Lobectomy Versus Sublobar Resection in Simultaneous Bilateral Thoracoscopic Lung Resection.

BACKGROUND: Simultaneous bilateral thoracoscopic lung resection (SBTLR) has been shown to be a feasible and efficacious approach for a wide range of pulmonary conditions. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of different procedures on surgical outcomes in patients receiving SBTLR. METHODS: Between 2012 and 2021, 207 patients with bilateral lung neoplasms who underwent SBTLR were retrospectively reviewed. Fifty-one patients received ipsilateral plus contralateral lobectomy or sublobectomy (lobar group), whilst 156 patients received bilateral sublobectomy (sublobar group). Propensity scores were calculated and matched. Perioperative and clinicopathologic outcomes were compared. RESULTS: The lobar group had a greater mean age (64.5 vs. 60.0 years, p = 0.008), longer operative time (254 vs. 205 min, p < 0.001), and more blood loss (74 vs. 46 ml, p < 0.001). The sublobar group had fewer complications (6.4 vs. 19.6%, p = 0.006), shorter hospital stay (4.8 vs. 7.4 days, p < 0.001), and lower hospital costs (p = 0.03). Among 50 pairs of matched groups, significant differences were found only in operative time, hospital stay, and costs. Maximum tumor size and pathological features differed significantly before and after matching (all p < 0.05), with the lobar group consistently demonstrating a larger main tumor (median, 2.5 cm) and a higher percentage of primary lung cancer (84%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a longer operative time was the factor associated with more complications (OR: 1.01; 95% CI 1.00-1.02, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: With regard to SBTLR, our data suggests that sublobectomy may reduce the prolonged recovery, hospital costs, and complications incurred by lobectomy, without compromising oncological outcomes.

Incremental change in acute esophageal necrosis: report of two cases.

Acute esophageal necrosis, also called "black esophagus" because of its characteristic appearance on endoscopy, is a life-threatening disease; however, its temporal evolution on endoscopy is not well understood. We describe the serial changes in acute esophageal necrosis in two patients, who underwent four upper endoscopic examinations each. Serial endoscopy demonstrated progressive necrosis extending from the lower esophagus proximally to involve the middle or upper thoracic esophagus in both patients. The first patient was treated with transhiatal esophagectomy, followed by esophageal reconstruction, and medical control of repeated duodenal ulcer bleeding. The second patient died of esophageal perforation, as a complication of Sengstaken-Blakemore tube stent placement to control esophageal bleeding. We report these cases to demonstrate the importance of early detection and prompt surgical treatment of acute esophageal necrosis.

Simple pyloroplasty using a linear stapler in surgery for esophageal cancer.

This article describes a simple pyloroplasty procedure using a linear stapler in surgery for esophageal cancer. Simple pyloroplasty was carried out using a linear stapler in a total of 22 patients, whose stomachs were used as esophageal substitutes in the surgery for esophageal cancer. Endoscopy was performed and the pyloric diameter was measured perioperatively. A barium meal study was conducted 1 month after the surgery. Stapling enlarged the diameter of the pylorus by nearly 10 %. Endoscopy revealed a smooth inner surface of the pylorus, enlargement of pyloric channel, and fewer spasms of the pylorus at the 1-month follow-up. Postoperative barium meal studies showed good patency of all of the patients' gastric outlets. Simple pyloroplasty is a time-saving and non-soiling technique used to perform the drainage of the gastric conduit for resection of esophageal cancer.

Risk factor analysis of postoperative complications after adjunctive pulmonary resection in patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: A multi-institutional study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) requires extended treatment with regimens with multiple side effects, resulting in high treatment failure rates. Adjunctive lung resection combined with anti-tubercular agents improves outcomes. However, few studies have evaluated the potential harm from surgery and determined the optimal conditions for surgery. We aimed to analyze perioperative conditions to assess risk factors for postoperative complications in a multi-institutional setting. METHODS: This retrospective study included 44 patients with MDR-TB who underwent adjunctive lung resection at three management groups of the Taiwan MDR-TB consortium between January 2007 and December 2020. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, radiological findings, sputum culture status before surgery, primary or acquired drug resistance, surgical procedure, complications, and treatment outcomes were collected and analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for postoperative complications. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients (61.4%) underwent lung resection using video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). The overall surgical complication rate was 20.5%, and the surgical mortality rate was 9.1%. Postsurgical hemothorax was the most common complication (11.4%). According to the univariate analysis, hilum involvement in images, positive preoperative sputum culture, and thoracotomy approach were unfavorable factors. VATS approach [adjusted OR, 0.088 (95% CI, 0.008-0.999)] was the only favorable factor identified by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: The minimally invasive approach is a growing trend, and lobectomies and sublobar resections were the main procedures for MDR-TB. The VATS approach significantly reduced the surgical complication rate. Postsurgical hemothorax was noteworthy, and meticulous hemostasis of the chest wall and residual lung surface is critical for successful resections.

