Computer-assisted three-dimensional individualized extreme liver resection for hepatoblastoma in proximity to the major liver vasculature

BACKGROUND The management of hepatoblastoma(HB)becomes challenging when the tumor remains in close proximity to the major liver vasculature(PMV)even after a full course of neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC).In such cases,extreme liver resection can be considered a potential option.AIM To explore whether computer-assisted three-dimensional individualized extreme liver resection is safe and feasible for children with HB who still have PMV after a full course of NAC.METHODS We retrospectively collected data from children with HB who underwent surgical resection at our center from June 2013 to June 2023.We then analyzed the detailed clinical and three-dimensional characteristics of children with HB who still had PMV after a full course of NAC.RESULTS Sixty-seven children diagnosed with HB underwent surgical resection.The age at diagnosis was 21.4±18.8 months,and 40 boys and 27 girls were included.Fifty-nine(88.1%)patients had a single tumor,39(58.2%)of which was located in the right lobe of the liver.A total of 47 patients(70.1%)had PRE-TEXT III or IV.Thirty-nine patients(58.2%)underwent delayed resection.After a full course of NAC,16 patients still had close PMV(within 1 cm in two patients,touching in 11 patients,compressing in four patients,and showing tumor thrombus in three patients).There were 6 patients of tumors in the middle lobe of the liver,and four of those patients exhibited liver anatomy variations.These 16 children underwent extreme liver resection after comprehensive preoperative evaluation.Intraoperative procedures were performed according to the preoperative plan,and the operations were successfully performed.Currently,the 3-year event-free survival of 67 children with HB is 88%.Among the 16 children who underwent extreme liver resection,three experienced recurrence,and one died due to multiple metastases.CONCLUSION Extreme liver resection for HB that is still in close PMV after a full course of NAC is both safe and feasible.This approach not only reduces the necessity for liver transplantation but also results in a favorable prognosis.Individualized three-dimensional surgical planning is beneficial for accurate and complete resection of HB,particularly for assessing vascular involvement,remnant liver volume and anatomical variations.

Application of computer-assisted navigation in treating congenital maxillomandibular syngnathia:A case report

BACKGROUND Congenital maxillomandibular syngnathia is an extremely rare disorder characterized by craniofacial malformations and inability to open the mouth adequately, which leads to problems with feeding, swallowing, and breathing as well as temporomandibular joint ankylosis. The main goal of the surgery is to release the ankylosis, establish functioning mandible, and prevent re-fusion.However, surgical procedures for this disease are rarely reported.CASE SUMMARY Here, we report a 7-mo-old girl with bilateral maxillomandibular syngnathia. The patient presented with difficulty in feeding, breathing, sounding, and swallowing and had developmental dysplasia. For treatment, we performed bone isolation by computer-assisted navigation and used silicone to fix the wound surface to prevent refusion of bone. To our knowledge, this is the only syngnathia case in the literature treated using computer-assisted navigation. With the guidance of precise navigation, we were able to minimize operation time by at least one hour,the patient's blood vessels, nerves, and tooth germs were well protected, and excessive bleeding was avoided. After six weeks, the patient showed improvement in mouth opening and no major issues of feeding.CONCLUSION Application of computer-assisted navigation can significantly improve accuracy,effectiveness, and surgical safety in correcting congenital maxillomandibular syngnathia.

Clinical application of improved 2D computer-assisted fluoroscopic navigation through simulating a 3D vertebrae image to guide pedicle screw internal fixation

Objective To study the effect of using improved 2D computer-assisted fluoroscopic navigation through simulating 3D vertebrae image to guide pedicle screw internal fixation.Methods Posterior pedicle screw internal fixation,distraction

Prediction of lymph node metastasis and sentinel node navigation surgery for patients with early-stage gastric cancer

Accurate prediction of lymph node(LN) status is crucially important for appropriate treatment planning in patients with early gastric cancer(EGC). However,consensus on patient and tumor characteristics associated with LN metastasis are yet to be reached. Through systematic search,we identified several independent variables associated with LN metastasis in EGC,which should be included in future research to assess which of these variables remain as significant predictors of LN metastasis. On the other hand,even if we use these promising parameters,we should realize the limitation and the difficulty of predicting LN metastasis accurately. The sentinel LN(SLN) is defined as first possible site to receive cancer cells along the route of lymphatic drainage from the primary tumor. The absence of metastasis in SLN is believed to correlate with the absence of metastasis in downstream LNs. In this review,we have attempted to focus on several independent parameters which have close relationship between tumor and LN metastasis in EGC. In addition,we evaluated the history of sentinel node navigation surgery and the usefulness for EGC.

