CTSNet’s 10 Most Popular Articles of January 2023

1. JANS: Major TAVI Studies Have ‘Methodological Issues,’ INTEGRITTY Group Contends

The controversy surrounding major TAVR versus SAVR studies has received no shortage of documentation, and this definitive study raised key questions about the integrity of their methodology while not directly discrediting them. Stay tuned for CTSNet’s coverage of this developing discussion.

2. Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Patient Bleeding Management
By Veronica Lorenz, Luigi Muzzi, Eugenio Neri

The most popular surgical video this month demonstrates how to handle untreatable postoperative bleeding by keeping the sternum open with a VAC sponge and negative chest pressure. When a surgeon finds themselves unable to continue with hemostasis in a sternotomy patient, this method proves to be an effective alternative.

3. Step-By-Step Guide to 3D Segmentation of Tumor, Airways, and Vessels for Preoperative Planning for Anatomic Segmentectomy Using 3D Slicer
By David Rice

As 3D imaging software continues to evolve and its use in cardiothoracic surgery increases, it is important to develop definitive and easy-to-understand guides to its use. This step-by-step article details the use of 3D Slicer open-source software to prepare for a complex segmentectomy.

4. JANS: Heart Team Performs West Coast US's First Transfemoral Transseptal Mitral Valve Replacement Procedure

Another important development in cardiothoracic surgery makes the top ten with a groundbreaking minimally invasive surgery. Since no surgical access through the chest is involved in transfemoral transseptal mitral valve replacement, it has a shorter recovery time and opens the door for valve replacement in patients who wouldn’t otherwise be eligible.

5. Robotic Repair of Gunshot Injury to Trachea
By Ali Syed, Joshua Melamed, Lucian Durham, Mario Gasparri

Robotic surgery is rarely considered for trauma cases, so this unique case garnered a lot of views over the past month. The video demonstrates robotic repair performed on an isolated midtracheal injury with minor lung lacerations.

6. Repair of Partial Atrioventricular Septal Defect via Vertical Right Axillary Thoracotomy (VRAT) in Eleven-Year-Old
By Ali Mashadi, Sameh Said

The next video demonstrates a technique for minimally invasive repair of a partial atrioventricular septal defect in a child via a vertical right axillary thoracotomy. Although it is a complex surgery, its minimally invasive nature allows for faster recovery and less postoperative pain.

7. Minimally Invasive Excision of Pulmonary Valve Mass via Left Anterior Thoracotomy
By Anthony Zaki, Ibrahim Elkilany, Douglas Johnston, Haytham Elgharably

When treatment with anticoagulation and antibiotics did not improve this patient’s symptoms, imaging revealed a mass adherent to the pulmonary valve cusps. Surgeons were able to fully excise the mass, which final pathology revealed to be a papillary fibroelastoma, via a minimally invasive approach.

8. First Versius Lobectomy in the Americas
By Joel Dunning

This video documents the first lobectomy performed with the Versius robotic system in the Americas. Performed in Brazil by Eduardo Pilla and Maria Theresa, the procedure is a demonstration of innovation in robotic thoracic surgery.

9. Totally Endoscopic Late Tricuspid Valve Repair in IVD Abuser
By Tommaso Hinna Danesi

Complications due to endocarditis can be common and difficult to remedy in a patient with a history of intravenous drug abuse. This video demonstrates an endoscopic tricuspid valve repair for the condition, including pre-and postoperative protocol.

10. JANS: FDA Approves Drug Which Makes Lung Cancer Glow

Finally, the results of this exciting lung cancer study cracked the top ten. The newly approved drug, pafolacianine, binds to lung cancer cells to make them glow under infrared light. Surgical removal of lung tumors before they spread remains one of the most effective ways to treat the disease, so the availability of the drug has major implications for lung cancer patient outcomes.