Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy

BACKGROUND: In this paper we describe the results of our personal technique for minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT). METHODS: Sixty-seven patients were selected for MIVAT. Selection criteria were nodule size less than 30 mm, thyroid volume less than 20 mL, no thyroiditis, no previous neck surgery or irradiation. The procedure, totally gasless, is carried out through a 15-mm central incision above the sternal notch. Dissection is performed under endoscopic vision, using conventional and endoscopic instruments. RESULTS: We performed 51 lobectomies and 15 total thyroidectomies. Mean operative time was 73.6 minutes for lobectomy and 109.6 minutes for total thyroidectomy. Conversion to open procedure was required twice (3%). We observed 2 cases of transient postoperative hypocalcemia and 1 case of transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. The cosmetic result was considered excellent by most patients. CONCLUSIONS: MIVAT is safe and feasible. The indications are limited at present, but the results are encouraging, and we are optimistic about the future expansion of its applicability.     

Video-assisted thyroidectomy with minimally invasive central cervicotomy: initial experience in an endocrine surgery division

Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy, a recently developed technique, has been shown to be feasible and safe. Nevertheless, to obtain the best results, the surgeon should be well trained in endoscopic surgery. We attempted to answer the question whether an endocrine surgery division with no previous experience in endoscopic neck surgery could easily import the new technique. The inclusion criteria were nodules < or = 3.5 cm diameter or thyroid lobe volume less than 15 ml, and no thyroiditis or previous neck surgery. Suspect malignant nodules were excluded. The procedure was carried out through a 20 to 30 mm central neck incision, with external retraction and no neck insufflation. The vessels were ligated or closed by means of clips. From March 2004 to March 2005, 127 thyroidectomies were performed, of which 36 were thyroid lobectomies. Of these, 12 lobectomies by minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy were performed for monolateral goiter (4 left, 8 right). There were no intraoperative complications. No recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy or permanent hypoparathyroidism occurred. The mean operative time was 74.4 min (median: 70; range: 45-115). The results, in terms of patient comfort, reduced postoperative pain and cosmetic quality were excellent. The technique allowed careful assessment of the inferior and superior laryngeal nerve. Thorough haemostasis was aided by the magnification of the image and optimal illumination. The learning curve appeared short, owing probably to previous experience in conventional endocrine surgery and the closer similarities of minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy to enhanced-view conventional surgery than to laparoscopic surgery. In our experience the clinical impact was limited as a result of the small percentage of patients fulfilling the strict inclusion criteria.     

Minimally invasive thyroid surgery for diagnostic excision of solitary thyroid nodules

OBJECTIVE: Various techniques for minimally invasive thyroid surgery (MITS), including endoscopic and video-assisted procedures, have now been described. Based on our units experience with minimally invasive parathyroidectomy via a lateral incision, a similar technique for minimally invasive thyroid lobectomy has been developed and assessed. METHODS: The last 203 consecutive thyroid procedures using the MITS technique, performed between July 2002 and June 2006, comprised the study group. Inclusion criteria for initial surgery were: initial nodule < 3.0 cm; no preoperative evidence of malignancy; absence of clinical multinodular change. A 2.5-cm lateral incision, using a headlight illumination, provided optimal exposure. RESULTS: A total of 202 patients underwent 203 MITS procedures over the 4-year period, with one patient undergoing bilateral MITS. The procedures included 155 thyroid lobectomies and 48 nodule excisions; 31 of the patients underwent a minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) during which an ipsilateral thyroid nodule was removed. The mean tumour size was 17.3 mm, but the mean size of the thyroid lobe removed was 39.5 mm. Final diagnoses included benign multinodular goitre (26%), follicular adenoma (22%) and carcinoma (20%). The complication rate was low, with one permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy (anterior division only) (0.5%), four RLN neuropraxias which recovered (2%), and one haematoma not requiring re-operation (0.5%). The rate of complications was not significantly different from 819 conventional open hemithyroidectomies performed over the same period. CONCLUSION: MITS is a safe and feasible alternative to open thyroid surgery in appropriately selected cases. It offers a valuable option for diagnostic excision biopsy in patients with thyroid nodules demonstrating an atypical fine-needle biopsy whilst avoiding the need for a standard cervical "collar" incision.     

