Objective To investigate the clinical effect of digital drainage system (DDS) in patients after robot-assisted lobectomy. MethodsThe clinical data of the patients who underwent da Vinci robot-assisted lobectomy from August 2020 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into a DDS group and a conventional group (using traditional single thoracic drainage tube device) according to different drainage devices used after operation. The preoperative data, intraoperative blood loss, total drainage volume within 48 h after operation, postoperative extubation time and postoperative hospital stay were compared between the two groups. ResultsFinally, 170 patients were collected, including 76 males and 94 females with an average age of 61.8±8.7 years. Postoperative extubation time [5.53 (6.00, 7.00) days vs. 6.36 (6.00, 8.00) days, Z=–2.467, P=0.014] and postoperative hospital stay [7.80 (8.00, 10.00) days vs. 8.94 (9.00, 10.00) days, Z=–2.364, P=0.018] in the DDS group were shorter than those in the conventional group. For patients with postoperative persistent air leak, postoperative extubation time (Z=–2.786, P=0.005) and postoperative hospital stay (Z=–2.862, P=0.003) in the DDS group were also shorter than those in the conventional group. ConclusionDDS has a positive effect on enhanced recovery after robot-assisted lobectomy, which is safe and stable, and is beneficial to postoperative rehabilitation and shortening the average hospital stay.
ObjectiveTo compare the postoperative chylothorax outcomes of robot-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), analyze the risk factors for postoperative chylothorax after minimally invasive radical lung cancer resection and explore possible prevention and control measures. MethodsBetween June 2012 and September 2020, 1083 patients underwent minimally invasive pulmonary lobectomy and systematic lymph node dissection in our hospital, including 578 males and 505 females with an average age of 60.6±9.4 years. Patients were divided into two groups according to the operation methods: a RATS group (499 patients) and a VATS group (584 patients). After propensity score matching, 434 patients were included in each group (868 patients in total). Chylothorax and other perioperative indicators were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for postoperative chylothorax. ResultsOverall, 24 patients were diagnosed with chylothorax after surgery. Compared with the VATS group, the rate of chylothorax was higher (3.9% vs. 1.6%, P=0.038), the groups and numbers of dissected lymph nodes were more (both P<0.001), and the intraoperative blood loss was significantly less (P<0.001) in the RATS group. There was no statistical difference in the postoperative hospital stay (P=0.256) or chest tube drainage time (P=0.504) between the two groups. Univariate analysis showed that gender (P=0.021), operation approach (P=0.045), smoking (P=0.001) and the groups of dissected lymph nodes (P<0.001) were significantly associated with the development of chylothorax. Multivariate analysis showed that smoking [OR=4.344, 95%CI (1.149, 16.417), P=0.030] and the groups of dissected lymph nodes [OR=1.680, 95%CI (1.221, 2.311), P=0.001] were the independent risk factors for postoperative chylothorax. ConclusionCompared with the VATS, the rate of chylothorax after RATS is higher with more dissected lymph nodes and less blood loss. The incidence of chylothorax after minimally invasive radical lung cancer resection is higher in the patients with increased dissected lymph node groups and smoking history.
Objective To analyze the feasibility of totally no tube (TNT) in da Vinci robotic mediastinal mass surgery and its significance for fast track surgery. Methods A total of 79 patients receiving robotic mediastinal TNT surgery in the General Hospital of Shenyang Military Command from January 2016 to December 2017 were enrolled as a TNT group; 35 patients receiving robotic mediastinal surgery in General Hospital of Shenyang Military Command from January 2014 to December 2017 and 54 patients receiving thoracoscopic mediastinal surgery during the same period were enrolled as a non-TNT group and a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) group. The muscle relaxation and tracheal intubation/laryngeal masking time, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative ICU stay, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS), hospitalization costs and postoperative complications and other related indicators were retrospectively analyzed among the three groups. Results Surgeries were successfully completed in 168 patients with no transfer to thoracotomy, serious complications (postoperative complications in 9 patients) or death during the perioperative period. All patients were discharged. Compared with the non-TNT group, the TNT group had significantly less muscle relaxation-tracheal intubation/laryngeal masking time, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, VAS pain score, ICU stay, postoperative hospital stay (P<0.01); there was no significant difference in the total cost of hospitalization between the two groups (P>0.05). Between the non-TNT group and the VATS group, there was no significant difference in time of muscle relaxation and tracheal intubation, operation time and ICU stay (P>0.05). The non-TNT group was superior to the VATS group in terms of intraoperative blood loss, VAS pain scores on the following day after operation, chest drainage volume 1-3 days postoperatively, postoperative catheterization time and postoperative hospital stay (P<0.05); but the cost of hospitalization in the non-TNT group was significantly higher (P=0.000). Conclusion The da Vinci robot is safe and feasible for the treatment of mediastinal masses. At the same time, TNT is also safe and reliable on the basis of robotic surgery which has many advantages such as better comfort, less pain, ICU stay and hospital stay as well as faster recovery.
