Impact of Surgical Positioning on the Occurrence of Postoperative Ipilateral Shoulder Pain After Lung Resection by Video-Assisted Thoracoscopy: A Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the ipsilateral arm position on ipsilateral shoulder pain after lung cancer resection by video-assisted thoracic surgery. DESIGN: A prospective randomized controlled trial. SETTING: A single academic center study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery pulmonary resection for cancer at the Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec from May 2020 to May 2022 were included. INTERVENTIONS: Patients randomly were assigned with a 1:1 ratio to a supported or suspended ipsilateral arm position. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Ipsilateral shoulder pain incidence, pain score, and opioid use were recorded in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) on postoperative days 1 and 2. One hundred thirty-three patients were randomized, 67 in the suspended-arm group and 66 in the supported-arm group. Of the patients, 31% reported ipsilateral shoulder pain in the PACU with no difference between groups (19/67 [28.4%] v 22/66 patients (33.3%), p = 0.5767). There was no significant difference between the pain score in the PACU (3 [0-6] v 4 [0-6], p = 0.9055) at postoperative day 1 (4 [2-6] v 3 [2-5], p = 0.4113) and at postoperative day 2 (2 [0-5] v 2 [1-4], p = 0.9508). Ipsilateral shoulder pain score decreased rapidly on postoperative day 2. There was no statistical difference in opioid and gabapentinoid use between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Ipsilateral arm position seems to have no impact on ipsilateral shoulder pain.

A Multicenter Study to Assess a Systematic Screening of Occupational Exposures in Lung Cancer Patients.

Occupational lung cancer cases remain largely under-reported and under-compensated worldwide. In order to improve the detection and compensation of work-related lung cancers, we implemented a systematic screening of occupational exposures, combining a validated self-administered questionnaire to assess occupational exposures and a specialized occupational cancer consultation. After a pilot study, the present prospective, open-label, scale-up study aimed to assess this systematic screening of occupational exposures in lung cancer patients in five sites in France by associating university hospitals with cancer centers. Patients with lung cancer were sent a self-administered questionnaire to collect their job history and potential exposure to lung carcinogens. The questionnaire was assessed by a physician to determine if a specialized occupational cancer consultation was required. During the consultation, a physician assessed if the lung cancer was occupation-related and, if it was, delivered a medical certificate to claim for compensation. Patients were offered help from a social worker for the administrative procedure. Over 15 months, 1251 patients received the questionnaire and 462 returned it (37%). Among them, 176 patients (38.1%) were convened to the occupational cancer consultation and 150 patients attended the consultation. An exposure to occupational lung carcinogen was identified in 133 patients and a claim for compensation was judged possible for 90 patients. A medical certificate was delivered to 88 patients and 38 patients received compensation. Our national study demonstrated that a systematic screening of occupational exposures is feasible and will bring a significant contribution to improve the detection of occupational exposures in lung cancer patients.

Low fetal age is not a contraindication for extracorporeal membranous oxygenation in COVID-19-related ARDS.

INTRODUCTION: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes a small proportion of patients to be admitted to intensive care units, where they sometimes require extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The literature on pregnant women with COVID-19 who require ECMO is sparse. CASE REPORT: We describe here the earliest-fetal-age pregnant patient with COVID-19 who underwent ECMO yet reported, who kept her child while under close follow-up with magnetic resonance imagery and ultrasound. CONCLUSION: The management of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in pregnant women, including ARDS secondary to COVID-19 and those cases which are not eligible for fetal delivery, may benefit from the assistance of ECMO even in the early pregnancy.

Superior vena cava graft infection in thoracic surgery: a retrospective study of the French EPITHOR database.

OBJECTIVES: To report our experience on the management of superior vena cava graft infection. METHODS: Between 2001 and 2018, patients with superior vena cava synthetic graft or patch reconstruction after resection of intrathoracic tumours or benign disease were selected retrospectively from the French EPITHOR database and participating thoracic centres. Our study population includes patients with superior vena cava graft infection, defined according to the MAGIC consensus. Superior vena cava synthetic grafts in an empyema or mediastinitis were considered as infected. RESULTS: Of 111 eligible patients, superior vena cava graft infection occurred in 12 (11.9%) patients with a polytetrafluoroethylene graft secondary to contiguous contamination. Management consisted of either conservative treatment with chest tube drainage and antibiotics (n = 3) or a surgical graft-sparing strategy (n = 9). Recurrence of infection appears in 6 patients. Graft removal was performed in 2 patients among the 5 reoperated patients. The operative mortality rate was 25%. CONCLUSIONS: Superior vena cava graft infection may develop as a surgical site infection secondary to early mediastinitis or empyema. Graft removal is not always mandatory but should be considered in late or recurrent graft infection or in infections caused by aggressive microorganisms (virulent or multidrug resistant bacteria or fungi).

