Objective To investigate the learning curve for da Vinci robot-assisted mediastinal tumor resection (DRMTR). Methods A total of 50 consecutive patients received DRMTR between March 2011 and September 2012 in our hospital. Clinical data of the 50 patients were collected and analyzed. There were 23 males, 27 females aged 46.9(17–80) years. The learning curve was evaluated by using the cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis. Results The mean operation time was 124.6 min. The CUSUM learning curve was best modeled as a third-order polynomial curve with the equation: CUSUM=0.046×case-number3–4.681×case-number2+127.508×case-number–237.940, which had a highR2 value of 0.868. The fitting curve reached the top after the 19th case, which suggested that the surgeons master the technique after they finished 19 cases. As a cut-off point, the 19th case divided the learning curve into two phases, in which there was statistical diffference in operation time (P<0.01), intraoperative blood loss (P<0.01), the postoperative duration of chest tube drainage (P<0.01 ) and the rate of postoperative complications (P<0.05 ). Conclusion The DRMTR identified by CUSUM analysis represents two characteristic stages of DRMTR: the learning stage and the mastery stage. It is suggested from our data that the surgeons need finish about 19 cases to master DRMTR.
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 evaluate the feasibility and safety of da Vinci robotic surgery for elderly patients with pulmonary lobectomy. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 50 patients in General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region of Thoracic Surgery between May 2012 and March 2015.The patients were divided into two groups. Twenty five patients aged over 70 years underwent radical operation of lung cancer with da Vinci Robot System were allocated into a robot group with 17 males and 8 females at age of 72.6 ±2.5 years. Another 25 senile patients with radical surgery by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) were allocated into a thoracoscopic group with 17 males and 8 females at age of 72.5±2.4 years. The patients in the two groups underwent pulmonary lobectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection. The clinical effect of the two groups was compared. ResultsAll patients were diagnosed as lung cancer. Twenty five patients all completed surgery under da Vinci Robot System in the robot group. In the thoracoscopic group, one patient was converted to thoracotomy. There were statistical differences in amount of blood loss (66.2±44.2 ml vs. 356.0±349.2 ml, P=0.000), lymph node number (23.2±9.8 vs. 11.3±5.6, P=0.012), and postoperative bed time (3.5±0.9 d vs. 4.2±1.1 d, P=0.017) between the two groups. Effect in the robot group was superior to that in the thoracoscopic group. ConclusionDa Vinci robotic surgery system for elderly patients with lung cancer radical surgery is safe, effective, and less thoracoscopic surgery trauma, recovery faster.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of pressure control ventilation-volume guaranteed (PCV-VG) for patients undergoing da Vinci robotic-assisted pulmonary lobotomy. MethodA total of 40 patients undergoing Da Vinci robotic-assisted pulmonary lobotomy were randomly divided into two groups:a PCV-VG group (G group) and a volume-controlled ventilation (VCV) group (V group). There were 20 patients in each group with 13 males and 7 females at age of 49.0±5.5 years in the G group, 16 males and 4 females at age of 51.0±3.9 years in the V group. Haemodynamics indexes and oxygenation parameters were recorded at different times and compared between the two groups. ResultsDuring one-lung ventilation (OLV) period, the peak inspiratory pressure (Ppeak), respiratory index (RI) and arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) in the G group were statistically lower than those in the V group (P<0.05). While the Cdyn and inspired oxygen fraction(OI) were higher in the G group than those in the V group (P<0.05). ConclusionCompared with the traditional VCV ventilation mode, the PCV-VG ventilation mode improves Ppeak, Cdyn, OI, and RI of the patients undergoing da Vinci robotic-assisted pulmonary lobotomy.
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.
ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility and advantage of the da Vinci S Surgical System in operation of the mediastinal tumor without chest tube. MethodsFrom March 2011 up to March 2015, 39 patients in our hospital with mediastinal tumor underwent resection without a chest tube by da Vinci System were as a no chest tube group with 24 males and 15 females at age of 47.28 (18-73) years. In the same period, 50 patients with mediastinal cyst underwent resection with a chest tube insertion by da Vinci System were as a chest tube group with 25 males and 25 females at age of 49.24 (22-82) years. Clinical data of the two groups were collected and compared. ResultThere were statistical differences in mean operative time (61.97±16.41min vs. 79.90±33.19 min, P=0.003), time of ICU stay (1.23±0.48 d vs. 2.16±0.82 d, P=0.000), time of postoperative hospitalization (3.77±1.16 d vs. 5.62±2.22 d, P=0.000), and visual analogue scale (VAS) score (3.05±1.76 vs. 4.54±1.83). The clinical results in the no chest tube group were better than those in the chest tube group. All the procedures were successfully completed by da Vinci System in all the patients without conversions and any compilcation. ConclusionIt's safe and beneficial for patients without a chest tube after a mediastinal tumor resection with da Vinci S Surgical System with shorter hospital stay.