Acromiothoracic Venous Supercharge for Abdominal-Based Free Flaps in Breast and Chest Wall Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Supercharging the venous drainage of free abdominal flaps in breast reconstruction has been well described in the literature, with diverse options used to augment venous drainage. In this study, we present our experience in using the acromiothoracic vein (ATV)/thoracoacromial vein (TAV) as a secondary recipient vein for the superficial inferior epigastric vein (SIEV) of free, muscle-sparing transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps in breast and chest wall reconstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 523 free, muscle-sparing transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps the senior author (H.H.K.) performed between 2009 and 2022 for breast and chest wall reconstruction; 46 cases required venous super drainage. Seventeen patients had ipsilateral SIEV anastomosed into the second internal mammary vein, 5 had ipsilateral SIEV anastomosed into flap second deep inferior epigastric vein, and 24 required the use of the (ATV)/(TAV), which will be the focus of this study. RESULTS: The study included 24 female (20 breast and 4 chest wall reconstruction) patients ranging in ages between 39 and 72 years. They had a median follow-up of 26 months. Combined muscle splitting and cutting techniques were used to expose the ATV/TAV. Increase in operative time ranged between 10 and 20 minutes (median, 12 minutes). Vein coupler sizes were 1.5 to 3 mm. The mean weight of the flap was 740 g (range, 460-1300 g). There was 1 flap failure (salvage with latissimus dorsi flap performed), whereas 23 flaps wholly survived. CONCLUSIONS: The ATV/TAV is a suitable recipient for venous supercharging free flaps used to reconstruct breast and chest wall defects.

Chest wall resection and reconstruction for recurrent breast cancer - A multidisciplinary approach.

BACKGROUND: Despite therapeutic advances in the management of breast cancer, a significant number of patients present with locoregional recurrence. Treatment with hormonal, chemo or radiotherapy remains standard in such cases. However, in selected patients of recurrent breast cancer involving chest wall, multidisciplinary surgical approach could be considered. METHODS: Between 2010 and 2018, 21 patients with recurrent breast cancer, involving chest wall, were treated at a tertiary care center with resection and reconstruction. The mean age of the patients was 55 years (22-77 years). RESULTS: The median interval from first breast resection to chest wall resection (CWR) for recurrent disease was 6 years (1-24 years). Eighteen patients underwent bony resection and 3 patients required extensive soft tissue resection. Complete resection was achieved in 90% of patients. All patients had chest wall reconstruction. There was no in-hospital mortality. During follow-up, 8 patients died, of which 7 were due to distant metastases. The 1 year and 3-year overall survival were 90% (95% CI 66-97) and 61% (95% CI 31-81) respectively. The disease-free survival at 1 and 3 years was the same at 70% (95% CI 45-86). At a mean follow up of 23 months, the average survival in patients operated for local recurrence is 51.7 months (95% CI 37.7-65.7) and 24.5 months (95% CI 7.3-41.7) for patients with distant metastatic recurrence. CONCLUSION: A multidisciplinary oncoplastic approach for recurrent breast cancer, which includes chest wall resection and reconstruction is a useful adjunct in selected group of patients. This improves local disease control, symptoms and possibly disease-free survival.

Long-term impact of developing a postoperative pulmonary complication after lung surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC) such as atelectasis and pneumonia are common following lung resection. PPCs have a significant clinical impact on postoperative morbidity and mortality. We studied the long-term effects of PPCs and sought to identify independent risk factors. METHODS: A prospective observational study involved all patients following lung resection in a regional thoracic centre over 4 years. PPCs were assessed daily in hospital using the Melbourne group scale based on chest X-ray, white cell count, fever, purulent sputum, microbiology, oxygen saturations, physician diagnosis and intensive therapy unit (ITU)/high-dependency unit readmission. Follow-up included hospital length of stay (LOS), 30-day readmissions, and mortality. RESULTS: 86 of 670 patients (13%) who had undergone a lung resection developed a PPC. Those patients had a significantly longer hospital LOS in days (13, 95% CI 10.5-14.9 vs 6.3, 95% CI 5.9 to 6.7; p<0.001) and higher rates of ITU admissions (28% vs 1.9%; p<0.001) and 30-day hospital readmissions (20.7% vs 11.9%; p<0.05). Significant independent risk factors for development of PPCs were COPD and smoking (p<0.05), not age. Excluding early postoperative deaths, developing a PPC resulted in a significantly reduced overall survival in months (40, 95% CI 34 to 44 vs 46, 95% CI 44 to 47; p=0.006). Those who developed a PPC had a higher rate of non-cancer-related deaths (11% vs 5%; p=0.020). PPC is a significant independent risk factor for late deaths in non-small cell lung cancer patients (HR 2.0, 95% CI 1.9 to 3.2; p=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Developing a PPC after thoracic surgery is common and is associated with a poorer long-term outcome.