Preoperative respiratory muscle endurance training improves ventilatory capacity and prevents pulmonary postoperative complications after lung surgery.

BACKGROUND: Resection surgery is the main treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Postoperative complications and mortality are mostly linked to respiratory failure consecutive to respiratory muscle overload. AIM: We aimed to evaluate the effect of preoperative respiratory muscle endurance training (RMET) on respiratory muscle capacity and postoperative complications in patients undergoing NSCLC resection. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: French university hospital. POPULATION: Patients eligible for NSCLC resection. METHODS: The training group (T group) performed a 3-week preoperative RMET added to usual chest physical therapy while the control group (C group) had only the latter. The primary outcome was the change in respiratory muscle endurance. Secondary outcomes were postoperative complications and mortality. Assessments were performed similarly at baseline and after the intervention. We conducted multivariable analyses with analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) taking into account baseline values for isocapnic hyperpnoea endurance test, exercise capacity and pulmonary function tests. The number of pulmonary postoperative complication was analyzed by Fisher-exact test. RESULTS: We included 26 patients with NSCLC (14 in the T group and 12 in the C group). Respiratory muscle endurance significantly increased in the T group after the RMET compared with C group (+229±199 vs. -5±371 sec, P=0.001). This increase was associated with a significantly lower number of pulmonary postoperative complications (2 vs. 10, P=0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative RMET improved respiratory muscle endurance and decreased pulmonary postoperative complications after surgery for NSCLC. These positive results obtained after RMET may help improve the perioperative course for such patients. These results should be confirmed in larger randomized controlled trials, including higher number of patients especially with altered respiratory muscle function. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Low-cost and easy to perform, RMET training could serve as complementary tool to usual chest physical therapy, before lung resection surgery.

Left Brachiocephalic Venous Aneurysm: A Rare Clinical Finding.

Brachiocephalic venous aneurysm is an extremely rare condition, with <20 cases reported in the literature. We present a case of a 72-year-old man who was referred to our department owing to a large aneurysm of the left brachiocephalic vein that was incidentally discovered on computed tomography. Further workup confirmed an isolated saccular aneurysm of the left brachiocephalic vein. The patient underwent aneurysmectomy via sternotomy with no requirement for a vascular graft or cardiopulmonary bypass. The postoperative course and follow-up were uneventful.

Surgical treatment of a pericardio-oesophageal fistula using a right lower lobe pulmonary tissue patch.

A 58-year-old man presented with fever and chest pain 11 days after atrial fibrillation catheter ablation. The diagnosis of pericardio-oesophageal fistula was made. Aggressive surgical management was decided. The patient was managed using extracorporeal life support, aortic valve replacement and a pulmonary patch, as well as an oesophageal stent. The patient was discharged from hospital approximately 2 months later. The use of a pulmonary patch is a rare but a highly effective technique that can be used in this indication.

Effect of an intensive 3-week preoperative home rehabilitation programme in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease eligible for lung cancer surgery: a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Surgery is the standard curative treatment for lung cancer but is only possible in patients with local tumour and preserved exercise capacity. Improving fitness before surgery can reduce postoperative complications and mortality. However, preoperative rehabilitation remains difficult to implement for several reasons. We aim to investigate the effectiveness of an intensive 3-week home-based preoperative exercise training programme on hospital discharge ability, postoperative complications and physical performance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are eligible for lung cancer surgery. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We designed a multicentre randomised controlled trial. The randomisation sequence will be generated and managed electronically by a research manager independent of assessments or interventions. We will recruit 90 patients with COPD and a diagnosis of lung cancer from four university hospitals. The rehabilitation group (R group) will receive a standardised preoperative home exercise programme for 3 weeks, combining both high-intensity training and usual physical therapy. The R group will perform 15 training sessions over 3 weeks on a cycloergometer. A physical therapist experienced in pulmonary rehabilitation will visit the patient at home and supervise one session a week. The R group will be compared with a control group receiving preoperative usual physical therapy only. The primary outcome will be hospital discharge ability assessed with a 10-item list. Secondary outcomes will be postoperative course (complication rate and mortality) as well as pulmonary function, exercise capacity and quality of life assessed 1 month before and the day before surgery. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This protocol has been approved by the French health authority for research (2016-A00622-49) and the research ethics committee/institutional review board (AU1267). Adverse events that occur during the protocol will be reported to the principal investigator. The results will be published in an international peer-reviewed journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03020251.

