Objective To explore the clinical application value of the spinal robot-assisted surgical system in mild to moderate lumbar spondylolisthesis and evaluate the accuracy of its implantation. Methods The clinical data of 56 patients with Meyerding grade Ⅰ or Ⅱ lumbar spondylolisthesis who underwent minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) between January 2017 and December 2017 were retrospectively analysed. Among them, 28 cases were preoperatively planned with robotic arm and percutaneous pedicle screw placement according to preoperative planning (group A); the other 28 cases underwent fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous pedicle screw placement (group B). There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, slippage type, Meyerding grade, and surgical segmental distribution between the two groups (P>0.05). The screw insertion angle was measured by CT, the accuracy of screw implantation was evaluated by Neo’s criteria, and the invasion of superior articular process was evaluated by Babu’s method. Results One hundred and twelve screws were implanted in the two groups respectively, 5 screws (4.5%) in group A and 26 screws (23.2%) in group B penetrated the lateral wall of pedicle, and the difference was significant (χ2=9.157, P=0.002); the accuracy of nail implantation was assessed according to Neo’s criteria, the results were 107 screws of degree 0, 3 of degree 1, 2 of degree 2 in group A, and 86 screws of degree 0, 16 of degree 1, 6 of degree 2, 4 of degree 3 in group B, showing significant difference between the two groups (Z=4.915, P=0.031). In group B, 20 (17.9%) screws penetrated the superior articular process, while in group A, 80 screws were removed from the decompression side, and only 3 (3.8%) screws penetrated the superior articular process. According to Babu’s method, the degree of screw penetration into the facet joint was assessed. The results were 77 screws of grade 0, 2 of grade 1, 1 of grade 2 in group A, and 92 screws of grade 0, 13 of grade 1, 4 of grade 2, 3 of grade 3 in group B, showing significant difference between the two groups (Z=7.814, P=0.029). The screw insertion angles of groups A and B were (23.5±6.6)° and (18.1±7.5)° respectively, showing significant difference (t=3.100, P=0.003). Conclusion Compared to fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous pedicle screw placement, robot-assisted percutaneous pedicle screw placement has the advantages such as greater accuracy, lower incidence of screw penetration of the pedicle wall and invasion of the facet joints, and has a better screw insertion angle. Combined with MIS-TLIF, robot-assisted percutaneous pedicle screw placement is an effective minimally invasive treatment for lumbar spondylolisthesis.
ObjectiveTo investigate the voice function before and after surgery in patients undergoing axillary thyroidectomy with da Vinci robotic Xi system. MethodsSeventy female patients who underwent robotic thyroid cancer radical resection in Panzhihua Central Hospital from March 2022 to March 2023 were selected. The voice dysfunction index scale VHI-10, auditory perception evaluation scale GRBAS and voice analysis software were used to evaluate the voice function of patients subjectively and objectively at 1 day before operation, 1 week and 3 months after surgery. ResultsThe operative time was (128.13±48.36) min, the amount of blood loss was (16.36±8.23) mL. There were no significant differences in the points of function, physiology and emotion evaluated by VHI-10 scale at 1 week and 3 months after operation compared with those before operation (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in the three characteristics points of voice roughness, breathiness, and strain evaluated by GRBAS scale at 1 week and 3 months after operation (P>0.05). At 1 week after operation, the total hoarseness grade and asthenia evaluated by GRBAS scale were increased in different degrees as compared with those before operation and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05), while the total hoarseness grade and asthenia points were decreased at 3 months after operation and there was no significant difference as compared with that before operation (P>0.05). Voice acoustic analysis results showed that there were no significant differences in fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer and harmonic to noise ratio of the patients between at 1 week or 3 months after operation and before operation (P>0.05). The maximum phonation time (MPT) of patients was decreased at 1 week after operation as compared with that before operation, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The MPT of the patients recovered at 3 months after operation, and there was no significant difference as compared with that before operation (P>0.05). The dysphonia severity index (DSI) of patients at 1 week after surgery was decreased as compared with that before surgery, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The DSI was increased at 3 months after operation and there was no significant difference as compared with that before operation (P>0.05). ConclusionRobot radical thyroidectomy via axillary breast is safe and can protect the voice function.