ObjectiveTo analyze risk factors for chronic cough after minimally invasive resection of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and explore the possible prevention measures.MethodsA total of 128 NSCLC patients who received minimally invasive resection in 2018 in our hospital were enrolled, including 63 males and 65 females with an average age of 60.82±9.89 years. The patients were allocated into two groups: a robot-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) group (56 patients) and a video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) group (72 patients). Chronic cough was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS), meanwhile, other perioperative indicators were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for postoperative chronic cough and explore the prevention strategies.ResultsOverall, 61 (47.7%) patients were diagnosed with chronic cough after surgery, including 25 (44.6%) patients in the RATS group and 36 (50.0%) patients in the VATS group, and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Compared with the VATS group, the RATS group got shorter endotracheal intubation time (P=0.009) and less blood loss (P<0.001). The univariate analysis showed that age (P=0.014), range of surgery (P=0.021), number of dissected lymph nodes (P=0.015), preoperative cough (P=0.006), endotracheal intubation time (P=0.004) were the influencing factors for postoperative chronic cough. The multivariate analysis showed that age <57 years (OR=3.006, 95%CI 1.294-6.986, P=0.011), preoperative cough (OR=3.944, 95%CI 4.548-10.048, P=0.004), endotracheal intubation time ≥172 min (OR=2.316, 95%CI 1.027-5.219, P=0.043), lobectomy (OR=2.651, 95%CI 1.052-6.681, P=0.039) were the independent risk factors for chronic cough.ConclusionThere is no statistical difference in postoperative chronic cough between the RATS and VATS groups. The RATS group gets less blood loss and shorter endotracheal intubation time. Patients with younger age (<57 years), preoperative cough, lobectomy, and longer duration of endotracheal intubation (≥172 min) are more likely to have chronic cough after surgery.
Objective To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of da Vinci robot with totally no tube (TNT) versus subxiphoid video-assisted thymectomy surgery (SVATS) in the treatment of thymic tumors. Methods From 2019 to 2021, a retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with thymic tumor resection in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command. All patients underwent total thymectomy and mediastinal fat removal, and they were divided into a TNT group and a SVATS group according to the operation method. The intraoperative blood loss, conversion rate, postoperative visual analogue score (VAS), postoperative hospital stay time and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Results We finally included 435 patiets. There were 168 patients with 83 males and 85 females at an average age of 61.920±9.210 years in the TNT group and 267 patients with 147 males and 120 females at an average age of 61.460±8.119 years in the SVATS group. There was no death or postoperative myasthenic crisis in both groups. There was no statistical difference in postoperative hospital stay (1.540±0.500 d vs. 3.400±0.561 d, P=0.000), intraoperative blood loss (13.450±5.498 mL vs. 108.610±54.462 mL, P=0.000), postoperative 24 h VAS score (4.960±1.757 points vs. 3.600±1.708 points, P=0.000), or postoperative complication rate (3.0% vs. 11.6%, P=0.001).Conclusion TNT is a more efficient, safe, and effective surgical approach for treating thymic tumors, which can shorten hospital stay time and reduce postoperative complications. However, SVATS can minimize postoperative pain.
