In the spring of this year, Prof. Peter Grimminger successfully performed a single-port da Vinci robot-assisted cervical esophagectomy (SP-RACE) for the first time in Europe at the University Medical Center Mainz [1].
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The term SP-RACE stands for " Single-Port Robot-Assisted Cervical Esophagectomy " - a technique in which the esophagus is removed minimally invasively transabdominally and robot-assisted via a limited access in the neck area. This procedure is primarily indicated for patients with proximal esophageal tumors. Since this technique does not require entry into the thorax and thus unilateral lung ventilation is not necessary, it is also suitable for patients with limited lung function for whom a transthoracic procedure is not normally an option.
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The technology is now routinely used at the University Medical Center Mainz and is continuously being developed further. In order to further increase the efficiency and precision of the procedure and thus shorten the duration of the anesthesia, two teams work in parallel. While one team performs the transcervical part of the operation with the da Vinci SP system from Intuitive Surgical , the other team simultaneously operates minimally invasively transabdominally.
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This simultaneous approach reduces the operating time without changing the established surgical steps. This makes the procedure safer for the patients, as shorter operating times are known to be associated with reduced postoperative morbidity [2].
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We are in a phase where technological advances and medical expertise work hand in hand to optimize patient care.
I am very grateful to be part of this team that is driving progress.
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Read more: Link to article
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Bibliography:
[1] Hadzijusufovic E, Lozanovski VJ, Griemert EV, et al. Single-Port da Vinci Robot-Assisted Cervical Esophagectomy: How to Do It. Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2024 Dec;72(8):654-658.
[2] Cheng H, Clymer JW, Po-Han Chen B, et al. Prolonged operative duration is associated with complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Surgical Research. 2018;229:134-144.
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