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of robot-guided percutaneous fixation and decompression via small incision in treatment of advanced thoracolumbar metastases. Methods A clinical data of 57 patients with advanced thoracolumbar metastases admitted between June 2017 and January 2021 and met the selection criteria was retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 26 cases were treated with robot-guided percutaneous fixation and decompression via small incision (robot-guided group) and 31 cases with traditional open surgery (traditional group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, lesion segment, primary tumor site, and preoperative Tokuhashi score, Tomita score, Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS), visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), Karnofsky score, and Frankel grading between groups (P>0.05). The operation time, hospital stays, hospital expenses, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, duration of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, blood transfusion, complications, and survival time were compared. The pedicle screw placement accuracy was evaluated according to the Gertzbein-Robbins grading by CT within 4 days after operation. The pain, function, and quality of life were evaluated by VAS score, ODI, Karnofsky score, and Frankel grading. Results During operation, 257 and 316 screws were implanted in the robot-guided group and the traditional group, respectively; and there was no significant difference in pedicle screw placement accuracy between groups (P>0.05). Compared with the traditional group, the operation time, hospital stays, duration of ICU stay were significantly shorter, and intraoperative blood loss and postoperative drainage volume were significantly lesser in the robot-guided group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in hospital expenses, blood transfusion rate, and complications between groups (P>0.05). All patients were followed up 8-32 months (mean, 14 months). There was no significant difference in VAS scores between groups at 7 days after operation (P>0.05), but the robot-guided group was superior to the traditional group at 1 and 3 months after operation (P<0.05). The postoperative ODI change was significantly better in the robot-guided group than in the traditional group (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the postoperative Karnofsky score change and Frankel grading change when compared to the traditional group (P>0.05). Median overall survival time was 13 months [95%CI (10.858, 15.142) months] in the robot-guided group and 15 months [95%CI (13.349, 16.651) months] in the traditional group, with no significant difference between groups (χ2=0.561, P=0.454) . Conclusion Compared with traditional open surgery, the robot-guided percutaneous fixation and decompression via small incision can reduce operation time, hospital stays, intraoperative blood loss, blood transfusion, and complications in treatment of advanced thoracolumbar metastases.
Objective To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of robot-assisted posterior minimally invasive access in treatment of thoracolumbar tuberculosis via transforaminal expansion approach. Methods A clinical data of 40 patients with thoracolumbar tuberculosis admitted between January 2017 and May 2022 and met the selection criteria was retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 15 cases were treated with robot-assisted and minimally invasive access via transforaminal expansion approach for lesion removal, bone graft, and internal fixation (robotic group), and 25 cases were treated with traditional transforaminal posterior approach for lesion removal and intervertebral bone grafting (traditional group). There was no significant difference in the baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05) in terms of gender, age, lesion segment, and preoperative American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading, Cobb angle, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C reactive protein (CRP). The outcome indicators were recorded and compared between the two groups, including operation time, intraoperative bleeding volume, hospital stay, postoperative bedtime, complications, ESR and CRP before operation and at 1 week after operation, the level of serum albumin at 3 days after operation, VAS score and ASIA grading of neurological function before operation and at 6 months after operation, the implant fusion, fusion time, Cobb angle of the lesion, and the loss of Cobb angle observed by X-ray films and CT. The differences of ESR, CRP, and VAS score (change values) between pre- and post-operation were calculated and compared. Results Compared with the traditional group, the operation time and intraoperative bleeding volume in the robotic group were significantly lower and the serum albumin level at 3 days after operation was significantly higher (P<0.05); the postoperative bedtime and the length of hospital stay were also shorter, but the difference was not significant (P>0.05). There were 2 cases of poor incision healing in the traditional group, but no complication occurred in the robotic group, and the difference in the incidence of complication between the two groups was not significant (P>0.05). There were significant differences in the change values of ESR and CRP between the two groups (P<0.05). All Patients were followed up, and the follow-up time was 12-18 months (mean, 13.0 months) in the traditional group and 12-16 months (mean, 13.0 months) in the robotic group. Imaging review showed that all bone grafts fused, and the difference in fusion time between the two groups was not significant (P>0.05). The difference in Cobb angle between the pre- and post-operation in the two groups was significant (P<0.05); and the Cobb angle loss was significant more in the traditional group than in the robotic group (P<0.05). The VAS scores of the two groups significantly decreased at 6 months after operation when compared with those before operation (P<0.05); the difference in the change values of VAS scores between the two groups was not significant (P>0.05). There was no occurrence or aggravation of spinal cord neurological impairment in the two groups after operation. There was a significant difference in ASIA grading between the two groups at 6 months after operation compared to that before operation (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Compared with traditional posterior open operation, the use of robot-assisted minimally invasive access via transforaminal approach for lesion removal and bone grafting internal fixation in the treatment of thoracolumbar tuberculosis can reduce the operation time and intraoperative bleeding, minimizes surgical trauma, and obtain definite effectiveness.