Long-term outcomes and early recurrence after resection for metachronous pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: Properly selecting patients for aggressive curative resection for pulmonary metastases (PMs) from colorectal cancer (CRC) is desirable. We purposed to clarify prognostic factors and risk factors for early recurrence after metachronous PM resection. METHODS: Clinical data of 151 patients who underwent R0 resection for metachronous PMs from CRC at two institutions between 2008 and 2021 were reviewed. RESULTS: Seventy-six patients (50.3%) were male, and the median age was 71 (42-91) years. The numbers of colon/rectal cancers were 76/75, with pStage I/II/III/IV/unknown in 15/34/86/13/3. The duration from primary surgery to PM was 19.7 (1.0-106.4) months. The follow-up period was 41.9 (0.3-156.2) months. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were 75.1%, 53.7%, and 51.1%, and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 97.7%, 87.5%, and 68.2%. On multivariate analysis, lymph node metastasis of the primary lesion (HR 1.683, 95%CI 1.003-2.824, p = 0.049) was an independent predictor of poor RFS, and history of resection for extrapulmonary metastasis (e-PM) (HR 2.328, 95%CI 1.139-4.761, p = 0.021) was an independent predictor of poor OS. Patients who experienced early recurrence (< 6 months) after PM resection showed poorer OS than others (3-year OS 50.8% vs. 90.2%, p = 0.002). On multivariate analysis, e-PM was an independent predictor of early recurrence after PM resection (OR 3.989, 95%CI 1.002-15.885, p = 0.049). CONCLUSION: Since a history of e-PM was a predictor of early recurrence and poor OS after R0 resection for PM, surgical treatment of patients with a history of e-PM should be considered carefully.

[Extrapleural Hematoma Caused by Thoracic Vertebral Burst Fracture].

Extrapleural hematoma caused by thoracic vertebral burst fracture is very rare. We present the case of a 70-year-old man who was treated with a combination of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and extrathoracic operation. The patient was admitted to our hospital with complaints of dyspnea and pain in both legs. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a massive extrapleural hematoma in the right thoracic cavity, and 12th thoracic vertebral burst fracture. We treated the patient with pharmacotherapy because CT showed no active bleeding and the circulation and respiratory dynamics were stable. One week later, the hematoma was not reduced by pharmacotherapy, so we performed combination surgery of VATS. After surgery, there were no serious complications and the patient was discharged from the hospital on day 11 from surgery. In the following 2 months, there was no evidence of recurrence. The combination of VATS and extrathoracic operation was safe, and good result was obtained.

[Solitary Diaphragmatic Metastasis after Radical Surgery of Early Endometrial Cancer].

Solitary diaphragmatic metastasis from early endometrial cancer is quite rare. We present a case of a 58-year-old woman who had been performed radical surgery for stageⅠA, G1 endometrial cancer 3 years before. The patient was referred to our hospital for chest abnormal shadow. Computed tomography (CT) and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a mass in the right diaphragm, without the finding of liver invasion. We performed partial resection of diaphragm through video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). After surgery, there were no serious complications and was discharged from the hospital on day 6 from surgery. Nine months later, the patient is alive without recurrence.

Thoracoscopic versus transsternal resection for early stage thymoma: long-term outcomes.

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to investigate the efficacy of a video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) approach for stage I and II thymoma through comparisons with the transsternal approach. METHODS: The indications for VATS resection were clinical stage I or II thymoma, a tumor less than 50 mm, located within the thymic lobes and separated from the brachiocephalic vein. Data were collected between 1995 and 2007. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients underwent total thymectomy (15 by VATS and 12 by the transsternal approach). The mean tumor size was 36.3 (22-50) mm for VATS and 37.6 (15-55) mm for the transsternal group (p = 0.7862). The mean lengths of the operation were 249.8 min and 227.9 min (p = 0.2728), respectively. The mean intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower in VATS, at 92.3 ml, than the 225.1 ml lost in the transsternal group (p = 0.0020). The morbidity rates were 13.3 and 8.3% (p = 0.6812), respectively. There was no mortality in either group. The mean follow-up periods were 109.0 (37-145) months following VATS and 102.0 (44-175) months following the transsternal approach. One stage II patient developed pleural dissemination three years after VATS resection. Other patients survived with no recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: VATS resection of early stage thymoma can be performed with less bleeding and with a comparable prognosis to the transsternal approach. VATS resection should thus be considered as a viable option for treatment.

Evaluation of Short-Term Outcomes and the Learning Curve Wherein a Thoracic Resident Doctor Performed Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Anatomical Lung Resection for Lung Cancer.

