Chest-Wall Collateral Embolization to Reduce Surgical Blood Loss in Peripheral Aspergillomas.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to present the procedural details and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) findings of perioperative chest-wall collateral embolization (PCCE) and compare intraoperative blood loss in patients of pulmonary aspergilloma (PA) undergoing lung resection with and without PCCE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Since November 2017, we have performed PCCE in 17 patients (14 males, three females, age 34.41 ± 12.85 years) before surgery for PA (embolization group). Retrospective evaluation of these patients was done, DSA findings were noted, and perioperative parameters (surgical approach, extent of resection, operative time, blood loss, blood transfusion, morbidity grade, and length of post-operative stay) were compared with a comparative cohort of 24 patients of PA (21 males, three females, mean age 36.13 ± 12.58 years) who underwent thoracic surgery without PCCE (May 2013-November 2017) (control group) using the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: A total of 55 arteries were embolized in 17 patients (mean 3.23 arteries per patient). Technical success could be achieved in all patients without any procedure-related complications. The most common arteries embolized were posterior intercostal arteries (29) followed by costocervical trunk (10), superior thoracic (8), lateral thoracic (5), and internal thoracic arteries (3). The mean blood loss was significantly lower in the embolization group compared with the control group (676.47 vs. 1,264.58 mL, p = 0.015). Within the embolization group, patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery had even lower blood loss compared with open surgery cases (466 vs. 887.50 mL, p-value = 0.046). CONCLUSION: PCCE is a simple and safe procedure, useful in reducing intra-operative blood loss in patients undergoing surgery for peripherally located PA.

Uniportal fully robotic-assisted sleeve resections: surgical technique and initial experience of 30 cases.

Since the first uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (uVATS) performed in 2010, the uniportal approach has evolved up to a point where even the most complex cases can be done. This is thanks to the experience acquired over the years, the specifically designed instruments and improvements in imaging. However, in these last few years, robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) has also shown progress and distinct advantages compared to the uniportal VATS approach, thanks to advanced maneuverability of the robotic arms as well as the three-dimensional (3D) view. Excellent surgical outcomes have been reported and so too, the ergonomic benefits to the surgeon. The main limitation we find of the robotic systems is that they are designed for a multiport approach, requiring between three to five incisions to be able to perform surgeries. With the aim to offer the least invasive approach, using the robotic technology we decided to adapt the Da Vinci Xi® in September 2021 to develop the uniportal pure RATS approach (uRATS) performed by a single intercostal incision, without rib spreading and using the robotic staplers. We have now reached a point where we perform all type of procedures, including the more complex sleeve resections. Sleeve lobectomy is now widely accepted as a reliable and safe procedure to allow complete resection of centrally located tumors. Although it is a technically challenging surgical technique, it offers better outcomes when compared to pneumonectomy. The intrinsic characteristics of the robot such as the 3D view and improved maneuverability of instruments make the sleeve resections easier compared to thoracoscopic techniques. As in uVATS vs. multiport VATS, the uRATS approach, due to its geometrical characteristics, requires specific instrumentation, different movements and learning curve compared to multiport RATS. In this article we describe the surgical technique and our initial uniportal pure RATS experience with bronchial, vascular sleeves and carinal resections in 30 patients.

Uniportal fully robotic-assisted major pulmonary resections.

Robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) has proven advantages over that of conventional thoracic surgery, primarily by offering a three-dimensional view and excellent maneuverability, and by providing great ergonomic comfort to the surgeon. The instrumentation specifically offers seven degrees of freedom, allowing for safe, yet complex dissections and radical lymphadenectomies. However, the robotic platform was initially designed with four robotic arms in mind, and therefore four to five incisions were needed for most thoracic approaches. The uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (UVATS) approach, the philosophical predecessor to the uniportal robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (URATS) approach, evolved very quickly with the help of the latest technologies during the last decade. Since the first cases of UVATS in 2010, we have improved upon the technique, such that we are now able to do increasingly more complex cases. This is due to the acquired experience, specifically designed instruments, better high-definition cameras and more angulated staplers. In our efforts to improve and adapt robotic surgery to the uniportal approach, we utilized the initial available platforms (Davinci Si and X) to test the feasibility of this approach, in terms of safety and possibilities. The latest platform, the Da Vinci Xi, due to the configuration of its arms, did indeed allow for us to reduce the number of incisions to two initially and finally to one. We hence decided to fully adapt the Da Vinci Xi® to allow for the URATS approach routinely, and performed the first fully robotic anatomic resections in the world in September 2021, in Coruña, Spain. We define pure or fully robotic URATS as robotic thoracic surgery performed by a single intercostal incision, without rib spreading, using the robotic camera, robotic dissecting instruments and robotic staplers.

Long-term Outcomes of Laparoscopic Heller's Cardiomyotomy in Achalasia Cardia With Megaesophagus.

BACKGROUND: Megaesophagus secondary to achalasia cardia is conventionally treated with esophagectomy. With the advent of minimal invasive surgery, laparoscopic Heller's cardiomyotomy (LHCM) has been used in the management of megaesophagus. The authors hereby report our long-term results of 19 patients of megaesophagus managed with LHCM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospectively collected data of 19 patients with megaesophagus were reviewed for symptomatic outcome using defined symptom scores and achalasia disease-specific quality of life (A-DsQol) after LHCM with an antireflux procedure. Follow-up was done with clinical visits and telephonic calls. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 39.8 years with 7 female and 12 male individuals. The mean duration of symptoms was 105 months. Dysphagia was the predominant symptom followed by regurgitation and heartburn. A-DsQOL was poor with a mean of 58.6±8.11. Nine patients had extra respiratory symptoms. All patients underwent LHCM with an antireflux procedure with no conversion, intraoperative perforation, or mortality. At a median follow-up of 66 months (interquartile range, 24.5 to 80), there was a significant improvement of dysphagia, regurgitation, heartburn, and Eckardt scores from 2.26±1.14, 2.05±0.62, 1.0±0.67, and 7.21±2.22 to 0.21±0.53, 0.15±0.37, 0.42±0.61, and 0.57±2.06, respectively (P<0.001). One patient (5.2%) had a recurrence of dysphagia. Sixty-three percent of patients graded their satisfaction level as fully satisfied and 31% as better. A-DsQOL of life improved significantly (P<0.001) after surgery. The respiratory symptoms improved in all. CONCLUSIONS: LHCM provides durable relief of symptoms in patients with megaesophagus and may be considered as the first-line treatment option in such patients.