A two-step surgical approach combining sternotomy and subsequent thoracotomy for locally advanced lung cancers requiring both right upper lung resection and superior vena cava reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Locally advanced lung cancers involving both right upper lung lobe and superior vena cava (SVC) requiring both lung resection and SVC reconstruction are generally deemed unresectable. However, previous evidence has proved that such patients could benefit from surgery if radical resection is achieved. Generally, a hemi-clamshell approach is adopted to complete such resection. However, it has the limitation of insufficient exposure of posterior mediastinum. Therefore, we introduced a two-step surgical approach combining sternotomy and thoracotomy for such lung cancers. METHODS: A two-step surgical approach combining median sternotomy and subsequent posterolateral thoracotomy, via which radical lobectomy with systematic lymphadenectomy and SVC reconstruction could be successfully achieved, was described. RESULTS: We have performed such surgery via the two-step surgical approach combining median sternotomy and subsequent posterolateral thoracotomy in five patients from January 2017 to March 2018. All those patients achieved radical resection of the lung cancer with lobectomy and systematic lymphadenectomy and SVC reconstruction with artificial blood vessels, and had an uneventful postoperative recovery without any major complications. CONCLUSIONS: Our initial experience proved that this two-step surgical approach combining median sternotomy and subsequent posterolateral thoracotomy was safe and feasible for locally advanced lung cancers requiring both lung resection and SVC reconstruction.

Can lobe-specific lymph node dissection be an alternative to systematic lymph node dissection in treating early-stage non-small cell lung cancer: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis?

BACKGROUND: Whether lobe-specific lymph node dissection (L-SLND) could serve as an alternative to systematic lymph node dissection (SLND) in treating early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted this comprehensive meta-analysis to compare the effect of L-SLND with that of SLND in treating early-stage NSCLC. METHODS: A systematic literature search in PubMed and Embase was conducted to identify relevant studies up to 30 November 2017. Data including 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates, recurrence rates, and morbidity rate were extracted and analysed. RESULTS: A total of six studies [one randomized controlled trial (RCT) and five retrospective cohort studies] consisting of 2,037 patients with early-stage NSCLC were included for analysis. Meta-analysis showed that there was no significant difference of 5-year OS [81.7% and 79.5%, respectively; risk ratio (RR) =1.021; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.977-1.068; P=0.352] and DFS (76.4% and 69.9%, respectively; RR =1.061; 95% CI, 0.999-1.128; P=0.054) between patients treated with L-SLND and those with SLND. Moreover, there was also no significant difference of total recurrence rates (24.3% and 25.8%, respectively; RR =0.892; 95% CI, 0.759-1.048; P=0.166) and loco-regional recurrence rates (7.9% and 9.3%, respectively; RR =0.851; 95% CI, 0.623-1.162; P=0.310) between patients treated with L-SLND and those with SLND. However, patients treated with L-SLND yielded a significant lower morbidity rate than those treated with SLND (10.2% and 13.5%, respectively; RR =0.681; 95% CI, =0.521-0.888; P=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: L-SLND yielded a significantly lower risk of morbidity compared to SLND without compromising long-term oncologic outcomes based on available studies with relatively poor quality. L-SLND may serve as an alternative to SLND in treating early-stage NSCLC. Further well-conducted RCTs, however, are badly needed to confirm and update our conclusions.

Does high body mass index have any impact on survival of patients undergoing oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer?

A best evidence topic in thoracic surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was 'Does high body mass index (BMI) have any impact on survival of patients undergoing oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer?' A total of 232 papers were found using the reported search, of which 8 papers represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question, which included 1 meta-analysis and 7 cohort studies. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. One meta-analysis and 4 cohort studies provided the evidence that high BMI was significantly correlated with a better survival of oesophageal cancer patients undergoing oesophagectomy, while the other 3 cohort studies found that high BMI had no impact on the survival of those patients. We conclude that patients with high BMI may have a better prognosis than those with normal BMI undergoing oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer.

[Value of combining 64 multi-slice spiral computer tomography and serum amyloid A protein in surgical decision-making in rectal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy and clinical value of combining 64 multi-slice spiral computer tomography (MSCT) and serum amyloid A protein (SAA) in the preoperative staging of rectal cancer. METHODS: Prospectively enrolled patients with rectal cancer from October 2007 to October 2008. The patients were randomly assigned into two groups: MSCT and SAA combined group: both MSCT and SAA combinative assessment were performed for preoperative evaluation; MSCT group: only MSCT was performed preoperatively for tumor staging. The accuracy of the preoperative T, N, M, and TNM staging and the concordance rate of predictive operative strategy were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Total of 225 cases with rectal cancer were enrolled in this study. There were 110 cases in MSCT and SAA combined group and 115 cases in MSCT group. The baseline characteristics was comparable between the two groups. For MSCT and SAA combined group, the accuracies of preoperative staging of T, N, M and TNM was 87.3%, 85.2%, 100% and 86.4%, respectively; and for MSCT group, the corresponding rates was 85.2%, 67.0%, 100% and 66.1%, respectively. Statistical differences was found in the accuracy of preoperative N and TNM staging between the two groups (P = 0.009 and 0.001, respectively). In addition, there was statistical difference in the accuracy of prediction to operative procedures between the two groups (94.7% vs. 81.7%, P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Combinative assessment of MSCT and SAA could improve the accuracy of preoperative staging, and thus provide higher predictive coincidence rate of operative procedures.