ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of robot-assisted surgery in pancreatic cancer.MethodRecent literatures related to robot-assisted surgery in treatment of pancreatic cancer compared with traditional open surgery or traditional laparoscopic surgery were collected to make an review.ResultsCompared with the traditional laparoscopic surgery, the robot-assisted surgery was expensive, with the obvious advantages in terms of anastomosis and reconstruction. Compared with the open operation, both robot-assisted pancreaticoduodenectomy and robot-assisted distal pancreatectomy had longer operation time, but the length of hospital stay and intraoperative blood loss were obviously shortened, robot-assisted distal pancreatectomy also had higher spleen preservation rate. Compared with the traditional laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy, the number of lymph node retrieved, R0 resection rate, and splenic preservation rate were also higher in the robot-assisted group. Simultaneously, robot-assisted total pancreatectomy and midsection pancreatectomy were deemed as safe in some high-volume centers.ConclusionsRobot-assisted pancreatic cancer surgery is safe and feasible, but many surgeries are restricted to a small number of high-volume medical centers, and most cases selected to undergo robot-assisted surgery are often early stage patients with small tumor size. A lot of efforts should be made and problems should be solved.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the short-term effectiveness of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) in treatment of buttock pain associated with lumbar disc herniation.MethodsBetween June 2015 and May 2016, 36 patients with buttock pain associated with lumbar disc herniation were treated with PELD. Of 36 cases, 26 were male and 10 were female, aged from 18 to 76 years (mean, 35.6 years). The disease duration ranged from 3 months to 10 years (mean, 14 months). The location of the pain was buttock in 2 cases, buttock and thigh in 6 cases, buttock and the ipsilateral lower extremity in 28 cases. Thirty-four patients had single-level lumbar disc herniation, and the involved segments were L4, 5 in 15 cases and L5, S1 in 19 cases; 2 cases had lumbar disc herniation at both L4, 5 and L5, S1. The preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score of buttock pain was 6.1±1.3. VAS score was used to evaluate the degree of buttock pain at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and last follow-up postoperatively. The clinical outcome was assessed by the modified MacNab criteria at last follow-up.ResultsAll patients were successfully operated and the operation time was 27-91 minutes (mean, 51 minutes). There was no nerve root injury, dural tear, hematoma formation, or other serious complications. The hospitalization time was 3-8 days (mean, 5.3 days). All incisions healed well and no infection occurred. Patients were followed up 12-24 months (median, 16 months). MRI examination results showed that the dural sac and nerve root compression were sufficiently relieved at 3 months after operation. Patients obtained pain relief after operation. The postoperative VAS scores of buttock pain at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and last follow-up were 1.1±0.6, 0.9±0.3, 1.0±0.3, and 0.9±0.4 respectively, showing significant differences when compared with preoperative VAS scores (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in VAS score between the different time points after operation (P>0.05). At last follow-up, according to the modifed MacNab criteria, the results were excellent in 27 cases, good in 9 cases, and fair in 2 cases, and the excellent and good rate was 94.4%.ConclusionPELD can achieve satisfactory short-term results in the treatment of buttock pain associated with lumbar disc herniation and it is a safe and effective minimally invasive surgical technique.
Lumbar spondylolisthesis is a common condition in spinal surgery, which is often characterized by lower back and leg pain and numbness. There are various treatment methods for this condition, and different treatment plans should be adopted according to different situations. Traditional open surgery methods are relatively traumatic and have longer recovery times, while minimally invasive spine techniques have advantages such as smaller incisions, less bleeding, higher fusion rates, and faster recovery. This review summarizes the relevant literature on the application of minimally invasive techniques in the treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis in recent years, analyzes and compares the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches and endoscopic techniques, as well as reduction, decompression, and fusion effects. The aim is to provide reference for surgeons in selecting surgical procedures for the treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis.
ObjectiveTo explore the training mode of robotic surgical system for thoracic surgeons.MethodsThirteen surgeons enrolled in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Ruijin Hospital from May 2015 to December 2019 were targeted for training. Training methods included learning basic knowledge of Da-Vinci robotic system, simulation platform training, physical simulation training, training on animal models, practice of thoracic surgery and video analysis.ResultsThe robotic operation skills of the surgeons were improved. Currently 4 surgeons were qualified for using robotic system to do thoracic surgery, and 9 surgeons had assistant qualification.ConclusionMultiple modes of training can help surgeons learn and master the techniques of robotic surgery, and will provide the basis for robotic training standard.