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility and clinical value of robot-assisted lobectomy through anterior approach.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 180 patients who underwent robot-assisted lobectomy through anterior approach in our hospital between April 2017 and February 2018. There were 97 males and 83 females, aged 59.5 (32.0-83.0) years. The clinical effects were analyzed.ResultsOne patient was transferred to thoracotomy due to tumor invasion of adjacent blood vessels and injury to the blood vessels, and there was no perioperative death. There were 8.5 (1.0-35.0) dissected lymph nodes for each patient. The median operation time was 120 (50-360) min, including robot Docking time 5 (1-23) min and robot operation time 65 (7-270) min. The median blood loss was 50 (5-1 500) mL, 132 (73.3%) patients had malignant tumors and median drainage time was 5 (2-30) d. The mean postoperative pain score was 3.4±0.7 points and the postoperative hospital time was 8 (2-32) d. At the median follow-up of 24 months, 11 patients developed recurrence and metastasis, and 3 died.ConclusionRobot-assisted lobectomy through anterior approach is a safe and convenient operation method, which is worthy of clinical application.
ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the clinical effect and safety of robotic inguinal hernia repair (robotic surgery).MethodsThe control studies on robotic surgery in treatment of inguinal hernia were searched in the English databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase) and Chinese databases (CNKI, Wanfang, VIP). The search time was from the establishment of the database to December 2020. After screening the literatures according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the Jadad scale was used to evaluate the literature quality of randomized controlled studies, the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) was used to evaluate the literature quality of the retrospective studies, and the RevMan5.3 software was used for meta-analysis.ResultsTwelve relevant articles with a total sample size of 7 661 cases that met the criteria were included in this study, including 1 746 cases of robotic inguinal hernia repair (robotic surgery), 4 361 cases of open inguinal hernia repair (open surgery), and 1 554 cases of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (laparoscopic surgery). The surgery time of the robotic surgery was longer than that of the traditional (including open and laparoscopic) surgery (P<0.01), open surgery (P<0.01) or laparoscopic surgery (P<0.01); The hospitalization cost of the robotic surgery was higher than that of traditional surgery (P<0.01) and open surgery (P<0.01). However, the readmission rate of the robotic surgery was lower than that of the traditional surgery (P<0.01) and open surgery (P<0.01). There were no significant differences in the other indicators between the robotic surgery and open surgery or laparoscopic surgery (P>0.05).ConclusionRobotic inguinal hernia repair is safe and feasible, which provides us a new way to treat inguinal hernia.
ObjectiveTo compare and analyze the therapeutic effect of robotic and laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer for obese patients with rectal adenocarcinoma. MethodsThe retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathologic data of 217 obese patients with rectal adenocarcinoma who were treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from October 2017 to January 2020 were collected, 104 patients received radical resection of rectal cancer assisted by Da Vinci robotic surgical system and were assigned to the robot group, 113 patients underwent laparoscopic-assisted radical resection of rectal cancer and were assigned to the laparoscope group. The perioperative indexes, pathological examination, and postoperative recovery of urogenital function were compared. ResultsThere were no significant differences between the two groups in the gender, age, body mass index, distance from lower edge of tumor to anal edge, tumor diameter, American Association of Anesthesiologists classification, preoperative complications, preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level, tumor differentiation, and TNM stage (P>0.05). The operations were successfully completed in all patients and there was no conversion to laparotomy and perioperative death. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the operation time, first exhaust time, first eating liquid food time, first getting out of bed activity time, drainage tube placement time, prophylactic stoma rate, and postoperative complications (P>0.05). The intraoperative blood loss and total hospital stay in the robot group were less than those of the laparoscope group (P<0.05). The International Prostate Symptom Score of the robot group was lower than that of the laparoscope group at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation (P<0.05). The International Index of Erectile Function-15 score of male patients and Female Sexual Function Index-19 score of female patients in the robot group were higher than those in the laparoscope group at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation (P<0.05). ConclusionsRobotic surgery is safe and effective in treatment of obese patients with rectal adenocarcinoma. Compared with laparoscopic surgery, robotic surgery could benefit patients more in protecting postoperative genitourinary function.
