Project description:BackgroundRobot-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) for intrathoracic pathology and especially for mediastinal mass resection has been increasingly accepted as an alternative method to open sternotomy and video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). However, the utilization of this approach for complex and advanced in size cases needs more clinical evidence. We are presenting a series of 4 patients who had resection of >10 cm mediastinal masses via RATS.Cases descriptionThe mean age was 76.25±10.3 years and 3 were males (75%). All masses were positron emission tomography (PET) positive, and 1 patient had positive Acetyl-cholinesterase antibodies and myasthenia gravis (MG). All patients underwent RATS resection via DaVinci® X system. The dissections were conducted with spatula and/or Maryland bipolar forceps. In 2 cases, the resection was done with bilateral docking, and in 1 case, a drain was not inserted at the end. In 1 patient, pericardial resection was necessitated. All masses were thymomas with 1 dimension measured >10 cm on pathology. All patients were discharged on day 1 or 2 postoperatively with uneventful recoveries. There was no in-hospital, 30- or 90-day mortality. All patients were found to be without issues on follow-up.ConclusionsThis report shows that RATS is safe and can be offered in the management of >10 cm anterior mediastinal masses. The previous size limit of the tumor for minimally invasive and especially RATS approach of 5 cm should be challenged.
Project description:Between April 2016 and October 2017, we retrospectively reviewed all patients undergoing excision of large mediastinal masses using a hybrid robotic thoracic approach at the Unit of Thoracic Surgery of Monaldi Hospital in Naples. The inclusion criteria for this approach were: evident unilateral predominance of the mass; absence of invasion to surrounding structures. Planned conversion to sternotomy was necessary in one patient for tenacious adhesions between the mediastinal goiter and the left innominate vein. In all cases the postoperative course was uneventful. The hybrid robotic approach, adopted in our Unit, consists of a thoracic procedure performed completely with articulated surgical instruments under three-dimensional vision and followed by final extension of a port-site incision to retrieve the voluminous specimen. This approach uses all the advantages of robotic technology that enables to perform a fine dissection in the small space of the anterior mediastinum and at the same time, through the simple extension of a minimally invasive access, avoids the painful sequelae of thoracotomy. In selected cases, with increased experience in robotic surgery, it can be proposed for excision of large mediastinal masses, although a longer follow-up period is necessary to validate our findings.
Project description:BackgroundTo demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of robotic portal resection (RPR) for mediastinal tumour using a prospectively collected database.MethodsData from 73 consecutive patients with mediastinal tumours who underwent RPRs were prospectively collected from August 2018 to April 2023. All patients underwent chest and abdominal enhanced computed tomography (CT) and preoperative multidisciplinary team (MDT) discussion. The patients were stratified into two groups based on tumour size: Group A (tumour size < 4 cm) and Group B (tumour size ≥ 4 cm). General clinical characteristics, surgical procedures, and short outcomes were promptly recorded.ResultsAll of the cases were scheduled for RPRs. One patient (1/73, 1.4%) was switched to a small utility incision approach because of extensive pleural adhesion. Two patients (2.8%) converted to sternotomy, however, no perioperative deaths occurred. Most of the tumours were located in the anterior mediastinum (51/73, 69.9%). Thymoma (27/73, 37.0%) and thymic cyst (16/73, 21.9%) were the most common diagnoses. The median diameter of tumours was 3.2 cm (IQR, 2.4-4.5 cm). The median total operative time was 61.0 min (IQR, 50.0-90.0 min). The median intraoperative blood loss was 20 mL (IQR, 5.0-30.0 ml), and only one patient (1.4%) experienced an intraoperative complication. The median length of hospital stay was 3 days (IQR, 2-4 days). Compared with Group A, the median total operative time and console time of Group B were significantly longer (P = 0.006 and P = 0.003, respectively). The volume of drainage on the first postoperative day was greater in group B than in group A (P = 0.013).ConclusionRPR is a safe and effective technique for mediastinal tumour treatment, which can expand the application of minimally invasive surgery for the removal of complicated mediastinal tumours.
Project description:PURPOSE:To investigate the prevalence and CT image characteristics of anterior mediastinal masses in a population-based cohort and their association with the demographics of the participants. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Chest CT scans of 2571 Framingham Heart Study participants (mean age 58.9 years, 51% female) were evaluated by two board-certified radiologists with expertise in thoracic imaging for the presence of anterior mediastinal masses, their shape, contour, location, invasion of adjacent structures, fat content, and calcification. For participants with anterior mediastinal masses, a previous cardiac CT scan was reviewed for interval size change of the masses, when available. The demographics of the participants were studied for any association with the presence of anterior mediastinal masses. RESULTS:Of 2571, 23 participants (0.9%, 95% CI: 0.6 to 1.3) had anterior mediastinal masses on CT. The most common CT characteristics were oval shape, lobular contour, and midline location, showing soft tissue density (median 32.1 HU). Fat content was detected in a few cases (9%, 2/23). Six out of eight masses with available prior cardiac CT scans demonstrated an interval growth over a median period of 6.5 years. No risk factors for anterior mediastinal masses were detected among participants' demographics, including age, sex, BMI, and cigarette smoking. CONCLUSIONS:The prevalence of anterior mediastinal masses is 0.9% in the Framingham Heart Study. Those masses may increase in size when observed over 5-7 years. Investigation of clinical significance in incidentally found anterior mediastinal masses with a longer period of follow-up would be necessary.
