Thoracoscopic Surgery In Children Research Articles

The role of the early video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in children with pleural empyema.

Pleural empyema (PE) is a collection of purulent material in the pleural space. PE's management in children is a challenge and an inappropriate diagnostic-therapeutic work up can lead to serious short and long-term complications. The aim of this study is to define the correct timing to approach a pediatric PE by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). A retrospective observational study was conducted including pediatric patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopy for pleural empyema between May 2005 and September 2022. 62 patients were subjected to VATS for PE (32 in Group Early VATS, 30 in Group Late VATS). It emerged that the elapsed period between the onset of symptoms and surgery correlates in a statistically significant way with the post-operative stay in intensive care (z score 4.3 and p value < 0.0001) and the analysis between early VATS, late VATS and postoperative hospitalization showed a statistically significant reduction of the post-operative hospitalization in the early VATS groups (p value < 0.02). VATS resulted to be safe and effective for the treatment of PE in children, and an early minimally invasive thoracoscopic intervention (early VATS) correlates with better outcomes, specifically in terms of intensive care hospitalization and overall hospitalization.

Efficacy of Da Vinci Robot-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery in Children With Congenital Cystic Adenomatiod Malformation

BackgroundSurgical intervention is advisable for both asymptomatic and symptomatic CCAM children. This study aims to compare and analyze the efficacy of thoracoscopic and Da Vinci robot-assisted procedures in the management of CCAM among pediatric patients. MethodsThe clinical data of 188 pediatric patients diagnosed with CCAM and admitted to the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, from April 2019 to April 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The Clavien-Dindo classification was employed for the systematic categorization of postoperative complications. ResultsThe demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were comparable between the two groups. Postoperative outcomes, such as the chest tube indwelling rate (92.6% vs 36.2%, p < 0.001∗), chest tube duration (2.0 (2.0–3.0) days vs 1.0 (1.0–2.0) days, p < 0.001∗), and length of postoperative hospital stay (6.0 (5.0–7.0) days vs 5.0 (5.0–6.0) days, p < 0.001∗), favored RATS over VATS. Additionally, there was no significant difference in complications between the two group, but the p-value is in a critical state. Ⅲa complications (mainly composed of postoperative thoracentesis procedures) manifesting as a higher rate in the RATS, nearly double that observed in the VATS. ConclusionsRobot-assisted thoracoscopic lung resection is demonstrated to be safe and feasible, with notable advantages in short-term postoperative clinical outcomes. Nevertheless, the practicality and long-term benefits of this technique necessitate further refinement and dedicated study. Level of EvidenceLEVEL III.

Robotic assisted thoracoscopic surgery in children: a narrated review

Robotic assisted thoracoscopic surgery in children: a narrated review

Nursing cooperation related to thoracoscopic surgery in children

Nursing cooperation related to thoracoscopic surgery in children

Pain versus Gain: Multiport versus single-port thoracoscopic surgery for pediatric pneumothorax a case series

BackgroundThe indications for single-incision thoracoscopic surgery in children are expanding. We present outcome comparisons in single versus multi-port surgical technique for management of Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax (PSP) in seven children. MethodsThis retrospective chart review of the outcomes from a single-surgeon's experience in thoracoscopic technique over a two-year period includes seven cases, divided into two groups: traditional multiport video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (MP-VATS) (n = 3) versus single-port VATS (SP-VATS) (n = 4). Data for patient demographics, chest tube placement, operation details, opioids usage, and postoperative course were recorded and analyzed. ResultsSeven patients had a median age of 14.88 years [range 12–17 years] with a male predominance 67% MP-VATS and 75% SP-VATS (p = 0.41). Average time to surgery: 3.6 days (p = 0.21) operating time: 1.2 hours (p = 0.09). Estimated blood loss was higher for MP-VATS 5.33 ml vs SP-VATS 2.25 ml but not statistically significant (p = 0.11). Opioids given in the post-operative period until chest tube removal were similar: MP 0.19 vs SP 0.12 mg/kg (p = 0.17). Time to chest tube removal was significantly longer at 5.54 vs 3.59 days for MP-VATS vs SP-VATS (p < 0.05). Length of stay was 10.46 vs 8.33 days for MP-VATS vs SP-VATS (p = 0.30). One SP patient had recurrent pneumothorax after chest tube removal, requiring replacement of chest tube, one MP patient required an additional surgery for contralateral PSP. ConclusionIn this small case series, outcomes were similar for MP-VATS and SP-VATS for PSP, but chest tube removal was earlier in SP. This provides a convincing basis to expand the usage for this technique.