Objective To analyze the clinical effect of TINAVI robotic system-assisted pedicle screw internal fixation for thoracolumbar fracture with a Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity Score (TLICS) of 4. Methods A total of 38 patients with TLICS 4 thoracolumbar fracture treated between January 2019 and January 2021 who met the selection criteria of Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. According to the results of doctor-patient communication, 18 cases were treated with robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery (robot group), and 20 cases were treated with traditional conservative treatment (non-surgical group). Complications during hospitalization were observed. After discharge, the patients in the two groups were followed up by telephone and outpatient clinic. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score at admission, at discharge, and 3 and 6 months after discharge, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score 3 and 6 months after discharge were compared between the two groups. Results There were no statistically significant difference in age, sex, body mass index or distribution of injured vertebrae segment between the two groups (P>0.05). No serious complication occurred in any group during hospitalization. The difference in the length of hospital stay between the two groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The bed rest in the robot group was shorter than that in the non-surgical group [(4.83±0.92) vs. (43.05±2.70) d, P<0.05]. The VAS scores at discharge (2.50±0.51 vs. 5.05±1.00), 3 months after discharge (1.83±0.71 vs. 3.10±0.72) and 6 months after discharge (1.50±0.51 vs. 1.90±0.79) in the robot group were lower than those in the non-surgical group (P<0.05). The ODI scores 3 months after discharge (21.89±1.41 vs. 30.40±3.00) and 6 months after discharge (10.72±2.37 vs. 12.10±2.29) in the robot group were significantly lower than those in the non-surgical group (P<0.05). Conclusion For patients with TLICS 4 thoracolumbar fracture, the early clinical effect of robot-assisted surgical treatment is better than that of non-surgical treatment.
Objective To explore the feasibility of 5G remote robot-assisted pulmonary lobectomy through animal experiments. Methods In this research, the Toumai® surgical robot was manipulated remotely by the surgeon in the Control Center of the MedBot Company through the 5G network established by China Telecom, and the experimental pig underwent lobectomy in simulated operating room. Results The animal experiment surgery was successfully completed. The surgeon remotely manipulated the surgical robot to complete the lobectomy of right apical lobe and mediastinal lymph node dissection. The entire animal experiment took about 60 minutes, with an average round-trip network delay of 125 (110-155) ms, and no network interruption or robot malfunction occurred. Conclusion This animal experiment is the first attempt of 5G remote thoracic surgery, which preliminarily proves the feasibility of completing remote lobectomy through the Toumai® surgical robot 5G wireless network connection. The systematic surgical procedure is summarized, which lays a foundation for the subsequent experiments and clinical applications of 5G remote robot-assisted thoracic surgery.
Objective To investigate short-term outcomes of robot-assisted Heller-Dor myotomy (RAHM-Dor) for achalasia of cardia and our learning curve experience. Methods The clinical data and recent follow-up results of 42 patients who received RAHM-Dor from November 2015 to January 2020 in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University were retrospectively analyzed, including 20 males and 22 females with a mean age of 40.8±18.4 years. ResultsDysphagia was the most common symptom, followed by heartburn and regurgitation. The mean operation time was 122.8±23.9 min. The mean blood loss was 47.5±32.7 mL. Two patients suffered mucosal injury, and successfully repaired by suturing during surgery. There was no esophageal fistula, conversion to an open operation or perioperative death in this series. The median length of hospital stay was 8 (6, 9) d. In all patients, the Stooler and Eckardt scores of postoperative 1, 6 and 12 months decreased compared to those of pre-operation (P<0.001). Conclusion RAHM-Dor is a safe and feasible avenue for the treatment of achalasia of cardia, and can achieve a satisfying short-term results. The learning curve shows a transition to the standard stage from the learning stage after 16-18 operations.