Advancements in the Management of Postoperative Air Leak following Thoracic Surgery: From Traditional Practices to Innovative Therapies.

Background: Postoperative air leak (PAL) is a frequent and potentially serious complication following thoracic surgery, characterized by the persistent escape of air from the lung into the pleural space. It is associated with extended hospitalizations, increased morbidity, and elevated healthcare costs. Understanding the mechanisms, risk factors, and effective management strategies for PAL is crucial in improving surgical outcomes. Aim: This review seeks to synthesize all known data concerning PAL, including its etiology, risk factors, diagnostic approaches, and the range of available treatments from conservative measures to surgical interventions, with a special focus on the use of autologous plasma. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literature search of databases such as PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar was conducted for studies and reviews published on PAL following thoracic surgery. The selection criteria aimed to include articles that provided insights into the incidence, mechanisms, risk assessment, diagnostic methods, and treatment options for PAL. Special attention was given to studies detailing the use of autologous plasma in managing this complication. Results: PAL is influenced by a variety of patient-related, surgical, and perioperative factors. Diagnosis primarily relies on clinical observation and imaging, with severity assessments guiding management decisions. Conservative treatments, including chest tube management and physiotherapy, serve as the initial approach, while persistent leaks may necessitate surgical intervention. Autologous plasma has emerged as a promising treatment, offering a novel mechanism for enhancing pleural healing and reducing air leak duration, although evidence is still evolving. Conclusions: Effective management of PAL requires a multifaceted approach tailored to the individual patient's needs and the specifics of their condition. Beyond the traditional treatment approaches, innovative treatment modalities offer the potential to improve outcomes for patients experiencing PAL after thoracic surgery. Further research is needed to optimize treatment protocols and integrate new therapies into clinical practice.

Stem Cell Therapies for Gastrointestinal Anastomotic Healing: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Results from Animal Studies.

BACKGROUND: Despite considerable progress in surgical techniques, anastomotic leak (AL) is a common complication after gastrointestinal surgery. Stem cells are a promising therapy to improve healing and have been used in gastrointestinal anastomoses. In this study, we perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of stem cell therapies in preventing ALs among animal studies. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed by searching PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. We considered all anastomoses of the gastrointestinal tract (excl. biliary) from the esophagus to the rectum. Outcomes included AL rates on postoperative day (POD) 7 and the latest time point reported. RESULTS: Fourteen studies were identified, evaluating stem cells in gastrointestinal anastomoses, of which 1 was on esophageal, 2 on gastric, 2 on small intestinal, and 9 on colorectal anastomoses. Meta-analysis did not show significant differences in AL rates on POD 7 (odds ratio [OR] 0.34, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.04-3.15, p = 0.248, I2 = 34.1%, 95% CI: 0-75.2%, Q = 6.07, df = 4, p = 0.194), but there was a nonsignificant trend for lower AL rates at the latest time point reported (OR 0.28, 95% CI: 0.08-1.01, p = 0.052, I2 = 34%, 95% CI: 0-70.8%, Q = 10.6, df = 7, p = 0.157). CONCLUSION: Stem cell therapy may be associated with lower AL rates in gastrointestinal anastomoses, though meta-analysis is severely inhibited by heterogeneous study design. More studies are needed to determine the therapeutic potential of stem cells.

Risk factors for cardiovascular mortality in patients with colorectal cancer: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with colorectal cancer are at increased risk of cardiovascular mortality compared to the general population. The purpose of this study is to identify risk factors of cardiovascular mortality in patients with colorectal cancer. METHODS: A retrospective review of the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database was performed between 2010 and 2014. Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMRs) for cardiovascular mortality were calculated by comparing the number of expected deaths in the United States according to the National Center for Health Statistics (ICD-10 codes I00-I99) to the number of observed deaths in the database. Logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors. RESULTS: Overall, 164,719 patients were identified (mean age at diagnosis 67 ± 13.9 years, 52.7% males, 47.3% females), of which 4854 (2.9%) died from cardiovascular disease. The majority of cardiovascular deaths occurred during the first year after diagnosis (2658, 54.8%). SMRs for cardiovascular mortality were 11.7 (95% CI 11.3-12) among all patients, 12.1 (95% CI 11.7-12.6) for male patients and 11.1 (95% CI 10.6-11.6) for female patients, with SMRs being higher for younger patients. Older age, male sex, African-American race, elevated CEA and not undergoing curative surgery were independent risk factors of cardiovascular mortality in patients with colorectal cancer. CONCLUSION: Patients with colorectal cancer are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular death, especially during the first year after diagnosis. Older age, male sex, African-American race, elevated CEA and not undergoing curative surgery are independent risk factors of cardiovascular death.