Survival following Pulmonary Metastasectomy for Sarcoma.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to report the overall survival after pulmonary metastasectomy in patients with metastatic sarcoma and prognostic factors for survival. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study of consecutive patients having pulmonary metastasectomy for sarcoma over a 5-year period. Survival was calculated by Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Between August 2007 and January 2014, a total of 80 pulmonary metastasectomies were performed on 66 patients with metastatic sarcoma. There were no postoperative in-hospital deaths. The median age was 51 years (range, 16-79) and 39 (59%) patients were male. Fourteen patients had bilateral lung operations and surgical access was by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in 48 (73%) cases. The median number of metastases resected was 3 (range, 1-9). The median disease-free interval was 25 months (range, 0-156). Median overall survival was 25.5 months (range, 1-60). At follow-up, 19 patients (29%) were dead with a median follow-up of 31 months (range, 1-60). Recurrence of metastases significantly affected survival: median of 25.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 17.7-33.4) versus 48.4 months (95% CI, 42.5-54.4) in patients with no recurrent metastases (p = 0.004). There was no significant difference in survival between patients with high-grade versus low-grade tumors (p = 0.13), histological type (osteosarcoma vs. other soft tissue sarcoma types, p = 0.14), unilateral versus bilateral lung metastases (p = 0.48), or lung metastases alone versus lung and other sites of metastases (p = 0.5). CONCLUSION: In selected patients, pulmonary metastasectomy for sarcoma is safe and may confer a good medium-term survival. Recurrent metastasis after resection confers a poor prognosis.

Effectiveness of incentive spirometry in patients following thoracotomy and lung resection including those at high risk for developing pulmonary complications.

BACKGROUND: Following thoracotomy, patients frequently receive routine respiratory physiotherapy which may include incentive spirometry, a breathing technique characterised by deep breathing performed through a device offering visual feedback. This type of physiotherapy is recommended and considered important in the care of thoracic surgery patients, but high quality evidence for specific interventions such as incentive spirometry remains lacking. METHODS: 180 patients undergoing thoracotomy and lung resection participated in a prospective single-blind randomised controlled trial. All patients received postoperative breathing exercises, airway clearance and early mobilisation; the control group performed thoracic expansion exercises and the intervention group performed incentive spirometry. RESULTS: No difference was observed between the intervention and control groups in the mean drop in forced expiratory volume in 1 s on postoperative day 4 (40% vs 41%, 95% CI -5.3% to 4.2%, p=0.817), the frequency of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC) (12.5% vs 15%, 95% CI -7.9% to 12.9%, p=0.803) or in any other secondary outcome measure. A high-risk subgroup (defined by ≥2 independent risk factors; age ≥75 years, American Society of Anaesthesiologists score ≥3, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), smoking status, body mass index ≥30) also demonstrated no difference in outcomes, although a larger difference in the frequency of PPC was observed (14% vs 23%) with 95% CIs indicating possible benefit of intervention (-7.4% to 2.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Incentive spirometry did not improve overall recovery of lung function, frequency of PPC or length of stay. For patients at higher risk for the development of PPC, in particular those with COPD or current/recent ex-smokers, there were larger observed actual differences in the frequency of PPC in favour of the intervention, indicating that investigations regarding the physiotherapy management of these patients need to be developed further.

