Video-assisted thoracic surgery or thoracotomy for lung cancer surgery in obese patients? An analysis of the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons database.

OBJECTIVES: There is a lack of evidence on whether perioperative outcomes differ in obese patients after video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) or open lobectomy. We queried the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons database to assess morbidity and postoperative length of hospital stay in obese patients submitted to VATS and open pulmonary lobectomy for non-small-cell lung cancer. METHODS: We collected all consecutive patients from 2007 to 2021 submitted to lobectomy through VATS or thoracotomy with a body mass index greater than or equal to 30. An intention-to-treat analysis was carried out. Primary outcomes were morbidity rate, mortality and postoperative length of stay (LOS). Differences in outcomes were assessed through univariable, multivariable-adjusted and propensity score-matched analysis. RESULTS: Out of a total of 78 018 patients submitted to lung lobectomy, 13 999 cases (17.9%) were considered in the analysis, including 5562 VATS lobectomies and 8437 thoracotomy lobectomies. The VATS group showed a lower complication rate (23.2% vs 30.2%, P < 0.001), mortality (0.8% vs 1.5%, P < 0.001) and postoperative LOS (median 5 vs 7 days, P < 0.001). After propensity score matching, the VATS approach confirmed a lower complication rate (24.7% vs 29.7%, P = 0.002) and postoperative LOS (median 5 vs 7 days, P < 0.001). Moreover, these results were consistently observed when analyzing the severe obese subgroup (body mass index 35-39.9) and morbid obese subgroup (body mass index ≥40). CONCLUSIONS: In obese patients with non-small cell lung cancer, VATS lobectomy was found to be associated with improved postoperative outcomes than open lobectomy. Consequently, it should be considered the approach of choice for the Obese population.

Is there life on the airway tree? A pilot study of bronchial cell vitality and tissue morphology in the ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) era of lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) is a relevant procedure to increase the lung donor pool but could potentially increase the airway tree ischemic injury risk. METHODS: This study aimed to evaluate the direct effect of EVLP on the airway tree by evaluating bronchial cell vitality and tissue signs of injury on a series of 117 bronchial rings collected from 40 conventional and 19 EVLP-treated lung grafts. Bronchial rings and related scraped bronchial epithelial cells were collected before the EVLP procedure and surgical anastomosis. RESULTS: The preimplantation interval was significantly increased in the EVLP graft group (p < 0.01). Conventional grafts presented cell viability percentages of 47.07 ± 23.41 and 49.65 ± 21.25 in the first and second grafts which did not differ significantly from the EVLP group (first graft 50.54 ± 25.83 and second graft 50.22 ± 20.90 cell viability percentage). No significant differences in terms of histopathological features (edema, inflammatory infiltrate, and mucosa ulceration) were observed comparing conventional and EVLP samples. A comparison of bronchial cell viability and histopathology of EVLP samples retrieved at different time intervals revealed no significant differences. Accordingly, major bronchial complications after lung transplant were not observed in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these data, we observed that EVLP did not significantly impact bronchial cell vitality and airway tissue preservation nor interfere with bronchial anastomosis healing, further supporting it as a safe and useful procedure.

Intraoperative near-infrared molecular imaging for diagnostic thoracoscopy in difficult clinical scenario.

Precise diagnosis in intrathoracic malignancies is paramount for adequate treatment planning. Standard approach is histologic analysis from targeted biopsy obtained with different invasive procedures. Rarely, in difficult clinical scenarios, even gold standard diagnostic procedures can be ineffective in obtaining a satisfying result. Procedural developments and technological improvements applied to the chosen technique can be helpful to deal with such situation. We present two clinical cases of suspected intrathoracic malignancy in which repeated unsuccessful diagnostic procedures had already been attempted. We adopted a protocol based on intraoperative fluorescence during diagnostic thoracoscopy to increase diagnostic efficacy. In both cases we obtained a precise pathological diagnosis.