ObjectiveTo compare the the effectiveness of robot-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) with video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), in stageⅠ lung adenocarcinoma.MethodsFrom January 2012 to December 2018, 291 patients were included. The patients were allocated into two groups including a RATS group with 125 patients and a VATS group with 166 patients. Two cohorts (RATS, VATS ) of clinical stageⅠ lung adenocarcinoma patients were matched by propensity score. Then there were 114 patients in each group (228 patients in total). There were 45 males and 69 females at age of 62±9 years in the RATS group; 44 males, 70 females at age of 62±8 years in the VATS group. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were assessed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with the outcomes.Results Compared with the VATS group, the RATS group got less blood loss (P<0.05) and postoperative drainage (P<0.05) with a statistical difference. There was no statistical difference in drainage time (P>0.05) or postoperative hospital stay (P>0.05) between the two groups. The RATS group harvested more stations and number of the lymph nodes with a statistical difference (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in 1-year, 3-year and 5-year OS and mean survival time (P>0.05). While there was a statistical difference in DFS between the two groups (1-year DFS: 94.1% vs. 95.6%; 3-year DFS: 92.6% vs. 75.2%; 5-year DFS: 92.6% vs. 68.4%, P<0.05; mean DFS time: 78 months vs. 63 months, P<0.05) between the two groups. The univariate analysis found that the number of the lymph nodes dissection was the prognostic factor for OS, and tumor diameter, surgical approach, stations and number of the lymph nodes dissection were the prognostic factors for DFS. However, multivariate analysis found that there was no independent risk factor for OS, but the tumor diameter and surgical approach were independently associated with DFS.ConclusionThere is no statistical difference in OS between the two groups, but the RATS group gets better DFS.
Objective To analyze the risk factors for postoperative length of stay (PLOS) after mediastinal tumor resection by robot-assisted non-endotracheal intubation and to optimize the perioperative process. MethodsThe clinical data of patients who underwent Da Vinci robot-assisted mediastinal tumor resection with non-endotracheal intubation at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from 2016 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the median PLOS, the patients were divided into two groups. The univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze risk factors for prolonged PLOS (longer than median PLOS). ResultsA total of 190 patients were enrolled, including 92 males and 98 females with a median age of 51.5 (41.0, 59.0) years. The median PLOS of all patients was 3.0 (2.0, 4.0) d. There were 71 patients in the PLOS>3 d group and 119 patients in the PLOS≤3 d group. Multivariate logistic regression showed that indwelled thoracic catheter [OR=11.852, 95%CI (2.384, 58.912), P=0.003], preoperative symptoms of muscle weakness [OR=4.814, 95%CI (1.337, 17.337), P=0.016] and postoperative visual analogue scale>5 points [OR=6.696, 95%CI (3.033, 14.783), P<0.001] were independent factors for prolonged PLOS. Totally no tube (TNT) allowed patients to be discharged on the first day after surgery. ConclusionRobot-assisted mediastinal tumor resection with non-endotracheal intubation can promote rapid recovery. The methods of optimizing perioperative process are TNT, controlling muscle weakness symptoms and postoperative pain relief.
ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility of robotic sleeve lobectomy and bronchoplasty and to summarize the experience of quality control and technical process management.MethodsFrom January to December 2018, our hospital completed robotic sleeve lobectomy and bronchoplasty for 5 patients, including the upper right lung lobe in 2 patients, the middle right lung lobe in 1 patient and the lower left lung lobe in 2 patients. There were 3 males and 2 females with an age of 56.6 (39-75) years. The surgical approach was the same as the surgical incision of the robotic lobectomy. During the operation, the lobes were separated, all enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes were cleaned, pulmonary hilum was dissected, pulmonary arteriovenous vessels and bronchi were exposed, and pulmonary vessels were treated. After exposing the main bronchi, the bronchi were cut off at the distal end of the lesion, and the lobes where the lesion was located (including lesions) were excised by sleeve type and the bronchi were continuously sutured with 3-0 Prolene from the back wall for anastomosis. After the anastomosis, no air leakage was found in the expanded lung, and the anastomosis was no longer wrapped.ResultsThe operation time was 147.4 (100-192) min, including bronchial anastomosis time 17.6 (14-25) min. Intraoperative blood loss was 60.0 (20-100) mL, and 20 (9-37) lymph nodes were dissected. Three patients had squamous cell carcinoma, 1 adenocarcinoma, and 1 neuroendocrine tumor. All patients showed negative results in the freezing pathology of bronchial stump during operation. All patients recovered well after surgery, without perioperative complications, and the anastomosis was smooth. Postoperative hospital stay was 10.8 (7-14) days. The patients were followed up for 6 to 12 months without anastomotic stenosis or other complications.ConclusionSince the robot system is a special instrument with 3D vision and 7 degrees of freedom for movable joints, the robotic bronchial suture is more flexible and accurate. The robotic sleeve lobectomy and bronchoplasty are safe and feasible.
