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.
Magnetic anchoring and traction technique is one of the core technologies of magnetic surgery. With the "non-contact" traction force of the outer magnet on the inner magnet, we can drive the inner magnet and the gripper to multiple directions, and pull tissue or organ to required position in operations, so as to get a clearer surgical field of view. On the basis of the previous animal experiments, we applied magnetic anchoring and traction device in 3 human (males aged 63-71 years) thoracoscopic esophagectomies. Using the magnetic anchoring device, we could pull the esophagus dorsally or ventrally to assist in exposing the anatomical plane without special equipment or pleural puncture for retraction of the esophagus. The interference between operating instruments reduced. The mean blood loss in operation was 83 mL, the mean total operation time was 253 min and the mean length of hospital stay was 10 d. Postoperative follow-up showed that all 3 patients had good short-term prognosis. There was no swellling or pain in magnetic anchoring zone of chest wall.