Use of a vessel sealing system versus conventional electrocautery for lung parenchymal resection: a comparison of the clinicopathological outcomes in porcine lungs

BipoJet Scissors as an Alternative to Laser in Lung Wedge Resection

INTRODUCTION

An important goal in every lung resection is airtight closure of the resected lung surface. This can be achieved with several techniques, including clamp resection, stapler, laser, and various high-frequency methods. By quantitatively measuring the air fistula across the resection surface of porcine lungs, two resection techniques were compared in our study: BipoJet dissecting scissors (Aesculap, Inc., Tuttlingen, Germany) and laser (Ceralas HPD®, Biolitec Inc., Jena, Germany).

METHODS

Following a stencil, wedge resections were performed in porcine lungs using water-irrigated bipolar scissors and laser (1350 nm, 40 watts, non-contact mode). The volume of the air fistula was then measured. The irrigation technique involved the attachment of an irrigation channel to a pair of standard surgical scissors. A sodium chloride (NaCl) solution was fed at a defined flow rate, along the blades of the scissors onto the parenchyma. This technique was used on a total of 10 specimens each.

RESULTS

Somewhat better pneumostasis was achieved with laser resection, though the difference was small and not statistically significant. The flow rate was 124 mL/min/cm² after laser resection and 145 mL/min/cm² after using the BipoJet scissors. The difference was not statistically significant. Water irrigation during resection with the BipoJet scissors prevents the temperature in the tissue from exceeding 100°C thus avoiding tissue carbonization. These scissors offer the following advantages: ease of use, no need to change instruments, no need for staff training, no protective measures, all-in-one incision/coagulation/dissection, low cost, and a clear surgical field due to the irrigation effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Resection of lung parenchyma, e.g., during resection of metastases, is easier with BipoJet scissors and comparable to laser resection. This was established both experimentally and by resecting lung metastases.

Thoracoscopic segmentectomy for congenital pulmonary airway malformation arising in a lung with an accessory fissure: A case report

Congenital pulmonary airway malformation is a rare congenital lung lesion. This report documents the successful application of thoracoscopic segmentectomy in a 1-year-old boy prenatally diagnosed with congenital pulmonary airway malformation. Preoperative imaging studies revealed a microcystic lesion with a region of consolidation in the middle area of the right lung. Elective thoracoscopic resection was performed when the patient was aged 1 year and 4 months. Intraoperatively, the superior segment of the right lower lobe was partially separated from the normal lower lobe by a superior accessory fissure. A solid mass, fused with this segment, shared the visceral pleura. Thoracoscopic segmentectomy was successfully performed, and the patient had an uneventful postoperative course. Histological examination revealed congenital pulmonary airway malformation stocker type 2. Thoracoscopic segmentectomy is a viable surgical option that preserves the normal lung parenchyma in pediatric patients with congenital pulmonary airway malformation.

Advances and safe use of energy devices in lung cancer surgery

Objectives

A clear understanding of energy devices would help achieve high effectiveness and safety and guide the selection of devices. The present review aimed to elucidate the efficacy and adverse events of energy devices in lung cancer to guide the selection of appropriate devices depending on the situation.

Methods

Four major databases were searched electronically for relevant articles published until 16 April 2021. The reference lists of the identified papers were examined. We excluded (1) irrelevant studies, (2) manuscripts published in languages other than English and Japanese, (3) duplicates, and (4) studies for which the full text was not available in the databases. The results and key information obtained were summarized by means of a narrative approach.

Results

A total of 78 papers were included in the review and these were categorized according to the main topic of investigation as follows: (1) electrosurgery-related injuries, (2) fundamentals of electrosurgery, (3) monopolar devices, (4) bipolar electrosurgical devices, (5) ultrasonic energy devices, (6) energy devices in lung cancer surgery, (7) operating room fire risks, and (8) basic principles of surgery.

Conclusions

Understanding energy devices could help us use them in a more effective and safer manner. Knowledge of their selection criteria (suitability), merits, risks, and safety precautions relevant to each process of lung cancer surgery could guide appropriate selection.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11748-022-01775-w.

Meticulous closure of collateral vessels in the perihilar mediastinal pleura to control intraoperative bleeding during lung transplantation for pulmonary hypertension

Background

Massive blood transfusion compensating hemorrhage during lung transplantation (LT) results in primary graft dysfunction (PGD) and worse outcomes after LT. Collateral vessels in the perihilar mediastinal pleura could be the source of hemorrhage during LT in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of closure with hemoclips of the vessels in the perihilar mediastinal pleura on the risk of intraoperative hemorrhage and outcomes after LT in patients with PH.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 80 patients who underwent LT, including 13 patients with primary PH, 29 patients with secondary PH, and 38 patients with non-PH.

