• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.87 no.3
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• pp.282-291
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• 2024

The increasing incidence of incidental pulmonary nodules necessitates effective biopsy techniques for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. This paper reviews the widely used advanced bronchoscopic techniques, such as radial endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial lung biopsy, electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy, and the cutting-edge robotic-assisted bronchoscopy. In addition, the cryobiopsy technique, which can enhance diagnostic yield by combination with conventional biopsy tools, is described for application to peripheral pulmonary lesions and mediastinal lesions, respectively.

• 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 Chest Surgery
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.336-345
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• 2023

Background: The objective of this study was to demonstrate the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of intraoperative monitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerves during thoracoscopic and robotic 3-field esophagectomy. Methods: This retrospective analysis details our initial experience using intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) during minimally invasive 3-field esophagectomy. Data were obtained from a prospectively maintained database and electronic medical records. The study included all patients who underwent minimally invasive (video-assisted thoracic surgery/robotic) transthoracic esophagectomy with neck anastomosis. The patients were divided into those who underwent IONM during the study period and a historical cohort who underwent 3-field esophagectomy without IONM at the same institution. Appropriate statistical tests were used to compare the 2 groups. Results: Twenty-four patients underwent nerve monitoring during minimally invasive 3-field esophagectomy. Of these, 15 patients underwent thoraco-laparoscopic operation, while 9 received a robot-assisted procedure. In the immediate postoperative period, 8 of 24 patients (33.3%) experienced vocal cord paralysis. Relative to a historical cohort from the same institution, who were treated with surgery without nerve monitoring in the preceding 5 years, a 26% reduction was observed in the nerve paralysis rate (p=0.08). On follow-up, 6 of the 8 patients with vocal cord paralysis reported a return to normal vocal function. Additionally, patients who underwent IONM exhibited a higher nodal yield and a decreased frequency of tracheostomy and bronchoscopy. Conclusion: The use of IONM during minimally invasive 3-field esophagectomy is safe and feasible. This technique has the potential to decrease the incidence of recurrent nerve palsy and increase nodal yield.