Innovation in robot-assisted surgery

At the University Medical Centre Mainz, Prof. Peter Grimminger performed the first single-port da Vinci robot-assisted cervical oesophagectomy (SP-RACE) in Europe in spring this year. The term SP-RACE stands for “Single-Port Robot-Assisted Cervical Esophagectomy” — a technique in which the oesophagus is removed minimally invasively, transabdominally and robotically, through a limited access in the cervical area.

This procedure is primarily indicated for patients with proximal oesophageal tumours. Because the technique does not require entry into the thorax and therefore avoids one-lung ventilation, it is also suitable for patients with reduced lung function for whom a transthoracic procedure is normally not an option.

The technique is now used routinely at the University Medical Centre Mainz and is being continuously refined. To further increase efficiency and precision and thus shorten anaesthesia time, two teams operate in parallel. While one team performs the transcervical part of the operation with the da Vinci SP system from Intuitive Surgical, the other team operates simultaneously, minimally invasively, transabdominally.

This simultaneous approach reduces operating time without altering the established surgical steps. As a result, the procedure becomes safer for patients, since shorter operating times are known to be associated with reduced postoperative morbidity.

We are in a phase in which technological progress and medical expertise work hand in hand to optimise patient care. I am very grateful to be part of this team that drives progress forward.

References:

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.