Trends in incidence and associated risk factors of suicide mortality among breast cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer patients are associated with an increased risk for committing suicide. The purpose of this study was to study the trends in the incidence of suicide mortality and identify pertinent risk factors among patients with breast cancer. METHODS: A retrospective examination of the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database between years 1973 and 2013 was performed. RESULTS: Overall, 474 128 patients were identified of which 773 had committed suicide. There were no significant differences in the incidence of suicide mortality over the last 3 decades (1984-1993: 0.14%, 1994-2003: 0.16%, 2004-2013: 0.17%, P = 0.173). On logistic regression, younger age (<30 y: OR 6.34, 95% CI: 1.98-20.33, P = 0.002; 30-49 y: OR 10.64, 95% CI: 7.97-14.2, P < 0.001; 50-69 y: OR 4.7, 95% CI: 3.64-6.07, P < 0.001), male sex (OR 4.34, 95% CI: 2.57-7.31, P < 0.001), nonwhite-nonblack race (OR 1.39, 95% CI: 1.01-1.91, P = 0.046), marital status (single: OR 1.35, 95% CI: 1.04-1.76, P = 0.024; separated/divorced/widowed: OR 1.25, 95% CI: 1.01-1.55, P = 0.043), undergoing surgery (OR 2.13, 95% CI: 1.23-3.67, P = 0.007), and short-time elapsed from diagnosis (first year: OR 4.67, 95% CI: 3.39-6.42, P < 0.001; second year: OR 2.35, 95% CI: 1.69-3.27, P < 0.001) were independent risk factors of suicide mortality. CONCLUSIONS: There have been no identifiable improvements in preventing suicide mortality in the United States. Younger age, male sex, race, marital status, and undergoing surgery are independent risk factors for committing suicide, especially in the first year after diagnosis.

Predictors of lymph node metastasis in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs).

BACKGROUND: Lymph node metastasis is not common among patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) and its prognostic value is controversial. The purposes of this study are to identify predictors of lymph node metastasis and determine its prognostic associations. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the surveillance, epidemiology and end results (SEER) database was performed. Patients with GISTs that underwent surgery and pathologic nodal staging were identified. Logistic regression and Cox regression were performed to identify independent predictors and prognostic factors, respectively. RESULTS: Of 1430 patients (age: 61.5 ± 14.5 years, 52% males), 140 (9.8%) had lymph node metastasis. On multivariable analysis, distant metastasis was the only independent predictor of lymph node metastasis (OR 4.95, 95% CI: 2.43-10.08, p < 0.001). In the entire cohort, lymph node metastasis did not reflect a worse overall survival (OS, HR 1.12, 95% CI: 0.49-2.58, p = 0.794) or disease-specific survival (DSS, HR 0.95, 95% CI: 0.31-2.88, p = 0.924), but was an independent predictor of worse OS in 51 patients (25.4% of 201 patients) who presented with both lymph node metastasis and synchronous distant metastasis (HR 2, 95% CI: 1.25-3.21, p = 0.004). Lymph node metastasis was also independently associated with worse survival among patients with small intestinal (OS: HR 1.88, 95% CI: 1.15-3.1, p = 0.013) and colorectal tumors (OS: HR 3.41, 95% CI: 1.56-7.46, p = 0.002, DSS: HR 3.58, 95% CI: 1.27-10.06, p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Metastatic disease is an independent predictor of lymph node metastasis in patients with GISTs. Lymph node metastasis is also associated with worse overall survival in patients with metastatic GISTs.

