Thymectomy is an important treatment for thymoma and myasthenia gravis. The application of minimally invasive surgery to complete thymectomy and rapid recovery of patients after surgery is a developmental goal in thoracic surgery technology. Surgical robots have many technical advantages and are applied for many years in mediastinal tumor resections, a process that has led to its recognition. We published this consensus with the aim of examining how to ensure surgical safety based on the premise that better use of surgical robots achieving rapid recovery after surgery. We invited multiple experts in thoracic surgery to discuss the safety and technical issues of thymectomy under nonintubated anesthesia, and the consensus was made after several explorations and modifications.
Objective To summarize our initial experience in robot-assisted lobectomy for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC）. Methods A total of 20 NSCLC patients underwent robot-assisted pulmonary lobectomy in General Hospital of Shenyang Military Command from March to September 2012. There were 13 males and 7 females, and their age was 43-80 （60.40±8.07） years. Single-direction thoracoscopic lobectomy technique was used，and systemic mediastinal and hilar lymph node dissection was routinely performed during the operation. There were 4 right upper lobectomies，7 right lower lobectomies，1 right middle lobectomy，7 left lower lobectomies，and 1 left upper lobectomy. Results Postoperative pathological examination showed adenocarcinoma in 12 patients，squamous cell carcinoma in 5 patients，adenosquamous carcinoma in 2 patients，and mucoepidermoid carcinoma in 1 patient. One patient undergoing left upper lobectomy had intraoperative pulmonary artery bleeding of 500 ml，who was healed by pulmonary artery repair via an accessory small incision and blood transfusion of 400 ml. All the other 19 patients successfully underwent robot-assisted lobectomy with their mean intraoperative blood loss of 60.00±42.95 （10-200） ml, and no blood transfusion was needed for them. All the patients were successfully extubated after operation, and none of the patients had severe postoperative complication. The mean thoracic drainage time was 9.35±3.48 （3-15） days. All the patients were discharged uneventfully and followed up for 2-9 （6.01±2.09） months without recurrence or metastasis. Conclusions Robot-assisted pulmonary lobectomy using Da Vinci S Surgical System is safe and feasible，and especially advantageous for lymph node dissection. It can be used for the treatment of early stage NSCLC.
ObjectiveTo compare the incidence of complications after removal of chest drainage tube in the early and late stages after sublobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to analyze the factors affecting postoperative pleural drainage volume (PDV), so as to explore the countermeasures and achieve rapid postoperative rehabilitation. MethodsThe patients with NSCLC who underwent minimally invasive sublobectomy in our hospital from January to October 2021 were enrolled. According to the median time of extubation, the patients were divided into an early extubation group (time with tube≤3 days) and a late extubation group (time with tube>3 days). The patients were matched via propensity score matching with a ratio of 1:1 and a caliper value of 0.02. The incidence of complications and perioperative parameters after removal of the thoracic drainage tube were analyzed and compared between the two groups, and univariate and multiple linear regression analyses were performed. ResultsA total of 157 patients were enrolled, including 79 males and 78 females, with an average age of (58.22±11.06) years. There were 76 patients in the early extubation group, 81 patients in the late extubation group, and 56 patients were in each group after propensity score matching. Compared with late extubation group, there was no significant difference in the incidence of infection after extubation (10.7% vs. 16.1%, P=0.405) or pleural effusion after extubation (5.4% vs. 3.6%, P=0.647) in early extubation group, and there was no second operation in both groups. Univariate analysis showed that smoking history (P=0.001), postoperative serum albumin reduction value (P=0.017), surgical approach (P=0.014), lesion location (P=0.027), differentiation degree (P=0.041), TNM stage (P=0.043), number of dissected lymph nodes (P=0.016), and intraoperative blood loss (P=0.016) were infuencing factors for increased postoperative PDV. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that smoking history (P=0.002), postoperative serum albumin reduction value (P=0.041), and the number of dissected lymph nodes (P=0.023) were independent risk factors for increased postoperative PDV. ConclusionThere is no significant difference in the incidence of complications after extubation between early and late extubations. Preoperative smoking history, excessive postoperative serum albumin decreases, and excessive number of dissected lymph nodes during the surgery are independent risk factors for increased postoperative PDV.
