Conventional Open Surgery Group Research Articles

Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of Oral Cancers Using Transoral Robotic Surgery in an Endemic Region.

Oral cancer poses a major health challenge in Taiwan, consistently ranking among the highest globally in both incidence and cancer-related mortality. Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) has potential advantages over open surgery, but its long-term oncologic outcomes are not well established. In this study, we sought to elucidate the role of TORS in improving treatment outcomes among oral cancer patients. A case-control study with propensity score matching was conducted in a single teaching hospital in Taiwan. It included 72 oral cancer patients in each group to analyze and compare survival outcomes between the surgical approaches. The TORS group demonstrated a higher negative resection margin rate, a lower mortality risk and better overall survival than the open-surgery group. Multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed TORS's association with a reduced risk of death. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank tests indicated significantly better survival outcomes for the TORS group across all cancer stages. Moreover, the TORS group exhibited improved overall survival rates for stage III and IV patients compared to the conventional open-surgery group. In conclusion, this study suggests that TORS may offer better overall survival rates and potential advantages over conventional surgery for oral cancer treatment.

Utility of video-assisted method for identifying and preserving the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve during thyroidectomy.

The EBSLN is vulnerable to damage during thyroidectomy, results in voice related complications, negatively affect patient quality of life, routine identification of the EBSLN prior to surgical manipulation is necessary for a complication-free thyroidectomy. We aimed to validate a video-assisted procedure for identifying and preserving the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) during thyroidectomy and analyze the EBSLN Cernea classification and the localization of the nerve entry point (NEP) from the insertion of the sternothyroid muscle. A prospective descriptive study was performed; 134 patients, who scheduled for lobectomy with an intraglandular tumor max diameter ≤ 4 cm and without extrathyroidal extension, were randomly divided into the video-assisted surgery (VAS) and conventional open surgery (COS) groups. We used the video-assisted surgical procedure for visually identifying the EBSLN directly, and compared the differences in the visual identification rate and total identification rate of the two groups. We also measured the localization of the NEP using the insertion of the sternothyroid muscle as a reference. There was no statistically significant difference in clinical characteristics between the two groups. The visual identification rate and total identification rate were significantly higher in the VAS group than the COS group (91.04% vs. 77.61%, 100% vs. 89.6%). The EBSLN injury rate was 0 in both groups. The mean vertical distance (VD) of the NEP from the sternal thyroid insertion was 1.18 mm (SD 1.12 mm, range, 0-5 mm), with approximately 88.97% of the results occurring within the 0-2 mm range. The mean horizontal distance (HD) was 9.33 mm (SD 5.03 mm, range, 0-30 mm), with over 92.13% of the results occurring within the 5-15 mm range. Both the visual and total identification rates of the EBSLN were significantly higher in the VAS group. This method provided a good visual exposure rate of the EBSLN, aiding in identifying and protecting the EBSLN during thyroidectomy.

Clinical outcomes of fetal ovarian masses diagnosed by prenatal ultrasonography and literature review.

With the advancement of prenatal examination technology, more and more fetus with ovarian masses are diagnosed. However, whether such children need intervention measures after delivery, there is no more unified diagnosis and treatment measures in the world. In this study, postnatal data and clinical outcome of fetal diagnosed with ovarian masses were analyzed. We also combined with relevant literature to explore the postpartum intervention measures and timing of such children. A total of 57 cases of abdominal masses from the reproductive system were included in the study. These children were diagnosed with ovarian masses after birth. We collected from 2012 to 2020, the prenatal examination revealed the presence of abdominal masses from the reproductive system, and diagnosis was confirmed by imaging examinations after childbirth. We counted the fetal period data of these children, compared the changes in the postnatal pathology and intervention measures. A total of 57 cases of ovarian masses were diagnosed prenatally, 1 case was lost to follow-up, and 56 cases were finally included in the study. After birth a total of 21 cases of ovarian masses were treated conservatively, of which 18 cases resolved spontaneously during the follow-up process, with an average follow-up period of 30.88 ± 18.16 weeks. There were statistically significant differences in the nature and the maximum diameter of the mass between the two groups receiving conservative treatment or surgical treatment after delivery (P < .05).Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that there were significant differences in the nature and diameter of the mass between two groups (P < .05). In addition, we divided the children undergoing postpartum surgery into a laparoscopic surgery group and a conventional open surgery group. Through data analysis, we found that there were statistically significant differences in the age of operation, operation time, and hospitalization days in the two groups of these children (P < .05). Children diagnosed with ovarian masses prenatally generally have a good prognosis. For these children, the treatment plan should be developed according to the child general condition. If child with ovarian mass is treated with surgery, the preservation of ovarian tissue should be emphasized regardless of the size, nature, and torsion of the mass.

