A model to determine factors influencing intraoperative complications in sleeve gastrectomy.

Objective: The study presents a logistic regression model describing the factors leading to intraoperative complications in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and a detailed description of the intraoperative complications that occurred in our operations. Material and methods: The study was designed as a retrospective and cohort study. It includes patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy between January 2008 and December 2020. Results: The study included 257 patients. The mean (SD) age of all patients included in the study was 40.28 (9.58) years. The body mass index of our patients ranged from 31.2 to 86.6 kg/m2. The Stepwise Backward model was used (Cox and Snell R2 = 0.051, Nagelkerke R2 = 0.072, Hosmer-Lemesxow χ2 = 1.968, df = 4, p = 0.742, overall model accuracy of 70.4%). The model shows that pre-operative diabetes mellitus or hypertension Stage 3 significantly increases the probability or risk of intraoperative complications. Conclusions: The study shows which intraoperative complications occur in LSG, how they can be remedied and which factors can lead to them and influence the outcome of the operation itself. The recognition and successful treatment of intraoperative complications are very important as they reduce the number of reoperations and treatment costs.

Objetivo: El estudio presenta un modelo de regresión logística que describe los factores que conducen a las complicaciones intraoperatorias en la gastrectomía en manga laparoscópica (LSG) y una descripción detallada de las complicaciones intraoperatorias que ocurrieron en nuestras operaciones. Material y métodos: Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo. Incluye pacientes que se sometieron a LSG entre enero de 2008 y diciembre de 2020. Resultados: El estudio incluyó a 257 pacientes. La edad media (DE) de los pacientes del estudio fue de 40.28 (9.58) años. El índice de masa corporal de nuestros pacientes osciló entre 31.2 y 86.6 kg/m2. Se utilizó el modelo Stepwise Backward (Cox y Snell R2 = 0.051, Nagelkerke R2 = 0.072, Hosmer-Lemesxow χ2 = 1.968, gl = 4, p = 0.742, precisión global del modelo del 70.4%). El modelo muestra que la diabetes mellitus o hipertensión preoperatoria en estadio 3 aumenta significativamente la probabilidad de complicaciones intraoperatorias. Conclusiones: El estudio muestra qué complicaciones intraoperatorias ocurren en la LSG, cómo se pueden remediar y qué factores pueden conducir a ellas e influir en el resultado de la operación en sí. El reconocimiento y el tratamiento exitoso de las complicaciones intraoperatorias son muy importantes ya que reducen el número de reintervenciones y los costos del tratamiento.

Clinical prognostic factors in patients with locally advanced (stage III) nonsmall cell lung cancer treated with hyperfractionated radiation therapy with and without concurrent chemotherapy: single-Institution Experience in 600 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Influence of potential clinical prognostic factors on overall survival (OS), local progression-free survival (PFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (MFS) in patients with locally advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer treated with hyperfractionated radiation therapy (HFX RT) with or without concurrent chemotherapy was investigated. METHODS: Three phase 3 and 2 phase 2 studies have been designed and executed with a total of 600 patients. HFX RT alone was given in 127 and HFX RT-chemotherapy was given in 473 patients. HFX RT doses were either 64.8 grays (Gy) or 69.6 Gy using 1.2 Gy twice daily, or 67.6 Gy using 1.3 Gy twice daily. Chemotherapy consisted of concurrent carboplatin and etoposide in 409 patients and concurrent carboplatin and paclitaxel in 64 patients. Sex, age, Karnofsky performance score (KPS), weight loss (>5%), stage, histology, interfraction interval, and treatment (the addition of concurrent chemotherapy) were investigated as potential prognostic factors. RESULTS: The median OS, median local PFS, and median distant MFS times were 19, 21, and 23 months, respectively. Five-year OS, local PFS, and distant MFS rates were 19%, 29%, and 35%, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that only age did not influence OS and local PFS, whereas female sex, lower KPS, less pronounced weight loss, lower stage, squamous histology, shorter interfraction interval, and treatment independently predicted better OS and local PFS. Only age and treatment did not influence distant MFS, whereas histology was of borderline significance. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified independent prognosticators of treatment outcome. These results may have implications for future studies in this disease.

Reverse modeling and solid free-form fabrication of sternum implant.

