BACKGROUND/AIMS: Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is a new era of minimally invasive surgery which has the potential to offer scarless surgery. So far, numerous reports on various routes to peritoneal organs in NOTES have been published. In case of transgastric approach, it is more inconvenient than transcolonic approach to access upper abdominal organs because of retroflexion. However, most data were subjective and there was no report examining the best access route for the exploration of peritoneal organs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the best access route according to the abdominal organs objectively. METHODS: Six female pigs weighing 30 to 35 kg were placed under general anesthesia. Incisions were made on both anterior wall of stomach body and rectosigmoid colon 15 to 20 cm above anal verge, respectively. Then, via each incision site, we evaluated the endoscopic visibility and checked the elapsed time to access abdominal organs in sequence (gallbladder (GB), spleen, bladder, uterus, and ovary). RESULTS: On comparison of the mean time to approach each organs, GB and ovary showed statistical difference in the mean time to approach between transgastric and transcolonic approaches. It took relatively shorter time to access GB via transcolonic route than transgastric route (352.3+/-80.1 sec vs. 222.2+/-82.0 sec, p=0.021). Next, we evaluated the time to access upper organs (GB and spleen) and lower organs (bladder, uterus and ovary). In case of lower organs, it showed no difference in time between transgastric and transcolonic approaches. However, to explore upper organs, transcolonic route was more favorable than transgastric route (351.8+/-80.7 sec vs. 273.3+/-110.3 sec, p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: For exploration of lower organs, there is statistically no significant difference in time between transgastric and transcolonic approaches. But, in case of upper organs, transcolonic approach is superior to transgastric approach.
Animals ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; *Laparoscopy ; Models, Animal ; Peritoneal Cavity/*surgery ; Statistics, Nonparametric ; Surgical Procedures, Minimally Invasive ; Swine ; Time

Traditionally, urologists recommend an interval of at least 4 weeks after prostate biopsy before radical prostatectomy. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether the interval from prostate biopsy to radical prostatectomy affects immediate operative outcomes, with a focus on differences in surgical approach. The study population of 1,848 radical prostatectomy patients was divided into two groups according to the surgical approach: open or minimally invasive. Open group included perineal and retropubic approach, and minimally invasive group included laparoscopic and robotic approach. The cut-off of the biopsy-to-surgery interval was 4 weeks. Positive surgical margin status, operative time and estimated blood loss were evaluated as endpoint parameters. In the open group, there were significant differences in operative time and estimated blood loss between the <4-week and > or =4-week interval subgroups, but there was no difference in positive margin rate. In the minimally invasive group, there were no differences in the three outcome parameters between the two subgroups. Multivariate analysis revealed that the biopsy-to-surgery interval was not a significant factor affecting immediate operative outcomes in both open and minimally invasive groups, with the exception of the interval > or =4 weeks as a significant factor decreasing operative time in the minimally invasive group. In conclusion, performing open or minimally invasive radical prostatectomy within 4 weeks of prostate biopsy is feasible for both approaches, and is even beneficial for minimally invasive radical prostatectomy to reduce operative time.
Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/*statistics & numerical data ; *Operative Time ; Postoperative Hemorrhage/*epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Prostatectomy/*statistics & numerical data ; Prostatic Neoplasms/epidemiology/*pathology/*surgery ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Time-to-Treatment/*statistics & numerical data ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: We evaluated the validity of robotic surgery (RS) for pediatric choledochal cyst (CC) in comparison to open surgery (OS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2009 to April 2013, clinical data from 79 consecutive pediatric patients with CC, who underwent RS (n=36) or OS (n=43) performed by a single pediatric surgeon, were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: In the RS group, the age of the patients was significantly older, compared to the OS group. Operation and anesthesia times were significantly longer in the RS group than the OS group. Fluid input rates to maintain the same urine output were significantly smaller in the RS group than the OS group. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status, length of postoperative hospital stay, and the incidence of surgical complications did not differ significantly between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Although early complications could not be avoided during the development of robotic surgical techniques, RS for pediatric CC showed results comparable to those for OS. We believe that RS may be a valid and alternative surgery for pediatric CC. After further development of robotic surgical systems and advancement of surgical techniques therewith, future prospective studies may reveal more positive results.
Age Distribution ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Choledochal Cyst/*surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data ; Male ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/*methods ; Postoperative Complications/epidemiology ; Postoperative Period ; Prospective Studies ; Reproducibility of Results ; Retrospective Studies ; *Robotics ; Treatment Outcome