An unusual case of three concomitant primary solid cancers with unique histopathological characteristics.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Struma Ovarii is a rare type of monodermal teratoma with at least 50 % of its mass being thyroid tissue. They make up <1 % of all ovarian tumours and 3 to 5 % of all ovarian teratomas. These tumours are usually benign but malignant transformation is seen in <5 % of cases. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 45-year-old lady with three synchronous primary cancers on a background of Struma Ovarii; primary lung adenocarcinoma, papillary thyroid carcinoma and ovarian teratoma. Over the course of 18 months, this lady underwent full pelvic clearance of malignant Struma Ovarii and lymph nodes, total thyroidectomy, and an anatomical lung resection. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: This case represents an incredibly rare condition of Struma Ovarii for which there is no firm management consensus. Furthermore, the uniqueness of three separate primaries has to the best of our knowledge not previously been reported in the literature. CONCLUSION: This reinforces the notion that in select patients, radical management with curative intent is entirely possible but requires complete multi-disciplinary and multi-modal sub-specialty collaboration.

Lung cancer resection in patients with underlying usual interstitial pneumonia: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with lung cancer with underlying idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern on CT represent a very high-risk group in terms of postoperative UIP acute exacerbations (AEs) and in-hospital mortality. We sought to investigate the outcomes in these patients. METHODS: We carried out a meta-analysis, searching four international databases from 1 January 1947 to 27 April 2022, for studies in any language reporting on the acute postoperative outcomes of patients with lung cancer undergoing surgical resection with underlying UIP (the primary outcome). Random effects meta-analyses (DerSimonian and Laird) were conducted. We analysed the difference in incidence of postoperative AE as well as the difference in long-term overall survival among subpopulations. These were stratified by the extent of surgical resection, with meta-regression testing (uniivariate and multivariate) according to the stage of disease, operative decision making and country of origin. This study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022319245). RESULTS: The overall incidence of AE of UIP postoperatively from 10 studies (2202 patients) was 14.6% (random effects model, 95% CI 9.8 to 20.1, I2=74%). Sublobar resection was significantly associated with a reduced odds of postoperative AE (OR 0.521 (fixed effects model), 95% CI 0.339 to 0.803, p=0.0031, I2=0%). The extent of resection was not significantly associated with overall survival following lung cancer resection in UIP patients (HR for sublobar resection 0.978 (random effects model), 95% CI 0.521 to 1.833, p=0.9351, I2=71%). CONCLUSIONS: With appropriate implementation of perioperative measures such as screening for high-risk cases, appropriate use of steroids, antifibrotics and employing sublobar resection in select cases, the risk of local recurrence versus in-hospital mortality from AEUIP can be balanced and long-term survival can be achieved in a super-selected group of patients. Further investigation in the form of a randomised study is warranted.

Thoracoscore fails to predict complications following elective lung resection.

The Thoracoscore mortality risk model has been incorporated into the British Thoracic Society guidelines on the radical management of patients with lung cancer. The discriminative and predictive ability to predict mortality and post-operative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in this group of patients is uncertain. A prospective observational study was carried out on all patients following lung resection via thoracotomy in a regional thoracic centre over 42 months. 128 out of 703 subjects developed a PPC. 16 (2%) patients died in hospital. In a logistic regression analysis the Thoracoscore was not a significant predictor of mortality (OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.99-1.17; p=0.11) but was a significant predictor of PPCs (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.03-1.13; p=0.002). However, the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve for the Thoracoscore was 0.68 (95% CI 0.56-0.80) for predicting mortality and 0.64 (95% CI 0.59-0.69) for PPCs, indicating limited discriminative ability. In a logistic regression analysis, another risk model, the European Society Objective Score, was predictive of mortality (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.11-1.83; p=0.006) and PPCs (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.30-1.68; p<0.0001). Therefore, Thoracoscore may have poor discriminative and predictive ability for mortality and PPCs following elective lung resection.

