Comparison between use of a pleural drainage system with flutter valve and a conventional water-seal drainage system after lung resection: a randomized prospective study.

BACKGROUND: There is still a debate regarding the most appropriate pleural collector model to ensure a short hospital stay and minimum complications. OBJECTIVES: To study aimed to compare the time of air leak, time to drain removal, and length of hospital stay between a standard water-seal drainage system and a pleural collector system with a unidirectional flutter valve and rigid chamber. DESIGN AND SETTING: A randomized prospective clinical trial was conducted at a high-complexity hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: Sixty-three patients who underwent open or video-assisted thoracoscopic lung wedge resection or lobectomy were randomized into two groups, according to the drainage system used: the control group (WS), which used a conventional water-seal pleural collector, and the study group (V), which used a flutter valve device (Sinapi® Model XL1000®). Variables related to the drainage system, time of air leak, time to drain removal, and time spent in hospital were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Most patients (63%) had lung cancer. No differences were observed between the groups in the time of air leak or time spent hospitalized. The time to drain removal was slightly shorter in the V group; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Seven patients presented with surgery-related complications: five and two in the WS and V groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Air leak, time to drain removal, and time spent in the hospital were similar between the groups. The system used in the V group resulted in no adverse events and was safe. REGISTRATION: RBR-85qq6jc (https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-85qq6jc).

Lung cancer screening in Brazil: recommendations from the Brazilian Society of Thoracic Surgery, Brazilian Thoracic Association, and Brazilian College of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging.

Although lung cancer (LC) is one of the most common and lethal tumors, only 15% of patients are diagnosed at an early stage. Smoking is still responsible for more than 85% of cases. Lung cancer screening (LCS) with low-dose CT (LDCT) reduces LC-related mortality by 20%, and that reduction reaches 38% when LCS by LDCT is combined with smoking cessation. In the last decade, a number of countries have adopted population-based LCS as a public health recommendation. Albeit still incipient, discussion on this topic in Brazil is becoming increasingly broad and necessary. With the aim of increasing knowledge and stimulating debate on LCS, the Brazilian Society of Thoracic Surgery, the Brazilian Thoracic Association, and the Brazilian College of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging convened a panel of experts to prepare recommendations for LCS in Brazil. The recommendations presented here were based on a narrative review of the literature, with an emphasis on large population-based studies, systematic reviews, and the recommendations of international guidelines, and were developed after extensive discussion by the panel of experts. The following topics were reviewed: reasons for screening; general considerations about smoking; epidemiology of LC; eligibility criteria; incidental findings; granulomatous lesions; probabilistic models; minimum requirements for LDCT; volumetric acquisition; risks of screening; minimum structure and role of the multidisciplinary team; practice according to the Lung CT Screening Reporting and Data System; costs versus benefits of screening; and future perspectives for LCS.

Lung cancer screening in Brazil: recommendations from the Brazilian Society of Thoracic Surgery, Brazilian Thoracic Association, and Brazilian College of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging / Recomendações da Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia Torácica, Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia e Colégio Brasileiro de Radiologia e Diagnóstico por Imagem para o rastreamento do câncer de pulmão no Brasil

ABSTRACT Although lung cancer (LC) is one of the most common and lethal tumors, only 15% of patients are diagnosed at an early stage. Smoking is still responsible for more than 85% of cases. Lung cancer screening (LCS) with low-dose CT (LDCT) reduces LC-related mortality by 20%, and that reduction reaches 38% when LCS by LDCT is combined with smoking cessation. In the last decade, a number of countries have adopted population-based LCS as a public health recommendation. Albeit still incipient, discussion on this topic in Brazil is becoming increasingly broad and necessary. With the aim of increasing knowledge and stimulating debate on LCS, the Brazilian Society of Thoracic Surgery, the Brazilian Thoracic Association, and the Brazilian College of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging convened a panel of experts to prepare recommendations for LCS in Brazil. The recommendations presented here were based on a narrative review of the literature, with an emphasis on large population-based studies, systematic reviews, and the recommendations of international guidelines, and were developed after extensive discussion by the panel of experts. The following topics were reviewed: reasons for screening; general considerations about smoking; epidemiology of LC; eligibility criteria; incidental findings; granulomatous lesions; probabilistic models; minimum requirements for LDCT; volumetric acquisition; risks of screening; minimum structure and role of the multidisciplinary team; practice according to the Lung CT Screening Reporting and Data System; costs versus benefits of screening; and future perspectives for LCS.

