Project description:PurposesRobot-assisted thoracoscopic (RATS) segmentectomy is becoming increasingly common because of the expanded indications for segmentectomy and the widespread adoption of robotic surgery. The precise division of the intersegmental plane is necessary to ensure oncologic margins from the tumor and to preserve the lung function. In this study, we present a strategy for accurately dividing the intersegmental plane using a robotic stapler and review the surgical outcomes.MethodsRATS portal segmentectomy was performed using the Da Vinci Xi system and the intersegmental plane was dissected using a robotic stapler. We evaluated the perioperative outcomes in 92 patients who underwent RATS portal segmentectomy between May 2020 and January 2023. These results were compared with those of 82 patients who underwent complete video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (CVATS) during the same period.ResultsThe operative and console times were 162 and 97 min, respectively. No intraoperative complications occurred, and postoperative complications were observed in four cases (4.3%). The operative time, blood loss, postoperative complications, and maximum incision size were significantly lower in the RATS group than in the CVATS group. However, RATS requires a significantly higher number of staplers than CVATS.ConclusionsThe division of the intersegmental plane using a robotic stapler in RATS portal segmentectomy was, therefore, found to be safe and effective.
Project description:Use of low-dose CT scan allows detection of lung cancer at early stages, enabling a more conservative surgery and a better long-term survival in those patients. In this scenario, intentional anatomical segmentectomy is gaining consent over standard lobectomy among surgeons. A minimally invasive approach such as VATS reduced invasiveness and complication rate compared to open surgery, but this technique comes also with some disadvantages in terms of dexterity and intuitiveness. Robotic surgery allows to overcome those limitations, making segmentectomies easier and safer to perform. In addition, it offers the possibility to utilize intravenous indocyanine green to define the intersegmental plane, allowing a more precise surgery. We reviewed the literature and describe the technique of the robot assisted segmentectomy with a focus on the new technologies available nowadays.
Project description:BackgroundRobotic anatomic segmentectomy (RATS) for early-stage lung cancer is being increasingly performed in spite of limited published evidence. To evaluate its safety and oncologic efficacy, we compared the outcomes of both RATS and video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) segmentectomy in patients with small-sized (<2 cm) peripheral stage IA lung cancer.MethodsFrom November 2011 to January 2018, a total of 130 patients with resected stage IA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who underwent RATS (n=50) and VATS (n=80) pulmonary segmentectomy were included. Clinicopathologic data, recurrence rate, and survival were recorded.ResultsThe demographics, pulmonary function, comorbidity, and tumor size were similar between RATS segmentectomy and VATS segmentectomy. The surgery time, intensive care unit stay, hospital stay, and blood loss were reduced in the RATS group compared to the VATS group. The number of totally dissected lymph nodes and postoperative complications were similar between the 2 groups. There was no operative mortality. The intensity of narcotic use during hospital stay and the time to return to routine daily activities were also reduced in the RATS group. There was no recurrence observed in the RATS group during the median 38-month follow-up period; meanwhile, during a median 85-month follow-up period in the VATS group, local recurrence and distant recurrence was observed in 2 patients (2.5%) and 3 patients (3.75%) respectively. There was no significant difference in the 5-year recurrence-free survival between the RATS and VATS groups (100% vs. 93.75%; P>0.05).ConclusionsRATS can be performed safely and effectively in patients with early-stage NSCLC. The reduced narcotic use and earlier return to routine daily activities of RATS patients might reflect its less traumatic nature as compared to VATS. For stage IA disease with small tumors (<2 cm), segmentectomy performed by RATS has better oncologic efficacy when compared to VATS, although in this study, this difference did not reach statistical difference.
