The Bronchus First and Vessels Simultaneously Stapled Technique: A Safe and Simple Method for Video-Assisted Right Upper Lobe Lobectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy is a minimally invasive procedure for major pulmonary resection. The purpose of this study was to present a novel approach with a thoracoscope in the right upper lobe and to compare different lobectomy methods at our institution. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent a thoracoscopic right upper lobectomy for lung cancer between September 2015 and September 2016. We performed 128 thoracoscopic right upper lobectomies: group A (n = 50) was treated with the bronchus-first and vessels simultaneously stapled method and group B (n = 78) was treated with the conventional isolation-ligation method. Preoperative mediastinal staging and lymphadenectomy followed the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. The intra- and postoperative outcomes were recorded and statistically compared. RESULTS: All patients underwent successful thoracoscopic right upper lobectomies. No significant differences in mean intraoperative blood loss, massive hemorrhage (>500 mL), and postoperative complications were observed between the two groups (p < 0.05). The mean operative time of group A was less than that of group B (110.80 ± 34.74 versus 167.01 ± 48.38 minutes, p = 0.000). The mean duration of chest drainage in group A was 4.34 ± 2.06 days, which was shorter than that of group B (5.85 ± 3.13 days, p = 0.017). No significant differences were observed in the local recurrence and distant recurrence between the two groups during the postoperative follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoscopic right upper lobectomy with the lobectomy bronchus-first and vessels simultaneously stapled method is a safe and efficient procedure that leads to better recovery.

Minimally invasive trans-mediastinal endoscopic approach to insert phrenic stimulation electrodes in the human diaphragm: a preliminary description in cadavers.

OBJECTIVE: Diaphragm pacing by phrenic nerve (PN) stimulation is currently used for patients with central respiratory paralysis to be weaned from mechanical ventilation. Electrodes are inserted either through bilateral thoracotomy or through four ports laparoscopy. The aim of this experimental work is to demonstrate the feasibility of trans-mediastinal bilateral implantation of PN electrodes using a flexible gastroscope introduced through a cervical incision in human cadavers. METHODS: Ten refrigerated and non-embalmed cadavers were used. The gastroscope was introduced through a cervical incision into the latero-tracheal space and then subsequently into both pleura by opening the mediastinal pleura. After identification of the PN, electrodes were introduced through an intercostal space to the desired diaphragmatic location using a long, pliable needle with the electrode loaded in its lumen. RESULTS: Results are described for each hemi-diaphragm not for an anatomic subject. Mediastinal exploration and introduction of the video gastroscope into the pleural cavities proved easy in all subjects. Pleural adherences were present in five hemi-diaphragms. The central tendon of both hemi-diaphragms could be identified unambiguously in all the subjects. Identification of the entry point of the phrenic nerve into the diaphragm was straightforward in 10 hemi-diaphragms. In the remaining 10, this proved more difficult because of mediastinal fat or lung parenchyma. Introduction of the electrode-holding needles through the intercostal space and their insertion close to the phrenic nerve entry point was also easy. Withdrawal of the needle from the diaphragm and 'capture' of the hook were successful on the first attempt in 14 hemi-diaphragms, but failed in six others in whom a second attempt was necessary. CONCLUSION: Trans-mediastinal implantation of PN stimulation electrodes is possible using a flexible endoscope. This application of endoscopic surgery could allow a minimally invasive placement of PN electrodes in patients with central respiratory paralysis, for example, at the time of tracheostomy.

Bloqueio simpático esquerdo por videotoracoscopia no tratamento da cardiomiopatia dilatada / Endoscopic left sympathetic blockade in the treatment for dilated cardiomyopathy / Bloqueo simpático izquierdo por videotoracoscopia en el tratamiento de la cardiomiopatía dilatada

