Robot-assisted aortoiliac reconstruction: a review of 30 cases
Article Outline
Objective
The feasibility of laparoscopic aortic surgery with robotic assistance has been sufficiently demonstrated. Reported is the clinical experience of robot-assisted aortoiliac reconstruction for occlusive disease and aneurysm performed using the da Vinci system.
Methods
Between November 2005 and June 2006, 30 robot-assisted laparoscopic aortoiliac procedures were performed. Twenty-seven patients were prospectively evaluated for occlusive disease, two patients for abdominal aortic aneurysm, and one for common iliac artery aneurysm. Dissections of the aorta and iliac arteries were performed laparoscopically using a transperitoneal direct approach technique, a modification of the Štádler method. The robotic system was used to construct anastomoses, to perform thromboendarterectomies and, in most of the cases, for posterior peritoneal suturing.
Results
Robot-assisted procedures were successfully performed in all patients. The robot was used to perform both the abdominal aortic and common iliac artery aneurysm anastomoses, the aortoiliac reconstruction with patch, and to complete the central, end-to-side anastomosis in another operation. Median operating time was 236 minutes (range, 180 to 360 minutes), with a median clamp time of 54 minutes (range, 40 to 120 minutes). Operative time is defined as the time elapsed from the initial incision to final skin closure. Median anastomosis time was 27 minutes (range, 20 to 60 minutes), and median blood loss was 320 mL (range, 100 to 1500 mL). No conversion was necessary, 30-day survival was 100%, median intensive care unit stay was 1.8 days, and median hospital stay was 5.3 days. A regular oral diet was resumed after a mean time of 2.5 days.
Conclusion
Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery is a feasible technique for aortoiliac surgery. The da Vinci robotic system facilitated the creation of the aortic anastomosis and shortened aortic clamp time in comparison with our laparoscopic techniques.
Vascular surgical technology has evolved progressively, and a number of reports from centers around the world describing different minimally invasive techniques have been published. Total laparoscopic aortoiliac surgery can be performed on patients with occlusive diseases and aneurysms.1, 2 After completing total laparoscopic aortoiliac procedures in 56 patients from September 2003 to November 2005, we began performing robot-assisted aortoiliac reconstruction. This article presents data for the first 30 robot-assisted cases. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the clinical outcome, results, and the applicability of the da Vinci Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical Inc., Sunnyvale, CA) system for vascular surgery.
The da Vinci Surgical System is a computer-enhanced telemanipulator that may help overcome some of the limitations of traditional laparoscopic instruments. Intuitive Surgical developed the da Vinci system at the urging of the Pentagon, where a method was being sought for military surgeons to perform remote operations, avoiding the need for them to be at the front line or out at sea.3
The technical difficulties involved in performing a vascular anastomosis using laparoscopic instruments has been a major drawback, and robotic instruments may offer a solution to this problem.4 The da Vinci Surgical System’s technology translates the surgeon’s movements into precise, real-time movements of surgical instruments inside the patient.5 Robotic surgery, like laparoscopic surgery, requires smaller incisions in the patient than those used for an open procedure.
Material and methods
Patients
From November 2005 to June 2006, 30 robot-assisted aortoiliac reconstructions were performed at our institution. They included 2 aortoiliac thromboendarterectomies with prosthetic patch, and 4 iliofemoral, 11 aortounifemoral, and 10 aortobifemoral bypasses. Two patients were treated for abdominal aortic aneurysm and one for common iliac artery aneurysm by tube graft. Our study included 23 men and 7 women, with a median age of 58 years (range, 43 to 78 years). Of the 30 patients, 22 (73%) were active heavy smokers, 10 (33%) were hypertensive, 3 (10%) were diabetic, and 8 (27%) had either angina or a history of myocardial infarction.
Patients with serious medical problems and those who had previously undergone major abdominal surgery were excluded from the clinical study. Disease was classified in accordance with the American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) classification. Patients with ASA IV and V, and significantly abnormal cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, and renal test results were not offered a robot-assisted procedure.
Procedure
The da Vinci robotic system was placed for use on the patient’s right side. The patient was placed on his or her right side at a 45° angle, in a mild Trendelenburg position (10° to 15°), with the left arm lying along the length of the body. Trocar positioning was slightly different from conventional laparoscopy because of the volume of the articulating robotic arms. The pneumoperitoneum was secured via a minor incision below the processus xiphoideus with an abdominal pressure of 12 mm Hg and a perfusion of carbon dioxide at 6 L/m.