PURPOSE: The surgical approach for anatomical lung resection includes open thoracotomy, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, and robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. We evaluated the short-term outcomes and the learning curve wherein a thoracic resident doctor consecutively performed video-assisted thoracoscopic anatomical lung resection for lung cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 91 cases of consecutive video-assisted thoracoscopic anatomical lung resections for lung cancer performed by a thoracic resident doctor between November 2017 and March 2020. The thoracic resident doctor had no previous experience performing video-assisted thoracoscopic or open anatomical lung resection. RESULTS: Lobectomy was performed in 80 cases. Simple segmentectomy was performed in 11 cases. No cases required intraoperative conversion to open thoracotomy. The median operative time and blood loss were 148 min and 10 ml, respectively. There were no serious postoperative complications or deaths 30 days after surgery. The learning curve was examined using the cumulative sum method with operative time as a factor, and it took 21 cases to attain experience. CONCLUSION: Our resident doctor safely performed video-assisted thoracoscopic anatomical lung resections and it took 21 cases to stabilize the surgical technique. The surgical technique was possibly stabilized earlier than previously reported, although this was a study of a single resident doctor.

Short- and long-term survival after curative resection for colorectal cancer in nonagenarian patients.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: With increased life expectancy, the incidence of colorectal cancer in oldest-old patients has been rising. Advanced age is a risk factor for adverse outcomes after surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the short- and long-term outcomes of curative resection for colorectal cancer in nonagenarians. METHODS: Patients who had undergone curative resection for colorectal cancer (CRC) at Stage I to III from January 2010 to December 2019 were included. Cases of emergent surgery were excluded. The clinical characteristics were documented retrospectively, and factors affecting the long-term outcome were analyzed using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Fifty patients met the selection criteria. Most of them were women (58.0%), and the median age was 92 years. Among these patients, 29 (58.0%) had a poor performance status (ASA-PS≥3). Laparoscopic surgery was performed in 42.0% of the patients, and 50% of the patients had postoperative complications classified as Clavien-Dindo grade 2 or severer, including 3 patients (6.0%) with grade 3 disease. No postoperative mortality occurred. The 30-day, 180-day, 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rates were 100%, 80.4%, 71.0%, 46.3%, and 33.8%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that a preoperative poor performance status (ASA-PS≥3) (HR: 3.067; 95% CI: 1.220-7.709; p = 0.017) was an independent prognostic factor for OS. CONCLUSION: Curative elective resections for CRC in nonagenarians were performed safely without postoperative mortality. The preoperative performance status was significantly associated with OS after curative elective resection of colorectal cancer in nonagenarians. Our results suggest that excellent long-term outcomes can be achieved in a selected group with a good performance status.

Surgical resection of pulmonary crystal-storing histiocytosis with Sjögren's syndrome: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Crystal-storing histiocytosis (CSH) is a rare clinical entity characterized by an abnormal increase in the number of histiocytes with massive accumulation of crystallized immunoglobulins. Yano et al. reported only one case of gastric CSH associated with Sjögren's syndrome. In this report, we present a case of pulmonary CSH with Sjögren's syndrome, and discuss the relevant literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A 64-year-old woman who had never smoked presented with cough 2 years earlier. Chest CT showed that the nodule in the right lower lobe had slowly enlarged to 12 × 10 mm. We suspected primary lung cancer and performed video-assisted thoracoscopic right S6 segmentectomy. Histopathological evaluation of the resected specimen revealed crystal-storing histiocytosis. As of 6 months postoperatively, no recurrence has been identified. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Eighteen cases of pulmonary CSH have been described in the English language peer-reviewed literature, including our case. In this case, the patient had a history of Sjögren's syndrome, but no lymphoproliferative or plasma cell disorder (LP-PCD). Therapy for all patients without LP-PCD was excisional resection of the lung. Treatment and prognosis of patients with CSH varied according to the defined pathology. Jones et al. reported the case of 54-year-old woman without LP-PCD who presented with a solitary asymptomatic focus of CSH in the lung and initially underwent lesion resection, but showed recurrence 10 years later. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary CSH is one differential diagnosis for pulmonary nodule enlargement in patients with autoimmune disease. Surgical resection appears to represent an effective therapeutic option for localized CSH, but long-term follow-up remains necessary.