Does morbid obesity influence perioperative outcomes after video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer? Analysis of the Italian VATS group registry.

OBJECTIVES: Obesity in Europe, and worldwide, has been an increasing epidemic during the past decades. Moreover, obesity has important implications regarding technical issues and the risks associated with surgical interventions. Nevertheless, there is a lack of evidence assessing the influence of obesity on video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy results. Our study aimed to assess the impact of morbid obesity on perioperative clinical and oncological outcomes after VATS lobectomy using a prospectively maintained nationwide registry. METHODS: The Italian VATS lobectomy Registry was used to collect all consecutive cases from 55 Institutions. Explored outcome parameters were conversion to thoracotomy rates, complication rates, intra-operative blood loss, surgical time, hospital postoperative length of stay, chest tube duration, number of harvested lymph-node, and surgical margin positivity. RESULTS: From 2016 to 2019, a total of 4412 patients were collected. 74 patients present morbid obesity (1.7%). Multivariable-adjusted analysis showed that morbid obesity was associated with a higher rate of complications (32.8% vs 20.3%), but it was not associated with a higher rate of conversion, and surgical margin positivity rates. Moreover, morbid obesity patients benefit from an equivalent surgical time, lymph-node retrieval, intraoperative blood loss, hospital postoperative length of stay, and chest tube duration than non-morbid obese patients. The most frequent postoperative complications in morbidly obese patients were pulmonary-related (35%). CONCLUSION: Our results showed that VATS lobectomy could be safely and satisfactorily conducted even in morbidly obese patients, without an increase in conversion rate, blood loss, surgical time, hospital postoperative length of stay, and chest tube duration. Moreover, short-term oncological outcomes were preserved.

Risk of recurrence in stage I adenocarcinoma of the lung: a multi-institutional study on synergism between type of surgery and type of nodal staging.

BACKGROUND: In last years, an increasing interest emerges on the role of sub-lobar resection and lobe-specific lymph nodal dissection in the treatment of early-stage lung cancer. The aim of our study was to define the impact on cumulative incidence of recurrence (CIR) of type of surgical resection and type of nodal staging in this subset of patients. Furthermore, we evaluated the possible synergism between the different kinds of procedure. METHODS: An analysis of 969 consecutive stage I pulmonary adenocarcinoma patients, operated in six Thoracic Surgery Institutions between 2001 and 2013, was conducted. Type of surgical resection included lobectomy and sub-lobar resection; while pneumonectomy and bilobectomy were excluded from the analysis. Nodal staging procedures were classified in nodal sampling (NS), lobe-specific lymph node dissection (LS-ND) and systematic lymph node dissection (SND). Multivariable-adjusted comparisons for CIR was performed using Fine and Grey model, taking into account of death by any cause as competing event. In order to evaluate synergism between the different procedures, the test of interaction between type of surgical resection and type of nodal staging was carried out and results presented in a stratified way. RESULTS: Eight-hundred forty-six (87%) patients were submitted to lobectomy, while 123 (13%) to sub-lobar resection. Four-hundred fifty-five (47%) patients received SND, 98 (10%) LS-ND and 416 (43%) NS. Two-hundred forty-seven (26%) patients developed a local/distant recurrence with a 5-year CIR of 24.2%. Multivariable-adjusted comparisons showed an independent negative effect of sub-lobar resection (HR =1.52; 95% CI: 1.07-2.17), LS-ND (HR =1.74; 95% CI: 1.16-2.6) and NS (HR =1.49; 95% CI: 1.12-1.98) on CIR. Test of interaction showed a homogeneity of results among subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients affected by stage I pulmonary adenocarcinoma and submitted to lobectomy presented a significant lower recurrence rate than those submitted to sub-lobar resection. Moreover, SND presented an independent positive effect on recurrence development than other lymph node assessment strategy. Finally, lobectomy in combination with systematic lymph nodal resection showed the best results in term of CIR.

