Objective To evaluate the clinical outcomes of harmonic scalpel in subxiphoid and subcostal arch approach for resection of anterior mediastinal lesion. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 217 patients with anterior mediastinal lesion at the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Tangdu Hospital of the Fourth Military Medical University from June 2015 to June 2017, among whom 162 underwent thoracoscopic surgery via subxiphoid and subcostal arch approach with harmonic scalpel (a harmonic scalpel group, 95 males and 67 females at an average age of 46.2±18.7 years ranging from 22 to 72 years) and 55 with Ligasure (a Ligasure group, 29 males and 26 females at an average age of 47.7±12.9 years ranging from 31 to 68 years). Operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative conversion rate, postoperative hospital stay, patients satisfaction score, patients pain score and postoperative complications were compared between both groups. Results All operations were accomplished successfully, and there was no death or conversion to thoracotomy. There was a statistical difference in operation time (58.6±34.8 min vs. 72.8±32.6 min, P=0.01), and intraoperative blood loss (36.2±18.7 ml vs. 41.9±12.9 ml, P=0.04). There was no statistical difference between the two groups in length of hospital stay (4.2±2.6 d vs. 4.5±1.9 d, P=0.36), pain score at postoperative day 1, 3 and 30 (8.3±0.9 vs. 8.5±0.6, P=0.13; 6.4±1.5 vs. 6.9±1.1, P=0.19; 1.3±0.7 vs. 1.4±0.9, P=0.40), patients’ satisfaction score (8.6±1.2 vs. 8.4±1.7, P=0.34), or incidence of postoperative complications (5.6% vs. 9.1%, P=0.35). Conclusion Harmonic scalpel plays an important role in resection of anterior mediastinal lesion via subxiphoid and subcostal arch approach. All tissues are separated and blood vessels are dissected only by the harmonic scalpel, so it is very important for us to handle the harmonic scalpel skillfully.
Objective To evaluate the advantages about video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy with optimized management of surgical instruments package. Methods A total of 200 patients with lung cancer were enrolled, which included 78 males and 122 females, aged 24-83 years at median age of 56.8 years. All of them were divided into 2 groups including a routine group (n=100) and an optimized management of surgical instruments group (n=100). The total operation time, bleeding, instrument weights, utilization rate of instruments, counted and cleaning time in 2 groups were recorded and analyzed. Results The average operation time and average lost blood of the routine group was 117.62±42.52 min and 53.14±50.69 ml, respectively, and the one of the optimized instruments group was 120.48±40.62 min, 56.10±49.87 ml, respectively, with no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.112, P=0.231, respectively). The utilization rate of instruments in the routine group (58.02%±2.39%) was significantly lower than that of the optimized instruments group (94.00%±1.48%, P=0.014). The counted time, the loading and unloading time and the cleaning time of instruments in the routine group was 112.00±26.00 s, 70.00±15.00 s, 1 010.00±130.00 s, respectively, much longer than the time of the optimized instruments group, which was 65.00±23.00 s, 20.00±4.00 s, 665.00±69.00 s, respectively. There was a statistical difference between the two groups (P=0.028, P=0.011, P=0.039, respectively). The value of instruments in the routine group (177 574.00±14 438.00 yuan) was apparently higher than that of the optimized instruments group(132 027.00±10 311.00 yuan), with a statistical difference (P=0.032). Conclusion It is demonstrated that optimized management of surgical instruments package in VATS lobectomy can greatly improve the utilization rate of instruments and work efficiency, with no effects on the operation time and amount of bleeding in lobectomy.
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical issues associated with video-assisted pulmonary segmentectomy and to provide reference for better implementation of thoracoscopic pulmonary segmentectomy and reduction of perioperative complications through analyzing the clinical results of thoracoscopic segmentectomy.MethodsThe clinical data of 90 patients who planned to undergo thoracoscopic segmentectomy in our department from October 2017 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, including 35 males with an average age of 60.34±9.40 years and 55 females with an average age of 56.09±12.11 years. The data including lung nodule number, benign or malignant, preoperative location by Hookwire, preoperative planning and actual implementation, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume and time of drainage tube removal, postoperative hospital stay and complications were collected and analyzed.ResultsAmong the 90 patients, 38 were preoperatively positioned by Hook-wire, 52 were directly operated on; 87 were completed under thoracoscopic surgery among whom 3 underwent passive lobectomy after segmentectomy under thoracoscopic surgery, and 3 were converted to thoracotomy among whom 1 underwent lobectomy. Operation time was 198.58±56.42 min, intraoperative blood loss was 129.78±67.51 mL, lymph node samples were 6.43±1.41, drainage time was 2.98±1.25 d, the amount of postoperation drainage was 480.00±262.00 mL, hospital stay was 7.60±2.38 d. In all patients, 73 had single nodules and 17 had multiple nodules. Totally 113 pulmonary nodules were resected, 14 (12.39%) were benign nodules and 99 (87.61%) were malignant nodules. There was no perioperative death or serious complications.ConclusionFor those pulmonary parenchymal nodules which meet the indications, it is feasible to perform thoracoscopic anatomic pulmonary segmentectomy according to preoperative thin-slice CT and three-dimensional computed tomography-bronchography and angiography (3D-CTBA) reconstruction results. Preoperative Hookwire localization can ensure effective edge resection and reduce unplanned lobotomy for intersegmental nodules and non-palpable peripheral pure ground-glass nodules.
