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Exploring endoscopic neck surgery in a porcine model
O J Carreno1, W R Wilson, P K Nootheti
1Division of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, The George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
Objectives:
This study uses a porcine model to establish the feasibility of performing endoscopic procedures in the neck using standard techniques currently being employed in preperitoneal endoscopy in the abdomen.
Study Design:
It is a pilot study presented as a case series.
Methods:
Ten animals were subjected to anterior deep cervical fascia dissection using standard endoscopic instrumentation.
Results:
Balloon dissection and CO2 insufflation poses a number of problems: CO2 gas dissection into the chest, CO2 gas embolism into the venous circulation, carotid artery occlusion, and limited visualization causing increased risk of injury to adjacent structures.
Conclusion:
These issues need to be dealt with before such a method could be employed safely in humans. However, with further research and development, endoscopic neck surgery may someday become a reality.
