Freehand-robot-assisted laparoscopic colorectal surgery: Initial experience in the Trinidad and Tobago

Cawich, Shamir O; Singh, Yudhvir; Naraynsingh, Vijay; Senasi, Ramdas; Arulampalam, Tan

doi:10.5412/wjsp.v12.i1.1

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…We advocate for the use of this technology, when available, for laparoscopic CBD exploration. Additionally, the head motions for robot control were intuitive as they were similar to those used to view a normal operating field [14].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Robot-Assisted Common Bile Duct Exploration in Trinidad & Tobago

Cawich¹,

Spence²,

Senasi³

et al. 2022

Cureus

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Although laparoscopic common bile duct exploration is a feasible and safe option for the operative management of choledocholithiasis, there has been a general reluctance to perform this procedure in Caribbean practice. This is largely because duct exploration is perceived to be difficult with laparoscopic instruments, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has become increasingly available. We report a case in which stones were extracted laparoscopically from the common bile duct, aided by the FreeHand® (Freehand 2010 Ltd., Guildford, Surrey, UK) robot, to show that the procedure is feasible and safe in the Caribbean environment.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Robot-Assisted Common Bile Duct Exploration in Trinidad & Tobago

Cawich¹,

Spence²,

Senasi³

et al. 2022

Cureus

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“…Despite these, surgical leaders recognized the need for technical advancement and we have been able to overcome most of these obstacles. [18][19] The main reason that distributors were reluctant to supply robotic equipment to the Caribbean was that most were low-income countries, including some of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. 16 From a business perspective, these companies may have thought that these poor nations would not be able afford the hardware and necessary consumables.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

FreeHand Robot-Assisted Gynecologic Surgery in Trinidad & Tobago: Case Reports

Narayansingh¹,

Cawich²,

Arulampalam

et al. 2022

MRAJ

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Background: Minimally invasive surgery is still at a relatively early stage throughout the Anglophone Caribbean and robotic surgery has been largely non-existent. There have been many unique obstacles to the introduction of robotic surgery in the Caribbean. Methods: We present a case report to document the initial experience with the use of the FreeHand surgical robot during gynecologic operations in Trinidad & Tobago. Results: Two cases are presented to highlight the use of the FreeHand robot for gynecologic operations. We outline our experiences introducing the FreeHand® robotic arm to facilitate minimally invasive gynecologic surgery in the Caribbean. Conclusions: The FreeHand® system is a good intermediary between conventional laparoscopy and a full surgical robot. We believe this technology can be incorporated into the armamentarium of gynecologic surgeons in resource-poor nations, once there is appropriate training and intra-operative mentoring from experts familiar with the technology.

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“…[10][11] Survival at five years post treatment falls from approximately 70% with early CRC, to 30% with locally advanced CRC, 10 and further to 5-8% for metastatic disease. 12 In addition to better survival statistics, patients diagnosed with early-stage CRC would also have increased access to minimally invasive colectomies, which international [13][14][15] and regional data [16][17][18] have proven brings advantages over open colectomies. There is also greater post-operative morbidity and mortality when patients with locally advanced CRC undergo operative resections compared to those with early CRC.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Colorectal Cancer Screening: Are we Missing an Opportunity in Trinidad & Tobago?

Cawich¹,

Wharfe

Nimrod³

et al. 2022

MRAJ

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Objectives: Opportunistic (ad-hoc) screening for colorectal cancer is practiced in Trinidad & Tobago, but there is no data on the outcomes of opportunistic screening. We carried out this study to determine the proportion of persons with colorectal ancer who were screen-detected. Methods: We retrospectively audited the records of all patients who underwent colectomies for colorectal cancer at a public hospital over a 10-year period from January 1, 2012 to January 30, 2022. We compared American Joint Committee on Cancer stage based on method of diagnosis (screening vs symptomatic). Descriptive statistical analyses were generated using SPSS version 21.0. Results: We analyzed 340 patients with colorectal cancer at a mean age of 63.3 years (SD +/- 13.4). There were 52 (15.3%) patients who had diagnoses made at screening and 283 (84.7%) had investigations after developing symptoms. Significantly more screen-detected lesions were early-stage colorectal cancer (73.1% vs 25%; P <0.001). Table 1 compares the cancer stage in both patient groups. Conclusions: Although significantly more patients with colorectal cancer are diagnosed at early stages by screening, the incidence screen-detected disease in Trinidad & Tobago is low. Most patients present with locally advanced (52%) or metastatic (15%) disease, when the opportunity for curative treatment is reduced. The time has come for policy makers to develop and institute a national screening programme for colorectal cancer in Trinidad & Tobago.

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Freehand-robot-assisted laparoscopic colorectal surgery: Initial experience in the Trinidad and Tobago

Cited by 3 publications

References 22 publications

Robot-Assisted Common Bile Duct Exploration in Trinidad & Tobago

Robot-Assisted Common Bile Duct Exploration in Trinidad & Tobago

FreeHand Robot-Assisted Gynecologic Surgery in Trinidad & Tobago: Case Reports

Colorectal Cancer Screening: Are we Missing an Opportunity in Trinidad & Tobago?

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