Examiner.com posted “Thoracic surgery goes wireless” by Kristin Eckland.
Thoracic surgery is the surgical specialty focused on the thorax or the chest. Thoracic surgeons perform procedures treating diseases of the lungs, trachea, esophagus and mediastinum. In some countries, like the United States, surgeons may specialize in cardiothoracic surgery, which also includes the heart and the great vessels of the aorta and vena cava.
Thoracic surgery as “Big” surgery
Traditionally these surgeries have been considered “big” surgeries; requiring large surgical incisions (thoracotomies, sternotomies, clamshell) and often requiring longer hospital stays. In comparison to procedures in other surgical specialities, such as appendectomies, cholecystectomies, hip and knee replacements, or gynecological procedures, thoracic surgery procedures often carried a higher risk of mortality or serious complications.
Surgical advances making surgery smaller, safer, and less painful
Ever since the first video-assisted thoracoscopic surgeries (VATS) were performed in the early 1990’s, modern technology has struggled to keep up with advances in thoracic surgery. As surgeons used more and more incision-sparing techniques for larger and more complex cases, surgeons have driven the development of many of the tools and instruments designed to aid in these minimally invasive endeavors. Traditional three and four port VATS for simple decortications has given way to uniportal (or single) port VATS for lobectomies, bronchial sleeve resections and chest wall cases.
Robotic surgery has become prominent in cases involving mediastinal masses, replacing the traditional sternotomy approach. All combined, these techniques have revolutionized the thoracic surgery specialty at a time when demand for thoracic surgeons and their skills in treating lung and esophageal malignancies is exploding.
Now Dr. Chih Hao Chen and his team of researchers at MacKay Memorial Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan have designed and tested a new wireless endoscope for use in uniportal and other minimally invasive surgeries. Published in the July 2015 issue of the International Journal of Surgery, Chen et al. describe how the more streamlined, cordless design facilitates use of uniportal and other minimally invasive surgical approaches by increasing mobility and flexibility of use.
No trailing or tangled cords
This wireless design allows for easier “tote-ability” which facilitates surgeons to perform some procedures outside of the operating room. In cases of critically ill patients needing smaller procedures such as limited biopsy, being able to readily transfer the procedure to the bedside in the intensive care unit without delaying the procedure for the lengthy set-up required for traditional units prevents unnecessary delays in patient care. Using a battery operated, cordless endoscope such as the endoscope used in the Chen study also limits the potential for interference or contamination due to trailing or tangled cords that are a continual consideration with traditional endoscopes. While the Chen thoracoscope is currently restricted to animal trials while the device specifications are finalized, maybe soon, it will be coming to a thoracic surgeon near you.