ObjectiveTo compare the surgical effects of total endoscopy and right thoracic small-incision for atrial septal defect repair.MethodsThe clinical data of 60 patients undergoing atrial septal defect repair in our hospital in 2019 under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were collected. The patients were divided into two groups according to different surgical methods: a right thoracic small-incision group (n=31), including 11 males and 20 females, aged 44.5±11.5 years; a thoracoscopic surgery group (n=29), including 12 males and 17 females, aged 46.5±12.7 years. The clinical data were compared between the two groups.ResultsThe baseline data of the patients were not statistically different (P>0.05). The surgeries were successfully completed in the two groups of patients. The volume of chest drainage in 24 h after the surgery (59.1±43.9 mL vs. 91.0±72.9 mL, P=0.046), red blood cell input (78.0±63.9 mL vs. 121.0±88.7 mL, P=0.036), length of postoperative hospital stay (5.5±2.1 d vs. 7.2±2.1 d, P=0.003), postoperative complications rate (6.9% vs. 22.6%, P=0.029) in the thoracoscopic surgery group were significantly better than those in the right thoracic small-incision group. There was no significant difference in the CPB time, aorta blocking time, operation time, mechanical ventilation time, ICU retention time or postoperative pain score between the two groups (P>0.05).ConclusionThe two techniques are safe and effective. Patients undergoing thoracoscopic repair of atrial septal defect have small trauma, short postoperative hospital stay, mild pain, beautiful incision, and no bone damage, which is worthy of clinical promotion.
Objective To compare the pain relief and rehabilitation effect of intercostal nerve block and conventional postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery. Methods China National Repository, Wanfang Database, VIP, China Biomedical Literature Database, Web of Science, Clinicaltrials.gov, Cochrane Library, EMbase and PubMed were searched from establishment of each database to 10 Febraray, 2022. Relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of intercostal nerve block in thoracoscopic surgery were collected, and meta-analysis was conducted after data extraction and quality evaluation of the studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Results A total of 21 RCTs and one semi-randomized study were identified, including 1 542 patients. Performance bias was the main bias risk. Intercostal nerve block had a significant effect on postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score at 12 h after surgery (MD=–1.45, 95%CI –1.88 to –1.02, P<0.000 01), VAS score at 24 h after surgery (MD=–1.28, 95%CI –1.67 to –0.89, P<0.000 01), and VAS score at 48 h after surgery significantly decreased (MD=–0.90, 95%CI –1.22 to –0.58, P<0.000 01). In exercise or cough state, VAS score at 24 h after surgery (MD=–2.40, 95%CI –2.66 to –2.14, P<0.000 01) and at 48 h after surgery decreased significantly (MD=–1.89, 95%CI –2.09 to –1.69, P<0.000 01). In the intercostal nerve block group, the number of compression of the intravenous analgesic automatic pump on the second day after surgery significantly reduced (SMD=–0.78, 95%CI –1.29 to –0.27, P=0.003). In addition to the analgesic pump, the amount of additional opioids significantly reduced (SMD=–2.05, 95%CI –3.65 to –0.45, P=0.01). Postoperative patient-controlled intravenous analgesia was reduced (SMD=–3.23, 95%CI –6.44 to –0.01, P=0.05). Patient satisfaction was significantly improved (RR=1.31, 95%CI 1.17 to 1.46, P<0.01). Chest tube indwelling time was significantly shortened (SMD=–0.64, 95%CI –0.84 to –0.45, P<0.001). The incidence of analgesia-related adverse reactions was significantly reduced (RR=0.43, 95%CI 0.33 to 0.56, P<0.000 01). Postoperative complications were significantly reduced (RR=0.28, 95%CI 0.18 to 0.44, P<0.000 01). Two studies showed that the length of hospital stay was significantly shortened in the intercostal nerve block group, which was statistically different (P≤0.05), and there was no statistical difference in one report. Conclusion The relief of acute postoperative pain and pain in the movement state is more prominent after intercostal nerve block. Intercostal nerve block is relatively safe and conforms to the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery, which can be extensively utilized in clinical practice.