Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery to the upper thoracic spine

Background: The standard open technique for exposure of the upper thoracic spine, T1–T4, usually requires a difficult thoracotomy. From November 1, 1995 to June 30, 1997, eight patients underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic spinal surgery in our institute to treat their upper thoracic spinal lesions endoscopically. Methods: A new approach, the so-called ``extended manipulating channel method,' was used in this series that allows the combined use of video-assisted thoracoscopy and conventional spinal instruments to enter the chest cavity freely for the procedures. Patients' ages ranged from 44 to 89 years (average, 60 years). Definitive diagnoses included two pyogenic spondylitis and six spinal metastases. Five patients presented initially with myelopathy. Results: There were no deaths or neurologic injuries associated with this technique. The mean surgical time was 3.1 h. The mean duration of chest tube retention was 3.3 days. The mean total blood loss was 1,038 ml, and two patients had a blood loss of more than 2,000 ml owing to bleeding from epidural veins or raw osseous surfaces. Complications included one superficial wound infection and one subcutaneous emphysema that resolved spontaneously. In this series, there was no need of conversion to open thoracotomy for the patients. Conclusions: The thoracoscopy-assisted spinal technique using the extended manipulating channels, usually 2.5–3.5 cm, allows variable instrument angulations for manipulation. The mean surgical time (3.1 h) was considered no longer than for an open technique for the equivalent anterior procedure. Such an approach can achieve less procedure-related trauma and has proved to be a good alternative to other treatment modalities. Received: 19 September 1997/Accepted: 3 December 1997     

电视胸腔镜手术治疗转移性肺肿瘤

目的探讨肺转移瘤电视胸腔镜手术(video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery ,VATS)的治疗效果. 方法回顾分析31例VATS治疗肺转移瘤的临床资料,其中肺叶切除2例,肺叶切除联合转移瘤摘除1例,肺叶切除联合胸壁转移瘤切除1例,肺段切除 2例,肺楔形切除 20例,肺楔形切除联合转移瘤摘除5例. 结果无住院死亡,术后呼吸功能不全1例,肺部感染2例、持续肺疱漏气2例、胸腔积液3例,经抗生素治疗、持续胸腔闭引流后治愈.1例肝癌肺转移术后2个月发现腰椎骨转移,转骨科行手术治疗.1年生存率71.0%(22/31),3年生存率38.7%(12/31). 结论 VATS治疗有手术指征的肺转移瘤可行、安全.     

Video-assisted thoracoscopic resection for destroyed lung

Advances in surgical techniques have indicated that video-assisted thoracoscopic pneumonectomy is a safe alternative to open pneumonectomy. However, indications for video-assisted thoracoscopic pneumonectomy are controversial. We describe two patients who underwent left pneumonectomy because of destroyed lungs and speculated about the tight adhesions, enlarged lymph nodes, enlarged bronchial vessels, and access incisions. Two patients were operated by two different approaches mainly; anterior and posterior, because of the degree of contralateral lung herniation. Both of them experienced a safe perioperative period.     

胸腔镜技术在胸椎结核前路手术的应用

目的 :探讨胸腔镜技术在胸椎结核前路手术的应用效果。方法 :对 1 998年 1 0月～ 2 0 0 2年 3月我科应用胸腔镜技术治疗的 34例胸椎结核患者进行回顾性分析。 1 4例采用标准“锁孔”胸腔镜技术操作 ,2 0例采用电视胸腔镜辅助的小切口技术。除脓肿抽吸、病灶清除外 ,病灶清除后加植骨者 5例 ,加椎体植骨及前路内固定者 1 2例 ,加钛网植骨及前路内固定者 4例 ,加钛网植骨及后路椎弓根内固定矫形 4者例。结果 :平均手术时间 1 80min(90～2 4 0min) ,平均出血量 450ml(30 0～ 1 2 0 0ml)。术后并发胸膜炎包裹性胸腔积液 1例 ,肺不张 1例 ,短暂性下肢瘫痪 1例。随访 3～ 2 2个月 ,脊髓受累患者神经压迫症状和体征消失 ,神经功能完全恢复 ,无内固定松动、断裂。除 1例外 ,未见结核病灶复发。结论 :电视胸腔镜技术为脊柱结核提供了一种安全、有效的外科治疗方式 ,改良扩大切口的胸腔镜技术为复杂胸椎疾病的开辟了一种新的微创外科治疗途径     

