A Novel Technique for Performing Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach (TOETVA): A Single-port Platform.

During transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA), the mental nerve can be injured by the lateral ports. Mental nerve injury is a worrisome complication, which can be minimized by using the single-port platform. A 56-year-old woman was diagnosed with a 5-mm sized papillary thyroid carcinoma on the isthmus. A horizontal 21-mm incision was made on the mucosa at the lower lip, followed by vertical dissection from the mentalis muscles down to the mandibular area. Subsequent hydrodissection widened the working space. For the single-port procedure, the KeyPort system was applied. After inserting the endoscopic instruments, the thyroid isthmus was resected as usual. The patient was discharged without any complications. To our knowledge, this is the first report of single-port TOETVA. Although the indications are limited, a single-port platform can be utilized for TOETVA. This will minimize the risk of mental nerve injury.

3D Printing and NIR Fluorescence Imaging Techniques for the Fabrication of Implants.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology holds great potential to fabricate complex constructs in the field of regenerative medicine. Researchers in the surgical fields have used 3D printing techniques and their associated biomaterials for education, training, consultation, organ transplantation, plastic surgery, surgical planning, dentures, and more. In addition, the universal utilization of 3D printing techniques enables researchers to exploit different types of hardware and software in, for example, the surgical fields. To realize the 3D-printed structures to implant them in the body and tissue regeneration, it is important to understand 3D printing technology and its enabling technologies. This paper concisely reviews 3D printing techniques in terms of hardware, software, and materials with a focus on surgery. In addition, it reviews bioprinting technology and a non-invasive monitoring method using near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence, with special attention to the 3D-bioprinted tissue constructs. NIR fluorescence imaging applied to 3D printing technology can play a significant role in monitoring the therapeutic efficacy of 3D structures for clinical implants. Consequently, these techniques can provide individually customized products and improve the treatment outcome of surgeries.