbook outcome has been proposed as a tool for the assessment of oncological surgical care. However, an international assessment in patients undergoing oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer has not been reported. This study aimed to assess textbook outcome in an international setting. Methods Patients undergoing curative resection for oesophageal cancer were identified from the international Oesophagogastric Anastomosis Audit (OGAA) from April 2018 to December 2018. Textbook outcome was defined as the percentage of patients who underwent a complete tumour resection with at least 15 lymph nodes in the resected specimen and an uneventful postoperative course, without hospital readmission. A multivariable binary logistic regression model was used to identify factors independently associated with textbook outcome, and results are presented as odds ratio (OR) and 95 per cent confidence intervals (95 per cent c.i.). Results Of 2159 patients with oesophageal cancer, 39.7 per cent achieved a textbook outcome. The outcome parameter ‘no major postoperative complication’ had the greatest negative impact on a textbook outcome for patients with oesophageal cancer, compared to other textbook outcome parameters. Multivariable analysis identified male gender and increasing Charlson comorbidity index with a significantly lower likelihood of textbook outcome. Presence of 24-hour on-call rota for oesophageal surgeons (OR 2.05, 95 per cent c.i. 1.30 to 3.22; P = 0.002) and radiology (OR 1.54, 95 per cent c.i. 1.05 to 2.24; P = 0.027), total minimally invasive oesophagectomies (OR 1.63, 95 per cent c.i. 1.27 to 2.08; P < 0.001), and chest anastomosis above azygous (OR 2.17, 95 per cent c.i. 1.58 to 2.98; P < 0.001) were independently associated with a significantly increased likelihood of textbook outcome. Conclusion Textbook outcome is achieved in less than 40 per cent of patients having oesophagectomy for cancer. Improvements in centralization, hospital resources, access to minimal access surgery, and adoption of newer techniques for improving lymph node yield could improve textbook outcome.

OBJECTIVES We report on real-world safety and performance outcomes of minimally invasive rapid-deployment aortic valve replacement using the EDWARDS INTUITY Elite aortic valve system. METHODS The study valve system was used in a European, prospective, multicentre post-market study. Various procedural, haemodynamic and clinical outcomes were evaluated through 6 months of post-implant. RESULTS A total of 276 patients out of 280 (98.6%) enrolments were successfully implanted with the study valve using a minimally invasive approach between February 2016 and April 2017. Of these 276 patients, 240 (87%) underwent partial sternotomy and 36 (13%) patients underwent right thoracotomy. Mean cross-clamp time was 51.9 [standard deviation (SD): 16.0] min. From baseline to 6 months, the mean effective orifice area increased from 0.8 (SD: 0.3) to 1.8 (SD: 0.6) cm2 and the mean systolic gradient decreased from 46.0 (SD: 14.1) to 8.8 (SD: 3.7) mmHg. After 6 months, 70.7% and 26.4% of patients were in New York Heart Association class I and II, respectively. Freedom from death, major bleeding, major paravalvular leak, reoperation and device explant at 6 months were 96.0%, 98.5%, 98.8%, 99.2% and 99.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that the study valve is a safe and effective choice for patients undergoing aortic valve replacement via minimally invasive surgery. Name and registration of registry MISSION (Assessing clinical outcomes using the EDWARDS INTUITY Elite Valve System in isolated AVR using Minimally InvaSive Surgery In a EurOpean multi-ceNter, active, post-market registry). clinicaltrials.gov ID #NCT02907463.

Current endoscopy training methodology does not meet the learning traits, skills, and needs of the newer generation of gastroenterologists. This article provides information on assessment of the malignant potential of colorectal neoplasms. It takes a modern approach on the topic and integrates relevant information that aligns with the thinking process. The theory of thinking fast (reflex) and slow (rational) is used. By doing so, it is hoped that the learning process can be expedited and practiced immediately. The focus is on preresection assessment of nonpolypoid colorectal neoplasms. Assessment of polypoid, sessile-serrated adenoma/polyp, or inflammatory bowel disease dysplasia is briefly discussed.

