Laparoscopic surgery in urology

At the present time minimally invasive surgery is present in all the standards of quality of a surgical service. Laparoscopic surgery, the basis of this minimally invasive surgery, is revolutionizing the teaching and handling of many surgical pathologies. In the urological sphere, although with a delay of 5 years with respect to neighbouring countries, laparoscopy has become established as a prevalent technique in many processes of the urinary-genital apparatus. At present it is the chosen technique for the surgical treatment of the suprarenal, and it is rapidly becoming established in different pathologies such as renal tumours, prostate tumours, staging in neoplastic diseases of the testicles, benign surgical pathology and in reconstructive surgery. Since 1995, the Urology Service at the Hospital de Navarra has been a pioneer in the employment of this type of technique, and, since 1998, it has been a pioneer of so-called advanced laparoscopic surgery, in which it is a national reference point in some of the procedures, such as laparoscopic adrenalectomy. At present, all of the laparoscopic procedures are incorporated in the service, with a learning curve that has been surpassed. All of this has made it possible to improve patient care, to obtain a reduction in postoperative pain and in length of hospital stay, and a rapid return to labour activity with oncological results that can be equivalent on those of open surgery.     

Reflections on the past, present and future of minimally invasive surgery

So-called "minimally invasive surgery" aims to contribute to reducing the effects of surgical trauma and its consequences. A milestone in the development of this concept has been the generalisation of techniques of the videoendoscopic approach in numerous surgical procedures. Outstanding amongst these is laparoscopy, which makes it possible to carry out different abdominal surgical techniques while guaranteeing maximum respect for the peritoneal surface and the abdominal wall itself. This is translated into lower morbidity and mortality and better recovery by the patients. For videoendoscopic access to become consolidated as the first option against the traditional or open approach, it is necessary that two requisites be met: the indication of surgery must be the same irrespective of the approach, and the results in terms of efficiency, safety and cost must be similar or superior. In the immediate future, with the increase in the experience of surgical teams and the improvement of technological capacity, there will be a growth in the number of procedures susceptible to approach using this technique.     

心房颤动非药物治疗的进展

心房颤动是当今心律失常研究的热点和治疗难点。抗心律失常药物转复房颤的疗效有限,心房颤动的非药物治疗包括外科手术和导管消融及植入式装置。外科手术向微创外科消融发展,但应用仍较局限;导管消融发展很快,随着对心房颤动发病机制研究的深入和环肺静脉线性消融及心房复杂破碎电位消融的开展,导管消融的成功率提高,并发症减少,有望成为心房颤动的一线治疗手段;植入起搏器等装置治疗房颤疗效并不肯定,目前尚不推荐。     

低体重婴幼儿先天性心脏病的外科治疗

目的总结低体重婴幼儿先天性心脏病外科手术的经验。方法自2000年1月～2004年12月共为133例15公斤以下的低体重婴幼儿(3岁以下)先天性心脏病患儿施行外科手术治疗;其中5～12个月32例(24.1%),13～24个月46例(34.59%),25～36个月55例(41.35%);体重6～15公斤,其中6～10公斤48例,11～15公斤85例。全组非体外循环动脉导管结扎术29例;体外循环手术104例,其中室间隔缺损修补术64例,常温心脏不停跳继发孔房间隔缺损修补术16例,常温心脏不停跳肺动脉瓣狭窄直视分离术7例,部分行房室间隔缺损矫治术2例,部分行肺静脉异位引流矫治术3例,法乐氏四联症一期矫治术5例,房间隔缺损并右室流出道梗阻4例,其它复合畸形一期矫治术3例。结果全组术后住院死亡6例,死亡率4.5%。术后主要并发症包括低心排综合征,呼吸衰竭,心律失常,肺部感染,出血等。死亡原因包括重度低心排综合征,严重室性心律失常,肺动脉高压危象等。结论心外科、心儿科、麻醉、体外循环和术后监护等人员的密切配合是小儿心脏外科迅速发展的重要前提,心内外科镶嵌治疗成为婴幼儿心脏外科手术成功的重要保证。     

New procedure for treatment of atrial fibrillation in patients with valvular heart disease