RESUMO O câncer de pulmão (CP) é uma das neoplasias mais comuns e letais no Brasil, e apenas 15% dos pacientes são diagnosticados nos estágios iniciais. O tabagismo persiste como o responsável por mais de 85% de todos os casos. O rastreamento do CP (RCP) por meio da TC de baixa dosagem de radiação (TCBD) reduz a mortalidade do CP em 20%, e, quando combinado com a cessação do tabagismo, essa redução chega a 38%. Na última década, diversos países adotaram o RCP como recomendação de saúde populacional. No Brasil, embora ainda incipiente, a discussão sobre o tema é cada vez mais ampla e necessária. Com o intuito de aumentar o conhecimento e estimular o debate sobre o RCP, a Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia Torácica, a Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia e o Colégio Brasileiro de Radiologia e Diagnóstico por Imagem constituíram um painel de especialistas para elaborar as recomendações para o RCP. As recomendações aqui apresentadas foram baseadas em revisão narrativa da literatura, com ênfase em grandes estudos populacionais, em revisões sistemáticas e em recomendações de diretrizes internacionais, sendo construídas após ampla discussão pelo grupo de especialistas. Os temas revisados foram os seguintes: porque rastrear, considerações gerais sobre tabagismo, epidemiologia do CP, critérios de elegibilidade, achados incidentais, lesões granulomatosas, modelos probabilísticos, requisitos mínimos da TCBD, aquisições volumétricas, riscos do rastreamento, estrutura mínima e papel da equipe multidisciplinar, conduta segundo o Lung CT Screening Reporting and Data System (Lung-RADS), custos vs. benefícios e perspectivas do rastreamento.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the decrease in the use of intensive care units in the postoperative period of anatomic lung resections. A retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVE: COVID-19 pandemic required optimization of hospital institutional flow, especially regarding the use of intensive care unit (ICU) beds. The aim of this study was to assess whether the individualization of the indication for postoperative recovery from pulmonary surgery in ICU beds was associated with more perioperative complications. METHOD: retrospective analysis of medical records of patients undergoing anatomic lung resections for cancer in a tertiary hospital. The sample was divided into: Group-I, composed of surgeries performed between March/2019 and February/2020, pre-pandemic, and Group-II, composed of surgeries performed between March/2020 and February/2021, pandemic period in Brazil. We analyzed demographic data, surgical risks, surgeries performed, postoperative complications, length of stay in the ICU and hospital stay. Preventive measures of COVID-19 were adopted in group-II. RESULTS: 43 patients were included, 20 in group-I and 23 in group-II. The groups did not show statistical differences regarding baseline demographic variables. In group-I, 80% of the patients underwent a postoperative period in the ICU, compared to 21% in group-II. There was a significant difference when comparing the average length of stay in an ICU bed (46 hours in group-I versus 14 hours in group-II - p<0.001). There was no statistical difference regarding postoperative complications (p=0.44). CONCLUSIONS: the individualization of the need for ICU use in the immediate postoperative period resulted in an improvement in the institutional care flow during the COVID-19 pandemic, in a safe way, without an increase in surgical morbidity and mortality, favoring the maintenance of essential cancer treatment.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the decrease in the use of intensive care units in the postoperative period of anatomic lung resections. A retrospective analysis / O impacto da Pandemia de COVID-19 na diminuição do uso de Unidade de Terapia Intensiva em pós-operatório de ressecções pulmonares anatômicas. Uma análise retrospectiva

