16,000 Views! Single-Port Robotics Forum 2.0 Streams to Continued Acclaim

Source: SensCure　

Date: Apr. 17, 2021　

Views: 3,400

Chaired by Professor Ren Shancheng of Shanghai Changhai Hospital, the live symposium featured insightful step-by-step video demonstrations and commentary by distinguished experts including Professors Ren Shancheng (Shanghai Changhai Hospital), Wang Dong (Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital), Zhu Qingyi (Jiangsu Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Xu Dongliang (Shanghai Changzheng Hospital), Li Gonghui (Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine), Chen Ming (Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University), and Jing Xiao (The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine).

The conference cordially invited Professor Wang Gongxian, President of The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, and Professor Fu Bin; Professor Guo Jianming of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University; Professor Jiang Jun of Daping Hospital; Professor Niu Haitao, President of The First Clinical Medical College of Qingdao University; Professor Jia Zhankui of The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University; Professor Sun Xun of The First People's Hospital of Kunming; Professor Wen Xingqiao of The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University; Professor Pu Jinxian of The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University; and Professor Hu Qiang of Wuxi People's Hospital to serve as invited panelists for the live-streamed symposium.

At 15:30 on the day of the event, the conference commenced punctually. Professor Ren Shancheng of Shanghai Changhai Hospital first delivered the opening remarks. Professor Ren extended a warm welcome to the experts convening virtually from across the nation and expressed his hope that all participants would engage in active exchange and mutual learning to collectively advance the development of single-port robotic surgery in China.

Professor Wang Dong, Director of the Robotic Minimally Invasive Center at Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, following his stellar presentation during the inaugural live broadcast last Friday—the unedited 39-minute Extraperitoneal Single-Port Robotic Radical Prostatectomy—returned for this session with an in-depth and heartfelt introduction to the Complete Preoperative Workflow and Preparation Protocol for Single-Port Robotic Radical Prostatectomy, accompanied by an unedited video analysis. Drawing on this specific procedure, Director Wang provided a detailed, step-by-step walkthrough covering the surgical positioning, incision localization, sizing and configuration, establishment of the extraperitoneal surgical space, selection of the dedicated single-port PORT, principles for trocar placement, pre-puncture and port insertion, robotic docking, complete system setup, and the initiation of surgery. He outlined the entire procedural workflow and engaged in active, real-time discussion with fellow experts. This session formed a cohesive and complementary counterpart to the previous broadcast, creating a seamless dialogue between the two events.

Professor Xu Dongliang of Shanghai Changzheng Hospital elaborated on patient selection and the choice of relevant platform instruments for performing single-port robotic surgery. He noted that while all robotic surgery candidates are eligible for SP-RALRC (Single-Port Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Cystectomy), a higher MB Index (MBI) correlates with increased surgical difficulty, necessitating caution when selecting obese patients. Concurrently, Professor Xu emphasized the critical importance of the surgical platform when performing single-port robotic procedures. He concluded by expressing anticipation for the development of more specialized, user-friendly, and cost-effective single-port robotic PORTs.

The third speaker was Professor Zhu Qingyi. Professor Zhu remarked: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step; the choice of the single-port incision is paramount." He detailed the evolution from early circular incisions to the current transumbilical vertical incisions, noting that the skin incision is smaller than the internal incision. By incising the conjoint tendon, robotic docking can be achieved within 10 minutes, compared to 30–60 minutes required for multiport procedures. He emphasized that single-port surgery demands a microsurgical mindset, and that robotic single-port surgery embodies the principles of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS), offering benefits including reduced pain, superior cosmetic outcomes, and minimized trauma. Addressing his own institution, Professor Zhu stated that Jiangsu Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine has only recently acquired its robotic system; to catch up with leading peers, the team must adopt a strategy of "moving swiftly in small steps" and prioritizing innovation. He also extended his profound gratitude to Professor Ren Shancheng for leading the field in advancing robotic single-port surgical techniques.

First, Professor Li Gonghui presented his initial experience performing an extraperitoneal single-port radical prostatectomy. Director Li offered a detailed walkthrough of his surgical video. Through this footage of his first robotic single-port surgery, he conveyed three key messages: 1. Robotic single-port surgery is not inherently difficult; 2. Single-port laparoscopy represents the future trend in surgery; 3. The lead surgeon must maintain a high level of hands-on practice, while the assistant must provide skillful and coordinated support.

The second presentation was delivered by President Chen Ming of Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, who provided a step-by-step commentary on a surgical video of single-port transvesical radical prostatectomy. This case represented President Chen's second transvesical procedure. Although the patient had a history of prior abdominal surgery, President Chen—backed by extensive experience from over one hundred prior cases—executed the robotic single-port surgery with remarkable smoothness. He meticulously dissected each step of the procedure, demonstrating precise anatomical dissection without any bleeding. President Chen emphasized selecting patients with early-stage disease and smaller prostate volumes for this approach, advocating for intrafascial surgery without lymph node dissection. He further cautioned that meticulous attention to hemostasis is paramount when performing single-port procedures.

Following President Chen Ming's presentation, President Wang Gongxian of The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University delivered his commentary. President Wang emphasized that minimizing surgical trauma while maximizing therapeutic efficacy remains the perpetual goal pursued by all physicians. He noted that the medical community continuously strives to achieve this balance for patients—evolving from open surgery to laparoscopy, advancing from multiport to single-port techniques, and now pioneering robotic single-port procedures. Furthermore, President Wang highlighted recent cross-specialty collaborations and announced the upcoming publication of China's first professional journal dedicated to robotic surgery by the end of April, inviting widespread support from the medical community. According to President Wang, the forthcoming Journal of Robotic Surgery will be China's first and the world's second specialized publication focusing exclusively on robotic surgical techniques—a journal strongly endorsed and encouraged by national authorities. 

The third presentation was delivered by Professor Ren Shancheng of Shanghai Changhai Hospital, who showcased a highly sophisticated surgical video featuring a maximally structure-preserving single-port robotic radical prostatectomy. By avoiding incision of the lateral pelvic fascia and foregoing DVC ligation, the procedure preserved the critical periprostatic structures, thereby offering substantial benefits for postoperative sexual function recovery and early urinary continence. The exceptionally clear surgical field, masterful technique, meticulous anatomical dissection, and Professor Ren's candid, step-by-step commentary garnered high praise from the attending experts. Professor Pu Jinxian of The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University and Professor Hu Qiang of Wuxi People's Hospital concurred, noting that robotic technology presents a transformative opportunity for prostate cancer surgery and affirming that single-port robotic procedures are well worth pursuing.

The fourth commentator was Professor Jing Xiao of The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine. Professor Jing commenced his practice of single-port robotic surgery in July 2019. During this conference, Professor Jing provided a detailed walkthrough of how to perform bilateral intrafascial single-port robotic radical prostatectomy. Following his presentation, he engaged in an in-depth exchange and discussion with Professor Jiang Jun of Daping Hospital and Professor Niu Haitao, President of The First Clinical Medical College of Qingdao University.

The event generated an overwhelmingly positive response, with online viewership reaching a new record high of over 16,000. Urology experts from across the nation convened to jointly discuss the future trajectory and prospects of single-port robotic technology. As a pivotal direction for the future of minimally invasive surgery, single-port robotics marks a significant advancement in the field. We extend our sincere gratitude to the pioneering experts and professors for their online support, as well as to the 16,000 online physicians for their engagement. This live-streamed symposium on single-port robotic surgery concluded successfully.