FUNDAMENTO: O nível da atividade nervosa simpática é um dos mais importantes determinantes prognósticos em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca. OBJETIVO: O propósito dessa investigação foi realizar um estudo de viabilidade do emprego do bloqueio simpático esquerdo por toracoscopia em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca (IC) para avaliar a segurança e os efeitos imediatos. MÉTODOS: Quinze pacientes com cardiomiopatia dilatada e fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (FEVE) < 40 por cento, classe funcional II ou III (NYHA) e frequência cardíaca > 65 bpm, a despeito do uso adequado de beta-bloqueadores ou intolerantes a eles, forma selecionados. Dez pacientes foram submetidos à clipagem do espaço inter-espinhal em nível de T3-T4 e da porção inferior dos gânglios estrelados esquerdos através de videotoracocopia, enquanto outros cinco pacientes foram randomizados para um grupo controle. RESULTADOS: Nenhum dos pacientes operados apresentou qualquer evento cardiovascular adverso relacionado ao procedimento cirúrgico no período perioperatório. Dois pacientes do grupo cirúrgico morreram devido a tromboembolismo pulmonar ou infarto do miocárdio nos 6 meses de seguimento inicial, enquanto três pacientes do grupo controle apresentaram progressão da IC e morreram ou desenvolveram choque cardiogênico no mesmo período. Nos pacientes tratados, houve melhora na qualidade de vida, nível de atividade física e FEVE (de 25 ± 9 por cento para 32 ± 8 por cento, p=0,024) aos 6 meses de seguimento, enquanto esses parâmetros não se alteraram nos pacientes do grupo controle. CONCLUSÃO: O bloqueio simpático esquerdo via toracoscopia é factível e parece ser seguro em pacientes com IC grave. Esse estudo inicial sugere que esse procedimento pode ser uma abordagem alternativa eficaz para o bloqueio simpático no tratamento de cardiomiopatias dilatadas.

BACKGROUND: The level of sympathetic nervous activity is a major determinant of prognosis in patients with heart failure. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation was to perform a proof-of-principle trial of therapeutic endoscopic left thoracic sympathetic blockade in heart failure patients to assess safety and immediate effects. METHODS: Fifteen patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 40 percent, New York Heart Association functional class II or III, and heart rate > 65 bpm, despite either adequate betablocker use or intolerant to it, were enrolled. Ten patients underwent left infra-stellate ganglion plus T3-T4 interspinal space clipping through videothoracoscopy, while the other five patients were randomized to a control group. RESULTS: None of the treated patients had any procedure-related adverse cardiovascular events at the perioperative period. Two patients from the surgical group died due to pulmonary thromboembolism or myocardial infarction within 6 months of the initial follow-up, while three patients from the control group had heart failure progression and died or developed cardiogenic shock during the same period. Treated patients presented improvement in quality of life, level of physical activity and LVEF (from 25 ± 9 percent to 32 ± 8 percent, p=0.024) at 6 months of follow-up, whereas these parameters did not change in control patients. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic left thoracic sympathetic blockade is feasible and appears to be safe in severe heart failure patients. This initial study suggests that this procedure might be an effective alternative approach to sympathetic blockade in the treatment of dilated cardiomyopathies.

FUNDAMENTO: El nivel de la actividad nerviosa simpática es uno de los más importantes determinantes pronósticos en pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca. OBJETIVO: El propósito de esta investigación fue realizar un estudio de viabilidad del empleo del bloqueo simpático izquierdo por toracoscopia en pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca (IC) para evaluar la seguridad y los efectos inmediatos. MÉTODOS: Quince pacientes con cardiomiopatía dilatada y fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo (FEVI) < 40 por ciento, clase funcional II o III (NYHA) y frecuencia cardíaca > 65 lpm, a despecho del uso adecuado de betabloqueantes o intolerantes a ellos, fueron seleccionados. Diez pacientes fueron sometidos a clipaje del espacio interespinal a nivel de T3-T4 y de la porción inferior de los ganglios estrellados izquierdos a través de videotoracocopia, mientras que otros cinco pacientes fueron randomizados para un grupo control. RESULTADOS: Ninguno de los pacientes operados presentó ningún evento cardiovascular adverso relacionado al procedimiento quirúrgico en el período perioperatorio. Dos pacientes del grupo quirúrgico murieron debido a tromboembolismo pulmonar o infarto de miocardio en los 6 meses de seguimiento inicial, mientras tres pacientes del grupo control presentaron progresión de la IC y murieron o desarrollaron shock cardiogénico en el mismo período. En los pacientes tratados, hubo mejora en la calidad de vida, nivel de actividad física y FEVI (de 25±9 por ciento a 32±8 por ciento, p=0,024) a los 6 meses de seguimiento, mientras que esos parámetros no se alteraron en los pacientes del grupo control. CONCLUSIÓN: El bloqueo simpático izquierdo vía toracoscopia es factible y parece ser seguro en pacientes con IC grave. Este estudio inicial sugiere que este procedimiento puede ser un abordaje alternativo eficaz para el bloqueo simpático en el tratamiento de cardiomiopatías dilatadas.

