Preoperative systemic immune-inflammation index-based nomogram for lung carcinoma following microwave ablation -a real world single center study.

Background: The preoperative inflammatory condition significantly influences the prognosis of malignancies. We aimed to investigate the potential significance of preoperative inflammatory biomarkers in forecasting the long-term results of lung carcinoma after microwave ablation (MWA). Method: This study included patients who received MWA treatment for lung carcinoma from Jan. 2012 to Dec. 2020. We collected demographic, clinical, laboratory, and outcome information. To assess the predictive capacity of inflammatory biomarkers, we utilized the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) and assessed the predictive potential of inflammatory biomarkers in forecasting outcomes through both univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses. Results: A total of 354 individuals underwent MWA treatment, of which 265 cases were included in this study, whose average age was 69.1 ± 9.7 years. The AUC values for the Systemic Inflammatory Response Index (SIRI) to overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were 0.796 and 0.716, respectively. The Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated a significant independent association between a high SIRI and a decreased overall survival (hazard ratio [HR]=2.583, P<0.001). Furthermore, a high SIRI independently correlated with a lower DFS (HR=2.391, P<0.001). We developed nomograms utilizing various independent factors to forecast the extended prognosis of patients. These nomograms exhibited AUC of 0.900, 0.849, and 0.862 for predicting 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year OS, respectively. Additionally, the AUC values for predicting 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year DFS were 0.851, 0.873, and 0.883, respectively. Conclusion: SIRI has shown promise as a valuable long-term prognostic indicator for forecasting the outcomes of lung carcinoma patients following MWA.

Airway management for a patient with tracheobronchomegaly undergoing lobectomy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Tracheobronchomegaly (TBM) is a rare disorder mainly characterized by dilatation and malacia of the trachea and major bronchi with diverticularization. This will be a great challenge for airway management, especially in thoracic surgery requiring one-lung ventilation. Using a laryngeal mask airway and a modified double-lumen Foley catheter (DFC) as a "blocker" may achieve one-lung ventilation. This is the first report introducing this method in a patient with TBM. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a 64-year-old man with TBM receiving left lower lobectomy. Preoperative chest computed tomography demonstrated a prominent tracheobronchial dilation and deformation with multiple diverticularization. The most commonly used double-lumen tube or bronchial blocker could not match the distorted airways. After general anesthesia induction, a 4# laryngeal mask was inserted, through which the modified DFC was positioned in the left main bronchus with the guidance of a fiberoptic bronchoscope. The DFC balloon was inflated with 10 ml air and lung isolation was achieved without any significant air leak during one-lung or two-lung ventilation. However, the collapse of the non-dependent lung was delayed and finally achieved by low-pressure artificial pneumothorax. The surgery was successful and the patient was extubated soon after the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Using a laryngeal mask airway with a modified double-lumen Foley catheter acted as a bronchial blocker could be an alternative method to achieve lung isolation.

Preoperative controlling nutritional status score (CONUT) predicts postoperative complications of patients with bronchiectasis after lung resections.

Background: The Controlled Nutritional Status (CONUT) score is a valid scoring system for assessing nutritional status and has been shown to correlate with clinical outcomes in many surgical procedures; however, no studies have reported a correlation between postoperative complications of bronchiectasis and the preoperative CONUT score. This study aimed to evaluate the value of the CONUT score in predicting postoperative complications in patients with bronchiectasis. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients with localized bronchiectasis who underwent lung resection at our hospital between April 2012 and November 2021. The optimal nutritional scoring system was determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and incorporated into multivariate logistic regression. Finally, independent risk factors for postoperative complications were determined by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results: A total of 240 patients with bronchiectasis were included, including 101 males and 139 females, with an average age of 49.83 ± 13.23 years. Postoperative complications occurred in 59 patients (24.6%). The incidence of complications, postoperative hospital stay and drainage tube indwelling time were significantly higher in the high CONUT group than in the low CONUT group. After adjusting for sex, BMI, smoking history, lung function, extent of resection, intraoperative blood loss, surgical approach and operation time, multivariate analysis showed that the CONUT score remained an independent risk factor for postoperative complications after bronchiectasis. Conclusions: The preoperative CONUT score is an independent predictor of postoperative complications in patients with localized bronchiectasis.

Incidence of venous thromboembolism after surgery for adenocarcinoma in situ and the validity of the modified Caprini score: A propensity score-matched study.

