Evaluation of short-course preoperative irradiation in the treatment of resectable bronchus carcinoma: long-term analysis of a randomized pilot-study.

A randomized pilot-study on patients with resectable non small-cell lung carcinoma was conducted from December 1971 to May 1976 inclusive. Patients were randomly assigned to receive preoperative irradiation to the mediastinum followed by surgery (RT + S), or to be treated by surgery only (SO). A total of 33 patients clinically staged as T1-2, N0, M0 histologically confirmed bronchus carcinoma were entered onto the study. Sixteen patients were assigned to RT + S and 17 patients received SO. There were 3 operative mortalities, all of them in the SO group. A total of 28 patients, 14 in each group are evaluable, with a minimum period of observation of 7 years. Preoperative irradiation consisted of a Telecobalt photon-beam applied to the mediastinum as anterior and posterior portals. The thoracic spine was protected on the posterior portal by a narrow lead block. A total dose of 20 Gy calculated in the mid plane was given in 5 equal fractions each of 4 Gy administered on 5 consecutive days: Monday through Friday; patients were operated on the following Monday after the week-end. Surgical treatment was similar for both groups and consisted of lobectomy or pneumonectomy, depending on the size and site of the primary tumor. Analysis of the survival data showed an absolute crude 5 years survival rate of 58% for patients who received RT + S versus 43% for SO. The corrected actuarial 5 and 10 years survival rates are 78 and 69% for the group that received RT + S, and 67 and 55% for the group treated by SO, respectively. Nineteen patients were treated more than 10 years ago. Four of 8 (50%) treated by RT + S are alive with no evidence of disease (NED), and 3/11 (28%) treated by SO are alive with NED. The median survival period for the group that received RT + S is 72 months versus 30 months for the group treated by SO. Analysis of the adequacy of surgical resection based on histological examination of the operative specimen showed higher incidence of radical resection in the group that received RT + S (57 versus 28.5%). It is concluded that the treatment protocol of preoperative radiation therapy as outlined is well tolerated and the results are encouraging.

Early results with bilateral internal mammary artery grafting in coronary reoperations.

In recent years, use of the internal mammary artery (IMA) as first graft of choice has been expanded with bilateral and sequential grafts in primary myocardial revascularization. The use of bilateral IMA grafts in reoperation has seldom been reported. The experience and early results with bilateral IMA grafting in 47 patients undergoing coronary reoperation are described. Hospital mortality was 6.3%. Four patients had postoperative signs of low cardiac output, and 4 had a perioperative myocardial infarction. At follow-up (18 +/- 18 months), 2 cardiac-related, late deaths were noted. Thirteen patients (29%) improved 1 New York Heart Association class, and 28 (63%) improved > 1 class. In 1 of 44 surviving patients, operation did not result in a decrease in angina. On the basis of the early results, the bilateral use of the IMA in coronary reoperation appears justified.

Hypoplastic aortic arch with aortic coarctation: surgical correction.

This report describes an alternative operation for hypoplastic aortic arch. The technique conserves the vascularization of the left arm and avoids the need of using flaps or free patches. The operative procedure is documented in three patients.

Parasternal mediastinoscopy. Assessment of operability in left upper lobe lung cancer: a prospective analysis.

Between 1976 and 1984, 242 patients with presumably operable lung cancer were treated surgically. In the Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, in the period 1976 to 1980, 109 of 131 (83.2%) patients underwent cervical mediastinoscopy to assess operability. They were studied retrospectively. During this examination, lymph node metastasis was demonstrated in three of 19 (15.8%) patients with left upper lobe lung cancer. At thoracotomy after a normal cervical mediastinoscopic study or no mediastinoscopic study, periaortic lymph node metastases were found in eight of 34 (23.5%) patients with left upper lobe lung cancer. In the period 1981 to 1984, the value of left parasternal mediastinoscopy was studied prospectively in patients with left lung cancer in the Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen; in the Lung Centre of the Radboud University Hospital, Nijmegen; and in the Lung Center of the Dekkerswald Medical Centre, Groesbeek. Cervical or cervical and parasternal mediastinoscopy were performed in 69 of 111 (62.2%) patients. At parasternal mediastinoscopy performed after a normal cervical mediastinoscopic study, periaortic lymph node metastases were found in seven of 31 (22.6%) patients with left upper lobe lung cancer. All periaortic lymph node metastases showed intranodal and extranodal growth. The resectability rate in left upper lobe lung cancer was 79.4% in the retrospective group and 96.5% in the prospective group. There were no serious complications after parasternal mediastinoscopy. These data point to the reliability of parasternal mediastinoscopy in the assessment of left upper lobe lung cancer. The study provides essential information for the staging and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer of the left upper lobe.

Exercise cardiorespiratory function before and one year after operation for pectus excavatum.

In 35 patients with pectus excavatum (aged 17.9 +/- 5.6 years) pulmonary function and maximal exercise test results were compared before and at 1 year after operation. The lower posteroanterior chest diameter on the lateral x-ray film was significantly smaller than normal (p < 0.0001) and increased significantly after operation (p < 0.0001). Preoperatively, total lung capacity (86.0% +/- 14.4%; p = 0.0001) and inspiratory vital capacity (79.7% +/- 16.2; p = 0.0001) were significantly smaller than predicted and further decreased after operation (-9.2% +/- 9.2%; p = 0.0001 and -6.6% +/- 10.7%; p = 0.0012, respectively). Arterial blood gas values displayed normal patterns with increasing exercise both before and after operation. Only the arterial pH decreased more after operation than before (p = 0.0026). After operation there was a significant increase in maximal oxygen uptake (oxygen uptake; p = 0.0002 and oxygen uptake per kilogram; p = 0.0025) and oxygen pulse (oxygen uptake/heart rate approximates an indirect parameter for stroke volume; p = 0.0333) during exercise, whereas the maximal work performed was unchanged. Efficiency of breathing (ratio of tidal volume/inspiratory vital capacity) at maximal exercise improved significantly after operation (p = 0.0005). Ventilatory limitation of exercise (defined by an increase in carbon dioxide tension during exercise) was found in 43.9% of the patients before operation. A tendency of improvement was noted (not significant) after operation (difference in carbon dioxide tension 0.6 +/- 0.4 kPa before versus 0.3 +/- 0.5 kPa after operation). However, the group with normal preoperative carbon dioxide elimination had a ventilatory limitation of exercise after operation (difference in carbon dioxide tension -0.4 +/- 0.3 kPa before versus -0.1 +/- 0.3 kPa after operation; p = 0.0128) with a significant increase in oxygen consumption (p = 0.0007). In conclusion the subjective physical improvement after operation is not explained by changes in cardiorespiratory function at exercise. The data suggest a higher work of breathing after operation.

Experience and early results of second reoperations for coronary artery disease. Should patent vein grafts be replaced during reoperation?

Reoperation for coronary artery disease has become a routine procedure; however, a second reoperation is exceptional. In this report we describe our experience with 16 patients undergoing a second reoperation for coronary atherosclerosis. The absence of operative mortality is certainly related to the patient selection. The number of patients is still too small to draw major conclusions. Striking, however, is that the first reoperation was usually done for angina because of progression of atherosclerosis in the native coronary system and the second reoperation was done because of graft failure. This experience supports the idea that the replacement of old, even patent, venous grafts and the choice of the best available conduits are of great importance at the first reoperation and may prevent a second reoperation.

A comparison of coarctation resection and subclavian flap angioplasty using ultrasonographically monitored postocclusive reactive hyperemia.

The reported relatively high incidence of early restenosis at the coarctation repair site with subclavian flap angioplasty, especially in infants less than 3 months of age, prompted a physiologically oriented analysis of relief of obstruction from coarctation after subclavian flap angioplasty versus resection and end-to-end anastomosis in infancy. Twenty-one patients who had undergone repair of coarctation in infancy by either subclavian flap angioplasty (nine patients) (median age 8 years) or resection and end-to-end anastomosis (12 patients) (median age 8 years) were evaluated by Doppler spectrum analysis of the blood flow velocities in the femoral artery at rest and during reactive hyperemia. The median resting right upper to lower limb systolic pressure difference (with interquartile range) was similar in the angioplasty, resection and anastomosis, and control groups: -5 mm Hg (18 mm Hg), 0 mm Hg (12 mm Hg), and -2.5 mm Hg (10 mm Hg), respectively. Also, similar resting values for the maximum frequency of the advancing curve and the pulsatility and resistance indices were measured in the three groups. During reactive hyperemia of the leg, however, a significant hemodynamic obstruction across the repair site became clinically manifest in the angioplasty group only, as documented by a lower pulsatility index in comparison with the control group (p = 0.01, Mann-Whitney U test). Comparison of the hemodynamic results between the angioplasty and resection and anastomosis groups in subdivisions of infants operated on at an age of less or greater than 3 months, both at rest and during reactive hyperemia, showed, already at rest, a significantly lower value for the pulsatility index in the former angioplasty subdivision (p = 0.05, Student's t test), indicating a significant resistance at the coarctation repair site in the angioplasty patients operated on before the third month of life. A disadvantage of angioplasty (compared with resection and anastomosis) was noted when angioplasty was performed before the third month of life, and an unequivocal lack of advantage was noted when performed beyond that period regarding relief of obstruction from coarctation. In addition, a definite potential for adverse long-term effects on the hemodynamics of the left upper limb after subclavian flap angioplasty in infancy has been documented. For these reasons we prefer to perform resection and end-to-end anastomosis for repair of coarctation in infancy.

