Presurgical invasive mediastinal staging in lung cancer, unexpected N2 and long-term survival: a registry-based study with data from the Spanish group for video-assisted thoracic surgery.

Background: Mediastinal lymph node staging is a key element in the diagnosis of lung cancer. The combination of computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) has improved staging but some circumstances are known to influence their negative predictive value. The objective of this study was to assess the impact on survival of avoiding invasive mediastinal staging in surgical lung cancer patients with negative mediastinum in CT and PET and intermediate risk of unexpected pN2. Methods: Data were collected from the prospective cohort of the Spanish Group for Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (GEVATS), from December 2016 to March 2018. For this study, patients were selected if they had negative mediastinum in CT and PET findings but tumours >3 cm or located centrally, or with cN1 disease. Patients who did and did not undergo invasive staging [invasive group (IG) and non-invasive group (NIG)] were compared, analysing unexpected pN2 and survival with Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression. Results: A total of 2,826 patients underwent surgery for primary lung cancer. We selected 1,247 patients who had tumours >3 cm, central tumours or cN1. Invasive staging was performed in 275 (22.1%) cases. The unexpected pN2 rate was 9.6% in the NIG and 13.8% in the IG, but half of them were discovered prior to surgery in the IG. Five-year overall survival (OS) was poorer in the IG (52.4% vs. 64%; P<0.001). In the Cox regression model, male sex, older age, diabetes, synchronous tumour, lower diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide, larger tumour size, higher pathological N-stage, and IG status were significant independent risk factors. Conclusions: Invasive staging recommended by guidelines could be reduced with an appropriate selection in mediastinal CT- and PET-negative patients with risk factors for unexpected pN2, because rates of pN2 and survival did not worsen without invasive staging.

Is histological confirmation necessary to avoid futile resections? Comparative of 4 university hospitals.

OBJECTIVES: There is no consensus in the literature on preoperative histological analysis for lung cancer. The objective of this study was to assess 4 diagnostic models used in different hospitals with differing practices regarding preoperative histological diagnosis and the consequences in terms of unnecessary surgery and futile major resection. METHODS: We carried out a retrospective observational study collected from 4 university hospitals in Spain over 3 years (January 2019 to December 2021). We included all patients with a confirmed diagnosis of primary lung cancer and any patients with suspected primary lung cancer who had undergone surgery. All patients underwent computed tomography and positron emission tomography/computed tomography scans. Each multidisciplinary committee was free to choose whether to perform flexible bronchoscopic or transthoracic lung biopsy. Decisions concerning whether to perform intraoperative sample analysis, the surgical approach and the type of resection were left to the surgical team. RESULTS: We included a total of 1642 patients. The use of flexible endoscopy and its diagnostic performance varied substantially between hospitals (range: 23.8-79.3% and 25-60.7%, respectively); and the same was observed for transthoracic biopsy and its performance (range: 16.9-82.3% and 64.6-97%, respectively). Regarding major resection surgery (lobectomy or more extensive resection), the lowest rate was observed in hospital C (1%) and the highest in hospital B (2.8%), with between-hospital differences not reaching significance (P = 0.173). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of histological sampling before lung cancer surgery still varies between hospitals. In spite of very diverse multidisciplinary management, the rate of futile lobectomy is not significantly higher in hospitals with lower rates of preoperative histological analysis.

Clinical trial on nurse training through virtual reality simulation of an operating room: assessing satisfaction and outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Virtual reality (VR) provides a firsthand active learning experience through varying degrees of immersion. The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of VR as a potential tool for training operating room nurses to perform thoracic surgery procedures. METHODS: This is an open parallel-group randomized clinical trial. One group received basic formation followed by an assessment module. The experimental group received the same basic formation, followed by thoracic surgery training and an assessment module. RESULTS: Fifty-six nurses participated in the study (51 females), with a mean age of 41.6 years. Participants achieved a median evaluation mode score of 480 points (IQR = 32 points). The experimental group (520 points) achieved an overall higher score than the control group (440 points; P = .04). Regarding age, women in the second quartile of age among the participants (35-41 years) achieved significantly better results than the rest (P = .04). When we evaluated the results based on the moment of practice, exercises performed in the last 10 min obtained better results than those performed in the first 10 min (1064 points versus 554 points; P < .001). Regarding adverse effects blurred vision was the most frequent. The overall satisfaction rating with the experience was 8.5 out of 10. CONCLUSION: Virtual reality is a useful tool for training operating room nurses. Clinical trial with ISRCTN16864726 registered number.