Comparison of perioperative outcomes between intubated and nonintubated thoracoscopic surgery in children

This study aimed to compare our experiences of nonintubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for pneumothorax and lung tumor resections with that of intubated VATS in pediatric patients. In total, 17 nonintubated and 64 intubated pediatric VATS were performed between January 2012 and December 2018. Patient characteristics, operation period, comorbidities, precedent lung surgery, diagnosis, type of anesthesia, side and type of procedure, and perioperative outcomes were collected from medical records. Perioperative outcome data included induction time, operation time, postoperative chest tube drainage duration, and length of stay. Simple linear regression and multiple linear regression analyses were used to determine the influence of selected variables on perioperative outcomes. The mean age was 16.2 years in the intubated group and 15.2 years in the nonintubated group. Comorbidities including malignancy and asthma were noted in 9 intubated patients and 6 nonintubated patients. Nonintubated VATS was performed in 9 pneumothorax surgeries and 8 lung tumor resections. Five patients breathed oxygen through a face mask, 3 patients through a high-flow nasal cannula, and 9 patients through a laryngeal mask airway. No patient required tracheal intubation or thoracotomy. No major operative complications were noted in either group. After adjustments for statistically relevant confounders, the multiple regression analysis showed that the nonintubated technique influenced the length of stay, leading to a reduction of 0.75 days. Nonintubated VATS is feasible and safe in selected children undergoing bullectomy or wedge resections for lung tumors. The nonintubated approach might enhance postoperative recovery.

P1014Videoassisted thoracoscopic surgery in children with arrhythmias

Abstract Videoassisted thoracoscopic (VATS) surgery is one of the surgical approaches for treatment of life threatening in patients with cardiac arrhythmias. Left Cardiac Sympathetic Denervation (LCSD) is an effective treatment in patients with life-threatening tachyarrhythmias, but extremely rarely used in children. Thoracoscopic pacemaker (PM) implantation in patients with bradyarrhythmias is less traumatic and is accompanied by a decrease in the frequency of postoperative complications, but is described only in adults. Purpose The aim of our work is to evaluate the safety and applicability of videoassisted thoracoscopic surgery in young patients with cardiac arrhythmias. Methods We included in the study 21 children (67% boys) with severe cardiac arrhythmias – catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) – 8 pts, long QT syndrome (LQTS) – 7 pts, atrioventricular block (AVB) – 5 pts, sick sinus syndrome (SSS) – 1 pt. All pts had VATS surgery – LCSD (low pol of Th1-Th4) in 15 pts and epicardial implantation of PM in 6 pts from the database of the Russian Pediatric Arrhythmia Centre in 2016–2018. All pts with CPVT and LQTS were treated with BB and 8 pts had ICDs implanted. Examination including personal and family history, ECG, 24-hour Holter monitoring, Treadmill exercise were made before surgery. All pts had structurally normal heart. Results The average age was 8.7±5.1 (from 2 to 17). The mean follow-up was 13.5±6.8 months (3 to 27 months). The mean operative time was 87.5 min (52 to 122 min), the blood loss was minimal, and all patients were able to move freely several hours after surgery. No pts experienced Horner's syndrome. No complications in the early and late postoperative period. Children with PM had VVIR or VVI with basic rate 70–75 imp/min and 45 imp/min in 1 pt. The percentage of children with cardiac events or syncope after VATS-S was significantly reduced from 62% to 5% (from 13 to 1). Conclusions VATS surgery is safe and associated with reduction of syncope or cardiac events in children with cardiac arrhythmias.

