ObjectiveTo verify the feasibility of a self-designed magnetic anchoring and traction device (MATD) for assisting two-port video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy.MethodsThree Beagle dogs were selected as animal models with age ranging from 1-6 years and weight ranging from 8-12 kg, and they underwent two-port video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy after general anesthesia. We used the MATD to retract the esophagus to different directions, which assisted mobilizing esophagus, detecting the nerves along esophagus and dissecting paraesophagus lymph nodes. The operation time, blood loss and feasibility of the MATD were recorded.ResultsWith the aid of the MATD, we successfully retracted and mobilized the esophagus, detected the nerves and dissected the lymph nodes in three Beagle dog models. During the operation, the MATD provided sufficient and steady traction of esophagus to achieve a good exposure of the operative field, effectively decreasing the interference between working instruments. The MATD worked well. The mean operation time was 30 min, and the mean intraoperative blood loss was about 10 mL.ConclusionIt is effective to use the MATD to assist retracting esophagus during video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy. The magnetic anchoring and traction technique can assist to expose the surgical field, decrease the interference between the working instruments and have the potential clinical application.
ObjectiveTo explore an effective and safe drainage method, by comparing open thoracic drainage and conventional thoracic drainage for lung cancer patients after thoracoscopic pneumonectomy.MethodsThe clinical data of 147 patients who underwent thoracoscopic pneumonectomy from January 2015 to March 2018 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed, including 128 males and 19 females. Based on drainage methods, they were divided into an open drainage group (open group) and a conventional drainage group (regular group). The incidence of postoperative complications, chest tube duration, drainage volume at postoperative 3 days, postoperative hospital stay, hospitalization cost and quality of life were compared between the two groups.ResultsPostoperative complication rate was lower in the open group than that in the regular group (10.20% vs. 23.47%, P=0.04). The chest tube duration of the open group was longer compared with the regular group (5.57±2.36 d vs. 3.22±1.23 d, P<0.001). The drainage volume at postoperative 3 days was less in the regular group. In the open group, ambulation was earlier, thoracocentesis was less and re-intubation rate was lower (all P<0.001). The postoperative hospital stay in the regular group was significantly longer than that in the open group (8.37±2.56 d vs. 6.35±1.87 d, P<0.001) and hospitalization cost was significantly higher (66.2±5.4 thousand yuan vs. 59.6±7.3 thousand yuan, P<0.001). Besides, quality of life in 1 and 3 months after operation was significantly better than that in the open group (P<0.001).ConclusionCompared with the regular chest drainage, the effect of open thoracic drainage is better, which can help reduce postoperative complications, shorten the length of hospital stay, reduce the hospitalization cost and improve the quality of postoperative life. It is worthy of clinical promotion.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical effect of 3D computed tomography bronchial bronchography and angiography (3D-CTBA) and guidance of thoracoscopic anatomic pulmonary segmentectomy by Mimics software system. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed on patients who underwent thoracoscopic segmentectomy in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University from June 2020 to December 2022. The patients who underwent preoperative 3D-CTBA using Materiaise's interactive medical image control system (Mimics) were selected as an observation group, and the patients who did not receive 3D-CTBA were selected as a control group. The relevant clinical indicators were compared between the two groups. ResultsA total of 59 patients were included, including 29 males and 30 females, aged 25-79 years. There were 37 patients in the observation group, and 22 patients in the control group. The operation time (163.0±48.7 min vs. 188.8±43.0 min, P=0.044), intraoperative blood loss [10.0 (10.0, 20.0) mL vs. 20.0 (20.0, 35.0) mL, P<0.001], and preoperative puncture localization rate (5.4% vs. 31.8%, P=0.019) in the observation group were better than those in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in the thoracic tube placement time, thoracic fluid drainage volume, number of intraoperative closure nail bin, postoperative hospital stay, or postoperative air leakage incidence (P>0.05) between the two groups. ConclusionFor patients who need to undergo anatomical pulmonary segmentectomy, using Mimics software to produce 3D-CTBA before surgery can help accurately identify pulmonary arteriovenous anatomy, reduce surgical time and intraoperative blood loss, help to determine the location of nodules and reduce invasive localization before surgery, and alleviate patients' pain, which is worthy of clinical promotion.