Sentinel node navigation surgery for gastric cancer: Overview and perspective

The sentinel node(SN) technique has been established for the treatment of some types of solid cancers to avoid unnecessary lymphadenectomy. If node disease were diagnosed before surgery, minimal surgery with omission of lymph node dissection would be an option for patients with early gastric cancer. Although SN biopsy has been well ascertained in the treatment of breast cancer and melanoma, SN navigation surgery(SNNS) in gastric cancer has not been yet universal due to the complicated lymphatic flow from the stomach. Satisfactory establishment of SNNS will result in the possible indication of minimally invasive surgery of gastric cancer. However, the results reported in the literature on SN biopsy in gastric cancer are widely divergent and many issues are still to be resolved, such as the collection method of SN, detection of micrometastasis in SN, and clinical benefit. The difference in the procedural technique and learning phase of surgeons is also varied the accuracy of SN mapping. In this review, we outline the current status of application for SNNS in gastric cancer.

Sentinel lymph node navigation surgery for early stage gastric cancer

We attempted to evaluate the history of sentinel node navigation surgery (SNNS), technical aspects, tracers, and clinical applications of SNNS using Infrared Ray Electronic Endoscopes (IREE) combined with Indocyanine Green (ICG). The sentinel lymph node (SLN) is defined as a first lymph node (LN) which receives cancer cells from a primary tumor. Reports on clinical application of SNNS for gastric cancers started to appear since early 2000s. Two prospective multicenter trials of SNNS for gastric cancer have also been accomplished in Japan. Kitagawa et al reported that the endoscopic dual (dye and radioisotope) tracer method for SN biopsy was confirmed acceptable and effective when applied to the early-stage gastric cancer (EGC). We have previously reported the usefulness of SNNS in gastrointestinal cancer using ICG as a tracer, combined with IREE (Olympus Optical, Tokyo, Japan) to detect SLN. LN metastasis rate of EGC is low. Hence, clinical application of SNNS for EGC might lead us to avoid unnecessary LN dissection, which could preserve the patient’s quality of life after operation. The most ideal method of SNNS should allow secure and accurate detection of SLN, and real time observation of lymphatic flow during operation.

Computer-assisted Surgery for Scaphoid Fracture

The computer-assisted surgery (CAS)has significantly improved the accuracy, reliability and outcomes of traumatic,spinal,nerve surgery and many other operations with a less invasive way.The application of CAS for scaphoid fractures remains experimental.The related studies are scanty and most of them are cadaver researches.Some intrinsic defects from the registration procedure,scan and immobilization of limbs may inevitably result in deviations. Some deviations become more obvious with operations of small bones (such as scaphoid)although they are acceptable for spine and other orthopedic surgeries.We reviewed the current literatures on the applications of CAS for scaphoid operation and summarized technical principles,scan and registration methods,immobilization of limbs and their outcomes.On the basis of the data,we analyzed the limitations of this technique and envisioned its future development.

Current status and challenges in sentinel node navigation surgery for early gastric cancer