Results in mediastinal lymph node staging of surgical lung cancer: Data from the prospective cohort of the Spanish Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery Group.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the diagnostic performance of combined computerised tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) in mediastinal staging of surgical lung cancer based on data obtained from the prospective cohort of the Spanish Group for Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (GEVATS). METHODS: A total of 2782 patients underwent surgery for primary lung carcinoma. We analysed diagnostic success in mediastinal lymph node staging (cN2) using CT and PET. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed of the factors involved in this success. The risk of unexpected pN2 disease was analysed for cases in which an invasive testing is recommended: cN1, the tumour centrally located or the tumour diameter >3 cm. RESULTS: The overall success of CT together with PET was 82.9% with a positive predictive value of 0.21 and negative predictive value of 0.93. If the tumour was larger than 3 cm and for each unit increase in mediastinal SUVmax, the probability of success was lower with OR 0.59 (0.44-0.79) and 0.71 (0.66-0.75), respectively. In the video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) approach, the probability of success was higher with OR 2.04 (1.52-2.73). The risk of unexpected pN2 increased with the risk factors cN1, the tumour centrally located or the tumour diameter >3 cm: from 4.5% (0 factors) to 18.8% (3 factors) but did not differ significantly as a function of whether invasive testing was performed. CONCLUSIONS: CT and PET together have a high negative predictive value. The overall success of the staging is lower in the case of tumours >3 cm and high mediastinal SUVmax, and it is higher when VATS is performed. The risk of unexpected pN2 is higher if the disease is cN1, the tumour centrally located or the tumour diameter >3 cm but does not vary significantly as a function of whether patients have undergone invasive testing.

Quantification of Pneumothorax Volume on Chest X-Ray: A More Accurate Index Based On Measurements Made With 3D-printed Models.

PURPOSE: Owing to the extent of lung collapse estimated on chest radiograph it is still the complementary test most commonly used in the management of patients with pneumothorax. There are several indices to assess the extent of lung collapse. The objective of this study was to develop a more accurate index, using the 3D printing technology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We created physical hemithorax models using 3D printing. In this way, we obtained simple radiographs of models for which the lung volume was known accurately. In the first part of the study, we estimated the intraobserver and interobserver agreement as well as the agreement between methods. We created 2 new indices and the results obtained with these; the Light index and the Collins method were compared with data on real lung volume loss using linear regression analysis and by calculating the coefficient of determination (r2). In the second part of the study, we validated the 4 equations, comparing the Light index, the Collins method, and the 2 new indices using regression analysis. For this analysis, we used STATA V14. RESULTS: Both intraobserver and interobserver agreements were very high (<0.9). The agreement between the Collins method and the Light index was poor, with a mean difference of 18.6%. The equation that best represented real lung collapse was the new equation 2. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the poor agreement between the Light index and Collins method for measuring the extent of lung collapse in pneumothorax and proposes a more accurate equation for this measurement based on a simple chest radiograph.

Manual Versus Digital Aspiration for First-Line Treatment of Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax. The AMVADI Study: A Randomized Clinical Trial. / Aspiración manual versus aspiración digital en el tratamiento inicial del neumotórax espontáneo primario: estudio AMVADI. Ensayo clínico aleatorizado.

INTRODUCTION: The effectiveness of needle aspiration in the initial treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax has been widely studied. The objective of this research was to compare digital with manual aspiration in a randomized clinical trial. METHODS: We designed a blinded parallel-group randomized clinical trial with a 1:1 allocation ratio. The clinical trial is reported in line with the guidelines of the CONSORT group. The primary outcome variables were immediate success and hospital admission, while the secondary outcome measures were relapse, re-admission and need for surgery, and length of hospital stay. A satisfaction survey was also carried out among clinicians who perform these 2 types of aspiration. RESULTS: A total of 67 patients were included in the study (n=36, control group; n=31, experimental group) with no losses to follow-up. In both groups, 58% of procedures were immediately successful, avoiding hospital admission. No differences were found in rates of relapse, re-admission, need for surgery, or length of hospital stay. Overall, 80% of clinicians who performed aspiration preferred the digital system, and this preference rose to 100% among clinicians who performed more than 5procedures a year. CONCLUSIONS: Both manual and digital aspiration provide good immediate results avoiding hospital admission, while digital drainage is preferred by clinicians responsible for first-line treatment of pneumothorax.

