J Visc Surg
-
Surgery is the only curative treatment for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM), but resection should be total with tumor-free margins and the remaining parenchyma, functionally evaluated. The rationale behind portal vein embolization (PVE) to reduce the risk of these hepatic resections is threefold: (i) surgery for CRLM has become more and more aggressive, and hepatocellular insufficiency represents the leading cause of mortality after major hepatectomy for hepatic metastasis (HM), (ii) underlying hepatic disease occurs more frequently than previously thought in these patients having undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and can alter hepatic function and/or hinder postoperative regeneration, and (iii) the operative risk is increased if major hepatectomy is associated with resection of the primary tumor. The goal of this update is to review the reasons behind and the indications for PVE, to analyze the literature pertaining to whether PVE should be routine or selective, and to tackle certain technical aspects, all within the framework of the treatment of CRLM.
-
Surgical training relies on medical school lectures, practical training in patient care and in the operating room including instruction in anatomy and experimental surgery. Training with different techniques of simulators can complete this. Simulator-based training, widely used in North America, can be applied to several aspects of surgical training without any risk for patients: technical skills in both open and laparoscopic surgery, the notion of teamwork and the multidisciplinary management of acute medicosurgical situations. ⋯ As such, it should be considered as a model and, in accordance to the wishes of the French Surgical Academy, the first step toward the creation of true schools of surgery.
-
Surgical hemostatic agents are indicated to improve hemostasis when conventional techniques (compression, sutures or electrocoagulation) are inadequate. The National French Authority for Health (Haute Autorité de santé [HAS]) set out to assess these products (medical devices and agents) to determine their optimal utility. This evaluation included one class of products containing some form of human fibrinogen and thrombin and eight classes of medical devices and automated devices to prepare autologous fibrin. ⋯ The working group also distinguished several particular settings (mouth and dental care in patients under antiagregant or anticoagulation therapy, central nervous system surgery or acute aortic dissection). Comparative data are insufficient to determine if one product is superior to another for a specific use. To evaluate the clinical value of these products, methodologically sound clinical studies are necessary.
-
Comparative Study
Initial experience using robot- assisted transaxillary thyroidectomy for Graves' disease.
Graves' disease is the most common form of hyperthyroidism and surgery to remove the thyroid gland is a common treatment option for many of these patients. Interestingly, due to the enlarged gland size, their high vascularity, and the difficulty to control bleeding, many authors feel that Graves' disease remains a contraindication to current endoscopic techniques. We hypothesize that performing robotic subtotal thyroidectomy in Graves' disease settings could overcome the limitations of conventional endoscopic surgeries in the surgical management of this challenging thyroid disease. ⋯ We showed that robotic transaxillary thyroidectomy is feasible and can be safe and effective in patients with Graves' disease. To our knowledge, this is the first article describing this approach for Graves' disease. These findings, however, warrant additional investigation within future prospective clinical trials.
-
Review Historical Article
History of robotic surgery: from AESOP® and ZEUS® to da Vinci®.