Objective To investigate application values and techniques of robot-assisted extended thymectomy for the treatment of typeⅠmyasthenia gravis （MG） using Da Vinci S system. Methods We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 3 patients with MG who underwent robot-assisted extended thymectomy in General Hospital of Shenyang Military Command from March 2012 to September 2012. All the patients were ocular MG （typeⅠ） including 2 men （33 years and 66 years old respectively） and 1 woman （21 years old）. Surgical outcomes were analyzed. Results All the 3 patients successfully received robot-assisted extended thymectomy without accessorial incisions. None of the patients required converting to open sternotomy or postoperative reexploration for bleeding. Intraoperative blood loss was 5-10 ml．Overall operation time was95-138 minutes, and thymoma dissection time was 26-80 minutes. No myasthenic crisis or other major postoperative complic-ation occurred. Postoperative chest drainage duration was 3-9 days and postoperative hospital stay was 10-15 days. Two patientswere followed up for 6-12 months after discharge without MG recurrence. Conclusion Robot-assisted extended thymectomy is safe and feasible for the treatment of typeⅠMG with satisfactory results．
ObjectiveTo analyze the learning curve of Da Vinci robotic segmentectomy. MethodsCumulative sum analysis (CUSUM) was used to analyze the learning curve of Da Vinci robotic segmentectomy performed by the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from February 2018 to December 2020. The learning curve was obtained by fitting, and R2 was used to judge the goodness of fitting. The clinical data of patients in different stages of learning curve were compared and analyzed. Results The first 50 patients who received Da Vinci robotic segmentectomy were included, including 24 males and 26 females, with an average age of 61.9±10.6 years. The operation time decreased gradually with the accumulation of operation patients. The goodness of fitting coefficient reached the maximum value when R2=0.907 (P<0.001), CUSUM (n) =0.009×n3−0.953×n2+24.968×n−7.033 (n was the number of patients). The fitting curve achieved vertex crossing when the number of patients reached 17. Based on this, 50 patients were divided into two stages: a learning and improving stage and a mastering stage. There were statistical differences in the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, number of lymph node dissection, postoperative catheter time, postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative complications between the two stages (P<0.05). ConclusionIt shows that the technical competency for assuring feasible perioperative outcomes can be achieved when the cumulative number of surgical patients reaches 17.
ObjectiveTo compare the postoperative chylothorax outcomes of robot-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), analyze the risk factors for postoperative chylothorax after minimally invasive radical lung cancer resection and explore possible prevention and control measures. MethodsBetween June 2012 and September 2020, 1083 patients underwent minimally invasive pulmonary lobectomy and systematic lymph node dissection in our hospital, including 578 males and 505 females with an average age of 60.6±9.4 years. Patients were divided into two groups according to the operation methods: a RATS group (499 patients) and a VATS group (584 patients). After propensity score matching, 434 patients were included in each group (868 patients in total). Chylothorax and other perioperative indicators were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for postoperative chylothorax. ResultsOverall, 24 patients were diagnosed with chylothorax after surgery. Compared with the VATS group, the rate of chylothorax was higher (3.9% vs. 1.6%, P=0.038), the groups and numbers of dissected lymph nodes were more (both P<0.001), and the intraoperative blood loss was significantly less (P<0.001) in the RATS group. There was no statistical difference in the postoperative hospital stay (P=0.256) or chest tube drainage time (P=0.504) between the two groups. Univariate analysis showed that gender (P=0.021), operation approach (P=0.045), smoking (P=0.001) and the groups of dissected lymph nodes (P<0.001) were significantly associated with the development of chylothorax. Multivariate analysis showed that smoking [OR=4.344, 95%CI (1.149, 16.417), P=0.030] and the groups of dissected lymph nodes [OR=1.680, 95%CI (1.221, 2.311), P=0.001] were the independent risk factors for postoperative chylothorax. ConclusionCompared with the VATS, the rate of chylothorax after RATS is higher with more dissected lymph nodes and less blood loss. The incidence of chylothorax after minimally invasive radical lung cancer resection is higher in the patients with increased dissected lymph node groups and smoking history.
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.