Video-assisted thoracic surgery involving major pulmonary resection for central tumors

Background  

This pilot study aimed to examine the technical feasibility and safety of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) involving major pulmonary resection for central tumors compared with the perioperative data obtained from historical cohorts who underwent open thoracotomy.     

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy for lung carcinoma

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been utilized worldwide for the treatment of various types of thoracic disease, in particular for lung carcinoma. The following criteria are accepted as the operative indications for VATS lobectomy: i) clinical T1N1M0: ii) tumor located in the peripheral zone; and iii) non-small cell carcinoma. Videoscopic surgery has the merit of being less invasive, resulting in a low level of postoperative chest pain, short incisional scar, and short duration of hospital stay. Right-side upper mediastinal lymph node dissection is easy under the thoracoscope, although compared with standard thoracotomy it is not always possible to perform complete level II dissection on the left, because of the difficult approach to lymph nodess No. 3 and No. 4 under the aortic arch via the thoracoscope. The postoperative 5-year survival rate after VATS lobectomy is superior to that after standard thoracotomy. It is expected that the indications for VATS will be expanded to include T2 or N1 disease as thorascopic instruments and techniques improve.     

Video-assisted thoracic surgery upper lobe trisegmentectomy for early-stage left apical lung cancer

Resection of the left upper lobe with preservation of the lingula is the anatomic equivalent of a right upper lobectomy with preservation of the right middle lobe. Therefore, our standard operation for a small apical tumor in the left upper lobe has been an apical trisegmentectomy. The purpose of this article is to review our experience with the procedure by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and to describe the operative technique for a VATS apical trisegmentectomy. Eleven patients underwent the procedure with no deaths, low morbidity, and good initial disease-free survival. A VATS apical trisegmentectomy seems to be a feasible and reasonable treatment for small stage I lung cancers at the apex of the left upper lobe.     

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer

Since 1990s, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy has become a standard procedure for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. However, VATS lobectomies are less common, and no randomized controlled trial of VATS versus conventional open lobectomy for early-stage lung cancer has been performed in Japan. Furthermore, VATS lobectomy procedures are not standardized in Japan, and may vary by institution or by practitioner, which complicates their evaluation. Although VATS procedures (such as pneumonectomy, bronchoplasty, and chest wall resection) have been reportedly performed for patients with advanced disease, whether VATS could be a standard modality for advanced lung cancer is unclear from an oncological perspective. Until recently, VATS lobectomies commonly used three or four ports to conduct systemic lymph node dissection; however, VATS lobectomies with reduced port have been recently reported. This article reviews current trends in VATS lobectomy procedures.     

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery node dissection for lung cancer treatment

Purpose

Mediastinal node dissection (MND) is an integral component of the surgical treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been used increasingly for lung cancer treatment, the accuracy of by VATS MND still remains controversial. We reviewed the surgical results of VATS MND for NSCLC.

Methods

A systematic review of literature was performed, and articles that fully described the surgical procedure, devices, and results of VATS MND were selected to compare the efficacy of MND by VATS and thoracotomy.

Results

Various techniques and equipments have been shown to perform adequate MND, but there is an argument as to the method of estimation of the accuracy of MND. Most of the recent studies showed that the nodal upstaging and number of dissected nodes are significantly lower by VATS than after thoracotomy. Oppositely, some studies showed VATS noninferiority in these issues. Complications such as chylothorax, pleural effusion, bleeding, and nerve damage were similar in both groups.