Background: Recently, the new World Health Organization (WHO) tumor classification removed adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) from the diagnosis of lung cancer. However, it remains unclear whether the "malignancy" item should be assessed when the modified Caprini Risk Assessment Model (RAM) is used to assess venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk in AIS. The purpose of our study is to assess differences between AIS and stage IA adenocarcinoma (AD) from a VTE perspective. Methods: A retrospective study was performed on AIS and IA adenocarcinoma in our hospital from January 2018 to December 2021, and divided into AIS group and AD group. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to compare the incidence of VTE and coagulation function, and to analyze whether the RAM is more effective when the "malignancy" item is not evaluated in AIS. Results: 491 patients were included after screening, including 104 patients in the AIS group and 387 patients in the AD group. After PSM, 83 patients were matched. The incidence of VTE and D-dimer in the AIS group was significantly lower than that in the AD group (P<0.05).When using the RAM to score AIS, compared with retaining the "malignancy" item, the incidence of VTE in the intermediate-high-risk group was significantly higher after removing the item (7.9% vs. 36.4%, P=0.018), which significantly improved the stratification effect of the model. Conclusions: The incidence of postoperative VTE in AIS was significantly lower than that in stage IA adenocarcinoma. The stratification effect was more favorable when the "malignancy" item was not evaluated in AIS using the RAM.

Recurrent primary spontaneous pneumothorax in a large Chinese family: a clinical and genetic investigation.

BACKGROUND: Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is a common manifestation of Birt-Hogg-Dubé (BHD) syndrome, which is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutation of the folliculin (FLCN) gene. This study was established to investigate the mutation of the FLCN gene and the phenotype in a family with PSP. METHODS: We investigated the clinical and genetic characteristics of a large Chinese family with recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax. Genetic testing was performed by Sanger sequencing of the coding exons (4-14 exons) of the FLCN gene. RESULTS: Among ten affected members in a multi-generational PSP kindred, with a total of 18 episodes of spontaneous pneumothorax, the median age for the initial onset of pneumothorax was 42.5 years (interquartile range: 28.8-57.2 years). Chest computed tomography scan of the proband showed pulmonary cysts and pneumothorax. A novel nonsense mutation (c.1273C>T) in exon 11 of FLCN gene that leads to a pre-mature stop codon (p.Gln425*) was identified in the family. The genetic analysis confirmed the diagnosis of BHD syndrome in this family in the absence of skin lesions or renal tumors. CONCLUSIONS: A novel nonsense mutation of FLCN gene was found in a large family with PSP in China. Our results expand the mutational spectrum of FLCN gene in patients with BHD syndrome.

Risk factors for delayed gastric emptying in patients undergoing esophagectomy without pyloric drainage.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of delayed gastric emptying (DGE) after esophagectomy is 10%-50%, which can interfere with postoperative recovery in the short-term and result in poor quality of life in the long term. Pyloric drainage is routinely performed to prevent DGE, but its role is highly controversial. The aim of this study was to report the rate of DGE after esophagectomy without pyloric drainage and to investigate its risk factors and the potential effect on recovery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2010 and January 2015, we analyzed 285 consecutive patients who received an esophagectomy without pyloric drainage. Possible correlations between the incidence of DGE and its potential risk factors were examined in univariate and multivariate analyses, respectively. The outcomes of DGE were reviewed with a follow-up of 3 mo. RESULTS: The overall rate of DGE after esophagectomy was 18.2% (52/285). Among perioperative factors, gastric size (gastric tube versus the whole stomach) was the only significant factor affecting the incidence of DGE in the univariate analysis. The patients who received a whole stomach as an esophageal substitute were more likely to develop DGE than were patients with a gastric tube (13.2% versus 22.4%; P = 0.05). No independent risk factor for DGE was found in the multivariate analysis. The incidence of major postoperative complications, including anastomotic leak, respiratory complications, and cardiac complications, was also not significantly different between both groups, with or without DGE. Within 3 mo of follow-up, most patients could effectively manage their DGE through medication (39/52) or endoscopic pyloric dilation (12/52), with only one patient requiring surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the overall incidence of DGE is about 20% for patients undergoing esophagectomy without pyloric drainage. Compared with prior findings, this does not result in a significantly increased incidence of DGE. In patients with symptoms of DGE after esophagectomy, prokinetic agents and endoscopic balloon dilation of the pylorus can be effective, as indicated by the high success rate and lack of significant complications.

