Results and prognostic factors in resections of primary tracheal tumors: a multicenter retrospective study. The French Society of Cardiovascular Surgery.

To determine long-term survival and prognostic factors, 208 patients with primary tracheal tumors were evaluated in a retrospective multicenter study including 26 centers. Ninety-four patients had squamous cell carcinoma, four had adenocarcinoma, 65 had adenoid cystic carcinoma, and 45 patients had miscellaneous tumors. The following resections were performed: tracheal resection with primary anastomosis, 165; carinal resection, 24; and laryngotracheal resection, 19. Postoperative mortality rate was 10.5% and correlated with the length of the resection, the need for a laryngeal release, the type of resection, and the histologic type of the cancer. Fifty-nine percent of patients with tracheal cancer and 43% of patients with adenoid cystic carcinomas had postoperative radiotherapy. The 5- and 10-year survivals, respectively, were 73% and 57% for adenoid cystic carcinomas and 47% and 36% for tracheal cancers (p < 0.05). Among patients with tracheal cancers, survival was significantly longer for those with complete resections than for those with incomplete resections. On the other hand, the presence of positive lymph nodes did not seem to decrease survival. Postoperative radiotherapy increased survival only in the case of incompletely resected tracheal cancers. Long-term prognosis was worsened by the occurrence of second primary malignancies in patients with tracheal cancers and by the occurrence of late pulmonary metastases in patients with adenoid cystic carcinomas.

Thoracoscopic esophagectomy: technique and initial results.

To reduce the high morbidity rate associated with esophageal surgery, we have developed a technique of thoracoscopic esophagectomy. A feasibility study was first carried out in an animal model and a specific instrument was developed for this purpose. Esophagectomy using a right thoracoscopic approach was attempted in 15 patients, 13 males and 2 females whose average age was 48 years. Indications consisted of squamous cell carcinoma in 10 patients, adenocarcinoma in 1, and caustic stenosis in 4. We used a technique that consisted of double-lumen tracheal intubation and the creation of five ports. The whole esophagus was mobilized thoracoscopically and the esophagectomy was completed through the abdomen. The reconstruction was achieved using a gastric pull-through, and the anastomosis was made in the neck. There were three failures: in 1 patient there was a large tumor, making the exposure unsafe, and, in 2 patients, incomplete lung collapse made exposure of the posterior mediastinum difficult. These 3 cases were converted into a thoracotomy. The thoracoscopic dissection was successful in the remaining 12 patients. The average time of the thoracoscopic stage was 125 minutes. The postoperative course was uneventful in 10 patients. Two patients had a left atelectasis. Although our series is limited, these initial results indicate that thoracoscopic esophagectomy is feasible. However, further evaluation of the technique is needed to assess its benefit in terms of respiratory morbidity.

Lung metastases of renal cell carcinoma: results of surgical resection.

OBJECTIVE: The research was designed to evaluate the results of surgical resection of renal lung metastases. METHODS: Between 1960 and 1994, 50 consecutive patients underwent resection for pulmonary metastases from renal cell carcinoma. Mean age was 59 years (range: 40-78 years). Mean time between nephrectomy and pulmonary resection was 3 years (range: 0-18 years). Nineteen patients had solitary metastase, 13 multiple unilateral, and 18 bilateral. Wedge excision was performed in 28 patients, segmentectomy in 3, lobectomy in 17, sleeve lobectomy in 1, pneumonectomy in 5 and biopsy in 3. Twelve patients had repeat resection for recurrent metastases. RESULTS: The resection was complete in 45 patients. Three patients also had a complete resection of limited extra-pulmonary disease. There was one postoperative death and 3 complications. Mean follow-up was 42 months without loss of follow-up. The cause of death was always metastatic recurrent disease. Five-year survival in complete resection was 44%. Only one long survivor was observed in the case of incomplete resection in a patient who had a complete response after adjuvant immunotherapy. Five-year survival for the 12 patients with repeat resections was similar to the overall survival rate (42%). CONCLUSIONS: Resection of renal lung metastases is a safe and effective treatment. No factor influenced the 5-year survival in this series except the complete resection. Extra-pulmonary metastases does not contra-indicate pulmonary resection. In selected patients, repeat resection for recurrent disease is warranted.