Survival after pulmonary metastasectomy in colorectal cancer patients: does a history of resected liver metastases worsen the prognosis? A literature review.

OBJECTIVE: : To assess the impact of past liver metastases on the survival duration of patients who are undergoing surgery for lung metastases. METHODS: : We conducted a review of literature published from 2007 to 2014. The studies were identified by searching PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase and were supplemented by a manual search of the references listed by the retrieved studies. The following search terms were used: lung metastasectomy, pulmonary metastasectomy, lung metastases, and lung metastasis. We selected retrospective and prospective studies published from 2007 to 2014 on patients with lung metastases from colorectal cancer and were undergoing surgery with curative intent. We excluded reviews, studies that focused on surgical techniques, patients who were treated non-surgically, analyses of specific subgroups of patients, and those that did not report follow-up of the patients undergoing surgery. RESULTS: : We identified 28 papers that assessed survival after lung metastases, 21 of which were mostly retrospective studies that identified previous liver metastases to explore their impact on patient survival. In more than half of the papers analyzed (63.2%), patients with a history of resected liver metastases had a lower survival rate than those who did not have such a history, and the difference was statistically significant in eight of these studies. However, data were presented differently, and authors reported mean survival time, survival rates, or hazard ratios. CONCLUSIONS: : A history of liver metastases seems to be a negative prognostic factor, but the individual data need to undergo a meta-analysis.

Resultados de la estadificación clínica ganglionar mediastínica del cáncer pulmonar quirúrgico: datos de la cohorte prospectiva nacional del Grupo Español de Cirugía Torácica Videoasistida / Results in mediastinal lymph node staging of surgical lung cancer: Data from the prospective cohort of the Spanish Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery Group

Introducción: El objetivo del estudio es valorar el rendimiento diagnóstico de la tomografía computarizada (TC) y la tomografía por emisión de positrones (PET) en la estadificación clínica mediastínica del cáncer pulmonar quirúrgico según los datos de la cohorte prospectiva del Grupo Español de Cirugía Torácica Videoasistida (GEVATS). Métodos: Se han analizado 2.782 pacientes intervenidos por carcinoma pulmonar primario. Se ha estudiado el acierto diagnóstico en la estadificación mediastínica (cN2). Se ha realizado un análisis bivariante y multivariante de los factores que influyen en el acierto. Se ha estudiado el riesgo de pN2 inesperado en los factores con los que se recomienda una prueba invasiva de estadificación: cN1, tumor central o tamaño mayor de 3cm. Resultados: El acierto global de la TC y PET en conjunto es del 82,9% con VPP y VPN de 0,21 y 0,93. En tumores mayores de 3cm y a mayor SUVmax del mediastino, el acierto es menor, OR de 0,59 (0,44 – 0,79) y 0,71 (0,66 – 0,75), respectivamente. En el abordaje VATS el acierto es mayor, OR de 2,04 (1,52 – 2,73). El riesgo de pN2 inesperado aumenta con el número de los factores cN1, tumor central o tamaño mayor de 3cm: entre el 4,5% (0 factores) y 18,8% (3 factores), pero no hay diferencias significativas con la realización de prueba invasiva. Conclusiones: La TC y PET en conjunto tienen un elevado valor predictivo negativo. Su acierto global es menor en tumores mayores de 3cm y SUVmax del mediastino elevado, y mayor en el abordaje VATS. El riesgo de pN2 inesperado es mayor si cN1, tumor central o mayor de 3cm y no varía significativamente con prueba invasiva. (AU)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the diagnostic performance of combined computerised tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) in mediastinal staging of surgical lung cancer based on data obtained from the prospective cohort of the Spanish Group for Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (GEVATS). Methods: A total of 2782 patients underwent surgery for primary lung carcinoma. We analysed diagnostic success in mediastinal lymph node staging (cN2) using CT and PET. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed of the factors involved in this success. The risk of unexpected pN2 disease was analysed for cases in which an invasive testing is recommended: cN1, the tumour centrally located or the tumour diameter >3cm. Results: The overall success of CT together with PET was 82.9% with a positive predictive value of 0.21 and negative predictive value of 0.93. If the tumour was larger than 3cm and for each unit increase in mediastinal SUVmax, the probability of success was lower with OR 0.59 (0.44–0.79) and 0.71 (0.66–0.75), respectively. In the video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) approach, the probability of success was higher with OR 2.04 (1.52–2.73). The risk of unexpected pN2 increased with the risk factors cN1, the tumour centrally located or the tumour diameter >3cm: from 4.5% (0 factors) to 18.8% (3 factors) but did not differ significantly as a function of whether invasive testing was performed. Conclusions: CT and PET together have a high negative predictive value. The overall success of the staging is lower in the case of tumours >3cm and high mediastinal SUVmax, and it is higher when VATS is performed. The risk of unexpected pN2 is higher if the disease is cN1, the tumour centrally located or the tumour diameter >3cm but does not vary significantly as a function of whether patients have undergone invasive testing. (AU)

