Publications by authors named "Maurice Zwart"

Article Synopsis
  • Robotic pancreatoduodenectomy is gaining popularity globally, with positive outcomes reported, but more large-scale studies are needed to assess the impact of the learning curve on these results.* -
  • An extensive study was conducted involving 2,186 patients from 18 centers in 8 countries, analyzing the learning curve and its effects on feasibility (operative time and blood loss) and proficiency (complications and morbidity).* -
  • Findings revealed that a significant reduction in major morbidity occurred after 90 procedures, with improved outcomes across the board, while mortality rates remained steady throughout different experience levels among centers.*
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Background: Robotic suturing training is in increasing demand and can be done using suture-pads or robotic simulation training. Robotic simulation is less cumbersome, whereas a robotic suture-pad approach could be more effective but is more costly. A training curriculum with crossover between both approaches may be a practical solution.

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Objective: To assess the added value of 3-dimensional (3D) vision, including high definition (HD) technology, in laparoscopic surgery in terms of surgeon preference and clinical outcome.

Background: The use of 3D vision in laparoscopic surgery has been suggested to improve surgical performance. However, the added value of 3D vision remains unclear as a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing 3D vision including HD technology in laparoscopic surgery is currently lacking.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study compares the outcomes of robot-assisted and laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomy across 50 European centers, focusing on major morbidity and mortality rates among patients from 2009 to 2020.
  • - The results show no significant differences in major morbidity and 30-day mortality rates between the two surgical methods, but robot-assisted surgery had lower conversion rates and better lymph node retrieval.
  • - Laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomy had advantages like shorter operation times and lower rates of postoperative pancreatic complications, suggesting it may be the preferable approach in certain aspects.
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Article Synopsis
  • A nationwide study in the Netherlands aimed to compare the outcomes of robotic pancreatoduodenectomy and open pancreatoduodenectomy, focusing on safety and effectiveness across various centers from 2014 to 2021.
  • The research included data from 701 patients who underwent robotic procedures and 4447 who had open surgery, with a focus on major complications and mortality rates.
  • While robotic surgery had a longer operating time, it resulted in less blood loss, fewer infections, and shorter hospital stays, but it did not show significant differences in major complications or mortality compared to open surgery after matching the patient groups.
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Background: A potential downside of robotic pancreatoduodenectomy (RPD) is the lack of tactile feedback when tying sutures, which could be especially perilous during pancreatic anastomosis. Near-infrared fluorescence imaging with indocyanine green (NIRF-ICG) could detect transpancreatic-suture-induced hypoperfusion of the pancreatic stump during RPD, which may be related to postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) grade B/C, but studies are lacking.

Methods: This prospective study included 37 patients undergoing RPD to assess the relation between pancreatic stump hypoperfusion as objectified with NIRF-ICG using Firefly and the rate of POPF grade B/C.

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Article Synopsis
  • Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) often necessitates surgical removal, but there’s debate over how much of the pancreas should be taken when the main duct is dilated.
  • Intraoperative pancreatoscopy, a technique introduced recently in robotic surgeries, helps determine how much of the IPMN to remove during operations like robotic pancreatoduodenectomy and distal pancreatectomy.
  • A study involving 28 pancreatoscopies during robotic surgeries showed no complications and minimal extra time for the procedure, with all patients recovering well and being discharged shortly after surgery.
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Objective: To develop and update evidence-based and consensus-based guidelines on laparoscopic and robotic pancreatic surgery.

Summary Background Data: Minimally invasive pancreatic surgery (MIPS), including laparoscopic and robotic surgery, is complex and technically demanding. Minimizing the risk for patients requires stringent, evidence-based guidelines.

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Objective: To assess the feasibility, proficiency, and mastery learning curves for robotic pancreatoduodenectomy (RPD) in "second-generation" RPD centers following a multicenter training program adhering to the IDEAL framework.

Background: The long learning curves for RPD reported from "pioneering" expert centers may discourage centers interested in starting an RPD program. However, the feasibility, proficiency, and mastery learning curves may be shorter in "second-generation" centers that participated in dedicated RPD training programs, although data are lacking.

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Background: Anastomotic suturing is the Achilles heel of pancreatic surgery. Especially in laparoscopic and robotically assisted surgery, the pancreatic anastomosis should first be trained outside the operating room. Realistic training models are therefore needed.

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Objective: To assess the learning curve of pancreaticojejunostomy during robotic pancreatoduodenectomy (RPD) and to predict the risk of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) by using the objective structured assessment of technical skills (OSATS), taking the fistula risk into account.

Background: RPD is a challenging procedure that requires extensive training and confirmation of adequate surgical performance. Video grading, modified for RPD, of the pancreatic anastomosis could assess the learning curve of RPD and predict the risk of POPF.