[Thoracoscopic resection of benign intramural tumors of the esophagus]. / Exérèse thoracoscopique des tumeurs bénignes intra-pariétales de l'oesophage.

We report four cases of esophageal leiomyoma removed through right video-thoracoscopy. The mucosa was accidently opened in 2 cases. Based on this initial experience, the advantages and drawbacks of the technique are discussed.

[Results of surgical treatment of lung metastases from colorectal cancers]. / Résultats du traitement chirurgical des métastases pulmonaires des cancers colo-rectaux.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to determine the long term results and the prognostic factors after surgical resection of pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancers. METHODS: Clinical status after surgery and survival were studied in 101 consecutive patients undergoing lung resection for pulmonary metastases from colorectal carcinoma between 1970 and 1993. Prognostic factors were evaluated according to surgical design. Mean interval between colon resection and lung resection was 44 months. Fifty-nine patients had a solitary lesion, 17 had multiple unilateral lesions and 25 multiple bilateral lesions. Eighteen patients had undergone previous surgery for localized extrapulmonary metastases. A wedge resection was performed in 47 patients, lobectomy or bilobectomy in 40, pneumonectomy in 11 and biopsy in 3. RESULTS: There was no postoperative mortality and 5-year survival in complete resection was 21%; all patients with incomplete resection or biopsy died within 3 years. Significant prognostic factors were: complete resection, metachronous disease (vs synchronous metastases) and absence of lymph node involvement. The extent of the colorectal disease and the number of resected metastases did not influence prognosis. Survival for patients with resected extrapulmonary disease was not significantly different as compared with patients with only pulmonary metastases. Eleven patients had repeat pulmonary resections, 6 of these patients are currently alive, 3 of them more than 3 years after the second pulmonary resection. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that resection of colorectal lung metastases is safe and effective, that resectable extrapulmonary disease does not contra-indicate pulmonary resection and that repeat thoracotomy is warranted in selected patients with recurrent lung metastases.

[Video-assisted pneumonectomies: lessons learned from an experimental study on an animal model]. / Pneumonectomies vidéo-assistées: enseignements tirés d'une étude expérimentale sur un modèle animal.

In order to test the feasibility of video-assisted pneumonectomy, we conducted an experimental study in an animal model. We performed 12 attempts of video-assisted pneumonectomy (7 on the right side and 5 on the left side) in pigs with an average weight of 43.5 kg. We used a combined technique of conventional and endoscopic dissection. A complication-free pneumonectomy was possible in 7 animals. Among the remaining 5 animals, 6 vascular injuries occurred, one of which was lethal. Two other animals died during the procedure for unknown reasons. We conclude that: 1) the vascular risk of video-assisted pneumonectomy appears to be prohibitive; 2) the value of animal models for vats feasibility studies is questionable because of the major differences in anatomical conditions.

[Problems related to thoracoscopic resection of pulmonary nodules]. / Problèmes liés à la résection thoracoscopique des nodules pulmonaires.

We present the initial results fo thoracoscopic resection of pulmonary nodules, based on a report of 23 patients. The resection was performed through a sole thoracoscopy in 12 cases, but was associated with a mini-incision in 11 cases. In 4 cases, the procedure had to be converted to thoractomy. We discuss the problems encountered and the indications of the technique.

[Video thoracoscopy of pulmonary nodules. Can one avoid preoperative markers?]. / Vidéothoracoscopie des nodules pulmonaires. Peut-on se passer d'un repérage pré-opératoire?