An 11-mm trocar for the proximal laparoscopic aortic clamp was introduced. Three 11-mm trocars were inserted on the left solidus axillary line below the costal margin for the laparoscopic instruments in first part of operation and for the robotic arms and the robotic camera in second part. Two 11-mm ports were inserted on the left side of the triplet trocars above the pelvic margin for the distal aortic clamp or the pelvic endovascular bulldog clamps and the assistant’s port (Fig 1).
Fig 1.
Position of the patient on the operating table and position of trocars. 1, Central clamp; 2, right robotic arm; 3, robotic camera; 4, left robotic arm; 5, assistant’s port; 6, distal clamp.
Dissections of the aorta and iliac arteries were performed laparoscopically. We used our own modified transperitoneal direct approach, where the small bowel and the omentum were moved towards the diaphragm. The retroperitoneum was opened on the left side of the aorta from its bifurcation to the left renal vein alongside the left gonadal vein (Fig 2, A). The posterior peritoneum with preaortic fat and ganglia was liberated as necessary up to the right aortic wall and stitched up to the parietal peritoneum (Fig 2, B). Thus, mobilization of the entire descending colon was not required.6
Fig 2.
A, Position of colon and posterior peritoneum, and exposure of infrarenal aorta. A, Fixed posterior peritoneum; B, subrenal aorta; C, line for opening the posterior peritoneum; D, left renal vein; E, descending colon. B, Perioperative view of modified transperitoneal direct approach.
The subrenal aorta and both common iliac arteries were exposed, and the inferior mesenteric artery was temporarily clipped except for one AAA resection. In the patient who had an AAA, the inferior mesenteric artery was interrupted and visible lumbar arteries were clipped. After the aneurysmal sac was opened, the robotic technique was use to internally control the remaining lumbar arteries with free 4-0 shortened polytetrafluoroethylene stitches.
Tunneling was performed from one or two groins under the direct view of the laparoscopic video camera using a long DeBakey aortic vascular clamp. A conventional knitted Dacron vascular prosthesis (Albograft, Sorin Biomedica Cardio, SpA, Saluggia, Italy), with attached shortened 3-0 or 4-0 Gore-Tex suture (W. L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, Ariz) was inserted into the abdomen through an 11-mm trocar. The robotic system was used to construct the central anastomosis (twice for both anastomoses in the case of tube grafts), to perform thromboendarterectomy, and mostly for posterior peritoneal suturing (Fig 3).
Fig 3.
A, Aortoiliac thromboendarterectomy. A, Temporarily clipped inferior mesenteric artery (IMA); B, opened aorta; C, robotic instrument; D, suction; E, proximal aortic clamp. B, Aortoiliac patch. A, Aortoiliac prosthetic patch; B, right common iliac artery.
The time required to set-up the robotic system with special instruments was about 15 minutes. Optimal placement of robot’s arms for vascular procedures was usually at the band of triplet trocars on the left solidus axillary line. Femoral anastomoses were completed using standard techniques. The role of the assistant at the patient’s side was limited to exposure, assisting in the dissection, hemostasis, and maintaining traction on the running sutures performed by the robot.
Results
Robot-assisted aortoiliac procedures were successfully completed in all patients. No conversions to open laparotomy were performed. No robot-related complications and two minor postoperative complications were noted. The duplex scans demonstrated 100% graft patency.
Median operating time was 236 minutes (range, 180 to 360 minutes), with a median clamp time of 54 minutes (range, 40 to 120 minutes). Median anastomosis time was 27 minutes (range, 20 to 60 minutes). Median blood loss was 320 mL (range, 100 to 1500 mL), median intensive care unit (ICU) stay was 1.8 days (range, 1 to 5 days), median ventilator support was 8 hours (0 to 48 hours), and median hospital stay was 5.3 days (range, 4 to 10 days). Nearly all patients began a liquid diet 1 day after surgery and a solid diet at 2.5 days. One patient experienced temporary atrial fibrillation, and in one patient, some liver function studies were elevated during the ICU stay (Table).