Patients with valvular heart disease suffer from atrial fibrillation for more than 12 months after valve surgery and have a low probability of remaining in sinus rhythm. We performed an intra-operative procedure similar to surgical maze ??? procedure for conversion of this arrhythmia to sinus rhythm. We did this study to evaluate the efficacy of this procedure to restore the sinus rhythm in patients with valvular heart disease. 28 patients with valvular heart disease and chronic persistent atrial fibrillation underwent different combinations of valve surgery and concomitant reduction of left and right atrial size and resection of both atrial auricles in Shahid Madani cardiothoracic center from September 2004 to October 2008. The procedure for atrial fibrillation treatment was performed with cardiopulmonary bypass and after mitral valve replacement. There was one in-hospital death postoperatively because of respiratory failure, but no other complication till 6 months after the operation. Out of 28 patients, 23 were in sinus rhythm one week after the operation, one patient had junctional rhythm after the operation that restored to sinus rhythm and 4 patients had persistent atrial fibrillation. During the 12-month follow up, atrial fibrillation was corrected in 82.14%. Doppler echocardiography in these patients with sinus rhythm demonstrated good atrial contractility. This procedure on both atria is effective and less invasive than the original maze procedure to eliminate the atrial fibrillation, and can be performed in patients with valvular heart disease without increasing the risk of operation.     

Robotic surgery in gynecology

Minimally invasive surgery has revolutionized gynecological interventions over the past 30 years. The introduction of the da Vinci robotic surgery in 2005 has resulted in large changes in surgical management. The robotic platform allows less experienced laparoscopic surgeons to perform more complex procedures. It can be utilized mainly in general gynecology and reproductive gynecology. The robot is being increasingly used for procedures such as hysterectomy, myomectomy, adnexal surgery, and tubal anastomosis. In urogynecology, the robot is being utilized for sacrocolopexy as well. In the field of gynecologic oncology, the robot is being increasingly used for hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy in oncologic diseases. Despite the rapid and widespread adaption of robotic surgery in gynecology, there are no randomized trials comparing its efficacy and safety to other traditional surgical approaches. This article presents the development, technical aspects and indications of robotic surgery in gynecology, based on the previously published reviews. Robotic surgery can be highly advantageous with the right amount of training, along with appropriate patient selection. Patients will have less blood loss, less post-operative pain, faster recovery, and fewer complications compared to open surgery and laparoscopy. However, until larger randomized control trials are completed which report long-term outcomes, robotic surgery cannot be stated to have priority over other surgical methods.     

Non-pharmacologic treatment of atrial fibrillation

The authors provide an update on non-pharmacological treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). They emphasize that although antiarrhythmic drugs continue to be first-line therapy for the arrhythmia considered to be a cardiovascular epidemic, clinical research to develop non-pharmacological means of treatment has been unprecedentally intensified during the last decade. Electrical cardioversion is the most successful non-pharmacological method to restore sinus rhythm, also the efficacy and safety of AV node ablation for palliative ventricular rate-controll is established. "Hybrid" therapeutic procedures, involving combinations of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions have gained widespread use. Curative transcatheter ablation for arrhythmia prevention is to be considered in case of clinical suggestions that AF is initiated by a primary regular arrhythmia that is amenable to routine catheter ablation (secondary AF). Despite encouraging results, at this point in time, curative catheter ablation for primary AF may offer significant improvement or even cure only for a small subset of patients, mostly young individuals with normal heart, and paroxysmal AF with frequent, symptomatic episodes refractory to multiple antiarrhythmic drugs. These interventions are to be performed in the settings of a clinical research project in some institutions. Regarding pacemaker therapy in case of bradycardia indication, physiologic pacing (AAI or DDD) is associated with significantly lower incidence of atrial fibrillation than ventricular pacing. Large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to assess the clinical value of specially designed implantable devices to prevent atrial fibrillation in patients with no conventional bradycardia indication. Also, technical optimization and proper clinical evaluation is needed for implantable atrioverters and implantable cardioverter defibrillators capable of atrial cardioversion therapy.     

