Objective To explore effectiveness of TiRobot-assisted screw implantation in the treatment of coracoid process fractures of the scapula. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data from 24 patients with coracoid process fractures of the scapula admitted between September 2019 and January 2024 and met selection criteria. Among them, 12 patients underwent TiRobot-assisted screw implantation (robot group) and 12 underwent manual screw implantation (control group) during internal fixation. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in baseline data such as gender, age, body mass index, disease duration, cause of injury, coracoid process fracture classification, and proportion of patients with associated injuries between the two groups. The incision length, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, accuracy of screw placement, coracoid process fracture healing time, and complications were recorded and compared, as well as pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and Constant-Murley score at last follow-up. ResultsThe intraoperative blood loss and incision length in the robot group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05); however, there was no significant difference in operation time and hospital stay between the two groups (P>0.05). All patients were followed up 8-27 months (mean, 17.5 months), and the difference in follow-up time between the two groups was not significant (P>0.05). At last follow-up, the VAS score for shoulder pain in the robot group was signifncatly lower compared to the control group, and the Constant-Murley score was significantly higher (P<0.05). In the robot group, 16 screws were implanted intraoperatively, while 13 screws were implanted in the control group. Radiographic re-evaluation showed that the excellent and good rate of screw implantation was higher in the robot group (93.8%, 15/16) than in the control group (61.5%, 8/13), but the difference in the precision of screw implantation between the two groups was not significant (P>0.05). Four patients in the robot group and 1 in the control group achieved double screws fixation; however, the difference in achieving double screws fixation between the two groups was not significant (P>0.05). All fractures healed in both groups with 1 case of malunion in the control group. There was no significant difference in healing time between the two groups (P>0.05). During follow-up, 1 patient in the control group experienced screw loosening and displacement. There was no significant difference in the incidence of screw loosening and fracture malunion between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Compared with manual screw implantation, TiRobot-assisted minimally invasive treatment of coracoid process fractures of the scapula can reduce intraoperative blood loss, shorten incision length, alleviate pain, and obtain better promote shoulder joint functional recovery.
ObjectiveTo summarize the experience of minimally invasive anterior mediastinal tumor resection in our center, and compare the Da Vinci robotic and video-assisted thoracoscopic approaches in the treatment of mediastinal tumor.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted to continuously enroll 102 patients who underwent minimally invasive mediastinal tumor resection between September 2014 and November 2019 by the single medical group in our department. They were divided into two groups: a robotic group (n=47, 23 males and 24 females, average age of 52 years) and a thoracoscopic group (n=55, 29 males and 26 females, average age of 53 years). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative thoracic drainage volume, postoperative thoracic drainage time, postoperative hospital stay, hospitalization expense and other clinical data of two groups were compared and analyzed.ResultsAll the patients successfully completed the surgery and recovered from hospital, with no perioperative death. Myasthenia gravis occurred in 4 patients of the robotic group and 5 of the thoracoscopic group. The tumor size was 2.5 (0.8-8.7) cm in the robotic group and 3.0 (0.8-7.7) cm in the thoracoscopic group. Operation time was 62 (30-132) min in the robotic group and 60 (29-118) min in the thoracoscopic group. Intraoperative bleeding volume was 20 (2-50) mL in the robotic group and 20 (5-100) mL in the thoracoscopic group. The postoperative drainage volume was 240 (20-14 130) mL in the robotic group and 295 (20-1 070) mL in the thoracoscopic group. The postoperative drainage time was 2 (1-15) days in the robotic group and 2 (1-5) days in the thoracoscopic group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the above parameters and postoperative complications (P>0.05). The postoperative hospital stay were 3 (2-18) days in the robotic group and 4 (2-14) in the thoracoscopic group (P=0.014). The hospitalization cost was 67 489(26 486-89 570) yuan in the robotic group and 27 917 (16 817-67 603) yuan in the thoracoscopic group (P=0.000).ConclusionCompared with the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, Da Vinci robot-assisted surgery owns the same efficacy and safety in the treatment of mediastinal tumor, with shorter postoperative hospital stay, but higher cost.
