Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a highly aggressive malignant tumor with poor prognosis, and lymph node metastasis constitutes one of the critical risk factors contributing to unfavorable patient outcomes. Lymph node dissection holds significant value in accurately staging ICC, guiding prognostic evaluation, and determining adjuvant therapeutic strategies. In recent years, both domestic and international scholars have conducted extensive research on lymph node metastasis and dissection in ICC. However, discrepancies persist among various research findings and consensus guidelines domestically and internationally regarding the understanding and recommendations for lymph node dissection in ICC. Furthermore, substantial variations exist in the extent of lymph node dissection, the minimum number of lymph nodes required for retrieval, and surgical dissection techniques, which have consequently led to divergent research conclusions. To standardize the clinical practice of lymph node dissection for ICC in China and enhance the level of ICC diagnosis and treatment, the Branch of Biliary Surgery, Chinese Society of Surgery, Chinese Medical Association and Working Group of Biliary Surgeons, Chinese College of Surgeons, Chinese Medical Doctor Association, convened relevant experts to develop this expert consensus. This consensus document has been formulated based on the latest evidence-based medical research and accumulated clinical experience.
Humans ; Cholangiocarcinoma/pathology* ; Lymph Node Excision ; Bile Duct Neoplasms/pathology* ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Consensus ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of reconstruction of phonatory function by using a tubular free flap from upper-lateral upper arm to repair the laryngotracheal circumferential defect after near-total laryngectomy for laryngeal cancer. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 7 patients who underwent near-total laryngectomy between June 2021 and October 2023, aged from 48 to 70 years (median, 59 years), 6 males and 1 female. The disease duration ranged from 1 to 11 months, with a median of 6 months. Pathological diagnosis of preoperative biopsy was squamous cell carcinoma. Tumor classification: glottic type in 5 cases, supraglottic type in 1 case, transglottic type in 1 case; TNM staging: T ₄N ₀M ₀ in 6 cases, T ₄N ₂M ₀ in 1 case; American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging in 2017 was stage Ⅳ. Preoperative MRI angiography of upper arm was performed to investigate the blood supply in the upper and lateral regions of the upper arm. After near-total laryngectomy and bilateral neck lymph node dissection, the area of the laryngotracheal defect was measured. A free flap measuring 7.0 cm×5.0 cm to 8.0 cm×7.0 cm was harvested from the upper-lateral upper arm, rolled into a tube shape, and connected between the stump of the cervical trachea in the neck root and that of the epiglottis at the tongue base. Four patients received adjuvant radiochemotherapy, 1 patient received radiochemotherapy and targeted therapy, 2 patients adopted no further adjuvant treatment. RESULTS: All 7 patients were followed-up 1-2 years (mean, 1 year and 3 months). Four patients had primary wound healing, 2 patients had minor pharyngeal fistulas that healed after dressing change, 1 patient experienced pharyngeal fistula because of flap necrosis and the wound still healed without secondary surgery. All patients took food orally within 1 month after operation, and the tracheal cannula was retained. Six patients with survived flap gradually adapted to their new pronunciation mode and obtained satisfactory phonatory function from 15 days to 2 months after operation. Four patients had slight aspiration after operation. Till the end of the follow-up, all patients survived and no local recurrence or distant metastasis had been observed. The motor function of the upper arm was not affected, only partial sensory loss occurred in the area near the incision. The scar of the incision could be covered by the short sleeve so as to obtain a better aesthetic effect. CONCLUSION Using a tubular free flap from upper-lateral upper arm to repair the laryngotracheal circumferential defect after near-total laryngectomy for laryngeal cancer can achieve satisfactory phonatory restoration while preserve the motor function and aesthetics of the donor site.
Humans ; Laryngectomy/methods* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Laryngeal Neoplasms/surgery* ; Aged ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Retrospective Studies ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/surgery* ; Phonation ; Arm/surgery* ; Neck Dissection

