Stability and safety of transbronchial dye mixture for preoperative localization in a porcine model.

OBJECTIVE: For thoracoscopy, the usefulness of a dye mixture of indigo carmine and Lipiodol for localizing lung lesions has been reported. However, little is known about the stability and safety of this dye mixture injected on the visceral pleura through a bronchoscope. METHODS: Porcine models were divided into three groups according to the detection time of the dye mixture: group A with a detection time of 4 h; group B, 8 h; and group C, 24 h. A dye mixture of indigo carmine and Lipiodol (0.5 mL each) was sprayed onto the visceral pleura both in the ventral and dorsal regions via a spray catheter. RESULTS: Twelve markings were created on the visceral pleura of the porcine lung (six ventral and six dorsal) in the six porcine models. At predetermined detection times, all 12 dye markings (100%) were visible on the visceral pleura. The mean longest diameter of the dye marking in the ventral and dorsal regions was 18.8 mm and 24.3 mm, respectively. In groups B and C, pathological changes in the lymphatic system, such as lymphatic dilatations, were found; minimal changes were found in group B, however, these changes with oval-shaped lymphatic cysts and Lipiodol accumulation, were more evident in group C. CONCLUSIONS: The dye mixture of indigo carmine and Lipiodol had reliable stability and visibility. In terms of safety, it may be necessary to check the dye mixture on the lung surface within 8 h.

Localization Technique Using Mixture of Indigo Carmine and Lipiodol of Pulmonary Nodule via Bronchoscopic Navigation.

Background and Objectives: As the number of minimally invasive surgeries, including video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, increases, small, deeply located lung nodules are difficult to visualize or palpate; therefore, localization is important. We studied the use of a mixture of indigo-carmine and lipiodol, coupled with a transbronchial approach-to achieve accurate localization and minimize patient discomfort and complications. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 patients were enrolled from May 2019 to April 2022, and surgery was performed after the bronchoscopy procedure. Wedge resection or segmentectomy was performed, depending on the location and size of the lesion. Results: In 58/60 (96.7%) patients, the localization of the nodules was successful after localization, and 2/60 required c-arm assistance. None of the patients complained of discomfort during the procedure; in all cases, margins were found to be free from carcinoma, as determined by the final pathology results. Conclusions: We recommend this localization technique using mixture of indigo carmine and lipiodol, in concert with the transbronchial approach, because the procedure time is short, patient's discomfort is low, and success rate is high.

Appropriate amounts proportions of lidocaine gel, indigo carmine and lipiodol mixture for preoperative marking in video-assisted thoracic surgery.

Preoperative marking is necessary in thoracoscopic wedge resections of lung nodules expected to be invisible or nonpalpable during surgery. Recently, lidocaine gel was added to a dye solution containing indigo carmine and lipiodol to promote micelle formation, but the optimal mixing ratio was not determined. Thus, an in vitro experiment was performed to identify the optimal mixing ratio of lidocaine gel, indigo carmine and lipiodol. To fixed volumes of indigo carmine and lipiodol of 0.5 ml each, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 ml of lidocaine gel was added. Changes were examined every 2 h. No changes were seen in the mixtures containing 0.1 and 0.2 ml of lidocaine gel, whereas those with 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 ml had clearly separated after 2 h. Our findings suggest that the ideal proportion of indigo carmine, lipiodol and lidocaine gel for use in preoperative marking is 5:5:2.

Pleurodesis Using Mistletoe Extract Delivered via a Spray Catheter during Semirigid Pleuroscopy for Managing Symptomatic Malignant Pleural Effusion.

BACKGROUND: Talc poudrage during thoracoscopy is considered the standard procedure for patients with symptomatic malignant pleural effusion (MPE). Until now, no alternative technique other than talc poudrage for pleurodesis during medical thoracoscopy has been proposed. Liquid sclerosants, such as mistletoe extract, have been sprayed evenly into the pleural cavity during semirigid pleuroscopy for chemical pleurodesis. OBJECTIVE: We conducted a retrospective study using the database of semirigid pleuroscopy to identify the usefulness of pleurodesis using a mistletoe extract delivered via a spray catheter during semirigid pleuroscopy for symptomatic MPE. METHODS: All consecutive patients with symptomatic MPE who underwent semirigid pleuroscopy from October 2015 to September 2016 were registered. The responses were evaluated using chest X- ray or computed tomography 4 weeks after pleurodesis. RESULTS: The study included 43 patients who underwent pleurodesis with mistletoe extract via a spray catheter during semirigid pleuroscopy. Complete and partial responses were seen in 21 (49%) and 19 (44%) patients, respectively. The median duration of chest tube placement after pleurod-esis was 7 days (range 6-8 days) in the 40 patients with complete or partial responses. No cases of severe hemorrhage, empyema formation, respiratory failure, or procedure-related mortality were observed in the subjects at 4 weeks after semirigid pleuroscopy. CONCLUSION: Pleurodesis with mistletoe extract delivered via a spray catheter during semirigid pleuroscopy is a safe and effective procedure for managing symptomatic MPE.

Chemical Pleurodesis Using Mistletoe Extraction (ABNOVAviscum(®) Injection) for Malignant Pleural Effusion.

PURPOSE: Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is common in patients with advanced cancer. Chemical pleurodesis can be considered for MPE that do not respond to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or therapeutic thoracentesis. However, it is not yet clear which agent is more effective and safer in chemical pleurodesis. METHODS: This study was designed as a single arm, multicenter, and open-label phase III clinical trial to evaluate efficacy and safety of chemical pleurodesis using mistletoe extraction (ABNOVAviscum(®) Injection). References of other agents in chemical pleurodesis were investigated to compare efficacy and safety. Efficacy was evaluated by followed up chest X-ray and changes of clinical symptoms and Karnofsky performance scale. Safety was evaluated by serious adverse event (SAE) and changes of laboratory findings. A follow-up period was 4 weeks after last pleurodesis. RESULTS: Of 62 patients, 49 (79.0%) had complete response, 11 (17.7%) had partial response, and two had no response. Mean response rate was significantly different in this study comparing with reference response rate which was 64% (p <0.0001). There were two SAEs, but all were recovered without sequelas. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that mistletoe extraction (ABNOVAviscum(®) Injection) could be an effective and safe agent of chemical pleurodesis in patients with MPE.