Although a number of feasibility studies for sentinel node （SN） concepts in gastric cancer have been conducted since 2000, there remains a debate regarding detailed detection techniques and oncological safety. Two important multicenter phase II clinical trials were performed in Japan that used different methods and reached different conclusions; one confirmed acceptable results with a false-negative rate of 7%, and the other showed an unacceptably high false-negative rate of 46.4%. The Sentinel Node Oriented Tailored Approach （SENORITA） trial is a multicenter randomized controlled phase 1/I trial being performed in Korea. Patient enrollment is now complete and the long-term results are currently awaited. Recently, an image-guided SN mapping technique using infrared ray/fluorescence was introduced. This method might be a promising technology because it allows the clear visualization of SNs. With regard to the primary tumor, the non-exposed endoscopic wall-inversion surgery technique and non-exposure endolaparoscopic full-thickness resection with simple suturing technique have been reported. These methods prevent abdominal infection and tumor seeding and can be good alternatives to conventional laparoscopic gastric wedge resection. For indications, SN navigation surgery can be extended to patients who underwent non-curative endoscopic resection. Although a few studies have been performed on these patients, sentinel concepts may be beneficial to patients as they omit the need for additional gastrectomy. SN navigation surgery can lead to actual organ-preserving surgery and plays a key role in improving the quality of life of patients with early gastric cancer in the future.

Recent updates and current issues of sentinel node navigation surgery for early gastric cancer

With the increase in the incidence of early gastric cancer(EGC),several endoscopic and laparoscopic approaches,such as endoscopic submucosal dissection and function-preserving gastrectomy,have been accepted as standard treatments.Sentinel node navigation surgery(SNNS)is an ideal surgical option for preservation of most parts of the stomach and consequent maintenance of normal gastric function to improve quality of life in patients with EGC.Although many previous studies and clinical trials have demonstrated the safety and feasibility of the sentinel node concept in gastric cancer,the clinical application of SNNS is debatable.Several issues regarding technical standardization and oncological safety need to be resolved.Recently several studies to resolve these problems are being actively performed,and SNNS might be an important surgical option in the treatment of gastric cancer in the future.

Sentinel lymph node navigation surgery for gastric cancer: Does it really benefit the patient?

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) navigation surgery is accepted as a standard treatment procedure for malignant melanoma and breast cancer. However, the benefit of reduced lymphadenectomy based on SLN examination remains unclear in cases of gastric cancer. Here, we review previous studies to determine whether SLN navigation surgery is beneficial for gastric cancer patients. Recently, a large-scale prospective study from the Japanese Society of Sentinel Node Navigation Surgery reported that the endoscopic dual tracer method, using a dye and radioisotope for SLN biopsy, was safe and effective when applied to cases of superficial and relatively small gastric cancers. SLN mapping with SLN basin dissection was preferred for early gastric cancer since it is minimally invasive. However, previous studies reported that limited gastrectomy and lymphadenectomy may not improve the patient’s postoperative quality of life (QOL). As a result, the benefit of SLN navigation surgery for gastric cancer patients, in terms of their QOL, is limited. Thus, endoscopic and laparoscopic limited gastrectomy combined with SLN navigation surgery has the potential to become the standard minimally invasive surgery in early gastric cancer.

Current trends in three-dimensional visualization and real-time navigation as well as robot-assisted technologies in hepatobiliary surgery

With the continuous development of digital medicine,minimally invasive precision and safety have become the primary development trends in hepatobiliary surgery.Due to the specificity and complexity of hepatobiliary surgery,traditional preoperative imaging techniques such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging cannot meet the need for identification of fine anatomical regions.Imaging-based three-dimensional(3D)reconstruction,virtual simulation of surgery and 3D printing optimize the surgical plan through preoperative assessment,improving the controllability and safety of intraoperative operations,and in difficult-to-reach areas of the posterior and superior liver,assistive robots reproduce the surgeon’s natural movements with stable cameras,reducing natural vibrations.Electromagnetic navigation in abdominal surgery solves the problem of conventional surgery still relying on direct visual observation or preoperative image assessment.We summarize and compare these recent trends in digital medical solutions for the future development and refinement of digital medicine in hepatobiliary surgery.