Project description:Minimally invasive colorectal surgery is currently well-accepted, with open techniques being reserved for very difficult cases. Laparoscopic colectomy has been proven to have lower mortality, complication, and ostomy rates; a shorter median length of stay; and lower overall costs when compared to its open counterpart. This trend is seen in both benign and malignant indications. Natural orifice specimen extraction surgery (NOSES) in colorectal surgery was first described in the early 1990s. Three recent meta-analyses comparing transabdominal extraction against NOSES concluded that NOSES was superior in terms of overall postoperative complications, recovery of gastrointestinal function, postoperative pain, aesthetics, and hospital stay. However, NOSES was associated with a longer operative time. Herein, we present our technique of robotic NOSES anterior resection using the da Vinci Xi platform in diverticular disease and sigmoid colon cancers.
Project description:Cooperation with multiple departments is essential for the treatment of patients with rectal cancer and other pelvic cancers. In our department, we experienced two cases of rectal cancer that underwent robotic low anterior resection (LAR) and simultaneous resection of other pelvic organs (case 1 with prostatectomy and case 2 with hysterectomy) using the da Vinci Xi system. Here, we show the precise procedures of these two robotic surgeries. Under general anesthesia and lithotomy position, five da Vinci ports were symmetrically placed along the umbilical horizontal line with a 7 cm interval, and a 5 mm AirSeal Access Port was added in the right or left upper quadrant. Patients were placed with 22-degree Trendelenburg and 8-degree tilt to the right. The operators used the center port on the umbilicus as a camera port and chose the docking arms with either two-left-one-right or one-left-two-right setting depending on their preference. This port setting was quite useful for the operators from multiple departments to change the docking arms, even if their preference may be different. Moreover, assistants could use the remaining two ports to provide a well-expanded and safer surgical field. "With a familiar view" and "with a wide view" are our two concepts to safely perform extended pelvic surgeries. We have employed this symmetrical horizontal port site position as a general setting for usual rectal surgeries.
Project description:Background and objectiveThe management of large mediastinal tumors requires a complex multidisciplinary approach, particularly in the perioperative setting due to increased risk of hemodynamic compromise. The utilization of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides a useful adjunct in the surgical management for biopsy and resection of these mediastinal masses. The objective of this article is to review indications and implementation of ECMO in the surgical management of mediastinal disease.MethodsA literature review of the PubMed database was completed evaluating articles discussing 'extracorporeal circulation', 'cardiopulmonary bypass', 'anesthesia', 'mediastinal disease', and 'mediastinal cancer'. These articles were evaluated for contribution to the discussion of indications and implementation of ECMO in the management of these patients.Key content and findingsLarge mediastinal tumors place patients at risk of hemodynamic collapse on induction of anesthesia due to compression of vascular structures, tracheobronchial tree and creation of V/Q mismatch. Patients may be stratified regarding their risk of perioperative complications by evaluation of postural symptoms, cross sectional imaging findings and pulmonary function tests. Those patients at elevated perioperative risk may benefit from the utilization of ECMO, most commonly veno-arterial (V-A) ECMO. Guidewires or ECMO cannulas may be placed under local anesthesia prior to induction. Those patients with hemodynamic compromise may receive mechanical circulatory support to allow completion of the operation.ConclusionsThe use of a multidisciplinary team consisting of surgeons, anesthesiologists, perfusionists and OR team is critical to the success in the use of ECMO in the resection of mediastinal masses. With diligent preparation, these high-risk patients may be optimally managed at the time of resection.
Project description:A wide variety of neoplastic and nonneoplastic conditions occur in the mediastinum. Imaging plays a central role in the evaluation of mediastinal pathologies and their mimics. Localization of a mediastinal lesion to a compartment and characterization of morphology, density/signal intensity, enhancement, and mass effect on neighboring structures can help narrow the differentials. The International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group (ITMIG) established a cross-sectional imaging-derived and anatomy-based classification system for mediastinal compartments, comprising the prevascular (anterior), visceral (middle), and paravertebral (posterior) compartments. Cross-sectional imaging is integral in the evaluation of mediastinal lesions. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are useful to characterize mediastinal lesions detected on radiography. Advantages of CT include its widespread availability, fast acquisition time, relatively low cost, and ability to detect calcium. Advantages of MRI include the lack of radiation exposure, superior soft tissue contrast resolution to detect invasion of the mass across tissue planes, including the chest wall and diaphragm, involvement of neurovascular structures, and the potential for dynamic sequences during free-breathing or cinematic cardiac gating to assess motion of the mass relative to adjacent structures. MRI is superior to CT in the differentiation of cystic from solid lesions and in the detection of fat to differentiate thymic hyperplasia from thymic malignancy.
Project description:AimThis study evaluates the relationship of tumour and anatomical features with operative difficulty in robotic low anterior resection performed by four experienced surgeons in a high-volume colorectal cancer practice.MethodsData from 382 patients who underwent robotic low anterior resection by four expert surgeons between January 2016 and June 2019 were included in the analysis. Operating time was used as a measure of operative difficulty. Univariate and multivariate mixed models were used to identify associations between baseline characteristics and operating time, with surgeon as a random effect, thereby controlling for variability in surgeon speed and proficiency. In an exploratory analysis, operative difficulty was defined as conversion to laparotomy, a positive margin or an incomplete mesorectum.ResultsMedian operating time was 4.28 h (range 1.95-11.33 h) but varied by surgeon from 3.45 h (1.95-6.10 h) to 5.93 h (3.33-11.33 h) (P < 0.001). Predictors of longer operating time in multivariate analysis were male sex, higher body mass index, neoadjuvant radiotherapy, low tumour height, greater sacral height and larger mesorectal area at the S5 vertebral level. Conversion occurred in two cases (0.5%), and incomplete mesorectum and positive margins were found in nine (2.4%) and 19 (5.0%) patients, respectively. Neoadjuvant radiotherapy and larger pelvic outlet were the only characteristics associated with the exploratory measure of difficulty.ConclusionPredicting operative difficulty based on easy to identify, preoperative radiological and clinical variables is feasible in robotic anterior resection.