Project description:BackgroundPulmonary segmentectomy provides an anatomic lung resection while avoiding removal of excess normal lung tissue. This may be beneficial in patients with minimal pulmonary reserve who present with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the operative performance of a segmentectomy using a video-assisted thoracoscopic approach can be technically challenging. We hypothesized that introduction of the robotic surgical system would facilitate the performance of a segmentectomy as measured by an increase in the proportion of segmentectomies being pursued.MethodsWe completed a retrospective analysis of thoracoscopic and robotic anatomic lung resections, including lobectomies and segmentectomies, performed in patients with primary lung cancer from the time of initiation of the robotic thoracic surgery program in November 2017 to November 2019. We compared the proportion of thoracoscopic and robotic segmentectomies performed during the first year compared to the second year of the data collection period.ResultsA total of 138 thoracoscopic and robotic anatomic lung resections were performed for primary lung cancer. Types of lung cancer resected (adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or other), tumor size based on clinical T staging (T1-T4), and tumor location were not significantly different between years (P=0.44, P=0.98, and P=0.26, respectively). The proportion of segmentectomies increased from 8.6% during the first year to 25.0% during the second year (P=0.01). One out of 6 (16.7%) segmentectomies were performed using the robot during the first year versus 15 out of 17 (88.2%) during the second year (P=0.003).ConclusionsUse of the robot led to a significant increase in the number of segmentectomies performed in patients undergoing anatomic lung resection. With increasing lung cancer awareness and widely available screening, a greater number of small, early-stage tumors suitable for segmentectomy will likely be detected. We conclude that robotic-assisted surgery may facilitate the challenges of performing a minimally invasive segmentectomy.
Project description:The role of robotic surgery in the skull base is evolving and represents the natural progression toward maximizing surgical resections in confined spaces without compromising oncological principles. In this study, we describe the novel application of robotic surgery to the repair of dural defects in the skull base. A transmaxillary-transantral approach to the nasal cavity was performed bilaterally in a cadaveric model. Repair of the skull base defect was undertaken robotically. In this technical report, we demonstrate the feasibility of a suture-based technique for surgical reconstruction of the skull base with robotic assistance in a cadaveric model. In all cases, suture repair of dural defects was successfully performed with robotic-assisted technique. Although preliminary in nature, this study suggests that traditional suture techniques can be implemented in a confined surgical site with the use of robotic technology.
Project description:BackgroundCurrently, modified inflation-deflation is considered the easiest way to identify the intersegmental plane during pulmonary segmentectomy. However, this approach requires a wait of about 10-20 min during the operative procedure. Therefore, we optimized the procedure, which we call no-waiting segmentectomy. In this study, we compared no-waiting segmentectomy with the modified inflation-deflation method.MethodsWe studied 123 consecutive patients with pulmonary ground-glass nodules who underwent segmentectomy by uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in a single medical group from January 2019 to April 2020. Forty-five patients underwent the modified inflation-deflation method and 78 patients underwent the no-waiting method. The no-waiting procedure involved severing of the target segmental pulmonary artery, inflating the lung with atmospheric air, dissecting the hilum, and dividing the target segmental bronchus. The entire procedure could be performed at a stretch and no pause was needed. We compared the two methods for surgery time, bleeding volume, drainage time, and postoperative hospital stay. Propensity-score matching was used to adjust the baseline characteristics.ResultsThirty-three pairs of 123 patients were successfully matched. Before propensity-score matching, there was no difference between the two methods in terms of surgery time, bleeding volume, drainage time, and postoperative hospital stay. After propensity-score matching, the surgery time in the no-waiting group was significantly shorter than that in the modified inflation-deflation method group (80.12±35.53 vs. 102.97±48.07 min, P=0.03). There was no difference between the two methods in terms of bleeding volume, drainage time, and postoperative hospital stay.ConclusionsNo-waiting segmentectomy was associated with a reduced surgery time, compared to that associated with modified inflation-deflation segmentectomy. Furthermore, no-waiting segmentectomy did not increase bleeding volume, drainage time, and postoperative hospital stay. Thus, no-waiting segmentectomy is an optional optimized approach for segmentectomy.
Project description:BACKGROUND:Lung segmentectomy is increasingly used to resect lung nodules. Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is widely chosen to performing lung segmentectomy, while robotic assisted thoracoscopic (RATS) was also one useful and practical method. There article was intended to compared the short-time outcomes of RATS and VATS in lung segmentectomy. METHODS:The patients with lung nodules underwent segmentectomy by either RATS or VATS from January 2016 to April 2017 were studied. Baseline characteristics and short-time outcomes (dissected lymph nodes, postoperative duration of drainage, postoperative hospital stay, incidence of pro-longed air leak, atrial fibrillation and pneumonia) were compared. RESULTS:166 patients were included in this study: 81 patients underwent RATS segmentectomy while 85 underwent VATS segmentectomy. The number of lymph nodes dissected in RATS group was more than in VATS group ?(13.07±5.08) vs (10.81±5.74), P=0.010?. The incidence of some postoperative complications such as pro-longed air leak, atrial fibrillation was not significant different between the two approaches. CONCLUSIONS:Compared with VATS, RATS has similar safety and operability, and the number of lymphadenectomy is significantly more than that of VATS.