Incidence Of Recurrent Nerve Palsy Research Articles

Robot-assisted transcervical esophagectomy with a bilateral cervical approach for thoracic esophagectomy.

Thoracic esophageal cancer resection through the neck approach has recently been reported as mediastinoscopic surgery. We present the first report of a new minimally invasive technique for thoracic esophageal cancer: robot-assisted transcervical esophagectomy with a bilateral cervical approach. Ten cases of robot-assisted bilateral transcervical esophagectomy performed at the National Cancer Center Hospital East, Japan, from February 2023 to August 2023 were reviewed. The short-term surgical outcomes were presented, and the feasibility and efficacy of this procedure were discussed. The mean operation time for the cervical procedure was 184.2 ± 23.6min. The total time for the whole procedure was 472.7 ± 28.4min, and total intraoperative blood loss was 162.2 ± 40.0ml. Among the 10 cases, one patient developed recurrent nerve paralysis, one patient developed pulmonary complications, and no patients developed postoperative pneumonia. The median postoperative hospital stay was 22 (range: 12-43) days. No patients developed severe postoperative surgical complications, which were graded as Clavien-Dindo ≥ III. The total number of surgically harvested mediastinal lymph nodes was 37.2 ± 11.2. Robot-assisted bilateral transcervical esophagectomy, a novel procedure for thoracic esophageal cancer, was safe and feasible. Using this procedure, the incidence of recurrent nerve palsy, which is a problem with transcervical esophagectomy and mediastinoscopic esophagectomy, is expected to decrease.

405. SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES OF ROBOT-ASSISTED ESOPHAGECTOMY

Abstract Background Robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) has become widely performed in Japan, and the technique and short-term results have been accumulated. In our institute, we started with daVinci S in 2013, switched to Xi in 2018, and have experienced 110 cases so far. Method; Technique and Devices: Semi-prone position with the left upper extremity placed under the body, 4 ports +1 assist port (Air Seal), double bipolar system—is the basic approach. The right upper extremity is placed so that it is attached to the head to provide axillary working space, and orthoglass to avoid direct compression of the right upper arm and robotic 4th arm. The range of motion of the 4th arm in the lower mediastinum is limited by the patient’s physique, so assistant forceps are used to assist as needed. Be willing to invert the camera to view the back of the operative field. Intraoperative recurrent nerve monitoring (NIM) was used in all cases. Results Five surgeons have performed RAMIE procedures. There have been no cases of conversion to thoracoscopic or open thoracotomy. The thoracic procedure time was significantly longer in RAMIE (299 min:274 min) than in thoracoscopic MIE. Blood loss tended to be less (17.1 mL: 44.0 mL). The incidence of recurrent nerve palsy (CD grade I or higher) was 44%:37%, that of pneumonia (CD grade II or higher) was 19%:18% and perioperative complications were similar between the two groups. Comparing the first half of the period when RAMIE was initiated with the second half, there was a significant decrease in the amount of bleeding, surgery time, and incidence of pneumonia, indicating an improvement in technique due to the number of experienced cases. Conclusion RAMIE can be performed safely, although no clear advantages can be demonstrated compared to thoracoscopic MIE at this time. RAMIE has clear advantages in terms of visual magnification of the dissected layer and stability of the surgical field, therefore, it is expected to reduce complications due to improved technique.

Intraoperative Nerve Monitoring during Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy and 3-Field Lymphadenectomy: Safety, Efficacy, and Feasibility.

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of intraoperative monitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerves during thoracoscopic and robotic 3-field esophagectomy. This retrospective analysis details our initial experience using intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) during minimally invasive 3-field esophagectomy. Data were obtained from a prospectively maintained database and electronic medical records. The study included all patients who underwent minimally invasive (video-assisted thoracic surgery/robotic) transthoracic esophagectomy with neck anastomosis. The patients were divided into those who underwent IONM during the study period and a historical cohort who underwent 3-field esophagectomy without IONM at the same institution. Appropriate statistical tests were used to compare the 2 groups. Twenty-four patients underwent nerve monitoring during minimally invasive 3-field esophagectomy. Of these, 15 patients underwent thoraco-laparoscopic operation, while 9 received a robot-assisted procedure. In the immediate postoperative period, 8 of 24 patients (33.3%) experienced vocal cord paralysis. Relative to a historical cohort from the same institution, who were treated with surgery without nerve monitoring in the preceding 5 years, a 26% reduction was observed in the nerve paralysis rate (p=0.08). On follow-up, 6 of the 8 patients with vocal cord paralysis reported a return to normal vocal function. Additionally, patients who underwent IONM exhibited a higher nodal yield and a decreased frequency of tracheostomy and bronchoscopy. The use of IONM during minimally invasive 3-field esophagectomy is safe and feasible. This technique has the potential to decrease the incidence of recurrent nerve palsy and increase nodal yield.

Comparison between neck-first approach and thoracic approach during thoracoscopic esophagectomy.

