木村 大輝

PURPOSE: To improve the handling characteristics of suture needles, two novel needle designs, the Bi-curve and the G-curve, were developed by modifying conventional curvature designs. METHODS: Ten surgeons with varying levels of experience performed standardized open and robotic suturing tasks using half-circle, Bi-curve, and G-curve needles in a simulation environment. Suturing times were evaluated under both conditions. Moreover, advanced laparoscopic suturing tasks were performed using a robotic system. Needle trajectory parameters, burst pressure resistance, and subjective assessments of manipulability were analyzed to assess technical performance and potential tissue impact. RESULTS: During open forward suturing, both the Bi-curve and G-curve needles reduced suturing time significantly from that required with the half-circle needle, whereas no significant differences were observed among needle types in robotic suturing tasks. In advanced laparoscopic tasks, needle-passage quality scores were significantly higher for the Bi-curve and G-curve needles. Needle trajectory metrics and burst pressure resistance were comparable for all needle designs. Subjective evaluations revealed that no surgeon rated the novel needles as inferior to the conventional needle in terms of manipulability. CONCLUSIONS: In this exploratory study, the Bi-curve and G-curve needles demonstrated handling performance comparable to, and in some aspects favorable to, that of the conventional half-circle needle, without causing more tissue damage.

BACKGROUND: Late biliary complications, consisting of anastomotic stricture and cholangitis, are known to impair long-term quality of life and significantly impact patient outcomes following robot-assisted pancreaticoduodenectomy (RPD). The role of stent placement in HJ remains debatable. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of late biliary complications and the impact of stent placement on long-term outcomes after RPD. METHODS: This retrospective observational study included patients who underwent RPD from November 2009 to April 2024 at two institutions. Patients were categorized into no-stent, internal stent, and external stent groups. The incidence of late biliary complications was analyzed with Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: The analysis included 157 patients. Late biliary stricture occurred in 20 (13%) cases, with 17 (11%) cases being nontumor-related. No cases of late biliary stricture were observed in patients with a preoperative bile duct diameter of ≥ 15 mm. Internal stent placement was determined as an independent protective factor against late biliary stricture compared to no-stent placement among patients with a bile duct diameter of < 15 mm (hazard ratio: 0.310, 95% confidence interval: 0.096-0.999, p = 0.050). Spontaneous dislocation of internal stents occurred in 71% of cases at 6 months postoperatively. The incidence of postoperative late cholangitis in the internal stent group was 17% (15/89), which was not significantly different compared with the no-stent group (30%, 12/40; p = 0.237). External stent placement prolonged hospitalization and was not superior in biliary complication prevention. CONCLUSIONS: Internal stent placement may decrease the incidence of late biliary stricture after RPD and should be considered a preferred strategy for biliary reconstruction, except in cases with significant bile duct dilatation.