ABSTRACT Objective: COVID-19 pandemic required optimization of hospital institutional flow, especially regarding the use of intensive care unit (ICU) beds. The aim of this study was to assess whether the individualization of the indication for postoperative recovery from pulmonary surgery in ICU beds was associated with more perioperative complications. Method: retrospective analysis of medical records of patients undergoing anatomic lung resections for cancer in a tertiary hospital. The sample was divided into: Group-I, composed of surgeries performed between March/2019 and February/2020, pre-pandemic, and Group-II, composed of surgeries performed between March/2020 and February/2021, pandemic period in Brazil. We analyzed demographic data, surgical risks, surgeries performed, postoperative complications, length of stay in the ICU and hospital stay. Preventive measures of COVID-19 were adopted in group-II. Results: 43 patients were included, 20 in group-I and 23 in group-II. The groups did not show statistical differences regarding baseline demographic variables. In group-I, 80% of the patients underwent a postoperative period in the ICU, compared to 21% in group-II. There was a significant difference when comparing the average length of stay in an ICU bed (46 hours in group-I versus 14 hours in group-II - p<0.001). There was no statistical difference regarding postoperative complications (p=0.44). Conclusions: the individualization of the need for ICU use in the immediate postoperative period resulted in an improvement in the institutional care flow during the COVID-19 pandemic, in a safe way, without an increase in surgical morbidity and mortality, favoring the maintenance of essential cancer treatment.

RESUMO Introdução: a pandemia de COVID-19 exigiu otimização dos fluxos institucionais hospitalares, especialmente quanto ao uso de leitos de unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI). O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar se a individualização da indicação de recuperação pós-operatória de cirurgias pulmonares em leitos de UTI associou-se a mais complicações perioperatórias. Método: análise retrospectiva de prontuários dos pacientes submetidos a ressecções pulmonares anatômicas por câncer em hospital terciário. A amostra foi dividida em dois grupos: Grupo-I, composto pelas cirurgias realizadas entre março/2019 e fevereiro/2020, pré-pandemia, e Grupo-II, composto pelas cirurgias realizadas entre março/2020 e fevereiro/2021, período de pandemia no Brasil. Analisamos dados demográficos, riscos cirúrgicos, cirurgias realizadas, complicações pós-operatórias, tempo de UTI e de internação hospitalar. Foram adotadas medidas preventivas de COVID-19 no grupo-II. Resultados: foram incluídos 43 pacientes, 20 no grupo-I e 23 no grupo-II. Os grupos não apresentaram diferenças estatísticas quanto às variáveis demográficas basais. No grupo-I 80% dos pacientes fizeram pós-operatório em UTI, comparados a 21% do grupo-II. Houve diferença significativa na comparação de tempo médio de permanência em leito de UTI (46 horas no grupo-I versus 14 horas no grupo-II - p<0,001). Não houve diferença estatística quanto a complicações pós-operatórias entre grupos (p=0,44). Conclusões: a individualização da necessidade do uso de UTI no pós-operatório imediato de cirurgias pulmonares resultou em melhora no fluxo assistencial institucional durante a pandemia de COVID-19, de maneira segura, sem aumento na morbimortalidade cirúrgica, favorecendo a manutenção do tratamento oncológico essencial.

Computed Tomography-Guided Percutaneous Thoracic Duct Sclero-Embolization for Persistent Chylothorax.

Postoperative chylous leak is often a consequence of thoracic duct injury during surgical procedures. Persistent chylothorax can be an extremely morbid condition. The authors describe a case of a refractory and long-standing chylous leak after thoracotomy for mediastinal lymphangioma removal. The patient was treated with a computed tomography-guided percutaneous thoracic duct sclero-embolization after failure of the conventional therapies. The chest tube output abruptly decreased after the procedure and was removed at 13th day. Percutaneous thoracic duct sclero-embolization proved to be safe and effective in the treatment of a persistent chylothorax.

Anatomic pulmonary resection by video-assisted thoracoscopy: the Brazilian experience (VATS Brazil study).