Results

The median number of hemoclips was significantly higher in the primary PH group than in the non-PH group (P=0.0045) or secondary PH group (P=0.0060). The intraoperative blood loss, transfusion volume, maximum PGD grade, and the 30-day and 90-day mortality rates in the primary PH group were equivalent to those in the other two groups.

Conclusions

Meticulous closure of collateral vessels in the perihilar mediastinal pleura during LT in patients with primary PH allowed intraoperative hemorrhage to be controlled and might be associated with acceptable mortality rate in these patients similar to that of LT in patients with other diseases.

Local Effects of a 1940 nm Thulium-Doped Fiber Laser and a 1470 nm Diode Laser on the Pulmonary Parenchyma: An Experimental Study in a Pig Model

The lungs are a common site of metastases from malignant tumors. Their removal with a minimal but safe tissue margin is essential for the long-term survival of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a 1940 nm thulium-doped fiber laser (TDFL) and a 1470 nm diode laser (DL) in a pig model of lung surgery that involved the incision and excision of lung tissue. Histopathological analysis was performed on days 0 and 7 after surgery. Neither TDFL nor DL caused significant perioperative or postoperative bleeding. Histological analysis revealed the presence of carbonized necrotic tissue, mixed fibrin-cellular exudate in the superficial zone of thermal damage and bands of deeper thermal changes. The mean total width of thermal damage on day 0 was 499.46 ± 61.44 and 937.39 ± 109.65 µm for TDFL and DL, respectively. On day 7, cell activation and repair processes were visible. The total width of thermal damage was 2615.74 ± 487.17 µm for TDFL vs. 6500.34 ±1118.02 µm for DL. The superficial zone of thermal damage was narrower for TDFL on both days 0 and 7. The results confirm the effectiveness of both types of laser in cutting and providing hemostasis in the lungs. TDFL caused less thermal damage to the lung parenchyma than DL.

Intestinal Injury by Heat Conduction from Surgical Sealing Devices

Background:

There have been no investigations of intestinal injury induced by surgical sealing devices, especially focusing heat conduction from the back of active blades during laparoscopic surgery.

Objective:

This study of damage to the small intestine by heat conduction from the back of active blades both physically and histopathologically was performed to establish safe usage of surgical sealing devices.

Materials and method:

We compared seven types of bipolar sealing device and two types of ultrasonic coagulating shear in an animal model simulating laparoscopic surgery. Time-dependent changes in heat conduction from the back of active blades were measured using a direct contact thermometer during intracorporeal activation. Histopathological damage to the small intestine by the back of active blades in laparoscopic surgical application was evaluated. The backs of active blades were activated while attached to the serosa of the small intestine. The depths of histopathological changes were measured to evaluate the thermal effects of surgical sealing devices.

Results:

Most devices generated temperatures >70°C even on the back of active blades. There were no significant differences in duration for cooling to ≤50°C among these devices. All devices induced histopathological heat damage in the submucosal layer or deeper.

Conclusions:

Regardless of type, the backs of active blades of surgical sealing devices conduct high temperatures and can induce heat damage in the small intestine. Surgical sealing devices should not be activated while attached to surrounding tissue or organs in laparoscopic surgery.

Assessment of pleural air leakage using digital chest drainage system after surgical pulmonary resection: Comparison of visible alveolar air leakage with the digital value measured by a digital chest drainage system

Background

The sensitivity of postoperative pleural air leakage (PAL) after pulmonary resection is evaluated by a simple subjective grading method in clinical practice. A new electronic digital chest drainage evaluation system (DCS) recently became clinically available. This study was designed to evaluate the clinical application of the DCS in monitoring the airflow volume and managing postoperative PAL.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 25 patients who underwent pulmonary resection. Postoperative PAL was evaluated using both conventional PAL grading based on the physician’s visual judgment (analog chest drainage evaluation system [ACS]: Level 0 = no leakage to 4 = continuous leakage) and the DCS. The DCS digital measurement was recorded as the flow volume (ml/min), which was taken once daily from postoperative day 1 to the day of chest drainage tube removal.

Results

In total, 45 measurements were performed on 25 patients during the evaluation period. Postoperative PAL was observed in five patients (20.0%) and judged as ACS Level >1. The mean DCS values corresponding to ACS Levels 0, 1, 2, and 3 were 2.42 (0.0–11.3), 48.6 (35.4–67.9), 95.6 (79.7–111.5), and 405.3 (150.3–715.6), respectively. The Spearman correlation test showed a significant positive correlation between the ACS PAL level and DCS flow volume (R = 0.8477, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

A relationship between the visual PAL level by the ACS and the digital value by the DCS was identified in this study. The numeric volume obtained by the DCS has been successful in information-sharing with all staff. The digital PAL value evaluated by the DCS is appropriate, and the use of the DCS is promising in the treatment of postoperative PAL after pulmonary resection.