New generation of abdominal surgery: the Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery

Minimal invasive surgical techniques, namely laparoscopic procedures to the abdominal surgery have been introduced more than 20 years ago. In view of clinical results, the majority of these are considered as routinely performed procedure today. Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery can be considered as a new generation of abdominal surgery. It means a method directed through natural orifices, and abdominal surgery operated by transluminal endoscopic techniques (transgastric, transcolonic, transvaginal) to reach diagnostic and therapeutic goals. Theoretically, this method allows the possibility to decrease invasiveness and postoperative pain, to prevent postoperative hernias and to improve cosmetic results. At present numerous researchers work worldwide to receive scientifically based answers to arising questions (surgical technique, indication, contraindication, complications, monitoring) and concerns in this area. The present paper gives an overview of the national and international literature on experimental results and clinical approaches in the field of this new surgical technique.     

中国达芬奇手术机器人临床应用

达芬奇手术机器人引领着微创外科技术的发展,使用达芬奇手术机器人进行微创手术给医生带来诸多优势。我国自2008年起,先后由北京、上海等地14家医院逐步开展达芬奇机器人手术,至2012年底已经累计完成达芬奇机器人手术3551例,涵盖普外科、泌尿外科、心血管外科、胸外科、妇产科、五官科等各学科多种手术术式,取得了瞩目的成就。     

HIV, HBV, or HDV transmission from infected health care workers to patients

BACKGROUND: The report of transmission of viruses, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), from health care workers (HCWs) to patient has alarmed public opinion with potential repercussions on health organisation. OBJECTIVES: To review available information on cases of transmission of HIV, HBV and HCV from HCW to patient reported worldwide. METHODS: A literature review was conducted with a Medline search of English language full papers, using the following key terms: HIV, HBV, HCV; healthcare workers, occupational and hospital transmission, outbreak, look back investigation. The Medline search was supplemented by a manual search using reference lists of published studies and proceedings of meetings, including some personal communications already reported in a previous review. RESULTS: Since 1972, 50 outbreaks have been reported in which 48 HBV infected HCWs (39 surgeons) transmitted the infection to approximately 500 persons. To date, 3 cases of transmission of HIV and 8 confirmed cases of transmission of HCV (to a total of 18 patients) from infected healthcare workers to patients have been reported. The factors influencing the transmissibility of infection include: type of procedures performed, surgical techniques used, compliance with infection control precautions, the clinical status and viral burden of the infected HCW and susceptibility of the patient to infection. The risk of transmission of HIV, HBV and HCV from HCWs to patients is associated primarily with certain types of surgical specialties (obstetrics and gynaecology, orthopaedics, cardiothoracic surgery) and surgical procedures that can expose the patient to the blood of the HCW: exposure-prone procedures. Since the early 90's industrialized countries have issued recommendations for preventing transmission of blood-borne pathogens to patients during "exposure prone" invasive procedures. With regard to HBV there is common consent to restricting or excluding HCWs tested HbeAg positive or HBV DNA-positive from performing exposure-prone procedures, while there are still some discrepancies in the different countries for dealing with HCV-infected personnel and in some cases also for those with HIV infection. CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to prevent surgeon-to-patient transmission of blood-borne infections should focus not only on ascertaining the infection status of the HCW but principally on eliminating the cause of blood-borne exposures, for example by the use of blunt suture needles, improved instruments, reinforced gloves, changes in surgical technique and the use of less invasive alternative procedures. These measures should be implemented in order to minimize the risk of blood exposure and consequently of virus transmission both to and from HCW to patients.     

Minimally invasive surgery of thyroids and parathyroids

The term minimally invasive surgery of thyroids and parathyroids encompasses a series of therapeutic procedures aimed at solving the endocrinal pathology responsible for the disease, with limited surgical aggression and aesthetic results and postoperative comfort on a par with the conventional approach. Its application has become possible with the development of new methods of imaging and instruments that make it possible to carry out dissection in very limited spaces. Unlike classical surgery of thyroids and parathyroids, where surgical technique has broad possibilities of application, in the cerviscopic approach the indications are more limited and a relationship is established with the characteristics of each patient. With respect to thyroidal pathology, the size of the nodule constitutes the main limiting factor, since in sizes above 3 cm the benefits of the procedure are not so apparent. However, greater potential is available in parathyroidal surgery given that the adenoma responsible for the disease is frequently found in anatomical positions that are very accessible for this type of procedure. Thus, in patients with an absence of associated thyroidal pathology, with a unilateral pathology based on the information of the sestamibi scan and preferably in lower localisations, the cervicoscopic approach can meet the requirements of efficiency, postoperative comfort and short hospital stay.     