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe the results of anatomic pulmonary resections performed by video-assisted thoracoscopy in Brazil. METHODS: Thoracic surgeons (members of the Brazilian Society of Thoracic Surgery) were invited, via e-mail, to participate in the study. Eighteen surgeons participated in the project by providing us with retrospective databases containing information related to anatomic pulmonary resections performed by video-assisted thoracoscopy. Demographic, surgical, and postoperative data were collected with a standardized instrument, after which they were compiled and analyzed. RESULTS: The surgeons provided data related to a collective total of 786 patients (mean number of resections per surgeon, 43.6). However, 137 patients were excluded because some data were missing. Therefore, the study sample comprised 649 patients. The mean age of the patients was 61.7 years. Of the 649 patients, 295 (45.5%) were male. The majority-521 (89.8%)-had undergone surgery for neoplasia, which was most often classified as stage IA. The median duration of pleural drainage was 3 days, and the median hospital stay was 4 days. Of the 649 procedures evaluated, 598 (91.2%) were lobectomies. Conversion to thoracotomy was necessary in 30 cases (4.6%). Postoperative complications occurred in 124 patients (19.1%), the most common complications being pneumonia, prolonged air leaks, and atelectasis. The 30-day mortality rate was 2.0%, advanced age and diabetes being found to be predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis of this representative sample of patients undergoing pulmonary resection by video-assisted thoracoscopy in Brazil showed that the procedure is practicable and safe, as well as being comparable to those performed in other countries. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever os resultados de ressecções pulmonares anatômicas por videotoracoscopia no Brasil. MÉTODOS: Cirurgiões torácicos (membros da Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia Torácica) foram convidados, por correio eletrônico, a participar do estudo. Dezoito cirurgiões participaram do projeto enviando seus bancos de dados retrospectivos referentes a ressecções anatômicas de pulmão por videotoracoscopia. Dados demográficos, cirúrgicos e pós-operatórios foram coletados em um instrumento padronizado e posteriormente compilados e analisados. RESULTADOS: Dados referentes a 786 pacientes foram encaminhados (média de 43,6 ressecções por cirurgião), sendo 137 excluídos por informações incompletas. Logo, 649 pacientes constituíram nossa população estudada. A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 61,7 anos, 295 eram homens (45,5%), e a maioria - 521 (89,8%) - foi submetida à cirurgia por neoplasia, mais frequentemente classificada como estádio IA. A mediana do tempo de drenagem pleural foi de 3 dias, e a do tempo de internação, 4 dias. Dos 649 procedimentos realizados, 598 (91,2%) foram lobectomias. A taxa de conversão para toracotomia foi de 4,6% (30 casos). Complicações pós-operatórias ocorreram em 124 pacientes (19,1%), sendo pneumonia, escape aéreo prolongado e atelectasia as mais frequentes. A mortalidade em 30 dias foi de 2,0%, tendo como preditores idade avançada e diabetes. CONCLUSÕES: A casuística brasileira mostra que as ressecções pulmonares por cirurgia torácica videoassistida são factíveis e seguras, além de comparáveis àquelas de registros internacionais.

Anatomic pulmonary resection by video-assisted thoracoscopy: the Brazilian experience (VATS Brazil study) / Ressecção pulmonar anatômica por videotoracoscopia: experiência brasileira (VATS Brasil)

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the results of anatomic pulmonary resections performed by video-assisted thoracoscopy in Brazil. Methods: Thoracic surgeons (members of the Brazilian Society of Thoracic Surgery) were invited, via e-mail, to participate in the study. Eighteen surgeons participated in the project by providing us with retrospective databases containing information related to anatomic pulmonary resections performed by video-assisted thoracoscopy. Demographic, surgical, and postoperative data were collected with a standardized instrument, after which they were compiled and analyzed. Results: The surgeons provided data related to a collective total of 786 patients (mean number of resections per surgeon, 43.6). However, 137 patients were excluded because some data were missing. Therefore, the study sample comprised 649 patients. The mean age of the patients was 61.7 years. Of the 649 patients, 295 (45.5%) were male. The majority-521 (89.8%)-had undergone surgery for neoplasia, which was most often classified as stage IA. The median duration of pleural drainage was 3 days, and the median hospital stay was 4 days. Of the 649 procedures evaluated, 598 (91.2%) were lobectomies. Conversion to thoracotomy was necessary in 30 cases (4.6%). Postoperative complications occurred in 124 patients (19.1%), the most common complications being pneumonia, prolonged air leaks, and atelectasis. The 30-day mortality rate was 2.0%, advanced age and diabetes being found to be predictors of mortality. Conclusions: Our analysis of this representative sample of patients undergoing pulmonary resection by video-assisted thoracoscopy in Brazil showed that the procedure is practicable and safe, as well as being comparable to those performed in other countries.