Postoperative Complications Predict Long-term Outcome After Curative Resection for Perforated Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Perforation and postoperative complications have a negative effect on long-term outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical factors with special reference to postoperative complications predicting the long-term outcome in those for whom curative resection for perforated CRC was performed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent curative resection for perforated CRC at stage II or III from April 2003 to March 2020 were included. Clinical factors were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-four patients met the selection criteria. The 30-day mortality rate was 4.5% and the complication rate was 47.7%. Excluding 30-day mortality, five-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were 62.3% and 73.6%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that postoperative complications (p=0.005) and pT4 pathological factor (p=0.009) were independent prognostic factors for RFS. Only postoperative complications (p=0.023) were an independent prognostic factor for OS. CONCLUSION: Postoperative complications were significantly associated with RFS and OS, and pT4 was associated with RFS. The prevention and management of postoperative adverse events may be important for perforated CRC.

Safe laparoscopic resection of a giant schwannoma in the retroperitoneum using a fluorescent ureteral stent: a case report.

Schwannomas that occur in the retroperitoneal cavity are rare. We herein report a patient who underwent safe laparoscopic resection by using a preoperative 3D computed tomography (CT) image and a fluorescent ureteral stent during the surgery. A 47-year-old man presented with left lower abdominal pain. CT showed a 10-cm continuous retroperitoneal tumor originating at the third lumbar nerve in the lower left abdomen. Schwannoma was suspected. We underwent laparoscopic resection of the tumor guided by 3D images obtained preoperatively. A fluorescent ureteral stent was implanted during the surgery to improve visibility and protect the left ureter. The resection was completed without injury of other organs and vessels. The patient was discharged on postoperative Day 5. By performing a preoperative simulation using 3D CT images, we could anticipate the anatomical findings and easily identify them intraoperatively. In addition, the fluorescent ureteral stent provided visual support, thereby contributing to safe surgery.

Long-Term Prognosis after Surgery for Locally Recurrent Rectal Cancer: A Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: Resection is usually recommended for locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC) for which R0 resection is possible, but its suitability varies by individual patient risk. Here, we report outcomes of resected LRRC in our hospital. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated short- and long-term results of 33 patients who underwent resections for LRRC from January 2003 to December 2019. RESULTS: At the initial surgeries for these 33 patients, their disease stages at that time were Stage I: n=2, Stage II: n=12, Stage III: n=11, Stage IV: n=6, and unknown: n=2. Patients with Stage IV disease at their initial surgeries underwent radical one-step or two-step procedures. Metastasis to other organs was observed in 5 patients at the their initial LRRC diagnoses. At the LRRC surgeries, 7 patients received palliative surgeries; 26 received intent-to-treat resections, of which 17 were R0 resections. All-grade postoperative complications were observed in 11 patients, including 1 surgery-related death. Five-year overall survival rates were all cases: 38.4%; R0 group: 52.3%, R1 or R2 group: 19.4%, and palliative surgery group: 0%. The R0 group thus had significantly better prognosis than other patients (P = 0.0012). Eleven patients in the R0 group (64.7%) suffered re-recurrences but some patients achieved long-term survival through chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery for metastasis to other organs, even after re-recurrence. CONCLUSION: Long-term prognosis after surgery for LRRC was significantly better for patients with R0 margins. Multimodal treatments may greatly improve survival for patients who suffer re-recurrences after local recurrence resections.

Acute perforating appendicitis caused by metastatic squamous cell carcinoma from the lung: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers. On the other hand, lung cancer metastasis to the appendix is extremely rare, and in many cases it has been diagnosed with the onset of acute perforating appendicitis. PRESENTATION OF CASE: An 85-year-old man with fever and abdominal pain visited our hospital. He had a history of squamous cell carcinoma of the left upper and lower lobes, metastasis to the ipsilateral lung and femur. CT showed that a finding of acute perforating appendicitis, emergency cecal resection was performed. Examination of the resected specimen showed that the appendix was thickened overall, with a white nodular structure at the root and a perforation in the middle. The final diagnosis was acute perforating appendicitis caused by metastatic squamous cell carcinoma from the lung. The patient had no particular problems during the postoperative course. DISCUSSION: A PubMed search was performed, this appears to be the first reported case of appendiceal metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. Since squamous cell carcinoma of the lung has a stronger tendency for local extension than other histological types, perforating appendicitis due to distant metastasis to the abdominal organs and metastasis to the appendix was reported as a very valuable case. CONCLUSION: Because the progression of concomitant or secondary appendicitis is rapid, we recommend frequent imaging modalities, prophylactic appendectomy be considered for patients who also have lung cancer and imaging findings show suspected metastasis to the appendix.

Pulmonary Scedosporium apiospermum Infection with Pulmonary Tumorlet in an Immunocompetent Patient.