Tumor necrosis factor A and interleucin 6 serum values in patients undergoing extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for ureteral stones.

OBJECTIVE: Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is highly effective for the treatment of uretral lithiasis and remains the first treatment option for the majority of patients when ureteral lithiasis can not be treated otherwise for more than two decades. In the present study we aim to evaluate the levels of serum tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-a) and interleucin 6 (IL-6) in patients undergoing ESWL and investigate whether preESWL levels of serum TNF-a and IL-6 correllate with any possible infectious complications after ESWL. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients (17 males and 13 females), with a mean age of 43 who underwent ESWL for ureteral stones and 10 healthy volunteers serving as the control group were enrolled in this study. Serum samples for TNF-a and IL-6 were obtained before ESWL and after ESWL, 1, 24, and 48 hours and 2, 24, and 48 hours, respectively. The preESWL and postESWL serum TNF-a levels and IL-6 were compared and correlated with possible tissue damage and infectious complications. RESULTS: We found that serum TNF-a levels were significantly decreased one hour (P<0,001) and increased 24 hours (P=0.007) after ESWL. Furthermore IL-6 was also significantly increased 2 hours (P<0,001), 24 and 48 hours after ESWL (P=0,003 and 0,002 respectively). In 3 patients we observed fever (39 (o)C) postESWL procedure with negative urine culture and high serum values of TNF-a and IL6 preESWL. IN CONCLUSION: A high specific markers such as serum TNF-a levels (15-25pg/ml) and IL-6 (25-35pg/ml) might be useful to identifying patients with possible infection following ESWL lithotripsy. However, further studies are needed to get more accurate results.

Can tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-a) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) be used as prognostic markers of infection following ureteroscopic lithrotripsy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for ureteral stones?

OBJECTIVE: Ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URS) and Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) are highly effective for the treatment of uretral lithiasis and remain the treatment option for the majority of patients for more than two decades. In the present study we aimed to evaluate the levels of serum tumor necrosis factor A (TNFa) and interleucin 6 (IL6) in patients undergoing ESWL and URS. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total number of seventy patients were involved in our study. Thirty patients (17 males, 13 females), with a mean age of 43 had underwent ESWL and thirty patients (19 males, 11 females), with a mean age of 47 (range: 26-68) underwent URS lithotripsy. Ten healthy volunteers serving as the control group were enrolled in this study. Serum samples for TNF-a and IL-6 were obtained before URS and ESWL and after the procedure at 1, 24, and 48 hours and at 2, 24, and 48 hours, respectively. The pre ESWL/URS and post ESWL/URS levels were compared and correlated with possible tissue damage. According to ESWL procedure we found that serumTNF-a levels were significantly increased after one hour (P<0,001) and after 24 hours (P=0.007). Furthermore, IL-6was significantly increased at 2 (P< 0,001), 24 and 48 hours post ESWL (P=0,003 and 0,002) respectively. For URS serum TNF-a levels were statistical significantly correlated preoperatively with one hour (P=0,0083) and 48 hours (P<0,001) after URS and IL-6 with 2 and 24 hours (P<0,001). In 3 patients for URS and 1 for ESWL we observed post procedure fever (>38.5C(o)). All those patients had preoperatively high values of TNF-a and Il-6 that increased at 1 and 2-hours respectively. In conclusion, high pre ESWL/URS levels of serum TNF-a and IL-6 may indicate a predisposition for post ESWL/URS inflammation and infection following URS lithotripsy or ESWL procedure.