ObjectiveTo analyze risk factors for chronic cough after minimally invasive resection of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and explore the possible prevention measures.MethodsA total of 128 NSCLC patients who received minimally invasive resection in 2018 in our hospital were enrolled, including 63 males and 65 females with an average age of 60.82±9.89 years. The patients were allocated into two groups: a robot-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) group (56 patients) and a video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) group (72 patients). Chronic cough was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS), meanwhile, other perioperative indicators were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for postoperative chronic cough and explore the prevention strategies.ResultsOverall, 61 (47.7%) patients were diagnosed with chronic cough after surgery, including 25 (44.6%) patients in the RATS group and 36 (50.0%) patients in the VATS group, and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Compared with the VATS group, the RATS group got shorter endotracheal intubation time (P=0.009) and less blood loss (P<0.001). The univariate analysis showed that age (P=0.014), range of surgery (P=0.021), number of dissected lymph nodes (P=0.015), preoperative cough (P=0.006), endotracheal intubation time (P=0.004) were the influencing factors for postoperative chronic cough. The multivariate analysis showed that age <57 years (OR=3.006, 95%CI 1.294-6.986, P=0.011), preoperative cough (OR=3.944, 95%CI 4.548-10.048, P=0.004), endotracheal intubation time ≥172 min (OR=2.316, 95%CI 1.027-5.219, P=0.043), lobectomy (OR=2.651, 95%CI 1.052-6.681, P=0.039) were the independent risk factors for chronic cough.ConclusionThere is no statistical difference in postoperative chronic cough between the RATS and VATS groups. The RATS group gets less blood loss and shorter endotracheal intubation time. Patients with younger age (<57 years), preoperative cough, lobectomy, and longer duration of endotracheal intubation (≥172 min) are more likely to have chronic cough after surgery.
Objective To analyze the risk factors for postoperative length of stay (PLOS) after mediastinal tumor resection by robot-assisted non-endotracheal intubation and to optimize the perioperative process. MethodsThe clinical data of patients who underwent Da Vinci robot-assisted mediastinal tumor resection with non-endotracheal intubation at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from 2016 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the median PLOS, the patients were divided into two groups. The univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze risk factors for prolonged PLOS (longer than median PLOS). ResultsA total of 190 patients were enrolled, including 92 males and 98 females with a median age of 51.5 (41.0, 59.0) years. The median PLOS of all patients was 3.0 (2.0, 4.0) d. There were 71 patients in the PLOS>3 d group and 119 patients in the PLOS≤3 d group. Multivariate logistic regression showed that indwelled thoracic catheter [OR=11.852, 95%CI (2.384, 58.912), P=0.003], preoperative symptoms of muscle weakness [OR=4.814, 95%CI (1.337, 17.337), P=0.016] and postoperative visual analogue scale>5 points [OR=6.696, 95%CI (3.033, 14.783), P<0.001] were independent factors for prolonged PLOS. Totally no tube (TNT) allowed patients to be discharged on the first day after surgery. ConclusionRobot-assisted mediastinal tumor resection with non-endotracheal intubation can promote rapid recovery. The methods of optimizing perioperative process are TNT, controlling muscle weakness symptoms and postoperative pain relief.
ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility of robotic sleeve lobectomy and bronchoplasty and to summarize the experience of quality control and technical process management.MethodsFrom January to December 2018, our hospital completed robotic sleeve lobectomy and bronchoplasty for 5 patients, including the upper right lung lobe in 2 patients, the middle right lung lobe in 1 patient and the lower left lung lobe in 2 patients. There were 3 males and 2 females with an age of 56.6 (39-75) years. The surgical approach was the same as the surgical incision of the robotic lobectomy. During the operation, the lobes were separated, all enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes were cleaned, pulmonary hilum was dissected, pulmonary arteriovenous vessels and bronchi were exposed, and pulmonary vessels were treated. After exposing the main bronchi, the bronchi were cut off at the distal end of the lesion, and the lobes where the lesion was located (including lesions) were excised by sleeve type and the bronchi were continuously sutured with 3-0 Prolene from the back wall for anastomosis. After the anastomosis, no air leakage was found in the expanded lung, and the anastomosis was no longer wrapped.ResultsThe operation time was 147.4 (100-192) min, including bronchial anastomosis time 17.6 (14-25) min. Intraoperative blood loss was 60.0 (20-100) mL, and 20 (9-37) lymph nodes were dissected. Three patients had squamous cell carcinoma, 1 adenocarcinoma, and 1 neuroendocrine tumor. All patients showed negative results in the freezing pathology of bronchial stump during operation. All patients recovered well after surgery, without perioperative complications, and the anastomosis was smooth. Postoperative hospital stay was 10.8 (7-14) days. The patients were followed up for 6 to 12 months without anastomotic stenosis or other complications.ConclusionSince the robot system is a special instrument with 3D vision and 7 degrees of freedom for movable joints, the robotic bronchial suture is more flexible and accurate. The robotic sleeve lobectomy and bronchoplasty are safe and feasible.