INTRODUCTION Current neuroendoscopic instruments lack the required size, accuracy, dexterity, and reachability to perform complex intraventricular procedures (i.e. endoscopic third ventriculostomy) [1-2]. Surgical robots offer a potential solution, however the unique and critically constrained workspace within the ventricle system poses major challenges. Concentric tube robots consist of telesc...

Objective The treatment of laryngotracheal stenosis is a major therapeutic challenge. Various treatments include observation, medical management, and surgical management. The most effective surgical management is resection and reconstruction. To the authors' knowledge, no reports have described the use of xenogenic acellular dermal matrix (ADM) for laryngotracheal stenosis. Methods A 27-year-ol...

A new micro T-tube, 0.6 mm in outer diameter, has been constructed. Use of this tube has allowed 1-mm common carotid artery (CCA) bypass ofr periods of time up to 22 minutes. After bypass, scanning electron microscopic observation of sutured CCA endothelium showed widespread destruction, scattered attached platelets and other formed blood elements, as well as microthrombi both at suture lines a...

Pneumothorax is a rare complication in cancer chemotherapy. We report a case in which a male patient with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) developed repetitive pneumothorax after receiving a combination of the chemotherapeutic drugs gefitinib and amrubicin (GEF + AMR). Both episodes of pneumothorax occurred on the 3rd day of GEF + AMR administration. Tube thoracostomy was performed, ...

The use of silicone T tubes for intubation of malignant tracheobronchial strictures may provide some degree of palliation of this distressing condition. It was used in seven patients with malignant lesions and two with benign strictures (resulting from tracheal trauma and lung transplantation). Four patients (two with cancer) are still alive and well with the tube in position. All patients note...

This study was performed to compare the amount of air leakage into the thoracic cavity associated with three thoracostomy tube materials (silicone, polyvinyl chloride, red rubber) in canine cadavers. Differences in intrapleural pressures (IPPs) measured before and after tube placement and before and after tube removal were calculated. The duration of air leakage around the tubes was assessed by...