ObjectiveTo explore the safety and feasibility of 3D precise localization based on anatomical markers in the treatment of pulmonary nodules during video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).MethodsFrom June 2019 to April 2015, 27 patients with pulmonary nodules underwent VATS in our Hospital were collected in the study, including 3 males and 24 females aged 51.8±13.7 years. The surgical data were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed, such as localization time, localization accuracy rate, pathological results, complication rate and postoperative hospital stay.ResultsA total of 28 pulmonary nodules were localized via this method. All patients received surgery successfully. No mortality or major morbidity occurred. The general mean localization time was 17.6±5.8 min, with an accuracy of 96.4%. The mean diameter of pulmonary nodules was 14.0±8.0 mm with a mean distance from visceral pleura of 6.5±5.4 mm. There was no localization related complication. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 6.7±4.3 d. The routine pathological result showed that 78.6% of the pulmonary nodules were adenocarcinoma.Conclusion3D precise localization based on anatomical markers in the treatment of pulmonary nodules during thoracoscopic surgery is accurate, safe, effective, economical and practical, and it is easy to master with a short learning curve.
ObjectiveTo investigate the perioperative safety of patients with myasthenia gravis who take high doses of oral corticosteroids. MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with myasthenia gravis who received oral corticosteroids and underwent thoracoscopic thymectomy at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital from April 2013 to October 2019. Patients were divided into a high-dose steroid group and a medium-to-low dose steroid group based on the dosage of oral steroids, and the clinical data of the two groups were compared. ResultsA total of 102 patients were included, including 19 (18.62%) males and 83 (81.37%) females, with an average age of (32.25±9.83) years. All patients in both groups successfully completed the surgery without major intraoperative bleeding, conversion to open chest surgery, delayed extubation, severe infection, or perioperative death. The daily oral steroid dose for the high-dose steroid group was (35.81±4.29) mg, and for the medium-to-low dose steroid group it was (15.29±2.17) mg. There was no statistical difference in the operation time [(124.69±23.51) min vs. (117.89±21.46) min, P=0.172] and intraoperative blood loss [(21.19±3.48) mL vs. (20.56±3.41) mL, P=0.419] between the two groups. Postoperatively, 12 (11.76%) patients developed complications: one patient of myasthenic crisis (medium-to-low dose steroid group), which was improved after short-term respiratory support and intravenous immunoglobulin treatment; 11 patients of respiratory/swallowing difficulties (9 in the low-dose steroid group and 2 in the high-dose steroid group), which were improved after anticholinergic treatment to reduce oral secretions and sputum suction, and the patients were discharged smoothly. There was no statistical difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups (P=0.637). ConclusionOn the basis of good perioperative management, it is safe and feasible for patients with myasthenia gravis who take high dose of oral steroids to undergo thymectomy, and they have the same perioperative safety as patients with medium-to-low dose steroids.
ObjectiveTo assess the feasibility and safety of ultra-micro 5 mm single-port endoscopic thoracic sympathicotomy in selected patients with primary palmar hyperhidrosis. MethodsFrom March 1, 2018 to February 1, 2021, 90 patients with primary palmar hyperhidrosis who underwent ultra-micro 5 mm single-port endoscopic thoracic sympathicotomy at the Thoracic Surgery Department of the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital. There were 47 males and 43 females, with a median age of 26.0 (22.0, 31.0) years. During the operation, T3 and/or T4 thoracic sympathetic nerve chain was transected using an ultra-micro 5 mm single-port incision near the areola or under the axilla. The surgical data of the patients were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Results All patients successfully completed the operation without major bleeding during the operation and no conversion to thoracotomy. There was no death or serious complication during the perioperative period. The operation time was 43.0 (23.0, 60.0) min, and the intraoperative blood loss was 2.0 (1.0, 2.0) mL. In the perioperative period, only one patient needed a tiny chest tube indwelling. The symptoms of hyperhidrosis on the hands all disappeared after the operation. The pain score on the postoperative day was 2.0 (2.0, 2.0) points. The hospital stay after surgery was 1.0 (1.0, 1.0) d. In the first month after the operation, the symptoms of hyperhidrosis on the hands were significantly relieved compared with those before the operation. The surgical incisions healed well, the wounds were concealed, and there was no wound infection or poor healing. The patients' satisfaction with the surgical incisions was 100.0%. After the operation, 14 (15.6%) patients had mild compensatory hyperhidrosis, 5 (5.6%) patients had moderate compensatory hyperhidrosis, and no patient had severe compensatory hyperhidrosis. Overall satisfaction rate was 94.0%. Conclusion The clinical application of ultra-micro 5 mmsingle-port endoscopic thoracic sympathicotomy in selected patients with primary palmar hyperhidrosis is safe and feasible. The surgical wound is extremely small and hidden, the operation time is short, the pain is very slight, and the clinical outcome is good. It can fully meet the patients' pursuit of beauty.