Thoracoscopy in pediatrics: Surgical perspectives.

Thoracoscopic surgery and other minimally invasive approaches in children achieved marked advancement and expanded to include several disciplines in the last decade. The new armamentarium of the minimally invasive surgery including the smaller instruments and better magnification led to the application of this technology in the small infants and neonates. Currently, thoracoscopy is considered the preferred surgical approach for various conditions in neonates and infants over the standard thoracotomy, and thoracoscopic training is included in the surgical training curriculum for the residents in many institutes worldwide. Children are different from adults, and technique modifications are required when using thoracoscopy in children. Thoracoscopy showed satisfactory results in several operations including pulmonary resections, mediastinal tumors biopsies or resections, repair of the diaphragmatic hernias, decortication, and tracheoesophageal fistula. This review aims to address the unique aspects of thoracoscopic surgery in children, identify its potential technical and anatomical challenges, and the proposed solutions. A literature search for latest and relevant publications was done using the keywords (thoracoscopy; pediatric; lung biopsy; decortication; lobectomy; mediastinum; esophagus; and diaphragmatic hernia).

The Utility of Muscle-Sparing Axillar Skin Crease Incision with Thoracoscopic Surgery in Children.

Thoracoscopic surgery for pediatric benign tumors is a common procedure. However, a large incision is needed to remove large tumors from the thoracic cavity. And, for intrapulmonary sequestration in lower lobe, it sometimes needs a large incision to ligate the aberrant vessels. A muscle-sparing axillar skin crease incision (MSASCI) has been introduced for thoracic open surgery, resulting in excellent aesthetic outcomes compared with a standard incision. We herein report the utility of this MSASCI technique in thoracoscopic surgery to remove large tumors from the thoracic cavity and to ligate the aberrant vessels in intrapulmonary sequestration in lower lobe. From 2014 April to 2016 March, we performed the MSASCI technique in thoracoscopic surgeries for 5 children. Five cases were diagnosed as mediastinal masses (mature teratoma for 1 case, ganglioneuroblastoma for 2 cases, and extrapulmonary sequestration and intrapulmonary sequestration for 1 case each). The age at surgery was 32.0 ± 25.0 months (range 5-58 months). The size of the mediastinal mass was 9 × 5 × 5 cm, 4 × 3 × 3 cm, 5 × 5 × 2.5 cm, and 3 × 2.5 × 2 cm. For 4 other cases, except for the intrapulmonary sequestration case, the mass was resected under thoracoscopic surgery using only three or four 5-mm trocars and the mass was removed from the thoracic cavity using the MSASCI technique. For the intrapulmonary sequestration case, the aberrant vessels were resected under thoracoscopic surgery using only two 5-mm and one 12-mm trocars and the left lower lobectomy was performed using the MSASCI technique. All lesions were resected completely. No cases had surgical complications, none showed recurrence, and all cases demonstrated good cosmetic outcomes. Performing thoracoscopic surgery using a MSASCI technique is associated with good cosmetic outcome.

Comparison of neonatal tolerance to thoracoscopic and open repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula.

