Biomedical subjects

Georg Werkgartner

Publications and source records attributed to Georg Werkgartner.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Prospective study comparing standard and robotically assisted laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Laparoscopic surgery has become the treatment of choice for cholecystectomy. Many studies showed that while this approach benefits the patient, the surgeon faces such distinct disadvantages as a poor ergonomic situation and limited degrees of freedom with limited motion as a consequence. Robots have the potential to overcome these problems. To evaluate the efficiency and feasibility of robotically assisted surgery (RAC), we designed a prospective study to compare it with standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2001 and 2003, 26 patients underwent SLC and 20 patients underwent RAC using the ZEUS system. The feasibility, safety, and possible advantages were evaluated. To assess the efficacy, the total time in the operating room was divided into preoperative, operative, and postoperative time frames. RESULTS: For RAC in comparison with SLC, the preoperative phase including equipment setup was significantly longer. In the intraoperative phase, the cut-closure time and camera and trocar insertion times were significantly longer. It is interesting to note that the net dissection time for the cystic artery, duct, and the gall bladder was not different from SLC. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates the feasibility of robotically assisted cholecystectomy without system-specific morbidity. There is time loss in several phases of robotic surgery due to equipment setup and deinstallation and therefore, presents no benefit in using the robot in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Accuracy of preoperative routine MRI for hepatic lesion detection.

BACKGROUND: The outcome of liver resections depends on complete removal of all detectable foci. Our aim was to determine the value of preoperative routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for complete detection of hepatic lesions. METHODS: We compared 271 lesions seen on MRI in 182 patients to intraoperative findings (including intraoperative ultrasonography) and histology. RESULTS: The overall rate of lesions was 7% each for segments 2 and 3, as compared to 14-17% each for segments 5, 6, 7, and 8. Twenty-three additional lesions were found intraoperatively, two thirds of them in the left lobe (mean size: 1.4 cm; mean total number of lesions in those patients: 2.2). In segments 2 and 3, the relative frequency for intraoperative diagnosis of additional lesions was 17% and 20%, respectively. On the other hand, most of the 15 MRI lesions not verified intra- or postoperatively had been described in the right hepatic lobe (maximum: segment 6). CONCLUSION: MRI provided reliable preoperative lesion detection. Special attention should be paid to segments 2 and 3, which showed a lower total number of lesions but an elevated relative frequency of intraoperatively detected additional foci.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Is intraoperative ultrasonography during partial hepatectomy still necessary in the age of magnetic resonance imaging?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of our study was to determine if intraoperative ultrasonography is still necessary in the time of magnetic resonance imaging. METHODOLOGY: Our prospective study comprised 122 patients (82% with malignant tumors) undergoing partial hepatectomy with preoperative magnetic resonance imaging, done at the same institution using a standardized liver protocol as well as intraoperative ultrasonography performed in a systematic fashion. RESULTS: Seventeen additional malignant lesions in 16/122 patients (13.1%) were found intraoperatively [7 visible, 2 palpable, 8 (6.6%) diagnosed by intraoperative ultrasonography only; mean size: 1.5 cm; left:right lobe = 11:6]. This caused a change in surgical strategy in 14 patients (11.5%), including 6 patients (4.9%) with lesions seen on intraoperative ultrasonography only. The average total number of lesions in those patients was 3.4. Ten lesions (7 benign, 3 malignant) described on magnetic resonance imaging were not found on intraoperative ultrasonography, but no unnecessary operations resulted from this. In one patient additional micrometastases seen neither on magnetic resonance imaging nor on intraoperative ultrasonography were found histologically. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative ultrasonography is still worthwhile as it remains unsurpassed in the ultimate determination of the number of lesions, tumor extension and anatomical resolution. However, in the course of time its benefits may decrease further due to ongoing improvement of preoperative imaging.

Hepatectomy↗