Expansion of thyroid surgical territory through 10,000 cases under the da Vinci robotic knife.

With the progress of robotic transaxillary thyroid surgery (RTTS), the indications for this procedure have gradually expanded. This study presents the insights gained from performing 10,000 RTTS cases at a single institution, along with the expansion of indications over time. RTTS was performed on 10,000 patients using the da Vinci robot system between October 2007 and April 2023 at the Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea. Among 10,000 patients, 9461 (94.0%) were diagnosed with thyroid cancer, whereas 539 (5.4%) had either a benign thyroid nodule or Graves' disease. Surgical procedures were performed using four-arm-based robots (da Vinci S, Si, or Xi) for 8408 cases (84.1%), with the remaining 1592 cases (15.9%) being performed using the da Vinci SP surgical robotic system. Notably, for 53 patients with nodules ≥ 5 cm, which were not included in the eligibility criteria of the previous study, RTTS was performed safely without significant complications. The most common postoperative complication was transient hypoparathyroidism (37.91%), and recurrence occurred in 100 patients with thyroid cancer (1.1%). In conclusion, RTTS appears safe and feasible from both surgical and oncological perspectives, and the spectrum of indications suitable for RTTS surgery is progressively expanding.

Safety and learning curve analysis of robotic-assisted pancreaticoduodenectomy: experience of a single surgeon.

Although prior studies have discussed learning curves (LC) of robotic-assisted pancreaticoduodenectomy (RPD), a recognized definition is lacking. This study analyzed the clinical outcomes of 85 consecutive RPD cases performed by a single surgeon to evaluate the safety and learning curve of RPD using the da Vinci Xi robotic system. There were 51 male and 34 female patients, with a median age of 64 (20-87) years. The average preoperative body weight and BMI were 64.15 ± 11.43 kg and 23.36 ± 3.33 kg/m2, respectively. The clinical outcomes of each patient were analyzed using the textbook outcome(TO), and the learning curve of the RPD was evaluated by calculating the TO rate of patients using the cumulative sum analysis method (CUSUM).The operation time (OT) was 288.92 ± 44.41 min, and the postoperative hospital stay was 10 (1-134) days. In total, 23.52% (20/85), 5.88% (5/85), 2.35% (2/85), and 5.9% (5/85) experienced grade IIIa, IIIb, IV, and V complications. A total of 46 patients achieved TO outcomes (TO group), while 39 did not (non-TO group). The smoking rate in the TO group was lower (P < 0.05) and the albumin level was higher (P < 0.05) than that in the non-TO group. The TO rate became positive after the 56th case, all patients were divided into a learning improvement group (56 cases) and a proficient group (29 cases). The total bilirubin level in the learning improvement group was lower (P < 0.05) and the bleeding volume was higher (P < 0.05).RPD is safe and effective for carefully selected patients. The learning curve was completed after 56 patients.

Diagnosis and treatment of high-risk bilateral lung ground-glass opacity nodules.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the detection rate of Ground Glass Opacity (GGO) nodules through high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). GGO is an imaging finding that encompasses various pathological types, some of which exhibit indolent growth, while others may represent early lung cancer or remain relatively stable, not significantly impacting the surgical treatment outcome. In clinical practice, patients often experience psychological anxiety when multiple pulmonary GGO nodules are present, and they may request simultaneous resection. However, there is currently no standardized criterion for determining when multiple GGO nodules should be resected. As personalized medicine continues to advance, the treatment approach for multiple pulmonary GGO nodules needs to prioritize accuracy. High-risk factors associated with multiple pulmonary GGO nodules may necessitate surgical intervention along with mediastinal lymph node dissection or sampling. This article provides a review of the characteristics, treatment methods, and clinical experiences related to multiple pulmonary GGO nodules, offering practical insights and guidance for healthcare professionals.

A study on the appropriate dose of rocuronium for intraoperative neuromonitoring in Da Vinci robot thyroid surgery: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.