Objective To compare the effects of preserving and releasing the inferior pulmonary ligament (IPL) during thoracoscopic right upper lobe apical segment resection for non-small cell lung cancer patients, and to explore appropriate management methods for intraoperative IPL. MethodsAccording to the prospective and open principle, the patients with non-small cell lung cancer who underwent thoracoscopic right upper lobe apical segment resection in the Cardiothoracic Surgery Department of Ningbo Second Hospital from January 2020 to November 2022 were selected and divided into two groups: a release group (receiving IPL release during thoracoscopic right upper lobe apical segment resection) and a retention group (receiving the same right upper lobe apical segment resection, but retaining IPL during operation). The clinical data of the two groups were compared. ResultsA total of 70 patients were included in this study, including 33 males and 37 females, aged 35-76 years. There were 35 patients in the release group with an average age of (57.02±9.25) years; 35 patients in the retention group with an average age of (56.81±9.94) years. The surgical time in the release group was statistically longer than that in the retention group (P=0.017). There was no statistical difference between the two groups in terms of intraoperative bleeding, duration of postoperative air leakage, time to achieve lung recruitment, drainage flow rate of the chest tube, retention time of the chest tube, incidence of postoperative complications, postoperative hospitalization days, or residual cavity rate one month after the surgery (P>0.05). ConclusionCompared to releasing IPL during thoracoscopic right upper lobe apical segment resection, preserving IPL can simplify surgical procedures, shorten surgical time and reduce trauma, and does not increase postoperative adverse effects. This further reflects the concept of minimally invasive surgery and can be applied to clinical practice.
Objective To analyze the safety and effectiveness of ultrasound-guided thoracoscopic atrial septal defect (ASD) closure. Methods We prospectively collected the clinical data of 12 patients with ASD treated by ultrasound-guided thoracoscopic ASD closure in Fuwai Hospital from January to September 2017. The characteristics of the patients' ASD and operation, operation safety and effectiveness, postoperative complications and follow-up results were analyzed. Results Among the 12 patients, 10 were successfully treated with ultrasound-guided thoracoscopic ASD closure. Two patients switched to ASD repair under thoracoscopy-assisted cardiopulmonary bypass. The size of the ASD was 17-40 (27.22±8.97) mm and the size of the occluder was 36 (30-42) mm. The average postoperative length of hospital stay was 6 days. There were no complications such as arrhythmia, bleeding and pericardial effusion after operation. The average follow-up was 6 (3-10) months after the operation. During the follow-up, no Ⅲ-degree conduction block, occluder dislocation, residual shunt or cardiac pericardial effusion was found. Conclusion Ultrasound-guided thoracoscopic ASD closure is a minimally invasive, safe and effective treatment. This technique provides a new minimally invasive surgical option for patients with large defect diameter and poor edge condition.
Surgical treatment of atrial septal defect (ASD) mainly includes occlusion or repair under cardiopulmonary bypass. Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation includes transcatheter radiofrequency ablation or Maze surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass. There are many treatments for ASD patients combined with atrial fibrillation, but each has its own advantages and disadvantages. We reported an ASD patient combined with atrial fibrillation treated by totally endoscopic "one-stop" radiofrequency ablation and simultaneous transthoracic ASD occlusion of atrial fibrillation, with good postoperative results.
Objective To investigate the current level of resourcefulness and its impact on work engagement among lung cancer patients who have returned to work after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lung resection. Methods A sample of middle-aged and young lung cancer patients who underwent VATS lung resection at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, between March and September 2023 and had returned to work were selected as the study subjects. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, the Resourcefulness Scale, and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES). Univariate analysis and multiple stepwise regression analysis were used to examine the current status of patients’ resourcefulness upon returning to work and its influence on work engagement. Results A total of 219 patients were included in the study, comprising 60 males and 159 females, with a mean age of (43.18±7.55) years. The patients' score for resourcefulness in returning to work was (107.58±14.42) points, and the total score for work engagement was (64.80±12.72) points. A significant positive correlation was observed between the resourcefulness score and the work engagement score (P<0.001). Multiple stepwise regression analysis revealed that factors such as job nature, average monthly household income, postoperative complications, and individuals' level of resourcefulness all significantly influenced the degree of patients' work engagement (all P<0.05).Conclusion The resourcefulness level and work engagement of patients returning to work after VATS lung resection need to be improved.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the curative effect of robot-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) and video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for early stage lung cancer patients.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 80 patients with radical resection of lung cancer in Gansu Provincial Hospital between January 2016 and December 2017. The patients were divided into two groups: 43 patients in a VATS group and 37 in a RATS group. There were 51 males and 29 females. Data were processed with STATA v14.0 statistical software.ResultsThere were significant differences in the operative time, duration of hospital stay and operative costs between the two groups. In the RATS group, operative duration was longer (172.21 minutes versus 162.20 minutes, P=0.018), cost was higher (74 076.69 yuan versus 54 814.73 yuan, P<0.001), and required significantly shorter hospital stay (8.27 days versus 10.76 days, P=0.001) compared with those of the VATS group. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in terms of conversion (3 versus 0, P=0.144), blood loss during operation (61.29 ml versus 90.63 ml, P=0.213), dissected lymph node number (17.38 versus 12.63, P=0.095), drainage volume (1 406.76 ml versus 1 514.60 ml, P=0.617) and the drainage time (7.92 days versus 7.20 days, P=0.440).ConclusionIn the early lung cancer patients who underwent thoracic surgery, the postoperative hospitalization time of the RATS group is shorter than that of the VATS group, and the operation time is longer than that of the VATS group. The other short-term surgical indexes are similar to those of thoracoscopic surgery. However, the robot has great advantages in the treatment of patients with difficult lymph node dissection, serious pleural adhesion and complicated anatomical relationship.