Scedosporium apiospermum is an opportunistic fungus that can cause various types of infections, including localized infections and life-threatening disseminated infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Treatment is especially challenging due to its multidrug resistance. We herein report the case of a 73-year-old woman who was non-immunocompromised but developed S. apiospermum lung infection and a pulmonary tumorlet. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the coexistence of pulmonary S. apiospermum infection and tumorlet. The lung lesion was successfully treated by surgical excision without any antifungal agents, and no recurrence of the tumorlet or S. apiospermum infection has occurred.

Fibroblast growth factor-2 induces recovery of pulmonary blood flow in canine emphysema models.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 is one of the most powerful angiogenic growth factors to be evaluated as an agent for the promotion of angiogenesis. The aim of this study is to investigate whether intratracheal administration of controlled-release FGF-2 microspheres restores pulmonary function in beagle dogs with emphysema. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled, experimental animal study. SUBJECTS: Eighteen Wister rats and 15 adult beagle dogs. METHODS: In the rat study, we compared the time profiles of the radioactivity remaining after intratracheal injection of 125I-labeled FGF-2, either incorporated with the controlled-release microspheres or as an aqueous solution. In the dog study, elastase-induced emphysema models were developed in 10 animals, classified into the following three groups: control group (n = 5), emphysema model with empty microspheres-treated group (FGF - group, n = 5), and emphysema model with FGF-2 containing microspheres-treated group (FGF + group, n = 5). RESULTS: In the rat study, controlled-release microspheres maintained higher whole-lung FGF-2 concentrations after intratracheal administration. In the dog study, Pa(O2) in the FGF + group was significantly higher than in the FGF - group after treatment. Pulmonary perfusion dynamic MRI revealed significant improvement in the signal intensity of damaged lung with the FGF + group. Linear intercept of the FGF + group was significantly reduced than the FGF - group. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that intratracheal administration of FGF-2 induced an increase in pulmonary blood flow in the damaged lung and led to recovery of pulmonary function. The controlled-release microsphere system increased the effectiveness of FGF-2.

Comparative analysis of postoperative morbidity according to type and extent of hepatectomy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of our retrospective study was to compare the factors contributing to postoperative complications according to the extent of hepatectomy. METHODOLOGY: We examined 166 patients with hepatobiliary carcinoma who underwent hepatectomy. Patients were divided into three groups according to the type and extent of hepatectomy: 1) left lobectomy (n=27), 2) right lobectomy or posterior segmentectomy (n=55) and 3) other hepatectomies (n=84). Patient demographics, major complications (infection, ascites, pleural effusion, atelectasis, static symptoms of the stomach, biliary leakage and hepatic failure) after hepatectomy were analyzed. RESULTS: In patients with obstructive jaundice, lobectomy was the most commonly performed operation due to the extent of tumor along the main hepatic duct. Prolonged ascites or massive pleural effusion was frequently observed after right lobectomy (p=0.001) and posterior segmentectomy (p=0.002). However, the incidences of these complications were similar in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. Symptoms related to gastric stasis and biliary leakage were significantly more common after left lobectomy than other surgeries. The incidence of hepatic failure was higher (p<0.05) after major hepatectomy, particularly right lobectomy, than other surgeries. CONCLUSIONS: Our results emphasize the need to understand characteristics of specific complications occurring after different types of hepatic resection surgery to prevent post-hepatectomy complications.

Relationship between indocyanine green test and technetium-99m galactosyl serum albumin scintigraphy in patients scheduled for hepatectomy: Clinical evaluation and patient outcome.

The clinical significance of and discrepancy between the indocyanine green retention rate at 15min (ICGR15) and liver activity at 15min (LHL15) by technetium-99m galactosyl human serum albumin ( [Formula: see text] -GSA) scintigraphy and clinical outcome were examined in 140 patients who underwent hepatectomy. Both ICGR15 and LHL15 were significantly associated with portal pressure and liver function tests, fibrotic degree and regeneration of the remnant liver ( [Formula: see text] ). The significance of the correlation between LHL15 and liver functions and HAI score appeared to be better than that with ICGR15. A significant correlation was observed between ICGR15 and LHL15 ( [Formula: see text] 0.591, [Formula: see text] ) for all but 12 patients (8.6%). Of three patients with LHL15 better than ICGR15, two had obstructive jaundice and one had an intrahepatic shunt. Patient outcome was relatively good. In nine patients with LHL15 worse than ICGR15, the HAI score was higher (=7) and six of the nine had hepatic failure or uncontrolled ascites. Complications were frequently observed in patients with LHL15 below 0.875 (80% versus 30%, [Formula: see text] ). Our results indicate that [Formula: see text] -GSA scintigraphy is a reliable auxiliary test of hepatic functional reserve combined with ICGR15 for selecting the extent of hepatectomy and predicting patient outcome.

Anterior chest wall reconstruction with titanium plate sandwiched between two polypropylene sheets.

Extensive sternal resection carries the risk of difficult reconstruction and surgical complications. A 79-year-old woman underwent sternal resection and reconstruction for sternal chondrosarcoma. However, 18 months after the first operation, she developed six metastatic tumors on the anterior chest wall. She underwent subtotal sternectomy and rib resection, leaving a defect measuring 17 × 14 cm. Reconstruction of the anterior chest wall using a titanium plate sandwiched between two polypropylene mesh sheets is described. This method is potentially applicable to extensive anterior chest resection, and its advantages compared with conventional prostheses are rigidity, flexibility, and usability.

Fibroblast growth factor-2 promotes recovery of pulmonary function in a canine models of elastase-induced emphysema.

Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) for severe emphysema is less invasive than lung volume reduction surgery. Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) has been reported to enhance fibrogenesis and angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of BLVR with the FGF-2, and ability to reduce lung volume and promote recovery of lung function. The BLVR based on FGF-2 is less invasive than surgical procedures, and can be performed repeatedly if the effectiveness of volume reduction is inadequate. This simple bronchoscopic approach allows selective reduction in the volume of the emphysematous parenchyma, and intratracheal administration of FGF-2 induces an increase in pulmonary blood flow, thus allowing recovery of pulmonary function.

Experimental repair of phrenic nerve using a polyglycolic acid and collagen tube.

OBJECTIVE: The feasibility of a nerve guide tube for regeneration of the phrenic nerve with the aim of restoring diaphragmatic function was evaluated in a canine model. METHODS: The nerve tube, made of woven polyglycolic acid mesh, had a diameter of 3 mm and was filled with collagen sponge. This polyglycolic acid-collagen tube was implanted into a 10-mm gap created by transection of the right phrenic nerve in 9 beagle dogs. The tubes were implanted without a tissue covering in 5 of the 9 dogs (group I), and the tubes were covered with a pedicled pericardial fat pad in 4 dogs (group II). Chest x-ray films, muscle action potentials, and histologic samples were examined 4 to 12 months after implantation. RESULTS: All of the dogs survived without any complications. x-ray film examination showed that the right diaphragm was paralyzed and elevated in all dogs until 3 months after implantation. At 4 months, movement of the diaphragm in the implanted side was observed during spontaneous breathing in 1 dog of group I and in 3 dogs of group II. In the dogs showing diaphragm movement, muscle action potentials were evoked in the diaphragm muscle, indicating restoration of nerve function. Regeneration of the phrenic nerve structure was also examined on the reconstructed site using electron microscopy. CONCLUSION: The polyglycolic acid-collagen tube induced functional recovery of the injured phrenic nerve and was aided by coverage with a pedicled pericardial fat pad.

Bronchoscopic treatment of postpneumonectomy bronchopleural fistula with a collagen screw plug.

OBJECTIVE: Bronchopleural fistula is a critical complication that may occur after pulmonary resection. Early closure of the fistula is required to prevent thoracic empyema or aspiration pneumonia. We have designed a novel procedure for bronchoscopic occlusion of the fistula with a collagen screw plug and assessed its feasibility in an experimental animal model. METHODS: Adult beagle dogs underwent right or left pneumonectomy, and the bronchial stump was closed with the Sweet method. A silicone bar (2 mm in diameter) was then placed in the middle of the bronchial stump. Seven days after the operation, the silicone bar was removed bronchoscopically, and fistula formation was confirmed. A screw-shaped 2% collagen screw plug (20 mm long and 3 mm in diameter) was mounted at the end of a modified endoscopic cannula and then inserted into the fistula. Autologous platelet-rich plasma was then soaked onto the inserted plug. RESULTS: Nine of 10 beagle dogs with bronchopleural fistula were treated successfully by plug occlusion. One dog died of pneumothorax caused by dislocation of the plug. Pathologic examination revealed that the collagen sponge had been replaced by fibrous tissue and that the fistula was covered with normal epithelium. Although soaking with platelet-rich plasma made the plug airtight immediately, the use of platelet-rich plasma seemed to make no distinct difference with respect to the treatment result or pathologic findings. CONCLUSION: Bronchoscopic occlusion with a collagen screw plug is a promising option for treatment of small bronchopleural fistulas after pulmonary surgery.