The efficacy and feasibility of neoadjuvant immunotherapy plus chemotherapy followed by McKeown minimally invasive oesophagectomy for locally advanced oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Introduction: In immunotherapy, antibodies are activated to block immune checkpoints, resist tumour immunosuppression, shrink tumours and prevent a recurrence. As the science behind tumour immunotherapy continuously develops and improves, neoadjuvant immunotherapy bears more prominent advantages: antigen exposure not only enhances the degree of tumour-specific T-cell response but also prolongs the duration of actions. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of McKeown minimally invasive oesophagectomy (McKeown MIO) following neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy (NICT) in patients with locally advanced oesophageal cancer (OC). Patients and Methods: In this retrospective study, 94 patients underwent either NICT or neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) followed by MIO at our institution from January 2020 to October 2022. We assessed the therapy-related adverse events and perioperative outcomes and compared them between the two groups. Results: After completing at least two cycles of neoadjuvant therapy, all patients underwent McKeown MIO with negative margins within 4-7 weeks. Demographic data of the two cohorts were similar. Regarding perioperative characteristics, the median intraoperative blood loss was 50 ml in the NICT group, lower than that of the NCT group (100 ml, P < 0.05). In addition, the NICT group had significantly more harvested lymph nodes than the NCT group (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found in post-operative complications. The rate of objective response rate in the NICT group was higher than that in the NCT group (88.3% vs. 58.8%). Regarding tumour regression, the number of patients with TRG Grades 1-3 in the NICT group was more than that in the NCT. Adverse events experienced by the two groups included anaemia and elevated transaminase. We found no difference in the adverse events between the two groups. Conclusions: This study showed the efficacy and feasibility of NICT followed by McKeown MIO in treating locally advanced OC.

Learning Curve for Lymph Node Dissection Around the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve in McKeown Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy.

BACKGROUND: Compared to open esophagectomy (OE), minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is associated with lower morbidity and mortality. However, lymph node (LN) dissection around the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) is still an important factor that affects the length of the learning curve of MIE. This study aims to evaluate the surgical outcomes of the first nearly 5-year period and explore the learning curve for LN dissection around the RLN in McKeown MIE by a new single surgical team. METHODS: A total of 285 consecutive patients who underwent McKeown MIE between March 2016 and September 2020 were included at our institution. According to the cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis of LN dissection around the RLN, the patients were divided into three groups: exploration period, adjustment period, and stable period. We assessed the impact of surgical proficiency on postoperative outcomes and explored the learning curve for LN dissection around the RLN in McKeown MIE. RESULTS: The CUSUM graph showed that a point of upward inflection for LN dissection around the RLN was observed in 151 cases. After 151 cases, LNs around the right and left RLNs were dissected thoroughly compared to the exploration and adjustment period (P = 0.010 and P = 0.012, respectively), and the postoperative incidence of hoarseness significantly decreased from 11.1 to 1.5% (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study results revealed that not only are the LN, around the RLN, sufficiently dissected but also the incidence of hoarseness significantly decreased in the stable phase. Consequently, the learning curve length was approximately 151 cases for LN dissection around the RLN in McKeown MIE.

Efficacy of Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Angiography in Preventing Anastomotic Leakage After McKeown Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy.

BACKGROUND: Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence angiography (FA) was introduced to provide real-time intraoperative evaluation of the vascular perfusion of the gastric conduit during esophagectomy. However, its efficacy has not yet been proven. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of ICG-FA in the reduction of the rates of anastomotic leakage (AL) in McKeown minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE). METHODS: From June 2017 to December 2019, patients aged between 18 and 80 years with esophageal carcinoma were enrolled in the study and each patient underwent McKeown MIE. Patients were divided into two groups, those with or without ICG-FA. The patient demographics and perioperative outcomes were comparable between the two groups. The primary outcome was the rate of AL. RESULTS: A total of 192 patients were included: 86 in the ICG-FA group and 106 in the non-ICG-FA group. Overall, 12 patients (6.3%) had AL; the rate of AL was 10.4% in the non-ICG-FA group, which was significantly higher than the 1.2% in the ICG-FA group. CONCLUSIONS: ICG-FA has the potential to reduce the rate of AL in McKeown MIE.