Background: This study was to explore the effect of different doses of rocuronium bromide on neuromonitoring during Da Vinci robot thyroid surgery. Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial that included 189 patients who underwent Da Vinci robot thyroidectomy with intraoperative neuromonitoring(IONM). Patients were randomly divided into three groups and given three different doses of rocuronium (0.3mg/kg, 0.6mg/kg, 0.9mg/kg). Outcome measurements included IONM evoked potential, postoperative Voice Handicap Index-30(VHI-30), intraoperative body movement incidence rate, Cooper score, and hemodynamic changes during anesthesia induction.Results: The difference in IONM evoked potentials at various time points between the three groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The difference in Cooper scores and intraoperative body movement incidence rate between 0.6 and 0.9mg/kg groups was statistically significant compared with the 0.3mg/kg group (both P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in VHI-30 score and hemodynamic changes during anesthesia induction among the three groups (both P>0.05). Conclusions: For patients undergoing Da Vinci robot thyroidectomy, a single dose of rocuronium at 0.6 and 0.9mg/kg during anesthesia induction can provide stable IONM evoked potential. Additionally, compared to 0.3 mg/kg, it can offer better tracheal intubation conditions and lower incidence of body movements during surgery. It is worth noting that the use of higher doses of rocuronium should be adjusted based on the duration of IONM and local practices.

Surgical and Quality of Life Outcomes Following Robotic-Assisted (da Vinci) Laparoscopic Repair of Vesicovaginal Fistula: A Case Report and Video Demonstration.

This report presents the case of a 63-year-old woman who developed a vesicovaginal fistula as a complication of a previous total hysterectomy. The fistula was treated with the use of the da Vinci X surgical system by a multi-disciplinary operating team, including senior Robotic Urological and Gynecological Surgeons at St. Luke's Hospital in Thessaloniki, Greece. The patient was monitored up to 12 months post-op at the time of writing and she was asked to evaluate post-op quality of life using the SF-36 and ICIQ-SF-UI questionnaires. The robotic surgical procedure was completed successfully. The total operation duration was 105 minutes, without any intra-operative complications. The patient was hospitalized for two days and made a swift, uneventful recovery. Regarding the quality of life, the patient reported satisfactory improvement in almost every domain assessed compared to her pre-op assessment; an improvement that was maintained throughout the reported follow-up period. At the time of writing, the patient reports no long-term complications and satisfactory urinary continence. Robotic-assisted laparoscopic vesicovaginal fistula repair is an effective and safe treatment option for this rare complication, as indicated by both post-operative data and the patient's own self-evaluation in this report. Further research is warranted, focusing on refining the surgical technique and comparing this to other alternative methods aiming to further improve patient outcomes.

Assisted Da Vinci robotic surgery combined with 3D printing technology applied in septal myectomy.

Generally, the standard surgical route of Morrow begins with the incision of median sternal, which leads to more trauma, pains and discomforts to patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). It is more difficult and rough to perform the competed resection of hypertrophic myocardium due to complicated anatomical morphology of left ventricular outflow tract and limited visual field of left ventricle during surgery. As the novel surgical strategy, firstly, under the guiding of 3D printing technology, the platform of effective preoperative evaluation focusing on how to resect the hypertrophic myocardium is established. Then, combined with assisted Da Vinci robotic surgery system, the outcome of patient with HOCM is positive and promised.

Robotics and cybersurgery in ophthalmology: a current perspective.