Surgical management of chronic diaphragmatic hernias.

Chronic diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is an uncommon disease which may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Antecedent (even many months or years before CDH development) blunt or penetrating thoracic/thoraco-abdominal trauma is generally recognized. A wide spectrum of different mechanisms of injury, timing in presentation, size of the diaphragmatic defect, types and amount of abdominal viscera herniated into the chest cavity, clinical symptoms are observed in CDHs. Thoracic and abdominal CT scan (with coronal, axial and sagittal reconstructions) is the best diagnostic tool; sometimes thoracic MRI is needed to better define the extent of the diaphragmatic defect and the number of abdominal organs displaced into the chest cavity. Surgery (sometimes urgent) represents the treatment of choice for CDH; diaphragmatic hernia direct repair with a tension-free suture is generally attempted; in case of very large defects or when a tension-free suture is deemed unfeasible, the use of prosthesis is recommended. This review article will discuss about CDH aetiology, clinical presentation diagnosis and surgical treatment.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation after lung transplantation: risk factors and outcomes analysis.

BACKGROUND: Lung transplantation is the treatment of choice for end-stage pulmonary disease in selected patients. However, severe primary graft dysfunction is a significant complication of transplant and requires the implantation of an extracorporeal support. The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) after transplant in our center. METHODS: From January 2008 till June 2018, 195 consecutive unselected patients receiving a lung transplant were considered. Mean age was 49±15 years. Main indications for transplant were idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in 72 patients, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 60 patients, and cystic fibrosis in 40 patients. Prior to transplant, 18 patients were on mechanical ventilation and 14 were on ECMO. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients required venous-venous ECMO after transplant. Vascular disease as cause of transplant [relative risk (RR) 7.8, 95% CI: 1.5-41, P=0.02], donor age (RR 1.6, 95% CI: 1.03-2.3, P=0.03) and need for cardiopulmonary by-pass during transplant (RR 3.1, 95% CI: 1.02-9, P=0.04) were associated with ECMO implantation. Patients requiring post-transplant ECMO received more transfusions (P<0.01), had a longer mechanical ventilation (P<0.01) and ICU stay (P<0.01) and had a higher hospital mortality (P<0.01). Post-transplant ECMO significantly influenced one- and five-year survival [hazard ratio (HR) 5.5, 95% CI: 3-10, P<0.001 and HR 3.5, 95% CI: 2-6, P<0.001, respectively]. However, conditional survival after t months is similar for patients with or without post-transplant ECMO. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, although ECMO is a reliable and effective strategy to support pulmonary function, severe graft dysfunction after lung transplantation still has a significant impact on early and late results.

Neuroendocrine tumors of the thymus.

Primary neuroendocrine tumors of the thymus (NETTs) are rare and biologically very aggressive neoplasms, usually located in the anterior mediastinal space. They are more frequently observed in males, in their fourth/fifth decades of life. In 50% of cases, NETTs are associated with endocrinopaties [Cushing's syndrome, acromegaly or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia-1 (MEN-1) syndrome]. NETTs very often present with invasion of the surrounding mediastinal anatomical structures. Surgery, even in advanced stages, is the mainstay of treatment: a compete resection through a median sternotomy or a combined access (sternotomy + thoracotomy) should be always attempted. Induction chemotherapy (± radiotherapy) is usually administered in advanced neoplasms, with the aim to achieve tumor shinkage, increasing, therefore, the chance to obtain a complete resection. Postoperative radiotherapy (± chemotherapy) is administered in case of invasive lesions, or incomplete resections. NETTs long-term outcome is poor, even in case of completely resected tumors, due to high risk of recurrence or distant metastases development. Prognosis mainly depends on tumor stage, invasivity, completeness of resection, possible association with endocrinopaties and recurrence/distant metastases development.

Validation of EORTC and CALGB prognostic models in surgical patients submitted to diagnostic, palliative or curative surgery for malignant pleural mesothelioma.