Asian perspective on endoscopic thyroidectomy -- a review of 193 cases

Endoscopic surgery has become widely used, so much so that recent technical and mechanical advances have led to "endoscopic surgery" being synonymous with "minimally invasive surgery". In particular, endoscopic thyroid surgery has developed rapidly and been increasingly refined in recent years. The incidence of thyroid diseases is markedly higher in women than in men, and operations for these diseases result in a scar on the anterior neck that is exposed when open-necked clothing is worn. Therefore, a technique for endoscopic endocrine neck surgery that results in a better cosmetic appearance is desirable. We have developed a totally gasless endoscopic surgical technique using an anterior neck-skin lifting method for thyroid and parathyroid diseases. This technique is called the video-assisted neck surgery (VANS) method. Since our original report, we have treated more than 200 cases of thyroid and parathyroid disease using this technique. In cases of benign thyroid tumours, near total lobectomy was the most common procedure followed by total lobectomy. The maximum resected tumour size was 7.4 cm in diameter. For malignant tumours, the indication for the VANS method was limited to thyroid papillary microcarcinomas measuring less than 1 cm in diameter. Total lobectomy and prophylactic neck dissection were performed in all 10 of these cases. A subtotal thyroidectomy was performed for only a few cases of Graves' disease. The operating time and the amount of bleeding were statistically significantly reduced, as the surgeon gained experience with the technique. In conclusion, the VANS method is a feasible, practical and safe procedure, with excellent cosmetic benefits.     

Differentiated Operative Strategy in Minimally invasive,Video-assisted Thyroid Surgery Results in 196 Patients

To date, experience in minimally invasive thyroid surgery has been limited to unilateral lobectomy and total thyroidectomy. There are no reports regarding selective operative strategy, guided by morphology and function, which is widely accepted in endemic goiter regions. To analyze the efficiency and outcome of tissue-preserving thyroid surgery using a minimally invasive video-assisted technique (MIVA-T), a total of 196 patients were operated on for thyroid nodules between February 1999 and October 2003. Concurrent primary hyperthyroidism was treated in 22 (11%) cases. Indications for operation were solitary, multiple unilateral, or bilateral nodules with a maximum diameter of 30 mm and a maximum lobe volume of 15 ml. Contraindications for minimally invasive operation were thyroid malignancy diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration (FNA), recurrent goiter, and Hashimotos thyroiditis. Nodule excision was performed in 6% of these cases; subtotal lobectomy, in 6%; selective resection, in 48%; and total lobectomy, in 39%. Histological examination revealed follicular adenoma in 82%, colloid and cystic lesions in 11%, thyroiditis in 1%, and differentiated thyroid carcinoma in 6%. Conversion to open surgery was necessary in 7.7% of the patients (secondary to malignancy demonstrated on frozen section in 3% and to technical difficulties in 4.7%). Transient and permanent laryngeal nerve palsy occurred in 2.0% and 0.5% of patients, respectively. Temporary hypoparathyroidism occurred in 5.6% of patients exclusively after conversion to open total thyroidectomy or in those patients (n = 22) with additional primary hyperparathyroidism. Given a correct indication, MIVA-T technique can be performed with low conversion and complication rates. Selective operative strategy, guided by morphology and thyroid function, with a variety of operative procedures fitting the individual situation may be performed by this minimally invasive technique.This article was presented at the International Association of Endocrine Surgeons meeting, Uppsala, Sweden, June 14–17, 2004.     

胸腔镜袖式肺叶切除研究进展

20世纪90年代初,电视辅助胸腔镜手术(VATS)开始被用于非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)的外科治疗,经过20多年的发展,VATS技术日趋成熟,其在早期肺癌治疗中的安全性和有效性得到公认,并被作为一种标准手术方式写进指南。然而,目前对于复杂VATS,如VATS袖式切除仍存在争议,相关研究和报道还相对较少,且多为个案报道或小样本回顾性研究。该文拟对这一领域的相关研究和技术进展作一综述。     

机器人辅助胸腔镜左肺下叶切除两例

目的探索应用DaVinci S机器人辅助胸腔镜进行左肺下叶切除治疗非小细胞肺癌,观察其安全性,手术效果,以及相较于电视辅助胸腔镜手术（VATS）的优势。方法应用DaVinci S机器人辅助胸腔镜治疗非小细胞肺癌,进行左肺下叶切除2例,加系统性淋巴结清扫。结果 2例患者均获手术成功,无中转开胸,无手术并发症发生,无死亡,平均手术时间252.5min,术中出血量150ml,术后住院时间5d。围手术期未输血,术后恢复快、疼痛轻。结论机器人辅助胸腔镜左肺下叶切除初步证明是安全有效的,相较于VATS,有更逼真的视野,更灵活稳定的操作,从而具备更宽泛的手术适应证,是新一代微创胸部手术的重要选择。     

