Natural orifice transtracheal evaluation of the thoracic cavity and mediastinum

Abstract

The transtracheal approach to the thoracic cavity and mediastinum appears to be feasible. This technique may provide an intriguing platform for the development of natural orifice transluminal surgery (NOTES) in the thoracic cavity.

Feasibility of Endoscopic Transoral Surgical Lung Biopsy in a Live Canine Model

“…These include the transvesical, transesophageal, and transtracheal approaches. [6][7][8][9][10] The transesophageal approach requires an incision over the esophageal wall and puts the mediastinum at risk for infection and mediastinitis. The use of a left pleural approach would be more challenging since the aorta is located over the lateral aspect of the esophagus and, therefore, additional study is needed.…”

“…[1][2][3] Since 2007, NOTES in the thoracic cavity has been used as a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure in animal models. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Its increasing practice may lead to a new methodology in the evaluation and treatment of thoracic diseases.…”

Feasibility of the transtracheal approach for the thoracic cavity in a large animal model

“…Endoscopic procedures such as thoracic evaluation/ pleural biopsy, creation of a pericardial window with needle-knife cautery, lung resection with loop electrocautery, and endoloop ligation with homemade endoligature were performed according to the study design (video 1) [12][13][14].…”

Hybrid endoscopic thymectomy: combined transesophageal and transthoracic approach in a survival porcine model with cadaver assessment

“…Since then, transvesicaltransdiaphragmatic [12], transgastric-transdiaphragmatic [13], and transtracheal thoracoscopy [14] have also been suggested. The transesophageal approach has been considered preferable as a direct entry to the thorax and posterior mediastinum for several simple thoracic procedures in porcine models [15].…”