Application of a novel computer-assisted surgery system in percutaneous nephrolithotomy:A controlled study

BACKGROUND Most complex renal stones are managed primarily with percutaneous nephrolithotomy(PCNL).However,PCNL is still a great challenge for surgeons because of poor comprehension on complex adjacent structures.Novel techniques are required to assist in planning and navigation.AIM To apply and evaluate the Hisense computer-assisted surgery(CAS)system in PCNL.METHODS A total of 60 patients with complex renal stones were included.Thirty patients in the CAS group had three-dimensional(3 D)virtual models constructed with the CAS system.The model assisted in planning and navigating in the CAS system.Thirty patients in the control group planned and navigated as standard PCNL,without the application of the CAS system.Success rate of one attempt,operation time,initial stone-free rate,decrease in hemoglobin,and complications were collected and analyzed.RESULTS There were no statistically significant differences in the baseline characteristics or planning characteristics.The success rate of one puncturing attempt(90%vs 67%,P=0.028)and the initial stone-free rate(87%vs 63%,P=0.037)were significantly higher in the CAS group.However,there were no statistically significant differences in the operation time(89.20±29.60 min vs 92.33±33.08 min,P=0.859)or in the decrease in hemoglobin(11.07±8.32 g/L vs 9.03±11.72 g/L,P=0.300)between the CAS group and the control group.No statistically significant differences in the incidence of complications(Clavien-Dindo grade≥2)were found.CONCLUSION Compared with standard PCNL,CAS-assisted PCNL had advantages in terms of the puncturing success rate and stone-free rate.The Hisense CAS System was recommended to assist in preoperative planning and intraoperative navigation for an intuitive,precise and convenient PCNL.

Computer-assisted rescue of the inferior mesenteric artery in a child with a giant ganglioneuroblastoma: A case report

BACKGROUND Ganglioneuroblastoma(GNB)is a peripheral neuroblastoma(NB)with malignant degree between highly malignant NB and benign ganglioma(GN).Pathology is the gold standard of diagnosis.Although GNB is not uncommon in children,biopsy alone may lead to an inaccurate diagnosis,especially for giant tumors.However,surgical resection may be associated with significant complications.Here,we report a case of computer-assisted surgical resection of a giant GNB in a child and successful rescue of the inferior mesenteric artery.CASE SUMMARY A 4-year-old girl was admitted to our department for a giant retroperitoneal lesion,which was considered to be an NB by her local hospital.The symptoms of the girl disappeared spontaneously without treatment.On physical examination,a mass of about 10 cm×7 cm could be palpated in her abdomen.Ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced computed tomography performed in our hospital also showed an NB,and there was a very thick blood vessel inside the tumor.However,aspiration biopsy revealed GN.Surgical resection is the best treatment option for this giant benign tumor.For precise preoperative evaluation,threedimensional reconstruction was performed.It was clear that the tumor was close to the abdominal aorta.The superior mesenteric vein was pushed forward,and the inferior mesenteric artery passed through the tumor.Because GN generally does not invade blood vessels,we split the tumor with a CUSA knife during the operation and found that there was indeed a straight and intact vascular sheath.Arterial pulsation was observed in the completely exposed inferior mesenteric artery.The pathologists interpreting the tissue finally diagnosed it as a mixed GNB(GNBi),which is more malignant than GN.However,both GN and GNBi usually have a good prognosis.CONCLUSION This was a case of successful surgical resection of a giant GNB,and aspiration biopsy underestimated the pathological staging of the tumor.Preoperative three-dimensional reconstruction assisted with the radical resection of the tumor and rescue of the inferior mesenteric artery.

Research about Process Archive of Computerized Surgery Navigation Based on PACS

Since the process of the surgery navigation is an operation-sensitive process, it is important to record and archive the whole process. In this paper, some key technologies are introduced to accomplish process archive of computerized surgery navigation based on the picture archiving and communication system(PACS). Firstly, the images and track data are acquired by the screen captured tool and the navigation software. Secondly, these image and data files are converted to the digital imaging and communications in medicine(DICOM) files supported by PACS and transferred into the database in PACS. The process of surgery navigation is recorded and archived. Finally, the original data of process archive is acquired from PACS, and this data is used to play back and restore the process of surgery navigation.