Ophthalmology is one of the most enriched fields, allowing the domain of artificial intelligence to be part of its point of interest in scientific research. The requirement of specialized microscopes and visualization systems presents a challenge to adapting robotics in ocular surgery. Cyber-surgery has been used in other surgical specialties aided by Da Vinci robotic system. This study focuses on the current perspective of using robotics and cyber-surgery in ophthalmology and highlights factors limiting their progression. A review of literature was performed with the aid of Google Scholar, Pubmed, CINAHL, MEDLINE (N.H.S. Evidence), Cochrane, AMed, EMBASE, PsychINFO, SCOPUS, and Web of Science. Keywords: Cybersurgery, Telesurgery, ophthalmology robotics, Da Vinci robotic system, artificial intelligence in ophthalmology, training on robotic surgery, ethics of the use of robots in medicine, legal aspects, and economics of cybersurgery and robotics. 150 abstracts were reviewed for inclusion, and 68 articles focusing on ophthalmology were included for full-text review. Da Vinci Surgical System has been used to perform a pterygium repair in humans and was successful in ex vivo corneal, strabismus, amniotic membrane, and cataract surgery. Gamma Knife enabled effective treatment of uveal melanoma. Robotics used in ophthalmology were: Da Vinci Surgical System, Intraocular Robotic Interventional Surgical System (IRISS), Johns Hopkins Steady-Hand Eye Robot and smart instruments, and Preceyes' B.V. Cybersurgery is an alternative to overcome distance and the shortage of surgeons. However, cost, availability, legislation, and ethics are factors limiting the progression of these fields. Robotic and cybersurgery in ophthalmology are still in their niche. Cost-effective studies are needed to overcome the delay. Technologies, such as 5G and Tactile Internet, are required to help reduce resource scheduling problems in cybersurgery. In addition, prototype development and the integration of artificial intelligence applications could further enhance the safety and precision of ocular surgery.

Da-vinci robot-assisted surgery vs laparoscopic repair for the treatment of hiatal hernia repair / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective:To compare Da-vinci robotic surgical system with laparoscopic surgery for the repair of hiatal hernia.Methods:The clinical data of 115 patients undergoing minimally invasive Nissen fundoplication at the Department of Hernia and Abdominal Wall Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital,Xuzhou Medical University from Dec 2019 to May 2022 were retrospectively studied. After propensity score matching (PSM), 46 cases in each group were included:Robot-assisted surgery (RS group) and laparoscopic surgery (LS group). Postoperative complications were collected and GERD Questionnaire (GERDQ) were used as the standard in evaluation of the results.Results:Patients in RS group had less intraoperative bleeding ( P<0.001), shorter postoperative gastrointestinal recovery time ( P<0.001), and shorter postoperative hospital stay ( P=0.002). The LS group had a shorter operative time ( P<0.001) and lower total hospital cost ( P<0.001). GERD-Q scores decreased significantly in both groups at 3 and 6 months postoperatively compared with preoperative scores ( P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of postoperative complications ( P>0.05). No recurrence was seen in both groups during postoperative follow-up. Conclusion:Da-vinci robot-assisted repair of hiatal hernia is as safe and feasible as laparoscopic procedures, with less intraoperative trauma and quicker, earlier recovery.

Analysis of the efficacy of the da Vinci robot in surgery for posterior mediastinal neurogenic tumors.

BACKGROUND: The present research is designed to evaluate the short-term outcome of robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) for the treatment of posterior mediastinal neurogenic tumors. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed clinical data on 39 consecutive patients with mediastinal neurogenic tumors after RATS treatment completed by the same operator in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Gansu Provincial People's Hospital from January 2016 to September 2022. There were 22 males and 17 females with a mean age of (35.1 ± 6.9) years in this analysis report. The tumors of the patients were localized and evaluated preoperatively using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or enhanced CT. RESULTS: All 39 patients successfully underwent the resection of posterior mediastinal neurogenic tumors under RATS, and no conversion to thoracotomy occurred during the operations. The average operative time was (62.1 ± 17.2) min, the average docking time was (10.1 ± 2.5) min, the average intraoperative bleeding was (32.8 ± 19.5) ml, the average 24-h postoperative chest drainage was (67.4 ± 27.9) ml, the average postoperative chest drainage time was (2.2 ± 1.3) days and the average post-operative hospital stay was (3.2 ± 1.3) days. Postoperative complications occurred in 3 patients, including 2 patients with transient Horner's syndrome after surgery and 1 patient with transient anhidrosis of the affected upper limb after surgery. CONCLUSION: RATS for posterior mediastinal neurogenic tumors is safe, effective, feasible and bring the superiority of robotic surgical system into full play.

Performing robot-assisted pylorus and vagus nerve-preserving gastrectomy for early gastric cancer: A case series of initial experience.