Aspiración manual versus aspiración digital en el tratamiento inicial del neumotórax espontáneo primario: estudio AMVADI. Ensayo clínico aleatorizado / Manual versus digital aspiration for first-line treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax. The AMVADI study: a randomized clinical trial

INTRODUCCIÓN: La efectividad de la punción aspiración en el tratamiento inicial del neumotórax espontáneo primario ha sido ampliamente estudiada. El objetivo de este trabajo es comparar la aspiración digital frente a la manual en un ensayo clínico aleatorizado. MÉTODOS: Se ha diseñado un ensayo clínico aleatorizado paralelo con ratio 1:1 y evaluación ciega. El ensayo clínico se adapta al estándar del grupo CONSORT. El resultado primario se define como éxito inmediato e ingreso hospitalario, y los secundarios, como recidiva, reingreso, necesidad de cirugía y días de ingreso. Se realiza encuesta de satisfacción entre los profesionales que realizan los dos tipos de punción. RESULTADOS: Sesenta y siete pacientes han sido incluidos en el estudio (n = 36 grupo control, n = 31 grupo intervención) con un seguimiento del 100%. Ambos grupos presentan un éxito inmediato del 58%, evitándose el ingreso hospitalario. No se observan diferencias en cuanto a recidiva, reingreso, necesidad de cirugía o días de ingreso. El 80% del personal que realiza la técnica de punción prefiere la aspiración digital, siendo el 100% entre el personal que realiza más de 5 punciones al año. CONCLUSIONES: Tanto la punción aspiración manual como la digital ofrecen buenos resultados inmediatos que evitan ingresos hospitalarios; la aspiración digital es el método preferido por quienes realizan dicha técnica

INTRODUCTION: The effectiveness of needle aspiration in the initial treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax has been widely studied. The objective of this research was to compare digital with manual aspiration in a randomized clinical trial. METHODS: We designed a blinded parallel-group randomized clinical trial with a 1:1 allocation ratio. The clinical trial is reported in line with the guidelines of the CONSORT group. The primary outcome variables were immediate success and hospital admission, while the secondary outcome measures were relapse, re-admission and need for surgery, and length of hospital stay. A satisfaction survey was also carried out among clinicians who perform these 2 types of aspiration. RESULTS: A total of 67 patients were included in the study (n = 36, control group; n = 31, experimental group) with no losses to follow-up. In both groups, 58% of procedures were immediately successful, avoiding hospital admission. No differences were found in rates of relapse, re-admission, need for surgery, or length of hospital stay. Overall, 80% of clinicians who performed aspiration preferred the digital system, and this preference rose to 100% among clinicians who performed more than 5 procedures a year. CONCLUSIONS: Both manual and digital aspiration provide good immediate results avoiding hospital admission, while digital drainage is preferred by clinicians responsible for first-line treatment of pneumothorax