Sublobar Resection for Early-Stage Lung Cancer: An Oncologically Valid Procedure?

In the era of minimally invasive surgery, the role of sublobar resection comprising anatomical segmentectomy and wide wedge excision remains controversial [...].

Retrograde Type A Aortic Dissection 48 Hours after TEVAR in a Patient with a Delayed Diagnosis of Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

We report a case of a fatal retrograde Type A aortic dissection following thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). The patient was diagnosed with vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS) only postoperatively, which is a relative contraindication for TEVAR. The patient had no major or minor criteria for vEDS. This case report emphasizes pitfalls of TEVAR in patients with a connective tissue disorder.

Evaluation of mediastinoscopy in mediastinal lymph node staging for non-small-cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the quality of video-assisted cervical mediastinoscopy (VACM) in the staging of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at the Antwerp University Hospital with a focus on test effectiveness indicators, morbidity and unforeseen pN2 results. METHODS: All consecutive VACM workups of cases of NSCLC performed between January 2010 and December 2015 were included to assess overall test quality and effectiveness. Quality assurance was performed in accordance with the recommendations of the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS) where appropriate. RESULTS: A total of 168 video-assisted cervical mediastinoscopies were included. A total of 91.7% of the procedures were performed in accordance with the ESTS guideline. An unforeseen pN2 staging was identified in 10 anatomical lung resections (8.6%). Statistical analysis showed no significant association between VACM performed in accordance with the ESTS guideline and the presence of pN2 positive lymph nodes [χ2 (1) = 0.61; P = 0.57] and no association between VACM performed in accordance with the ESTS guideline and overall futile thoracotomy [χ2 (1) = 0.76; P = 0.50]. Calculations revealed a sensitivity of 81.8 [95% confidence interval (CI) 69.1-90.9], specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, negative predictive value of 91.9% (95% CI 86.6-95.2) and diagnostic accuracy of 94.1% (95% CI 89.33-97.11). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, 91.7% of the VACM were performed in accordance with the ESTS guideline. This process resulted in a sensitivity of 81.8%, a negative predictive value of 91.9% and an unforeseen pN2 rate of 8.6%.

Blowhole Colostomy for Clostridium difficile-Associated Toxic Megacolon.

We present the case of a 58-year-old man who underwent urgent blowhole colostomy for toxic megacolon (TM) secondary to Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). This infection occurred under antibiotic coverage with amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, four days after laparoscopic sigmoidectomy in our hospital. Although prospective clinical research regarding the surgical management of TM is lacking, decompressive procedures like blowhole colostomy are reported to carry a high risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality and are widely regarded as obsolete. Subtotal or total colectomy with end ileostomy is currently considered the procedure of choice. After presenting our case, we discuss the literature available on the subject to argue that the scarce evidence on the optimal surgical treatment for TM is primarily based on TM associated with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and that there might be a rationale for considering minimally invasive procedures like blowhole colostomy for CDI-associated TM.

Carotid Bifurcation Resection and Interposition of a Polytetrafluorethylene Graft (BRIG) for Carotid Disease: A Retrospective Study of 153 Consecutive Procedures.

BACKGROUND: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is the gold standard for treatment of carotid artery stenosis. CEA can be challenging, even technically impossible. Prosthetic carotid bypass grafting is a proven and safe alternative when CEA is hazardous. An alternative technique that is prosthetic carotid bifurcation resection and interposition of a polytetrafluorethylene graft (BRIG) is described in this article. METHODS: In our Department of Vascular Surgery, between January 2007 and October 2014, 103 BRIG procedures were performed. The outcome of conventional CEA and patients treated by the BRIG procedure were compared. Within the same period of time 50 CEA procedures (32.7%) were performed. Morbidity, mortality, and postoperative restenosis were compared. RESULTS: The 30-day mortality was 1% for the BRIG group and 0% in the CEA group (P value, 0.4839). The 30-day stroke rate was 1.9% for the BRIG group and 0% in the CEA group (P value, 0.3222). One patient died in the early postoperative period from acute myocardial infarction. A total of 13 (8.5%) patients died during follow-up, none of which were surgery related. Median follow-up was 29.1 months. There was a statistically higher restenosis rate in the CEA group compared with the BRIG group (16.0% vs. 1.9%, P value, 0.0053). Other complications were comparable. Mean operating and clamping time were significantly shorter in the BRIG group. CONCLUSIONS: BRIG appears to be a safe and feasible surgical alternative to CEA. The technique allows for shorter operating time, shorter clamping time, and appears to result in lower restenosis rates. Complication rates seem to be comparable to CEA. Prospective, randomized controlled trials on this topic are needed. To perform bilateral procedures, a bifurcation graft should be created to revascularize both the internal and external carotid artery.