Exploring endoscopic neck surgery in a porcine model.

Abstract

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. It is a pilot study presented as a case series. Ten animals were subjected to anterior deep cervical fascia dissection using standard endoscopic instrumentation. 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. 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.