ObjectiveTo summarize the advantages and disadvantages of different surgical approaches in thyroidectomy using the da Vinci robotic surgical system. MethodThe relevant to articles about da Vinci robotic thyroidectomy via different surgical approaches at home and abroad were retrieved and reviewed. ResultsThe robot-assisted transaxillary thyroidectomy had a definite curative effect and was a mature technology. The bilateral axillary-breast approach thyroidectomy had a wide range of applications and was suitable for beginners. The robotic retroauricular approach thyroidectomy had great advantages in the dissection of lateral cervical lymph nodes. The transoral robotic thyroidectomy was a surgical approach that conformed to the minimally invasive concept. Conclusions Da Vinci robotic thyroidectomy via different surgical approaches has its corresponding application scope and advantages. Clinical surgeons should choose an optimal surgical approach according to the tumor location, size and number of patients and the advantages of the operator, so as to achieve the therapeutic effect of radical cure of tumors and reduction of injury.
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.
Endoscopic and robotic surgeries feature small incision and reducing surgical trauma, and minimized incision scars. However, the oncological safety of their application in breast-conserving surgery and breast reconstruction for breast cancer has always been a focal clinical concern. The breast-conserving surgery and breast reconstruction using the suspension, insufflation, and lipolysis methods could achieve precise tumor resection in the selected patients and under the specific surgical conditions, with the support of appropriate instruments. Meanwhile, the innovative application of the reverse-sequence method and auxiliary port technique has further enhanced surgical efficiency and the precision of tumor resection. Current studies suggest that endoscopic and robotic-assited breast-conserving surgery and breast reconstruction yield in terms of oncological outcomes comparable to those of conventional open breast-conserving surgery, including positive margins, local recurrence, regional recurrence, distant metastasis, and overall survival. These approaches offered advantages in minimally invasive techniques and aesthetic outcomes. However, existing research was limited by short follow-up period and small sample sizes. Future large-scale, long-term prospective randomized controlled trials are needed to further validate their oncological safety and long-term efficacy. These studies could help establish novel techniques as standard surgical approaches for breast cancer, particularly the efficient and streamlined reverse-sequence endoscopic and auxiliary port-assisted techniques.
Objective To present the preliminary clinical experience of robot assisted trans-subxiphoid (extended) thymectomy in patients with thymic neoplasms or myasthenia gravis. Methods A total of 62 patients (34 males and 28 females at an average age of 38±11 years) suffering from thymic neoplasms or myasthenia gravis who underwent robotic (extended) thymectomy via subxiphoid approach were included in our department between August 2016 and August 2017. All of the operation were completed through 4 ports. In details, the observation hole was created just below the xiphoid process, two ports for arm 1 and arm 2 were created below bilateral subcostal arch at the midclavicular line, and trocar for arm 3 was placed in the 5th or 6th intercostal space at the anterior axillary line, respectively. Patients with thymic neoplasms received thymectomy. Patients with myasthenia gravis received extended thymectomy. Results All the patients experienced uneventful operations. The mean operative time was 116.0±34.0 min. The mean intraoperative blood loss was 5.6±4.3 ml. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 4.0±2.2 days. There was no intra-operational massive hemorrhage, mortality, conversion or postoperative complication during the postoperative and follow-up period. Conclusion Robotic trans-subxiphoid thymectomy is safe and feasible, which is a promising technique for extensive application.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of robot-assisted minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) and open freehand TLIF for the treatment of single-level degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DSL) and analyse the influence on postoperative adjacent segmental degeneration (ASD). Methods The clinical data of 116 patients with L4、5 DLS who were admitted between November 2019 and October 2021 and met the selection criteria were retrospectively analyzed. According to the surgical methods, they were divided into the robotic group (45 cases, who underwent robot-assisted MIS-TLIF) and the open group (71 cases, who underwent open freehand TLIF). There was no significant difference in baseline data such as gender, age, body mass index, DLS Meyerding grading, and preoperative Pfirrmann grading, Weishaupt grading, L3, 4 intervertebral disc height (DH), L3, 4 intervertebral mobility, sagittal parameters [including pelvic incidence (PI), lumbar lordosis (LL), sacral slope (SS), pelvic tilt (PT)], and Cage height (P>0.05). The grade of facet joint violation (FJV) by pedicle screws on the superior articular process was assessed postoperatively. Sagittal parameters, L3, 4 DH, L3, 4 DH loss, and L3, 4 intervertebral mobility were measured preoperatively and at last follow-up in order to determine whether ASD occurred. Based on the occurrence of postoperative ASD, logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for ASD after TLIF. Results Patients in both groups were followed up 21-47 months, with a mean of 36.1 months; there was no significant difference in the follow-up time between the two groups (P>0.05). The occurrence of postoperative FJV was significantly better in the robotic group than in the open group (P<0.05). At last follow-up, the difference in the change values of sagittal parameters PI, PT, SS, and LL was not significant when comparing the two groups of patients (P>0.05); the change values of L3, 4 DH and L3, 4 DH loss in the robotic group were smaller than those in the open group, and the change value of L3, 4 intervertebral mobility was larger than that in the open group, and the differences were significant (P<0.05). At last follow-up, ASD occurred in 8 patients (17.8%) in the robotic group and 35 patients (49.3%) in the open group, and the difference in ASD incidence between the two groups was significant (P<0.05). logistic regression analysis showed that open surgery, preoperative Pfirrmann grading Ⅳ-Ⅴ, preoperative Weishaupt grading ≥2, and postoperative FJV grading ≥1 were risk factors for the development of ASD after TLIF (P<0.05). ConclusionCompared with traditional open surgery, orthopedic robot-assisted MIS-TLIF in the treatment of single-level DLS can more accurately insert pedicle screws, reduce the loss of DH and the occurrence of FJV, and effectively reduce the incidence of mid-postoperative ASD. Preoperative disc and synovial joint degeneration in adjacent segments, nonrobotic-assisted minimally invasive therapy, and FJV are risk factors for ASD after TLIF.