Don’t forget emergency surgery! Lessons to learn from elective indocyanine green-guided gastrointestinal interventions

Fluorescence-based imaging has found application in several fields of elective surgery,but there is still a lack of evidence in the literature about its use in the emergency setting.Clinical trials have consistently shown that indocyanine green(ICG)-guided surgery can dramatically reduce the risk of postoperative complic-ations,length of in-hospital stay and total healthcare costs in the elective setting.It is well-known that emergency surgery has a higher complication rate than its elective counterpart,therefore an impelling need for research studies to explore,validate and develop this issue has been highlighted.The present editorial aims to provide a critical overview of currently available applications and pitfalls of ICG fluorescence in abdominal emergencies.Furthermore,we evidenced how the experience of ICG-fluorescence in elective surgery might be of great help in implementing its use in acute situations.In the first paragraph we analyzed the tips and tricks of ICG-guided cancer surgery that might be exploited in acute cases.We then deepened the two most described topics in ICG-guided emergency surgery:Acute cholecystitis and intestinal ischemia,focusing on both the advantages and limitations of green-fluorescence application in these two fields.In emergency situations,ICG fluorescence demonstrates a promising role in preventing undue intestinal resections or their entity,facilitating the detection of intestinal ischemic zones,identifying biliary tree anatomy,reducing post-operative complications,and mitigating high mortality rates.The need to improve its application still exists,therefore we strongly believe that the elective and routinary use of the dye is the best way to acquire the necessary skills for emer-gency procedures.

Interaction of Navigation with Minimal Access Surgery

Minimal access surgery (MAS) includes conventional minimally invasive laparoscopic and thoracoscopic surgery, single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). An end of the evolution of MAS is not foreseeable, but there are still limitations. In the most common fields of intestinal surgery (cholecystectomy, appendectomy, colo-rectal resection) limitations of MAS shook dogma for surgical strategy and procedure. Automation units and telesurgical systems try to assist the surgical action. Remaining limitations are caused by lack of tactile sense and spatial awareness. With expanding application of minimal access technique in surgery the need for navigation assistance will increase. Future expansion is basically reliant on the feasibility of navigated surgery. Navigation must respect the problems of organ shift and realise continuous localisation of the surgical target as well as spatial orientation of surgical instruments and camera view.

Computer-Assisted Surgery for Mandibular Reconstruction Using a Patient-Specific Titanium Mesh Tray and Particulate Cancellous Bone and Marrow

Craniomaxillofacial surgery is difficult due to the complexity of the regional anatomy. Computer-assisted surgery is a promising tool aiming to improve the safety and precision of such surgery. A computer-assisted surgical navigation approach for reconstruction of mandibular defects using a patient-specific titanium mesh tray and particulate cancellous bone and marrow (PCBM) harvested from bilateral anterior ilia is proposed. This case report involves a large multicystic ameloblastoma affecting the right mandible of a 31-year-old male patient. Following detailed clinical examination, radiological interpretation, and histopathological diagnosis, computer-assisted surgical simulation with a virtual 3-dimensional (3-D) model was designed using surgical planning software based on the pre-operative computed tomography data. Long-span segmental resection of the mandible was planned, and the defect was analyzed for reconstruction using a patient-specific reconstruction titanium mesh tray mediated with computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) techniques. During the actual surgery, the ultrasonic bone cutting instrument in the surgeon’s hand was connected to the navigation system to touch an anatomical position on the patient. Therefore, osteotomies were performed finely and smoothly according to the navigation images of the cutting bone line by sequentially moving the instrument. Finally, a CAD/CAM-mediated titanium mesh tray condensed by PCBM was adapted to the remaining mandibular fragments. Six months postoperatively, the patient had a good mandibular configuration and facial contour. Integration of different technologies, such as software planning and 3-D surgical simulation, combined with intraoperative navigation and CAD/CAM techniques, provides safe and precise mandibular reconstruction surgery.