Advances in minimally invasive surgical techniques and neonatal intensive care for neonates have allowed for repair of the neonatal esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) to be approached endoscopically. However, thoracoscopic surgery in children is still performed in only a few centers throughout the world. The aim of this study was to compare the neonatal tolerance to the thoracoscopic repair (TR) and the open repair (OR) and also to discuss anesthetic management in thoracoscopic procedure. We performed a prospective study enrolling newborns diagnosed with EA with distal TEF (type C) receiving the repair surgery between June 2009 and January 2012 in our institution. Data collected included the newborns' gestational age and weight at the time of the operation, operative time, parameters of intraoperative mechanical ventilation, oxygenation, end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2), and analysis of blood gases. Time to extubation and length of stay were also recorded. Intravenous induction with muscle paralysis followed by pressure-control ventilation and tracheal intubation regardless of the position of the fistula can be performed uneventfully in EA/TEF newborns with no additional airway anomalies and large, pericarinal fistulas in our experiences. The thoracoscopic approach appeared to take longer than the open approach. During the procedure of repair, hypercarbia and acidosis developed immediately 1 hour after pneumothorax in both groups. CO2 insufflation did have additional influence on the respiratory function of the newborns in the TR group; values of PaCO2 and ETCO2 were higher in the TR group but the difference did not reach statistical significance. By the end of the procedure, values of PaCO2 and ETCO2 returned to the baseline levels while pH did not, but all parameters made no difference in the two groups. Besides, time to extubation was shorter in the TR group. Thoracoscopic repair of EA/TEF is comparable to the open repair, and is believed to be safe and tolerable in selected patients. A wider range of neonates may be acceptable for thoracoscopic EA/TEF repair with increasing surgical experience.

Single-Incision Thoracoscopic Surgery in Children: Equivalent Results with Fewer Scars When Compared with Traditional Multiple-Incision Thoracoscopy

Single-incision pediatric endosurgery is gaining popularity, especially for abdominal operations. Several reports in the literature support the feasibility of the single-incision approach in pediatric laparoscopy. Here we compare our experience with single-incision thoracoscopic surgery (SITS) to traditional multiple-incision video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in children. A chart review of all patients who underwent SITS at our institution was performed. The same number of demographically matched VATS case controls were selected from a pool of patients operated on during the same time period. Operative time, time until chest tube removal, length of stay, complications, and any need for further intervention were recorded. Statistical analysis was done by Student's t-test using Instat 3. Fourteen SITS procedures were performed during the study period. These patients were compared with 14 VATS case controls. Both groups were similar with regard to age, weight, sex, and procedures performed. The mean operative time in the SITS group was 84 ± 43 minutes versus 64 ± 30 in the VATS group (P=.18). Days until chest tube removal was 4 ± 2.2 in the SITS group and 2.8 ± 1.4 in the VATS group (P=.09). Length of hospital stay was 5.5 ± 4.4 days in the SITS group versus 7.2 ± 8.6 in the VATS group (P=.51). There were no intraoperative complications and no procedure conversions in either group. One SITS patient who underwent a wedge resection and mechanical pleurodesis for a spontaneous pneumothorax was readmitted for a recurrent pneumothorax and required a reoperation. Our experience demonstrates that there are no statistically significant differences in operative time, time until chest tube removal, and length of hospital stay when comparing SITS to VATS in children. We believe that SITS is an equivalent procedure that allows for fewer scars when compared with traditional multiple-incision VATS in children.

Paediatric thoracoscopy: state of the art.

Brad Rogers reported the first significant use of thoracoscopy in children in the late 1970s. Over the past two decades there has been an exponential growth and expansion of this technique. Many advanced procedures, including lobectomy, repair of tracheo-esophageal fistula, excision of mediastinal tumours and diaphragmatic hernia repairs, are being done routinely in pediatric surgery centres around the world. This article reviews the state of the art of thoracoscopic surgery in children. The author selected five procedures which in his opinion are most relevant for this discussion. The thoracoscopic technique seems to offer a favourable alternative to open surgery, but more clinical research is necessary to confirm the benefits of minimal access surgery.

