The Usefulness of Airseal^® Intelligent Flow System in Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Esophagectomy

Abstract

The AirSeal Intelligent Flow System (iFS) presents some advantages in maintaining stable pneumoperitoneum (even under automatic and continuous suction) and continuous smoke evacuation throughout a surgical procedure. We evaluated the usefulness of the AirSeal iFS in an animal model and in a clinical setting. The suitability of the AirSeal iFS with respect to ease of operation and the suitability of the workspace were evaluated in the animal model. A total of 120 patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for esophageal cancer were comparatively evaluated for surgical outcomes by dividing them into two graups ; 60 patients using the AirSeal iFS and another 60 patients using a conventional system. Thoracoscopic operative time, thoracoscopic blood loss, and intraoperative body temperature were analyzed. The mean thoracoscopic operative time was significantly shorter in the AirSeal iFS group than in the conventional group. The mean thoracoscopic operative blood loss in the AirSeal iFS group was significantly less than that in the conventional group. Intraoperative body temperature was significantly lower in the AirSeal iFS group than the other at 1 hour after the commencement of the operation and at the completion of procedures in the thoracic cavity. The difference in the body temperature between the two systems 1 hour after the operation had been completed was not statistically significant. The results indicate that the AirSeal iFS is a good smoke evacuation system, provides a good field of view, and maintains pressure well. All these factors lead to a shorter procedure time and less blood loss, with good maintenance of pneumoperitoneum.