A prospective randomized single-blind control study of volume threshold for chest tube removal following lobectomy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the current study was to assess the feasibility and safety of a new volume threshold for chest tube removal following lobectomy. METHODS: The prospective randomized single-blind control study included 90 consecutive patients who underwent lobectomy or bilobectomy for pathological conditions between March 2012 and September 2012. Eligible patients were randomized into two groups: early removal group (chest tube removal at the drainage volume of 300 ml/24 h or less) and traditional management group (chest tube removal when the drainage volume is less than 100 ml/24 h). Criteria for the early removal group were established and met prior to chest tube removal. The volume and characteristics of drainage, time of drainage tube extraction, and postoperative hospital stay were recorded. All patients received standard care while in the hospital and a follow-up visit was performed 7 days after discharge from hospital. RESULTS: In accordance with the exit criteria, 20 patients were excluded from the study. The remaining 70 patients included in the final analysis were divided into two groups: early removal group (n = 41) and traditional management group (n = 29). There was no difference between the two groups in terms of age, sex, comorbidities, and pathological evaluation of resection specimens. In eligible patients (n = 70), the mean volume of drainage 24 h after surgery was 300 ml, while the mean volume of drainage 48 h after surgery was 250 ml. The average daily drainage 48 h after surgery was significantly different than the average daily drainage 24 h after surgery (Z = -2.059, P = 0.039). The mean duration of chest tube placement was 44 h in the early removal group and 67 h in the traditional management group (P = 0.004). Patients who underwent early removal management had a shorter postoperative hospital stay compared to the traditional management group (5 vs. 6 days, P < 0.01). No statistically significant differences were observed between the rates of pleural effusion development, thoracentesis, and postoperative complications 1 week after hospital discharge. CONCLUSION: Early removal of the chest tube after lobectomy is feasible and safe and may shorten patient hospital stay and reduce morbidity without the added risk of postoperative complications.

[Early removal of the chest tube after lobectomies: a prospective randomized control study].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of early chest tube removal after lobectomies for lung diseases. METHODS: A prospective randomized control study was performed with data collected from lobectomies between March 2012 and September 2012. Eligible patients (n = 70) were randomized into two groups; early removal group (removal of chest tube when drainage less than 300 ml/24 h, n = 41) and traditional management group (removal of chest tube when drainage less than 100 ml/24 h, n = 29). Criteria for early removal were established and met before chest tube removal. The volume and character of drainage, time of extracting drainage tube and postoperative hospital stay were measured. All patients received standard care during hospital admission and a follow-up visit was performed after 7 days of discharge from hospital. RESULTS: There were no differences between two groups with respect to age, sex, comorbidities, or pathologic evaluation of resection specimens. The median volume of drainage within 24 h after surgery was 300 ml and within 48 h was 250 ml, there was significantly different between two groups (Z = -2.059, P = 0.039). Patients undergoing early removal management had a shorter Chest tube duration (44 hours vs. 67 hours, Z = -2.914, P = 0.004) and a shorter postoperative hospital stay (5.0 days vs. 6.0 days, Z = -3.882, P = 0.000). Analysis of data showed no statistically significant differences between the rate of pleural effusions developed, thoracentesis and complications, one week after discharge from hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the traditional management group (drainage ≤ 100 ml/24 h), early removal of chest tube after lobectomy (drainage ≤ 300 ml/24 h) is feasible and safe. It could result in a shorter hospital stay, and most importantly, reduces morbidity without the added risk of complications.

Pneumonia relevant to lung transplantation and pathogen distribution.

BACKGROUND: Pneumonia is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in lung transplant (LT) recipients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the incidence, etiology, risk factors and prognosis of pneumonia in LT recipients. METHODS: The LT cohort consisted of 28 recipients receiving LT in Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital from August 2005 to April 2011. Data collected included demographic data, underlying disorders, time and type of transplant, follow-up information, date of last follow-up, and patient status. A retrospective analysis was made of observational data that were prospectively collected. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients of 28 LT recipients had 47 episodes of pneumonia throughout the study period. Thirtyeight episodes of pneumonia in 19 recipients occurred post-LT with a median follow-up of 257.5 days (1-2104 days), the incidence of pneumonia was 192.4 episodes per 100 LT/year and its median time of onset was 100.5 days (0-946 days) post-transplantation. Bacteria, virus and fungi accounted for 62%, 16% and 15% of the microbial pathogens, respectively. The most frequent were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20%), cytomegalovirus (CMV) (15%), and Aspergillus fumigatus (10%). A total of 29% (11/38) of pneumonias occurred in the first month post-LT, and then the incidence decreased gradually. The incidence of CMV pneumonia was 25% (7/28) with a median time of 97 days (10-971 days). More than one bacterial infection and CMV infection were independent risk factors for aspergillus infection. The incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) was 18% (5/28), and the history of TB was a risk factor for TB relapse. There were 58% (7/12) of recipients who died of infection, and 71% (5/7) of these died in the first year after LT. CONCLUSIONS: Pneumonia is still a major cause of morbidity and mortality in LT recipients. The most frequent microorganisms were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, CMV, and Aspergillus fumigates. The incidence of CMV pneumonia decreases with a delayed median time of onset. More than one incidence of bacterial infection and CMV infection are independent risk factors for aspergillus infection. LT recipients are at high risk for TB, and the history of TB is a risk factor for TB relapse.