Two-tube method for treatment of spontaneous esophageal rupture and concomitant mediastinal infection.

Objective Spontaneous esophageal rupture (SER) is a rare but life-threatening condition with high mortality. The prognosis of patients with SER treated with surgical intervention or the traditional "three-tube" method is controversial. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy, feasibility, and safety of a new "two-tube" method involving a trans-fistula drainage tube and a three-lumen jejunal feeding tube for the treatment of SER without concomitant pleural rupture. Methods From January 2007 to June 2016, patients with SER and managed with the "two-tube" method or other methods were retrospectively analyzed. Data collected included initial presentation, procedure time, duration of treatment, numbers of patients with eventual healing of leaks, and complications. Results The average procedure time for the "two-tube" method was 22.1 ± 5.5 minutes. In comparison with the control method, the "two-tube" method had a similar diagnosis time (3.6 ± 1.4 vs. 3.4 ± 1.4 days) but a significantly higher successful closure rate (94.4% vs. 63.6%) and shorter treatment time (38.2 ± 5.6 vs. 53.6 ± 16.9 days). No complications associated with performance of the "two-tube" method occurred. Conclusion The "two-tube" method is an effective and safe approach for patients with SER.

Analysis on minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment of 49 cases with solitary nodular ground-glass opacity.

OBJECTIVE: This study is designed to investigate the treatment approach and prognosis of pulmonary ground-glass-like shadow, especially solitary nodular ground-glass opacity (SNGGO). METHODS: Forty-nine cases of SNGGO that persisted after anti-inflammatory treatment in our hospital were retrospectively studied. These patients received thoracoscopic surgery due to indefinitive diagnosis and a tendency of canceration (some cases were followed up for 1-24 months before surgery). Intraoperative rapid frozen section was performed for pathological diagnosis, and surgery method was chosen according to pathological results and the health status of the patients. RESULTS: Forty-three cases showed malignancy, among which 36 cases received thoracoscopic total resection of the lung cancer and seven received simple wedge resection or pulmonary segment resection due to poor lung function; two cases were atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH) and received wedge resection; and four cases were benign and received lesion resection only. Intraoperative frozen section results were in line with postoperative pathological analysis. No lymph node metastasis was detected in any malignant cases as indicated by lymph node dissection or sampling. All malignant cases were staged Ia by postoperative pathological analysis. Neither recurrence nor metastasis occurred during the 1-30 months' follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: SNGGO that persists after anti-inflammatory treatment tend to be adenocarcinoma, which can hardly be diagnosed in the early stage through non-invasive examination. If there's no contraindication for surgery, video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS)-guided resection of the lesion plus intraoperative rapid frozen section should be performed to synchronize diagnosis and treatment, which could achieve satisfactory prognosis.

In vitro study of coronary flow occlusion in transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been developed recently for patients with high morbidities and who are believed to be not tolerate standard surgical aortic valve replacement. Nevertheless, the TAVI is associated with complications such as potential obstruction of coronary ostia, mitral valve insufficiency, and stent migration although it seems promising. Impairment of the coronary blood flow after TAVI is catastrophic and it was believed to be associated with the close position of the coronary orifice and the aortic leaflets and valve stent. However, few data was available as to the anatomic relationship between valve stent and aortic root anatomic structures including the coronary arterial ostia, aortic leaflets. METHODS: The aortic roots were observed in 40 hearts specimens. The width of aortic leaflet, height of aortic sinus annulus to the sinutubular junction (STJ), distance between aortic sinus annulus to its corresponding coronary ostia, and coronary arterial ostia to its corresponding STJ level were measured. Moreover, the relationships of valve stent, aortic leaflets and coronary ostia before/post stent implantation and after the open of aorta were evaluated respectively. RESULTS: Approximate three quarters of the coronary ostia were located below the STJ level. The mean distances from left, right and posterior aortic sinus annulus to the related STJ level was comparable, which was 18.5±2.7, 18.9±2.6, 18.7±2.6 mm, respectively. Meanwhile, the height of left and right aortic sinus annulus to its corresponding coronary ostia was 16.6±2.8 and 17.2±3.1 mm for left and right side respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the coronary ostia were located below the STJ level and could be covered by the leaflets. This highlights the need of modified stents to prevent occlusion of coronary flow after TAVI.

