Robotic Resection of a Left Brachiocephalic Vein Aneurysm Mimicking Thymoma.

A 70-year-old man was scheduled for the robotic resection of a 21×16 × 30 mm thymic nodule incidentally detected by a computed tomography scan (CT) for thoracic trauma after a domestic accident. Positron emission tomography (PET) scan confirmed a low [18F]-FDG uptake (SUVmax = 1,9). During the surgery, the mass showed to be a saccular aneurysm of the left brachiocephalic vein (LBCV). A complete tangential resection of the aneurysm, with the use of EndoGIA stapler (Covidien® Endo GIA™) at its origin, was performed. The patient's recovery was uneventful, and postoperative CT with contrast administration confirmed the patency of the vein.

An unexpected cause of retroperitoneal gangrene.

Retroperitoneal Gangrene is a serious condition whose causes are many. We report three originally cases of anorectal suppuration complicated by retroperitoneal gangrene without Fournier's gangrene until there ever described in the literature. The diagnosis was made in all cases on CT because of atypical clinical presentation. The surgical approach was carried out in different ways to treat perineal and retroperitoneal lesions.

Effectiveness and safety of povidone iodine for prolonged lung air-leak after lung surgery.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary surgery is often associated with postoperative prolonged parenchymal air-leak. The purpose of this study was to determine efficacy and safety of povidone iodine as treatment of prolonged parenchymal air-leak following all-types of lung surgery. METHODS: This prospective trial was conducted from June 2019 to December 2020, and designed under PanAfrican Clinical Trials Registry requirements. Patients having prolonged parenchymal air-leak were randomly allocated to povidone iodine protocol (Group A) or surveillance without povidone iodine (Group B). We collected the number of povidone iodine injections required before bubbling stopped, total drainage period, tolerance after injection, complications and side-effects. Comparative study was performed to evaluate povidone iodine efficacy. RESULTS: Following randomization, Group A included 19 patients, and Group B 21. Both groups were comparable. The mean drainage period was 9.21 days in Group A (6-14 days) and 15.62 days in Group B (7-31 days) (p = 0.001). The mean hospitalization period was 11.05 days in Group A (7-16 days) and 18.9 days in Group B (9-38 days) (p < 0.0001). The mean follow-up period was 6.8 months (3-18 months). No deaths were noted in either groups. Four side-effects were reported in Group A (21%) and four serious complications were noticed in Group B (19%). No recurrences were reported in Group A versus one recurrence of homolateral pneumothorax in Group B (4.76%). CONCLUSIONS: Povidone iodine is an effective and safe solution for pleurodesis. It is associated with a low complication rate that remains acceptable, and could be proposed as treatment of prolonged parenchymal air-leak after lung resections.

Morbidity and Mortality Risk Factors for Lung Hydatidosis Surgery: Over 30 Years' Experience Review.

BACKGROUND: Lung hydatidosis (LH) is still an endemic pathology. Different published surgical series have reported variable numbers of patients, but few have studied the morbidity- and mortality-associated risk factors. METHODS: Through a retrospective with a descriptive and analytical aim study, performed from January 1987 to December 2020, we reported all patients who underwent operations for LH, regardless of the cyst locations, numbers, and aspects. We excluded patients who were not operated on, patients with extrapulmonary hydatidosis, and those with a cystic pathology other than LH. RESULTS: Operations for LH were performed in 1169 patients, with a total of 1288 interventions and a median age of 20 years (semi-interquartile range [SIQR],11.5; 2-89 years). There were a total of 1951 cysts, with a median of 1 cyst (SIQR,0; 1-37 cysts) and a median size of 60 mm (SIQR,20; 10-250 mm). Forty percent were complicated. Conservative surgery was performed on most patients, and anatomical resection was required in 23 patients (1.8%). The median number of bronchial fistulas was 3 (SIQR,1; 0-16 fistulas). Decortication was necessary for 94 patients (7.3%). The morbidity rate was 25%, and mortality was 0.4%. Fever, pleural effusion, and associated decortication were correlated morbidity and mortality risk factors. Other morbidity factors were identified, including nonprotection of the surgical field, a cyst size ≥55 mm, and ≥3 bronchial fistulas. Mortality factors were determined, such as postoperative occurrence of septic shock, hemorrhage, and respiratory distress. CONCLUSIONS: The earlier we operate on LH patients (before complications set in) and identify the different associated risk factors, the better the prognosis of curative surgery is.

