Project description:Recently, there have been significant advances in small incisions through right thoracic cavity including robotic surgery. We have been performing aortic surgery through a partial sternotomy for ascending, arch, and aortic root replacement. In this article, we would like to provide tips for small incision aortic surgery at our institution by showing surgical videos of two cases.Supplementary informationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12055-023-01578-5.
Project description:BackgroundThough insurance coverage is evolving for male infertility services, most patients continue to pay out of pocket. These costs such as semen analysis and intracytoplasmic sperm injection preparation may affect the utilization of those services. We sought to determine online price transparency specifically for male infertility services on the websites of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics in the US.MethodsIn this cross-sectional analysis, pricing data was acquired from each clinic on the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) website as of July 2019. Each website was examined for availability and cost of services. Pricing data that required applying for a quote or a phone call was excluded. Mean price was calculated for each service. Additionally, practice location in an insurance coverage mandated state (ICMS) was also analyzed to evaluate for any effect on price transparency.ResultsOnly 24.7% (89/361) of SART clinic websites included any pricing information. Of clinics with websites (361/383), 16.3% (59/361) had ≥2 prices reported and only 5.0% (18/361) had ≥6 prices reported. Only 3.6% (13/361) reported prices for male-related infertility services. Average semen analysis price was $161 of 10 reporting clinics. Four clinics reported sperm cryopreservation or annual sperm storage price, $388 and $555, respectively. Sperm retrieval cost $244 at the two reporting clinics. ICMS did not affect male price transparency, ICMS 3.1% (6/194) vs. non-ICMS 4.2% (7/167) (P=0.576).ConclusionsPrice transparency of SART clinics on websites is relatively poor with only about one-quarter of clinics providing any cost information at all. Male infertility related pricing information is even more rarely reported compared to other IVF services potentially causing a stronger barrier for males to pursue infertility treatment.
Project description:The medical profession is increasingly confronted with the epidemic phenomenon of obesity. Its impact on spine surgery is not quite clear. Published data concerning the use of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in the spine among obese patients is scarce. The purpose of the present retrospective study was to evaluate perioperative as well as postoperative complication rates in MIS fusion of the lumbar spine in obese, overweight and normal patients classified according to their body mass index. Lumbar MIS fusion was performed by means of TLIF procedures and/or posterolateral fusion alone. A laminotomy was performed in patients with spinal stenosis. Of 72 patients, 39 underwent additional laminotomy for spinal stenosis. No differences were registered in respect of the numbers of fused segments or cages. Any harmful event occurring peri- or postoperatively was noted and included in the statistical analysis. No infection at the site of surgery or severe wound healing disorder was encountered. We registered no difference in blood loss, drainage, or the length of the hospital stay between the three BMI groups. We also observed no difference in complication rates between the three groups. This study confirms the low soft tissue damage of minimal access surgery techniques, which is an important type of surgery in obese patients. The smaller approach helps to minimize infections and wound healing disorders. Moreover, deeper regions of wounds are clearly visualized with the aid of tubular retractors.
Project description:ImportanceWhile nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) for breast cancer was only performed using the open method in the past, its frequency using endoscopic and robotic surgical instruments has been increasing rapidly. However, there are limited studies regarding postoperative complications and the benefits and drawbacks of minimal access NSM (M-NSM) compared with conventional NSM (C-NSM).ObjectiveTo examine the differences in postoperative complications between C-NSM and M-NSM.Design, setting, participantsThis was a retrospective multicenter cohort study enrolling 1583 female patients aged 19 years and older with breast cancer who underwent NSM at 21 university hospitals in Korea between January 2018 and December 2020. Those with mastectomy without preserving the nipple-areolar complex (NAC), clinical or pathological malignancy in the NAC, inflammatory breast cancer, breast cancer infiltrating the chest wall or skin, metastatic breast cancer, or insufficient medical records were excluded. Data were analyzed from November 2021 to March 2024.ExposuresM-NSM or C-NSM.Main outcomes and measuresClinicopathological factors and postoperative complications within 3 months of surgery were assessed. Statistical analyses, including logistic regression, were