In conventional open breast surgery, the surgical trauma is significant and the postoperative scar is often noticeable. Endoscopic and robot-assisted breast surgery is increasingly attracting attention due to the advantages such as smaller incisions, lower complication rate, and improved aesthetic outcomes. However, the lack of natural cavities in the breast has become a primary challenge in establishing and maintaining the necessary surgical space for endoscopic breast surgery. We reviewed the research progress of endoscopic and robot-assisted breast surgery, summarized the the innovations and challenges of existing techniques, and focused on introducing the application value of physical and biological properties of gas and liquid in endoscopic breast surgery.
The technical combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and thoracic surgery is increasingly close, especially in the field of image recognition and pathology diagnosis. Additionally, robotic surgery, as a representative of high-end technology in minimally invasive surgery is flourishing. What progress has been or will be made in robotic surgery in the era of AI? This article aims to summarize the application status of AI in thoracic surgery and progress in robotic surgery, and looks ahead the future.
Objective To explore the effectiveness of reduction robot combined with navigation robot-assisted minimally invasive treatment for Tile type B pelvic fractures. Methods Between January 2022 and February 2023, 10 patients with Tile type B pelvic fractures were admitted. There were 6 males and 4 females with an average age of 45.5 years (range, 30-71 years). The fractures were caused by traffic accident in 5 cases, bruising by heavy object in 3 cases, and falling from height in 2 cases. The interval between injury and operation ranged from 4-13 days (mean, 6.8 days). There were 2 cases of Tile type B1 fractures, 1 case of Tile type B2 fracture, and 7 cases of Tile type B3 fractures. After closed reduction under assistance of reduction robot, the anterior ring was fixed with percutaneous screws with or without internal fixator, and the posterior ring was fixed with sacroiliac joint screws under assistance of navigation robot. The time of fracture reduction assisted by the reduction robot was recorded and the quality of fracture reduction was evaluated according to the Matta scoring criteria. The operation time, intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency and time, intraoperative bleeding volume, and incidence of complications were also recorded. During follow-up, the X-ray film of pelvis was taken to review the fracture healing, and the Majeed score was used to evaluate hip joint function. Results The time of fracture reduction was 42-62 minutes (mean, 52.3 minutes). The quality of fracture reduction according to the Matta scoring criteria was rated as excellent in 4 cases, good in 5 cases, and poor in 1 case, with excellent and good rate of 90%. The operation time was 180-235 minutes (mean, 215.5 minutes). Intraoperative fluoroscopy was performed 18-66 times (mean, 31.8 times). Intraoperative fluoroscopy time was 16-59 seconds (mean, 28.6 seconds). The intraoperative bleeding volume was 50-200 mL (range, 110.0 mL). No significant vascular or nerve injury occurred during operation. All patients were followed up 13-18 months (mean, 16 months). X-ray films showed that all fractures healed with the healing time of 11-14 weeks (mean, 12.3 weeks). One case of ectopic ossification occurred during follow-up. At last follow-up, the Majeed score was 70-92 (mean, 72.7), and the hip joint function was rated as excellent in 2 cases and good in 8 cases, with the excellent and good rate of 100%. Conclusion The reduction robot combined with navigation robot-assisted minimally invasive treatment for Tile type B pelvic fractures has the characteristics of intelligence, high safety, convenient operation, and minimally invasive treatment, which can achieve reliable effectiveness.
Objective To review the research progress related to endoscopic surgery and robotic surgery for breast diseases, aiming to provide references for clinical practice. Methods The recent domestic and international literature on endoscopic surgery and robotic surgery for breast diseases was reviewed, then the challenges in their development, the innovative evolution of endoscopic surgery combined with clinical practice by our team, and its clinical applications were summarized. ResultsTraditional endoscopic surgery, despite its advantages such as minimal invasiveness, good cosmetic outcomes, and high patient’s satisfaction, has been limited in its development due to specific difficulties in establishing the operative field. Our team innovatively proposed the “reverse sequence method” and the Huaxi Hole 1 theory and methods, cleverly altering the surgical procedure sequence, adding small operative orifices to transform single-port operations into multi-port ones, effectively overcoming the challenges restricting the advancement of endoscopic surgery in the field of breast diseases, thereby enabling further proliferation of endoscopic procedures. In terms of breast endoscopic reconstruction surgery, the parachute patch technique has broadened the indications for reconstruction surgery, benefiting patients with a certain degree of breast ptosis; and the postoperative adjustment concept, through early intervention in the post-reconstruction breast shape, has further refined the reconstruction procedure. Robot-assisted surgery derived from endoscopic surgery theory has further enhanced the precision and stability of surgeries, reducing surgical risks; however, excessive time and economic costs are urgent issues that must be addressed. Conclusion Through theoretical innovations, endoscopic surgery has been applied in the excision and reconstruction of breast lesions, while robotic surgery shows promising applications in autologous breast reconstruction, especially in the latissimus dorsi reconstruction field. Nevertheless, the lack of high-level large-sample, multi-center randomized controlled clinical trials to confirm its surgical safety, oncological safety, and postoperative cosmetic outcomes is an important direction for future research.
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.