[Use and versatility of titanium for the reconstruction of the thoracic wall]. / Utilidad y versatilidad del titanio para la reconstrucción de la pared torácica.

INTRODUCTION: Chest wall deformities/defects and chest wall resections, as well as complex rib fractures require reconstruction with various prosthetic materials to ensure the basic functions of the chest wall. Titanium provides many features that make it an ideal material for this surgery. The aim is to present our initial results with this material in several diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 2008 to 2012, 14 patients were operated on and titanium was used for reconstruction of the chest wall. A total of 7 patients had chest wall tumors, 2 with sternal resection, 4 patients with chest wall deformities/defects and 3 patients with severe rib injury due to traffic accident. RESULTS: The reconstruction was successful in all cases, with early extubation without detecting problems in the functionality of the chest wall at a respiratory level. Patients with chest wall tumors including sternal resections were extubated in the operating room as well as the chest wall deformities. Chest trauma cases were extubated within 24h from internal rib fixation. There were no complications related to the material used and the method of implementation. CONCLUSIONS: Titanium is an ideal material for reconstruction of the chest wall in several clinical situations allowing for great versatility and adaptability in different chest wall reconstructions.

Multidisciplinary approach for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): 2023 expert consensus of the Spanish Lung Cancer Group GECP.

INTRODUCTION: Recent advances in the treatment of locally advanced NSCLC have led to changes in the standard of care for this disease. For the selection of the best approach strategy for each patient, it is necessary the homogenization of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, as well as the promotion of the evaluation of patients by a multidisciplinary oncology team. OBJECTIVE: Development of an expert consensus document with suggestions for the approach and treatment of locally advanced NSCLC leaded by Spanish Lung Cancer Group GECP. METHODS: Between March and July 2023, a panel of 28 experts was formed. Using a mixed technique (Delphi/nominal group) under the guidance of a coordinating group, consensus was reached in 4 phases: 1. Literature review and definition of discussion topics 2. First round of voting 3. Communicating the results and second round of voting 4. Definition of conclusions in nominal group meeting. Responses were consolidated using medians and interquartile ranges. The threshold for agreement was defined as 85% of the votes. RESULTS: New and controversial situations regarding the diagnosis and management of locally advanced NSCLC were analyzed and reconciled based on evidence and clinical experience. Discussion issues included: molecular diagnosis and biomarkers, radiologic and surgical diagnosis, mediastinal staging, role of the multidisciplinary thoracic committee, neoadjuvant treatment indications, evaluation of response to neoadjuvant treatment, postoperative evaluation, and follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Consensus clinical suggestions were generated on the most relevant scenarios such as diagnosis, staging and treatment of locally advanced lung cancer, which will serve to support decision-making in daily practice.

Postoperative morbidity after anatomical lung resections by VATS vs thoracotomy: Treatment and intention-to-treat analysis of the Spanish Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery Group.

OBJECTIVES: In recent years, video-assisted thoracoscopic lung resections (VATS) have been associated with lower morbidity than open surgery. The aim of our study is to compare postoperative morbidity among patients from the national database of the Spanish Group of Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (GE-VATS) after open and video-assisted anatomic lung resections using a propensity score analysis. METHODS: From December 2016 to March 2018, a total of 3533 patients underwent anatomical lung resection at 33 centers. Pneumonectomies and extended resections were excluded. A propensity score analysis was performed to compare the morbidity of the thoracotomy group (TG) vs the VATS group (VATSG). Treatment and intention-to-treat (ITT) analyses were conducted. RESULTS: In total, 2981 patients were finally included in the study: 1092 (37%) in the TG and 1889 (63%) in the VATSG for the treatment analysis; and 816 (27.4%) in the TG and 2165 patients (72.6%) in the VATSG for the ITT analysis. After propensity score matching, in the treatment analysis, the VATSG was significantly associated with fewer overall complications than the TG OR 0.680 [95%CI 0.616, 0.750]), fewer respiratory (OR 0.571 [0.529, 0.616]) cardiovascular (OR 0.529 [0.478, 0.609]) and surgical (OR 0.875 [0.802, 0.955]) complications, lower readmission rate (OR 0.669 [0.578, 0.775]) and a reduction of hospital length of stay (-1.741 ([-2.073, -1.410]). Intention-to-treat analysis showed only statistically significant differences in overall complications (OR 0.76 [0.54-0.99]) in favor of the VATSG. CONCLUSION: In this multicenter population, VATS anatomical lung resections have been associated with lower morbidity than those performed by thoracotomy. However, when an intention-to-treat analysis was performed, the benefits of the VATS approach were less prominent.

