Robotic fourth-arm enucleation of an esophageal leiomyoma and review of literature.

Esophageal leiomyomas are resected in symptomatic and/or malignancy-suspicious cases. Traditionally, they have been removed by laparotomy or thoracotomy and more recently by thoracoscopy and laparoscopy. Mucosal injury is reported as high as 7% of cases but may be higher in unreported general practice.

Evaluation of the safety of high-frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) therapy in blunt thoracic trauma patients.

Background: Airway clearance is frequently needed by patients suffering from blunt chest wall trauma. High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO) has been shown to be effective in helping to clear secretions from the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, asthma, primary ciliary dyskinesia, emphysema, COPD, and many others. Chest wall trauma patients are at increased risk for development of pulmonary complications related to airway clearance.

Robotic-assisted lung resection for malignant disease.

Objective: : There have been few reports of the use of robotic surgery to resect lung malignancies. Feasibility and safety of robotic lung resection for malignant lung lesions will be assessed by performing a retrospective analysis.

Methods: : Between September 2004 and November 2006, 21 patients (11 male and 10 female patients) underwent robotic lung resection.