Comparisons of Lumbar Muscle Performance Between Minimally-Invasive and Open Lumbar Fusion Surgery at 1-Year Follow-Up.

Study Design:Prospective study.Objective:Minimally-invasive lumbar fusion surgery (MIS) is a viable alternative to conventional open surgery (COS) for spinal disorders. Although MIS seems to be associated with less para-spinal muscle trauma, the actual back muscle performance after MIS and COS remain controversial. This study investigated post-operative para-spinal muscle performance, and the correlation between muscle dysfunction and clinical outcome.Methods:In this prospective, non-randomized control study, 50 patients were enrolled and split into 2 groups: COS and MIS. We established a biomechanical model of the para-spinal muscle in the lumbar spine using electromyography (EMG) and specific muscle function tests. Functional outcomes were also reviewed and analyzed. All patients underwent EMG pre-operatively, and at 3 months and 1 year post-operatively. The para-spinal muscle performance was investigated by comparing the back muscle co-contraction ratio and the load transmission zone to the pre-operative data.Results:Twenty-one patients in the COS group and 25 in the MIS group completed the study. Both groups showed a significant improved functional score. The abdominal and back muscle strengths were decreased post-operatively, and were then increased at 12 months post-operatively in both groups. During the perturbed balance task and static task, the MIS group exhibited a trend of recovery in comparison with the COS group. But, the back muscle performance at 12 months was poorer than the pre-op performance in both groups.Conclusions:There was no significant difference in clinical outcome and para-spinal muscle performance between groups. In both methods, the global muscle function had declined post-operatively.

Comparison of paraspinal muscle degeneration and decompression effect between conventional open and minimal invasive approaches for posterior lumbar spine surgery

Laminotomy and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is usually used to treat unstable spinal stenosis. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) can cause less muscle injury than conventional open surgery (COS). The purpose of this study was to compare the degree of postoperative fatty degeneration in the paraspinal muscles and the spinal decompression between COS and MIS based on MRI. Forty-six patients received laminotomy and TLIF (21 COS, 25 MIS) from February 2016 to January 2017 were included in this study. Lumbar MRI was performed within 3 months before surgery and 1 year after surgery to compare muscle-fat-index (MFI) change of the paraspinal muscles and the dural sac cross-sectional area (DSCAS) change. The average MFI change at L2–S1 erector spinae muscle was significantly greater in the COS group (27.37 ± 21.37% vs. 14.13 ± 19.19%, P = 0.044). A significant MFI change difference between the COS and MIS group was also found in the erector spinae muscle at the caudal adjacent level (54.47 ± 37.95% vs. 23.60 ± 31.59%, P = 0.016). DSCSA improvement was significantly greater in the COS group (128.15 ± 39.83 mm2 vs. 78.15 ± 38.5 mm2, P = 0.0005). COS is associated with more prominent fatty degeneration of the paraspinal muscles. Statically significant post-operative MFI change was only noted in erector spinae muscle at caudal adjacent level and L2–S1 mean global level. COS produces a greater area of decompression on follow up MRI than MIS with no statistical significance on clinical grounds.

Minimally invasive spine surgery decreases postoperative pain and inflammation for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis

In certain cases, lumbar spinal stenosis may lead to lumbar nervous disorder. A previous study indicated that minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) presents benefits compared with conventional open surgery (COS). In the current study, the efficacy of MISS and COS for lumbar spinal stenosis patients was investigated. A total of 82 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis were enrolled and divided into two age-matched groups that received MISS (n=41) or COS (n=41). Patient parameters, including symptoms, inflammatory score, visual analog score (VAS), wound length, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), hospital stay and postoperative outcomes were analyzed in the current study. Outcomes indicated that both MISS and COS significantly improved symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis compared with the baseline. It was observed that MISS resulted in decreased wound length and hospital stay compared with COS for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. The results revealed that MISS had better outcomes compared with COS in improving ODI and inflammatory score for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Notably, it was identified that MISS exhibited improved VAS for back and leg pain compared with the COS group for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. In conclusion, these outcomes indicate that MISS was more effective compared with COS for improving symptoms in patients with lumbar stenosis.

