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.
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 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 sublobar resection 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 0.2. The incidence of complications and perioperative parameters after removal of the thoracic drainage tube were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Univariate and multiple linear regression analyses were performed according to the PDV of all patients after the surgery. 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) and 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 the following factors were influencing postoperative PDV increase, including smoking history (P=0.001), serum albumin difference (P=0.017), surgical approach (P=0.014), lesion location (P=0.027), differentiation (P=0.041), TNM stage (P=0.043), number of dissected lymph nodes (P=0.016), and intraoperative blood loss (P=0.016). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that smoking history (P=0.002), serum albumin difference (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 analyze the feasibility of totally no tube (TNT) in da Vinci robotic mediastinal mass surgery and its significance for fast track surgery. Methods A total of 79 patients receiving robotic mediastinal TNT surgery in the General Hospital of Shenyang Military Command from January 2016 to December 2017 were enrolled as a TNT group; 35 patients receiving robotic mediastinal surgery in General Hospital of Shenyang Military Command from January 2014 to December 2017 and 54 patients receiving thoracoscopic mediastinal surgery during the same period were enrolled as a non-TNT group and a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) group. The muscle relaxation and tracheal intubation/laryngeal masking time, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative ICU stay, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS), hospitalization costs and postoperative complications and other related indicators were retrospectively analyzed among the three groups. Results Surgeries were successfully completed in 168 patients with no transfer to thoracotomy, serious complications (postoperative complications in 9 patients) or death during the perioperative period. All patients were discharged. Compared with the non-TNT group, the TNT group had significantly less muscle relaxation-tracheal intubation/laryngeal masking time, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, VAS pain score, ICU stay, postoperative hospital stay (P<0.01); there was no significant difference in the total cost of hospitalization between the two groups (P>0.05). Between the non-TNT group and the VATS group, there was no significant difference in time of muscle relaxation and tracheal intubation, operation time and ICU stay (P>0.05). The non-TNT group was superior to the VATS group in terms of intraoperative blood loss, VAS pain scores on the following day after operation, chest drainage volume 1-3 days postoperatively, postoperative catheterization time and postoperative hospital stay (P<0.05); but the cost of hospitalization in the non-TNT group was significantly higher (P=0.000). Conclusion The da Vinci robot is safe and feasible for the treatment of mediastinal masses. At the same time, TNT is also safe and reliable on the basis of robotic surgery which has many advantages such as better comfort, less pain, ICU stay and hospital stay as well as faster recovery.
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.
ObjectiveTo compare the the effectiveness of robot-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) with video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), in stageⅠ lung adenocarcinoma.MethodsFrom January 2012 to December 2018, 291 patients were included. The patients were allocated into two groups including a RATS group with 125 patients and a VATS group with 166 patients. Two cohorts (RATS, VATS ) of clinical stageⅠ lung adenocarcinoma patients were matched by propensity score. Then there were 114 patients in each group (228 patients in total). There were 45 males and 69 females at age of 62±9 years in the RATS group; 44 males, 70 females at age of 62±8 years in the VATS group. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were assessed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with the outcomes.Results Compared with the VATS group, the RATS group got less blood loss (P<0.05) and postoperative drainage (P<0.05) with a statistical difference. There was no statistical difference in drainage time (P>0.05) or postoperative hospital stay (P>0.05) between the two groups. The RATS group harvested more stations and number of the lymph nodes with a statistical difference (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in 1-year, 3-year and 5-year OS and mean survival time (P>0.05). While there was a statistical difference in DFS between the two groups (1-year DFS: 94.1% vs. 95.6%; 3-year DFS: 92.6% vs. 75.2%; 5-year DFS: 92.6% vs. 68.4%, P<0.05; mean DFS time: 78 months vs. 63 months, P<0.05) between the two groups. The univariate analysis found that the number of the lymph nodes dissection was the prognostic factor for OS, and tumor diameter, surgical approach, stations and number of the lymph nodes dissection were the prognostic factors for DFS. However, multivariate analysis found that there was no independent risk factor for OS, but the tumor diameter and surgical approach were independently associated with DFS.ConclusionThere is no statistical difference in OS between the two groups, but the RATS group gets better DFS.
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.
ObjectiveTo compare the effect on postoperative immune function between da Vinci robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) , and to provide clinical support for more effective surgical procedures.MethodsA total of 90 patients undergoing radical resection of pulmonary carcinoma in our hospital from June to November 2019 were included. There were 49 males and 41 females with an average age of 62.67 (37-84) years. Among them, 50 patients underwent da Vinci robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (a RATS group) and 40 patients underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (a VATS group). The perioperative indexes as well as postoperative inflammatory factors and immune level effects between the two groups were compared.ResultsCompared with the VATS, RATS could significantly shorten the operation time and decrease intraoperative blood loss (P<0.05). RATS also effectively reduced the increase of postoperative inflammatory factor level (P<0.05). But there was no significant difference in postoperative immune function between the RATS group and the VATS group (P>0.05).ConclusionRATS is superior to VATS in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer in perioperative indicators and inflammatory factors.
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.