One lung ventilation with Arndt pediatric bronchial blocker for thoracoscopic surgery in children: a unicentric experience

One lung ventilation with Arndt pediatric bronchial blocker for thoracoscopic surgery in children: a unicentric experience

Thoracoscopic surgery in children in the Kyushu area of Japan

Recently, minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgery has offered several options for both the diagnosis and surgical treatment in the field of pediatric surgery. This report reviews the surgical experience in order to assess the problems including the complications, encountered during thoracoscopic surgery in children under 15 years of age in the Kyushu area, Japan. From 1993 to 2005, 153 boys and 103 girls underwent thoracoscopic surgery for chest disease. Pertinent information included number of operations for each year, sex, age, indication, treatment procedure, follow-up duration, cause of conversion to thoracotomy, method of treatment, and complication. There has gradually been an increase in the number of operations every year. These included procedures for funnel chest, n= 121; pneumothorax, n= 25; mediastinal tumor, n= 25; palmar hyperhydrosis, n= 23; neuroblastoma, n= 11; and cystic lung disease, n= 10. A large portion of the surgery was for patients under 1 year of age excluding neonates. Approximately half of the procedures were for the excision of a neuroblastoma. Approximately half of the patients older than 5 years of age underwent Nuss procedure for funnel chest. Almost all of the pneumothorax and palmar hyperhydrosis surgery was for patients 14 or 15 years old. Three patients required a conversion to a standard thoracotomy. Six complications occurred. There was no mortality associated with the thoracoscopic surgical procedures. Thoracoscopy is a useful diagnostic and therapeutic tool for both infants and children. Various thoracoscopic complex procedures have been performed both safely and effectively.

Prior Thoracic Surgery Has a Limited Impact on the Feasibility of Consecutive Thoracoscopy in Children: A Prospective Study on 228 Procedures

This study aimed to determine the impact of prior thoracic surgery on consecutive ipsilateral thoracoscopic surgery in children. We prospectively analyzed 228 thoracic procedures, which were performed in 190 children (99 male,91 female; mean age, 5.1 years; range, 1 day to 18 years) over a 7-year period (January 2000 to August 2007).Of these, 137 were thoracoscopies and 91 conventional operations. A panel of pediatric pulmonologists, anesthetists,and pediatric surgeons decided whether a thoracoscopy or a conventional approach was indicated. The endpoints were conversion rate, intraoperative events, and complications in subsequent thoracoscopies with regard to the type of prior thoracic surgery. In addition, the reasons for exclusion from thorascopy of those patients,who had a previous thoracic operation, should be identified. Thirty-two patients (14%) had prior ipsilateral thoracic surgery; 20 of these underwent thoracoscopy,12 after prior thoracotomy and 8 after prior thoracoscopy. The type of initial approach had no significant impact on the conversion rate of subsequent thoracoscopy (1/12 after thoracotomy vs. 0/8 after thoracoscopy; not significant). The conversion rate was not significantly different in patients with or without prior surgery (1/20 vs. 19/117; not significant). However, there was a higher number of reconstructive procedures in patients without prior surgery, which was reflected in conversions due to lack of overview (n 12), bleeding (n 3), tension during reconstruction of a diaphragmatic defect (n 2) and esophageal atresia (n 2), and intraoperative respiratory problems (n 1). Twelve patients with a prior operation underwent thoracotomy due to limited respiratory capacity (n 5), advanced tumor stage, prior sternotomy (n 6), and limited visibility, leading to conversion during initial thoracoscopy (n 1). Prior thoracic operation has, independent of the initial approach, a limited impact on the feasibility of ipsilateral consecutive thoracoscopic surgery in children. The feasibility of thoracoscopy after prior operation is excellent.

P-226 Thoracoscopic surgery in children by the artificial pneumothrax(Poster Session Operative procedure,Better Life for Sick Children, Better Future for Pediatric Surgery,the 45th Annual Meeting of Japanese Society of Pediatric Surgeons)

P-226 Thoracoscopic surgery in children by the artificial pneumothrax(Poster Session Operative procedure,Better Life for Sick Children, Better Future for Pediatric Surgery,the 45th Annual Meeting of Japanese Society of Pediatric Surgeons)

Thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula: anesthetic and intensive care management of a series of eight neonates

Advances in minimally invasive techniques have made pediatric laparoscopic surgery commonplace. Thoracoscopic surgery in children however is still performed in only a few centers throughout the world. Between July 2001 and January 2004, the first eight esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula repairs were performed thoracoscopically at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh. This article presents their anesthetic management, their postoperative management in the pediatric intensive care unit and reviews the complications seen in both the intraoperative and postoperative periods. Finally we discuss how our experience to date influences our perioperative management of these challenging cases.

