BACKGROUND: Spinal fractures in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) mainly present as instability, involving all three columns of the spine, and surgical intervention is often considered necessary. However, in AS patients, the significant alterations in bony structure and anatomy result in a lack of identifiable landmarks, which increases the difficulty of pedicle screw implantation. Therefore, we present the clinical outcomes of robotic-assisted percutaneous fixation for thoracolumbar fractures in patients with AS.
METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on a series of 12 patients diagnosed with AS. All patients sustained thoracolumbar fractures between October 2018 and October 2022 and underwent posterior robotic-assisted percutaneous fixation procedures. Outcomes of interest included operative time, intra-operative blood loss, complications, duration of hospital stay and fracture union. The clinical outcomes were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). To investigate the achieved operative correction, pre- and postoperative radiographs in the lateral plane were analyzed by measuring the Cobb angle.
RESULTS: The 12 patients had a mean age of 62.8 ± 13.0 years and a mean follow-up duration of 32.7 ± 18.9 months. Mean hospital stay duration was 15 ± 8.0 days. The mean operative time was 119.6 ± 32.2 min, and the median blood loss was 50 (50, 250) ml. The VAS value improved from 6.8 ± 0.9 preoperatively to 1.3 ± 1.0 at the final follow-up (P < 0.05). The ODI value improved from 83.6 ± 6.1% preoperatively to 11.8 ± 6.6% at the latest follow-up (P < 0.05). The average Cobb angle changed from 15.2 ± 11.0 pre-operatively to 8.3 ± 7.1 at final follow-up (P < 0.05). Bone healing was consistently achieved, with an average healing time of 6 (5.3, 7.0) months. Of the 108 screws implanted, 2 (1.9%) were improperly positioned. One patient experienced delayed nerve injury after the operation, but the nerve function returned to normal upon discharge.
CONCLUSIONS: Posterior robotic-assisted percutaneous internal fixation can be used as an ideal surgical treatment for thoracolumbar fractures in AS patients. However, while robot-assisted pedicle screw placement can enhance the accuracy of pedicle screw insertion, it should not be relied upon solely.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the surgical effectiveness of posterior procedure with long segment stabilization for treating thoracolumbar pseudarthrosis associated with ankylosing spinal disorders (ASDs) without anterior fusion or osteotomy.
Twelve patients with thoracolumbar pseudarthrosis in ASD were enrolled. All patients underwent posterior long-segment stabilization procedures. In some patients, the percutaneous technique or the aid of a robot or O-arm navigation was utilized for pedicle screw implantation. The clinical results were evaluated by means of the visual analog scale and Oswestry Disability Index. Radiological outcomes were evaluated for bone fusion, anterior column defect, local kyphotic correction, and position of the pedicle screws.
All patients experienced effective bone fusion at the sites of pseudarthrosis. The mean operative time was 161.7 ± 57.1 minutes, and the average amount of blood loss was 305.8 ± 293.2 mL. For 6 patients who underwent surgery with the assistance of a robot or O-arm navigation, there was no statistically significant difference observed in terms of operative time and mean blood loss compared to those who used the freehand technique (P > 0.05). The visual analog scale score, Oswestry Disability Index value, and mean local kyphotic angle showed significant improvements at the final follow-up (P < 0.05). The accuracy of pedicle screw placement was 96%.
Posterior surgery with long-segment fixation, without anterior fusion or osteotomy, can achieve satisfactory outcomes in ASD patients with thoracolumbar pseudarthrosis. The application of percutaneous techniques, as well as the assistance of robots or navigation technique may be a good choice for the treatment of pseudarthrosis in ASD patients.

BACKGROUND: The widespread use of chemotherapies has increased the need for totally implantable venous access ports (TIVAPs). Previously, the subclavian puncture approach with the landmark technique was the most used implantation method; however, it has been related to early complications such as pneumothorax, hemothorax, and arterial puncture. Therefore, a safer implantation method is required. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of the cephalic vein cut-down method used in our institution.
METHODS: Patients who underwent TIVAPs implantation using the cephalic vein cut-down method as the first choice between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2020, were included in this study. We retrospectively evaluated the technical success rates, operation times, and early complications.
RESULTS: This study included 221 adult patients (men, 129; women, 92), with a mean age of 68 ± 11 years. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 21 ± 4 kg/m2. A total of 213 patients (96.4%) had malignant tumors that required chemotherapy. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 659 ± 442 days (range, 5-1,698 days). A total of 127 patients (57.5%) died during the follow-up period. The technical success rate was 86.4% (191/221). There were 30 failures, 24 of which were converted to the subclavian vein puncture approach. The mean operation time was 53 ± 21 min. Early complications were observed in 4 (1.8%) patients, corresponding to an incidence of 0.028 complications/1,000 catheter days. One patient had an unintended arterial puncture; however, it was not a result of the cephalic vein cut-down method but a secondary result of the subclavian vein puncture. No complications of pneumothorax, hemothorax, or arterial puncture were observed with the cephalic vein cut-down method.
CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the cephalic vein cut-down method for TIVAPs had an acceptable success rate and fewer early complications than the conventional puncture techniques.