One-stage thoracoscopic resection of bilateral bronchiectasis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of one-stage thoracoscopic resection of bilateral bronchiectasis. METHODS: Between June 2009 and December 2020, there were 23 patients selected for one-stage thoracoscopic resection of bilateral bronchiectasis. Their average age was 58.5 (36-73). Female patients were more common, accounting for 17 (74%). Preoperatively, 17 (74%) patients mainly presented with hemoptysis and the other 6 (26%) patients with purulent sputum. RESULTS: In these 23 patients, a total of 121 segments were resected, with an average of 5.26 segments, ranging from 3 to 9 segments. Five of 17 patients with massive hemoptysis underwent ligation of bronchial arteries in addition to lung resections. The average operating time was 271 min, ranging from 145 to 500 min. The average blood loss was 108 ml, ranging from 20 to 600 ml. The average postoperative hospital stay was 8 days, ranging from 3 to 20 days. There was no surgical morbidity or surgical death. Hemoptysis and purulent sputum of all patients was almost controlled after surgery. CONCLUSION: One-stage thoracoscopic resections of bilateral localized bronchiectasis could be well-tolerated and safe for these selected patients. The one-stage operation could shorten the course of treatment.

Innominate Arterial Barrier Blocked a 25-Year Substernal Neoesophagus.

A 67-year-old woman underwent esophagogastroduodenectomy, partial jejunectomy, pancreaticojejunostomy, cervical esophagostomy, and feeding jejunostomy at the age of 42 for corrosive necrosis. She underwent esophageal reconstruction using the ileocolon through the substernal route 4 months later. Twenty-five years after esophageal reconstruction, the proximal part of the neoesophagus was obstructed by the innominate artery barrier. She could eat regular diets after revision surgery.

Autocrine IL-6 regulates GRO-alpha production in thymic epithelial cells.

Thymic interleukin-6 (IL-6), which is produced primarily by thymic epithelial cells, is an important cytokine for T cell growth and differentiation in the thymus. In the present study, we investigated the effects of autocrine IL-6 on the cytokines in primary cultures of human thymic epithelial cells. Using an antibody array and ELISA, in addition to IL-8 and MCP-1, growth-related oncogene-alpha (GRO-alpha) was subsequently expressed after IL-6 production. Either IL-6 or GRO-alpha was time-dependently and strongly expressed in medium with and without serum. Neutralizing IL-6 significantly reduced GRO-alpha production. Inhibiting Janus kinase 2 (Jak2) spontaneously blocked GRO-alpha production with or without IL-6 stimulation. We conclude that primary human thymic epithelial cells produce GRO-alpha and that its expression is regulated primarily by autocrine IL-6 and IL-6-activated Jak2 signaling.

Pleural drainage using drainage bag for thoracoscopic lobectomy.

Objective This study was designed to compare the effectiveness and convenience of a drainage bag and a chest bottle following thoracoscopic lobectomy. Methods We conducted a test to ensure that the drainage bag was characterized by easy drainage and an antireflux effect. Thereafter, the drainage bag was used in all thoracic operations in our service. To understand the usefulness of the drainage bag, a retrospective cohort study enrolled 30 patients who had a drainage bag after thoracoscopic lobectomy and compared them with 30 similar patients operated on previously who had chest bottles. Variables studied included total drainage volume, duration of drainage, complications, and satisfaction of the care providers. Results There was no significant difference between the chest bottle and drainage bag groups respectively in terms of total drainage (697.5 ± 89.7 vs. 614.1 ± 76.6 mL, p = 0.483) or duration of drainage (4.23 ± 0.38 vs. 4.43 ± 0.38 days, p = 0.713). No device-related complication was observed. After our experience with the drainage bag, we abandoned use of the chest bottle. The drainage bag was more convenient for patients and promoted early ambulation as well improving cost effectiveness. Most care providers preferred to use the drainage bag (p = 0.000). Conclusion The drainage bag is superior to the chest bottle for postoperative drainage.