RESUMO Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever os resultados de ressecções pulmonares anatômicas por videotoracoscopia no Brasil. Métodos: Cirurgiões torácicos (membros da Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia Torácica) foram convidados, por correio eletrônico, a participar do estudo. Dezoito cirurgiões participaram do projeto enviando seus bancos de dados retrospectivos referentes a ressecções anatômicas de pulmão por videotoracoscopia. Dados demográficos, cirúrgicos e pós-operatórios foram coletados em um instrumento padronizado e posteriormente compilados e analisados. Resultados: Dados referentes a 786 pacientes foram encaminhados (média de 43,6 ressecções por cirurgião), sendo 137 excluídos por informações incompletas. Logo, 649 pacientes constituíram nossa população estudada. A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 61,7 anos, 295 eram homens (45,5%), e a maioria - 521 (89,8%) - foi submetida à cirurgia por neoplasia, mais frequentemente classificada como estádio IA. A mediana do tempo de drenagem pleural foi de 3 dias, e a do tempo de internação, 4 dias. Dos 649 procedimentos realizados, 598 (91,2%) foram lobectomias. A taxa de conversão para toracotomia foi de 4,6% (30 casos). Complicações pós-operatórias ocorreram em 124 pacientes (19,1%), sendo pneumonia, escape aéreo prolongado e atelectasia as mais frequentes. A mortalidade em 30 dias foi de 2,0%, tendo como preditores idade avançada e diabetes. Conclusões: A casuística brasileira mostra que as ressecções pulmonares por cirurgia torácica videoassistida são factíveis e seguras, além de comparáveis àquelas de registros internacionais.

Do Current Lung Cancer Screening Guidelines Apply for Populations With High Prevalence of Granulomatous Disease? Results From the First Brazilian Lung Cancer Screening Trial (BRELT1).

BACKGROUND: Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening for lung cancer has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing cancer mortality. However, these studies have not been undertaken in countries where the incidence of granulomatous disease is high. The First Brazilian Lung Cancer Screening Trial (BRELT1) has completed initial accrual and is now in the follow-up phase. We present results from the initial prevalence round of screening. METHODS: The inclusion criteria were the same as those for the National Lung Cancer Screening Trial (NLST). Pulmonary nodules larger than 4 mm were considered positive and required evaluation by a multidisciplinary team. Indeterminate nodules were evaluated with fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) or biopsy when indicated. Statistical analysis was performed with Fisher's exact test to compare our positive findings with those of the NLST. RESULTS: From January 2013 to July 2014, 790 participants were enrolled. Positive LDCT scans were reported in 312 (39.4%) participants, with a total of 552 nodules larger than 4 mm. The comparison between positive findings in the NLST (7,191 of 26,722 cases) and those in the BRELT1 (312 of 790 cases) showed a significant difference (p < 0.001). The positive predictive value was lower in BRELT1 than in the NLST (3.2% versus 3.8%, respectively). Follow-up imaging was indicated in 278 of 312 (89.1%) participants; 35 procedures were performed in 25 participants. In 15 cases, benign lesions were diagnosed. Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was diagnosed in 10 patients (prevalence of 1.3%). In 8 patients (stage IA/IB disease), treatment was by resection only, in 1 patient neoadjuvant chemotherapy was used (stage IIIA), and in 1 patient advanced disease was diagnosed (stage IV). CONCLUSIONS: Using NSLT criteria, a larger number of patients had positive scans (nodules), compared with previous lung cancer screening studies. However, the number of participants requiring surgical biopsy procedures and who were ultimately identified as having cancer was similar to other reports. This supports the role of screening in patient populations with a high incidence of granulomatous inflammation.