Combined laparoscopic and thoracoscopic Ivor Lewis esophagectomy for esophageal cancer: initial experience from China.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy was usually performed with either hand-sewn or circular stapler anastomosis through a small thoracotomy or using a side-to-side stapler anastomotic technique. This study aimed to present our initial results of Ivor Lewis esophagectomy using a circular-stapled anastomosis with transoral anvil technique. METHODS: Six patients with esophageal cancer underwent minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy with an intrathoracic circular-stapled end-to-end anastomosis. The abdominal portion was operated on laparoscopically, and the thoracic portion was done using thoracoscopic techniques. A 25 mm anvil connected to a 90 cm long delivery tube was introduced transorally to the esophageal stump in a tilted position, the anvil head was then connected to circular stapler. The anastomosis was completed under direct thoracoscopic view. RESULTS: A total of six patients in this report successfully underwent total laparoscopic and thoracoscopic Ivor Lewis esophagectomy with a circular-stapled anastomosis using a transoral anvil. They were five male and one female patients, and had a mean age of 55 years (range, 38-69 years). The thoracic and abdominal operations were successfully performed without any intraoperative complications or conversion to laparotomy or thoracotomy. The passage of the anvil head was technically easy and successful in all six cases. The mean overall operative time was (260 ± 42) minutes (range, 220-300 minutes), and the mean estimated blood loss was (520 ± 160) ml (range, 130-800 ml). Patients resumed a liquid oral diet on postoperative day seven. The median length of hospital stay was 17 days (range, 9-25 days). The postoperative pathological diagnosis was esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in five patients and esophageal small cell carcinoma in one patient. Tumors were staged as T(2)N(0)M(0) in three cases, T(2)N(1)M(0) in one case, and T(3)N(0)M(0) in two cases. During the mean follow-up of 2.5 months (range, 2-4 months), there were no intraoperative technical failure of the anastomosis or major postoperative complications such as leak or stricture. CONCLUSIONS: The initial results of this small series suggest that minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy for malignant esophageal tumor is technically feasible. However, further multi-center prospective studies and thorough evaluation are needed to evaluate the long-term results.

Elevated circulating levels of osteopontin are associated with metastasis in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between postoperative metastasis and circulating levels of osteopontin in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: The expression of osteopontin mRNA were detected with RT-PCR technique. The circulating levels of osteopontin were measured through ELASA in 46 NSCLC cases that had not been received any anti-cancer treatment at the time of sampling. The tissues from fifteen patients with benign pulmonary diseases were studied as control group. RESULTS: The overall median mRNA expression level of osteopontin was approximately 70-fold higher in tumor tissues than in matched normal lung tissues (P<0.001). Over-expression of osteopontin mRNA was significantly associated with clinical stage (P=0.009). Advanced disease states had higher circulating level of osteopontin (stage I+II versus stage III+VI). In multivariate analysis, stage was the only independent factor influencing circulating levels of osteopontin. All patients were followed up for 12 months, 2 of the 46 patients with both osteopontin mRNA expression and elevated plasma osteopontin levels had local recurrence and 10 had distant metastasis. There was a significant difference in the osteopontin levels between metastasis group and non-metastasis group. CONCLUSION: Preoperative plasma levels of osteopontin are significantly associated with post-operative metastasis in advanced NSCLC.

[Completely minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy: the preliminary experience of circular-stapled anastomosis with the trans-oral anvil].

OBJECTIVE: to present the preliminary results of minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy using a circular-stapled anastomosis with trans-oral anvil technique. METHODS: six patients with esophageal cancer received minimally invasive Ivor Lewis oesophagectomy from April 2010 to June 2010. There were 5 males and 1 female with mean age of 55 years (ranging 38 to 69 years). The lesion located in cardiac in 1 case, in lower third of the esophagus in 4 cases and in middle third in 1 case. The abdominal portion was operated laparoscopically. The thoracic portion was done using thoracoscopic techniques. The esophago-gastric anastomosis was created using a 25 mm anvil passed trans-orally and connected to a 90 cm long polyvinyl chloride delivery tube through an opening in the esophageal stump. The anastomosis was completed by joining the anvil to a circular stapler (end-to-end anastomosis stapler) inserted into the gastric conduit. RESULTS: six patients with esophageal squamous cell cancer (n = 5) and small-cell cancer (n = 1) underwent an Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. All the operation was successfully performed without intra-operative technical failures of the anastomosis. There was no severe postoperative complications. The mean operation time was 380 min. The mean blood loss was 300 ml. pTNM staging: T2N0M0 in 3 cases, T2N1M0 in 1 case and T3N0M0 in 2 cases. CONCLUSIONS: the circular-stapled anastomosis with the trans-oral anvil is an efficient and safe technique for esophago-gastric anastomosis.

