Back to 2015 Annual Meeting Display Posters

OBJECTIVE: The high prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis in Asia was an initial concern when VATS was introduced. Extensive pleural adhesions, difficult to dissect calcified lymph nodes associated with history of tuberculosis has not stopped the development of VATS
METHODS: This is a retrospective study by the same surgeon where the two groups were created ,standard instrument group (SG , n=50)and modified instrument group.(MG,n=40) .later group had ultrasonic scalpel included in their instrument set.The surgeries included in both the group were lobectomy,segmentectomy,mediastinal lymph nodal dissection , anterior /posterior mediastinal mass resection. The operative time , conversion and total blood loss were compared
RESULTS: The use of ultrasonic scalpel in our practice decreased our threshold to convert from VATS to open due to adhesions and decreased blood loss and operative time and Lesser use of endostaplers during fissure dissectionin the modified group.There were 2 conversions in SG group due to bleeding post dense adhesiolysis.and densely adhered lymphnode close to vascularstructure.
CONCLUSIONS: The use of specially designed long instruments and energy sources including, ultrasonic device, have made difficulties associated with VATS pleural adhesiolysis a thing of the past. This will further decrease our learning curve with both multiport and uniportal techniques.