Objective To compare the effects of anterior mediastinal tumor resection by the Da Vinci robot and video-assisted thoracoscopy via subxiphoid approach. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted to continuously enroll patients who underwent anterior mediastinal tumor resection between 2020 and 2021 in our department. They were divided into a robotic group and a subxiphoid thoracoscopic group. The differences of general indexes (intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, postoperative catheterization time, postoperative hospital stay), postoperative pain visual analogue scale (VAS), perioperative declining levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum prealbumin and serum albumin were compared and analyzed. Results A total of 113 patients were enrolled. There were 76 patients in the robotic group (46 males and 30 females, median age of 50 years) and 37 patients in the subxiphoid thoracoscopic group (21 males and 16 females, median age of 51 years). Intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, postoperative catheterization time and postoperative hospital stay of the robotic group were better than those in the subxiphoid thoracoscopic group (P＜0.05). The postoperative VAS scores in the robotic group were lower than those in the subxiphoid thoracoscopic group, but there was no statistical difference (P＞0.05). Perioperative declining levels of hemoglobin, and hematocrit were not statistically different between the two groups (P＞0.05). Declining levels of serum prealbumin, and serum albumin in the robotic group were lower than those in the subxiphoid thoracoscopic group (P＜0.05). Conclusion Da Vinci robotic and subxiphoid video-assisted thoracoscopic surgeries for the treatment of anterior mediastinal tumors are both safe and reliable, with short postoperative hospital stay, mild postoperative pain and quick recovery. Da Vinci robot surgery has a slight advantage in the treatment outcome.
Objective To compare the differences between the up-lobectomy by single-microport assisted micro-uni-port thoracoscopy surgery and traditional uni-portal video assisted thoracic surgery, summarize and analyze the technical points of single-microport assisted micro-uni-port thoracoscopy surgery, and explore the surgical effect and value of promotion. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients who underwent radical upper lobectomy at the Thoracic Surgery Department of Xi’an International Medical Center Hospital from March 2023 to June 2024. The patients were divided into two groups according the surgical procedure: a single-micromini-assisted group (patients underwent up-lobectomy by single-microport assisted micro-uni-port thoracoscopy) and a traditional uniportal group (patients underwent traditional uniportal thoracoscopic lobectomy). Clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results We finally included 62 patients. There were 30 patients with 16 males and 14 females at an average of 57.4±10.8 years in the the single-micromini-assisted group and 32 patients with 20 males and 12 females at an average age of 57.6±8.7 years in the traditional uni-port thoracoscopy group. Both groups successfully completed minimally invasive surgery.The baseline data were consistent between the two groups. The operation time was shorter in the single microport assisted group [(146.03±30.79) min vs. (171.41±36.41) min, P=0.004] than that in the traditional uni-port thoracoscopy group with a statistical difference. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in terms of intraoperative blood loss, postoperative pain score, dissected lymph node number, postoperative drainage volume, postoperative tube time, postoperative hospital stay, hospitalization cost, or the incidence of postoperative complications (P>0.05). Conclusion Single-microport assisted micro-uni-port thoracoscopy surgery can maximize the advantages of three-portal and uni-portal VATS, and effectively avoid the disadvantages of three-portal and uni-portal VATS, which can significantly shorten the operation time, without increasing the postoperative pain and complications, is a more minimally invasive, safer and more convenient surgical method.