To compare the operative safety, efficacy, and outcomes of soft-tissue endoscopic surgery (SOFTES) with conventional open surgery (OS) for vascular anomalies and benign soft tissue tumors, highlighting the significance of this comparison.
Key Findings:
SOFTES group had significantly lower estimated blood loss (20 mL vs. 50 mL; p = 0.001) with no major complications observed.
Operative duration was significantly longer in the SOFTES group (223 minutes vs. 173 minutes; p = 0.008).
Higher incidence of focal burn of skin in SOFTES group (p = 0.048).
Significantly lower rates of wound dehiscence and flap necrosis in SOFTES compared to OS (p = 0.010 and p = 0.005, respectively).
All patients achieved resolution of contracture with normal or near-normal joint motion.
Interpretation:
Endoscopic surgery is a safe and effective treatment option for selected patients with vascular anomalies and benign soft tissue tumors, offering advantages in clinical outcomes, such as reduced blood loss and lower complication rates.
Limitations:
Retrospective design may introduce selection bias despite propensity score matching.
Exclusion of complex cases limits generalizability of findings, particularly in more complicated surgical scenarios.
Conclusion:
Endoscopic surgery represents a paradigm shift in the treatment of soft tissue lesions, demonstrating significant benefits in terms of safety and efficacy, which could influence clinical practice.