Minimally invasive approach of the cervical endocrine glands

Improved preoperative functional and topographic diagnostic techniques and availability of intra-operative hormone monitoring, stimulated the introduction of video-assisted minimally invasive operations in parathyroid and thyroid surgical pathology. The first cases of such pathology operated on in our clinic are presented. The first one is a 62 year old man with renal hyperparathyroidism consecutive to a chronic renal insufficiency and hemodialysis from five and three years respectively. The technique of a minimally invasive gapless resection of all four "adenomised" parathyroid glands using laparoscopic and classic instruments is described. Fragments of one gland are implanted in the left forearm musculature. The second case was a 48 year old woman with a three cm diameter right toxic adenoma. With a lateral 15 mm incision, dissociation of the musculature and adequate moving of the retractors the excision of the thyroid nodule was done in 25'. The video-assisted minimally invasive approach allows magnification and adequate identification and removal of endocrine secreting tissues in thyroid and parathyroid pathology. The authors believe that these techniques represent a feasible and attractive alternative to conventional surgery.     

Video-assisted endoscopic thyroidectomy

BACKGROUND: Several experimental and clinical reports concerning endoscopic parathyroid surgery have appeared. However, reports concerning minimally invasive surgery for thyroid remains rare. Herein we present a new method, called video-assisted endoscopic thyroidectomy (VAET), for the management of various benign thyroid diseases. METHODS: In all, 16 consecutive patients who underwent VAET for benign thyroid diseases were retrospectively studied. The study group included nodular hyperplasia in 8 patients, follicular adenoma in 6, and Hurthle's tumor and simple cyst in 1 each. A 2 to 3 cm transverse incision was made on the suprasternal notch. The wound was deepened to expose the underlying trachea from which the plane of the thyroid fascia was accessed directly, and the working space was established with lifting method using conventional instrument. All surgical procedures could be manipulated and monitored under laparoscopy without gas insufflation. The ultrasonically activated scalpel was the principal instrument used for VAET. RESULTS: All 16 patients underwent VAET successfully without conversion to open thyroidectomy. The surgical procedures included lobectomy in 13 and extirpation in 3. The operation time ranged from 28 minutes to 5 hours (mean 1 hour, 42 minutes). For the 5 most recent cases, lobectomy took an average of 2 hours, whereas extirpation less than 40 minutes. The tumor size ranged from 3.5 cm to 8.0 cm (mean 5.8 cm). There were no surgical complications. All patients but 1 were discharged on postoperative day 2. During follow-up, all patients demonstrated euthyroid function and satisfactory cosmetic results. CONCLUSIONS: VAET emerges as a promising minimally invasive surgical technique replacing conventional thyroidectomy for benign thyroid diseases in selected cases, with the advantage of satisfactory cosmetic results.     

机器人辅助胸腔镜肺叶切除12例临床分析

目的探索应用daVinciS机器人辅助胸腔镜进行肺叶切除术的安全性、手术效果及在微创手术中的优势。方法2009年5月至2013年5月,上海市胸科医院应用daVinciS机器人辅助胸腔镜对12例临床拟诊为非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）患者行肺叶切除术,男6例、女6例,年龄40～61（52±8）岁。所有手术通过1个12mm观察孔、2个8mm操作孔和1个12～40mm辅助切口完成,肋骨不撑开。收集分析患者同手术期资料。结果全组12例手术均获成功,包含所有位置肺叶切除,均系完全性切除,清扫淋巴结4～9（5±1）组,无中转开胸。所有患者均未发生围术期并发症或死亡。胸腔引流管引流时间3～11（8＋7）d,住院时间6～18（14＋8）d,手术时间60～280（185±78）min,术中出血量20～200（108±71）m1,围术期均未输血。结论机器人辅助胸腔镜肺叶切除术初步证明安全有效,电视胸腔镜有更逼真的视野、更灵活稳定的操作,从而具备更宽泛的手术适应证,是新一代微创胸部手术的重要选择。     

Minimally invasive open surgery approach for the surgical resection of thoracic malignancies

This article describes minimally invasive open surgery for resection of intrapulmonary malignancies. This approach compensates for the weak points of video-assisted thoracic surgery while remaining minimally invasive. Overall, it is respected as a technically feasible alternative to conventional lobectomy by way of open thoracotomy with an acceptable range of morbidity or mortality.     

Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy: five years of experience

BACKGROUND: In the last decade, development of videolaparoscopic surgery allowed several operations to be performed with minimally invasive techniques, making them less invasive and painful. Neck surgery was also involved in this effort, in spite of the skepticism shown by some authors. STUDY DESIGN: Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy was developed in 1998, and since then, about 600 operations have been performed. Access was the same as was previously described for parathyroidectomy; it was based on a small central incision (1.5 cm) and on external retraction without neck insufflation. RESULTS: From July 1998 to October 2003, 579 patients were selected from 5,450 for minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy. The operation consisted of a total thyroidectomy in 312 patients and lobectomy in 267 patients. Mean operative time was 41 +/- 19.5 minutes (range 15 to 120 minutes) for lobectomy and 51.6 +/- 18.8 minutes (range 30 to 140 minutes) for total thyroidectomy. Postoperative hospital stay was 24 hours (overnight discharge) for all patients. Complications were postoperative bleeding (0.1%), recurrent nerve palsy (1.3%), and definitive hypoparathyroidism (0.2%). CONCLUSIONS: After 5 years of experience using this approach for various indications, we achieved a good esthetic result with an operative time comparable to that of conventional open surgery. Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy was found to be a safe operation, with advantages over traditional procedures represented by better cosmetic outcomes and postoperative course, as demonstrated by visual analogue scales and statistically analyzed numeric scales.     

Techniques for Treating Aberrant Arteries During Resection of Pulmonary Sequestration by Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery: Report of Two Cases

We describe the techniques we used for treating aberrant arteries during resection of pulmonary sequestration by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in two patients. In patient 1, the aberrant artery was transected after securing six rows of staples with a knifeless vascular endostapler. In patient 2, the aberrant artery was cut after ligation with special forceps that designed by one of us (S.K.) to push a knot, tied outside the body, into the thoracic cavity, then ligate the suture. Left lower lobectomy and right basal segmentectomy were both successfully performed by these methods. These two cases are reported to show that VATS lobectomy is a feasible and minimally invasive technique of treating pulmonary sequestration and other diseases of the lung. Received: October 12, 2001 / Accepted: July 2, 2002 Reprint requests to: S. Kaseda     

剥离法在改良Miccoli术中的应用体会

目的探讨剥离法在内镜辅助下经颈部小切口行甲状腺切除术（改良Miccoli术）中的应用价值。方法对39例甲状腺良性疾病患者采用剥离法内镜辅助下颈部小切口甲状腺切除术。按传统Miccoli术方式切开、建腔、显露,按剥离法要求游离、超声刀离断腺体,切除病灶。甲状腺瘤12例,其中11例行单侧甲状腺部分切除,1例行单纯峡部肿物切除;结节性甲状腺肿27例,其中13例行双侧甲状腺部分切除7,例行一侧腺叶大部切除加一侧肿瘤切除,5例双侧腺叶大部切除,2例单侧腺叶全切。结果 39例手术均顺利完成,手术切口平均2.4（1.5～3.0）cm,无中转开放手术;手术时间平均59.6（30～135）min;术中出血17.6（10～60）ml;术后第1 d引流量平均8（6～10）ml;术后住院时间平均4.2（3～6）d。术后术野皮下炎性肿胀3例,无喉返神经损伤或甲状旁腺功能低下等并发症。术后均获随访,平均10（6～12）个月,患者局部不适感轻微,颈部瘢痕不明显,美容效果好,复查甲状腺超声未见复发。结论在改良Miccoli术中采用剥离法手术策略简便、安全,并发症少,值得推广。     

微创外科技术在中央型肺癌治疗中的应用

微创手术有助于减少手术创伤和疼痛,帮助患者康复,改善生活质量。包括胸腔镜和机器人在内的微创肺切除术目前主要用于早期周围型肺癌的外科治疗,中央型肺癌由于肿瘤位置、淋巴结转移和治疗模式等原因,手术难度较大、技术要求较高,尤其是袖状切除术和全肺切除术,大多需要开胸手术切除。随着微创手术技术的不断进步,近年来临床上开始尝试将其应用于中央型肺癌的外科治疗,其可行性和安全性已得到初步结果证明,代表了微创胸肺癌外科的发展方向。但仍需要更多研究结果证实其功能优越性和肿瘤学效果,让更多肺癌患者从外科技术的进步中获益。     