Coagulation and fibrinolysis activation after single-incision versus standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a single-center prospective case-controlled pilot study.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with attenuated acute-phase response and hypercoagulable state compared with the open procedure. Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a new technique aiming to minimize the invasiveness of the procedure. By comparing the degree of coagulation and fibrinolysis activation after conventional multiport (CLC) and single-incision (SILC) laparoscopic cholecystectomy, we aimed to determine whether the reduced incision size induces a lower thrombophilic tendency. Thirty-two adult patients with noncomplicated symptomatic cholelithiasis were nonrandomly assigned to CLC or SILC. Prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1 + 2), thrombin-antithrombin complexes (TAT), D-dimers, fibrinogen, and von Willebrand factor levels were measured at baseline, at 1st, and 24th hour, postoperatively. Twenty-six patients were finally included in the study. Fifteen patients underwent CLC (male/female: 5/10) and 11 underwent SILC (male/female: 1/10). There were no perioperative complications. An almost similar postoperative pattern and degree of activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis pathways was noted in both groups. No statistically significant differences were found between SILC and CLC for F1 + 2, TAT, D-dimers, fibrinogen, and von Willebrand factor levels, duration of surgery, length of hospital stay, and postoperative morbidity. A similar pattern and extent of coagulation and fibrinolysis activation is present in SILC and CLC, and therefore there is no difference in tendency for thrombosis. Thromboembolic prophylaxis should be considered in SILC as recommended for CLC, pharmacologic or mechanical, considering the hemorrhagic risk and the presence of additional thromboembolism risk factors. SILC appears to be a safe, feasible technique that can be recommended for its potential advantages in cosmesis and reduced incisional pain.

A simple method for the quantitation of the stem cells derived from human exfoliated deciduous teeth using a luminescent cell viability assay.

Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth are a population of highly proliferative postnatal stem cells and have been characterized as multipotent stem cells. In this study we developed a fast and sensitive method for stem cells derived from human exfoliated deciduous teeth count, using a luminescent viability assay. We isolated stem cells from normal exfoliated deciduous teeth using collagenase/dispase digestions solutions. Separated stem cells were placed in opaque-walled multiwall plates in culture alpha Modified Eagle's Medium. For dental pulp stem cells quantitation we used a simple method for determining the number of viable cells based on ATP concentration. Cells attached to the bottom of the multiwall plates were counted with the luminescent assay and were cultured for mesenchymal markers expression. Moreover cells attached to the bottom of the multiwall plates were directed toward the osteogenic, adipogenic, lineages at the respective passages. Flow cytometry was used for immunophenotyping of cultured dental stem cells from exfoliated deciduous teeth. Cells that were counted with the luminescent assay, after culture formed fibroblastic morphology and were expressed the mesenchymal stem cell markers CD29, CD105, CD146, CD44. There was a correlation between the number of cells plated for culture and the number of mesenchymal stem cells after culture. Osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of the cells counted with the luminescent assay was performed. The luminescent signal of viable mesenchymal dental stem cells isolated from dental pulp of exfoliated teeth represents an ideal method for mesenchymal stem cells count before culturing.

Serum cytocines values in patients after endoscopic surgery for ureteral lithiasis.

Obstructive uropathy due to ureteral stones can cause renal infection and, if left untreated, can cause impairment of renal function. Endoscopic surgery such as ureteroscopy (URS) and laser lithotripsy are the primary therapeutic approach. Cytokines as non invasive markers may have a role to diagnose ureteral damage and infection. We aimed to evaluate serum cytokine levels of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNFa) and interleukin-6 (IL6) in patients undergoing URS and holmium laser lithotripsy. The study included 40 patients (male 25 and 15 female) with a mean age of 47 years and 10 healthy blood donors serving as the control group. None of them had any additional systemic diseases, previous insertion of a ureteral double "j" stent or of a nephrostomy tube, neoplasmatic disease ot renal insufficiency. Routine urine examination and urine culture were obtained to exclude urinary infection. Preoperatively and 1h, 2h, 24h and 48h postoperatively serum samples of TNF-a and IL-6 were collected and measured. Serum TNFa and IL-6 values were correlated with the other variables measured from blood samples after the URS using paired samples Students t-test with confidence interval 95%. A P value of less than 0.01 was considered statistically significant. Correlation between serum TNF-a and IL6 levels with healthy donors were statistically significant in 1h (0.004), 2h (0.001), 24h (0.001) and 48h (0.001 and 0.001) postoperatively, respectively. In conclusion, our study shows that cytokines could be helpful as markers of renal tissue damage. However, further studies are needed to get more accurate results.