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer has the highest mortality rate among all malignant tumors, and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for about 80%-85% of all lung cancers. Lobectomy and lymph node dissection are one of the most important treatment methods, and lymph node dissection, as an important part, has attracted much attention. And its mode and scope of dissection may affect postoperative complications, particularly the occurrence of chronic cough. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of lymph node dissection on postoperative chronic cough in patients with NSCLC undergoing lobectomy, and to provide clinical evidence for optimizing surgical strategy and reducing postoperative chronic cough. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 365 NSCLC patients who underwent lobectomy at the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China from December 2020 to December 2023. The relationship between clinical characteristics and postoperative chronic cough was analyzed. The Chinese version of the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ-MC) scores were collected from the patients at 2 time points: 1 day before surgery and 8 weeks after surgery. Patients were divided according to lymph node dissection methods, to explore the relationship between lymph node dissection and chronic cough after lobectomy. Additionally, patients were divided into chronic cough and non-chronic cough groups based on the presence of postoperative chronic cough, to investigate whether perioperative data, lymph node dissection methods, and lymph node dissection regions were influencing factors. RESULTS: Patients undergoing lobectomy were more likely to have chronic cough after surgery in the systematic lymph node dissection group than in the lymph node sampling group (P<0.05). LCQ-MC scale evaluation showed that the psychological, physiological, social and total score of the patients in systematic lymph node dissection group were significantly lower than those in lymph node sampling group (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that anesthesia time, operation site, lymph node dissection method, whether to perform upper mediastinal lymph node dissection, number of upper mediastinal lymph node dissection, whether to perform lower mediastinal lymph node dissection and total number of lymph node dissection were independent risk factors for postoperative chronic cough in NSCLC patients (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS When NSCLC patients underwent lobectomy, lymph node sampling was associated with a significantly lower risk of chronic cough than systematic lymph node dissection. Dissecting lymph nodes in the upper and lower mediastinal regions and the number of lymph nodes dissected may increase the risk of postoperative cough and reduce the quality of life of patients after surgery.
Humans ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/surgery* ; Male ; Female ; Lung Neoplasms/surgery* ; Middle Aged ; Cough/etiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Lymph Node Excision/methods* ; Aged ; Chronic Disease ; Postoperative Complications/etiology* ; Adult ; Lymph Nodes/surgery* ; Pneumonectomy/adverse effects* ; Chronic Cough

Objective： The aim of this study is to explore the predictive value of biparametric magnetic resonance imaging(bpMRI)for pelvic lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer patients with PSA≤20 μg/L and establish a nomogram. Methods： The imaging data and clinical data of 363 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from July 2018 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to screen independent risk factors for pelvic lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer, and a nomogram of the clinical prediction model was established. Calibration curves were drawn to evaluate the accuracy of the model. Results： Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed extrocapusular extension (OR=8.08,95%CI=2.62－24.97, P<0.01), enlargement of pelvic lymph nodes (OR=4.45,95%CI=1.16－17.11,P=0.030), and biopsy ISUP grade(OR=1.97,95%CI=1.12－3.46, P=0.018)were independent risk factors for pelvic lymph node metastasis. The C-index of the prediction model was 0.834, which indicated that the model had a good prediction ability. The actual value of the model calibration curve and the prediction probability of the model fitted well, indicating that the model had a good accuracy. Further analysis of DCA curve showed that the model had good clinical application value when the risk threshold ranged from 0.05 to 0.70.Conclusion： For prostate cancer patients with PSA≤20 μg/L, bpMRI has a good predictive value for the pelvic lymph node metastasis of prostate cancer with extrocapusular extension, enlargement of pelvic lymph nodes and ISUP grade≥4.
Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Retrospective Studies ; Nomograms ; Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood* ; Lymph Nodes/pathology* ; Pelvis ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prostatectomy ; Lymph Node Excision ; Risk Factors ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Logistic Models ; Middle Aged ; Aged

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and short-term efficacy of robot-assisted unilateral axillary approach for partial or total thyroidectomy without inflation. Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 98 patients who underwent gasless unilateral axillary approach robot-assisted resection of bilateral thyroid lesions at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between October 2022 and October 2024. Perioperative indicators were recorded and compared among patients undergoing different surgical approaches（total thyroidectomy vs. bilateral partial thyroidectomy） and with different body mass index（BMI） values, including operative time, intraoperative blood loss, number of lymph nodes dissected, incidence of postoperative hoarseness, incidence of postoperative hypocalcemia, and other postoperative complications. Results:A total of 98 patients were included, of whom 78.57% were female, with a median age of 39 years（interquartile range[IQR]: 35-49） and a median BMI of 24.08 kg/m²（IQR: 21.43-25.98）. The median intraoperative blood loss was 32.14 mL（IQR: 20.00-50.00）, the median operative time was 130.0 minutes（IQR: 104.80-150.30）, and the median hospital stay was 2.01 days（IQR: 1.00-2.00）. The most common postoperative complication was transient hypocalcemia, with an incidence of 16.32%. There were no cases of permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy or conversion to open surgery. Compared with the non-total thyroidectomy group, the total thyroidectomy group had a significantly longer operative time（135.10±33.28 min vs 120.30±30.53 min, P=0.033）. Subgroup analysis based on BMI showed no statistically significant differences in operative time, hospital stay, drainage volume, or incidence of hypocalcemia between patients with BMI≥25 kg/m² and those with BMI<25 kg/m². Conclusion:The gasless unilateral axillary approach for robot-assisted partial or total thyroidectomy demonstrates favorable safety, cosmetic outcomes, and feasibility. Appropriate selection of surgical techniques and meticulous protection of critical structures during the procedure can further reduce the risk of complications and optimize therapeutic outcomes.
Humans ; Thyroidectomy/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Female ; Robotic Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Male ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Axilla/surgery* ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications ; Thyroid Neoplasms/surgery* ; Thyroid Gland/surgery* ; Lymph Node Excision