BACKGROUND: To assess the trend of our surgical patients affected by malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) and submitted to diagnostic/palliative or curative surgical procedures and to validate the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) prognostic score in our patient population. METHODS: This is a cohort study of patients submitted to surgery for MPM from January 2007 to December 2013. Primary outcome was overall survival (OS). Univariate and multivariate-adjusted comparisons by EORTC prognostic score for OS were accomplished using Cox method. Adjusted models included the following clinical variables: kind of procedure, smoking habit, asbestos exposure, Charlson's Comorbidity Index (CCI), clinical tumor stage, adjuvant chemotherapy, dyspnoea, chest pain and haematological variables according to the score features. Nomenclature of the surgical procedures matches the International Association for the Study Lung Cancer (IASLC)/International Mesothelioma Interest Group (iMIG). RESULTS: One-hundred sixty-six consecutive cases were collected: the median age at surgery was 73 years and 123 patients (75%) had a history of asbestos exposure. Ninty patients (54%) were submitted to a palliative/diagnostic thoracoscopy, 30 to pleurectomy/decortication (P/D), and 6 to extra-pleural pneumonectomy (EPP). Clinical TNM stages were as follows: 99 (60%) stage I-II, 34 (20%) stage III and 33 (20%) stage IV. The median follow-up (FU) was 19 months [interquartile range (IQR), 9-31 months] and the FU-completeness was 98%. By the end of the study 130 patients died (78%). One- and 3-year OS was 60% and 36%, respectively. Patients submitted to EPP and P/D showed a better survival (P=0.013). Multivariable model showed an independent prognostic value of EORTC score (HR =2.86, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In selected patients, aggressive surgical approaches, although not radical, may still be beneficial. The EORTC prognostic index proved to be an independent prognostic factor in our cohort of patients and therefore is a reliable and valid instrument that may be implemented in the daily practice.

Surgery of colorectal cancer lung metastases: analysis of survival, recurrence and re-surgery.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is considered an effective therapeutic option for patients with lung metastasis (MTS) of colorectal cancer (CRC). The purpose of the study was to evaluate efficacy and feasibility of lung metastasectomy in CRC patients and to explore factors of prognostic relevance. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of patients operated for lung MTS of CRC from 2004 to 2012 in a single Institution. Overall survival (OS) was the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints were progression free survival (PFS) in resection status R0 and OS in in patients submitted to re-resections. In order to evaluate prognostic factors, a multivariable Cox proportional hazard model was performed. RESULTS: One-hundred eighty-eight consecutive patients were included in the final analysis. The median follow-up (FU) was 45 months. The 5-year OS and PFS were 53% (95% CI: 44-60%) and 33% (95% CI: 25-42%), respectively. Two- and 5-year survival after re-resection were 79% (95% CI: 63-89%) and 49% (95% CI: 31-65%), respectively. Multivariate adjusted analysis showed that primary CRC pathological TNM stages (P=0.019), number of resected MTS ≥5 (P=0.009) and lymph nodal involvement (P<0.0001) are independent predictors of poor prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients operated and re-operated for lung MTS from CRC cancers showed encouraging survival rates. Our results indicated that primary CRC stage, number of MTS and lymph nodal involvement are strong predictive factors. Prognosis after surgery remained comforting up to four resected MTS. Adjuvant chemotherapy seems to have a benefit on survival in patients affected by multiple metastases. Finally, according to the high rate of unidentified lymph node involvement in pre-operative setting, lymph node sampling should be advisable for a correct staging.

VATS lobectomy program: the trainee perspective.