Rhythm control as treatment for patients with medication-resistant atrial fibrillation: maze surgery and percutaneous pulmonary vein isolation by catheter ablation

In patients with atrial fibrillation, a decision must be made whether to accept the arrhythmia (rate control) or to pursue maintenance of sinus rhythm (rhythm control). Randomized trials have shown no difference between these strategies with respect to morbidity, mortality, and quality of life. In these studies, morbidity and mortality appeared to be related predominantly to the underlying heart disease rather than to the arrhythmia itself. However, other analyses suggest that long-term sinus rhythm may improve prognosis. At any rate, complaints caused by the arrhythmia may definitely be a reason to strive for rhythm control. If pharmacological rhythm control fails, maze surgery, both in patients with lone atrial fibrillation and as concomitant surgery, is highly successful. This, however, necessitates cardiac surgery. New techniques have now emerged, including pulmonary vein isolation by means of percutaneous catheter ablation. This is less invasive and therefore nowadays the treatment of first choice if pharmacological rhythm control has failed.     

早期子宫内膜癌最佳手术方式研究

目的：探讨治疗早期子宫内膜癌最佳的手术方式。方法：选取本院2008年1月-2012年1月收治的确诊为患有Ⅰ～Ⅱ期子宫内膜癌的178例患者,对其治疗资料进行回顾性分析,所有的患者均在初发时就诊,并都进行手术治疗,且在手术前都没有进行过化疗、放疗以及激素等方式治疗。根据国际标准对患者进行分期,根据治疗方式的不同,手术的方式分为3种,一为全子宫切除术,二为次广泛或者广泛性的子宫切除术,三为施行一或二,并且在同期施行盆腔淋巴结的切除术。然后比较各种手术方式的临床效果,总结出最佳的手术方式。结果：对于Ia期的患者行术式1、术式2、术式3在生存率方面比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）,对于Ⅰb期的患者,术式2、术式3和术式1相比,在5年生存率上明显要高,而术式2和术式3间比较无差异,对于Ⅰc期和Ⅱ期的患者,术式3的3年以及5年的生存率都最高。结论：对于子宫内膜癌应根据临床的分期,选择合适的手术方式,这是保证手术治疗效果以及患者预后的关键。     

Minimally invasive (99m)Tc-sestamibi radioguided surgery of parathyroid adenomas

In the last 10 to 15 years surgery of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) moved from the wide bilateral neck exploration to various types of limited neck exploration ranging from unilateral neck surgery to minimally invasive approaches as the minimally invasive radioguided parathyroidectomy. In contrast with the bilateral neck exploration, an accurate preoperative localizing imaging, which is mainly based on (99m)TC-sestamibi scintigraphy, is mandatory when planning a concise parathyroidectomy. Following imaging criteria, only a fraction of PHPT patients accounting for approximately 60% to 70% of all PHPT patients can be eligible for a minimally invasive parathyroidectomy. Only PHPT patients with a high probability to be affected by a solitary parathyroid adenoma showing a high (99m)TC-sestamibi uptake and with a normal thyroid gland should be offer a minimally invasive radioguided parathyroidectomy. The (99m)TC-sestamibi SPECT technique and the double-tracer 123-iodine or (99m)TC-pertecnetate/(99m)TC-sestamibi scintigraphic technique are the most sensitive and accurate preoperative imaging modalities and their utilization is recommended when considering a minimally invasive radioguided parathyroidectomy. Two main intraoperative procedures for the minimally invasive radioguided surgery have been described: the single-day protocol and the different-day protocol. In the single-day protocol a 740 MBq dose of (99m)TC-sestamibi is injected to the patient, scintigraphic imaging is obtained by dual-phase technique and then the patient is operated on within approximately 3 hours from radio-tracer injection. In the different-day protocol, a double-tracer parathyroid scintigraphy is obtained some days before surgery with the aim of better planning the type and extension of intervention. The day of intervention, for the purpose of radioguided surgery only, a low 37 MBq dose of (99m)TC-sestamibi is injected to the patient in the operating theatre a few minutes before the start of intervention. The main advantages of minimally invasive radioguided parathyroidectomy over the traditional wide bilateral neck exploration can be resumed as follows: a shortening in the operating and recovery time, possibility of local anesthesia, possibility of ambulatory surgery or same-day discharge, less postsurgical hypocalcemia, less postsurgical pain, favourable cosmetic results, benefits from a cost-analysis point of view.     