ObjectiveTo investigate the application effect of wire reduction technique guided by minimally invasive wire introducer in the treatment of difficult-reducing intertrochanteric fractures.MethodsBetween April 2016 and April 2018, 30 patients with intertrochanteric fractures who had difficulty in closed reduction under the traction bed were treated. There were 17 males and 13 females, aged from 60 to 93 years (mean, 72 years). The causes of injury included falls in 22 cases and traffic accidents in 8 cases. The fractures were classified according to AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classification: 12 cases of type A1, 12 cases of type A2, and 6 cases of type A3. Intramedullary nail incision and self-made minimally invasive wire introducer were used to assist reduction of intertrochanteric fracture, and then intramedullary nail internal fixation was performed.ResultsThe operation time was 30-70 minutes, with an average of 45 minutes. The intraoperative blood loss was 100-210 mL, with an average of 160 mL. One case died of cerebrovascular accident at 3 months after operation; the remaining 29 cases were followed up 6-18 months, with an average of 8.3 months. Postoperative DR reexamination showed that all patients had a good reduction in the fracture end, no retraction, fracture displacement, hip valgus deformity, and other serious complications occurred. The fracture was completely healed and the healing time was 3-8 months, with an average of 6 months. At 3 months after operation, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 1-3, with an averge of 1.7. According to Harris functional score of hip joint, 26 cases were excellent and 3 cases were good.ConclusionFor the difficult-reducing intertrochanteric fractures, minimally invasive wire introducer is used to insert steel wire into the incision of head and neck nail for assisted reduction, which can achieve satisfactory reduction results and improve the effectiveness of intertrochanteric fracture.
Objective
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of biatrial Cox Maze Ⅳ cryoablation for concomitant atrial fibrillation (AF) during minimally invasive valve surgery.
Methods
A total of 47 patients (26 males, 21 females, age of 42-69 years) with mitral valve disease and long-standing persistent AF received minimally invasive biatrial Cox Maze Ⅳ cryoablation procedure combined with mitral valve surgery through right minithoracotomy from January 2014 to September 2015. The etiology of mitral valve disease was rheumatic (n=31) and degenerative (n=16). AF duration ranged from 2 to 11 years. Diameter of the left atrium ranged from 43 to 60 mm. Concomitant biatrial Cox Maze Ⅳ cryoablation procedure was performed through right lateral minithoracotomy.
Results
All 47 patients successfully underwent this minimally invasive concomitant biatrial Cox Maze Ⅳ cryoablation procedure and valve surgery. No patient needed conversion to sternotomy during the surgery. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross-clamp time and cryoablation time was 95-146 (120.3±12.3) min, 82-115 (93.3±7.7) min and 32-48 (38.6±4.5) min, respectively. There was no death perioperatively. The average postoperative length of hospital stay was 5-16 (7.9±1.9) d. At discharge, 44 patients (44/47, 93.6%) maintained sinus rhythm. At a mean follow-up of 6-26 (14.4±5.4) months, sinus rhythm was maintained in 41 patients (41/47, 87.2%). Cumulative maintenance rate of normal sinus rhythm without AF recurrence at one year postoperatively was 86.3%±5.8%.
Conclusion
Biatrial Cox Maze Ⅳ cryoablation procedure is safe, feasible and effective for AF during concomitant minimally invasive valve surgery.