BACKGROUND: Pylorus and vagus nerve-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) is a function-preserving surgery for early gastric cancer (GC) that has gained considerable interest in the recent years. The operative technique performed using the Da Vinci Xi robot system is considered ideal for open and laparoscopic surgery. AIM: To introduce Da Vinci Xi robot-assisted PPG (RAPPG)-based operative procedure and technical points as well as report the initial experience based on the clinical pathology data of eight cases of early GC. METHODS: Da Vinci Xi robot-assisted pylorus and vagus nerve-preserving gastrectomy (RAPPG) was performed for 11 consecutive patients with middle GC from December 2020 to July 2021. Outcome measures were postoperative morbidity, operative time, blood loss, number of lymph nodes harvested, postoperative hospital stay, time to first flatus, time to diet, and resection margins. RESULTS: Eight of the 11 patients who were pathologically diagnosed with early GC were enrolled in a retrospective study to assess the feasibility and safety of RAPPG. The mean operative time, mean blood loss, mean number of lymph nodes harvested, length of preserved pylorus canal, distal margin, and proximal margin were 330.63 ± 47.24 min, 57.50 ± 37.70 mL, 18.63 ± 10.57, 3.63 ± 0.88 cm, 3.50 ± 1.31 cm, and 3.63 ± 1.19 cm, respectively. None of the cases required conversion to laparotomy. Postoperative complications occurred in two (25.0%) patients. Postoperative complications were hyperamylasemia and gastric stasis in one case and incision infection in the other. Time to first flatus was 3.75 ± 2.49 d after the operation, and postoperative hospital stay was 10.13 ± 4.55 d. CONCLUSION: The core technique in the Da Vinci Xi RAPPG is lymph node dissection and the anatomic method of the nerve. Robotic surgical procedures are feasible and safe. With the progress of surgical technology, optimization of medical insurance structure, and emergence of evidence-based medicine, automated surgery systems will have a broad application in clinical treatment.

Robot-assisted ventral sacral Tarlov cystectomy; A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Although asymptomatic Tarlov cysts (TCs) are reported in up to 13% of the population, symptomatic TCs are rare (less than 1%), making the management of the symptomatic cysts controversial. The most common location of symptomatic TCs is sacral nerve roots where they can cause pelvic, perineal chronic discomfort and pain, and lower extremity sensory and motor changes. Ventral (intrapelvic retroperitoneal) sacral TCs are extremely rare with no management recommendations. Available surgical options include cyst resection, and inlet-obliteration, however, these methods are often considered invasive and not definitive. CASE PRESENTATION: A 39-year-old woman presented with debilitating low back pain (LBP) radiating to her pelvis and the right lower extremity for 4 years. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed multiple sacral nerve root TCs including a large retroperitoneal right S3 TC. Surgical resection of the right S3 cyst was achieved utilizing a robot-assisted anterior approach which provided excellent visualization and maneuverability in the targeted retroperitoneal space. Postoperatively, the patient experienced significant pain relief, and she was able to perform activities of daily life and return to work. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Robotic-assisted pelvic surgery has gained widespread popularity in the last two decades due to its many potential benefits. Utilizing robotic systems in sacral nerve sheath lesions shows a promise to deliver effective minimally invasive surgical management without sacrificing good visualization or instrument maneuverability. CONCLUSION: Robot-assisted resection of sacral nerve roots TCs represents a minimally invasive and safe surgical option to manage cysts located anterior to the sacrum in the pelvic retroperitoneal space.

Comparison of Perioperative, Oncological, and Functional Outcomes of Three-Dimensional Versus Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy: A Preliminary Study.

Background: Radical prostatectomy (RP) is the first-line treatment modality for prostate cancer and can be performed using retropubic or minimally invasive techniques. New technologies such as the da Vinci robotic system and three-dimensional (3D) laparoscopic imaging system have been developed to overcome the challenges of conventional laparoscopy. This study aimed to compare the perioperative, oncological, and functional outcomes of robot-assisted laparoscopic RP (RALP) and 3D laparoscopic RP (3D LRP). Materials and Methods: The study was approved by the local ethics committee and included 65 patients (38 RALP, 27 3D LRP) who underwent RP with the diagnosis of localized prostate cancer between May 2019 and January 2020. All demographic, clinical, perioperative, pathological, and postoperative variables were recorded. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of preoperative patient characteristics. The mean operative times of the RALP and 3D LRP groups were 135.74 ± 11.51 and 165.37 ± 15.86 minutes, respectively, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P = .001). The mean estimated blood loss was 237 ± 71 mL in the RALP group and 257 ± 54 mL in the 3D LRP group, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P = .236). In the 6 months of follow-up, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of biochemical recurrence, continence, and potency. Conclusion: RALP and 3D LRP have similar perioperative, short-term oncological and functional outcomes other than the operative time. There is a need for prospective, randomized studies with larger populations evaluating long-term oncological and functional outcomes.