For a period of 35 months, 50 patients presenting with a total of 61 peripheral pulmonary nodules were operated on under videothoracoscopy. As a matter of principle none of these nodules were marked radiologically pre-operatively. All the scanners were reviewed retrospectively by a radiologist and a thoracic surgeon without knowing the results of the thoracoscopic intervention: 23 of these patients on the evidence would have quite obviously required preoperative marking (group I), and 27 would have been presented for direct thoracoscopy (group II). In group I there was only one group of nodules which could not be localised and by necessity, a thoracotomy was required. In group II, two nodules could only be localised thanks to a mino-thoracotomy. The level of failure was between 4 and 7%, and was identical to that found in the literature for different techniques of pre-operative radiological marking: these techniques were often complicated by a pneumothorax and intrapulmonary haemorrhage. These techniques for marking are used extensively. Prospective studies based on precise and complete criteria should enable better definition of rare cases which might benefit.

[Pseudo-tumor of Castleman: particular aspects of thoracic localization. Two case reports]. / Pseudo-tumeur de Castleman. Aspects particuliers de la localisation thoracique. A propos de deux observations.

The pseudo-tumours of Castleman, irrespective of whether their histological type is plasmocytic or hyalino-vascular, are most often found in the mediastino-pulmonary area. 2 rare aspects of their thoracic localisation are reported with the occurrence of a pleural effusion and the localisation to the chest wall itself.

Technical aspects of endoscopic removal of benign tumors of the esophagus.

We describe the technique of thoracoscopic removal of benign tumors of the esophagus. The technical problems of this new approach are described in the context of our initial experience of four cases.

[Upper parietal pleurectomy with resection of bullae by thoracoscopy in spontaneous pneumothorax. New perspectives from preliminary results in 20 cases]. / Pleurectomie pariétale apicale avec résection de bulles par thoracoscopie pour pneumothorax spontané. Nouvelles perspectives d'après les résultats préliminaires sur 20 cas.

In view of the increasing development of laparoscopic surgery and hoping to minimize thoracotomy's risks, we had the idea to perform pleurectomy as a treatment of Spontaneous Pneumothorax (S.P.) through video thoracoscopy. The operation was performed under general endobronchial anesthesia, the patient placed in the posterolateral thoracotomy position. Three trocars inserted through the 5th, 7th and 9th intercostal space, allowed the introduction of non specific thoracoscopic instruments similar to those used in laparoscopic surgery. The apical pleurectomy was delimited by the 6th rib, the internal thoracic vessels, the costovertebral sulcus and the first rib. Blebs and small bullae are now transected with application of the "EndoGIA 30". Pleural cavity was drained by F28 ans F32 tubes through the lower orifices. This procedure was performed in 18 patients presenting 20.S.P.. Operative indications were: persistent air link (7 cases), recurrence (9 cases), bullae with bridle and or anterior thoracotomy for S.P. (4 cases). One bleeding of 200 ml from a wounded intercostal vessel ligated with a clip was the sole operative hitch. Operative duration decreased from two to one hour. Average drainage duration was 3.5 dys and hospital stay 4.5 days. There was no death nor immediate complications. Post-operative pain was judged in all cases less intensive than that experienced after pleurectomy with thoracotomy. This original procedure is the first described as entirely performed through thoracoscopy with non specific instruments and hence economic impact.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Thoracoscopic ultrasonic localisation of lung nodules: initial results of an in-vitro and in-vivo study.

The main problem in thoracoscopic resection of lung nodules is the difficulty in localising the target. In the following we describe the use of an ultrasonographic, deflectable linear array probe of 7.5 MHz which was first tested during an in-vitro study. This study has provided useful information with respect to the US inspection of normal parenchyma and lung nodules. Initial results in clinical use in 14 patients demonstrate some limitations linked to the difficulty in manoeuvering the probe and to the remaining air in the parenchyma. However, endoscopic US is an interesting additional tool during thoracoscopic exploration of the lung.

Laparoscopic splenectomy: initial laboratory experience.

An experimental study was conducted in an animal model to test the feasibility of laparoscopic splenectomy. Twelve pigs were operated on. The splenectomy was feasible in 10 cases. However, a splenic injury occurred in five cases and the average blood loss was 80 ccm. We concluded that laparoscopy is feasible in an experimental model but is not a safe and easy procedure. Clinical applications should probably be limited to selected cases.