• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2022

Background: We compared the safety and effectiveness of robotic anatomical resection and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of the records of 4,283 patients, in whom an attempt was made to perform minimally invasive anatomical resection for lung cancer at Seoul National University Hospital from January 2011 to July 2020. Of these patients, 138 underwent robotic surgery and 4,145 underwent VATS. Perioperative outcomes were compared after propensity score matching including age, sex, height, weight, pulmonary function, smoking status, performance status, comorbidities, type of resection, combined bronchoplasty/angioplasty, tumor size, clinical T/N category, histology, and neoadjuvant treatment. Results: In total, 137 well-balanced pairs were obtained. There were no cases of 30-day mortality in the entire cohort. Conversion to thoracotomy was required more frequently in the VATS group (VATS 6.6% vs. robotic 0.7%, p=0.008). The complete resection rate (VATS 97.8% vs. robotic 98.5%, p=1.000) and postoperative complication rate (VATS 17.5% vs. robotic 19.0%, p=0.874) were not significantly different between the 2 groups. The robotic group showed a slightly shorter hospital stay (VATS 5.8±3.9 days vs. robotic 5.0±3.6 days, p=0.052). N2 nodal upstaging (cN0/pN2) was more common in the robotic group than the VATS group, but without statistical significance (VATS 4% vs. robotic 12%, p=0.077). Conclusion: Robotic anatomical resection in lung cancer showed comparable early outcomes when compared to VATS. In particular, robotic resection presented a lower conversion-to-thoracotomy rate. Furthermore, a robotic approach might improve lymph node harvesting in the N2 station.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2010

Organ preservation surgery and minimally invasive surgery have been developed during the past 20 years with major focus on transoral laser surgery, endoscopic surgery, and robotic surgery. Two major robotic surgeries in head and neck area are transoral robotic surgery (TORS) and robotic thyroidectomy. Transoral robotic surgery is a safe and efficacious method of surgical treatment of oropharyngeal. hypopharyngeal and laryngeal neoplasm. Advantages of the technique include adequate ability to visualize and manipulate lesions with two hands. TORS can provide magnified three dimensional views and overcome the limitation resulting from the "line of sight" which hinders transoral laser procedure. The swallowing function following transoral robotic surgery show superior and patients were able to retain or rapidly regain swallowing function in the majority of cases. Recently, robotic thyroidectomy has also been developed to overcome the [imitation of endoscopic thyroidectomy. Robotic thyroidectomy by a gasless unilateral axillo-breast or axillary approach using a da Vinci S Surgical Robot is a feasible and cosmetically excellent procedure. It can be a promising alternative to endoscopic thyroidectomy or conventional open thyroidectomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.266-278
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• 2021

Lobectomy is the standard treatment for early non-small cell lung cancer. Various surgical techniques for lobectomy have been developed, and minimally invasive thoracic surgery, such as video-assisted thoracic surgery or robot-assisted thoracic surgery, has been considered as an alternative to conventional open thoracotomy. The recently robotic lobectomy technique has developed since the first case series was published in 2002. Several studies have reported that robotic lobectomy has comparable oncologic and perioperative outcomes to those of video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy and open lobectomy. However, robotic lobectomy remains a challenge for surgeons because of the steep learning curve, reduced tactile sensation, difficulty in port placement, and challenges in cooperation between the surgeon and assistant. Many studies have reported on robotic lobectomy, but few have presented surgical techniques for robotic lobectomy. In this article, the surgical techniques and optimal performance of robotic lobectomy are described in detail for all 5 types of lobectomy for surgeons beginning with robotic lobectomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.154-157
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• 2021

Tracheobronchial injury (TBI) is an uncommon but potentially fatal event. Iatrogenic lesions during bronchoscopy, endotracheal intubation, or thoracic surgery are considered the most common causes of TBI. When TBI is detected during surgery, concomitant surgical treatment is recommended. Herein we present a case of successful robotic primary repair of iatrogenic tracheal and left bronchial branch tears during a robot-assisted hybrid 3-stage esophagectomy after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. A robotic approach can facilitate the repair of this injury while reducing both the potential risk of conversion to open surgery and the associated increased risk of postoperative respiratory complications.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.371-374
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• 2014

Neurosurgeons have been trying to reduce surgical invasiveness by applying minimally invasive keyhole approaches. Therefore, this paper clarifies the detailed surgical technique, its limitations, proper indications, and contraindications for a superciliary keyhole approach as a minimally invasive modification of a pterional approach. Successful superciliary keyhole surgery for unruptured aneurysms requires an understanding of the limitations and the use of special surgical techniques. Essentially, this means the effective selection of surgical indications, usage of the appropriate surgical instruments with a tubular shaft, and refined surgical techniques, including straightforward access to the aneurysm, clean surgical dissection, and the application of clips with an appropriate configuration. A superciliary keyhole approach allows unruptured anterior circulation aneurysms to be clipped safely, rapidly, and less invasively on the basis of appropriate surgical indications.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.5 s.250
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• pp.366-370
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• 2005