To investigate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous treatment in cystic echinococcosis (CE) type 1 and 3a giant cysts (with at least one diameter>10 cm) according to the World Health Organization classification and to evaluate the management of complications, especially cystobiliary fistulas (CBFs).
This retrospective study included 66 patients with 68 CE1 and CE3a giant cysts treated with percutaneous catheterization between January 2016 and December 2021. The characteristics of the cysts, major and minor complications, time to catheter removal, and length of hospital stay were recorded.
Among the 68 cysts, CBFs occurred in 35 (51.5%), cavity infections in 11 (16.1%), recollection in five (7.4%), and anaphylaxis in three (4.5%). There was no mortality. Biliary drainage was observed intraoperatively in 20 (29.4%) and only postoperatively in 15 (22.1%) of the 35 cysts with CBFs. A plastic biliary stent was placed in 18 (51.5%) of the 35 cysts with CBFs. The patients with CBFs had a longer hospital stay and time to catheter removal than those without fistulas (15.3 ± 10.9 vs. 6.1 ± 2.6 days and 32.7 ± 51.8 vs. 6.2 ± 3.1 days, respectively; P < 0.001). Of the patients who developed recollection, three were treated with secondary catheterization, and two underwent surgery. In total, three patients underwent surgery. The rate of clinical success was 95.4%. All cysts were followed up for an average of 19.1 (range, 12-60) months, and there was an average 88.8% reduction in cyst volume compared to the initial evaluation.
CE1 and CE3a giant cysts can be treated effectively and safely with high clinical success using the catheterization technique. Contrary to what has previously been reported for these patients, the rate of CBFs is high, but these patients can successfully be treated with percutaneous drainage and/or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography without the requirement of surgery.

Thanks to advances in interventional cardiology technologies, catheter-directed treatment has become recently a viable therapeutic option in the treatment of patients with acute pulmonary embolism at high risk of early mortality. Current transcatheter techniques allow for local fibrinolysis or embolectomy with minimal risk of complications. Therefore, these procedures can be considered in high-risk patients as an alternative to surgical pulmonary embolectomy when systemic thrombolysis is contraindicated or ineffective. They are also considered in patients with intermediate-high-risk pulmonary embolism who do not improve or deteriorate clinically despite anticoagulation. The purpose of this article is to present the role of transcatheter techniques in the treatment of patients with acute pulmonary embolism. We describe current knowledge and expert opinions in this field. Interventional treatment is described in the broader context of patient care organization and therapeutic modalities. We present the organization and responsibilities of pulmonary embolism response team, role of pre-procedural imaging, periprocedural anticoagulation, patient selection, timing of intervention, and intensive care support. Currently available catheter-directed therapies are discussed in detail including standardized protocols and definitions of procedural success and failure. This expert opinion has been developed in collaboration with experts from various Polish scientific societies, which highlights the role of teamwork in caring for patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

Contrasting data are available in the literature regarding the superiority of percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in very early or early (BCLA 0 or A) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
The primary outcome was to compare the efficacy of RFA and MWA in achieving complete response in cirrhotic patients with early and very early HCC. The secondary outcomes were to evaluate the overall survival and the recurrence rate.
A retrospective, observational, single-center study was performed. Inclusion criteria were liver cirrhosis, new diagnosis of a single node of HCC measuring a maximum of 50 mm or up to three nodules with diameter up to 35 mm, treatment with RFA or MWA. Radiological response was evaluated with multiphasic contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography or Magnetic Resonance Imaging at 5-7 weeks after thermal ablation. Complete response was defined when no vital tissue was detected after treatment.
Overall, 251 HCC patients were included in this study; 81 patients were treated with MWA and 170 with RFA. The complete response rate was similar in MWA and RFA groups (out of 331 nodules, 87.5% (91/104) were treated with MWA and 84.2% (186/221) were treated with RFA, p = 0.504). Interestingly, a subanalysis demonstrated that for 21-35 mm nodules, the probability to achieve a complete response using MWA was almost 5 times higher than for RFA (OR = 4.88, 95% CI 1.37-17.31, p = 0.014). Moreover, recurrence rate in 21-35 mm nodules was higher with RFA with respect to MWA (31.9% versus 13.5%, p = 0.019). Overall survival was 80.4% (45/56) when treated with MWA and 62.2% (56/90) when treated with RFA (p = 0.027). No significant difference was observed between MWA and RFA treatment in the 15-20 mm nodules group.
This study showed that MWA is more efficient than RFA in achieving complete response in HCC nodules with 21 to 35 mm diameter.