The coexistence of thyroid diseases with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) can present a challenge in the clinical diagnosis and management for these patients. This study aims to determine the frequency of coexisting thyroid gland lesions in a consecutive series patients with PHPT, and to analyze the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of these patients. Twenty-two cases of a total of 52 PHPT patients who had synchronous thyroid and parathyroid pathology were surgically managed in this study. Thirteen patients had ipsilateral thyroid nodules, and 9 patients had thyroid nodules in contralateral or bilateral side. Seven patients underwent direct parathyroidectomy and hemithyroidectomy via a mini-incision (about 3 cm), while other 15 procedures were converted to Kocher incision. Seventeen nodular goiter (32.7%), 2 thyroiditis (3.8%), 2 thyroid adenoma (3.8%) and 1 thyroid carcinoma (1.9%) coexisting with parathyroid adenoma were pathologically diagnosed. The sensitivity of preoperative ultrasonography (US) and methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile (MIBI) scintigraphy for parathyroid lesions was 63.6% and 85.7%; and the overall positive predictive values for MIBI and US were 100% and 95.5% respectively. A high incidence of thyroid diseases that coexisted with PHPT in literatures was briefly reviewed. Our study illustrated the need for clinical awareness of concomitant PHPT and thyroid disease. A combination of US, computed tomography (CT) and MIBI scintigraphy would be recommended for preoperative localization of enlarged parathyroid adenoma and for evaluation of thyroid lesions. Synchronous treatment of associated thyroid abnormalities is desirable, and open minimally invasive surgical approach with additional resection of isolated ipsilateral thyroid nodules is possible in some of these patients.
Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Comorbidity ; Diagnostic Imaging ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperparathyroidism, Primary ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; statistics & numerical data ; Parathyroidectomy ; statistics & numerical data ; Preoperative Care ; statistics & numerical data ; Prognosis ; Reproducibility of Results ; Risk Assessment ; methods ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thyroid Nodule ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; surgery ; Thyroidectomy ; statistics & numerical data ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility, safety and short-term clinical outcomes of robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE).

METHODSClinical data of 17 patients with esophageal cancer who received RAMIE between April 2016 and July 2016 were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSThe age of the patients ranged from 44 to 83. Six patients received neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy while 11 patients underwent surgery alone. All patients were performed by the robot-assisted thoraco-laparoscopic minimally invasive esophagectomy. In-hospital mortality was 0%. None was converted to open transthoracic or laparotomy approach. In the neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy group, 3 patients received pathological complete response while 2 patients were stage II(A and 1 patient was stage II(B. In the surgery alone group, 1 patient was stage I(A, 3 patients were stage II(A, 5 patients were stage II(B, 1 patient was stage III(A and 1 patient was stage III(B. The mean operation time was 195 minutes (range 145 to 305 minutes). The mean blood loss was 60 ml (range 30 to 200 ml). Mean lymph node harvest was 28 nodes. The rate of radical resection was 100%. Median ICU stay was 4.5 days (range 1 to 36 days), and median overall postoperative hospital stay was 15.2 days(range 9 to 45 days). Postoperative complication occurred in 4 (23.5%) patients, including 3 (17.6%) of lung lesion, 2 (11.8%) of hoarseness, 1 (5.9%) of chylothorax, while no anastomotic leakage and arrhythmia was observed.

CONCLUSIONRAMIE for esophageal cancer is feasible and safe with favorable early outcomes.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; statistics & numerical data ; Chemoradiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; therapy ; Esophagectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; adverse effects ; methods ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Robotic Surgical Procedures ; adverse effects ; methods ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; adverse effects ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