Clinical outcome and influencing factor analysis of one anastomosis duodenal switch for obesity / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical outcome and influencing factor of one-anastomosis duodenal switch (OADS) for obesity.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinical data of 104 obesity patients who underwent OADS in the China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University from October 2018 to June 2021 were collected. There were 42 males and 62 females, aged 33(range, 18?66)years. The clinical outcome of each patient was evaluated using Textbook Outcome (TO). Observation indicators: (1) treatment situations for patients; (2) TO situa-tions; (3) analysis of factors affecting postoperative TO. Follow-up was conducted using outpatient examination or telephone interview to detect postoperative complication of patients up to November 2021. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M (range), and comparison between groups was conducted using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was conducted using chi-square test. Multivariate analysis was conducted using the binary Logistic regression model. Results:(1) Treatment situations for patients. All 104 patients under-went OADS without conversion to laparotomy or death of patient. The operation time and duration of postoperative hospital stay of the 104 patients were (187±39)minutes and 6(range, 4?55)days, respectively. Two of the 104 patients were readmitted. The experiences of surgeons on OADS was (53±30)cases. There were 82 patients underwent OADS using the Da Vinci robotic surgical system, while there were 22 patients underwent OADS using laparoscopic surgery system. The complication rate of 104 patients was 7.69%(8/104). Cases with stage Ⅱ, stage Ⅲb and stage Ⅳ complications of the Clavien Dindo classification were 5, 2 and 1, respectively. (2) TO situation. Of the 104 patients, 62 cases achieved TO, while 42 cases did not achieve TO. The operation time, retention time of abdominal drainage tube, duration of postoperative hospital stay, experiences of surgeons on OADS, number of OADS for surgeons using Da Vinci robotic surgical system were (166±26)minutes, 0(range, 0?7)days, 6(range, 4?7)days, 62±28, 54 in patients achieved TO, versus (218±34)minutes, 3 (range, 0?11)days, 8(range, 5?55)days, 38±27, 28 in patients not achieved TO, showing significant differences in the above indicators between them ( t=?8.81, Z=?3.63, ?5.33, t=4.27, χ2=6.27, P<0.05). Cases with complications were 0 in patients achieved TO, versus 8 in patients not achieved TO, showing a significant difference between them ( P<0.05). (3) Analysis of factors affecting postoperative TO. Results of multivariate analysis showed that the experiences of surgeons on OADS was an independent influencing factor for postoperative TO in patients undergoing OADS ( odds ratio=1.04, 95% confidence interval as 1.01?1.06, P<0.05). Conclusions:OADS is safe and feasible for obesity patients with low postoperative complication incidence and satisfactory clinical outcome. The experiences of surgeons on OADS is an independent influencing factor for postoperative TO in patients undergoing OADS.