To determine the risk factors for developing primary postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC) in patients undergoing minimally invasive colorectal surgery (MIS) for the treatment of cancer and to identify the potential indicators for more extensive preoperative evaluation. The ACS-NSQIP ® database was interrogated to capture patients who had elective colon or rectal cancer and underwent MIS between 2012 and 2017. Patients who had primary PPC including pneumonia, unplanned intubation and/or failure to wean from mechanical ventilation for > 48 h were compared to patients without PPC. Significant risk factors for PPC were retained to build a predictive risk model through logistic regression analysis. The model was then internally validated using 2018 data. Of 50,150 patients identified, 637 (1.3%) had PPC. The final risk prediction model included six variables: history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, age, smoking status, functional health status, pre-operative congestive heart failure, and American Society of Anesthesiology class ≥ 3. The model achieved good calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test, p = 0.614) and discrimination (c statistics = 0.757). Internal validation achieved similar discrimination (c statistics = 0.798). Primary postoperative pulmonary complications affected 1.3% of patients undergoing MIS for colon or rectal cancer. The novel predictive risk score showed good discrimination and may help to identify patients who may benefit from perioperative optimization.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive gastrectomy has been introduced in Western populations during the last decade. As minimally invasive distal gastrectomy (MIDG) versus total gastrectomy (MITG) are procedures with a different complexity, outcomes may differ. The aim of this population-based cohort study was to evaluate the safety of MIDG and MITG. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients who underwent potentially curative gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma were included from the Dutch Upper GI Cancer Audit (2011-2016). Propensity score matching was applied to create comparable groups of patients receiving open distal gastrectomy (ODG) versus MIDG and open total gastrectomy (OTG) versus MITG, using patient and tumor characteristics. Postoperative outcomes and short-term oncological outcomes were appraised. RESULTS: Of the 1970 eligible patients, 1138 underwent distal gastrectomy and 832 underwent total gastrectomy. For distal gastrectomy, 390 ODG were matched to 288 MIDG patients. Although overall postoperative morbidity and mortality were similar, patients who underwent MIDG encountered less intra-abdominal abscesses (4% vs. 1%, p = 0.039) and wound complications (6% vs. 2%, p = 0.021). The median hospital stay was shorter after MIDGs (9 vs. 7 days, p < 0.001). For total gastrectomy, 323 OTG patients were matched to 258 MITG patients. Overall postoperative morbidity, mortality and hospital stay were similar, whereas the anastomotic leakage rate was higher after MITGs (11% vs. 17%, p = 0.030). Short-term oncological outcomes between both groups were equal for distal and total gastrectomy. CONCLUSION: Benefits of MIG during the early introduction were demonstrated for distal gastrectomy but not for total gastrectomy. An increased anastomotic leakage rate was encountered for MITG.

Indications for robotic surgery have been rapidly expanding since the first introduction of the robotic surgical system in the US market in 2000. As the robotic systems have become more sophisticated over the past decades, there has been an expansion in indications. Many new tools have been added with the aim of optimizing outcomes after oncologic surgery. Complex abdominal cancers are increasingly operated on using robot-assisted laparoscopy and with acceptable outcomes. In this article, the authors discuss robotic developments, from the past and the future, with an emphasis on cancer surgery.

Although minimally invasive glaucoma surgery using different types of implants is a promising strategy for treating glaucoma, potential long-term complications require further evaluation. Here, we report a case of the anterior chamber displacement of a Xen implant due to a maneuver aimed at correcting a dysfunctional and bent subconjunctival implant.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) and minimally invasive surgery are both in the limelight due to their potential positive effects on surgical outcome. Large randomized trials and meta-analyses validated the use of both, laparoscopy and ERAS protocol, as individual measures. A synergistic effect of both entities might contribute to even better outcomes. This review hence assessed the literature upon up-to-date studies combining both methods.