Conclusions

Although ND by VATS remains controversial, VATS MND is becoming easier and more feasible owing to the development of more advanced endoscopic cameras and equipments. We should learn further to become more adept at performing adequate ND by VATS.

     

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for lung cancer: current indications

Recently, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been widely applied in lung cancer surgery in Japan, although there is no consensus on the definition of VATS and its standard techniques. VATS lobectomy may result in long-term survival rates as high as after standard thoracotomy and is becoming an optional treatment for stage IA lung cancer. It is still not a standard treatment because of the problems of safety and oncologic radicality. However, as long as the safety and radicality are ensured by the tumor type, patient risk factors, and the expertise of the surgeon, less-invasive techniques like VATS should be performed.     

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy for stage I lung cancer

The literature shows that, in the hands of experienced thoracoscopic surgeons, VL is a safe operation that offers patients at least comparable complication and survival rates compared with lobectomy by thoracotomy. VL can be performed safely with proven advantages over conventional thoracotomy for lobectomy: smaller incisions, decreased postoperative pain, decreased LOS, decreased chest tube output and duration, decreased blood loss, better preservation of pulmonary function, and earlier return to normal activities. These results are obtained without sacrificing the oncologic principles of thoracic surgery, and, in fact, the evidence in the literature is mounting that VATS may offer reduced rates of complications and better survival.     

胸腔镜辅助下胸椎、上腰椎前路手术的体会

目的 探讨胸腔镜技术在胸、腰椎前路手术的适应证、操作要点以及单肺或双肺通气麻醉的选择。方法 对5例结核病人行胸腔镜下结核病灶清除术，其中2例同时行自体髂骨植骨术，1例以自固化磷酸钙人工骨(CPC)植入；对3例爆裂性骨折截瘫及1例L1陈旧性爆裂骨折并马尾综合征病人进行脊髓减压、自体髂骨植骨、钢板螺丝钉内固定术。结果 全部病例都得到随访，术后切口一期愈合，X光、CT检查也都显示病灶清除彻底，脊髓减压充分，复位满意，内固定可靠，位置良好。结论 胸椎、上腰椎结核或骨折，不论是否并发脊髓、马尾神经压迫的病例，均适宜在胸腔镜辅助下进行病灶清除、脊髓减压、脊柱前路内固定术。     

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) segmentectomy for small peripheral lung cancer tumors: intermediate results

Background We investigated the feasibility and suitability of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) segmentectomy for curing selected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with this less invasive technique Methods We performed VATS segmentectomy for small (<20 nm) peripherally located tumors and pathologically confirmed lobar lymph node-negative disease by frozen-section examination during surgery. Of the 34 patients who underwent this limited resection, 22 were treated with complete hilar and mediastinal lymph node dissection (intentional group), whereas 12 patients who were deemed to be high risk in their toleration for lobectomy underwent VATS segmentectomy with incomplete hilar and mediastinal lymph node dissection (compromised group). The surgical and clinical parameters were evaluated and compared with those of segmentectomy under standard thoracotomy to evaluate the technical feasibility of VATS segmentectomy. Results We found that VATS segmentectomy could be performed safely with a nil mortality rate and acceptably low morbidity. The mean period of observation was relatively short at 656.7±572.1 and 783.4±535.8 days in the intentional and compromised groups, respectively. At the time of writing, all intentional patients remain alive and free of recurrence. There were two cases of non-cancer-related death in the compromised group. Clinical data indicated that VATS segmentectomy caused the same number or fewer surgical insults compared with segmen-tectomy under standard thoractomy Conclusions The present results are intermediate only; the rate of long-term survival and the advantages of the less invasive procedure still need further investigation. Nevertheless, we believe that VATS segmentectomy with complete lymph node dissection is a reasonable treatment option for selected patients with small peripheral NSCLC.     