Application value of Da Vinci robotic transanal minimally invasive surgery for local resection of rectal neoplasms / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the application value of Da Vinci robotic transanal minimally invasive surgery (R-TAMIS) for local resection of rectal neoplasms.Methods:The retros-pective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 7 rectal neoplasms patients undergoing R-TAMIS in Daping Hospital of Army Medical University from June 2017 to March 2021 were collected. There were 3 males and 4 females, aged (60±7)years. Observation indicators: (1) intraoperative situations; (2) postoperative recovery; (3) postoperative histopatholo-gical examinations; (4) follow-up. Follow-up was conducted using telephone interview or outpatient examination to detect readmission of patients within postoperative 30 days, tumor recurrence and metastasis and survival of patients. Follow-up was performed at postoperative 1, 3, 6 months and once every 6 months thereafter up to April 2021. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range). Count data were described as absolute numbers. Results:(1) Intraoperative situations. All the 7 patients underwent R-TAMIS successfully without conversion to laparotomy or laparoscopic surgery. Of the 7 patients, 2 cases underwent full-thickness rectal resection and 5 cases underwent submucosal dissection of tumor. The rectal wounds were not sutured in 2 cases because of large lesions, and the rectal wounds were sutured with synthetic sutures in 5 cases after resection of lesions. Transanal drainage tube was placed in 2 cases and not in 5 cases. The volume of intra-operative blood loss of the 7 patients was 15(range, 2?50)mL. The total operation time of the 7 patients was (91.4±18.4)minutes, including (19.1±2.3)minutes for transanal platform placement and Da Vinci robotic surgical system installation, and (72.3±16.6)minutes for operation. There was no intraoperative complication such as urethral injury. (2) Postoperative recovery. All the 7 patients started water drinking and out-of-bed activities at postoperative day 1 and liquid food intake at postoperative day 2. The time to postoperative first flatus of the 7 patients was 1(range, 1?3)days. The two cases with transanal drainage underwent removing of transanal drainage at postoperative day 2. There was no postoperative complication and the duration of postoperative hospital stay of the 7 patients was 3(range, 3?9)days. (3) Postoperative histopathological examinations. Of the 7 patients, 3 cases had villous adenoma, 2 cases had villous adenoma combined with high grade intraepithelial neoplasia, local canceration and tumor invasion into submucosa (stage SM1), 1 case had villous adenoma combined with high grade intraepithelial neoplasia, local canceration and tumor localized in the inner mucosa (stage Tis) and 1 case had moderately differentiated adeno-carcinoma with tumor invasion into superficial muscle layer (stage T2). All the 7 patients had negative surgical margins with none of tumor cell remained in the base. (4) Follow-up. All the 7 patients were followed up for 18(range, 1?42)months. One of the 7 patients showed rectal adenocarcinoma with tumor invasion into superficial muscle layer by the postoperative histopathological examina-tion and was recommended for remedial radical surgery. The patient refused further surgery and underwent 3 courses of oral capecitabine chemotherapy. The other 6 patients did not receive postoperative chemotherapy. None of 7 patients underwent readmission within postoperative 30 days, and no patient had tumor local recurrence, distant metastasis or death during the follow-up.Conclusion:R-TAMIS for local resection of rectal neoplasms is safe and feasible for patients with rectal adenoma and early rectal cancer, with reliable short-term efficacy and short-term oncological efficacy.

Application value of Da Vinci robotic surgical system in radical resection of perihilar cholan-giocarcinoma / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the application value of Da Vinci robotic surgical system in radical resection of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA).Methods:The retrospective and descrip-tive study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 10 patients undergoing Da Vinci robotic radical resetion of pCCA in Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from September 2018 to March 2021 were collected. There were 6 males and 4 females, aged (58±7)years. Observtaion indicators: (1) surgical situations; (2) postoperative situations; (3) follow-up. The patients were followed up by telephone interview and outpatient service to detect survival of patients and tumor recurrence up to June 2021. Measurement data with normal distribution were expressed as Mean± SD, and measurement data with skewed distribu-tion were represented as M(range). Count data were represented as absolute numbers. Results:(1) Surgical situations: 10 patients underwent Da Vinci robotic radical resection of pCCA succe-ssfully, without conversion to laparotomy or intraoperative blood transfusion. The operation time of 10 patients was (465±87)minutes, and the volume of intraoperative blood loss was (167±81)mL. Of the 10 patients, 1 case of Bismuth type Ⅲb had a positive surgical margin and the remaining 9 cases had R 0 resection. (2) Postoperative situations: the time to gastric tube extraction was (2.3±1.9)days, and the duration of postoperative hospital stay of the 10 patients was (19.9±9.0)days. Among the 10 patients, there was no second operation or perioperative death. Of the 10 patients, 6 cases had perioperative complications, including 5 cases wth pleural effusion, 3 cases with peritoneal effusion, and 1 case with intestinal obstruction, some patients had multiple complications. After symptomatic conservative treatment, pleural effusion and peritoneal effusion disappeared and intestinal obstruction was improved. None of the 10 patients had serious complica-tions such as bleeding, biliary fistula or intestinal fistula. (3) Follow-up: 10 patients were followed up for 3-20 months, with a median follow-up time of 11 months. During the follow-up, 3 of 10 patients had tumor recurrence which occurred in intrahepatic bile duct of residual liver, and no implantation metastasis was found in the rest of abdominal cavity. Of the 7 unrecurrent patients, 1 case died of gastrointestinal bleeding and multiple organ failure. Nine of 10 patients survived well. Conclusion:The Da Vinci robotic surgical system used for radical operation of pCCA is feasible.