Objective To explore the technique of performing minimally invasive Cox Maze Ⅳ procedure by bipolar clamp through right lateral minithoracotomy for atrial septal defect (ASD) combined with atrial fibrillation (AF) in adults. Methods Thirty-five patients (21 males, 14 females with age ranging from 45 to 73 years) with ASD and persistent or long-standing persistent AF received minimally invasive Cox Maze Ⅳ procedure and ASD closure from August 2012 to April 2016 at Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Xinhua Hospital. Diameter of left atrium ranged from 39 to 60 mm and left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) ranged from 48% to 62%. Diameter of ASD ranged from 20 to 35 mm. Cox-maze Ⅳ procedure was performed through right minithoracotomy entirely by bipolar radiofrequency clamp. Then, mitral or tricuspid valvuloplasty and surgical ASD closure was performed through right minithoracotomy. Results All patients successfully underwent this minimally invasive surgery. No patient needed conversion to sternotomy. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 120.1±14.1 min. The mean aortic cross-clamp time was 79.5±12.2 min. There was no early death or pacemaker implantation perioperatively. The average length of hospital stay was 10.1±2.7 d. At a mean follow-up of 22.8±12.2 months, sinus rhythm was restored in 32 patients (32/35, 91.4%). Cumulative maintenance of normal sinus rhythm without AF recurrence at 2 years postoperatively was 89.1%±6.0%. Conclusion The minimally invasive Cox Maze Ⅳprocedure performed by bipolar clamp through right minithoracotomy is safe, feasible, and effective for adult patients with ASD combined with AF.
Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of minimally invasive mitral valvuloplasty (MVP) in the treatment of infective endocarditis (IE) with mitral regurgitation (MR). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients who underwent MVP for IE with MR in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from January 2016 to December 2020. Patients were divided into two groups based on the surgical incision: those with a right mini-thoracotomy were classified as a minimally invasive surgery (MIS) group, and those with a median sternotomy were classified as a median sternotomy (MS) group. All patients had isolated mitral valve involvement. Perioperative data were analyzed, and mid- to long-term outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 86 patients were included, with 40 in the MIS group (22 males and 18 females, with a mean age of 39±15 years ranging from 8 to 71 years) and 46 in the MS group (27 males and 19 females, with a mean age of 49±16 years ranging from 14 to 71 years). The patients in the MIS group were relatively younger (P=0.004) with better preoperative cardiac function (P=0.004). There was no statistical difference in preoperative fever, gender, or comorbidities between the two groups (P>0.05). The MIS group had shorter postoperative ventilation times, less postoperative 24-hour drainage, less blood transfusion, and shorter total hospital stays compared to the MS group (P=0.001, 0.018, 0.005, 0.005). There was no statistical difference in cardiopulmonary bypass times or ICU stays between the two groups (P>0.05). The perioperative complication rates and mortality rates were not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05). Follow-up was conducted for 11-92 months, with a mean duration of 49±19 months and an overall follow-up rate of 91.6%. During the follow-up, 3 patients in each group required reoperation for mitral valve issues, with no statistical difference in incidence (7.5% vs. 6.5%, P=0.691). There were no warfarin-related complications, recurrences, or deaths in either group during follow-up. Multivariate regression analysis identified age, preoperative cardiac function, and surgeon experience as influencing factors for the choice of surgical approach. Conclusion Minimally invasive MVP for IE with MR is relatively safe in the perioperative period and shows significant efficacy, with clear mid- to long-term outcomes. It is recommended for younger patients with better preoperative cardiac function and when performed by surgeons with extensive experience in mitral valvuloplasty.
Objective To evaluate the application of the Huaxi Intelligent Endoscopic Skill Training and Assessment System in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) skills training and provide insights for optimizing MIS training models, we analyzed trainee performance during training and assessment. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the use of this system across 28 medical institutions from January 2022 to January 2025. Results By January 2025, the standardized deployment of 139 simulation units had been completed. A total of 403 trainees from various surgical specialties, including thoracic surgery and general surgery, participated in five customized endoscopic skill training modules: endoscopic recognition, grasping training, positioning and placement, cutting training, and suturing training. Throughout the training period, a total of 78 participants took part in 27 formal assessments. Correlation analysis based on Spearman showed that pre-assessment training pass rates were significantly correlated with final assessment scores, indicating enhancing the quality of each training module and overall training efficacy is a key to improving the effectiveness of MIS training. Conclusion The Huaxi Intelligent Endoscopic Skill Training and Assessment System effectively supports MIS training and evaluation.