Due to its intrinsic characteristics, video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy is currently the recommended surgical approach for early stage lung cancer treatment. The importance of increasing the number of surgeons capable of performing VATS lobectomies is implicit and of utmost importance. In fact, the need of performing independently and routinely VATS lobectomies for early stage lung cancer will soon be a prerequisite to the new generation of thoracic surgeons. The feeling that VATS lobectomy teaching should be part of their training is strongly felt among trainees but, at the moment, a formal, uniform and certified process of learning VATS lobectomy is not available in all training centres. Perhaps, through the supervision, support and aid from national and European Thoracic Surgery Societies, programs of integration of recognized, standardized and certified teaching of VATS lobectomy could be planned and undertaken by the training centres, both at national as well as European level.

Digital versus traditional air leak evaluation after elective pulmonary resection: a prospective and comparative mono-institutional study.

BACKGROUND: The increased demand to reduce costs and hospitalization in general pushed several institution worldwide to develop fast-tracking protocols after pulmonary resections. One of the commonest causes of protracted hospital stay remains prolonged air leaks (ALs). We reviewed our clinical practice with the aim to compare traditional vs. digital chest drainages in order to evaluate which is the more effective to correctly manage the chest tube after pulmonary resection. METHODS: All patients submitted to elective pulmonary resection for lung malignancies, between April to December, 2014 in our General Thoracic Surgery Department were included in the study. The primary outcome was the chest tube duration, the secondary the postoperative overall hospitalization. Significant differences between traditional and digital groups were investigated with logistic regression models. Numerical variables between the groups were compared by means of the unpaired Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: Both series of patients were comparable for clinical, surgical and pathological characteristics. Chest tube duration showed to be significantly shorter in the digital group (3 vs. 5 days, P=0.0009), while the hospitalization was longer in traditional one [8 vs. 7 days in digital drainage (DD); P=0.0385]. No chest drainage replacement was required at 30-day, in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: We were able to demonstrate that patients managed with a digital system experienced a shorter chest tube duration as well as a lower overall hospital length of stay, compared to those who received the traditional drainage (TD).

Multidisciplinary management of advanced lung neuroendocrine tumors.

The optimal clinical management of aggressive/advanced lung neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) is still debated, due to their rarity and the lack of prospective randomized studies. Results derive from retrospective mono-Institutional series, and few dedicated prospective trials, recently designed, are still ongoing. In low-grade tumors [bronchial carcinoids (BCs)] surgery, whenever feasible, remains the mainstay of treatment, and chemo/radiotherapy (RT) should be reserved to progressive diseases (PD). In case of resected N1-N2 BCs, a "watch and see" policy associated with a close clinical/radiological follow-up is recommended. Somatostatin analogs (SSA) seem to be effective in controlling BCs associated endocrine syndromes, while SSA antiproliferative effect has also been reported in the past. Targeted therapy with new drugs (Everolimus) seems to be very promising, but further trials are needed. Surgery alone is not sufficient to treat high-grade NETs: adjuvant CT is required also in early stages. Platinum-Etoposide regimen demonstrated to be the most effective; irinotecan and other biological drugs are considered very promising. In conclusion, the management of advanced lung NETs should be individualized by multidisciplinary teams which include Medical and Radiation Oncologists, Surgeons, Pathologists, Pulmonologists, Endocrinologists, Interventional Radiologists, and the prognosis is mainly dependent on tumor grade and its anatomical extent.