The paper presents a case where an implant for a part of the sternum (with costal cartilages) affected by cancer was created and implanted by using the specific reverse modeling method and solid free-form fabrication. The method provides surgeons with a fast and reliable tool for tissue engineering and implantation and therefore improves the quality of life for patients. Digital images of healthy sternum samples were used to develop a reverse modeling algorithm that semi-automatically generates a necessary and sufficient simplification of the tissue geometry to be fabricated in an inexpensive and applicable manner. In this particular case, the redesign of the missing part of the sternum in CAD software took three designer-hours. At the same time, the suitable simplification of the geometry affects the fabrication of simpler and less expensive casting molds. Furthermore, the core of the developed algorithm for the reverse modeling of sternum can be applied in the reverse modeling improvement of other tile (or plate-like) bones.

Concurrent hyperfractionated radiotherapy and low-dose daily carboplatin and paclitaxel in patients with stage III non-small-cell lung cancer: long-term results of a phase II study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility and activity of hyperfractionated radiation therapy (Hfx RT) and concurrent chemotherapy (CT) consisting of low-dose, daily carboplatin and paclitaxel in patients with stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-four patients started their treatment on day 1 with 30 mg/m(2) of paclitaxel administered by 1-hour infusion. Hfx RT began on day 2 using 1.3 Gy bid to a total dose of 67.6 Gy and concurrent low-dose daily CT consisting of 25 mg/m(2) of carboplatin and 10 mg/m(2) of paclitaxel, both given Mondays to Fridays during RT course. RESULTS: Objective response rate was 83% and included complete response in 27 patients (42%) and partial response in 26 patients (41%). Ten patients (16%) had stable disease, whereas only one patient (2%) had progressive disease. The median survival time was 28 months, and 3- and 5-year survival rates were 37% and 26%, respectively. The median time to local progression was 26 months, and 3- and 5-year local progression-free survival rates were 37% and 33%, respectively. The median time to distant metastasis was 25 months, and 3- and 5- year distant metastasis-free survival rates were 37% and 31%, respectively. Acute high-grade (>/= grade 3) toxicity was hematologic (25%), esophageal (17%), bronchopulmonary (13%), and skin (9%). Late high-grade toxicity was infrequent. CONCLUSION: This combined Hfx RT/TC regimen produced results that are among the best ever reported and warrants further study in a prospective randomized fashion.

Concurrent hyperfractionated radiotherapy and low-dose daily carboplatin/paclitaxel in patients with early-stage (I/II) non-small-cell lung cancer: long-term results of a phase II study.

PURPOSE: Feasibility and activity of concurrent hyperfractionated radiotherapy (Hfx RT) and low-dose, daily carboplatin and paclitaxel were investigated in patients with early-stage (I/II) non-small-cell lung cancer in a phase II study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-six patients started their treatment on day 1 with 30 mg/m2 of paclitaxel. Hfx RT using 1.3 Gy bid to a total dose of 67.6 Gy and concurrent low-dose daily carboplatin 25 mg/m2 and paclitaxel 10 mg/m2, both given Mondays through Fridays during the RT course, started from the second day. RESULTS: There were 29 complete responses (52%) and 15 partial responses (27%), and 12 patients (21%), experienced stable disease. The median survival time was 35 months, and 3- and 5-year survival rates were 50% and 36%, respectively. The median time to local progression has not been achieved, but 3- and 5-year local progression-free survival rates were 56% and 54%, respectively. The median time to distant metastasis has not been achieved, but 3- and 5- year distant metastasis-free survival rates were 61% and 61%, respectively. The median and 5-year cause-specific survivals were 39 months and 43%, respectively. Acute high-grade (> 3) toxicity was hematologic (22%), esophageal (7%), or bronchopulmonary (7%). No grade 5 toxicity was observed. Late high-grade toxicity was rarely observed (total, 10%). CONCLUSION: Hfx RT and concurrent low-dose daily carboplatin/paclitaxel was feasible with low toxicity and effective in patients with stage I/II non-small-cell lung cancer. It should continue to be investigated for this disease.

Pretreatment prognostic factors in patients with early-stage (I/II) non-small-cell lung cancer treated with hyperfractionated radiation therapy alone.

PURPOSE: To investigate influence of various pretreatment prognostic factors in patients with early stage (I/II) non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with hyperfractionated radiation therapy alone. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and sixteen patients were treated with tumor doses of 69.6 Gy, 1.2-Gy, twice-daily fractionation. There were 49 patients with Stage I and 67 patients with Stage II. Eighty patients had Karnofsky performance status (KPS) 90-100 and 95 patients had <5% weight loss. Peripheral tumors were observed in 57 patients. Squamous histology was observed in 70 patients and the majority of patients had concomitant disease (n=72). RESULTS: The median survival time for all patients was 29 months; 5-year survival was 29%. The median time to local progression and the distant metastasis were not achieved, whereas 5-year local progression-free and distant metastasis-free survivals were 50% and 72%, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified KPS, weight loss, location, histology, and the reason for not undergoing surgery as prognostic factors for survival. KPS, location, and histology influenced local progression-free survival, whereas only KPS and weight loss influenced distant metastasis-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective analysis identified KPS and weight loss as the most important prognostic factors of outcome in patients with early-stage NSCLC treated with hyperfractionation radiation therapy.

Impact of treatment interruptions due to toxicity on outcome of patients with early stage (I/II) non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with hyperfractionated radiation therapy alone.

We investigated the effect of treatment interruptions due to high-grade (> or =3) toxicity on outcome of patients with early stage (I/II) non-small-cell lung cancer treated with hyperfractionated radiation therapy (Hfx RT). Of 116 patients treated with total tumour doses of 69.6 Gy, 1.2 Gy b.i.d. fractionation, 44 patients refused surgery while 72 patients were medically inoperable due to existing co-morbid states. Patients who were medically inoperable had worse KPS (P=0.0059) and more pronounced weight loss (P=0.0005). Among them, 12 patients experienced high-grade toxicity and 11 of them with either acute (n=6) or "consequential" late (n=5) high-grade toxicity requested interruption in the Hfx RT course (range, 12-25 days; median, 17 days). Superior survival (OS) was observed in patients who refused surgery when compared to those who were medically inoperable (P=0.0041), as well as superior local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) (P=0.011), but not different distant metastasis-free survival (P=0.14). Cause-specific survival (CSS) also favoured patients who refused surgery (P=0.004). Multivariate analysis showed independent influence of the reason for not undergoing surgery on OS (P=0.035), but not on LRFS (P=0.084) or CSS (P=0.068). Patients who refused surgery did not experience high-grade toxicity (0/44), whereas 11 of 72 patients with medical inoperability and co-morbid states experienced high-grade toxicity and had treatment interruptions to manage toxicity (P=0.0064). Patients without treatment interruptions had significantly better OS (P=0.00000), LRFS (P=0.00000) and CSS (P=0.00000) than those with treatment interruptions. When corrected for treatment interruptions, the reason for not undergoing surgery independently influenced OS (P=0.040), but not LRFS (P=0.092) or CSS (P=0.068). In contrast to this, treatment interruption was independent prognosticator of all three endpoints used (P=0.00031, P=0.0075 and P=0.00033, respectively). When 11 patients with treatment interruptions were excluded, the reason for not undergoing surgery still affected OS (P=0.037) and CSS (P=0.039) but not LRFS (P=0.11). Multivariate analyses using OS, CSS and LRFS showed that the reason for not undergoing surgery affected OS (P=0.0436), but neither CSS (P=0.083) nor LRFS (P=0.080).

A single incision transaxillary thoracoscopic sympathectomy.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Primary hyperhidrosis causes are unknown. The disorder begins in early childhood. It intensifies in puberty and maturity. It is equally present in both sexes. The symptoms exacerbate when the body temperature rises and due to emotional stimuli affecting the sympathetic nerve system. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) sympathectomy is a method for primary focal hyperhidrosis permanent treatment. The single incision method in properly selected patients maximizes the intervention effectiveness and minimizes aesthetic side effects. METHODS: This prospective study analysed the findings in patients who had been operated on due to primary focal hyperhidrosis (face, palms, and armpits) using a single small transaxilarry incision in the third inter-rib space at the level of the anterior axillary line with two 5 mm flexible ports. All the patients, with T2-T5 thoracoscopic sympathectomy of the sympathetic chain using a single small incision in the third inter-rib space in the anterior axillary line, were analysed in the period from September 2009 to November 2010 regarding the postoperative morbidity and outcomes of the operation (clinical evaluation and visual analogue scale) with a view to assessing the effectiveness of the surgery conducted in this manner. RESULTS: A total of 47 patients (18 men, 29 women), 18 to 48 years old (29 on average) had underwent 94 bilateral video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomies. The sympathectomy was indicated in cases of facial blushing and sweating (6.38%), palmary sweating (34.04%), axillary sweating (14.89%) or both palmary and axillary sweating (44.68%). The largest percentage of patients (98.6%) had left the hospital the following day. The postoperative 30 day's mortality was 0 and the conversion into open surgery was not necessary. As for complications, there had been an occurrence of partial pneumothorax in two patients treated by means of exuflation and chest drain, and one case of unilateral transitory Homer's syndrome. Quarterly and annual postoperative monitoring showed excellent aesthetic effects of the surgery without any residual pain. The complete withdrawal of hyperhidrosis symptoms was noted in 44 (93.62%) of the patients. The recurrence of symptoms following the initial regression was seen in 3 (6.38%) of the patients 12 months after the surgery, whereas the patients surgically treated as a result of facial hyperhidrosis saw a significantly increased sweating of feet. The quality of life improved in 45 (95.6%) of the patients. CONCLUSION: Single incision transaxillary thoracoscopic sympathectomy generates excellent aesthetic and functional results in patients with primary focal hyperhidrosis.

Radiotherapy alone vs. radiochemotherapy in patients with favorable prognosis of clinical stage IIIA non-small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome of radiotherapy (RT) vs. radiochemotherapy (RT-CHT) in patients with locally advanced, inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer who had a "favorable" prognosis (stage IIIA, Karnofsky performance score 70-100, no weight loss >5%). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 222 patients with these characteristics were among 600 patients enrolled into 5 prospective trials between 1988 and 1998, and were treated with either hyperfractionated RT alone (doses of 69.6 and 67.6 Gy when using 1.2 and 1.3 Gy twice a day, respectively) (n = 45) or the same hyperfractionated RT and concurrent CHT (n = 177), which consists of either carboplatin-etoposide (or paclitaxel-carboplatin. RESULTS: The median times and 5-year overall survival, local progression-free survival, and the distant metastasis-free survival rates for all 222 patients were 33 months, 31 months, and not attained yet, respectively, and 36%, 43%, and 57%, respectively. RT-CHT was superior to RT alone in terms of both overall survival (median survival time, 38 vs. 21 months, respectively; 5-year, 41% vs. 16%, respectively; P < .001) and local progression-free survival (median time to local progression, 38 vs. 22 months, respectively, 5-year local progression-free survival, 48% vs. 23%, respectively; P < .001) but not the distant metastasis-free survival. The most frequent acute high-grade (>3) toxicity was esophageal and bronchopulmonary (8% each) and the most frequent late high-grade toxicity was esophageal (6%). RT-CHT caused only significantly more hematologic high-grade toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: RT-CHT achieved excellent results in this favorable patient population (median survival time, 38 months; 5-year survival, 41%) accompanied with very low toxicity. These results compare favorably with results of other similar studies when using combined RT and CHT, with or without surgery.

Sternum resection and chest wall reconstruction with metaacrilate implant in tuberculosis.

We report a case of successful sternum and ribs/cartilage resection and chest wall reconstruction with a methacrylate implant produced using a three-dimensional model in a patient with a tuberculotic mass in this region. Clinical and radiologic follow-up 2 years after surgery showed excellent cosmetic and functional outcome.

Concurrent hyperfractionated radiation therapy and chemotherapy in locally advanced (Stage III) non-small-cell lung cancer: single institution experience with 600 patients.

PURPOSE: Our institutional experience with the use of hyperfractionated radiation therapy (RT) alone or concurrently with chemotherapy (RT-CHT) in Stage III non-small-cell lung cancer was reviewed. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Three phase III and two phase II studies included a total of 600 patients. Hyperfractionated RT alone was given to 127 patients, and hyperfractionated RT-CHT was given to 473 patients. RT doses were 64.8 Gy and 69.6 Gy (using 1.2 Gy twice daily) and 67.6 Gy (using 1.3 Gy twice daily). CHT consisted of concurrent administration of carboplatin and etoposide to 409 patients and concurrent administration of carboplatin and paclitaxel to 64 patients. RESULTS: The median survival times were 19 months, 21 months, and 12 months for all, RT-CHT, and RT-only patients, respectively. The survival difference between the RT-CHT and RT group was significant (p < 0.0001). Four-year rates of local progression-free survival (LPFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) were 29% and 35%, respectively, for the entire group. The RT-CHT group had significantly better LPFS rates than the RT group (31% for the RT-CHT group vs. 16% for the RT group; p = 0.0015) but not DMFS rates (36% for the RT-CHT group vs. 36% for the RT group, p = 0.0571). Acute high-grade esophagitis, pneumonitis, and hematological toxicities were seen most frequently and in 11%, 9%, and 12% of patients, respectively. Late high-grade esophageal and bronchopulmonary toxicity were each seen in 6% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the majority of existing phase II and III studies, this study reconfirmed the excellent results achieved with concurrent RT-CHT, including low toxicity. Concurrent RT-CHT results in survival benefit primarily by increasing LPFS, not DMFS.

Toxicity of concurrent hyperfractionated radiation therapy and chemotherapy in locally advanced (stage III) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): single institution experience in 600 patients.

PURPOSE: to investigate toxicity of hyperfractionated radiation therapy (Hfx RT) with or without concurrent chemotherapy (CHT) in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and factors independently influencing it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of a total of 600 patients treated during five prospective studies Hfx RT alone was given in 127 and Hfx RT-CHT was given in 473 patients. Hfx RT doses were 64.8 and 69.6 Gy (1.2 Gy bid) and 67.6 Gy (1.3 Gy bid). CHT administration consisted of concurrent carboplatin and etoposide in 409 patients and concurrent carboplatin and paclitaxel in 64 patients. RESULTS: Acute oesophageal toxicity was significantly increased with concurrent CHT (p = 0.034), as well as bronchopulmonary (p = 0.044) and haematological toxicity (p < 0.001). Only late high-grade bronchopulmonary (p = 0.007) toxicity was significantly more frequent in the RT-CHT group. Only acute high-grade haematological toxicity was significantly more frequent in split CHT than in daily CHT and Hfx RT alone (p < 0.001). Only late high-grade bronchopulmonary toxicity remained significantly more frequent in both Hxf RT-CHT groups than in Hfx RT alone. No variable influenced acute high-grade bronchopulmonary, gastric or skin toxicity. Pronounced weight loss influenced increased acute high-grade oesophageal toxicity. Increased weight loss and lower KPS influenced increased haematological toxicity. Pronounced weight loss and concurrent CHT influenced increased late high-grade bronchopulmonary toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: This study reconfirmed low acute and late high-grade toxicity in stage III NSCLC treated with concurrent RT-CHT and identified factors influencing it.

[Analysis of incidence and treatment of pneumothorax in five-year period in Kragujevac].

INTRODUCTION: Pneumothorax is a common clinical problem in thoracic surgery. Leading professional associations have adopted a number of guidelines and recommendations for the treatment of pneumothorax, but their clinical use is often insufficient. This study was aimed at analyzing the incidence of pneumothorax, profile of patients and surgical treatment of pneumothorax at the Clinical Center Kragujevac, in a five-year period. MATERIAL AN METHODS: This retrospective, non-interventional study used data collected from the medical records and operative protocol of the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Clinical Centre Kragujevac in a five-year period. All data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: in the observed period, 492 patients with diagnosis of pneumothorax were hospitalized. The majority of patients were treated in 2009 (140), and the fewest in 2005 (68). Four-fifths of patients were male. Primary spontaneous pneumothorax was found in 25% and traumatic pneumothorax in 50%. Most patients were aged 21-30 years (83). The number of cases of secondary spontaneous and traumatic pneumothorax increased with the age of patients and the number of cases of primary and recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax decreased with their age. Drainage as a method of treatment was prevalent in all types of pneumothorax (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The results of study show similarities with other studies regarding both the incidence of certain forms of pneumothorax and the gender-age profile of patients and their treatment, taking into account the observed period and the target population.

Significant influence of biometeorological conditions on the incidence of spontaneous pneumothorax in the Kragujevac city.