The seismic impact of transcatheter interventions is rocking the spectrum of structural heart disease (SHD) treatment, with the compelling and attractive appeal of minimally invasive procedures and fast-track discharge. The trend is relentless and continual innovation comes to our doors nearly on a daily basis. Litwinowicz and colleagues describe their trailblazing experience in 223 consecutive patients in whom they performed left atrial appendage occlusion via the percutaneous route. All interventions were performed by surgeons, who had undergone pretraining in a simulation model. Soon thereafter, they were able to achieve outcomes that were comparable with those obtained by experienced interventional cardiologists. The unique surgeons\' training and skills in open-heart surgery make their contribution to perfection and safety of SHD treatment, which are potentially exceptional and distinctive. Extrapolating for the entire field of SHD, which is blossoming ahead, the message to be conveyed is that cardiac surgeons must be trained and embrace every aspect of SHD.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and follow-up results of the percutaneous treatment of cystic echinococcosis (CE) patients with giant hepatic cysts (at least one diameter > 10 cm).
METHODS: Between January 2013 and 2018, 31 CE patients with 34 giant cysts classified as CE1 or CE3a (Gharbi type 1 or 2) according to the World Health Organization criteria and treated with the catheterization technique were analyzed retrospectively.
RESULTS: Thirty-four giant hepatic cysts were treated using the catheterization technique. Technical success was 100%. One procedure was sufficient for 27 of these cysts, while six patients underwent a second procedure due to recurrence, recollection or complications; one did not accept a repeat procedure and decided to refer to surgery due to pain. Ten (29%) major complications developed. The overall clinical success was 97%. The mean follow-up period was 20 months (5-61 months), and the total reduction in the cyst volume was 92%.
CONCLUSIONS: The catheterization technique is effective in treating giant CE with acceptable complication rates.
METHODS: Level 4, Clinical Investigation.

Left main percutaneous coronary intervention is an acceptable alternative to coronary artery bypass grafting, and in experienced hands, excellent procedural results can be obtained. A systematic approach to stenting and meticulous attention to detail are required. For most lesions, a single-stent provisional approach is sufficient, but for the more complex lesion, a 2-stent technique is required. Herein, the optimal approach to left main lesion assessment and percutaneous intervention is described.

BACKGROUND: A high percentage of older patients with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are potential candidates for percutaneous ablation.
METHODS: We prospectively assessed data from patients older than 70 years with HCC. We determined their demographic and clinical characteristics, the treatment provided and the response, complications and survival among those treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and/or percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI).
RESULTS: Of 194 patients with HCC, 84 were older than 70 years (43.3%). The mean age was 76.8 ± 4.5 years. Seventy-five percent were male and 91.7% had cirrhosis. Cancer was initially identified by a surveillance program in 61.9%. According to the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging system, 60.7% were classified as having early stage cancer (0-A), 19% as stage B, 12% as stage C, and 8.3% as stage D. Potentially curative initial treatment was provided in 38.2% (surgical resection in 4.8%, PEI in 22.6%, RFA in 4.8%, PEI+RFA in 6%), transarterial chemoembolization in 20.2%, and sorafenib in 3.6%. Twenty-five percent of patients were not treatment candidates and 13% refused the recommended treatment. The median follow-up after percutaneous ablation was 23 months (IQR 14.2-40.6). The mean number of sessions was 3.5 ± 2.2 for PEI and 1.8 ± 1.6 for RFA. The complications rate per session was 4%. Remission was achieved in 35.7%. The overall median survival was 45.7 months (95% CI 20.8-70.6).
CONCLUSIONS: Almost half of the patients with HCC in our sample were elderly and more than half were diagnosed at an early stage. Percutaneous ablation was performed in one-third of the sample, achieving remission in 37.5%. There were few complications. Therefore, these patients should be assessed for percutaneous ablation.