Application of da Vinci robotics in thyroid surgery: a summary of clinical experience of 304 cases in a single center / 中华内分泌外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical effectiveness of da Vinci robotics in thyroid surgery.Methods:304 cases of robotic thyroid surgery performed by the same experienced surgeon at the Department of Thyroid Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University during the period from Apr. 3, 2020 to Nov. 5, 2021 were prospectively included, and the operation time, operation type, postoperative drainage, postoperative hospital stay, total number of lymph node dissection and number of positive lymph nodes, operation complications, and postoperative pain level of all patients were counted. The learning curve was plotted by applying the moving average method, divided into the initial stage and the mature stage, and the differences in surgical outcomes and surgical complications between the two stages were compared. SPSS 23.0 was applied for statistical analysis, and t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for comparison of measurement data, and χ2 test was used for comparison of count data. Result:All surgeries were completed successfully without conversion to open cases, including 29 males and 275 females, with a mean age of (33.8±8.9) years and a range of 27-41 years. The mean body mass index (BMI) was (22.9±3.6) kg/m 2 and a range of 20.5-25.4 kg/m 2. The median operative time was 140 min, the median postoperative drainage was 52.5 ml, and the median postoperative hospital stay was 3 days. The mean number of lymph nodes cleared was 4.4±3.5, and the mean number of positive lymph nodes was 0.9±1.7. The incidence of postoperative transient laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury was 3.3%, and the incidence of transient hypoparathyroidism was 0.7%. A significant decrease in operative time occurred after the 26th case and subsequently stabilized. Compared with the initial stage of the learning curve, the mature stage had a shorter operative time (146.0±36.5 vs 198.7±56.7 min, P<0.001) , a lower incidence of temporary RLN injury (2.5% vs 11.5%, P<0.05) , and a lower percentage of benign tumor surgery (12.2% vs 26.9%, P<0.05) . Conclusion:The application of robotic technology in thyroid surgery is safe and reliable, and its successful implementation should follow a corresponding learning curve, from easy to difficult, with different surgical approaches selected according to the patient’s condition, wishes, and the operator’s technical level.

Current Status of Transoral Surgery for Patients With Early-Stage Pharyngeal and Laryngeal Cancers in Japan.

As the laryngopharynx is closely related to swallowing, speech, and phonation, it is necessary to consider not only disease control but also a minimally invasive approach for the treatment of laryngopharyngeal cancer. Transoral surgery has been reported to be a minimally invasive method for treating these diseases. Transoral videolaryngoscopic surgery (TOVS) and endoscopic laryngo-pharyngeal surgery (ELPS) have been developed in Japan and recently emerged as treatments for patients with early stage pharyngeal and laryngeal cancers. However, securing an appropriate field of view and a narrow operating space during TOVS or ELPS are critical issues to be resolved for these surgeries. The clinical significance and safety of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) using the da Vinci Surgical System have been widely reported to provide surgeons with increased visualization and magnification, resulting in precise surgical margins and rapid functional recovery. In this context, a multi-institutional clinical study was conducted to evaluate the treatment outcomes of TORS for the treatment of laryngopharyngeal cancer in Japan, and the da Vinci Surgical System for oral robot-assisted surgery for these diseases was approved by the Pharmaceutical Affairs Agency in August 2018. This review provides an overview of the therapeutic effects of TOVS, ELPS, and TORS, with a particular focus on these therapeutic results in Japan.