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of robotic surgery via the bilateral axillo-breast approach（BABA） in lateral lymph node dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma（PTC）. Methods:Clinicopathological records of 324 PTC patients receiving unilateral neck dissection in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital from December 2020 to November 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Of these patients, 108 underwent robotic surgery via BABA（robotic group）, while the remaining patients underwent conventional open surgery（open group）. The extent of lateral neck lymph node dissection included level Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ. The differences in surgical indexes, postoperative complication rates and cosmetic outcomes of incisions were compared between two groups. Results:All study subjects completed the operation successfully, and there was no conversion in the robotic group. The average age of patients in the robotic group was lower than that in the open group, and the proportion of female patients was higher in the robotic group compared to the open group（P<0.05）. Patients in the robotic group had a greater number of dissected lymph nodes in level ⅡB and higher cosmetic scores（P<0.05）. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in the average dissection time of lateral cervical lymph nodes, the number of dissected lymph nodes and metastatic lymph nodes in level ⅡA, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ, average postoperative drainage volume, average postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative complication rates（P>0.05）. Conclusion:The application of robotic surgical system via BABA in lateral neck lymph node dissection for PTC is safe and feasible, with superior advantages in level ⅡB dissection and better postoperative cosmetic outcomes.
Humans ; Thyroid Neoplasms/surgery* ; Robotic Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Neck Dissection/methods* ; Lymph Node Excision/methods* ; Male ; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary ; Axilla/surgery* ; Thyroidectomy/methods* ; Breast/surgery* ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Lymph Nodes/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome

Humans ; Lymph Nodes/pathology* ; Lymph Node Excision ; Neoplasms/pathology* ; Dissection

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical significance of extended pelvic lymph node dissection (EPLND) under the robot-assisted laparoscope in the treatment of high-risk PCa. METHODS: This study included 29 cases of high-risk PCa treated by robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and EPLND from April 2020 to January 2023. We collected the general data on the patients, recorded the status of dissection of the lymph nodes and postoperative complications, and analyzed the significance of EPLND. RESULTS: The patients were aged (69.3±6.6) years old, with the preoperative PSA level of 8.43－434 μg/L, Gleason score (GS) 6 in 1, GS 7 in 9, and GS ≥8 in 19 cases. The operation time averaged (97.2±15.7) min, with the mean blood loss of (30.5±11.2) ml, and 3－42 (median = 13) lymph nodes dissected, less than 10 in 10 cases, 11－19 in 12, and more than 20 in 7. Positive pelvic lymph nodes (median = 4) were found in 13 cases, with a positive rate of 44.8%. Positive incisal margin was observed in 11 cases (37.9%), lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in 4 (13.8%), and perineural invasion (PNI) in another 4 (13.8%). Lymph node metastasis was significantly correlated with positive incisal margin (P<0.05), but not with LVI, PNI or age (P>0.05). No significant vascular or nerve injuries occurred during the operation. GS 6 was detected in 1, GS 7 in 7, and GS ≥8 in 21 cases postoperatively. CONCLUSION Robot-assisted laparoscopic EPLND is an important strategy for the treatment of high-risk PCa, which contributes to accurate pathological staging of the malignancy. However, evidence is lacking for its benefit to the survival of high-risk PCa patients, and more follow-up studies are needed to confirm its treatment effect.
Humans ; Male ; Lymph Node Excision/methods* ; Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology* ; Laparoscopy/methods* ; Robotic Surgical Procedures ; Aged ; Prostatectomy/methods* ; Pelvis ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Lymph Nodes/surgery* ; Middle Aged