Late endovascular coil migration following traumatic pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm embolization: case report.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous vascular interventions are performed for the treatment of haemoptysis and involve embolization of bronchial arteries, pulmonary arteries and pulmonary arteriovenous malformations. There are isolated reports of embolization of pseudoaneurysms forming in the pulmonary vasculature. The migration of components of the coils used in the embolization of vascular pulmonary pathologies is rare. CASE PRESENTATION: A 46-year-old man presented to the emergency department with cough, haemoptysis, and expectoration of lengths of metal wire. He had an episode of coughing out a wire about a year prior to his admission to our hospital, which he attributed to be present in the can of coke he had consumed at that time and did not report it to the doctors. His past medical history was significant for stab injury to the right chest 17 years ago, for which he underwent right thoracotomy and exploration for bleeding. Injury to the lung parenchyma was noted and repair was performed by suturing the defect. Post operatively the CT scan demonstrated development of pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm. We report a case of a patient expectorating coils 17 years after embolization of this traumatic pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm. Radiological imaging demonstrated coils in the perihilar area of the lung parenchyma and in the tracheobronchial lumen. Operative intervention was used to remove the coils. CONCLUSIONS: Although percutaneous catheter based vascular interventions have emerged as safe and effective procedures, the long-term complications such as coil migration, recanalization and need for further embolization ought to be considered and patients need to be counselled and followed-up accordingly. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of migrated coil post embolization of post-traumatic pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm. Ultimately, the management of endobronchial coil migration post embolization, be it surgical or bronchoscopic, should be decided on a case-by-case basis, considering the patient's symptoms and the risk fatal complications.

VATS surgical anatomical resection of bronchopulmonary sequestration presenting as chest sepsis.

BACKGROUND: Bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS) is a malformation of the lungs resulting in lung tissue lacking direct communication to the tracheobronchial tree. Most cases demonstrate systemic arterial blood supply from the descending thoracic aorta, the abdominal aorta, celiac axis or splenic artery and venous drainage via the pulmonary veins with occasional drainage into azygos vein. BPS is considered a childhood disease and accounts for 0.15-6.40% of congenital pulmonary malformations. BPS is divided into intralobar sequestrations (ILS) and extralobar sequestrations (ELS) with ILS accounting for 75% of all cases. METHODS: Here we present our 11-year experience of dealing with BPS; all cases presented with recurrent chest sepsis in young-late adulthood regardless of the type of pathological sequestration. The surgical technique employed was a minimally invasive video-assisted thoracoscopic anterior approach (VATS). RESULTS: Between May 2010 and September 2021, we have operated on nine adult patients with bronchopulmonary sequestration who presented late with symptoms of recurrent chest sepsis. Most patients in the cohort had lower lobe pathology, with a roughly even split between right and left sided pathology. Moreover, the majority were life-long never smokers and an equal preponderance in males and females. The majority were extralobar sequestrations (56%) with pathological features in keeping with extensive bronchopneumonia and bronchiectasis. There were no major intra-operative or indeed post-operative complications. Median length of stay was 3 days. CONCLUSIONS: Dissection and division of the systemic feeding vessel was readily achievable through a successful anterior VATS approach, regardless of the type of sequestration and without the use of pre-operative coiling of embolization techniques. This approach gave excellent access to the hilar structures yet in this pathology, judicious and perhaps a lower threshold for open approach should be considered.

Feasibility study of a randomised controlled trial of preoperative and postoperative nutritional supplementation in major lung surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Malnutrition and weight loss are important risk factors for complications after lung surgery. However, it is uncertain whether modifying or optimising perioperative nutritional state with oral supplements results in a reduction in malnutrition, complications or quality of life. DESIGN: A randomised, open label, controlled feasibility study was conducted to assess the feasibility of carrying out a large multicentre randomised trial of nutritional intervention. The intervention involved preoperative carbohydrate-loading drinks (4×200 mL evening before surgery and 2×200 mL the morning of surgery) and early postoperative nutritional protein supplement drinks two times per day for 14 days compared with the control group receiving an equivalent volume of water. SETTING: Single adult thoracic centre in the UK. PARTICIPANTS: All adult patients admitted for major lung surgery. Patients were included if were able to take nutritional drinks prior to surgery and give written informed consent. Patients were excluded if they were likely unable to complete the study questionnaires, they had a body mass index <18.5 kg/m2, were receiving parenteral nutrition or known pregnancy. RESULTS: All patients presenting for major lung surgery were screened over a 6-month period, with 163 patients screened, 99 excluded and 64 (41%) patients randomised. Feasibility criteria were met and the study completed recruitment 5 months ahead of target. The two groups were well balanced and tools used to measure outcomes were robust. Compliance with nutritional drinks was 97% preoperatively and 89% postoperatively; 89% of the questionnaires at 3 months were returned fully completed. The qualitative interviews demonstrated that the trial and the intervention were acceptable to patients. Patients felt the questionnaires captured their experience of recovery from surgery well. CONCLUSION: A large multicentre randomised controlled trial of nutritional intervention in major lung surgery is feasible and required to test clinical efficacy in improving outcomes after surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN16535341.