Surgical robotics. Evaluation of the Computer Motion AESOP 3000 robotic endoscope holder

The use of robots to manipulate surgical instruments inside the patient has already moved from the world of fiction to fact. While the widespread use of full-function surgical robots is still many years away, less sophisticated robots that perform very specific surgical functions are already at a stage where the typical hospital can consider their use. Currently, the most affordable and commonly used type of "surgical-assist" robot is the robotic endoscope holder, which is used to hold and position rigid endoscopes during minimally invasive surgery. In this study, we introduce readers to the topic of surgical robotics, focusing specifically on robotic endoscope holders. The study includes a Technology Management Guide, in which we discuss who should and who shouldn't consider implementing such robots, and it includes our evaluation protocol and findings for one such robot, the Computer Motion AESOP 3000. We judged the evaluated system based on its performance relative to the human scope holders it is designed to replace, as well as its safety and ease of use. While we found the AESOP 3000 to be an acceptable, and sometimes preferred, alternative to the use of a human scope holder, we caution that many healthcare facilities won't see sufficient clinical benefit to warrant its purchase at this time.     

术中引流在乳腺多发良性肿块麦默通微创旋切术中的应用

目的：探讨超声引导下麦默通（Mammotome）微创旋切术处理乳腺多发良性肿块术中引流的应用及优势,总结麦默通技术的经验及注意事项。方法：回顾性分析2011年6月-2014年3月106例289处乳腺病灶行超声引导下麦默通微创旋切术的临床资料,根据手术细节的不同分成术中引流组54例患者及非引流组52例患者,观察两组治疗结果的差异。结果：106例289处乳腺病灶均完整切除,非引流组出现5例术后出血。与非引流组相比,术中引流可明显降低术后血肿的发生率,差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。两组手术时间比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论：超声引导下麦默通微创旋切术对乳腺多发良性肿块可达到准确切除及兼顾美容的治疗目的,操作简单、安全,手术并发症少,如采用术中引流的方法更能减少术后出血的发生率,且不明显增加手术时间,值得推广。     

低温等离子刀结合支撑喉镜对临床早期喉癌治疗的研究进展

耳鼻喉科较为常见的一种恶性肿瘤就是喉癌,该疾病男性发病率较女性更高,通常是女性总发病例数的7~10倍。临床上较为常见的肉瘤、腺癌等鳞癌在进行治疗时可根据患者病情的分期以及病变范围选择不同的术式。目前常见的几种术式为全部切除术、部分切除术和喉微创手术等。就治疗彻底性来说,全喉切除术最为彻底,但术后创伤极大,留有永久性的经气管造瘘,患者术后交流、发音以及呼吸功能均会受到极大的损伤,即便是进行部分切除,患者喉部整体功能也会受到影响。近些年来,喉部微创手术技术得以不断的更新和进步,对于早期喉癌患者来说,可以考虑采用微创手术进行治疗,该术式不但能将患者喉部的正常功能和组织有效保留,还能避免进行气管切开,术后没有颈部切口,患者接受度更高。文章对低温等离子刀结合支撑喉镜这一维持术式的研究进展作一综述。     

Surgical treatment of arrhythmias

Author gives a review based on the literature and experiences gained during his own overseas studies about the history of arrhythmia surgery. Surgical procedures are described currently in use for arrhythmias considered to be surgically treated. Results of these procedures are also discussed. Author stands for the introduction and necessity of arrhythmia surgery in this country.     

腰部小切口输尿管切开取石术58例

[目的]探讨腰部小切口在输尿管切开取石术中的临床应用。[方法]选择58例输尿管中、上段结石患者采取腰部小切口完成手术。[结果]采用腰部小切口均顺利完成手术,术后患者均痊愈出院,达到预期手术效果。[结论]腰部小切口具有创伤小,疗效确切,安全可靠,术后恢复快,手术疤痕小等优点,是其他微创治疗失败后的一种补充手段,可在基层医院推广应用。