Small cell osteosarcoma of the rib: An exceptional localization.

Small cell osteosarcoma is a rare sub-type of osteogenic malignant tumors. Rib localization is uncommon. Histological examination is an important step to make the difference with similar tumors like Ewing's sarcoma. Surgical resection is the unique curative treatment. The prognosis remains poor even with adjuvant treatment.

Cavitary lung opacity of unusual cause during Behçet disease.

Pulmonary artery aneurysm must be evoked in front of any hemoptysis in a patient with Behçet disease as it requires urgent immunosuppressive therapy and often surgery.

A diagnostic pitfall of a sternal mass.

Primary sternal lymphoma represents a rare entity which must be evoked in front of a sternal mass especially as its treatment is different from that of sarcomas, the principal etiology of sternal masses.

Second pulmonary resection for a second primary lung cancer: analysis of morbidity and survival.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluating morbidity and survival of patients operated on for a second primary non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Retrospective collection of data from patients operated on for a second NSCLC between 2009 and 2018. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients met the inclusion criteria. At the time of second pulmonary resection, the median time between the 2 surgeries was 25 months (5-44.5 months). Patients' median age was 65 years (61-68 years). Median tumour size was 16 mm (10-22 mm). Thoracoscopy was used in 75% of cases. The resection was a pneumonectomy (n = 1), bilobectomy (n = 1), lobectomy (n = 15), segmentectomy (n = 32) or wedge resection (n = 3). The length of stay was 7 days (5-9 days). Mortality was null and morbidity was 36.5%, mainly from grade I-II complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. The median follow-up was 28 months (13-50 months). The median overall survival was 67 months (95% confidence interval 60.8-73.1 months). Survival at 5 years and specific survival were 71.1% and 67.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A second surgical resection of either synchronous or metachronous NSCLC has a morbidity that is not superior to the morbidity of the first operation. The new tumour is usually diagnosed at an early stage. An anatomical sublobar resection is most likely the best compromise. It might also be considered for the first operation when there is a suspicious synchronous lesion that may require surgery at a later stage.

Left lung agenesis discovered by a spontaneous pneumothorax in a 20-year-old girl.

Lung agenesis is a rare condition which prognosis widely depends on associated malformations. Clinical presentation is so variable and diagnosis is often made in childhood. Here, we present a case of a 20-year-old girl who was admitted because of a spontaneous pneumothorax. Explorations concluded at a left lung agenesis, a hyperinflated right lung crossing the midline with a corresponding pneumothorax. There was no malformation else. This congenital condition and treatment for this rare presentation are discussed in detail.

Sleeve Right Lower Lobectomy: a Rarely Performed Extended Resection.

Sleeve resection is a valid option in the surgical treatment of lung tumors, avoiding large resection. To ensure a good functional result and avoid post-operative complications like recent broncho-pleural fistulas and long-term stenosis, anastomosis between bronchi must be well performed. We report two cases of sleeve resection of the right lower lobe and show how we managed caliber discrepancy between the middle lobe bronchus and the truncus intermedius.

Clinical and anatomic features of acardiac twins.

OBJECTIVE: To report 6 cases of acardiac twins, and to investigate prognostic factors that would lead to survival of the normal twin. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: During a 9-year period from 1993 to 2001, 6 cases of acardiac twins out of 109,000 deliveries at the Maternity Center, Tunis, Tunisia were studied. Detailed inspection, X-rays, ultrasound and autopsies were performed. RESULTS: Prenatal diagnosis was made in only 1 case at 33 weeks of gestation. Rudimentary cardiac tissue was observed in 2 of the 6 perfused twins, and the cephalic pole was less developed than other parts of the body. Severe agenesis or hypoplasia of the thoracoabdominal organs was commonly observed. Many limb malformations were observed, with arms the most affected. One of the pump twins was stillborn, 3 died between days 1 and 3 from respiratory distress, and 2 developed cardiac failure after birth and were treated with diuretics and digoxin, which led to a favorable outcome in only 1. The ratio of the weight of the acardiac to pump twin (TWR) ranged from 50 to 142%. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that acardia can be diagnosed by means of ultrasound in front of a monochorial twin pregnancy when one of the fetuses is deformed and has no cardiac activity. Heart failure and polyhydramnios, as well as a TWR greater than 50% are prognostic factors for the pump twin.