Tracheoplasty With Use of an Intercostal Muscle Flap for Caustic Necrosis.

We report a case of intercostal muscle flap used in tracheobronchial reconstruction for extensive necrosis after burn lesions of the posterior wall. A 32-year-old man attempted suicide by ingestion of caustic material. He underwent emergency total esogastrectomy, tracheostomy, and feeding jejunostomy. Ten days later, endoscopy showed complete destruction of the membranous trachea, extending from the tracheostomy to the carina. Reconstruction was conducted with the patient under venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation by use of a pedicled intercostal muscle flap. The patient was weaned from respiratory support on the 14th postoperative day. Examination of a biopsy specimen from the flap 7 months after tracheoplasty showed ciliated neoepithelium.

Lymphovenous anastomosis for recurrent swelling syndrome and chylous effusion due to cervical thoracic duct cyst.

Thoracic duct (TD) cyst is an uncommon abnormality that can be manifested as a cervical swelling. Pathogenesis includes congenital or degenerative weakness of the wall of the TD and obstruction of the lymphoid flow. Diagnosis is crucial to eliminate malignant disease or vein thrombosis and can be established by imaging and needle aspiration. We report a case of recurrent cervical swelling with spontaneous chylothorax and chyloperitoneum. A TD cyst with a terminal obstruction of the TD was diagnosed on lymphangiography. Treatment by microsurgical lymphovenous anastomosis was successful, and the patient was free of symptom 3 years later.

Combined treatment modalities in Pancoast tumor: results of a monocentric retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: A retrospective monocentric study of consecutive patients with superior sulcus tumor non-small cell lung cancer (SS-NSCLC), treated by induction concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT), article management. METHODS: From 1994 to 2005, 36 patients (15 T3, 21 T4 tumors, including N2-N3 node involvement) received induction CRT with cisplatin/vinorelbine/fluorouracil combined with 44 Gy radiotherapy (5 daily 2 Gy fractions/week). After CRT completion, RECIST evaluation and operability were assessed. In resectable patients, surgery was performed one month after CRT. Patients with unresectable disease followed CRT up to 66 Gy. The median of follow-up period was 38.6 months [2-206]. RESULTS: Induction CRT was completed for 94.4% with 71% radiological objective response (OR). Sixteen patients (44%) underwent surgical resection, and pathologic complete resection was performed in 93.8%. There were 7 patients (44%) with pathologic complete response. The median disease-free survival (DFS) time was 12.9 months with DFS rates at 1 and 2 years 53.6% and 39.1% respectively. The median overall survival (OS) was 46.4 months. The OS rates at 2 and 5 years were 68.8% and 37.5% respectively with no difference between T3 and T4 tumors. In unresectable disease, the median DFS time was 8.1 months. The DFS rate at 1 year was 25.2%. The median OS was 9.1 months. The OS rates at 1 and 2 years were 45% and 16.9% respectively. Recurrences were found in 72% of patients. Brain metastasis was the most common site of recurrence. Prognostic factors for OS were the response to induction treatment, the possibility of surgery, and pathologic complete response. CONCLUSIONS: This trimodality treatment regimen confers a survival outcome in agreement with previous studies. Patients with pretreatment N3 lymph node should be included in trimodality treatment.