From one incision to one port: The surgical technique and the evolution of segmentectomy in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVES: We retrospectively reviewed the evolution of segmentectomy for pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and the feasibility of multi- and single-incision video-assisted thoracoscopic segmentectomy. METHODS: Of 348 patients undergoing surgery for TB, the medical records of 121 patients undergoing segmentectomy between January 1996 and November 2015 were reviewed. Clinical information and computed tomography (CT) image characteristics were investigated and analyzed. RESULTS: Eighteen patients underwent direct or intended thoracotomy. Sixty-four underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic segmentectomy (VATS), including 53 multi-incision thoracoscopic segmentectomy (MITS), and 11 single-incision thoracoscopic segmentectomy (SITS). Thirty-nine were converted to thoracotomy. The intended thoracotomy group had more operative blood loss (p = 0.005) and hospital stay (p = 0.001) than the VATS group although the VATS group had higher grade of cavity (p = 0.007). The intended thoracotomy group did not differ from converted thoracotomy in operative time, blood loss, or hospital stay, and the grade of pleural thickening was higher in the converted thoracotomy group (p = 0.001). The converted thoracotomy group had more operative blood loss, hospital stay, and complication rate than the MITS group (p = 0.001, p<0.001, and p = 0.009, respectively). The MITS group had lower pleural thickening, peribronchial lymph node calcification, cavity, and tuberculoma grading than the converted thoracotomy group (p<0.001, p = 0.001, 0.001, and 0.017, respectively). The SITS group had lower grading in pleural thickening, peribronchial lymph node calcification, and aspergilloma grading than the converted thoracotomy group (p = 0.002, 0.010, and 0.031, respectively). Four patients in the intended thoracotomy group and seven in the converted thoracotomy group had complications compared with three patients in the MITS and two in the SITS group. Risk factors of conversion were pleural thickening and peribronchial lymph node calcification. CONCLUSION: Although segmentectomy is technically challenging in patients with pulmonary TB, it could be safely performed using MITS or SITS and should be attempted in selected patients. Its efficacy for medical treatment failure needs investigation.

Pulmonary carcinosarcoma: report of a case with review of the literature.

Pulmonary carcinosarcoma is a very rare tumor, and its prognosis is usually worse than pulmonary carcinoma. We present a case with gigantic carcinosarcoma (10 x 7.7 x 7.2 cm) located in the right upper lobe, in which the discordance between the brief clinical course with limited symptoms and its large size are remarkable. No definite diagnosis was made preoperatively. He underwent right upper lobectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection through thoracotomy. The postoperative course was smooth, and no tumor recurrence or metastasis was noted during the 9-month follow-up period. In the literature, carcinosarcoma have been divided into the endobronchial and peripheral types, which have different histological pictures. The controversy about pathology, diagnosis, and treatment of carcinosarcoma is also discussed.

Thyroid carcinoma showing thymus-like differentiation with tracheal invasion.

We describe a case of thyroid carcinoma showing thymus-like differentiation with tracheal invasion. The malignant tumor was managed by refined spiral tracheoplasty after tangential resection of the trachea. At 8 months after the surgery, computed tomography and bronchoscopy showed no tumor recurrence or tracheal stenosis.

The Role of Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Therapeutic Resection for Medically Failed Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

There are few reports regarding video-assisted thoracoscopic therapeutic resection for medically failed pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). We reviewed our surgical results of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) therapeutic resection for pulmonary TB with medical failure, and its correlation with image characteristics on chest computed tomography (CT) scan.Between January 2007 and December 2012, among the 203 patients who had surgery for TB, the medical records of 89 patients undergoing therapeutic resection for medically failed pulmonary TB were reviewed. Clinical information and the image characteristics of CT scan were investigated and analyzed.Forty-six of the 89 patients undergoing successful VATS therapeutic resection had significantly lower grading in pleural thickening (P < 0.001), peribronchial lymph node calcification (P < 0.001), tuberculoma (P = 0.015), cavity (P = 0.006), and aspergilloma (P = 0.038); they had less operative blood loss (171.0 ±â€Š218.7 vs 542.8 ±â€Š622.8 mL; P < 0.001) and shorter hospital stay (5.2 ±â€Š2.2 vs 15.6 ±â€Š15.6 days; P < 0.001). They also had a lower percentage of anatomic resection (73.9% vs 93.0%; P = 0.016), a higher percentage of sublobar resection (56.5% vs 32.6%; P = 0.023), and a lower disease relapse rate (4.3% vs 23.3%; P = 0.009). Eighteen of the 38 patients with multi-drug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (MDRTB) who successfully underwent VATS had significantly lower grading in pleural thickening (P = 0.001), peribronchial lymph node calcification (P = 0.019), and cavity (P = 0.017). They were preoperatively medicated for a shorter period of time (221.6 ±â€Š90.8 vs 596.1 ±â€Š432.5 days; P = 0.001), and had more sublobar resection (44.4% vs 10%), less blood loss (165.3 ±â€Š148.3 vs 468.0 ±â€Š439.9 mL; P = 0.009), and shorter hospital stay (5.4 ±â€Š2.6 vs 11.8 ±â€Š6.9 days; P = 0.001).Without multiple cavities, peribronchial lymph node calcification, and extensive pleural thickening, VATS therapeutic resection could be safely performed in selected patients with medically failed pulmonary TB as an effective adjunct with satisfactory results.

