Osteo-cartilaginous pain syndromes at the chest wall: results of costal cartilage excision.

Background: Various pathologies of the lower ribs may lead to potentially severe pain in a heterogenous group of patients. Costal cartilage excision (CCE) has been shown to result in durable pain relief in some patients. Even though literature is scarce, we reviewed our experience with surgically treated osteo-cartilaginous pain syndromes (OCPSs) of the chest wall. Methods: We performed a retrospective case series from two institutions including patients operated for OCPS from 2014 to 2022. Results: Our case series consists of 11 patients (72.7% female) with OCPS that were treated by CCE. The median age was 43.5±17.1 years. Body mass index (BMI) was 23.6±3.4 kg/m2 (range, 18.5-29.6). The interval between first symptoms and diagnosis was 2.6 years (range, 3-127). In 5 patients, symptoms started after preceding chest wall trauma. All but one case were unilateral with no significant predominance regarding the side (6 left/4 right/1 bilateral). Postoperative length of hospital stay was 2.3±0.6 days. There was no patient morbidity or mortality. At follow-up, OCPS related pain had ceased in 7 of 9 patients (78%). Two patients stated to have significantly less pain and two patients didn't have a follow-up. Conclusions: Our analysis indicates that CCE in OCPS is safe and has good long-term results.

The GermAn Laser Lead Extraction RegistrY: GALLERY.

AIMS: The GermAn Laser Lead Extraction RegistrY: GALLERY is a retrospective, national multicentre registry, investigating the safety and efficacy of laser lead extraction procedures in Germany. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-four German centres that are performing laser lead extraction have participated in the registry. All patients, treated with a laser lead extraction procedure between January 2013 and March 2017, were consecutively enrolled. Safety and efficacy of laser lead extraction were investigated. A total number of 2524 consecutive patients with 6117 leads were included into the registry. 5499 leads with a median lead dwell time of 96 (62-141) months were treated. The mean number of treated leads per patient was 2.18 ± 1.02. The clinical procedural success rate was 97.86% and the complete lead removal was observed in 94.85%. Additional extraction tools were used in 6.65% of cases. The rate of procedural failure was 2.14% with lead age ≥10 years being its only predictor. The overall complication rate was 4.32%, including 2.06% major and 2.26% minor complications. Procedure-related mortality was 0.55%. Female sex and the presence of abandoned leads were predictors for procedure-related complications. The all-cause in-hospital mortality was 3.56% with systemic infection being the strongest predictor, followed by age ≥75 years and chronic kidney disease. CONCLUSION: In the GALLERY, a high success- and low procedure-related complication rates have been demonstrated. In multivariate analysis, female sex and the presence of abandoned leads were predictors for procedure-related complications, while the presence of systemic infection, age ≥75 years, and chronic kidney disease were independent predictors for all-cause mortality.

Monitoring excimer laser-guided cardiac lead extractions by uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopy: A single center experience.

BACKGROUND: Though laser guided extractions of cardiac implantable electronic devices leads have become a routine procedure, the severe complications are associated with a high mortality. Here, we report our single center experience using uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopy for laser lead extraction and compare it to stand-alone laser lead extraction. METHODS: The intraoperative data and postoperative clinical outcomes of patients undergoing laser lead extraction with concomitant thoracoscopy (N = 28) or without (N = 43) in our institution were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Neither the median x-ray time (612.0 s for the thoracoscopy group vs. 495.5 s for the non-thoracoscopy group, p = 0.962), length of the operation (112.5 vs. 100.0 min, p = 0.676) or the median length of hospital stay (9.0 vs. 10.0 days, p = 0.990) differed significantly. The mean intensive care unit stay was longer for patients in the non-thoracoscopy group (0.8 vs. 2.5 days, p = 0.005). The 30-day-mortality in the thoracoscopy group was zero, whereas five patients died in the non-thoracoscopy group. Furthermore, four patients in the non-thoracoscopy group had encountered haemothorax, while none were observed in the thoracoscopy group (p = 0.148). CONCLUSIONS: The adoption of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopy during laser-guided lead extraction of cardiac implantable electronic devices can be considered safe and does not lengthen the operating time or hospital stay. It might be useful in the detection of severe complications and, in experienced hands, possibly allow direct bleeding control.