[The expression of galectin-3 and osteopontin in occult metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between expression of galectin-3 (Gal-3) and osteopontin (OPN) in occult metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer. METHODS: Forty-six patients of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from January 2006 to October 2007 were selected. There were 28 males and 18 females, aged from 33 to 77 years old. The levels of lung tissues Gal-3 and OPN were detected by RT-PCR, and the levels of blood plasma's were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: There were 12 patients who had metastasized. In un-metastasis group the Gal-3 and OPN mRNA expression levels were significantly lower than that in metastasis group: mean value were 0.07 +/- 0.17 and 0.17 +/- 0.25 in un-metastasis group, while 0.73 +/- 0.23 and 0.79 +/- 0.24 in metastasis group. Blood plasma levels of Gal-3 (18.8 +/- 7.9) microg/L and OPN (153.5 +/- 63.5) microg/L in NSCLC which were detected from metastasis group were higher than un-metastasis group of (9.2 +/- 5.6) microg/L and (89.2 +/- 24.0) microg/L. CONCLUSIONS: High serum levels of Gal-3 and OPN and high expression of Gal-3 and OPN mRNA in NSCLC are closely related to the occurrence and metastasis of NSCLC. They may be indexes of evaluating the occult metastasis in NSCLC.

Clinical study of inflammatory factors in sputum induced early after lung volume reduction surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to prospectively study the changes in neutrophil elastase (NE), fibroblast growth factor 9 (Fgf9), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) in sputum induced during the early period after lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS). METHODS: From April to October 2005, ten consecutive patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) underwent LVRS. Ten non-small cell lung cancer patients (stage II - IIIa) received lobectomy as a control group. The induced sputum was collected from both groups at six different times (two weeks before operation and postoperatively at 1, 2, 4, 6 and 10 days). The level of NE, Fgf9, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The pulmonary function (FEV(1)%) and arterial blood gases (PaO(2) and PaCO(2)) were significantly different between the groups. There were no significant differences in age, ejection fraction (EF), and operation duration, but hemoglobin in the LVRS group was statistically higher than in the controls. At certain times, there were significant differences in NE, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 (P < 0.05) but not in Fgf9 between the two groups. The levels of NE and TIMP-1 were maximal at 2 days postoperatively and that of MMP-9 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 at 4 days postoperatively in the LVRS group. In the control group, maximal levels of NE and TIMP-1 occurred at 2 days postoperatively and that of MMP-9 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 at 1 day postoperatively. Ten days after surgery, all values of the control group were not significantly different from the baseline. In the LVRS group, the levels were significantly different from the pre-operative values (P < 0.05) apart from TIMP-1. CONCLUSION: The levels of NE, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 of the LVRS group were different from those of the control group. The time course of these changes may be related to LVRS and the underlying process of COPD.

[Comparison of changes in early pulmonary function and hemodynamic between unilateral and bilateral lung volume reduction for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

OBJECTIVE: To compare changes in early pulmonary function and hemodynamics between unilateral and bilateral lung volume reduction (LVRS) for severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: Eighty-six patients with severe COPD underwent LVRS, 61 underwent unilateral LVRS and 25 underwent lateral LVRS. The results of lung function (FEV(1), RV, TLC), arterial blood gas analysis (PaO(2), PaCO(2)) and color Doppler echocardiography (CO, CI, EF, PAP) were evaluated preoperatively and 3, 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Six patients died. FEV(1), RV and TLC were improved significantly after (P < 0.05). PaO(2) increased (P < 0.05) and PaCO(2) decreased postoperatively (P < 0.05). According to the Doppler echocardiography there were no statistic difference in cardia functions (CO, CI, EF, PAP) between unilateral and bilateral LVRS preoperatively and 3, 6 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral and bilateral LVRS is safe and effective in the treatment of patients with severe COPD, the pulmonary function significantly improved postoperatively, but the results of bilateral LVRS is better than unilateral. Both unilateral and bilateral LVRS showed no significant deterioration in hemodynamics, there were no significant difference between preoperatively and postoperatively.