Prophylactic tracheotomy and lung cancer resection in patient with low predictive pulmonary function: a randomized clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Whether prophylactic tracheotomy can shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) in high risk patients eligible for lung cancer resection. The objective was to compare duration of MV and outcome in 39 patients randomly assigned to prophylactic tracheotomy or control. METHODS: Prospective randomized controlled, single-center trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01053624). The primary outcome measure was the cumulative number of MV days after operation until discharge. The secondary outcome measures were the 60 days mortality rate, the ICU and the hospital length of stay, the incidence of postoperative respiratory, cardiac and general complications, the reventilation rate, the need of noninvasive ventilation (NIV), the need of a tracheotomy in control group and the tracheal complications. RESULTS: The duration of MV was not significantly different between the tracheotomy group (3.5±6 days) and the control group (4.7±9.3 days) (P=0.54). Among patients needing prolonged MV >4 days, tracheotomy patients had a shortened duration of MV than control patients (respectively 11.4±7.1 and 20.4±9.6 days, P=0.04). The rate of respiratory complications were significantly lower in the tracheotomy group than in the control group (28% vs. 51%, P=0.03). Six patients (15%) needed a postoperative tracheotomy in the control group because of a prolonged MV >7 days. Tracheotomy was associated with a reduced need of NIV (P=0.04). There was no difference in 60-day mortality rate, cardiac complications, intensive care unit and hospital length of stay. No death was related with the tracheotomy. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic tracheotomy in patients with ppo FEV1 <50% who underwent thoracotomy for lung cancer resection provided benefits in terms of duration of prolonged MV and respiratory complications but was not associated with a decreased mortality rate, ICU and hospital length of stay and non-respiratory complications.

Extended resection of non-small cell lung cancer invading the left atrium, is it worth the risk?

Only few reports of surgical approach to T4 lung carcinoma invading the heart have been reported in the medical literature. It is also controversial if such cancer should be treated by surgery. The aim of this review is to assess the current risk/benefit ratio of the surgical management of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) invading the left atrium, especially in the light of a multidisciplinary approach. We also expose our surgical experience and the procedure we have developed in order to increase our rate of complete resection as this criterion appears to be mandatory as well as patients' nodal status in order to increase life expectancy.

Left atrial resection for T4 lung cancer without cardiopulmonary bypass: technical aspects and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Extended resection for lung cancer may improve survival of selected patients. Left-atrial resection is infrequently performed and surgical techniques are rarely reported; thus, oncologic results and survival rates remain uncertain. Our study describes surgical techniques, postoperative outcomes, and oncologic results of patients who received a combined multimodality treatment. METHODS: Between October 2004 and March 2012 in our institution, 19 patients underwent extended lung resection involving the left atrium without cardiopulmonary bypass. We reviewed perioperative treatments, surgical procedures, and postoperative morbidity, mortality, and long-term survival rates. RESULTS: Sixteen patients (68.4%) underwent neoadjuvant treatment including chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Eighteen pneumonectomies (94.7%) were performed, of which 12 (63.1%) were right sided. Dissection of the interatrial septum was complete in 4 patients (33.3%). Complete resection was achieved in 17 patients (89.4%) and 2 other patients (10.5%) were considered R1. The T-status was pT4 in all patients. Overall postoperative morbidity was 52.6%. The 30-day mortality rate was 10.5% and the 90-day mortality rate was 15.7%. Fifteen patients (93.7%) underwent adjuvant treatment. The mean follow-up time was 32.5 months. The 5-year probability of survival was 43.7%. Three patients (15.7%) were alive at greater than 6 years postsurgery. CONCLUSIONS: Extended lung surgery with partial resection of the left atrium is a feasible procedure with acceptable morbidity. An interatrial septum dissection, by increasing the length of the atrial cuff, allows complete resection. Long-term survival can be achieved in highly selected patients who have undergone multimodal therapy.

Lung cancer: what are the links with oxidative stress, physical activity and nutrition.

Oxidative stress appears to play an essential role as a secondary messenger in the normal regulation of a variety of physiological processes, such as apoptosis, survival, and proliferative signaling pathways. Oxidative stress also plays important roles in the pathogenesis of many diseases, including aging, degenerative disease, and cancer. Among cancers, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer in the Western world. Lung cancer is the commonest fatal cancer whose risk is dependent on the number of cigarettes smoked per day as well as the number of years smoking, some components of cigarette smoke inducing oxidative stress by transmitting or generating oxidative stress. It can be subdivided into two broad categories, small cell lung cancer and non-small-cell lung cancer, the latter is the most common type. Distinct measures of primary and secondary prevention have been investigated to reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality caused by lung cancer. Among them, it seems that physical activity and nutrition have some beneficial effects. However, physical activity can have different influences on carcinogenesis, depending on energy supply, strength and frequency of exercise loads as well as the degree of exercise-mediated oxidative stress. Micronutrient supplementation seems to have a positive impact in lung surgery, particularly as an antioxidant, even if the role of micronutrients in lung cancer remains controversial. The purpose of this review is to examine lung cancer in relation to oxidative stress, physical activity, and nutrition.