Objective: This article presents the first series of robotic single-port hysterectomy cases performed at a hospital in Brazil. Methods: From November 2014 to October 2016, 11 patients were indicated to undergo, and nine of them were submitted to single-port hysterectomy using da Vinci Single-Site® platform. However, in two patients, due to multiple previous abdominal surgeries, large uterine volume, and/or a uterus with no mobility, a pneumoperitoneum was performed with a Verres needle, and the pelvic cavity was assessed using a 5mm optics endoscope. In these cases, single-port surgery was not recommended; therefore, multiportal robotic access was chosen, and no intercurrent events were reported. Nine single-port cases were operated on by the same surgeon at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein. Patient data analyzed included age, body mass index, previous surgeries, and clinical diagnosis. Surgical data included operative time, skin incision, report of intraoperative complications, need for conversion to laparotomy, need for transfer to intensive care unit, need for blood transfusion, inadvertent injury to other organs, length of hospital stay, and death. Results: All cases were completed with da Vinci Single-Site® system, with no intercurrent events. Four patients presented with adenomyosis as the surgical indication, two had uterine myoma, one endometrial cancer, one endometrial polyp, and one desquamative inflammatory vaginitis. The mean age of patients was 44 years (range, 40 to 54 years), and body mass index varied between 23.4 and 33.2kg/m2 (mean 26.4). No complications occurred in any of the cases, such as intestinal or bladder injury, bleeding, or the need for a second surgery. All nine procedures were completed with the robotic single-port access, and no patient required a blood transfusion. Conclusion: Although this study merely presented an initial series of patients submitted to robotic single-port surgery, it demonstrated that the method is feasible and safe, suggesting the possible use of this technique in elective hysterectomy and other gynecological procedures in the future, as described in large reference centers of advanced surgery worldwide. Specifically, in gynecological practice, existing evidence on the use of robot-assisted, single-port surgery seems promising, and although it is not indicated in all cases, it should be considered as a surgical option. Nonetheless, further randomized and controlled clinical studies are necessary to establish the preeminence of robot-assisted, single-port surgery versus single-incision and conventional laparoscopy. RESUMO Objetivo: Apresentar a primeira série de casos de histerectomia usando sistema robótico de portal único (single-port) em hospital no Brasil. Métodos: No período de novembro de 2014 a outubro 2016, de modo inédito no Brasil, 11 pacientes tiveram indicação inicial e 9 delas foram submetidas à histerectomia por portal único, com a plataforma da Vinci Single-Site®. Em duas pacientes, devido a múltiplas cirurgias abdominais prévias, grande volume uterino e/ou útero sem mobilidade, optou-se pela instalação de pneumoperitônio com agulha de Verres e inspeção da cavidade pélvica com ótica de 5mm, constatando-se, nestes casos, não ser viável a cirurgia por single-port, levando-se, assim, à opção pela técnica robótica multiportal, sem intercorrências. Os nove casos single-port foram operados por um mesmo cirurgião, no Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein. Os dados analisados das pacientes foram idade, índice de massa corporal, cirurgias anteriores e diagnóstico clínico. Os dados relacionados à cirurgia foram tempo operatório, incisão da pele, registro de complicações intraoperatórias, necessidade de conversão para laparotomia, necessidade de transferência para unidade de terapia intensiva, necessidade de transfusão sanguínea, lesão inadivertida de outros órgãos, tempo de internação e óbito. Resultados: Todos os casos foram concluídos sem intercorrências com a plataforma da Vinci Single-Site®. Quatro pacientes apresentavam adenomiose como indicação cirúrgica, duas apresentavam mioma uterino, uma câncer de endométrio, um pólipo endometrial e uma hidrorreia. A média de idade das pacientes foi 44 anos (variando de 40 a 54 anos) e o índice de massa corporal variou entre 23,4 a 33,2kg/m2 (média de 26,4). Nenhum caso teve qualquer tipo de complicação, como lesão intestinal ou vesical, sangramento ou necessidade de reabordagem cirúrgica. Todos os nove procedimentos foram concluídos com o portal único robótico, e nenhuma paciente necessitou de transfusão sanguínea. Conclusão: Apesar deste trabalho apresentar apenas uma série inicial de pacientes operadas por portal único robótico, ele demonstra a factibilidade do método e indica a possibilidade futura de adotar esta técnica em histerectomias eletivas e em outros procedimentos ginecológicos, assim como descrito em grandes centros de referência em cirurgia avançada no mundo. Especificamente na prática ginecológica, a evidência existente sobre o uso de portal único robô-assistido parece ser promissora e, ainda que nem todos os casos tenham indicação, é necessário que exista esta opção no arsenal cirúrgico. No entanto, estudos clínicos aleatorizados e controlados são necessários, a fim de se estabelecer a superioridade da cirurgia robótica por portal único diante da cirurgia laparoscópica com incisão única e da cirurgia laparoscópica convencional.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive gastrectomy has been introduced in Western populations during the last decade. As minimally invasive distal gastrectomy (MIDG) versus total gastrectomy (MITG) are procedures with a different complexity, outcomes may differ. The aim of this population-based cohort study was to evaluate the safety of MIDG and MITG. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients who underwent potentially curative gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma were included from the Dutch Upper GI Cancer Audit (2011-2016). Propensity score matching was applied to create comparable groups of patients receiving open distal gastrectomy (ODG) versus MIDG and open total gastrectomy (OTG) versus MITG, using patient and tumor characteristics. Postoperative outcomes and short-term oncological outcomes were appraised. RESULTS: Of the 1970 eligible patients, 1138 underwent distal gastrectomy and 832 underwent total gastrectomy. For distal gastrectomy, 390 ODG were matched to 288 MIDG patients. Although overall postoperative morbidity and mortality were similar, patients who underwent MIDG encountered less intra-abdominal abscesses (4% vs. 1%, p = 0.039) and wound complications (6% vs. 2%, p = 0.021). The median hospital stay was shorter after MIDGs (9 vs. 7 days, p < 0.001). For total gastrectomy, 323 OTG patients were matched to 258 MITG patients. Overall postoperative morbidity, mortality and hospital stay were similar, whereas the anastomotic leakage rate was higher after MITGs (11% vs. 17%, p = 0.030). Short-term oncological outcomes between both groups were equal for distal and total gastrectomy. CONCLUSION: Benefits of MIG during the early introduction were demonstrated for distal gastrectomy but not for total gastrectomy. An increased anastomotic leakage rate was encountered for MITG.