Síndrome do desfiladeiro torácico - ressecção de costela cervical por videotoracoscopia / Thoracic outlet syndrome - cervical rib resection through videothoracoscopic surgery

A base do tratamento cirúrgico da Síndrome do Desfiladeiro Torácico (SDT) é a ressecção da primeira costela, podendo associar-se à escalenectomia ou ainda à ressecção de costela cervical. Esta última é feita tradicionalmente por meio de um acesso supraclavicular ou mesmo axilar, o qual é tecnicamente mais trabalhoso. Pode ser realizada também por meio de acesso paraescapular. Embora tecnicamente atrativa e associada à menor invasividade e maior segurança, com ótimo resultado estético, a ressecção da primeira costela torácica, por intermédio de cirurgia videoassistida transaxilar ou pela técnica videotoracoscópica, é pouco relatada na literatura, e nenhuma referência foi encontrada sobre ressecção de costela cervical mediante essa técnica. Neste artigo, apresentamos essa inovação cirúrgica realizada com sucesso para ressecção de costela cervical em duas pacientes.

The basis of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) surgical treatment is the first rib resection and may be associated with scalenectomy or cervical rib resection. The latter is traditionally done through a supraclavicular or axillary access, which is the most technically challenging. It can also be achieved through parascapular access. Although technically attractive and associated with less invasiveness and increased security, with excellent aesthetic results, the first thoracic rib resection via video-assisted transaxillary surgery or videothoracoscopic technique is seldom reported in the literature, and no reference was found on cervical rib resection through this technique. In this article, we introduced this innovation successfully performed for surgical cervical rib resection in two patients.

Abordagem terapêutica dos projéteis retidos no coração / Management of bullets lodged in the heart

Paciente do sexo masculino, 29 anos, apresentando ferimento por arma de fogo, com projétil alojado no coração e que chegou ao hospital hemodinamicamente estável. O diagnóstico, evidenciando a localização da bala, foi feito pelo ecocardiograma transesofágico(ET). Após 18 dias, foi submetido a cirurgia eletiva, sem circulação extracorpórea(CEC), para retirada do projétil encravado em parede anterior do ventrículo direito(VD) e septo interventricular(SIV), com sucesso. Os autores discutem a conduta terapêutica para os projéteis retidos no coração, com base na literatura consultada, concluindo que a cirurgia para remoção dos mesmos pode ser indicada em pacientes assintomáticos individualizados

Spontaneous rupture of the esophagus: report of two cases

Objetive - To study the diagnosis, prognosis and management of spontaneous rupture of the esophagus. Design: This is a retrospective study through the analysis of two cases with delayed diagnosis and subsequent treatment at the Track Surgery Service. Locale: The study was performed at the Thoracic Surgery Unit of the Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual Francisco Morato de Oliveira in the city of Sao Paulo. This is a specialized service. Participants: The two patients reported on had suffered spontaneous rupture of the esophagus. They were transferred to the Thoracic Surgery Unit because of the worsening of their condition in the previous institution which they had been admitted into. Measurement: The two patients with esophagus pleural fistula received similar treatment, initially advocated by Kanashin in Russia and Hauer-Santos in the United States, which consists of washing the fistula and using continous pleural aspiration. Results: Although both patients had to spend a long period of time in hospital, their evolution was satisfactory with the treatment adopted, and the fistulla closed. Conclusion: The authors conclude that the method of lavage of the mediastinum and continuous pleural aspiration, in patients who after spontaneous rupture of the esophagus developed a pleural esophagus fistula due to belated diagnosis, is an alternative and satisfactory therapy. Furthermore, in order to have the best outcome, an early diagnosis is recommended and thoracostomy as the surgical procedure, with primary suture.