Arthroscopic release using F and C method versus conventional open release method in the treatment of gluteal muscle contracture: a comparative study

BackgroundGluteal muscle contracture (GMC), a debilitating disease, usually starts in early childhood after variable dose of injections around the buttock, if left untreated it worsens gradually and persists throughout the life. Because the disease mostly affects adolescents and adults, there is always an aesthetic concerns. Purposeof the study was to introduce the arthroscopic F and C method of GMC release, and to compare its clinical efficiency with conventional open surgery in terms of clinical outcome, rate of complications, patient’s satisfactions, and recurrence.MethodsBetween Jan 2013 and July 2015, 75 patients received an arthroscopic release with F and C release method and 71 patients received conventional open release of GMC. Primary surgeries in 16 years or older patients were included in the study. Two groups were compared clinically using Hip Outcome Scores – Activities of Daily Living Subscale (HOS-ADL), Hip Outcome Scores – Sports Subscale (HOS-Sports), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and Ye et al. evaluation criteria.ResultsNo statistically significant differences were observed in Hip Outcome Scores – Activities of Daily Living Subscale (HOS-ADL) (P = 0.078), Hip Outcome Scores – Sports Subscale (HOS-Sports) (P = 0.340), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) (P = 0.524) between the two groups. 74 (98.7%) patients in the arthroscopic surgery group had good to excellent results, whereas 69 (97.1%) patients in the conventional open surgery group had good to excellent results (P = 0.727). No statistically significant difference was observed in recurrence rate (P = 0.612). Statistically significant differences were observed in incision length, use of post-operative analgesia, post-operative off-bed activity, and hospital stay. Complications were significantly higher in the conventional open surgery group (n = 21) than in the arthroscopic surgery group (n = 10) (P = 0.016). More importantly, cosmetic satisfaction was 100% in arthroscopic release group, whereas only 71% had cosmetic satisfaction in conventional open surgery group (P < 0.001).ConclusionBoth, arthroscopic surgery and conventional open surgery, are highly effective tools for the GMC release in adolescent and adult patients. Arthroscopic GMC release with F and C method allows precise and selective release of contracture bands with small surgical trauma resulting fewer complications, high cosmetic satisfaction and minimal recurrence.

Protocol-Based Strategy for Endovascular Repair of Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Compared with conventional open surgery (COS), endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has been reported to decrease the 30-day mortality rate in patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAAs). We developed an EVAR-first strategy for rAAAs that incorporates the Shonan ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm protocol (SRAP). We describe short-term results with this protocol at our institution and compare them with outcomes in patients who underwent COS. The records of all 57 patients in whom a rAAA was repaired during a 7-year period were reviewed retrospectively. Patients in the COS group (n = 30) were treated between January 2005 and December 2009; those in the SRAP group (n = 27) were treated between January 2010 and March 2012. The two groups were compared with respect to patient characteristics at admission, including severity of condition; operative and in-hospital variables; and 30-day mortality. The baseline patient characteristics in the COS and SRAP groups were similar except that the SRAP group had a significantly higher rate of cerebrovascular disease. The 30-day mortality rate was significantly higher in the COS group (43% vs. 19%), as were the intraoperative mortality rate (27% vs. 5%) and the in-hospital mortality rate (57% vs. 26%; P < 0.05 for all comparisons). The technical success rate for EVAR was 96%; no conversions to open surgery were required. Use of the SRAP is a promising strategy for improving initial outcomes in patients with rAAAs.

Five-year experience of peritoneal dialysis catheter placement

BackgroundPeritoneal dialysis (PD) is a widely used renal replacement therapy for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Using laparoscopic guidance for PD catheter placement, we have designed a safe method that resulted in a reduction in catheter migration. MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 250 consecutive patients who underwent PD catheter placement from January 2005 to December 2009. The patients were divided into two groups: the conventional open surgery group and the laparoscopic group. All patients received Tenckhoff straight catheters. In the laparoscopic group, the catheter was additionally fixed to the ventral abdominal wall. Data were collected and a statistical analysis was performed to compare patient characteristics, surgical complications and catheter removal between the groups. ResultsOverall surgical complications in the laparoscopic group were lower than those in the conventional group (3.8% vs. 19.4%, p < 0.001), and the majority of catheter migrations and omental wraps occurred in the conventional group. Patients in the conventional group had higher American Society of Anesthesiologists scores than those in the laparoscopic group. There was no difference in the incidence of previous abdominal operation or follow-up periods in the groups. ConclusionOur laparoscopy-assisted PD catheter insertion method using an intraperitoneal fixation loop is safeand can be a valuable tool in prevention of catheter migration and omental wraps.