Paraganglioma Fed by the Circumflex Artery.

Mediastinal paragangliomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors and usually identified incidentally. Surgical excision remains the mainstay of treatment. Because of their location, anatomical relations, and highly vascular nature, surgical excision can be challenging. We present such a case, where the blood supply arose directly from the circumflex coronary artery and cardiopulmonary bypass was used to aid complete surgical excision.

Preoperative Long-term Therapeutic Subcutaneous Heparin Administration into Abdomen: Possible Cause for Nonobstructive Microvascular Flap Failure.

The anterioabdominal wall is the most common site for low molecular weight heparin administration for anticoagulation, either for prophylactic or for therapeutic indications. Occasionally, this could be associated with damage of the abdominal pannus microvasculature, which could possibly jeopardize the reliability of free abdominal flaps as deep inferior epigastric perforator and muscle sparing transverse rectus abdominis muscle, especially with therapeutic anticoagulation therapy. These flaps are reliant on a highly intricate complex vascular anatomy and perforasomes for their adequate perfusion and survival. The authors report a case of nonobstructive microvascular failure of a free muscle sparing transverse rectus abdominis muscle utilized for soft tissue coverage following resection of a chest wall breast cancer recurrence on a background of portacath-induced deep venous thrombosis of the axillary and subclavian vein whilst on chemotherapy. History of long-term therapeutic low molecular weight heparin administration in the abdomen resulted in microangiopathic densities evident on computerized tomography scan with subsequent flap failure due to possible jeopardization of the flap microvasculature and perfusion. Following exclusion of common local and systemic factors that can cause vascular compromise, a debridement and salvage re-reconstruction procedure utilizing a contralateral free latissimus dorsi flap was performed. Reconstructive surgeons should be cautious when planning to utilize free abdominal-based flaps on the background of long-term therapeutic low molecular weight heparin administration in the abdomen and may possibly explore other alternative options of using non-abdominal free flaps from the reconstructive armamentarium within this unique context.

Staging computerized tomography before delayed breast reconstruction could alter the management plan.

BACKGROUND: Delayed breast reconstruction (DBR) comprises a significant proportion of breast reconstruction practice post completion of breast cancer treatment. The tumour's biology, staging, time constraints, ongoing treatment, and patient and surgeon's preference influence the decision to pursue DBR. There are no guidelines for assessing the oncological status before DBR in otherwise asymptomatic patients, particularly in those with a higher risk of recurrence. The purpose of this study was to identify the cohort of patients who could potentially benefit from staging CT scan before DBR regardless of the reconstructive modality and its impact on the overall management. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective review on 207 consecutive patients, who underwent staging CT scan before DBR in the period between 2009 and 2019 was performed. The CT scan findings were correlated with the breast prognostication scoring model (Nottingham Prognostic Index [NPI]) as an indicator factor for staging reasons. RESULTS: Incidental findings were reported in 34% (71/207) of the reviewed CT scans (incidentaloma group). There was no statistical significance in the NPI scores between non incidentaloma and incidentaloma groups. However, 5.7% (12/207) had their DBR procedure cancelled or the surgical plan altered. CONCLUSION: The patients with moderate to poor prognosis (NPI score 3.4 and above) could benefit from CT staging scan before DBR. This scan could detect adverse prognostic features precluding major surgery, which saves patients from unnecessary surgical risks and discomfort, and direct them towards the relevant management pathway.

Therapeutic Mammoplasty and Dermal Flap: A Novel Hybrid Approach for Chest Wall Reconstruction.

