Intraoperative robotic surgical system-related problems in robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Malfunctions of robotic instruments during robotic surgery are well known to occur; however, detailed reports on the inherent problems associated with robotic instruments and robotic surgical systems are scarce. The objective of this study was to retrospectively investigate the intraoperative problems associated with robotic surgical systems and robotic instruments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective study. Between April 2012 and December 2022, 544 patients with consecutive lung malignancies and/or mediastinal tumors underwent robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Among these, 15 cases had intraoperative problems associated with the robotic surgical system. Human error was defined as a problem caused by the incorrect operation of the robotic surgical system and human factors as problems in which the robotic surgical system stopped owing to damage to the instruments of the robotic surgical system or the self-diagnosis of the robotic surgical system. We retrospectively investigated the causes of intraoperative problems in these cases. RESULTS: There were 4 cases (0.7%) with problems related to the robotic surgical system, 2 of which were human errors, and 11 (2.0%) with problems related to robotic surgical instruments, 6 of these were related to instruments and 5 were related to robotic staplers. Five of these were related to human factors. CONCLUSION: Teams performing robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery should be familiar with the features of robotic surgical systems and various robotic devices, be aware of reported problems during robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, and be prepared for emergencies.

[Improved Surgical Technique for Closing the Tracheocutaneous Fistula].

The tracheocutaneous fistula is a late complication after tracheotomy decannulation, which decreases the quality of life. Though several procedures to close tracheocutaneous fistula were reported, postoperative wound dehiscence was frequently noted. We developed new surgical technique to prevent this complication and report a case in which the technique was successfully applied. This surgical technique is useful simple method to be effective, and safe.

Comparison of different approaches in complete thoracoscopic segmentectomy of lung lower lobe.

Background: Safe and oncologically acceptable segmentectomy outcomes were reported for early-stage lung cancer. The high-resolution computed tomography allowed us to find detailed structures inside the lungs, such as the pulmonary ligaments (PLs). Hence, we have presented the relatively anatomically challenging thoracoscopic segmentectomy, for the resection of the lateral basal segment, the posterior basal segment, and both segments through the PL as a PL approach. This study aimed to retrospectively examine the lung lower lobe segmentectomy, excluding the superior and basal segments (from S7 to S10), using the PL approach as an option to treat the lower lobe tumors of the lung. We then compared the efficacy of the PL approach in terms of safety with the interlobar fissure (IF) approach. The characteristics of the patients, intra- and postoperative complications, and surgical outcomes were analyzed. Methods: Of the 510 patients who underwent segmentectomy for malignant lung tumors from February 2009 to December 2020, 85 were included in this study. Among them, 41 underwent a complete lung lower lobe thoracoscopic segmentectomy, excluding S6 and basal segments (from S7 to S10), using the PL approach, and the remaining 44 used the IF approach. Results: The median age in 41 patients in the PL group was 64.0 years (range, 22-82), and that in 44 patients in the IF group was 66.5 years (range, 44-88), with significant differences in gender between these groups. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery were performed on 37 and 4 patients in the PL group and 43 and 1 patient in the IF group, respectively. Postoperative complication frequency was not significantly different between these groups. The most common complications were the air leaks that persisted for over 7 days in 1 and 5 patients in the PL and IF groups, respectively. Conclusions: Complete thoracoscopic segmentectomy of the lower lobe, excluding S6 and basal segments, using the PL approach is a reasonable option for lung lower lobe tumors compared with the IF approach.

Complete thoracoscopic S9 and/or S10 segmentectomy through a pulmonary ligament approach: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The high resolution of computed tomography has found the pulmonary ligaments that consists of a double serous layer of visceral pleura, forms the intersegmental septum, and enters the lung parenchyma. This study aimed to investigate the clinical feasibility of thoracoscopic segmentectomy (TS) of the lateral basal segment (S9), posterior basal segment (S10), and both through the pulmonary ligament (PL). METHODS: Between February 2009 and November 2021, 542 patients underwent segmentectomy for malignant lung tumors at Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital (Tokyo, Japan). This study included 51 patients. Among them, 40 underwent a complete TS of the S9, S10, or both by the PL approach (PL group), and the remaining 11 by the interlobar fissure approach (IF group). RESULTS: Patients' characteristics did not significantly differ between the two groups. In the PL group, 34 underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), and 6 underwent robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. In the IF group, all 11 underwent VATS. Operation duration, estimated blood loss, and postoperative complication frequency were not significantly different between these groups, but the maximum tumor diameter showed a significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: Complete TS of the S9, S10, and both through the PL is a reasonable option for tumors located in such segments. This approach is a feasible option for performing TS.

[Outcomes of Surgical Cases of Solitary Rib Metastases in Renal Cell Carcinoma].

BACKGROUND: Aggressive surgical treatment for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) bone metastasis has shown good results. METHODS: Since January 1995, four patients underwent surgery at our institution for rib metastasis of operated RCCs. Of these patients, three were male and one was female. The patients had a mean age of 67.5 years. Except one patient who presented with rib metastasis at the time of diagnosis of RCC, the average period of metastasis to the ribs after RCC surgery was 24.3 months. All patients underwent resection of metastasized tumors involving the ribs, with or without chest wall involvement. The clinical features of the surgical treatment for RCC bone metastasis were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The mean time to tumor recurrence was 22.3 months postmetastasectomy. All patients developed other bone metastases and underwent multidisciplinary therapy. After metastasectomy, the four patients survived for 19~93 months. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment for patients with rib metastases of RCC may contribute in prolonging survival.