Spanish Lung Cancer Group SCAT trial: surgical audit to lymph node assessment based on IASLC recommendations.

BACKGROUND: The Spanish Customized Adjuvant Therapy (SCAT) trial assessed the role of individualized adjuvant therapy in clinical N0 incidental pN1 and/or N2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) completely resected. We assessed surgical topics with an in-depth analysis of quality of lymphadenectomy based on International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) recommendations. METHODS: Patients with information about lymphadenectomy available were included (N=451). Prospectively collected data about tumor, type of resection, and postoperative morbidity and quality of lymph node dissection (LND) were retrospectively evaluated. Role of lymph node assessment on survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves, using regression models to identify prognostic factors. RESULTS: In 33.7%, 17.7% and 49.9% of cases, regions 7, 10 and 11 respectively were not assessed. In 21.1% of patients, less than three lymph node regions were biopsied, while in 19.6% of patients less than six lymph nodes were assessed. In 53,4% of patients only one N1 region was evaluated. From patients with positive N2, 8.9% had no N1 regions biopsied. Twenty-nine percent of patients with at least one N2 lymph node resected shown the highest region involved. Thirty-day postoperative mortality was unknown. Five-year overall survival (OS) was 61.7% (95% CI: 55.4-67.4%), 51.5% (95% CI: 39.2-62.4%) and 42.3% (95% CI: 32.1-52.2%) for patients with N1, N2 and N1+N2 disease, respectively (P<0.01). Both number of lymph nodes resected and number of lymph nodes involved by tumor were significantly related to prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: IASLC recommendations for surgical resections were not followed in a high proportion of surgical procedures. Hilar and mediastinal lymph node assessment and involvement showed to impact prognosis. Surgical issues such as postoperative mortality could not be evaluated owing to trial design.

The influence of prior multiport experience on the learning curve for single-port thoracoscopic lobectomy: a multicentre comparative study†.

OBJECTIVES: Competency in video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) lobectomy is estimated to be reached after the surgeon completes 50 cases. We wanted to explore the impact of competency in performing multiport VATS lobectomies on completing the needed number of single-port VATS. METHODS: In a retrospective multicentre study, 6 individual surgeons (3 with previous competency in multiport VATS lobectomy and 3 without) submitted their first 50 cases of single-port VATS lobectomies. Extended and sublobar resections were excluded. Pre-, peri- and postoperative data were compared between the groups of surgeons. Chi-square and Wilcoxon's rank tests were used. The less experienced surgeons had previously attended dedicated training courses and visited with experts. RESULTS: A total of 300 cases were included [150 in Group A (surgeons with previous experience performing multiport VATS) and 150 in Group B (surgeons without extensive experience performing multiport VATS)]. Surgeons in Group B performed significantly more elective open lobectomies during their learning curve period than surgeons of Group A (58 vs 1). Patients in Group B were older and had more risk factors. There were 3 in-hospital deaths (respiratory failure, sepsis and fatal stroke). There were no differences between the groups in operative time, intensive care unit admissions, hospital stay, total complications, tumour size or number of N2 stations explored. Only the duration of intercostal drainage (2 vs 3 days, 0.012), incidence of respiratory tract infections (1% vs 7%, P = 0.002) and conversion rates (4% vs 12%, P = 0.018) were better in Group A. Patients characteristics played a role in the development of respiratory infections and longer drainage times but not in the need for conversion. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, postoperative outcomes during the learning curve period for single-port VATS lobectomies are not noticeably affected by previous multiport VATS experience. Less experienced surgeons were more selective in order to achieve competency (more lower lobectomies and more open operations). Competency in single-port VATS lobectomy can be acquired safely with adequate training and good case selection but will be achieved 'faster' with previous competency in multiport VATS lobectomy.