Does myasthenia gravis influence overall survival and cumulative incidence of recurrence in thymoma patients? A Retrospective clinicopathological multicentre analysis on 797 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Aim of this study is to evaluate whether Myasthenia Gravis (MG) might influence Overall Survival (OS) and Cumulative Incidence of Recurrence (CIR) in thymoma patients. METHODS: this is a multicenter retrospective study of patients operated in 6 high-volume Italian Institutions between 1990 and 2012. OS was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and CIR by considering death from any cause as a competing event. Crude and adjusted comparisons by MG for OS and CIR were performed using Cox and Fine&Gray models. Adjusted models included MG, age, gender, stage, histology, induction therapy, completeness of resection, adjuvant therapy. RESULTS: Seven hundred ninety-seven patients were included: 375 (47%) had MG. MG patients were younger and more frequently female, with a B2-B3 thymoma. At the end of the study, 129 patients (54 with MG) developed a recurrence and 165 (66 with MG) died. At univariate analysis, MG showed a slight protective effect on OS, not confirmed by the multivariate model. Age, incomplete resection, advanced stages and thymic carcinoma were negative prognostic variables. Univariate analyses showed no evidence of MG protective effect on CIR. Advanced stages and induction therapy were significant negative predictors. CONCLUSION: our study showed that MG was significantly associated with female, lower age and B2-B3 thymoma; it demonstrated a slight protective effect on OS at the univariate analysis which was not confirmed in multivariate as well as no impact on CIR. Advanced tumor stages and thymic carcinoma histology for OS and induction therapy and advanced stages for CIR were negative prognostic variables.

Thymic neuroendocrine tumors.

Thymic neuroendocrine tumors are rare and account for approximately 2% to 5% of all thymic tumors. Despite the suggestion of benign behavior implied by their name, thymic carcinoids have been noted to present a more aggressive biologic behavior than their counterparts in other sites. Because of the lack of data, adequate-sized prospective trials are required for validation, and the enrollment of patients with advanced disease into available clinical trials is encouraged.

Historical perspectives: The evolution of the thymic epithelial tumors staging system.

Thymic epithelial tumors (thymomas, thymic carcinomas and neuroendocrine tumors - NETs) are rare primary mediastinal neoplasms, recently classified as orphan diseases. Their rarity might explain the fact that currently, no official staging system has been defined by the Union Internationale Contre le Cancer (UICC) and the American Joint Commission on Cancer (AJCC). However, the appropriate staging of these tumors has been matter of debate and several proposals have been published over the years, but very few have received a clinical validation. Recently an international database for thymic malignancies has been provided by the International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group (ITMIG); one of its aims is to accomplish a new and evidence based staging system, to allow progress in clinical management in thymic tumors. This paper will review the history of proposed staging systems, comparing resemblances and differences, being a sort of starting point for the development of a new widely accepted clinical staging system.

Efficacy and safety of human fibrinogen-thrombin patch (TachoSil®) in the treatment of postoperative air leakage in patients submitted to redo surgery for lung malignancies: a randomized trial.

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies of the human fibrinogen-thrombin patch TachoSil® for air leak management in thoracic surgery have excluded patients undergoing redo surgery, a group at high risk of persistent air leaks. This is the first study to assess TachoSil® in patients undergoing redo surgery. METHODS: Patients who had undergone pulmonary resection for primary lung cancer or lung metastasis and were scheduled for completion lobectomy plus lymphadenectomy due to tumour recurrence were eligible. After complete lobectomy, patients with intraoperative Macchiarini grade 3 air leaks (or >30% of the tidal volume at plethysmographic assessment) were randomized to receive either TachoSil® or further lung parenchymal stapling/suturing procedures according to standard surgical practice. RESULTS: A total of 24 patients were randomized to TachoSil® (n = 13) or standard treatment (n = 11). Mean duration of surgery was significantly shorter in the TachoSil® group than in the standard group (3.6 vs 4.0 h; P = 0.023). The mean duration of air leaks was also significantly reduced in the TachoSil® group (4.7 vs 10.0 days; P < 0.001), and the removal of both the first and the second chest tubes occurred earlier (mean 3.8 vs 5.5 days; P = 0.005; and 6.1 vs 10.8 days; P < 0.001, respectively). TachoSil® was also effective in reducing persistent (≥ 9 days) air leaks (1 vs 7 patients; P = 0.008). There were no significant differences between groups in other postoperative complications. Mean length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in TachoSil®-treated patients (6.9 vs 9.5 days; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: TachoSil® was superior to standard stapling and suturing aerostatic techniques in reducing postoperative air leaks in patients undergoing redo thoracic surgery.