Abstract


Introduction: The ArtiSential® line of products from LivsMed (Seongnam, Republic of Korea) are fully articulated hand-held laparoscopic instruments, possessing end-effectors that closely imitate those of surgical robots with regard to shape and dexterity. Feasibility and safety studies describing the initial experiences with these devices in upper and lower gastrointestinal as well as thoracic surgery have been published. This report presents the outcomes of the largest cohort to date of colorectal procedures performed with Artisential® instruments in a single center.
Materials and Methods: Between September 2020 and May 2022, prospective data were collected from patients undergoing ArtiSential®-assisted laparoscopic surgery. A retrospective data analysis was performed for all patients who underwent ArtiSential®-assisted surgery for colorectal indication. Indications for colorectal surgery included rectal and colon cancer, complicated diverticular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, obstructed defecation syndrome, endoscopically nonresectable adenomas and chronic anastomotic fistula following a low anterior resection (LAR).
Results: A total of 73 patients (49 males, 24 females) underwent Artisential®-assisted colorectal surgery. The median age of the patients was 62 years (range 34-88) and the median body mass index (BMI) was 27 kg/m2 (range 19-51). Indications for surgery were colorectal malignancy (n=55, 75%), complicated diverticular disease (n=11, 15%), obstructed defecation syndrome (n=3, 4.1%), inflammatory bowel disease (n=2, 2.7%), endoscopically nonresectable adenomas (n=1, 1.4%) and chronic anastomotic fistula following LAR (n=1, 1.4%). The median operative time was 240 minutes (range 95-458). There were no conversions to standard straight-stick laparoscopy or to laparotomy, and no intraoperative complications. All patients who were operated upon for colorectal malignancy had an adequate oncological resection (R0=100%). The median length of stay was 7 days (range 3-36). The overall complication rate was 10.9 % (Clavien-Dindo II: 1 patient, Clavien-Dindo IIIb: 7 patients). There were two readmissions, one unrelated, and no mortalities.
Conclusions: This larger series confirms the results of previous reports on the safety and feasibility of Artisential® use in complex laparoscopic colorectal surgery. To examine potential benefits in outcome, comparative studies involving Artisential®, robotic-assisted and standard laparoscopic surgery are needed.

Abstract


Background: Laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer is mostly performed in university hospitals or experienced centers. This study aimed at determining the learning curve of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer at a new regional state hospital.
Patients and Methods: Clinico-pathological data of 106 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer at a new regional state hospital between August 2018 and September 2021 were prospectively recorded and analyzed. All surgeries were performed by a single inexperienced surgeon without supervision. The primary outcome of the study was the operative time, which was used for a Cumulative Sum (CUSUM) analysis of the learning curve. The secondary outcomes included a comparison of preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative outcomes during the learning curve period.
Results: According to the CUSUM analysis, the learning curve consisted of three unique phases: phase 1 [the initial learning period (cases 1-53)], phase 2 [the consolidation period (cases 54-68)], and phase 3 [the experienced period (cases 69-106)]. Of the intraoperative outcomes, operative time and estimated blood loss were significantly reduced from phase 1 to phase 3 (p<0.001). Of the postoperative outcomes, time to pass stool (p<0.05), time to oral feeding (p=0.001), drain removal time (p<0.001), and length of hospital stay (p=0.042) were shorter in phase 3 compared to phases 1 and 2. Of the histopathological results, the specimen length and the number of harvested lymph nodes increased with experience (p=0.001).
Conclusions: The present results suggest that a surgeon at a new regional state hospital must experience 53-68 cases to achieve competence in laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery.