Staging of Early-Stage Lung Cancer without Routine PET in Candidates for Segmentectomy.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to investigate the accuracy of clinical staging without the routine use of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in patients with cIA1 and cIA2 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) scheduled for segmentectomy. METHODS: A total of 305 consecutive segmentectomies were retrospectively analyzed. Overall survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Logistic regression was performed to investigate factors independently associated with pathologic upstaging. RESULTS: The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) upstaging was found in 86 patients (28%). Upstaged patients had longer operative times (146 ± 46 vs. 131 ± 44 minutes, p = 0.009), a higher number of lymph node resection (17 ± 10 vs. 13 ± 8, p = 0.001), and a higher rate of L1 involvement (34 vs. 16%, p < 0.001) than nonupstaged patients. N1 was found in 10 patients (3%) and N2 in 13 patients (4%). Nodal positive patients had longer operation times (154 ± 50 vs. 133 ± 44 minutes, p = 0.031) and higher rates of R1 (9 vs. 1%, p = 0.006) and L1 (39 vs. 20%, p < 0.026) than patients without nodal involvement. The 3- and 5-year overall survival rates for nonupstaged and upstaged patients were 85 and 67% and 67 and 54%, respectively (p = 0.040). In logistic regression, L1 involvement (odds ratio [OR]: 2.394, p = 0.005) and the number of dissected lymph nodes (OR: 1.037, p = 0.016) were independently associated with upstaging. Patients who received PET as part of clinical staging did not have a significantly lower nodal upstaging. CONCLUSION: Selective use of PET/CT based on the results of CT may be a viable option for patients with proven or suspected NSCLC up to 2 cm in size.

Results of the Diaphragmatic Plication Database: 10 Years' Experience.

BACKGROUND: Unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis or paresis (UDP) in adults is an often overlooked disease which relevantly impairs the patient's lung function and quality of life. Particularly in idiopathic UDP, there is no evidence for conservative therapy and only little evidence for surgical therapy. METHODS: The method involves retrospective single-center analysis of patients with UDP persistent for at least 1 year who were operated by diaphragmatic resection, plication, and augmentation with a polypropylene mesh. The patients were tested for lung and diaphragmatic function, six-minute walk test (6MWT), and blood gas analysis before, 3 and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: In total, 85 patients received surgery for UDP. The most frequent reasons for UDP were idiopathic (67%), iatrogenic (mainly cardiac and cervical spine surgery; 24%), and trauma (9%). The mean operation time was 84 ± 24 minutes, the length of hospital stay 8.4 ± 3.9 days, chest tubes were removed after 11.7 ± 4.1 days. Overall morbidity was 42%, mortality 0%. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) in supine position improved by 12.4% absolute, vital capacity by 11.8% absolute, and sniff nasal inspiratory pressure by 1.4 kPa 12 months after surgery (p <0.001 each). Total lung capacity increased by 6.8% absolute at 12 months (p = 0.001) The 6MWT distance improved by 45.9 m at 3 months and 50.9 m at 12 months (p = 0.001, each). CONCLUSION: Surgical therapy for UDP is highly effective in the long term. The superiority over conservative treatments needs to be evaluated prospectively with standardized physiotherapeutic protocols. FEV1 in supine position and 6MWT are easy to perform tests and represent statistically and patient-relevant outcomes.

Hypercapnia in COPD Patients Undergoing Endobronchial Ultrasound under Local Anaesthesia and Analgosedation: A Prospective Controlled Study Using Continuous Transcutaneous Capnometry.

BACKGROUND: Flexible bronchoscopy (FB) in analgosedation causes alveolar hypoventilation and hypercapnia, the more so if patients suffer from COPD. Nonetheless, neither is capnometry part of standard monitoring nor is there evidence on how long patients should be monitored after sedation. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the impact of COPD on hypercapnia during FB with endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) in sedation and how the periprocedural monitoring should be adapted. METHODS: Two cohorts of consecutive patients - with advanced and without COPD - with the indication for FB with EBUS-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in analgosedation received continuous transcutaneous capnometry (ptcCO2) before, during, and for 60 min after the sedation with midazolam and alfentanil. MAIN RESULTS: Forty-six patients with advanced COPD and 44 without COPD were included. The mean examination time was 26 ± 9 min. Patients with advanced COPD had a higher peak ptcCO2 (53.7 ± 7.1 vs. 46.8 ± 4.8 mm Hg, p < 0.001) and mean ptcCO2 (49.5 ± 6.8 vs. 44.0 ± 4.4 mm Hg, p < 0.001). Thirty-six percent of all patients reached the maximum hypercapnia after FB in the recovery room (8 ± 11 min). Patients with COPD needed more time to recover to normocapnia (22 ± 24 vs. 7 ± 11 min, p < 0.001). They needed a nasopharyngeal tube more often (28 vs. 11%, p < 0.001). All patients recovered from hypercapnia within 60 min after FB. No intermittent ventilation manoeuvres were needed. CONCLUSION: A relevant proportion of patients reached their peak-pCO2 after the end of intervention. We recommend using capnometry at least for patients with known COPD. Flexible EBUS in analgosedation can be safely performed in patients with advanced COPD. For patients with advanced COPD, a postprocedural observation time of 60 min was sufficient.

Use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Major Cardiopulmonary Resections.

BACKGROUND: In thoracic surgery, utilization of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is mainly established for patients undergoing lung transplantation. The aim of our study was to summarize our single-center experience with intraoperative use of veno-venous- or veno-arterial-ECMO in patients undergoing complex lung surgery involving the main carina, or the left atrium or the descending aorta. METHODS: A total of 24 patients underwent combined complex lung, carinal, aortal, or left atrial resections. In cases of carinal resection, percutaneous veno-venous, jugular-femoral cannulation was considered suitable. For combined resection of lung and descending aorta, a percutaneous femoral veno-arterial cannulation was used. In cases of extended left atrial resection, a percutaneous jugular-femoral veno-venous-arterial cannulation was favored. RESULTS: Procedures were divided into three groups: carinal resections and reconstruction (n = 8), resections of the descending aorta and left lung (n = 7), resections of lung and left atrium (n = 9). No intraoperative complications occurred. Overall 30-day mortality was 25%. A complete resection was achieved in 18 patients. Median survival was 12 months. One- and 5-year survival were 48.1 and 22.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The present study shows that intraoperative use of ECMO for extended carinal, aortic, or atrial resections is feasible with minimal intraoperative complications allowing surgeons increased operating-field safety. Perioperative mortality is high, but this is rather an attribute of local extended disease and patient comorbidities.

Guidelines on analgosedation, monitoring, and recovery time for flexible bronchoscopy: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing bronchoscopy in spontaneous breathing are prone to hypoxaemia and hypercapnia. Sedation, airway obstruction, and lung diseases impair respiration and gas exchange. The restitution of normal respiration takes place in the recovery room. Nonetheless, there is no evidence on the necessary observation time. We systematically reviewed current guidelines on bronchoscopy regarding sedation, monitoring and recovery. METHODS: This review was registered at the PROSPERO database (CRD42020197476). MEDLINE and awmf.org were double-searched for official guidelines, recommendation or consensus statements on bronchoscopy from 2010 to 2020. The PICO-process focussed on adults (Patients), bronchoscopy with maintained spontaneous breathing (Interventions), and recommendations regarding the intra- and postprocedural monitoring and sedation (O). The guideline quality was graded. A catalogue of 54 questions was answered. Strength of recommendation and evidence levels were recorded for each recommendation. RESULTS: Six guidelines on general bronchoscopy and three expert statements on special bronchoscopic procedures were identified. Four guidelines were evidence-based. Most guidelines recommend sedation to improve the patient's tolerance. Midazolam combined with an opioid is preferred. The standard monitoring consists of non-invasive blood pressure, and pulse oximetry, furthermore electrocardiogram in cardiac patients. Only one guideline discusses hypercapnia and capnometry, but without consensus. Two guidelines discuss a recovery time of two hours, but a recommendation was not given because of lack of evidence. CONCLUSION: Evidence for most issues is low to moderate. Lung-diseased patients are not represented by current guidelines. Capnometry and recovery time lack evidence. More primary research in these fields is needed so that future guidelines may address these issues, too.

[Chest Wall Reconstruction Using Polypropylene Mesh: a Single-Center 8-Year Analysis]. / Brustwandrekonstruktion mittels Polypropylennetz: eine monozentrische 8-jährige Analyse.

BACKGROUND: Chest wall resection for malignant tumours is usually combined with reconstruction of the bony defect. We analysed our single centre, 8-year, experience using polypropylene mesh for chest wall reconstruction. The goal of our retrospective study was to identify material-related complications and to compare them with the existing literature. METHODS: The inclusion criterion in our retrospective cohort was a full-thickness chest wall excision and reconstruction using a polypropylene mesh with a mainly oncological indication spectrum (e.g. sarcomas, metastases, lung carcinomas with infiltration of the chest wall) in the period from January 2008 to January 2017. Primary endpoints were material-related complications: local infection, seroma, material migration, mesh explantation and chest wall instability. Secondary endpoints were the following postoperative complications: pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), postoperative bleeding and prolonged postoperative ventilation (> 24 h postoperatively). RESULTS: A total of 202 chest wall resections were performed in our clinic over a period of 8 years. Of these, 138 defects were reconstructed using a polypropylene mesh. Pneumonia was the most common postoperative complication at a rate of 12.3%. In 5.7% of the cases, a wound seroma developed that made it necessary to insert a Redon suction drain. Local wound infection was confirmed microbiologically in three cases (2.1%). In one of these cases, the reconstruction material had to be removed. The 30-day mortality rate was 1.4% with two postoperative deaths. Material migration or chest wall instability with a paradoxical pattern of breathing movement were not documented. CONCLUSION: Chest wall reconstruction using polypropylene mesh is a technique with low material-related complication rate. The low rate of local infections, material explantation, and chest instability documented in our cohort can be a helpful decision factor for the operating thoracic surgeon looking for the appropriate reconstruction material.

Optimal timing of surgery for bronchial sleeve resection after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

INTRODUCTION: Sleeve resection is an established oncological operative treatment for centrally located tumors with reduced complications compared to pneumonectomy. In cases of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, the optimal timing of surgery for bronchial anastomotic healing has not been adequately explored. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2006 and 2017, 584 tracheobronchial sleeve resections were retrospectively analyzed. We selected all patients (n = 88) after sleeve lobectomy or sleeve bilobectomy for lung cancer with fully completed neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Bronchial healing was assessed by bronchoscopy on the 7th postoperative day using our earlier published classification from grades 1 to 5. RESULTS: The median interval to surgery was 50 days (interquartile range 46-53, mean 50.03 ± 3.72). Mean anastomotic grade was 2.05 ± 1.03 and in 29.5% of the patients a critical anastomosis (grade ≥3) was documented. Anastomotic healing showed optimal results (bronchoscopic grade mean value: 1.5 ± 0.70) between the 6th and 8th postchemoradiotherapy week (P = .001). All patients operated before (bronchoscopic grade mean value: 2.3 ± 1.02) or after the above period (bronchoscopic grade mean value: 2.5 ± 1.15) had an increased ratio of anastomotic healing complications. CONCLUSION: It is safer to perform sleeve-resections for non-small cell lung cancer after neoadjuvant trimodal treatment between the 6th and 8th week of completion of chemoradiotherapy.

Single-Incision Laparoscopic versus Open Sigmoidectomy for Diverticular Disease: A Disease-Stratified Matched-Pair Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is a variant of laparoscopic surgery, especially for diverticular disease (DD), but there are very little data comparing SILS to standard surgical procedures for DD, and most studies on DD surgery do not declare the disease stage. We compared SILS to open sigmoidectomy for DD in a stage-stratified matched-pair analysis to validate the significance of SILS. METHODS: All patients with SILS or conventional sigmoidectomy for diverticulitis of a single visceral surgery department were subject to a matched-pair analysis stratified by age, sex, body mass index, previous abdominal surgery, and the stage of DD. RESULTS: Fifty-five pairs were included. In total, 84/110 (76%) had complicated stages of DD. ASA stages were higher in the laparotomy group; the proportion of elective operations was similar (SILS 78%, open: 71%). In the SILS group, length of hospital stay (LoS; 10.2 vs. 16.7 days) and duration of intensive or intermediate care (IMC; 1.8 vs. 3.7 days) were shorter, blood transfusions were reduced (0.1 vs. 0.4 units) and less patients received opioids postoperatively (75 vs. 98%). The day of first defecation, stoma rate, and rates of morbidity and mortality were similar. CONCLUSIONS: SILS equals open sigmoidectomy regarding complications with advantages regarding pain, LoS, IMC/intensive care unit treatment, and blood transfusion.

Anterior Chest Wall Reconstruction Using Polypropylene Mesh: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Anterior chest wall resection for oncological purposes is usually combined with a form of reconstruction. Most surgeons are convinced that ventrally located defects more than 4 to 5 cm require adequate reconstruction to minimize the risk of lung herniation and respiratory distress through paradox motion. We describe our in-house results of ventral chest wall reconstruction using polypropylene mesh without the use of metallic or biological implants regardless of the extent of chest wall resection. METHODS: Patient selection involved ventral chest wall resection and reconstruction by polypropylene mesh for all indications such as primary tumors, metastasis, or infiltration by lung cancer from January 2008 to December 2016. Primary end point was the difference between both sides. Secondary end points were postoperative complications such as infection, surgical revision, and pulmonary complications. RESULTS: Forty-five cases of isolated anterior reconstruction could be identified. In 34 cases, postoperative computed tomography scan of the thorax was available. Fifteen males and 19 females with a median age of 70.5 years were operated. The evaluation of maximum hemithorax diameter between operated and nonoperated sides was documented in centimeters, and the difference was documented in percentage. The mean percentage difference was 11.1% (minimum: 0.3, maximum: 44.4). In one case, wound infection with positive culture could not be treated conservatively and required operative revision and removal of the polypropylene mesh. CONCLUSION: Polypropylene mesh, though not rigid, can safely be used for anterior chest wall reconstruction.

[Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery in Local Anaesthesia and Analgosedation - a Survey of the Members of the German Society of Thoracic Surgeons]. / Videoassistierte thorakoskopische Chirurgie in Lokalanästhesie und Analgosedierung ­ eine Umfrage unter den Mitgliedern der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Thoraxchirurgie.

INTRODUCTION: There is increasing international interest in the use of video-assisted thoracoscopic procedures (VATS) with spontaneous respiration in the treatment of elderly and multimorbid patients. Data on the application and acceptance in Germany are not yet available. METHOD: Germany-wide, online-based survey among the departments of thoracic surgery registered at the German Society of Thoracic Surgeons (DGT) on the application of VATS in local anaesthesia (LA). RESULTS: 101 of 157 hospitals responded (64%). 42% of the respondents perform non-intubated VATS (NIVATS), 31% VATS in LA. Reasons not to perform VATS in LA are lack of experience (51%), doubts about feasibility (29%) and missing indications (24%). Among the performing clinics, the most frequent procedures are pleural catheterisation (94%), pleural biopsy (87%) and pleurodesis (87%). 42% of the clinics perform wedge resections and 10% also anatomical resections in LA. Main target groups are multimorbid patients (77%), elderly patients (65%), patients with anxiety about general anaesthesia (55%) and patients with pre-existing lung diseases (52%). In 97% of the departments, sedation is performed by anaesthesiologists. The main technical difficulties mentioned are impaired view of the surgical field (39%), hypercapnia (29%) and panic attacks (23%). Pain is of minor importance (3%). DISCUSSION: About one third of the participating departments already perform VATS in LA; others have plans to introduce the method. The majority of respondents regard multimorbid, elderly and lung patients as the main target groups, as fewer inflammatory, respiratory and neurological complications are expected.

[Expert Recommendation for the Implementation of Hyperthermic Intrathoracic Chemotherapy (HITOC) in Germany]. / Expertenempfehlung zur Anwendung der hyperthermen intrathorakalen Chemotherapie (HITOC) in Deutschland.

INTRODUCTION: During the last few years, hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy (HITOC) has been performed in several departments for thoracic surgery in Germany. The objective of this expert recommendation is to provide elementary recommendations for a standardised HITOC treatment, which are based on clinical experiences and research data. METHODS: Between October and December 2018, a group of experts for thoracic surgery in five departments of thoracic surgery developed recommendations for the HITOC procedure in Germany. These experts were selected by the latest national survey for HITOC and had the most clinical experience with HITOC. All recommendations are based on clinical experience, the experts' research data and recent literature. RESULTS: All recommendations were evaluated by all participating departments in one consensus survey. Finally, a total of six main conclusions including a total of 17 recommendations were developed. For each recommendation, the strength of the consensus is presented in percentages. 100% agreement was established for nomenclature, technique, the chemotherapeutic agent, the perioperative management, the safety measures and the indications for HITOC. All experts recommended cisplatin as the first choice chemotherapeutic agent for HITOC. The dosage of cisplatin is specified in mg/m2 body surface area (BSA) and should be between 150 and 175 mg/m2 BSA. The volume of the perfusion fluid (approximately 4 - 5 l) seems to play a role for the concentration gradient of cisplatin and should therefore also be taken into account. CONCLUSIONS: These expert recommendations provide a standardised and consistent implementation of the HITOC procedure. On this basis, postoperative complications associated to HITOC should be reduced and comparison of the results should be improved.

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery: outcomes from 224 colonic resections performed at a single center using SILS.

BACKGROUND: Compared with single-incision laparoscopy, multiport laparoscopy is associated with greater risk of postoperative wound pain, infection, incisional hernias, and suboptimal cosmetic outcomes. The feasibility of minimally invasive single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) for colorectal procedures is well-established, but outcome data remain limited. METHODS: Patients with benign diverticular disease, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis admitted to Klinikum Leverkusen, Germany, for colonic resection between July 2009 and March 2011 (n = 224) underwent single-incision laparoscopic surgery using the SILS port system. Surgeons had ≥7 years' experience in laparoscopic colon surgery but no SILS experience. Patient demographic and clinical data were collected prospectively. Pain was evaluated by using a visual analog scale (0-10). Data were analyzed by using the SPSS PASW Statistics 18 database. RESULTS: The majority of patients underwent sigmoid colectomy with high anterior resection (AR) or left hemicolectomy (n = 150) for diverticulitis. Our conversion rate to open surgery was 6.3 %, half in patients undergoing sigmoid colectomy with high AR or left hemicolectomy, 95 % of whom had diverticulitis. Mean operating time was 166 ± 74 (range, 40-441) min in the overall population, with shorter times for single-port transanal tumor resection (SPTTR; 89 ± 51 min; range, 40-153 min) and longer times for proctocolectomy (325 min; range, 110-441 min). Mean hospital stay was approximately 10 days, longer after abdominoperineal rectal resection or proctocolectomy (12-16 days). Most complications occurred following sigmoid colectomy with high AR or left hemicolectomy [19/25 (76 %) of early and 4/5 (80 %) of late complications, respectively]. Pain was <4 on a scale of 0-10 in all cases on postoperative day 1, and typically decreased during the next 2 days. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the feasibility and tolerability of colorectal surgery, conducted by experienced laparoscopic surgeons without specific training in use of the SILS port.

Pharmacoresistant Cav 2·3 (E-type/R-type) voltage-gated calcium channels influence heart rate dynamics and may contribute to cardiac impulse conduction.

Voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels regulate cardiac automaticity, rhythmicity and excitation-contraction coupling. Whereas L-type (Cav 1·2, Cav 1·3) and T-type (Cav 3·1, Cav 3·2) channels are widely accepted for their functional relevance in the heart, the role of Cav 2·3 Ca(2+) channels expressing R-type currents remains to be elucidated. We have investigated heart rate dynamics in control and Cav 2·3-deficient mice using implantable electrocardiogram radiotelemetry and pharmacological injection experiments. Autonomic block revealed that the intrinsic heart rate does not differ between both genotypes. Systemic administration of isoproterenol resulted in a significant reduction in interbeat interval in both genotypes. It remained unaffected after administering propranolol in Cav 2·3(-|-) mice. Heart rate from isolated hearts as well as atrioventricular conduction for both genotypes differed significantly. Additionally, we identified and analysed the developmental expression of two splice variants, i.e. Cav 2·3c and Cav 2·3e. Using patch clamp technology, R-type currents could be detected in isolated prenatal cardiomyocytes and be related to R-type Ca(2+) channels. Our results indicate that on the systemic level, the pharmacologically inducible heart rate range and heart rate reserve are impaired in Cav 2·3 (-|-) mice. In addition, experiments on Langendorff perfused hearts elucidate differences in basic properties between both genotypes. Thus, Cav 2·3 does not only contribute to the cardiac autonomous nervous system but also to intrinsic rhythm propagation.

Patients' satisfaction with local and general anaesthesia for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery-results of the first randomized controlled trial PASSAT.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this single-centre, open, randomized control trial was to compare the patients' satisfaction with local anaesthesia (LA) or general anaesthesia (GA) for video-assisted thoracoscopy. METHODS: Patients with indication for video-assisted thoracoscopy pleural management, mediastinal biopsies or lung wedge resections were randomized for LA or GA. LA was administered along with no or mild sedation and no airway devices maintaining spontaneous breathing, and GA was administered along with double-lumen tube and one-lung ventilation. The primary end point was anaesthesia-related satisfaction according to psychometrically validated questionnaires. Patients not willing to be randomized could attend based on their desired anaesthesia, forming the preference arm. RESULTS: Fifty patients were allocated to LA and 57 patients to GA. Age, smoking habits and lung function were similarly distributed in both groups. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups with regard to patient satisfaction with anaesthesiology care (median 2.75 vs 2.75, P = 0.74), general perioperative care (2.50 vs 2.50, P = 0.57), recovery after surgery (2.00 vs 2.00, P = 0.16, 3-point Likert scales). Surgeons and anaesthesiologists alike were less satisfied with feasibility (P < 0.01 each) with patients in the LA group. Operation time, postoperative pain scales, delirium and complication rate were similar in both groups. LA patients had a significantly shorter stay in hospital (mean 3.9 vs 6.0 days, P < 0.01). Of 18 patients in the preference arm, 17 chose LA, resulting in similar satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Patients were equally satisfied with both types of anaesthesia, regardless of whether the type of anaesthesia was randomized or deliberately chosen. LA is as safe as GA but correlated with shorter length of stay. Almost all patients of the preference arm chose LA. Considering the benefits of LA, it should be offered to patients as an equivalent alternative to GA whenever medically appropriate and feasible.

Clinical and bronchoscopic aspects of bronchial healing after sleeve resection for lung cancer: a multivariate analysis on 541 cases.

Background: Anastomotic insufficiency is a feared complication after sleeve lobectomy. Bronchoscopy can help to identify anastomoses at risk. We evaluated negative predictors of anastomotic healing using a bronchoscopic grading system in a large collective of lung cancer patients. Methods: From 2006 to 2019, 541 sleeve lobectomies for lung cancer were performed. Anastomotic healing was documented by bronchoscopy on the seventh postoperative day using a standardized classification system for anastomotic grading (grade 1, perfect healing to 5, insufficiency). Grade 1 and 2 were considered satisfactory and the patients were discharged. Grade 3 or higher was considered critical. These patients received systemic antibiotic treatment and re-bronchoscopy was performed 4 days later. Results: In 18.5% of the patients, the anastomosis was assessed as critical. 19% of patients with critical anastomosis on the 7th postoperative day developed anastomotic insufficiency during the postoperative course, compared to 0.2% in patients with satisfactory anastomotic healing. Bilobectomies, low preoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) values, high preoperative levels of C-reactive protein and neoadjuvant radiation were identified as independent risk factors for critical anastomotic healing. Conclusions: Bronchoscopic assessment of anastomotic healing is an effective tool to identify critical anastomoses. Neoadjuvant radiation, bilobectomies and acute or chronic inflammation were independent risk factors for bronchial healing disorders and should be considered at the planning stage of surgery.

Most patient conditions do not a priori debilitate the sensitivity of thoracic ultrasound in thoracic surgery-a prospective comparative study.

BACKGROUND: The few existing studies on the accuracy of lung ultrasound in the detection of a postoperative pneumothorax after thoracic surgery differ in the sonographic technique and the inclusion criteria. Several conditions are considered unfavourable in the sonographic examination of the lung. We aim to test these conditions for their impact on the diagnostic accuracy of lung ultrasound. METHODS: We compared lung ultrasound and chest roentgenograms for the detection of a pneumothorax after lung-resecting surgery in two prospective trials (register ID DRKS00014557 and DRKS00020216). The ultrasound examiners and radiologists were blinded towards the corresponding findings. We performed posthoc subgroup analyses to determine the influence of various patient or surgery related conditions on the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound in the detection of pneumothorax. RESULTS: We performed 340 examinations in 208 patients. The covariates were age, gender, body mass index, smoking status, severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, previous ipsilateral operation or irradiation, thoracotomy, postoperative skin emphysema, indwelling chest tube and X-ray in supine position. In univariate analysis, an indwelling chest-tube was associated with a higher sensitivity (58%, p = 0.04), and a postoperative subcutaneous emphysema with a lower specificity (73% vs. 88%, p = 0.02). None of the other subgroups differed in sensitivity or specificity from the total population . CONCLUSIONS: Most of the patient- or surgery related conditions usually considered unfavourable for lung ultrasound did not impair the sensitivity or specificity of lung ultrasound. Further studies should not excluce patients with these conditions, but test the accuracy under routine conditions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: DRKS, DRKS00014557, registered 06/09/2018, https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00014557 and DRKS00020216, registered 03/12/2019, https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00020216.

Analyzing murine electrocardiogram with PhysioToolkit.

Quantitative electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis is a very important tool in cardiovascular and neuroedocrine research. It is useful in clinical trials with human beings, as well as in animals such as rabbits, rats, and mice, for example, in studying knockout models. The species of interest differ in their typical baseline heart rate and therefore in the sampling rate in ECG detection. However, for obvious reasons, there are no available analysis programs adjusted to each species. We demonstrate how to use PhysioToolkit, an open source software developed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology for physiologic signal processing and analysis in humans, with murine ECG signals, with full control over analysis options. The procedure can be transferred on any other species in an analogue way.

Sensitivity of chest ultrasound for postoperative pneumothorax in comparison to chest X-ray after lung resecting surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Thoracic ultrasound is superior to chest X-ray for the detection of a pneumothorax in trauma and intensive care medicine. Data regarding its use in non-cardiac thoracic surgery are scarce and contradictory. Previous studies are heterogeneous regarding sonographic methodology and patient selection. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of thoracic ultrasound for pneumothorax assessment after lung resecting surgery in unselected patients. METHODS: SONOR (SONOgraphy vs x-Ray) is a prospective observational trial (registry-ID DRKS00014557). A total of 123 consecutive patients with lung resecting surgery received a standardized thoracic ultrasound the same day and in addition to routine chest X-rays in erect position after removal of the chest tube. The sonographer was blinded to radiological findings and vice versa. RESULTS: Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of ultrasound after removing the chest tube were 0.32, 0.85, 0.54, 0.69 for any pneumothorax and 1.0, 0.82, 0.19, 1.0 for pneumothorax ≥3 cm. No clinically relevant pneumothorax was missed. The agreement between sonography- and routine-based therapeutic decisions was 97%. Lung pulse was the most frequently detected sign to sonographically rule out a pneumothorax. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative thoracic ultrasound in unselected patients has a low overall sensitivity to detect a residual pneumothorax; however, its sensitivity and negative predictive values regarding clinically relevant pneumothorax are high. Test quality depends on the distinct sonographic methodology and patient selection. Anatomic differences in postsurgical and medical patients may be responsible for the contradictory results of previous trials. Studies with a larger population size are required to validate the accuracy of relevant pneumothoraces and identify appropriate selection criteria. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: DRKS-German Clinical Trials Register, www.drks.de, registry-ID DRKS00014557.

Rationale and design of PASSAT - patients' satisfaction with local or general anaesthesia in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial with a non-randomised side arm.

BACKGROUND: Although general anaesthesia (GA) with one-lung ventilation is the current standard of care, minor thoracoscopic surgery, i.e. treatment of pleural effusions, biopsies and small peripheral pulmonary wedge resections, can also be performed using local anaesthesia (LA), analgosedation and spontaneous breathing. Whilst the feasibility and safety of LA have been demonstrated, its impact on patient satisfaction remains unclear. Most studies evaluating patient satisfaction lack control groups or do not meet psychometric criteria. We report the design of the PASSAT trial (PAtientS' SATisfaction in thoracic surgery - general vs. local anaesthesia), a randomised controlled trial with a non-randomised side arm. METHODS: Patients presenting for minor thoracoscopic surgery and physical eligibility for GA and LA are randomised to surgery under GA (control group) or LA (intervention group). Those who refuse to be randomised are asked to attend the study on the basis of their own choice of anaesthesia (preference arm) and will be analysed separately. The primary endpoint is patient satisfaction according to a psychometrically validated questionnaire; secondary endpoints are complication rates, capnometry, actual costs and cost effectiveness. The study ends after inclusion of 54 patients in each of the two randomised study groups. DISCUSSION: The PASSAT study is the first randomised controlled trial to systematically assess patients' satisfaction depending on LA or GA. The study follows an interdisciplinary approach, and its results may also be applicable to other surgical disciplines. It is also the first cost study based on randomised samples. Comparison of the randomised and the non-randomised groups may contribute to satisfaction research. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00013661 . Registered on 23 March 2018.

Perioperative outcome after open and thoracoscopic segmentectomy for the treatment of malignant and benign pulmonary lesions: a propensity-matched analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the perioperative outcome of patients receiving anatomic segmentectomy either by open surgery or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). To assess the short-term morbidity of the procedure itself, lung cancer patients in all stages as well as patients with pulmonary metastases and benign lesions scheduled for segmental resection were enrolled in this study. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on 445 consecutive patients that underwent segmentectomy either by VATS (n=233) or thoracotomy (n=212) was performed. A propensity-matched analysis was conducted based on age, gender, smoking history, histology, tumor size, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and history of previous pulmonary resections. The matched sample included two groups of 140 patients each. RESULTS: Both study groups were comparable with respect to age, gender, smoking history, diagnosis, tumor size, pulmonary function and history of previous pulmonary resections. VATS segmentectomy was associated with decreased length of stay (7.4 vs. 9.5 days, P<0.001), drainage treatment time (4.7 vs. 5.9 days, P=0.012) and severe postoperative complications (1.4% vs. 7.1%, P=0.018). CONCLUSIONS: VATS segmentectomy is safe and effective for the treatment of benign and malignant pulmonary lesions. Compared with open thoracotomy, it is associated with shorter hospitalization time and decreased number of severe complications. The preservation of functional lung tissue, combined with a minimally invasive approach, make VATS segmentectomy highly suitable for patients with reduced pulmonary function or severe comorbidities.