AIM: To explore and establish an influence of biometeorological conditions on the occurrence of spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) in the city of Kragujevac (Serbia) in a five-year period. METHODS: According to the type of series of cases, this was a retrospective, non-interventional study. The data collected from the medical records and operative protocols of the Thoracic Surgery Department in the period between 01.01.2005 and 31.12.2009, as well as the data on daily biometeorological phases for the Kragujevac city obtained from the Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia, and afterwards a comparative analysis of the data were performed. RESULTS: A total number of 159 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax were hospitalized. Most patients were treated in 2009 (55, 34.6%), least in 2005 (22, 13.8%). Most cases occurred in March (20, 12.6%), on Tuesdays (33, 20.7%), and in the biometeorological phase 2 (0.15 SP/day). The least number of cases occurred in September (9, 5.7%), on Saturdays (6, 3.8%) and in phase 8 (0.04/day) (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: There was an evident biometeorological influence on the occurrence of spontaneous pneumothorax in our area, so most cases were in the phase with sunny weather (atmospheric pressure falling, air temperature and moisture rising), while the lowest number was in the phase with a fall of atmospheric pressure, moisture and air temperature. The results of this research suggest a necessity of further investigations on this field.

Foreign body extraction through the rigid bronchoscopy.

INTRODUCTION: Foreign body aspiration into tracheobronchial tree represents an urgent condition at high level of risk. Etiology is different, and this condition is typical for all ages with highest incidence in pediatric population. CASE REPORT: A successful foreign body removal (partial denture) in a 34-year old man was presented. Radiography and computerized tomography of the chest showed a foreign body localized at the level of the right bronchus including the right middle lobe bronchus. By the use of rigid bronchoscopy, a foreign body was visualized and mobilized from the segmental bronchus in the first act, and then completely extracted. CONCLUSION: Efficient diagnostics and extraction are imperative for the aspirated foreign body preventing life-threatening complications.

Giant dumbbell tumor of the posterior mediastinum.

BACKGROUND: Giant dumbbell-shaped tumors are very rare and characterized by intra- and extraspinal propagation of different dimensions. In thoracal localization, invasive growth can lead up to rib and vertebra erosion. CASE REPORT: We presented a 54-year-old woman with a giant dumbbell schwannoma in the posterior mediastinum. The tumor was removed by the posterior approach with hemilaminectomy and costotransversectomy. By microscopic examination the diagnosis of benign schwannoma was made. A year after the surgery, the patient was without neurological deficiency and without radiological signs of illness relapse. CONCLUSION: Treatment of dumbbell schwannoma is surgical, dilemmas of the optimal surgical approach. When it is thoracally located the posterior approach with hemilaminectomy and costotransversectomy is safe and effective for its removal.

Interfraction interval in patients with stage III non-small-cell lung cancer treated with hyperfractionated radiation therapy with or without concurrent chemotherapy: final results in 536 patients.

We investigated the influence of interfraction interval (IFI) on treatment outcome in patients with stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with hyperfractionated radiation therapy (Hfx RT) with or without concurrent chemotherapy (CHT). During 3 randomized phase III and 1 phase II study, a total of 536 patients were treated with Hfx RT alone or with concurrent carboplatin/etoposide. Two hundred eighty-five patients were treated with IFI of 4.5-5.0 hours, while 251 patients were treated with IFI of 5.5-6.0 hours. "Shorter" (4.5-5.0 hours) IFI led to better overall survival (OS) (P = 0.0000) and local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) (P = 0.0000). Multivariate analyses showed IFI to be an independent prognosticator of both OS and LRFS. These results were confirmed when we separated all patients (n = 536) into those treated with Hfx RT only (n = 127) and those treated with concurrent RT/CHT (n = 409). Various RT-related high-grade acute toxicity was not different between the 2 IFI, but patients treated with shorter IFI had a significantly higher incidence of hematological toxicity (P = 0.002). None of the late high-grade toxicities were different between the 2 interfraction intervals. Using regression analysis, it was shown that IFI was not a significant predictor of any of acute or late high-grade (> or =3) toxicity. IFI is an important prognosticator of OS and LRFS in patients with stage III NSCLC treated with Hfx RT with or without concurrent carboplatin/etoposide. IFI led to higher incidence only of hematological toxicity, but was not predictive of any acute or late high-grade (> or =3) toxicity. A carefully designed randomized trial seems necessary to give better insight into the issue of optimal IFI in this disease.