Clinical use of augmented reality,mixed reality,three-dimensionalnavigation and artificial intelligence in liver surgery

A precise knowledge of intra-parenchymal vascular and biliary architecture and the location of lesions in relation to the complex anatomy is indispensable to perform liver surgery.Therefore,virtual three-dimensional(3D)-reconstruction models from computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging scans of the liver might be helpful for visualization.Augmented reality,mixed reality and 3Dnavigation could transfer such 3D-image data directly into the operation theater to support the surgeon.This review examines the literature about the clinical and intraoperative use of these image guidance techniques in liver surgery and provides the reader with the opportunity to learn about these techniques.Augmented reality and mixed reality have been shown to be feasible for the use in open and minimally invasive liver surgery.3D-navigation facilitated targeting of intraparenchymal lesions.The existing data is limited to small cohorts and description about technical details e.g.,accordance between the virtual 3D-model and the real liver anatomy.Randomized controlled trials regarding clinical data or oncological outcome are not available.Up to now there is no intraoperative application of artificial intelligence in liver surgery.The usability of all these sophisticated image guidance tools has still not reached the grade of immersion which would be necessary for a widespread use in the daily surgical routine.Although there are many challenges,augmented reality,mixed reality,3Dnavigation and artificial intelligence are emerging fields in hepato-biliary surgery.

Navigated liver surgery:State of the art and future perspectives

Background:In recent years,the development of digital imaging technology has had a significant influence in liver surgery.The ability to obtain a 3-dimensional(3D)visualization of the liver anatomy has provided surgery with virtual reality of simulation 3D computer models,3D printing models and more recently holograms and augmented reality(when virtual reality knowledge is superimposed onto reality).In addition,the utilization of real-time fluorescent imaging techniques based on indocyanine green(ICG)uptake allows clinicians to precisely delineate the liver anatomy and/or tumors within the parenchyma,applying the knowledge obtained preoperatively through digital imaging.The combination of both has transformed the abstract thinking until now based on 2D imaging into a 3D preoperative conception(virtual reality),enhanced with real-time visualization of the fluorescent liver structures,effectively facilitating intraoperative navigated liver surgery(augmented reality).Data sources:A literature search was performed from inception until January 2021 in MEDLINE(Pub Med),Embase,Cochrane library and database for systematic reviews(CDSR),Google Scholar,and National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence(NICE)databases.Results:Fifty-one pertinent articles were retrieved and included.The different types of digital imaging technologies and the real-time navigated liver surgery were estimated and compared.Conclusions:ICG fluorescent imaging techniques can contribute essentially to the real-time definition of liver segments;as a result,precise hepatic resection can be guided by the presence of fluorescence.Furthermore,3D models can help essentially to further advancing of precision in hepatic surgery by permitting estimation of liver volume and functional liver remnant,delineation of resection lines along the liver segments and evaluation of tumor margins.In liver transplantation and especially in living donor liver transplantation(LDLT),3D printed models of the donor’s liver and models of the recipient’s hilar anatomy can contribute further to improving the results.In particular,pediatric LDLT abdominal cavity models can help to manage the largest challenge of this procedure,namely large-for-size syndrome.

Navigation technology/eye-tracking in ophthalmology:principles,applications and benefits-a narrative review

Navigation technology in ophthalmology,colloquially called“eye-tracking”,has been applied to various areas of eye care.This approach encompasses motion-based navigation technology in both ophthalmic imaging and treatment.For instance,modern imaging instruments use a real-time eye-tracking system,which helps to reduce motion artefacts and increase signal-to-noise ratio in imaging acquisition such as optical coherence tomography(OCT),microperimetry,and fluorescence and color imaging.Navigation in ophthalmic surgery has been firstly applied in laser vision corrective surgery and spread to involve navigated retinal photocoagulation,and positioning guidance of intraocular lenses(IOL)during cataract surgery.It has emerged as one of the most reliable representatives of technology as it continues to transform surgical interventions into safer,more standardized,and more predictable procedures with better outcomes.Eye-tracking is essential in refractive surgery with excimer laser ablation.Using this technology for cataract surgery in patients with high preoperative astigmatism has produced better therapeutic outcomes.Navigated retinal laser has proven to be safer and more accurate compared to the use of conventional slit lamp lasers.Eye-tracking has also been used in imaging diagnostics,where it is essential for proper alignment of captured zones of interest and accurate follow-up imaging.This technology is not routinely discussed in the ophthalmic literature even though it has been truly impactful in our clinical practice and represents a small revolution in ophthalmology.