Minimally invasive pulmonary surgery for lung cancer, up to date

Recently, the minimally invasive surgical approach is an important issue in the pulmonary surgery. In this review, we present the current fashion of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and new approach including robotic lobectomy. There is no clear definition or standard for this surgical procedure regarding VATS lobectomy. Therefore, no randomized controlled trial of VATS and conventional lobectomy can be set up. Although the definition of VATS lobectomy is not straightforward, VATS lobectomy showed the technical feasibility of conventional lobectomy in mortality and postoperative complication as well as lymph node dissection. VATS procedure for advanced lung cancer is unclear whether such observations can be developed into a standardized approach. There are no reports to evaluate the advantages of robotic lobectomy in terms of treatment outcomes for lung cancer compared with VATS lobectomy. However, we believe that robotic lobectomy has clear potential to improve the quality of minimally invasive surgery.     

Pulmonary resection using a total endoscopic robotic video-assisted approach

We have developed a robotic video-assisted thoracoscopic technique (RVATS) for lung resection that could encourage broader use of minimally invasive lobectomy. During December 2006 to September 2010, RVATS was performed in 200 consecutive patients (90 women, 110 men) with the da Vinci Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Inc, Sunnyvale, CA). Pulmonary resection was performed through ports without the need for a utility incision. Data on patients' perioperative results were collected retrospectively. Robotic video-assisted pulmonary resection was accomplished in 197 of 200 patients. A total of 154 patients underwent lobectomy; 4 patients required bilobectomy, and 35 patients underwent segmentectomy. Three patients underwent a sleeve lobectomy, and 3 patients had an en-bloc resection with lobectomy. One patient received a left pneumonectomy. Three patients required conversion to a thoracotomy. The median operative time was 90 minutes. The median length of hospital stay was 3 days. 60-day mortality and morbidity was 2% and 26%, respectively. RVATS lung resection is technically feasible, safe, and results indicate the procedure is associated with reduced length of stay, low morbidity, and mortality.     

Pulmonary lobectomy for cancer: Systematic review and network meta-analysis comparing open,video-assisted thoracic surgery,and robotic approach

BackgroundAlthough minimally invasive lobectomy has gained worldwide interest, there has been debate on perioperative and oncological outcomes. The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes among open lobectomy, video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy, and robotic lobectomy.MethodsPubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were consulted. A fully Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed.ResultsThirty-four studies (183,426 patients) were included; 88,865 (48.4%) underwent open lobectomy, 79,171 (43.2%) video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy, and 15,390 (8.4%) robotic lobectomy. Compared with open lobectomy, video-assisted thoracic surgery, lobectomy and robotic lobectomy had significantly reduced 30-day mortality (risk ratio = 0.53; 95% credible intervals, 0.40–0.66 and risk ratio = 0.51; 95% credible intervals, 0.36–0.71), pulmonary complications (risk ratio = 0.70; 95% credible intervals, 0.51–0.92 and risk ratio = 0.69; 95% credible intervals, 0.51–0.88), and overall complications (risk ratio = 0.77; 95% credible intervals, 0.68–0.85 and risk ratio = 0.79; 95% credible intervals, 0.67–0.91). Compared with video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy, open lobectomy, and robotic lobectomy had a significantly higher total number of harvested lymph nodes (mean difference = 1.46; 95% credible intervals, 0.30, 2.64 and mean difference = 2.18; 95% credible intervals, 0.52–3.92) and lymph nodes stations (mean difference = 0.37; 95% credible intervals, 0.08–0.65 and mean difference = 0.93; 95% credible intervals, 0.47–1.40). Positive resection margin and 5-year overall survival were similar across treatments. Intraoperative blood loss, postoperative transfusion, hospital length of stay, and 30-day readmission were significantly reduced for minimally invasive approaches.ConclusionCompared with open lobectomy, video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy, and robotic lobectomy seem safer with reduced 30-day mortality, pulmonary, and overall complications with equivalent oncologic outcomes and 5-year overall survival. Minimally invasive techniques may improve outcomes and surgeons should be encouraged, when feasible, to adopt video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy, or robotic lobectomy in the treatment of lung cancer.     

Port access video-assisted proximal anastomosis with the symmetry aortic connector in MIDCABG procedure

We present an alternative way to create a video-assisted port access proximal anastomosis in the ascending aorta with the Symmetry Bypass System Aortic Connector (St. Jude Medical ATG, St. Paul, MN). This technique was successfully used in a patient undergoing urgent minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCABG), in whom the left internal mammary artery was not harvested owing to subtotal occlusion of the left subclavian artery. Port access use of mechanical anastomotic devices may increase the indications for minimally invasive coronary artery surgery.