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Objective: To determine the nationwide implementation and surgical outcome of minor and major robotic liver surgery (RLS) and assess the first phase of implementation of RLS during the learning curve.

Background: RLS may be a valuable alternative to laparoscopic liver surgery. Nationwide population-based studies with data on implementation and outcome of RLS are lacking.

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Robotic pancreatoduodenectomy (RPD) for pancreatic cancer is a challenging procedure. Aberrant vasculature may increase the technical difficulty. Several studies have described the safety of RPD in case of a replaced or aberrant right hepatic artery, but detailed video descriptions of the approach are lacking.

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Central pancreatectomy is a parenchyma-sparing alternative to distal pancreatectomy in patients with a benign or low-grade malignant tumor in the body of the pancreas. The aim of central pancreatectomy is to prevent postoperative life-long endocrine and exocrine insufficiency. The downside of central pancreatectomy is the high rate of postoperative pancreatic fistula, which is the main reason that many surgeons do not routinely use central pancreatectomy in eligible patients.

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Background: Robotic surgery may improve surgical performance during minimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy as compared to 3D- and 2D-laparoscopy but comparative studies are lacking. This study assessed the impact of robotic surgery versus 3D- and 2D-laparoscopy on surgical performance and operative time using a standardized biotissue model for pancreatico- and hepatico-jejunostomy using pooled data from two randomized controlled crossover trials (RCTs).

Methods: Pooled analysis of data from two RCTs with 60 participants (36 surgeons, 24 residents) from 11 countries (December 2017-July 2019) was conducted.

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Background: Laparoscopic and robotic minimally invasive liver surgery (MILS) is gaining popularity. Recent data and views on the implementation of laparoscopic and robotic MILS throughout Europe are lacking.

Methods: An anonymous survey consisting of 46 questions was sent to all members of the European-African Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association.

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Objective: To assess feasibility and safety of a multicenter training program in robotic pancreatoduodenectomy (RPD) adhering to the IDEAL framework for implementation of surgical innovation.

Background: Good results for RPD have been reported from single center studies. However, data on feasibility and safety of implementation through a multicenter training program in RPD are lacking.

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Background: We tested the added value of 3D-vision on procedure time and surgical performance during robotic pancreatoduodenectomy anastomoses in biotissue. Robotic surgery has the advantage of articulating instruments and 3D-vision. Consensus is lacking on the added value of 3D-vision during laparoscopic surgery.

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Radical resection margins, resection of Gerota's (perirenal) fascia, and adequate lymph node dissection are crucial for an adequate oncological resection of left-sided pancreatic cancer. Several surgical techniques have been described in recent years, but few were specifically designed for minimally invasive approaches. This study describes and demonstrates a standardized and reproducible technique for an adequate oncological resection of pancreatic cancer: laparoscopic radical left pancreatectomy (LRLP).

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Lateral pancreaticojejunostomy (LPJ) has shown good postoperative outcomes in patients with painful, morphine dependent, chronic pancreatitis (CP). The recent rise of robotic and laparoscopic pancreatic surgery has found benefits such as reduced time to functional recovery. Few studies have reported on the feasibility, technique and outcome of robotic LPJ, especially including transection of the gastroduodenal artery.

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Unlabelled: Despite extensive efforts to optimize laser therapy, i.e., the current gold standard treatment, a majority of port wine stain (PWS) patients responds suboptimally to laser therapy.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to create and validate the first evidence-based guidelines for minimally invasive pancreas resection (MIPR) ahead of a key meeting in Miami in 2019.
  • Despite promising results from early adopters, there were no existing guidelines for clinical practice in this rapidly developing field.
  • Using rigorous methodologies, the study reviewed 16,069 titles and included 291 studies to develop 28 recommendations covering various aspects of MIPR, from techniques to patient safety and training.
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Background: It is currently unclear what the added value is of 3D-laparoscopy during pancreatic and biliary surgery. 3D-laparoscopy could improve procedure time and/or surgical performance, for instance in demanding anastomoses such as pancreatico- and hepaticojejunostomy. The impact of 3D-laparoscopy could be negligible in more experienced surgeons.

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Background: In the mandatory nationwide Dutch Pancreatic Cancer Audit, rates of major complications and Failure to Rescue (FTR) after pancreatoduodenectomy between low- and high-mortality hospitals are compared, and independent predictors for FTR investigated.

Methods: Patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy in 2014 and 2015 in The Netherlands were included. Hospitals were divided into quartiles based on mortality rates.

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Robot-assisted surgery has been developed to overcome limitations of conventional laparoscopy aiming to further optimize minimally invasive surgery. Despite the fact that robotics already have been widely adopted in urology, gynecology, and several gastro-intestinal procedures, like colorectal surgery, pancreatic surgery lags behind. Due to the complex nature of the procedure, surgeons probably have been hesitant to apply minimally invasive techniques in pancreatic surgery.

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