From biportal to uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic anatomical lung resection: A single-institute experience.

Our study sought to review our experience from biportal to uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) major lung resection. Lessons we learned from the evolution regarding technical aspects were also discussed.We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent VATS lobectomy or segmentectomies in Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi, Taiwan, during January 2012 and December 2014. Patient clinical profiles, surgical indications and procedures, postoperative course, and oncological parameters were analyzed and compared between the biportal and uniportal groups.A total of 121 patients were enrolled in this study with median follow-up of 19.5 ±â€Š11.6 months for all patients and 22.5 ±â€Š11.5 months for primary lung cancer patients. Operation time (146.1 ±â€Š31.9-158.7 ±â€Š40.5 minutes; P = 0.077), chest drainage time (3.8 ±â€Š3.3-4.4 ±â€Š2.4 days; P = 0.309), conversion to thoracotomy rate (2.2%-2.6%; P = 0.889), and complication rate (15.6%-19.7%; P = 0.564) were equal between the groups, whereas blood loss (96.7 ±â€Š193.2-263.6 ±â€Š367; P = 0.006) was lower in the uniportal group. For lung cancer cases, there were no statistical differences in the histology, cancer staging, mediastinal lymph node dissection stations, numbers of dissected N1, N2, and overall lymph nodes between uniportal and biportal groups.Our preliminary data showed that uniportal VATS anatomical lung resection is as feasible, equally safe, and of comparative oncological clearance efficacy to biportal VATS.

Perioperative Evaluation of Patient Outcomes after Severe Acid Corrosive Injury.

We reviewed 64 patients with perforation or full-thickness injury of the alimentary tract after acid ingestion. Based on our classification of laparotomy findings, there were class I (n = 15); class II (n = 13); class III (n = 16); and class IV (n = 20). Study parameters were preoperative laboratory data, gastric perforation, associated visceral injury, and extension of the injury. End points of the study were the patients' mortality and length of hospital stay. All these patients underwent esophagogastrectomy with (n = 16) or without (n = 24) concomitant resection, esophagogastroduodenojejunectomy with (n = 4) or without (n = 13) concomitant resection, and laparotomy only (n = 7). Concomitant resections were performed on the spleen (n = 10), colon (n = 2), pancreas (n = 1), gall bladder (n = 1), skipped areas of jejunum (n = 4), and the first portion of the duodenum (n = 4). The study demonstrates five preoperative risk factors, female gender, shock status, shock index, pH value, and base deficit, and four intraoperative risk factors, gastric perforation, associated visceral injury, injury beyond the pylorus, and continuous involvement of the jejunum over a length of 50 cm. The overall mortality rate was 45.3%, which increased significantly with advancing class of corrosive injury.

Apex-to-Cupola Distance Following VATS Predicts Recurrence in Patients With Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax.