Since the advent of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), it has been one of the main ways to treat coronary heart disease. However, compared with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), it causes more trauma, complications and pain which discourage many patients. Recently, minimally invasive CABG has gradually become one of the main choices in some medical centers with the progress of technology and the development of surgical instruments. Compared with traditional CABG, minimally invasive CABG has the advantages of less trauma, less pain, faster recovery, lower perioperative mortality and less demand for blood transfusion. In this paper, we will mainly focus on the current stage and prospect of minimally invasive CABG.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility and clinical value of robot-assisted lung segmentectomy through anterior approach.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 77 patients who underwent robotic lung segmentectomy through anterior approach in our hospital between June 2018 to October 2019. There were 22 males and 55 females, aged 53 (30-71) years. Patients' symptoms, general conditions, preoperative imaging data, distribution of resected lung segments, operation time, bleeding volume, number of lymph node dissected, postoperative duration of chest tube insertion, drainage volume, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative complications, perioperative death and other indicators were analyzed.ResultsAll operations were successfully completed. There was no conversion to thoracotomy, serious complications or perioperative death. The postoperative pathology revealed early lung cancer in 48 patients, and benign tumors in 29 patients. The mean clinical parameters were following: the robot Docking time 1-30 (M=4) min, the operation time 30-170 (M=76) min, the blood loss 20-400 (M=30) mL, the drainage tube time 2-15 (M=4) days, the drainage fluid volume 200-3 980 (M=780) mL and the postoperative hospital time 3-19 (M=7) days.ConclusionRobotic lung segmentectomy through anterior approach is a safe and convenient operation method for pulmonary nodules.
Objective To review the progress in the treatment of acute Achilles tendon rupture. Methods Recent literature about the treatment of acute Achilles tendon rupture was reviewed and analyzed. Results Treatments of acute Achilles tendon rupture include operative and non-operative treatments. Operative treatments include open surgery and percutaneous minimally invasive surgery. Compared with non-operative treatment, operative treatment can effectively reduce the re-rupture incidence, but it had higher complication incidences of wound infection and nerve injury. Although early functional rehabilitation during non-operative treatment could reduce the re-rupture incidence, there is no consistent orthopaedic device and guideline for functional rehabilitation. Conclusion Both operative and non-operative treatments have advantages and disadvantages for the treatment of acute Achilles tendon rupture. No consistent conclusion is arrived regarding functional recovery. Future studies should explore the strategy of early functional rehabilitation during non-operative treatment and its mechanism of promoting tendon healing.
Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is currently mainly used for the treatment of early thymic tumors. In recent years, minimally invasive thymic surgery has been rapidly promoted at home and abroad. However, because of the low incidence of thymic tumors, the unbalanced experience of doctors, there are still many issues worthy of discussion in MIS. Standard MIS must follow similar oncological and resection principles. This paper involves the definitions of minimally invasive thymic surgery and general principles that should be adhered to when performing MIS for thymic malignances.
ObjectiveTo understand the psychological pressure when the surgeon-in-chief remotely completes animal surgery using home-made Tumai surgical robot in combination with 5G network (Abbreviated as“remote robotic surgery” ), and investigate and analyze the sources of psychological pressure, and then provide evidence guidance for the training of surgeon in performing remote robotic surgery. MethodsA modified perceptual stress scale was used to conduct a questionnaire survey. The 44 surgeons-in-chief with robot operation qualification from 10 medical units in the Gansu Province recruited by Gansu Provincial People’s Hospital were as observation subject, who participated in the psychological stress validation test of remote robotic surgery, from September 4, 2022 to October 10, 2022. The difference of psychological stress before and after the test was compared. The stressor of surgeon-in-chief was analyzed by Likert scale. The animals in this study were swines. ResultsA total of 132 valid questionnaires were obtained from 44 surgeons-in-chief. The surgical physician’s perceived stress score after the test was statistically higher than before the test [(47.50±9.06) points vs. (38.34±5.55) points, mean difference and its 95% confidence interval=9.61 (7.00, 12.27), t=7.42, P<0.001]. The analysis results of multiple linear regression showed that the number of robotic surgery performed by the surgeon-in-chief in the past had a negative impact on the psychological pressure of the surgeon-in-chief after the test (β=–0.292, P=0.042); At the same time, the subjective perception data of the surgeon-in-chief, such as unstability of signal transmission and unskilled equipment manipulation by the surgeon had positive impacts on the psychological pressure of the surgeon-in-chief after the test (β=1.987, P=0.026; β=3.184, P=0.010), and the tacit understanding between the surgeon-in-chief and the first assistant had a negative impact on the psychological pressure of the surgeon-in-chief after the test (β=–2.185, P=0.047). ConclusionsAccording to the data from this study, remote robotic surgery will increase the psychological pressure of the surgeon-in-chief. Previous experience in robotic surgery can reduce psychological stress after surgery. The main sources of psychological pressure are unstability of signal transmission, unskilled equipment manipulation by the surgeon, and the tacit understanding between the surgeon-in-chief and the first assistant.