The most complex intra-abdominal surgical intervention performed by minimally invasive robotic approach, for the first time at Medicover Hospital Cluj (P)

Health

A new chance at life for a 61-year-old patient, through robotic oncological surgery.

Photo Dr. Adrian Bartos

At Medicover Cluj Hospital, the most complex intra-abdominal surgical intervention in the oncological sphere was performed, through a minimally invasive robotic approach. The patient is 61 years old, and his post-operative evolution was positive. Through this complex surgical intervention, the medical team coordinated by Dr. Adrian Bartoș gave a new chance at life, both for the patient and his family.

Robotic interventions in the hepato-bilio-pancreatic sphere, especially those performed for the treatment of pancreatic tumors, are very complex, due to the delicate local anatomical relationships.

“Pancreatic cancer represents a real public health problem, tumors not treated surgically have a low survival rate. First, in addition to the affected pancreatic area, the duodenum, the terminal portion of the stomach, a portion of the small intestine, the gallbladder, and the terminal portion of the main bile duct must be removed. All remaining digestive and biliary segments must be reconnected.”, mentions Dr. Adrian Bartoș, primary general surgery doctor, with competence and experience in oncological and robotic surgery.

DPC, the most complex abdominal intervention in the digestive and pancreatico-biliary sphere, performed at Medicover Hospital Cluj

The intervention performed to treat the 61-year-old patient’s form of pancreatic cancer is called duodeno-pancreatectomy-cephalic (abbreviated: DPC) and is the most complex abdominal intervention in the digestive and pancreato-biliary sphere.

This intervention involves difficult dissection times and delicate reconstruction times. This is precisely why this type of intervention can only be performed by experienced surgeons, both in this pathology and in terms of the robotic approach.

“Robotic surgery performed with the daVinci Xi device (controlled by the surgeon at the consoles) significantly helped us in achieving the dissection times, through the precision of the movements and a visualization of the anatomy clearly superior to other approaches. In addition to these, perhaps the most important element is represented by the quality of biliary and digestive reconstructions, facilitated by the joints of the robotic arms,” ​​adds Dr. Adrian Bartoș.

The medical team that performed the complex intervention was coordinated by Dr. Bartoș Adrian – chief, console surgeon. The team also included Dr. Iancu Ioana – principal assistant and Dr. Brînzilă Sandu – secondary assistant.

The patient was diagnosed with cephalopancreatic cancer and benefited from DPC through a total robotic approach, with pancreatico-jejuno-anastomosis, hepatico-jejuno-anastomosis and gastro-jejuno-anastomosis reconstructions, and the surgical intervention lasted approximately 6 hours.

Minimized risk of complications following complex surgery to treat pancreatic cancer

A problematic aspect in pancreatic head surgery is the complications that can occur after reconstruction, especially pancreatic fistula. A minimal handling of the tissues can lead to a lower rate of these complications, while facilitating a rapid recovery of the patient, even after a major intervention.

This is possible by using very small incisions, less than 1 centimeter. In addition, this technique allows obtaining superior oncological results, thanks to the extremely high precision in dissection.

The reduction of the risk of complications is ensured by the precision and high functionality of the daVinci Xi robot.

The patient’s postoperative course was uncomplicated, pain-free, with rapid discharge on day 4 after surgery and with a confirmation of a quality oncological resection by histopathological examination of the surgical specimen.

“Surgical treatment is the only one able to offer a chance of increasing the survival rate in patients diagnosed with a form of pancreatic cancer, information certified by specialist literature. These interventions and good results presuppose the simultaneous existence of a surgical team with extensive experience in hepato-bilio-pancreatic oncological surgery, a state-of-the-art equipment of the operating room, as well as a quality multidisciplinary team for perioperative management (ATI, oncology , gastroenterology, pathological anatomy, imaging). We are happy to be able to offer such routine services in our hospital.”, concludes Dr. Adrian Bartoș.

Since last year, within the Medicover Cluj Hospital, the minimally invasive robotic approach, with its well-known advantages, is available including for the most complex oncological interventions in the abdominal sphere: the surgical treatment of pancreatic cancer, as well as for a wide variety of other pathologies from the field of general, urological, hepatobiliary or bariatric surgery.

About Medicover Romania

Since 1995, Medicover Romania has become one of the most important providers on the private health services market, with a network of 41 clinics in Bucharest and in the country and 5 general hospitals: in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Oradea and Craiova, 28 of on-site offices and over 250 partner medical units. Medicover hospitals meet the highest medical standards and serve a wide range of medical and surgical specialties.

Medicover Romania is part of Medicover, an international medical and diagnostic services company, founded in 1995. Medicover operates an extensive network of clinics, hospitals, specialized care facilities and laboratories. Medicover’s main markets are Poland, Germany, Romania and India. In 2022, Medicover recorded total revenues of 1,510 million euros, with over 44,000 employees. For more information, visit: www.medicover.com.