Retrograde versus antegrade delivery of cardioplegic solution in myocardial revascularization. A clinical trial in patients with three-vessel coronary artery disease who underwent myocardial revascularization with extensive use of the internal mammary artery.

The effects of retrograde and antegrade delivery of cardioplegic solution on myocardial function were evaluated and compared in 60 patients who underwent myocardial revascularization. All patients had three-vessel coronary artery disease, and the revascularization was done with extensive use of the internal mammary artery. Seventy-five percent of the distal anastomoses were performed with the internal mammary artery. Myocardial protection consisted of St. Thomas' Hospital cardioplegic solution, topical slushed ice, and systemic hypothermia (28 degrees C). The patients were randomly separated into two groups: group A (n = 30), who received antegrade cardioplegia, and group B (n = 30), who received retrograde cardioplegia. With the exception of the total dose of cardioplegic solution (p = 0.02), there was no significant difference between the two groups that concerned septal myocardial temperature at the moment of asystole and after infusion of the total dose of cardioplegic solution. Cardiac function was assessed before and after the patient was weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass. In the immediate postoperative period there was a significant increase in right atrial pressure of the patients who underwent antegrade cardioplegia. For the other registered parameters there was no significant difference either in the immediate postoperative period or 6 hours later. Release of creatine kinase MB isoenzyme was the same in the two groups. Clinical outcome in terms of mortality, prevalence of perioperative infarction, prevalence of low cardiac output, and rhythm and conduction disturbances was similar in both groups. Technical problems related to cannulation and decannulation of the coronary sinus were not encountered. Multivariate analysis showed that occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (p = 0.012) is an essential contraindication of antegrade delivery of cardioplegic solution. Analysis of the patients with an occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery who underwent antegrade (n = 9) and retrograde (n = 10) cardioplegia showed a significant difference in the total dose of cardioplegic solution (p = 0.02) and septal myocardial temperature at the moment of asystole (p = 0.008) and after infusion of the total dose of cardioplegic solution (p = 0.015). The mean arterial systolic blood pressure in the antegrade group was significantly lower than in the retrograde group (p = 0.003). Preservation of the left ventricular stroke work index was significantly better in the retrograde group (namely, 85% of its initial value versus 71% in the antegrade group, p = 0.0116).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Recycling of the internal mammary artery in coronary reoperation.

In 5 patients undergoing a coronary artery reoperation, the internal mammary artery graft was taken down and reused. No special problems were encountered perioperatively or postoperatively. Because the number of grafts and distal anastomoses performed in coronary reoperations is increasing, lack of suitable graft conduits will be a problem in the future. Recycling an internal mammary artery graft may be an option to achieve good revascularization in some coronary reoperations.

Coarctation developing after arterial switch repair for transposition of the great arteries.

We describe 2 patients with simple transposition of the great arteries in whom coarctation of the aorta developed after uncomplicated arterial switch operation. Both patients showed no symptoms or signs of this coarctation at the time of arterial switch operation.

Modified Robicsek technique for complicated sternal closure.

A modification of the technique described by Robicsek and associates for treatment of sternum separation after open heart operation is described. The technique consists of placing four interlocking steel wires parasternally on both sides and then including them in the usual transverse peristernal wires.

Appraisal of resection and end-to-end anastomosis for repair of coarctation of the aorta in infancy: preference for resection.

Between 1973 and 1987, 70 consecutive infants under-went repair of coarctation of the aorta. Age at operation was 80.0 +/- 77 days (mean +/- standard deviation); mean weight was 3.0 +/- 0.5 kg. Isolated coarctation was present in 25 patients (group 1); in 19 patients coarctation existed in association with ventricular septal defect (group 2); and in 26 patients coarctation was associated with major intracardiac defects (group 3). Subclavian flap angioplasty was performed in 19 patients and resection and end-to-end anastomosis in 51 patients. Hospital mortality was not significantly different between subclavian flap angioplasty (11%) and resection and end-to-end anastomosis (24%). Freedom from reintervention for recoarctation after 5 years was 87% in the subclavian flap angioplasty group and 95% in the group having resection and end-to-end anastomosis. Actuarial survival at 5 years was 100% for group 1, 73% for group 2, and 28% for group 3. In the subclavian flap angioplasty group, we observed detrimental effects of the sacrifice of the left subclavian artery: 1 patient had a 2.5-cm shortening of the left upper arm, and 5 others complained of claudication in the left upper limb during strenuous exercise. As no major advantage in terms of mortality and recoarctation to either technique of coarctation repair was found, and as subclavian flap angioplasty carries the possible disadvantage of late contracture of isthmic ductal tissue and possible detrimental effects on the left upper limb, resection and end-to-end anastomosis is recommended.

Prognosis of unsuspected but completely resectable N2 non-small cell lung cancer.

Of 111 patients with non-small cell lung cancer without clinically evident N2 disease 95 underwent mediastinoscopy between 1975 and 1985. In 63 cases mediastinoscopy was positive and in 32 negative. The patients with a positive mediastinoscopy were considered to have inoperable disease. Their 3- and 5-year survival rates were 5% and 0%, respectively. The patients with a negative mediastinoscopy and 16 patients in whom no mediastinoscopy was performed because of a peripheral tumor underwent operation. They underwent complete tumor resection and mediastinal lymph node dissection. Unsuspected N2 disease was found. Their 3- and 5-year survival rates were 19% and 10%, respectively. The better survival rate in the operated group was statistically significant and mainly due to a better survival of the lobectomy group. Multiple regression analysis showed no favorable prognostic factors in the nonoperated group, but in the operated group lobectomy and central location of the tumor significantly improved the prognosis. We conclude that patients with unsuspected stage IIIa non-small cell lung cancer discovered at thoracotomy benefit from complete tumor resection and mediastinal lymph node dissection, especially if the resection can be confined to lobectomy and if the tumor is located centrally.

Histological study of the internal mammary artery with emphasis on its suitability as a coronary artery bypass graft.

The internal mammary, musculophrenic, and superior epigastric arteries were unilaterally harvested from 11 individuals (aged 49 to 83 years; mean age, 67 years) and were examined histologically at 1-cm intervals. In 2 individuals the media of the entire internal mammary artery was elastic, whereas in the other 9 individuals we observed an alternating histological pattern in the media of the internal mammary artery, that of the proximal and distal segments being elastomuscular and that of the mid segment being elastic. In 4 of the latter 9 individuals the distal 10% to 20% of the media of the internal mammary artery was muscular with rare elastic lamellae. The media of the first 1 to 2 cm of the musculophrenic and superior epigastric arteries was elastomuscular or muscular with rare elastic lamellae, whereas more distally the media was purely muscular. The degree of intimal hyperplasia was significantly greater in arterial segments with a purely muscular media (25.6%) than in those with elastic (16.7%), elastomuscular (15.3%), and muscular (with rare elastic lamellae) (17.5%) types of media (p < 0.01). The mean cross-sectional luminal area of the elastic segment (1.9 mm2) and proximal and distal elastomuscular segments (1.9 and 1.2 mm2, respectively) of the internal mammary artery was significantly greater than that of the muscular segments of the musculophrenic artery (0.9 mm2) and the superior epigastric artery (0.7 mm2) (p < 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Completion pneumonectomy. A retrospective analysis of indications and results.