This study aimed to compare the outcomes of the prior cervical and thoracic approaches of thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the prone position for esophageal cancer. We reviewed the records of 103 consecutive patients who underwent thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the prone position for esophageal cancer. Seventy-four patients underwent the prior cervical approach (Cervical group); the other 29 underwent the thoracic approach (Thoracic group). The perioperative outcomes of the two groups were compared. Total operative time and volume of blood loss were not different between the two groups, but the median thoracoscopic time was significantly longer in the Thoracic group than in the Cervical group (296 vs. 210min; P<0.001). The incidence of recurrent nerve palsy was not different; however, the incidence of the postoperative pneumonia tended to be higher in the Thoracic group than in the Cervical group (20.7 vs. 10.8%; P=0.188), and the duration of postoperative hospital stay was significantly longer in the Thoracic group than in the Cervical group (22 vs. 17days; P=0.032). Patients who underwent thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the prone position via the prior cervical approach had better short-term outcomes than those who underwent the thoracic approach.

Bilateral Subtotal Thyroidectomy Versus Hemithyroidectomy Plus Subtotal Resection (Dunhill Procedure) for Benign Goiter: Long‐Term Results of a Prospective, Randomized Study

Two recent meta-analyses of mostly retrospective studies have shown high recurrence rates following subtotal resection of bilateral multinodular goiter. Therefore, many endocrine centers have changed their operative procedures in favor of thyroidectomy. Consequently, the rate of complications, especially hypoparathyroidism, has increased. Hemithyroidectomy plus subtotal resection (Dunhill operation) overcomes some disadvantages of bilateral subtotal resection (BST). We performed a prospective, randomized trial to compare the Dunhill operation (DO) and BST for benign goiters. Between October 1994 and March 1997, a total of 200 consecutive patients were randomized into two study groups. Primary outcome measure was the incidence of recurrent goiter. Secondary outcome measures were incidence of recurrent nerve palsy and hypoparathyroidism. In all patients, ultrasonography of the thyroid and measurement of serum calcium and parathyroid hormone were performed. Recurrent nerve function was analyzed by indirect laryngoscopy. Long term data (>10 years after surgery) were available in 70 DO patients and 65 BST patients. Mean follow-up was 11.3 ± 4.2 years (10-12 years). No differences were seen in the operating times, transient and permanent hypoparathyroidism, or recurrent nerve palsy. In the long-term, mean thyroid volumes were significantly lower in the DO group (3.5 ± 3.5 vs. 6.4 ± 6.5 ml, p = 0.01). One reoperation was required in the BST group because of recurrence versus none in the DO group. 68 of 70 (97 %) patients in group DO and 59 of 65 (91 %) in group BST had ongoing thyroid hormone therapy with no significant differences in mean dosages of L-thyroxine. The Dunhill operation and BST are safe procedures. In case of small remnants, clinically significant recurrence is a rare event especially after the Dunhill operation.

Results of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for esophageal cancer during the induction period

The attainment of proficiency in thoracoscopic radical esophagectomy for thoracic esophageal cancer requires much experience. We aimed to master this procedure safely with our regular surgical team members under the direction of an experienced surgeon. We evaluated the efficacy of instruction during the induction period and the significance of our results. We compared the results of 12 thoracic esophageal cancer patients who underwent thoracoscopic radical esophagectomy in our institution (group A) to those of the initial 17 patients who underwent the same operation at the director's institution (group B). We were able to perform complete thoracoscopic radical esophagectomies without any direction after experiencing 10 cases that were performed under adequate direction. The number of dissected lymph nodes and the duration of the procedure were similar in the two groups: 34 (22-53) vs. 26 (9-55) nodes, P = 0.23; and 327.5 (230-455) vs. 315 (190-515) min, P = 0.947, respectively. The amount of thoracic blood loss was significantly less in group A than in group B: 185 (110-380) g vs. 440 (110-2360) g, P = 0.0035. Postoperative pneumonia and atelectasis were observed in 25.0% of group A patients and in 17.6% of group B patients. The incidence of recurrent nerve palsy was 30.7% in group A and 11.7% in group B, but there was no statistically significant difference (P = 0.19). The morbidity rates in group A and group B were 41.6% and 29.4%, respectively (P = 0.694). Thoracoscopic radical esophagectomy can be mastered relatively quickly and safely under the direction of an experienced surgeon and a regular surgical team.

Total thyroidectomy in the management of differentiated thyroid cancer: a review of 258 cases.

Controversy continues to surround the management of differentiated thyroid cancer. For the past 20 years, a standardized protocol of total thyroidectomy followed by radioiodine ablation has been followed at Royal North Shore Hospital. During the period 1966-83, 327 cases of thyroid malignancy were treated surgically and, of these, 258 were differentiated thyroid cancer. Following total thyroidectomy, the incidence of recurrent nerve palsy was 2.8% and that of permanent hypoparathyroidism 3.2%. The overall 10 year cumulative survival for these patients was 87%. Whilst there were apparent differences in survival depending on the pathological type of tumour (papillary, follicular, mixed), further analysis shows that most of the differences in prognosis can be explained on the basis of age and sex alone. Young patients (less than 60 years) have an excellent 10 year survival (96%) whilst that for the elderly is only 61%. Males have a worse prognosis at 10 years than females. Total thyroidectomy is a safe procedure for the treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer. It allows the subsequent evaluation and treatment of unrecognized metastatic disease and offers the young patient a potentially normal lifespan.