In this year 2015, the developments of new technologies as well as multidisciplinary management remained successfully. The implementation of enhanced rehabilitation after surgery pathways continued to expand both geographically and in various surgical specialties. The use of the vaporized intraperitoneal chemotherapy (PIPAC) showed promising results. Minimally invasive surgery was further implemented in various fields of rectal, endocrine and oesophageal surgery.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical and aesthetic outcome of regenerative periodontal therapy (RPT) using minimally-invasive surgery and a collagen-enriched bovine-derived xenograft (1); to identify risk factors for failure (clinical attachment level (CAL) gain ≤ 1 mm) and advanced gingival recession (REC) increase (> 1 mm) (2). Material and methods: Ninety-five non-smoking patients with ≤ 25 % full-mouth plaque and bleeding presenting ≥ 6 months after initial periodontal therapy with ≥ 1 isolated interdental infra-bony defect were recruited. Patients were consecutively treated by the same clinician using minimally invasive surgery and a collagen-enriched bovine-derived xenograft. Clinical, radiographic and aesthetic data were collected before surgery and up to one year. Multivariate analyses were used to identify risk factors for failure and advanced REC increase. Results: Eighty-four patients (39 men, 45 women; mean age 53) complied and demonstrated mean probing depth (PD) of 7.8 mm, CAL of 10.0 mm and defect depth of 5.2 mm before surgery. At one year post surgery mean PD reduction was 3.5 mm (range 0.0 – 8.0), CAL gain was 3.1 mm (range 0.0 – 7.0) and radiographic defect fill was 53 % (range 0 – 100). Fourty-nine % showed ≥ 4 mm CAL gain whereas 15 % were considered failures. Mean interdental and midfacial REC increase was 0.3 mm (range -2.0 – 2.0) and 0.5 mm (range -1.5 – 2.0), respectively. Midfacial REC increase and contour deterioration contributed most to a small, yet significant reduction in the Pink Esthetic Score from 10.06 to 9.42 (p = 0.002). Risk factors for failure included defects with a non-supportive anatomy (OR ≥ 10.4), plaque (OR: 14.7) and complication(s) (OR: 12.0). Risk factors for advanced midfacial REC increase included defects with a non-supportive anatomy (OR: 58.8) and a thin-scalloped gingival biotype (OR: 76.9). Conclusions: RPT using minimally-invasive surgery and a collagen-enriched bovine-derived xenograft demonstrated favourable clinical outcome after one year even though soft tissue aesthetics could not be fully preserved. Defects with a non-supporting anatomy may be at risk for failure and advanced midfacial recession.

Endovascular treatment of the thoracic aorta (TEVAR) is rapidly expanding, with new devices and techniques, combined with classical surgical approaches in hybrid procedures. The present guidelines provide a standard format for reporting results of treatment in the thoracic aorta, and to facilitate analysis of clinical results in various therapeutic approaches. These guidelines specify the essential information and definitions, which should be provided in each article about TEVAR: It is hoped that strict adherence to these criteria will make the future publications about TEVAR more comparable, and will enable the readership to draw their own, scientifically validated conclusions about the reports.

The aim of this study was to retrospectively determine if patients with medically refractory epilepsy, due to hippocampal sclerosis, who underwent selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SAH) with a transcortical approach experienced improved seizure outcome. Thirty-nine patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy and hippocampal sclerosis were included in the study. The mean follow-up was 25.88 ± 17.69 months. Antiepileptic medication use and seizure frequency were significantly reduced after SAH. After surgery, 32 patients (82.05%) were completely seizure free (Engel class IA), and 2 patients experienced transient memory difficulty. In conclusion, SAH with a transcortical approach can lead to favorable seizure control with a low irreversible complication risk. Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG.

No abstract available.

AIMS: To critically review the available transcatheter aortic valve implantation techniques and their results, as well as propose recommendations for their use and development. METHODS AND RESULTS: A committee of experts including European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery and European Society of Cardiology representatives met to reach a consensus based on the analysis of the available data obtained with transcatheter aortic valve implantation and their own experience. The evidence suggests that this technique is feasible and provides haemodynamic and clinical improvement for up to 2 years in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis at high risk or with contraindications for surgery. Questions remain mainly concerning safety and long-term durability, which have to be assessed. Surgeons and cardiologists working as a team should select candidates, perform the procedure, and assess the results. Today, the use of this technique should be restricted to high-risk patients or those with contraindications for surgery. However, this may be extended to lower risk patients if the initial promise holds to be true after careful evaluation. CONCLUSION: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation is a promising technique, which may offer an alternative to conventional surgery for high-risk patients with aortic stenosis. Today, careful evaluation is needed to avoid the risk of uncontrolled diffusion.