Our study sought to determine whether the size of the residual apical pleural space in young patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) following video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is associated with the risk of recurrence. We retrospectively reviewed patients (≤30 years' old) with primary spontaneous pneumothorax following thoracoscopic surgery (2002-2010) in a university-affiliated hospital. The size of residual apical pleural space was estimated by measuring the apex-to-cupola distance on a postoperative chest radiograph at 2 time windows: first between postoperative day (POD) 0 and 3, and second between POD 4 and 14. A total of 149 patients were enrolled with a median follow-up of 11.2 months (interquartile range, 0.95-29.5 months), of whom 141 (94.6%) were male with a mean age of 20 years. The postoperative recurrence rate was 11.4%. Comparing the characteristics between the patients with and without recurrent pneumothorax, the patients with recurrence were younger (18.2 + 2.4 vs 20.7 + 3.7 years, P = 0.008), with a lower rate of pleurodesis (35% vs1 69%, P = 0.037), longer apex-to-cupola distance at POD 0 to 3 (22.41 ±â€Š19.56 vs 10.07 ±â€Š10.83 mm, P < 0.001) and POD 4 to 14 (11.82 ±â€Š9.75 vs 5.54 ±â€Š8.38 mm, P = 0.005) than the patients without recurrence. In a multivariate logistic regression model for recurrent pneumothorax, age <18 years (P = 0.026, odds ratio [OR]: 4.694), apex-to-cupola distance at POD 0 to 3 >10 mm (P = 0.027, OR: 5.319), and no pleurodesis during VATS (P = 0.022, OR: 5.042) were independent risk factors for recurrent pneumothorax. The recurrence rate was not low (11.4%) in young patients with PSP following VATS. Residual apical pleural space with apex-to-cupola distance of 10 mm or greater at POD 0 to 3, younger age, and no pleurodesis would increase postoperative recurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

Treatment of complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion with intrapleural streptokinase in children.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of intrapleural streptokinase in the management of complicated parapneumonic effusions in children. DESIGN: Prospective comparative study. SETTING: Cheng Kung University Hospital, a tertiary medical center in Tainan, Taiwan. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We enrolled as our prospective study group 20 consecutive children with complicated parapneumonic effusions who received intrapleural streptokinase treatment between August 2000 and July 2002. We also retrospectively analyzed a comparison group of 22 consecutive children with complicated parapneumonic effusions who received chest tube drainage without streptokinase treatment from January 1992 to July 2000. We then compared the clinical manifestations and outcome of these two patient groups. The patient population (21 boys and 21 girls) ranged in age from 9 to 130 months (mean age, 41.5 +/- 26.3 months [mean +/- SD]). The characters of pleural effusion showed no difference between the two groups. Nineteen patients had positive findings for Streptococcus pneumoniae, 2 patients had positive findings for Staphylococcus aureus, 2 patients had positive findings for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and 19 patients had undetermined pathogens. All patients were treated with appropriate antibiotics. RESULTS: More pleural fluid was drained from the streptokinase group than from the comparison group during streptokinase treatment (816 +/- 481 mL vs 279 +/- 238 mL, p < 0.01). The duration of fever after chest tube insertion was also significantly lower in the study group (5.3 +/- 3.1 days vs 7.9 +/- 4.6 days, p < 0.05). Only two patients in the streptokinase group required surgical intervention compared with nine patients in the comparison group (p < 0.05). No major side effects were noticed after streptokinase instillation. CONCLUSION: Intrapleural fibrinolytic treatment with streptokinase is safe and effective, and it can obviate the need for surgery in most cases. The combination treatment should be attempted early on, when complicated parapneumonic effusion is first diagnosed.

Complete laryngotracheal disruption caused by blunt injury.

BACKGROUND: We reviewed the clinical courses and evaluated the surgical results of 7 patients with complete laryngotracheal disruption caused by blunt injury. METHODS: Seven patients with complete laryngotracheal disruption caused by blunt injury were successfully treated in a 13-year period. Six of the seven incidents involved men younger than 30 years on motorcycles. All but one had intact cutaneous tissue of the neck. Six of seven laryngotracheal disruptions were at the cricotracheal junction and the other was at the junction of second and third tracheal ring. In the emergency departments, 4 of these 7 patients underwent endotracheal intubation and three others underwent tracheostomy after failed intubation. Two of 7 patients underwent delayed surgery (posttrauma day 3 and day 5) because of delayed diagnosis. All patients underwent laryngotracheoplasty with (n = 3) or without (n = 4) concomitant tracheostomy. RESULTS: Total hospital stays ranged from 9 to 28 days (average 15 days). Intensive care unit stay ranged from 2 to 10 days (average 5.8 days). All 7 patients had paralysis of bilateral vocal cords that were revealed by postoperative bronchoscopy. In 3 patients who underwent concomitant tracheostomy, the tracheostomy tubes were removed within 3 to 5 months after surgery. In the other 4 patients who underwent laryngotracheoplasty only, the endotracheal tube was used as an airway support for 2 to 6 days (average 3.5 days). All patients had patent airways. Vocal cord function partially recovered in one side (n = 6) or both sides (n = 1). Their voices were audible but still husky 5 months or 1 year later. CONCLUSIONS: Complete laryngotracheal disruption can be treated by laryngotracheoplasty with or without concomitant tracheostomy, and phonation can be partially recovered.