Breast reduction techniques in management of breast cancer have been described since 1980 mainly to resect a large tumor in large breasts. Driven by the demand for more aesthetically acceptable results without compromising oncological safety, these oncoplastic approaches have become more popular. In addition, the utilization of redundant lower pole dermal flap has been a widely practiced tool in the armamentarium of implant-based breast reconstruction in patients with large ptotic breasts. The authors advocate a novel hybrid technique utilizing both therapeutic mammoplasty and lower breast pole dermal flap to provide coverage for anterior chest wall defect posttumor resection in patients with large or ptotic breasts. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on patients who underwent chest wall resection and reconstruction using therapeutic mammoplasty and dermal flap to provide soft tissue coverage in the period between 2012 and 2018. Patient's demographics, clinicopathological, radiological, operative details, postoperative morbidity, and follow-up data were recorded. RESULTS: Nine patients with chondrosarcoma (7/9) and giant cell tumor (2/9) were managed with a mean age 44.1 years (range 28-73). Complete oncological resection was achieved in all patients followed by rigid/nonrigid skeletal reconstructions. All procedures were completed successfully with no nipple areolar complex (NAC) necrosis or prosthesis failure experienced during the follow-up period (range 12-72 months). Excellent functional and aesthetic outcomes were reported in all patients. CONCLUSION: The authors' results demonstrate that this technique could be safely planned for soft tissue coverage postchest wall resection with superior aesthetic and durable outcomes.

Perioperative immune function and pain control may underlie early hospital readmission and 90 day mortality following lung cancer resection: A prospective cohort study of 932 patients.

BACKGROUND: Mortality following lung cancer resection has been shown to double between 30 and 90 days and readmission following surgery is associated with an increased risk of mortality. The aim of this study was to describe the causes of readmission and mortality and enable the identification of potentially modifiable factors associated with these events. METHODS: Prospective cohort study at a United Kingdom tertiary referral centre conducted over 55 months. Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with death within 90 days of surgery. RESULTS: The 30 day and 90 day mortality rates were 1.4% and 3.3% respectively. The most common causes of death were pneumonia, lung cancer and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome/Multi Organ Failure. Potentially modifiable risk factors for death identified were: Postoperative pulmonary complications (Odds ratio 6.1), preoperative lymphocyte count (OR 0.25), readmission within 30 days (OR 4.2) and type of postoperative analgesia (OR for intrathecal morphine 4.8). The most common causes of readmission were pneumonia, shortness of breath and pain. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative mortality is not simply due to fixed factors; the impacts of age, gender and surgical procedure on postoperative survival are reduced when the postoperative course of recovery is examined. Perioperative immune function, as portrayed by the occurrence of infection and lower lymphocyte count in the immediate perioperative period, and pain control method are strongly associated with 90 day mortality; further studies in these fields are indicated as are studies of psychological factors in recovery. CLINICAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN00061628.

Composite aortic valve graft replacement: mortality outcomes in a national registry.

BACKGROUND: Composite aortic valve and root replacement (CVG) is a complex surgical procedure, but excellent center-specific outcomes are reported. We sought to report outcomes in a national cohort. METHODS AND RESULTS: The United Kingdom Heart Valve Registry was interrogated for 1962 first-time CVG (and 37,102 aortic valve replacements [AVR] as a reference group) procedures from 1986 to 2004. We analyzed 30-day mortality, long-term survival (97.2% complete follow-up), and examined available risk factors for mortality using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis and causes of death. CVG patients were younger, received larger valve sizes and were more likely to be emergent than AVR patients. Overall 30-day mortality was 10.7% (CVG) and 3.6% (AVR). For CVG, multivariate analysis identified advanced age (> 70 years), concomitant coronary artery surgery, impaired left ventricular function, urgent or emergency status, prosthetic valve size < or = 23 mm and hospital activity volume < or = 8 procedures per annum as significant factors for 30-day mortality. Kaplan-Meier, 1-year, 5-year, 10-year and 20-year survival were 85.2%, 77.1%, 70% and 59.3%, respectively. The conditional (post-30-day) survival was similar to the AVR cohort. CONCLUSIONS: These Registry data provide a unique national insight into CVG outcomes. After a higher initial mortality risk, CVG has equivalent conditional longer-term survival to AVR.