Objective: To investigate the outcome of patients with esophagogastric junction cancer undergoing thoracoscopic laparoscopy-assisted Ivor-Lewis resection. Methods: Eighty-four patients who were diagnosed with esophagogastric junction cancer and underwent Ivor-Lewis resection assisted by thoracoscopic laparoscopy at the National Cancer Center from October 2019 to April 2022 were collected. The neoadjuvant treatment mode, surgical safety and clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed. Results: Siewert type Ⅱ (92.8%) and adenocarcinoma (95.2%) were predominant in the cases. A total of 2 774 lymph nodes were dissected in 84 patients. The average number was 33 per case, and the median was 31. Lymph node metastasis was found in 45 patients, and the lymph node metastasis rate was 53.6% (45/84). The total number of lymph node metastasis was 294, and the degree of lymph node metastasis was 10.6%(294/2 774). Among them, abdominal lymph nodes (100%, 45/45) were more likely to metastasize than thoracic lymph nodes (13.3%, 6/45). Sixty-eight patients received neoadjuvant therapy before surgery, and nine patients achieved pathological complete remission (pCR) (13.2%, 9/68). Eighty-three patients had negative surgical margins and underwent R0 resection (98.8%, 83/84). One patient, the intraoperative frozen pathology suggested resection margin was negative, while vascular tumor thrombus was seen on the postoperative pathological margin, R1 resection was performed (1.2%, 1/84). The average operation time of the 84 patients was 234.5 (199.3, 275.0) minutes, and the intraoperative blood loss was 90 (80, 100) ml. One case of intraoperative blood transfusion, one case of postoperative transfer to ICU ward, two cases of postoperative anastomotic leakage, one case of pleural effusion requiring catheter drainage, one case of small intestinal hernia with 12mm poke hole, no postoperative intestinal obstruction, chyle leakage and other complications were observed. The number of deaths within 30 days after surgery was 0. Number of lymph nodes dissection, operation duration, and intraoperative blood loss were not related to whether neoadjuvant therapy was performed (P>0.05). Preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy or immunotherapy was not related to whether postoperative pathology achieved pCR (P>0.05). Conclusion: Laparoscopic-assisted Ivor-Lewis surgery for esophagogastric junction cancer has a low incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications, high safety, wide range of lymph node dissection, and sufficient margin length, which is worthy of clinical promotion.
Humans ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Lymphatic Metastasis/pathology* ; Esophagectomy ; Esophageal Neoplasms/pathology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Lymph Node Excision ; Postoperative Complications/epidemiology* ; Laparoscopy ; Esophagogastric Junction/pathology*

Objective: To understand the characteristics and influencing factors of lymph node metastasis of the right recurrent laryngeal nerve in thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and to explore the reasonable range of lymph node dissection and the value of right recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph node dissection. Methods: The clinicopathological data with thoracic ESCC were retrospectively analyzed, and the characteristics of lymph node metastasis along the right recurrent laryngeal nerve and its influencing factors were explored. Results: Eighty out of 516 patients had lymph node metastasis along the right recurrent laryngeal nerve, the metastasis rate was 15.5%. Among 80 patients with lymph node metastasis along the right recurrent laryngeal nerve, 25 cases had isolated metastasis to the right recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph node but no other lymph nodes. The incidence of isolated metastasis to the recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph node was 4.8% (25/516). A total of 1 127 lymph nodes along the right recurrent laryngeal nerve were dissected, 115 lymph nodes had metastasis, and the degree of lymph node metastasis was 10.2%. T stage, degree of tumor differentiation and tumor location were associated with right paraglottic nerve lymph node metastasis (all P<0.05). The lymph node metastasis rate along the right recurrent laryngeal in patients with upper thoracic squamous cell carcinoma (23.4%, 26/111) was higher than that of patients with middle (13.5%, 40/296) and lower (12.8%, 14/109) thoracic squamous cell carcinoma (P=0.033). In patients with poorly differentiated ESCC (20.6%, 37/180) the metastasis rate was higher than that of patients with moderately (14.6%, 39/267) and well-differentiated (5.8%, 4/69; P<0.05). The lymph node metastasis rate of patients with stage T4 (27.3%, 3/11) was higher than that of patients with stage T1 (9.6%, 19/198), T2 (19.0%, 16/84) and T3 (18.8%, 42/1 223; P<0.05). Multivariate regression analysis showed that tumor location (OR=0.61, 95% CI: 0.41-0.90, P=0.013), invasion depth (OR=1.46, 95% CI: 1.11-1.92, P=0.007), and differentiation degree (OR=1.67, 95% CI: 1.13-2.49, P=0.011) were independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis along right recurrent laryngeal nerve of ESCC. Conclusions: The lymph node along the right recurrent laryngeal nerve has a higher rate of metastasis and should be routinely dissected in patients with ESCC. Tumor location, tumor invasion depth, and differentiation degree are risk factors for lymph node metastasis along right recurrent laryngeal nerve in patients with ESCC.
Humans ; Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/pathology* ; Lymphatic Metastasis/pathology* ; Esophageal Neoplasms/pathology* ; Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve/pathology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes/pathology* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology* ; Esophagectomy