Thoracoscopic surgery in Brazil an overview

The video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) was introduced in Brazil in 1992 by LOSSO, GHEFTER and IMAEDA. Since its advent up to November 1994, 488 patients have been submitted to 497 VATS procedures in four Medical Centers of Säo Paulo city. The indications for the procedures were: lung diseases in 244 patients (50,0 percent), pleural diseases in 155 patients (31,7 percent), thoracic traumas in 42 patients (8,6 percent), mediastinal diseases in 35 patients (7,1 percent), cardiovascular diseases in 7 patients (1,4 percent), chest wall diseases in 3 patients (0,6 percent and esophageal diseases in patients (0,4 percent). Int her group of lung disease the most commonly used procedures were the lung biopsy in order to diagnose diffuse pulmonary disease and the indeterminate solitary nodule resection. Among the occurrences of pleural diseases, the most commonly used procedures were the pleurodesis with tale (tale poudrage) for the treatment of recurrent pleural effusion, the driven pleura biopsy and debridment or decortication of trapped lung in cases of pleural empyema. Concerning the mediastinal diseases, the pathology which was most frequently treated by VATS was the recurrent pericardic effusion through pericardiectomy. Among the patients presenting chest traumatic diseases, the WATS was used to explore thoracoabdominal penetrating injuries, to control bleeding, to remove elotted hemothorax, to suture diaphragm lesions and to remove intrapleural foreign bodies. Out of 497 procedures, there were 28 convertions to thoracotomy (5,7 por cento) and two deaths occurred all over the cases. The complications, limitations and growth related to this method as well as as overview of the VATS in Brazil will be presented

Lobectomia pulmonar vídeo-assistida: uma alternativa minimizante invasiva na cirurgia torácica para ressecçäo pulmonar / Video-assisted pumonary lobectomy: a minimally invasive apoproach to pulmonary resection

Uma lobectomia pulmonar vídeo-assistida com amostragem linfonodal mediastinal foi realizada em doente paortadora de adenocarcinoma primário de pulmäo, variante bronquíolo-alveolar. A doente era portadora de nódulo pulmonar solitário indeterminado, de localizaçäo periférica, no lobo inferior do pulmäo direito, o qual foi ressecado em cunha através de cirurgia torácica vídeo-assistida (CTVA). Em funçäo do resultado do exame histopatológico de congelaçäo (maligno: adenocarcinoma), a operaçäo foi ampliada para lobectomia inferior direita, tendo sido realizada por abordagem vídeo-assistida. Realizou-se o estadiamento intra-operatório, durante todos os tempos da ressecçäo lobar, por amostragem linfonodal hilar e mediatinal. Todos os linfonodos examinados se encontravam livres de comprometimentos neoplásicos. Näo houve complicaçöes no intra-operatório e a evoluçäo pós-operatória foi sem intercorrências. O estadiamento oncológico no pós-operatório definiu o quadro como adenocarcinoma pulmonar (variante bronquíolo-alveolar) estádio I, pT1NOMO**(1). A paciente se encontra em acompanhamento há um ano, sem sinais de recidiva da doença

Cirurgia torácica video-assistida: nova alternativa cirúrgica no tratamento de doenças torácicas / Video-assisted thoracic surgery: a new surgical alternative for the tretment of thoracic diseases

Visando analisar prospectivamente a precisäo e segurança desta nova abordagem operatória, foram estudados 53 doentes submetidos à cirurgia torácica vídeo-assistida, para diagnóstico (22 doentes; 41,4 por cento), para tratamento (22 doentes; 41,4 por cento) e ambos (9 doentes; 17,2 por cento). O rendimento diagnóstico e os resultados terapêuticos obtidos foram de 100 por cento no seguimento pós-operatório de até 540 dias. A cirurgia torácica vídeo-assistida - videopleuroscopia - é um procedimento cirúrgico minimamente invasivo, com grande segurança facilitada por excelentes condiçöes de visäo, com rápida recuperaçäo dos doentes e ótimo rendimento diagnóstico e terapêutico

Mediastinitis after cervical suppuration

The objective of this study is to decode the etiopathogenesis, the clinical feature, the diagnosis and the prognosis of the acute mediastinitis resulting of infectious processes of the cephalic segment. Three out of five patients studied presented focus of dental origin and two patients presented focus in the face area. One of them presented Ludwig's Angina before the suppurative process would spread over the mediastinum. In the others, there was fast expansion through the fascial spaces of the neck and, in two of them, besides the mediastinum, there was pleuropericardial involvement. Three patients died due to respiratory insufficiency and two survived with complications. The mediastinitis after cervical suppuration is a special and extremely serious kind of endothoracic infection. The pus reaches that area through the fascial spaces of the neck, taking the organism to an alarming toxemic feature. The rarity of the disease, the little is known about its physiopathology and the initial care of the patient in non-specialized services, which are not familiarized with this type of feature, are factors that can delay the diagnosis and worsen the prognosis