Endoscopic left sympathetic blockade in the treatment for dilated cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: The level of sympathetic nervous activity is a major determinant of prognosis in patients with heart failure. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation was to perform a proof-of-principle trial of therapeutic endoscopic left thoracic sympathetic blockade in heart failure patients to assess safety and immediate effects. METHODS: Fifteen patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 40%, New York Heart Association functional class II or III, and heart rate > 65 bpm, despite either adequate betablocker use or intolerant to it, were enrolled. Ten patients underwent left infra-stellate ganglion plus T3-T4 interspinal space clipping through videothoracoscopy, while the other five patients were randomized to a control group. RESULTS: None of the treated patients had any procedure-related adverse cardiovascular events at the perioperative period. Two patients from the surgical group died due to pulmonary thromboembolism or myocardial infarction within 6 months of the initial follow-up, while three patients from the control group had heart failure progression and died or developed cardiogenic shock during the same period. Treated patients presented improvement in quality of life, level of physical activity and LVEF (from 25 ± 9% to 32 ± 8%, p=0.024) at 6 months of follow-up, whereas these parameters did not change in control patients. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic left thoracic sympathetic blockade is feasible and appears to be safe in severe heart failure patients. This initial study suggests that this procedure might be an effective alternative approach to sympathetic blockade in the treatment of dilated cardiomyopathies.

[Telemanipulatory application of a magnetic coupler on the beating heart with the daVinci surgical system]. / Telemanipulator-gestützte Applikation eines magnetischen Gefäss-Kopplers am schlagenden Herzen mit dem da Vinci-Surgical-System.

The construction of a coronary anastomosis on the beating heart under totally endoscopic conditions is technically demanding. In this study the potential benefits of an endoscopic magnetic vascular coupler (MVP, Ventrica, Inc, Fremont, CA) designed to facilitate construction of a coronary anastomosis with the help of the daVinci telemanipulator (Intuitive Surgical Inc., Sunnyvale, CA) were evaluated in a totally endoscopic coronary arterial bypass (TECAB) operation on the beating heart in eight dogs. The telemanipulated instruments were used to guide and place the endoscopic MVP-application platform (prototype). All animals underwent angiography, and gross inspection of the anastomotic site was done after excision of the hearts. The procedure was accomplished in 169 minutes (155-190). With the exception of one premature deployment, all MVP-anastomoses were accomplished in 3 minutes (1-28). The following adverse events were encountered: Bleeding from the right ventricle caused by occlusion tape (1), anastomotic leakage upon reperfusion requiring repair stitches (2), anastomotic occlusion due to a thrombus (1). All but one animal that died on reperfusion despite a patent graft and anastomosis, survived the procedure. Overall patency was 7 out of 8. The combination of telemanipulator technology allowing increased manipulation dexterity in a total endoscopic environment and the effective and time saving magnetic technique for anastomotic coupling has the potential to facilitate TECAB on the beating heart.

[Spontaneous pneumothorax: pleurodesis with an iodo-povidone hydroalcoholic solution]. / Neumotórax espontáneo: sínfisis pleural con solución hidroalcohólica de povidona yodada.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the efficacy of an iodo-povidone hydroalcoholic solution for the chemical pleurodesis of spontaneous pneumothorax. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A descriptive, retrospective study of 81 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax. The patients were treated by video-assisted thoracoscopy and chemical pleurodesis with an iodo-povidone hydroalcoholic solution at the thoracic surgery unit of Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau in Barcelona (Spain) between January 1993 and December 1999. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients, 59 men (73%) and 22 women (27%), between 14 and 82 years old (mean age 33 years) were treated. Pneumothorax was most often on the right side (43 cases, 53%). The main indications for surgery were recurrence (52 cases, 64%) and persistent air leaks (25 cases, 31%). All were treated by video-assisted thoracoscopy, with resection of the pulmonary parenchyma in 30 cases (37%) and pleural instillation of the iodo-povidone hydroalcoholic solution as the irritant in all cases. Air leaks were observed during early postoperative recovery in 10 patients (12.3%), self-limited fever in 5 (6.1%) and infection of drainage openings in 2 (2.4%). During the postoperative follow-up period of 6 to 67 months (mean 24 months), 5 recurrences (6.1%) were seen. CONCLUSIONS: An iodo-povidone hydroalcoholic solution is easy to apply by video-assisted thoracoscopy and is highly effective for pleurodesis in cases of spontaneous pneumothorax.