[The Patient with Chest Trauma: Surgical Management]. / Der Patient mit Thoraxtrauma: chirurgische Versorgung.

Even though isolated cases of penetrating chest wounds are exceptionally rare in Germany, chest trauma accounts for major morbidity and mortality in over 18 0000 multitrauma patients encountered every year. Injuries range from immediately fatal cardiac wounds and major vessel lacerations to intercostal bleeding, parenchymal damage, chronic haematothorax and secondary empyema. Placement of large-bore chest tubes constitutes a sufficient treatment for most of these pathologies. In select cases further treatment either by minimally invasive techniques (VATS) or conventional thoracotomy is warranted.

A Novel Video-Assisted Approach to Excimer Laser-Guided Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices Lead Extraction.

OBJECTIVE: Even though roughly 90% of all implanted cardiac implantable electronic devices leads can be removed through conventional techniques, presence of large vegetations or thrombi, fractured leads, previous failed extraction, or long duration from implantation often impede classical transvenous extraction. In these cases, laser-assisted procedures represent a highly successful alternative and have a low procedural complication rate with major adverse events in less than 2% of cases. Unfortunately, most encountered complications are potentially fatal, which prompted us to develop a novel approach that adds additional safety measures by allowing for real-time intrathoracic visualization and intervention. METHODS: Five consecutive patients classified as high-risk patients received concomitant laser sheet extraction and right-sided uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery for real-time intrathoracic visualization. RESULTS: Complete extraction was achieved in all cases without observing major intraoperative events, and on-table extubation was feasible in all cases. No chest tube-associated or incision-related complications were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant laser sheet extraction and video-assisted thoracoscopy are feasible and may offer benefits in high-risk patients. Further studies to document the actual safety and clinical value of our procedure are warranted.

Chest tube management: state of the art.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Chest tube protocols are still largely dictated by personal preferences and experience. A general lack of published evidence encourages individual decision-making and hinders the development of clear-cut guidelines. The aim of this review is to establish standardized procedures with recommendations for size and number of inserted tubes, ideal suction levels and duration of thoracostomy. RECENT FINDINGS: Novel digital drainage systems markedly reduce interobserver variability in air leak assessment and may thus shorten chest tube duration and overall hospital stay. Paired with a more aggressive stance that allows chest tube removal even with secretion quantities of 500 ml/day, new protocols need to be established. SUMMARY: Thoracic procedures are heterogeneous and postsurgical requirements vary in accordance. Most resections will not require more than one large bore (≥20F) catheter and will benefit from postoperative active suction. Even though only moderate-quality evidence suggests that suction reduces incidence of pneumothorax if compared to water seal and its effects on prolonged air leak are controversial, recent studies encourage application of active suction. Removal of chest tubes appears to be well tolerated even with a secretion of above 450 ml/day.

Pacing of Bachmann's bundle after coronary artery bypass grafting.

The purpose of this randomized, prospective trial was to determine if Bachmann's bundle pacing reduces the incidence of AF after CABG. The study included 161 patients with no history of AF who were randomized to three groups. Group 1 included 50 patients as controls. Group 2 included 60 patients who had an epicardial wire placed at the lateral wall of the right atrium. In the 51 patients of group 3, the wire was placed at the Bachmann's bundle. In groups 2 and 3, atrial pacing (AAI 96 beats/min) was initiated immediately after CABG and continued for 5 days. The study endpoint was AF lasting > or = 1 minute. Baseline clinical parameters were similar in all three groups. The incidence of AF was not reduced by pacing (group 1: 42%; group 2:48%; group 3:37%; P = NS). The paced P wave duration was increased in group 2 (129 +/- 14 ms vs group 3: 96 +/- 21 ms; P < 0.05). Paced P wave duration was a risk factor for postoperative AF (odds ratio 1.015; 95% CI 1.0021-1.028; P < 0.05). Analysis comparing the pacing groups revealed a reduction in AF during Bachmann's bundle pacing (50 vs 29%; P < 0.01). Pacing thresholds were significantly better at Bachmann's bundle compared to group 2. In conclusion, an anatomically guided pacing at the Bachmann's bundle does not reduce the overall incidence of postoperative AF compared to controls. However, the Bachmann's bundle offers favorable capabilities for postoperative a trial pacing, and thus it is a preferable site for electrode placement if postoperative atrial pacing is required.