[Muscle-sparing thoracotomy in chest surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To review the clinical experience of muscle-sparing thoracotomy in intrathoracic surgery. METHODS: Thoracotomy was performed in 386 patients from 1998 to 2002, during the procedure lateral-transverse incision, free dissection of muscular flap and entering to the thoracic cavity through certain intercostal space were applied. Two sets of rib retractors were used to ensure the excellent field exposure. RESULTS: Intrathoracic surgery was carried out by this method with the advantage of excellent surgical field exposure, less pain and relative quick recovery. CONCLUSION: Muscle-sparing thoracotomy has the merits of less injury and the same good exposure as routine thoracotomy and it can be carried out in majority of chest surgery.

[Prostaglandin E1 reduces reperfusion injury of myocardium by inhibiting cytokines production during cardiac surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on the cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10) levels and ischemic -reperfusion injury of myocardium during cardiac surgery. METHODS: A total of 30 patients undergoing cardiac surgery (mitral valve replacement) under extracorporeal circulation were randomized into two groups: PGE1 group (receiving 0.04 microg.kg(-1). min(-1) of Lipo-PGE1 from the beginning of surgery to the end of study, n=15) and control group (no PGE1 given, n=15). Levels of serum IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Isoenzyme of creatine kinase with muscle and brain subunits(CKMB) and troponin-T (cTn-T) were measured by ultraviolet absorption spectrophotometry method and enzyme immunoassay on 5 time-points during the study. RESULT: In both groups serum IL-6, IL-8, CK-MB and cTn-T levels increased significantly after aorta declamping (especially from 2 h after aorta declamping) compared with preoperative levels (P<0.05).However,the elevations of these cytokines and enzymes were more prominent in the control group than in the PGE1 group (P<0.05). Serum IL-10 concentration increased significantly from 2 h after aorta declamping compared with preoperative value (P<0.05); but there were no differences between the two groups. IL-6 and IL-8 levels were correlated with CK-MB and cTn-T concentrations (r2=0.40, r2=0.38 P>0.05 and r2=0.56, r2=0.14; P>0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: During cardiac surgery (mitral valve replacement) PGE1 may suppressed the production of IL-6, IL-8 but not IL-10, which may be related to its myocardial protection effect.

[Effect of finasteride on intraoperative bleeding and irrigating fluid absorption during transurethral resection of prostate: a quantitative study].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of pretreatment with finasteride in decreasing intraoperative bleeding and irrigating fluid absorption during transurethral resection of prostate (TURP). METHODS: Eighty patients with benign prostate hypertrophy undergoing TURP were divided into two groups: 40 patients were pretreated with finasteride for 7 to 14 days before TURP and 40 patients without pretreatment. Absorption of irrigating fluid was quantified by analyzing the serum concentration of gentamycin. Intraoperative blood loss was calculated based on hemoglobin concentrations before and after operation. RESULT: The whole blood loss, hemoglobin concentration of irrigating fluid used, blood loss per minute, blood loss per gram tissue resected, whole irrigation absorption, irrigation absorption per minute and per gram tissue resected in patients pretreated with finasteride were significantly less than those in patients without pretreatment (P<0.05). The blood transfusion volume, the incidence of hypotension and hyponatremia in patients pretreated with finasteride were significantly less than those in patients without pretreatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with finasteride is of value in reducing intraoperative bleeding, irrigation absorption and perioperative complication during TURP.