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 compare the effectiveness of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) with bilateral decompression via unilateral approach and bilateral decompression via bilateral approaches in the treatment of single-segment lumbar spinal stenosis.MethodsBetween February 2015 and January 2017, 70 cases of single-segment lumbar spinal stenosis were treated with MIS-TLIF. The bilateral decompression via unilateral approach (group U) was performed in 36 cases and bilateral decompression via bilateral approaches (group B) in 34 cases. There was no significant difference in age, gender, body mass index, disease duration, distribution of responsibility segments, preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score of low back pain and leg pain and Oswestry disability index (ODI) score (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization stay after operation, complications related to operation, incidence of asymptomatic lateral root symptoms, VAS scores of low back pain and leg pain, and ODI score before and after operation were compared between the two groups. X-ray film and CT scan at 12 months after operation were used to assessted the intervertebral bony fusion.ResultsThe operation time and intraoperative blood loss in group U were significantly less than those in group B (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in hospitalization stay after operation between the two groups (t=–0.311, P=0.757). During the operation, 1 case in group U and 2 cases in group B had dural tear. No screw placement related nerve injury or asymptomatic lateral root symptoms occurred after operation. The patients were followed up 24 to 38 months, with an average of 32.8 months in group U and 35.5 months in group B. The VAS scores of low back pain and leg pain at 2 days, 3, 6, and 12 months after operation were significantly lower than that before operation in the two groups (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The ODI scores at 3, 6 and 12 months after operation were significantly lower than that before operation in the two groups (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Radiographic examination showed interbody fusion at 12 months after operation in the two groups.ConclusionMIS-TLIF is safe and effective in the treatment of single-segment lumbar spinal stenosis with bilateral decompression via unilateral approach and bilateral decompression via bilateral approaches. Bilateral decompression via unilateral approach takes less operation time and has less intraoperative blood loss.
Objective
To explore the effectiveness of limited small incision with simple Krackow suture in treatment of acute closed Achilles tendon rupture.
Methods
Between October 2013 and July 2016, 25 cases with acute Achilles tendon rupture were repaired by simple Krackow suture via limited small incision. There were 21 males and 4 females with an average age of 33.6 years (range, 25-39 years). The left side was involved in 15 cases and the right side in 10 cases. The injury caused by sport in 22 cases and by falling in 3 cases. The time from injury to operation was 3-7 days (mean, 4.4 days). Physical examination showed that the Thompson sign and single heel raising test were positive.
Results
The operation time was 30-60 minutes with an average of 39.2 minutes. All incisions healed by first intention. There was no complication of wound infection, deep vein thrombosis, tendon re-rupture, and sural nerve injury. All patients were followed up 9-20 months (mean, 14.2 months). The ankle and hindfoot score of American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) was 92-97 (mean, 94.9) after 9 months. The AOFAS score results were excellent in 13 cases, good in 9 cases, and fair in 3 cases. The range of motion of ankle joint was 49-58° with an average of 53.7°. All single heel raising tests were negative.
Conclusion
The method of simple Krackow suture via limited small incision has the advantages of minimal injury, less incidence of re-rupture and sural nerve injury, quicker recovery and so on.
Objective To evaluate the clinical characteristics of end oscopically guided thorough vitrectomy in managing exogenous endophthalmitis with cloudy cornea. Methods The clinical data of 20 patients (20 eyes) suffered from exogenous endophthalmitis with cloudy cornea and underwent endoscopically guided total vitrectomy were retrospectively analyzed. The patients (18 males and 2 females) aged from 5 to 79 years with the average age of 35.9 years. There were 16 post-trauma and 4 post-cataract endophthalmitis. The cornea was cloudy with the visual acuity of not better than counting fingers in all eyes. During the operation, posterior vitreous detachment was induced, vitreous at the base and bands over the ciliary body was removed, and membrane at the anterior or posterior surface of the iris was also removed after lensectomy. The median of the duration of hospita lization to operation was 1.5 days, and the follow-up period was 6～42 months (mean=23 months). Results Positive cultures were obtained in 9 (45%) cases. Seven intraocular foreign bodies were extracted from 6 eyes. Ora serrata was separated at one place in 2 cases, iatrogenic retinal tear at one, two place in 1 case respectively. Vitrectomy and intravitreal injection were underway again in 2 cases respectively after surgery. Ten eyes (50%) retained useful vision (ge;0.05). The visual acuity was decreased, maintained and improved in 1, 3 and 16 eyes, respectively, and 4 cases over than 0.08. Cornea was clear in 11 (55%) eyes after operation; 9 cases with silicon oil in; ocular pressure was slanting low in 2 cases , but more than 5 mm Hg（1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa）; intraocular hypertension in 1 case , controlled by medicine; local and questionable retinal detachment in 1 case respectively, without surgery again. The visual acuity of none of the 9 eyes with silicon oil in was lower than counting fingers, only one eye in 11 eyes without silicon oil in was lower than 0.05 and no eye lost at the end of follow-up. Conclusion Endoscopically guided total vitrectomy is useful, safe and reliable for the management of exogenous endophthalmitis with cloudy cornea in time. （Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2008，24：202-205）
