Robotic-assisted tracheobronchoplasty: Quality of life and pulmonary function assessment on intermediate follow-up.

Objective: The initial description of robotic tracheobronchoplasty for the treatment of tracheobronchomalacia demonstrated feasibility, safety, and short-term symptomatic and functional improvement. The purpose of the current study was to demonstrate intermediate outcomes in postoperative pulmonary function and quality of life after robotic tracheobronchoplasty.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected clinical data from 42 patients who underwent robotic tracheobronchoplasty from May 2016 to December 2017.

Robotic Pneumonectomy for Lung Cancer: Perioperative Outcomes and Factors Leading to Conversion to Thoracotomy.

Objective: In the tide of robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery, few cases of robot-assisted pneumonectomy exist in the literature. This study evaluates the perioperative outcomes and risk factors for conversion to thoracotomy with an initial robotic approach to pneumonectomy for lung cancer.

Methods: This study is a single-center retrospective review of all pneumonectomies for lung cancer with an initial robotic approach between 2015 and 2019.

Quality of life outcomes in tracheobronchomalacia surgery.

Tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) is an obstructive airway disease characterized by laxity and redundancy of the posterior membrane of the main airways leading to dynamic airway collapse during exhalation. The gold standard for diagnosis is dynamic computed tomography (DCT) scan and dynamic flexible bronchoscopy (DFB). Patients with complete or near-complete collapse (>90% reduction in cross-sectional area) of the airway are possible candidates for surgical management.

Switching from Thoracoscopic to Robotic Platform for Lobectomy: Report of Learning Curve and Outcome.

Objective: The optimal minimally invasive surgical management for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is unclear. For experienced video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) surgeons, the increased costs and learning curve are strong barriers for adoption of robotics. We examined the learning curve and outcome of an experienced VATS lobectomy surgeon switching to a robotic platform.

Necrotizing Infection of the Aortic Arch: Reconstruction Utilizing Unusual Extra-anatomic Bypass Grafts to Reroute Cerebral Blood Flow.

Destructive infections of the aortic arch and great vessels are challenging to manage. We describe a novel technique for debranching the right cerebral and upper extremity arteries via composite extra-anatomic bypasses from the femoral artery, with subsequent homograft in-line reconstruction of the arch, in a patient with sepsis and necrosis of the arch and great vessels.

Association Between Inhaled Corticosteroids and Tracheobronchomalacia.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess any association between use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and tracheobronchomalacia (TBM).

Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of patients with asthma and COPD, with and without TBM. Patients were diagnosed with TBM on the basis of CT imaging, flexible bronchoscopy, or both.

First series of minimally invasive, robot-assisted tracheobronchoplasty with mesh for severe tracheobronchomalacia.

Objective: Tracheobronchomalacia is a progressive, debilitating disease with limited treatment options. Open tracheobronchoplasty (TBP) is an accepted surgical option for management of severe tracheobronchomalacia. This study examined the outcomes of the first reported series of robot-assisted TBP (R-TBP).

Minimally invasive robotic-assisted excision of an aortopulmonary mediastinal paraganglioma.

Aortopulmonary paragangliomas are rare, neural crest-derived tumours that arise in the aortopulmonary window and present a significant surgical challenge due to their proximity to major vessels. In the relatively few cases reported in the study, thoracotomy and video-assisted thorascopic surgery (VATS) approaches have been utilized for the treatment of such masses. In this report, we describe the application of a totally endoscopic robotic-assisted VATS approach for the excision of an aortopulmonary paraganglioma.

Early recognition of acute thoracic aortic dissection and aneurysm.

Background: Thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) and aneurysm (TAA) are rare but catastrophic. Prompt recognition of TAD/TAA and differentiation from acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is difficult yet crucial. Earlier identification of TAA/TAD based upon routine emergency department screening is necessary.

Laparoscopic repair of an intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernia.

An isolated intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernia is very rare. Only 15 cases have been reported, 2 of which are in adults. The defect in the anterior diaphragm allows abdominal contents to enter the pericardial cavity.

A novel method for the treatment of dysphagia lusoria due to aberrant right subclavian artery.

Dysphagia lusoria occurs secondary to an aberrant right subclavian artery coursing posterior to the oesophagus. Open ligation and transposition to the right carotid artery via a right supraclavicular approach has been described as a minimally invasive method. However, approaching the origin of the aberrant right subclavian artery through this incision can be extremely challenging.