The Western China Gastric Cancer Collaboration (WCGCC) was founded in Chongqing, China in 2011. At the early stage of the collaboration, there were only about 20 centers. While now, there are 36 centers from western area of China, including Sichuan, Chongqing, Yunnan, Shanxi, Guizhou, Gansu, Qinghai, Xinjiang, Ningxia and Tibet. During the past few years, the WCGCC organized routinely gastric cancer standardized treatment tours, training courses of mini-invasive surgical treatment of gastric cancer and the clinical research methodology for members of the collaboration. Meanwhile, the WCGCC built a multicenter database of gastric cancer since 2011 and the entering and management refer to national gastric cancer registration entering system of Japan Gastric Cancer Association. During the entering and collection of data, 190 items of data have unified definition and entering standard from Japan Gastric Cancer Guidelines. Nowadays, this database included about 11 872 gastric cancer cases, and in this paper we will introduce the initial results of these cases. Next, the collaboration will conduct some retrospective studies based on this database to analyze the clinicopathological characteristics of patients in the western area of China. Besides, the WCGCC performed a prospective study, also. The first randomized clinical trial of the collaboration aims to compare the postoperative quality of life between different reconstruction methods for total gastrectomy(WCGCC-1202, ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02110628), which began in 2015, and now this study is in the recruitment period. In the next steps, we will improve the quality of the database, optimize the management processes. Meanwhile, we will engage in more exchanges and cooperation with the Chinese Cochrane Center, reinforce the foundation of the clinical trials research methodology. In aspect of standardized surgical treatment of gastric cancer, we will further strengthen communication with other international centers in order to improve both the treatment and research levels of gastric cancer in Western China.
Cancer Care Facilities ; China ; Clinical Protocols ; standards ; Clinical Trials as Topic ; methods ; standards ; Databases, Factual ; statistics & numerical data ; trends ; Education, Medical, Continuing ; Gastrectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; education ; Organizational Objectives ; Organizations ; statistics & numerical data ; trends ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Prospective Studies ; Quality of Life ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Registries ; statistics & numerical data ; Research Design ; standards ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; therapy

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the feasibility of single-site robotic surgery for benign gynecologic tumors and early stage gynecologic cancers. METHODS: In this single institution, prospective analysis, we analyzed six patients who had undergone single-site robotic surgery between December 2013 and August 2014. Surgery was performed using the da Vinci Si Surgical System. Patient characteristics and surgical outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Single-site robotic surgery was performed successfully in all six cases. The median patient age was 48 years, and the median body mass index was 25.5 kg/m2 (range, 22 to 33 kg/m2). The median total operative time was 211 minutes, and the median duration of intracorporeal vaginal cuff suturing was 32 minutes (range, 22 to 47 minutes). The median duration of pelvic lymph node dissection was 31 minutes on one side and 27 minutes on the other side. Patients' postoperative courses were uneventful. The median postoperative hospital stay was 4 days. No postoperative complications occurred. CONCLUSION: When used to treat benign gynecologic tumors and early stage gynecologic cancers, the single-site da Vinci robotic surgery is feasible, safe, and produces favorable surgical outcomes.
Adult ; Body Mass Index ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Genital Neoplasms, Female/*surgery ; Humans ; Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data ; Lymph Node Excision/methods ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/adverse effects/methods ; Operative Time ; Pilot Projects ; Robotic Surgical Procedures/adverse effects/*methods ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVEIntertrochanteric femur fracture is a common injury in elderly patients. The dynamic hip screw (DHS) has served as the standard choice for fixation; however it has several drawbacks. Studies of the percutaneous compression plate (PCCP) are still inconclusive in regards to its efficacy and safety. By comparing the two methods, we assessed their clinical therapeutic outcome.

METHODSA total of 121 elderly patients with intertrochanteric femur fractures (type AO/OTA 31.A1-A2, Evans type 1) were divided randomly into two groups undergoing either a minimally invasive PCCP procedure or a conventional DHS fixation.

RESULTSThe mean operation duration was significantly shorter in the PCCP group (55.2 min versus 88.5 min, P<0.01). The blood loss was 156.5 ml±18.3 ml in the PCCP group and 513.2 ml±66.2 ml in the DHS group (P<0.01). Among the patients treated with PCCP, 3.1% needed blood transfusions, compared with 44.6% of those that had DHS surgery (P<0.01). The PCCP group displayed less postoperative complications (P<0.05). The mean American Society of Anesthesiologists score and Harris hip score in the PCCP group were better than those in the DHS group. There were no significant differences in the mean hospital stay, mortality rates, or fracture healing.

CONCLUSIONDue to several advantages, PCCP has the potential to become the ideal choice for treating intertrochanteric fractures (type AO/OTA 31.A1-A2, Evans type 1), particularly in the elderly.

Aged ; Blood Transfusion ; statistics & numerical data ; Bone Plates ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Femoral Fractures ; mortality ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; methods ; Fracture Healing ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; statistics & numerical data ; Male ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; Treatment Outcome