Between 1970 and 1993, 446 patients underwent pneumonectomy. Completion pneumonectomy was performed in 37 patients (8.3%): 34 men and 3 women, with a mean age of 61 years (range 20-78 years). Indications were benign disease in 4 patients and carcinoma in 33. Of the latter, 21 patients underwent resection for metachronous lung cancer, 6 for recurrent lung cancer, 4 for previous incomplete resection, 1 for primary lung cancer after previous resection for benign disease and 1 patient after previous segmentectomy for metastasis. The mean interval between first operation and completion pneumonectomy was 41 months (range 1-187 months) for the whole group, 30 months for benign disease and 42 months for carcinoma. The overall operative mortality was 6/37 (16.2%); 1/4 patients with benign disease and 5/33 (15.2%) patients with carcinoma. Nine patients (29%) had one or more major non-fatal complication. Actuarial 3- and 5-year survival rates were 41.0% and 24.5% for the entire group, 75% at both times for patients with benign disease, 36.4% and 18.3% for all patients with carcinoma at the time of completion pneumonectomy and 24.3% and 14.5% for patients with metachronous or recurrent lung cancer. For 15 patients with stage I or II metachronous lung cancer, the 3- and 5-year survival rates were 33.9% and 16.9%. All six patients with stage III metachronous cancer died within 18 months. In conclusion, completion pneumonectomy carries a high operative mortality and morbidity. Long-term survival is negatively influenced by stage III lung cancer.

Morbidity and mortality in 200 consecutive coronary reoperations.

OBJECTIVE: The morbidity and mortality of coronary reoperations is still higher than in primary myocardial revascularization. In the present paper we analyzed the relation between several preoperative and peroperative variables and the perioperative morbidity and mortality of coronary reoperations. METHODS: The data of 200 consecutive patients undergoing isolated aortocoronary bypass reoperation were studied by univariate and multivariate analysis. The mean age was 59 years (range 44-83 years), 163 (81%) patients were male and 37 (19%) female. The overall hospital mortality was 8.5% (17/200), and in 32/200 patients (16%) a perioperative myocardial infarction was noted. RESULTS: By univariate analysis, a myocardial infarction before the initial operation and a myocardial infarction between the initial operation and the reoperation, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, anginal status and perioperative myocardial infarction were identified as factors influencing the operative mortality. Multivariate analysis identified perioperative myocardial infarction and anginal status as predictors of hospital mortality. Further analysis identified peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, delivery way (ante/retrograde) of cardioplegic solution, and anginal status as univariate predictors of perioperative myocardial infarction. The only significant multivariate predictor of perioperative myocardial infarction was the anginal status. CONCLUSION: The anginal status (New York Heart Association > or = IV-A) is the dominant variable in predicting the operative outcome in coronary reoperations, and a decrease of the operative mortality and perioperative infarction rate can be expected by avoiding 'so called' emergency reoperations.

Asymptomatic right atrial aneurysm: fortuitous finding and resection.

A rare right atrial aneurysm is described in a 36-year-old man. After median sternotomy for coronary bypass, a thin-walled aneurysmal dilatation of the right atrium was seen by chance. The patient was in sinus rhythm. The aneurysm was surgically resected. The postoperative course was uneventful.

Surgical treatment of a fistula between the right pulmonary artery and the left atrium: presentation of two cases and review of literature.

OBJECTIVE: A direct communication between the pulmonary artery and the left atrium is a rare anomaly. On the basis of two cases of our own and a literature review of 49 cases, we focus on clinical presentation, anatomy, diagnosis, and the role of surgery. METHODS: Two cases of a fistula between the right pulmonary artery and the left atrium are described in a girl of 4 years and a boy of 15 years. Both presented with unexplained cyanosis. Diagnosis was made on echocardiography and angiography. The fistula was ligated using extracorporeal circulation in the first case and not in the second case. RESULTS: The surgical results were successful with resolution of the cyanosis. CONCLUSIONS: In newborns, urgent surgery may be necessary. In other patients, early elective surgical correction should be performed to prevent complications, especially systemic and cerebral emboli, cerebral abscesses, and rupture of aneurysmal fistulas. Complete cure can be achieved by ligation and possible division or by intracardiac repair.

Lipomatous hypertrophy of the interatrial septum: indication for surgery?

A fortuitous finding during open heart surgery of lipomatous hypertrophy of the interatrial septum is described in a 65-year old man with ischaemic heart complaints due to coronary artery disease and with premature ventricular contractions. An incision biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. The choice of treatment of lipomatous hypertrophy of the interatrial septum is controversial. Indications for surgery and surgical techniques are discussed.

Intramural oesophageal cyst as a cause of acute respiratory distress.

A case is reported of an intramural oesophageal cyst. Acute dyspnoea, due to compression of the trachea, was an indication for exploratory sternotomy.