ObjectiveTo investigate the preoperative localization of pulmonary glabrous nodules.MethodsA total of 192 patients admitted to General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from April 2012 to September 2019 were selected for the study. There were 95 males and 97 females at an age of 56.47±11.79 years. All patients completed preoperative examination, and were divided into a positioning group (n=97) and a non-positioning group (n=95) according to whether the preoperative positioning was performed. And the surgical indicators between the two groups were compared. According to the substance of ground-glass opacity, they were divided into a pure ground-glass nodules group (n=23) and a mixed ground-glass nodules group (n=74) in the positioning group and a pure ground-glass nodules group (n=14) and a mixed ground-glass nodules group (n=81) in the non-positioning group . According to the size and distance of the nodules from the pleura and whether the nodules could be detected, the corresponding linear function was obtained.ResultsThe operative time of methylene blue localization group was shorter than that of the no localization group. In the scatter plot, the corresponding diameter and depth of the nodules and the corresponding coordinate points which can be explored were described. And linear regression was performed on all the coordinate points to obtain the linear function: depth=0.648×diameter–1.446 (mm). It can be used as an indication for the preoperative localization of pure ground-glass nodules in Da Vinci robotic surgery. Linear function: depth=0.559 5×diameter+0.56 (mm). It can be used as an indication of preoperative localization of mixed ground-glass nodules in Da Vinci robotic surgery.ConclusionThis equation can be used as a preoperative indication for clinical peripheral pulmonary ground-glass nodules.
ObjectiveTo compare and analyze the therapeutic effects of robot-assisted lobectomy and segmentectomy for stage ⅠA non-small cell lung cancer with a diameter≤2 cm. MethodsA total of 181 patients with pathologically confirmed stage ⅠA non-small cell lung cancer (diameter≤2 cm) who underwent robot-assisted lobectomy and segmentectomy in our hospital from 2018 to 2021 were included. There were 74 males and 107 females with an average age of 57.50±10.60 years. They were divided into two groups according to the surgical procedure: a segmentectomy group (85 patients) and a lobectomy group (96 patients). ResultsThere was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of clinical data such as age, gender, smoking history, basic disease, pathological type, tumour diameter, operative time, postoperative 24 h drainage volume and overall complications (P>0.05). The intraoperative blood loss (33.88±16.26 mL vs. 39.27±19.48 mL, P=0.046), groups of dissected lymph nodes (4.76±1.19 vs. 5.52±1.46, P=0.000), number of dissected lymph nodes (14.81±7.23 vs. 18.06±7.70, P=0.004) and postoperative 72 h drainage volume (561.65±225.31 mL vs. 649.84±324.34 mL, P=0.037) of patients in the segmentectomy were less than those in the lobectomy group. The chest drainage time (5.49±3.92 d vs. 7.60±4.96 d, P=0.002) and postoperative hospital stay time (7.47±4.16 d vs. 9.67±5.50 d, P=0.003) were shorter than those in the lobectomy group. There was no conversion to thoracotomy or perioperative death in the two groups. The postoperative follow-up rate was 100.0% with a longest follow-up time of 48 months. The 3-year recurrence-free survival rates of the segmentectomy group and lobectomy group were 87.7% and 92.4%, respectively (P=0.465). ConclusionThe da Vinci robot-assisted lobectomy and segmentectomy are safe and feasible surgical procedures for patients with stage ⅠA non-small cell lung cancer (diameter≤2 cm), with a similar 3-year recurrence-free survival rate. The lobectomy group has more lymph nodes dissected, while the segmentectomy group is superior to the lobectomy group in terms of intraoperative blood loss, postoperative 72 h chest drainage volume, chest drainage time and postoperative hospitalization time.