Background: In general, cardiac surgery has been performed via median sternotomy. During the past decade, improvements in endoscopic equipment and operative techniques have resulted in development of minimally invasive cardiac operation using small incisions. With the advent of a voice controlled camera-holding robotic arm (AESOP 3000, Automated Endoscope System for Optimal Positioning), cardiac surgery entered the robotic age. Material and Method: Between April 2004 and December 2004, a total of seventy eight patients underwent robotic cardiac surgery, of whom sixty four patients underwent robot-assisted minimally invasive cardiac surgery via 5cm right lateral minithoracotomy using voice controlled robotic arm, femoral vessels cannulation, percutaneous internal jugular cannulation, transthoracic aortic cross clamp. Other fourteen patients underwent MIDCAB via internal mammary artery harvesting using AESOP. Result: Robotic cardiac surgery were mitral valve repair in 37 cases, mitral valve replacement in 10 cases, aortic valve replacement in 1 case, MIDCAB in 14 cases, ASD operation in 9 cases, and isolated Maze procedure in 1 case. In mitral operation, mean CPB time was $165.3\pm43.1$ minutes and mean ACC time was $110.4\pm48.2$ minutes. Median length of hospital stay was 6 days (range 3 to 30) in mitral operation, 4 days (range 2 to 7) in MIDCAB, and 4 days (range 2 to 6) in ASD operation. For complications, 3 patients were required by reoperation for bleeding. There was no hospital mortality. Conclusion: Our experience of robot cardiac surgery suggests that many cardiovascular surgeons will be able to perform minimally invasive cardiac operations through small incisions with robot-assisted video-direction. Well-designed studies and close long-term follow-up will be required to analyze the benefits of robot-assisted operation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.311-317
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• 2015

Background: Robotic surgery is an alternative to minimally invasive surgery. The aim of this study was to report on current trends in robotic thoracic and cardiovascular surgical techniques in Korea. Methods: Data from the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency (NECA) between January 2006 and June 2012 were used in this study, including a total of 932 cases of robotic surgeries reported to NECA. The annual trends in the case volume, indications for robotic surgery, and distribution by hospitals and surgeons were analyzed in this study. Results: Of the 932 cases, 591 (63%) were thoracic operations and 340 (37%) were cardiac operations. The case number increased explosively in 2007 and 2008. However, the rate of increase regained a steady state after 2011. The main indications for robotic thoracic surgery were pulmonary disease (n=271, 46%), esophageal disease (n=199, 34%), and mediastinal disease (n=117, 20%). The main indications for robotic cardiac surgery were valvular heart disease (n=228, 67%), atrial septal defect (n=79, 23%), and cardiac myxoma (n=27, 8%). Robotic thoracic and cardiovascular surgeries were performed in 19 hospitals. Three large volume hospitals performed 94% of the case volume of robotic cardiac surgery and 74% of robotic thoracic surgery. Centralization of robotic operation was significantly (p<0.0001) more common in cardiac surgery than in thoracic surgery. A total of 39 surgeons performed robotic surgeries. However, only 27% of cardiac surgeons and 23% of thoracic surgeons performed more than 10 cases of robotic surgery. Conclusion: Trend analysis of robotic and cardiovascular operations demonstrated a gradual increase in the surgical volume in Korea. Meanwhile, centralization of surgical cases toward specific surgeons in specific hospitals was observed.

• Medical Lasers
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 2020

Transoral microsurgery has come a long way as a go-to surgical intervention technique for head and neck cancers. This minimally invasive procedure had gained acceptance through comparative clinical studies against radical neck surgical procedures, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Laser technology has vastly improved the oncological outcomes of this procedure and brought about an appreciation of transoral laser surgery (TLM) as a mainstay for re-sectioning malignant tumors along the throat. As an established procedure, TLM has undergone several upgrades regarding the different energy devices used for cutting, ablation, and hemostasis. Continued advances in automation have eventually led to surgical robotics, resulting in the emergence of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) as a viable advanced alternative for TLM. Similarly, expansions and enhancements (image-based guidance, fluorescence spectroscopy, and advanced robotic system) have also been investigated as potential upgrades for TORS. This paper reviews a selection of publications on the significant technological advancements to TLM and TORS over the past five years.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.99-104
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• 2015

Background: We report our initial experiences of robot-assisted cardiac surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System. Methods: Between February 2010 and March 2014, 50 consecutive patients underwent minimally invasive robot-assisted cardiac surgery. Results: Robot-assisted cardiac surgery was employed in two cases of minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass, 17 cases of mitral valve repair, 10 cases of cardiac myxoma removal, 20 cases of atrial septal defect repair, and one isolated CryoMaze procedure. Average cardiopulmonary bypass time and average aorta cross-clamping time were $194.8{\pm}48.6$ minutes and $126.1{\pm}22.6$ minutes in mitral valve repair operations and $132.0{\pm}32.0$ minutes and $76.1{\pm}23.1$ minutes in myxoma removal operations, respectively. During atrial septal defect closure operations, the average cardiopulmonary bypass time was $128.3{\pm}43.1$ minutes. The median length of stay was between five and seven days. The only complication was that one patient needed reoperation to address bleeding. There were no hospital mortalities. Conclusion: Robot-assisted cardiac surgery is safe and effective for mitral valve repair, atrial septal defect closure, and cardiac myxoma removal surgery. Reducing operative time depends heavily on the experience of the entire robotic surgical team.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.12 s.269
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• pp.931-933
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• 2006

Robotic assisted surgery in adult patient with congenital ventricular septal defect Since December in 2005, we have done minimally invasive surgeries in selected cases of mitral valve diseases, tricuspid valve diseases, atrial septal defects and atrial fibrillations with the $AESOP^{TM}$ robotic arm. We have had a better surgical view and skill, according to accumulation of the experience of this procedure. Recently, we performed robotic assisted surgery in a 47-year-old female with congenital perimembranous ventricular septal defect.