Harmonic technology versus neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet laser and electrocautery for lung metastasectomy: an experimental study

OBJECTIVES

We compared the efficacy of non-anatomical lung resections with that of three other techniques: monopolar electrocautery; neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet laser and harmonic technology. We hypothesized that the thermal damage with harmonic technology could be reduced because of the lower temperatures generated by harmonic technology compared with that of other devices.

METHODS

Initial studies were performed in 13 isolated pig lungs for each group. A 1.5-cm capsule was inserted within the lung to mimic a tumour and a total of 25 non-anatomical resections were performed with each device. The damage of the resected lung surface and of the tumour border were evaluated according to the colour (ranging from 0-pink colour to 4-black colour), histological (ranging from Score 0-no changes to Score 3-presence of necrotic tissue) and radiological (ranging from Score 0-isointense T2 signal at magnetic resonance imaging to Score 3-hyperintense T2 signal) criteria. A total of seven non-anatomical resections with harmonic technology were also performed in two live pigs to assess if ex vivo results could be reproducible in live pigs with particular attention to haemostatic and air-tightness properties.

RESULTS

In the ex vivo lung, there was a statistical significant difference between depth of thermal damage (P < 0.0001) in electrocautery (1.3 [1.2-1.4]), laser (0.9 [0.6-0.9]) and harmonic (0.4 [0.3-0.5]) groups. Electrocautery had a higher depth of thermal damage compared with that of the laser (P = 0.01) and harmonic groups (P = 0.0005). The harmonic group had a less depth of thermal damage than that of the laser group (P = 0.01). Also, histological damages of tumour borders (P < 0.001) and resected lung surface (P < 0.001), radiological damage of tumour borders (P < 0.001) and resected lung surface (P < 0.001) and colour changes (P < 0.001) were statistically different between three study groups. Resections of in vivo pig lungs showed no bleeding; 2 of 7 cases of low air leaks were found; however, they ceased by sealing lung parenchyma with harmonic technology.

CONCLUSIONS

Our experimental data support the resections performed with the use of harmonic technology. The lack of severe tissue alterations could favour healing of parenchyma, assure air tightness and preserve functional lung parenchyma. However, randomized controlled studies are needed in an in vivo model to corroborate our findings.

Comparison of local tissue damage: monopolar cutter versus Nd:YAG laser for lung parenchyma resection. An experimental study

OBJECTIVES

Lung metastases are non-anatomically resected while sparing as much parenchyma as possible. For this purpose, a few surgeons use the Nd:YAG Laser LIMAX 120, whereas the majority of surgeons use a monopolar cutter like the MAXIUM. The aim of this experimental study was to investigate which instrument causes less lung-tissue damage at the same power output.

METHODS

These experiments were conducted on left lungs (n = 6) taken from freshly slaughtered pigs. The laser and the monopolar cutter were fixed in a hydraulic mover. The laser was focused at a distance of 3 cm to the lung tissue and the monopolar cutter was fixed in pressure-free contact with the lung surface. Both instruments were manoeuvred at a speed of 5, 10 and 20 mm/s in a straight line at an output of 100 watts over the lung surface. The lung lesions that ensued were then examined macro- and microscopically. The same procedures were repeated at a distance of 1 cm creating parallel lesions in order to analyse the lung tissue in between the lesions for thermal damage. In addition, two implanted capsules in the lung tissue simulating a lung nodule were resected with either the laser or the monopolar cutter. The resection surfaces were then examined by magnetic resonance imaging and histology for tissue damage. Finally, we created a 2-cm wide mark on the lung surface to test the resection capacity of both instruments within 1 min.

RESULTS

The laser created sharply delineated lesions with a vaporization and coagulation zone without thermal damage of the surrounding lung tissue. With lowering the working speed, each zone was extended. At a working speed of 10 mm/s, the mean vaporization depth using the laser was 1.74 ± 0.1 mm and the mean coagulation depth was 1.55 ± 0.09 mm. At the same working speed, the monopolar cutter demonstrated a greater cutting effect (mean vaporization depth 2.7 ± 0.11 mm; P < 0.001) without leaving much coagulation on the resection surface (mean coagulation depth 1.25 ± 0.1 mm; P = 0.002). In contrast to the laser, the monopolar cutter caused thermal damage of the adjacent lung tissue. The adjacent tissue injury was detected in histological examination as well as in the MRI findings. Adjacent lung tissue after lung metastasectomy using the monopolar cutter was hyper-intensive in T2-weighted MR imaging, indicating a severe tissue damage. No significant changes in signal intensity were observed in T2-weighted imaging of the adjacent lung tissue after using the laser for lung resection. One minute of laser applied at a 100-watt output penetrated a lung surface area of 3.8 ± 0.4 cm(2) compared with 4.8 ± 0.6 cm(2) of surface after application of the monopolar cutter (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The monopolar cutter possesses indeed a greater cutting capacity than the laser, but it also causes more adjacent tissue injury. Thus, laser resection might be preferred for lung metastasectomy.