Thymic carcinoma: involvement of great vessels indicates poor prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Thymic carcinoma is a rare, indolent, and invasive cancer. This study investigated the treatment results of thymic carcinoma and clinical prognostic factors. METHODS: From June 1988 to January 2002, 38 patients were enrolled in this study with the diagnosis of thymic carcinoma in the Cheng-Kung University Hospital based on Rosai's and Muller-Hermelink's classification. Clinical and pathologic data were retrospectively reviewed. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier, log rank, and Wilcoxon tests. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. RESULTS: Pathology revealed 14 poorly differentiated, 6 moderately differentiated, and 8 well-differentiated squamous cell carcinomas; 8 lymphoepithelioma-like carcinomas; and 2 other carcinomas. Pathologic staging using the Masaoka system included 6 stage II, 23 stage III, and 9 stage IV patients. Six biopsies, five debulkings, and 27 complete resections were performed. All patients were followed from 15 months to 10 years 9 months, with an average of 53.8 months. Median survival time was 81 months, and median recurrence time was 52 months. Eighteen patients are still alive, and 7 are alive with disease. Well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma had better prognosis than other carcinomas (p = 0.022). Complete resection significantly increased survival rate (p < 0.001). Tumor invasion of the superior vena cava, pulmonary vessels, or aorta were significant predictors for poor prognosis (p = 0.016, 0.002, and 0.002, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Only patients with thymic carcinoma who underwent complete resection had long-term survival. Prognosis of thymic carcinoma seemed mainly dependent on tumor invasion of the great vessels.

Outcome of acid ingestion related aspiration pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to assess the incidence and long-term results of a rarely discussed medical problem -- aspiration pneumonia resulting from the intentional ingestion of acid. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 370 patients treated at one tertiary care institution for corrosive acid injury during a 12-year period were reviewed retrospectively. The study subjects included any patients who were found to have acid ingestion related aspiration pneumonia confirmed by chest film within 24h of injury. All available data of these patients with or without aspiration pneumonia were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 370 patients with corrosive acid injury, 15 (4.2%) had acid-aspiration pneumonia which was related to their intentional ingestion of a strong acid, hydrochloric acid (pH<1). The data for 14 patients with aspiration pneumonia and 268 without aspiration pneumonia was complete and available for analysis. Patients with aspiration pneumonia were found to be significantly older (52.2+/-6.2 to 41.7+/-0.9 years old, P=0.017), had a higher incidence of nasogastric tube irrigation (35.7-6.0%, P=0.000), had more conscious disturbance (50.0-17.5%, P=0.016), and required more endotracheal tube intubation (50.0-3.0%, P=0.000). Aspiration pneumonia was found to significantly increase the mortality rate in acid injured patients who required emergency abdominal surgery (87.5-32.0%, P=0.000) and in those who did not (28.5-5.1%, P=0.05). Two of the six survivors of aspiration pneumonia later developed laryngeal sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: Aspiration pneumonia rarely occurs as a consequence of acid ingestion. When it does occur, it greatly increases the mortality rate of those involved. For those who survive, physicians can expect some laryngotracheal sequel in long-term follow-up.

Prediction of outcome in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia or severe diaphragmatic eventration.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and severe congenital diaphragmatic eventration (SDE) still have high mortality. Our aims were to identify clinical prognostic factors for CDH and SDE, and to determine whether the size or area of the proximal bilateral pulmonary arteries (PA) correlate with the clinical outcome. We retrospectively analyzed medical charts of 26 patients--20 with CDH and 6 with SDE, but no obvious other associated anomalies--admitted over a 12-year period. We compared prenatal history, clinical manifestations, blood gas, and echocardiography before surgery in the survivors and the non-survivors. Ten patients (8 CDH, 2 SDE) died 2 to 16 days after birth, including 2 patients without surgery due to progressive hypoxemia. The survivors had significantly higher 1- and 5-min Apgar scores, higher the worst preductal arterial blood gas pH levels, lower oxygen indices, and lower PaCO2 (P < 0.05). The McGoon index of PA size measured by echocardiography was higher in survivors, but not statistically significant. Nakada PA index results, however, were statistically significant (93.07 +/- 32.02 vs. 121.07 +/- 27.08, P < 0.05) In conclusion, Apgar scores, preductal PaCO2, oxygen index, and pH level can predict prognosis in infants with CDH and SDE. The Nakada PA index, however, might be a useful prognostic marker for patients with CDH and SDE.