title: Robot-assisted ramicotomy: evaluation in a swine model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To evaluate the feasibility of robot-assisted thoracoscopic T2-T5 ramicotomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 5 pigs, a robot-assisted thoracoscopic T2-T5 ramicotomy was performed, followed by T2-T5 sympathectomy 10 min later. Ramicotomy and sympathectomy times, and core (esophageal) and surface (left front foot) temperatures, were monitored and recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The procedure was successfully completed in all 5 animals. In all cases, the sympathetic chain remained intact. No major hemorrhage occurred. The mean operating time for T2-T5 ramicotomy from incision until transsection of the last efferent ramus was 34 min (32-40). After completion of the ramicotomy, a total T2-T5 sympathectomy was performed, with a mean duration of 7 min (4-12). Mean core temperature before the operation was 37.6°C (36.7-38.0). Mean surface temperature before the operation was 34.2°C (33.3-35.5). Ten minutes after completion of the ramicotomy, temperatures stabilized. Mean postramicotomy core temperature was 37.4°C (36.3-38) and mean postramicotomy surface temperature was 35.4°C (33.9-37). Mean postsympathectomy temperatures were: core 37.3°C (36.1-38) and surface 35.8°C (33.8-37.1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Robot-assisted thoracoscopic T2-T5 ramicotomy is feasible and effective in a porcine model.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Coveliers
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hoexum
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Yeung
authors.forename: G-J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Tangelder
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rauwerda
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wisselink
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature; D005260:Female; D023421:Models, Animal; D012371:Robotics; D013552:Swine; D013562:Sympathectomy / Q000379:methods*; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000379:methods*