Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the different phases of the learning curve for robotic distal pancreatectomy (RDP) in international expert centers. Background: RDP is an emerging minimally invasive approach; however, only limited, mostly single-center data are available on its safe implementation, including the learning curve. Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing elective RDP from 16 expert centers across 3 continents were included to assess the learning curve. Based on the first 100 RDPs at each center, 3 cutoffs were used to define the learning curve: operative time for competency, major complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥III) for proficiency, and textbook outcome for mastery. Clinical outcomes before and after the cutoffs were compared. Results: The learning curve analysis was conducted on 1109 of 2403 RDPs. Competency, proficiency, and mastery, respectively, were reached after 46, 63, and 73 RDP procedures. After competency, operative time decreased from 245 to 235 minutes ( P = 0.002). Attaining proficiency was reflected by a reduction in the rate of major complications from 20% to 15% ( P = 0.012), and mastery was associated with a higher proportion of patients with textbook outcomes (71% vs 63%; P = 0.028). The postoperative pancreatic fistula rate remained stable along the learning curve, ranging between 18.5% and 21.5%. Previous laparoscopic experience accelerated the learning process by virtue of reduced operative time and an earlier decrease in major complications. Conclusions: Competency, proficiency, and mastery for RDP were reached after 46, 63, and 73 procedures, respectively, at international expert centers. The findings highlight that the learning curves for intraoperative parameters are completed earlier; however, extensive experience is needed to master RDP.

Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a catastrophic complication of gastric bypass. Bleeding can occur during the early or late phase after the operation. Though bleeding after gastric bypass is infrequent, late bleeding is exceedingly rare. We present two patients with late bleeding following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). The first patient, a 65-year-old woman, presented with life-threatening upper GI bleeding almost 5 years after laparoscopic RYGB. The second patient, a 62-year-old woman, presented with upper GI bleeding after almost 14 years following RYGB. Both, due to an eroding marginal ulcer. We discuss here the management of a rare and catastrophic complication of late GI bleeding and review the various reports in the literature describing the late bleeding as a complication of gastric bypass. Late GI bleeding after RYGB presents a diagnostic and interventional challenge. High index of suspicion and adequate management strategies may lessen morbidity and mortality.

Ulcer perforation in the excluded stomach and duodenum is a rare complication after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Pathogenesis of these ulcers are multifactorial. We report a case of perforated gastric remnant ulcer in a 54-year-old woman who had undergone a laparoscopic RYGB 5 years previously. The perforation was successfully repaired with an omental patch. We also present a review of the literature of similar cases.