Attaining proficiency in robotic-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy while maximizing safety during procedure development Journal Article


Authors: Sarkaria, I. S.; Rizk, N. P.; Grosser, R.; Goldman, D.; Finley, D. J.; Ghanie, A.; Sima, C. S.; Bains, M. S.; Adusumilli, P. S.; Rusch, V. W.; Jones, D. R.
Article Title: Attaining proficiency in robotic-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy while maximizing safety during procedure development
Abstract: Objective: Robotic-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) is an emerging complex operation with limited reports detailing morbidity, mortality, and requirements for attaining proficiency. Our objective was to develop a standardized RAMIE technique, evaluate procedure safety, and assess outcomes using a dedicated operative team and 2-surgeon approach. Methods: We conducted a study of sequential patients undergoing RAMIE from January 25, 2011, to May 5, 2014. Intermedian demographics and perioperative data were compared between sequential halves of the experience using the Wilcoxon rank sum test and the Fischer exact test. Median operative time was tracked over successive 15-patient cohorts. Results: One hundred of 313 esophageal resections performed at our institution underwent RAMIE during the study period. A dedicated team including 2 attending surgeons and uniform anesthesia and OR staff was established. There were no significant differences in age, sex, histology, stage, induction therapy, or risk class between the 2 halves of the study. Estimated blood loss, conversions, operative times, and overall complications significantly decreased. The median resected lymph nodes increased but was not statistically significant. Median operative time decreased to approximately 370 minutes between the 30th and the 45th cases. There were no emergent intraoperative complications, and the anastomotic leak rate was 6% (6/100). The 30-day mortality was 0% (0/100), and the 90-day mortality was 1% (1/100). Conclusions: Excellent perioperative and short-term patient outcomes with minimal mortality can be achieved using a standardized RAMIE procedure and a dedicated team approach. The structured process described may serve as a model to maximize patients' safety during development and assessment of complex novel procedures.
Keywords: esophagectomy; esophageal cancer; learning curve; surgery outcomes; robotic esophagectomy
Journal Title: Innovations: Technology and Techniques in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery
Volume: 11
Issue: 4
ISSN: 1556-9845
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins  
Date Published: 2016-07-01
Start Page: 268
End Page: 273
Language: English
DOI: 10.1097/imi.0000000000000297
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 27662372
PMCID: PMC5427663
DOI/URL:
Notes: Conference Paper: Presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery which took place June 3–6, 2015 in Berlin, Germany -- Export Date: 2 November 2016 -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Camelia S Sima
    212 Sima
  2. Valerie W Rusch
    869 Rusch
  3. Nabil Rizk
    139 Rizk
  4. David John Finley
    40 Finley
  5. Manjit S Bains
    339 Bains
  6. Debra Alyssa Goldman
    158 Goldman
  7. David Randolph Jones
    422 Jones
  8. Amanda   Ghanie
    4 Ghanie