[Prolene mesh sling in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. Integral treatment of pelvic floor anomalies. Long-term results]. / El sling de malla de prolene en el tratamiento de la incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo. Tratamiento integral de las alteraciones del suelo pélvico. Resultados a largo plazo.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the results of a comprehensive treatment of female stress urinary incontinence combining prolene mesh sling and proper gynaecologic repair depending on the kind of prolapse or pelvic floor dysfunction. To analyse short and long term clinical and urodynamic outcomes, and the effect on quality of life and economics associated with female urinary incontinence. METHODS: Prospective study including 102 consecutive patients with urinary incontinence; recruitment started in June 1996, ended in March 2002 for this analysis but it continues open currently. History of neurourologic disorders, radiotherapy, oncological diseases, gynaecological diseases and previous surgeries data were recorded in all subjects. History and physical examination were done evaluating urinary symptoms, duration of urinary incontinence, and urinary symptoms oriented examination (incontinence, urgency and urgency-incontinence), as well as gynaecological examination evaluating and grading cystocele, rectocele, uterine prolapse, enterocele and dome prolapse. Complete urodynamics were performed before and after surgery. Surgery was indicated as a complete pelvic floor dysfunction repair including prolene mesh sling in all cases with urinary stress incontinence, hysterectomy or not depending on the existence of prolapse, and anterior/posterior colpoperineorrhaphy with or without mesh. Results on urinary continence, complications and their treatment were evaluated in the postoperative period, on discharge, at 6 months and yearly thereafter. RESULTS: Average age was 63.8 years (27-82 years, SD 11.2). 39.3% of the patients were over age 70. Mean follow-up was 4.25 years (12-75 months, SD 11.9). The cost of pads for urinary incontinence was 2741.17 Euros per patient (456,117 pesetas). 32.3% of the patients had risk factors for urinary incontinence surgical treatment failure and 18.8% had a leak point pressure below 30 H20 cm. 22.3% cases presented with detrusor instability before surgery. 102 sling procedures, 20 hysterectomies, 26 anterior plasties, 14 posterior plasties, 10 mesh cystocele repair, 1 posterior mesh, and 2 enterocele sacral promontory fixation were performed, accounting a total of 173 surgical procedures during 102 anaesthesia procedures. 9 additional procedures were necessary for the treatment of complications. Stress continence was achieved in 99.01% cases. In half of the patients with preoperative urgency-incontinence it continued during the first postoperative year. 11 cases have postoperative bladder instability, 7 of which had it preoperatively and 4 were de novo. COMPLICATIONS: 5 cases needed sling section/reconfiguration because of excess tension (non effective sling). 3 cases needed sling tight stretching/reconfiguration because of less than adequate tension. 2 cases of accidental bladder performation were treated with primary closure and urinary diversion. One case of infection-abscess in the mesh left anchoring stitch was drained under local anaesthesia. There were 6 cases of suprapubic, inguinal and rectal pain (8.1%), in all of them it disappeared within 9 months. There were 2 cases of wound infection. CONCLUSIONS: The prolene mesh sling can offer long term cure for stress urinary incontinence in almost all cases (99.01%), including the complicated ones. 91.1% of the patients underwent one surgical procedure only, and 8.8% required additional procedures. Results stand the test of time with a clinical-urodynamic follow up of 4.25 years. The voiding urgency referred by 81% of the women with large prolapses is associated with demonstrated bladder instability in 63% of the cases. Voiding urgency as well as bladder instability disappeared in all cases but one, being this fact prolapse-correction dependent, so that pelvic prolapse correction plays a decisive role. De novo bladder instability is uncommon (3.9%) and appears randomly in this series.