used to identify the factors associated with complications.ResultsThere were 1356 individuals (mean [SD] age, 45.47 [8.56] years) undergoing C-NSM and 227 (mean [SD] age, 45.41 [7.99] years) undergoing M-NSM (35 endoscopy assisted and 192 robot assisted). There was no significant difference between the 2 groups regarding short- and long-term postoperative complications (<30 days: C-NSM, 465 of 1356 [34.29%] vs M-NSM, 73 of 227 [32.16%]; P = .53; <90 days: C-NSM, 525 of 1356 [38.72%] vs M-NSM, 73 of 227 [32.16%]; P = .06). Nipple-areolar complex necrosis was more common in the long term after C-NSM than M-NSM (C-NSM, 91 of 1356 [6.71%] vs M-NSM, 5 of 227 [2.20%]; P = .04). Wound infection occurred more frequently after M-NSM (C-NSM, 58 of 1356 [4.28%] vs M-NSM, 18 of 227 [7.93%]; P = .03). Postoperative seroma occurred more frequently after C-NSM (C-NSM, 193 of 1356 [14.23%] vs M-NSM, 21 of 227 [9.25%]; P = .04). Mild or severe breast ptosis was a significant risk factor for nipple or areolar necrosis (odds ratio [OR], 4.75; 95% CI, 1.66-13.60; P = .004 and OR, 8.78; 95% CI, 1.88-41.02; P = .006, respectively). Conversely, use of a midaxillary, anterior axillary, or axillary incision was associated with a lower risk of necrosis (OR for other incisions, 32.72; 95% CI, 2.11-508.36; P = .01). Necrosis occurred significantly less often in direct-to-implant breast reconstruction compared to other breast reconstructions (OR, 2.85; 95% CI, 1.11-7.34; P = .03).Conclusions and relevanceThe similar complication rates between C-NSM and M-NSM demonstrates that both methods were equally safe, allowing the choice to be guided by patient preferences and specific needs.
Project description:BackgroundSurgeons are among the most at risk of work-related musculoskeletal health decline because of the physical demands of surgery, which is also associated with cognitive fatigue. Minimally invasive surgery offers excellent benefits to patients but the impact of robotic or laparoscopic surgery on surgeon well-being is less well understood. This work examined the musculoskeletal and cognitive demands of robot-assisted versus standard laparoscopic surgery.MethodsMedline, Embase and Cochrane databases were systematically searched for 'Muscle strain' AND 'musculoskeletal fatigue' AND 'occupational diseases' OR 'cognitive fatigue' AND 'mental fatigue' OR 'standard laparoscopic surgery' AND 'robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery'. Primary outcomes measured were electromyographic (EMG) activity for musculoskeletal fatigue and questionnaires (NASA-TLX, SMEQ, or Borg CR-10) for cognitive fatigue. A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) Guidelines. The study was preregistered on Prospero ID: CRD42020184881.ResultsTwo hundred and ninety-eight original titles were identified. Ten studies that were all observational studies were included in the systematic review. EMG activity was consistently lower in robotic than in laparoscopic surgery in the erector spinae and flexor digitorum muscles but higher in the trapezius muscle. This was associated with significantly lower cognitive load in robotic than laparoscopic surgery in 7 of 10 studies.ConclusionsEvidence suggests a reduction in musculoskeletal demands during robotic surgery in muscles excluding the trapezius, and this is associated with most studies reporting a reduced cognitive load. Robotic surgery appears to have less negative cognitive and musculoskeletal impact on surgeons compared to laparoscopic surgery.
Project description:ObjectivesTo evaluate the Versius surgical system for robot-assisted prostatectomy in a preclinical cadaveric model using varying system setups and collect surgeon feedback on the performance of the system and instruments, in line with IDEAL-D recommendations.Materials and methodsProcedures were performed in cadaveric specimens by consultant urological surgeons to evaluate system performance in completing the surgical steps required for a prostatectomy. Procedures were conducted using either a 3-arm or 4-arm bedside unit (BSU) setup. Optimal port placements and BSU layouts were determined and surgeon feedback collected. Procedure success was defined as the satisfactory completion of all steps of the procedure, according to the operating surgeon.ResultsAll four prostatectomies were successfully completed; two were completed with a 3-arm BSU setup and two using a 4-arm BSU setup. Small adjustments were made to the port and BSU positioning, according to surgeon preference, in order to complete the surgical steps. The surgeons noted some instrument difficulties with the Monopolar Curved Scissor tip and the Needle Holders, which were subsequently refined between the first and second sessions of the study, in line with surgeon feedback. Three cystectomies were also successfully completed, demonstrating the capability of the system to perform additional urological procedures.ConclusionsThis study provides a preclinical assessment of a next-generation surgical robot for prostatectomies. All procedures were completed successfully, and port and BSU positions were validated, thus supporting the progression of the system to further clinical development according to the IDEAL-D framework.