Thoracoscopic Surgery in Children

A minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgery offers several options in diagnosis and surgical treatment in the field of pediatric surgery. We would like to review our surgical experience and to assess the clinical outcomes and problems encountered during thoracoscopic surgery in children and adolescents focusing on children less than 6 years old. In 1992 and 2003, 977 patients underwent thoracoscopic surgery for chest diseases. Among them, from 1994 to 2003, 71 children and adolescents underwent thoracoscopic surgery. The thoracoscopic surgical procedures were classified into thoracoscopic surgery (TS) and video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). TS was performed through three or four trocar ports. VATS was performed through a small chest incision (minithoracotomy) with one or two trocar ports. There was no morbidity or mortality associated with the thoracoscopic surgical procedures. None of the patients required a conversion to standard thoracotomy. The thoracoscopic surgical procedures were feasible in 71 children and adolescents with chest diseases including spontaneous pneumothorax, pulmonary nodules, diffuse pulmonary disease, pulmonary sequestration, and mediastinal tumors, and in those with palmar hyperhidrosis. TS was performed on two of five children with benign diseases including diffuse pulmonary disease and mediastinal bronchogenic cyst. VATS was performed on three children with pulmonary sequestration, lymphoid interstitial pneumonia and mediastinal Ewing's sarcoma. In one child with lymphoid interstitial pneumonia, the thoracoscopic surgery was converted to VATS because adhesion did not allow TS. The TS allowed rapid histological diagnosis and surgical treatment for benign pulmonary diseases and mediastinal cyst. Patients who were suffering from disease-related symptoms obtained complete relief with an uneventful postoperative course and quickly returned to their normal life. A boy who underwent lobectomy showed a normal growth rate for 4 years postoperatively. In the case of malignant chest diseases, the combination of chemotherapy and VATS was an effective treatment strategy. We considered that the thoracoscopic approach is a rapid and simple method in the therapeutic diagnosis and surgical treatment of children and adolescents, even in children less than 6 years old. Cosmetic benefits were also obtained for girls. However, the most important consideration is the decision on a treatment strategy made by both pediatrician and thoracic surgeon.

Anaesthetic implications of paediatric thoracoscopy.

Anaesthetic care during thoracic surgical procedures in children combines components of the knowledge bases of paediatric anaesthesia with those of thoracic anaesthesia. This article highlights the principles of anaesthesia during thoracoscopic surgery in children including preoperative evaluation, anaesthetic induction techniques, maintenance anaesthesia and options for postoperative analgesia. In addition, given the need to provide optimal surgical visualization during the procedure, one lung ventilation may be required. Techniques to provide one lung ventilation in the paediatric patient and the principles of anaesthesia care during one lung ventilation are discussed.

Anaesthetic implications of thoracoscopic surgery in children.

As the equipment and technique have improved, minimally invasive surgery is being applied to younger and younger children. With the advent of this valuable surgical technique, there are also specific modifications necessary in the anaesthetic technique. When considering the anaesthetic implications of these patients, one must account for both the patient's underlying status as well as physiological derangements induced by the surgical procedure. The following article attempts to address and review the specific anaesthetic implications of thoracoscopic procedures in neonates, infants, and children including the preoperative evaluation, intraoperative care and monitoring, and postoperative issues including analgesia. The techniques of one-lung anaesthesia, commonly required for thoracoscopy, are reviewed as well as consideration of the adverse effects which can occur during thoracoscopy including inadvertent intravascular CO2 embolism.