Table I. Preoperative and postoperative data
| Variable | Median (range) or % |
|---|---|
| Clamping time (min) | 54 (40-120) |
| Anastomosis time (min) | 27(20-60) |
| Operating time (min) | 236(180-360) |
| Blood loss (mL) | 320(100-1500) |
| Conversion | 0 |
| Ventilator support (hrs) | 8(0-48) |
| ICU (days) | 1.8(1-5) |
| Regular diet (days) | 2.5(2-4) |
| Hospital stay (days) | 5.3(4-10) |
| Post-op complications | 0 |
| 30-day mortality | 0 |
| Patency | 100 |
Discussion
Laparoscopic vascular surgery has evolved from hand-assisted to total laparoscopic procedures. Although impressive series of totally laparoscopic procedures have been reported, it is still not widely accepted. Laparoscopic dissection and exposure of the aortoiliac area can be complicated by loss of visualization due to intrusion of bowel into the operative field. In addition, performing a totally laparoscopic vascular anastomosis requires experience and technical skill.
Robot-assisted surgery was first introduced in cardiac surgery. Although the da Vinci system has been used by a variety of disciplines for laparoscopic procedures, including cholecystectomies, mitral valve repairs, radical prostatectomies, reversal of tubal ligations, and many gastrointestinal surgeries, nephrectomies, and kidney transplantations, the use of robots in vascular surgery is still relatively unique.7, 8, 9, 10 Robot-assisted surgery is thought to result in a better surgical performance, because finer and more controlled movements can be made without tremor. It appears to be of most benefit in the field of microsurgery, with its need for manipulation in a small space.
The system also has several disadvantages, including its high cost and the cumbersome nature of the equipment, potential interference between the robotic arms, and poor tactile feedback. Compared with open surgery, tactile feedback in laparoscopic surgery is reduced but still present, but with robotic instruments there is a total lack of tactile feedback. This is the reason for the move to Gore-Tex sutures, which are much less prone to breakage when a vascular anastomosis is performed. The EndoWrist Instruments (Intuitive), however, reproduce the exact movements of the surgeon’s hand, wrists, and fingers and extend the normal human range of motion, allowing for more precise suturing, dissection, and tissue manipulation.
The time loss during the total laparoscopic vascular procedures occurred from such things as suturing the anastomosis and controlling back bleeding from lumbar arteries, leading to a significantly longer clamping time.
Robot-assisted vascular surgery can be of value in overcoming the long learning curve in laparoscopic suturing of vascular anastomoses. In the reported total laparoscopic procedures by our team, the mean operating time was 259 minutes (range, 150 to 420 minutes), and the clamping time was 69 minutes (range, 35 to 150).6 When compared with our robot-assisted vascular procedures, the times for laparoscopic procedures and aortoiliac cross-clamping were longer.
Because robot-assisted aortoiliac procedures have to be combined with conventional laparoscopic surgery, previous experience of conventional laparoscopic vascular surgery is very important. By combining robotic technology with surgical skill, the da Vinci Surgical System can allow the performance of more precise and more types of minimally invasive procedures in vascular surgery.
Conclusion
This preliminary clinical study demonstrates that robot-assisted aortoiliac procedures are possible and can minimize some of the difficulties and limitations associated with laparoscopic aortoiliac surgery. Robot-assisted anastomoses are favored because of their unique ability to combine conventional laparoscopic surgery with three-dimensional magnification and ultra-precise suturing techniques. Robot-assisted vascular anastomoses can be performed very quickly and well (Fig 4, A and B). The time lost during standard laparoscopic procedures occurred while the anastomosis was sutured, leading to a significantly longer clamping time. Furthermore, robot-assisted laparoscopic vascular surgery should decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with aortoiliac reconstruction.
Fig 4.
A, A robot-assisted central anastomosis of an aortounifemoral bypass. B, A robot-assisted distal anastomosis of an abdominal aortic aneurysm treated with a tube graft. A, Right common iliac artery; B, left common iliac artery; C, endoscopic bulldog clamps
Laparoscopic experience is a necessary condition for the successful performance of robot-assisted vascular procedures and helps to shorten the learning curve of robot-assisted aortoiliac surgery. Robotic surgery will revolutionize surgical procedures and can truly said to be the next advance in minimally invasive surgery.11 Reducing robotic drawbacks should expand the use of robotic surgery in vascular surgery. Further clinical trials are needed to explore the clinical potential and value of robot-assisted vascular procedures.
Author contributions
References
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Competition of interest: none.
PII: S0741-5214(06)01372-3
doi:10.1016/j.jvs.2006.07.045
© 2006 The Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