Video-assisted thoracic surgery resection for pediatric mediastinal neurogenic tumors

Background/PurposeVideo-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) resection of mediastinal neurogenic tumors is still controversial in children. The aim of this study was to review the cases of VATS resection of such tumors in children from 3 institutions located in different countries.MethodsThis retrospective study included 17 children treated between July 1995 and February 2011. Medical charts were reviewed for collection of data on age, sex, histologic type of tumor, clinical manifestations, age and weight at surgery, tumor size, duration of thoracic drainage, surgical complications, tumor recurrence, and mortality.ResultsThirteen (76.5%) males and 4 (23.5%) females were studied. Median age was 16 months (range, 10.6-60 months), and median weight was 11.9 kg (range, 9.3-27.4 kg). Ten children had neuroblastoma (58.8%), 4 had ganglioneuroma (23.5%), and 3 had ganglioneuroblastoma (17.7%). The median duration of the operation was 90 minutes (range, 45-180 minutes), with complete thoracoscopic resection in all cases. Two children (11.8%) developed Horner syndrome postoperatively. No deaths were reported, and no recurrence was noted during a median follow-up period of 16 months (range, 8.9-28.6 months).ConclusionsVideo-assisted thoracoscopic surgery resection of mediastinal neurogenic tumors in children produced good results, with no recurrence and minimal postoperative complications. The major advantages of this approach are the avoidance of thoracotomy complications and the enhanced surgical accuracy provided by improved visualization.     

A simple technique for thoracoscopic resection of lung tumors

Mainly incited by the bushfirelike spread of endoscopic operative techniques in general surgery, thoracoscopy has become the object of new interest in the field of thoracic surgery. Location and resection of lung tumors are problematic for several reasons and so far not standardized. The main problems are pointed out. A new technique together with the instruments and their advantages is demonstrated. Future aspects are discussed.     

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, with special reference to primary treatment for lung cancer

From the viewpoint of patients, physicians, and health insurers, the ideal surgical treatment would be based on a precise diagnosis, followed by minimally invasive, high-technology-assisted, potentially curative surgery and the shortest possible period of hospitalization, while incurring the lowest possible medical fees. Such treatment would also be tailored to the medical, social, and employment needs of individual patients. Remarkable advances in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) techniques occurred in the late 20th century, making it minimally invasive compared with conventional thoracotomy. VATS results in less postoperative pain, shortens hospital stay, and improves the postoperative quality of life of patients. Among 570 institutions in Japan, the nationwide statistical record revealed that a total of 34,987 thoracic field surgeries were performed ??BETWEEN 19?? AND 19?? PLEASE GIVE YEARS??, of which 29.4% involved VATS. Of total thoracic surgical procedures recorded, VATS was performed in 76.7% of pneumothorax cases, 58.5% of benign tumor cases, and 38.8% of inflammatory disease cases. In cases of bullous disease excluding pneumothorax, VATS was performed in 44.5% of cases, in 38.0% of pleural tumor cases, and in 30.2% of mediastinal lung disease cases. The technique is also used in lung cancer. Of a total of 11,323 lung cancer lobectomies, VATS was performed in 539 (4.7%). Mediastinal dissection with VATS is becoming increasingly common. Satisfactory results have been achieved in terms of survival in patients with stage T1N0M0 lung cancer, which is recognized as an indication for VATS. This paper describes the current status of VATS in the field of general thoracic surgery as well in lung cancer.     

Video-assisted thoracic surgery rib resection and reconstruction with titanium plate

A 38-year-old man was diagnosed with fibrous dysplasia of the anterolateral segment of the fifth rib by core biopsy. A decision was made to resect the rib by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) taking care to preserve the muscle and overlying myodermal layers. Subsequent reconstruction was done using a straight titanium plate locked in place under thoracoscopic guidance to avoid friction of the plate on the skin and to verify that the transfixed screws would not injure the lung or the pericardium. The patient made an uneventful recovery and was dismissed on day 2 after surgery. Final diagnosis confirmed fibrous dysplasia.