The usefulness of the open surgical technique of sternocostal elevation for asymmetric pectus excavatum: a retrospective study.

Background: The Nuss procedure is currently the mainstream of pectus excavatum (PE) surgery; however, it is considered to be more difficult for asymmetric cases than for symmetric ones. Sternocostal elevation (SCE), which was performed at our hospital, is a surgical method that determines the extent of resection of the costal cartilage while comparing the left and right balance during surgery; thus, it is highly useful for correcting rib cage with strong asymmetry. Methods: Of the 256 patients who underwent SCE at our hospital between July 2014 and July 2022, 58 (22.7%) with asymmetric PE were retrospectively examined. However, patients with advanced scoliosis having a Cobb angle of 25° or higher were excluded; therefore, 51 (19.9%) patients were analyzed. Two indices and other measurements were evaluated to determine the success of correction for asymmetry using computed tomography (CT). Results: The difference between the left and right thoraxes, the Haller index, and the sternal torsion angle significantly improved. Furthermore, we herein set a new numerical index as an indicator of asymmetry improvement and to be used for a more standard thorax morphology; the difference between the left and right thoraxes/the average of the left and right thoraxes. That new index also significantly improved. Conclusions: SCE is considered a highly useful surgical method for asymmetric PE.

Perioperative Evaluation of the Physical Quality of Life of Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Prospective Study.

Surgery is the most effective treatment for early-stage lung cancer; however, it poses a higher physical burden than other treatment options. Therefore, understanding the perioperative course of patients is important. Using the Short Form Health Survey 36, we prospectively measured the physical quality of life of patients who underwent anatomical pulmonary resection for non-small cell lung cancer at Shonan Kamakura General Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan (n = 87). In the preoperative setting, patients who had lower performance status and lived alone had significantly worse physical quality of life scores on multivariate analysis (regression coefficient (95% confidence interval), -9.37 (-13.43--5.32) and -10.22 (-13.74--7.40), respectively, p < 0.0001 for both). At 6 months postoperatively, patients who stopped smoking within 1 year preoperatively (stopped smoking within 1 year vs. remote or never smokers, 41.0 ± 10.5 vs. 48.6 ± 7.2, p = 0.002), had lower performance status (0 vs. 1-2, 49.3 ± 6.6 vs. 38.6 ± 9.6, p < 0.0001), lived alone (living alone vs. living with somebody, 41.6 ± 9.7 vs. 48.1 ± 7.9, p = 0.021), and had higher comorbid burden (Charlson comorbidity index <3 vs. ≥3, 48.2 ± 6.9 vs. 39.1 ± 14.7, p = 0.003) had significantly worse physical quality of life scores on univariate analysis. More recent smoking (regression coefficient (95% confidence interval), -4.90 (-8.78-1.0), p = 0.014), lower performance status (8.90 (5.10-12.70), p < 0.0001), living alone (5.76 (1.39-10.13), p = 0.01), and higher comorbid burden (-6.94 (-11.78--2.10), p = 0.006) were significant independent predictors of worse postoperative physical quality of life on multivariate analysis. Therefore, patients with these conditions might need additional support to maintain their physical condition after anatomical lung cancer surgery.

Prognostic impact of concomitant pH-regulating drugs in patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors: the Tokushukai REAl-world Data project 01-S1.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the prognostic impact of concomitant pH-regulating drug use in patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutation-positive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). METHODS: We conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study and reviewed clinical data of consecutive patients with NSCLC treated with the first-line EGFR-TKIs in 46 hospitals between April 2010 and March 2020. Cox regression analyses were conducted to examine the differences in overall survival (OS) between patients treated with and without concomitant pH-regulating drugs, including potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs), proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), and H2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs). RESULTS: A total of 758 patients were included in the final dataset, of which 307 (40%) were administered concomitant pH-regulating drugs while receiving frontline EGFR-TKIs. After adjusting for basic patient characteristics, patients administered gefitinib, erlotinib, afatinib, and osimertinib with concomitant pH-regulating drugs had lower OS than those without concomitant pH-regulating drugs, with hazard ratios of 1.74 (with a 95% confidence interval of 1.34-2.27), 1.33 (0.80-2.22), 1.73 (0.89-3.36), and 5.04 (1.38-18.44), respectively. The 2-year OS rates of patients receiving gefitinib with or without concomitant pH-regulating drugs were 65.4 and 77.5%, those for erlotinib were 55.8 and 66.6%, and those for afatinib were 63.2 and 76.9%, respectively. The 1-year OS rates of patients receiving osimertinib with or without concomitant pH-regulating drugs were 88.1% and 96.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In addition to the first-generation EGFR-TKIs, the second- and third-generation EGFR-TKIs also resulted in OS deterioration in patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC when used concurrently with pH-regulating drugs.

Stepwise prolongation of overall survival from first to third generation EGFR-TKIs for EGFR mutation-positive non-small-cell lung cancer: the Tokushukai REAl-world Data project (TREAD 01).

OBJECTIVE: The introduction of new-generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) has afforded promising overall survival outcomes in clinical trials for non-small-cell lung cancer. We aim to investigate the current adoption rate of these agents and the real-world impact on overall survival among institutions. METHODS: In a nationwide retrospective cohort study of 46 Tokushukai Medical Group hospitals in Japan, we analyzed clinical data of consecutive patients with non-small-cell lung cancer receiving EGFR-TKIs between April 2010 and March 2020. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses examined the associations between overall survival and patient/tumor-related factors and first-line EGFR-TKIs. RESULTS: A total of 758 patients (58.5% females; median age, 73 years) were included. Of 40 patients diagnosed in 2010, 72.5% received gefitinib, whereas 81.3% of 107 patients diagnosed in 2019 received osimertinib as the first-line EGFR-TKI. With a median follow-up of 15.8 months, the median overall survival was 28.4 months (95% confidence interval, 15.3-31.0). In a multivariate Cox regression analysis, age, body mass index, disease status, EGFR mutational status and first-line epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor were identified as significant prognostic factors after adjusting for background factors including study period, hospital volume and hospital type. The estimated 2-year overall survival rates for gefitinib, erlotinib, afatinib and osimertinib were 70.1% (95% confidence interval 59.7-82.4), 67.8% (95% confidence interval 55.3-83.2), 75.5% (95% confidence interval 64.7-88.0) and 90.8% (95% confidence interval 84.8-97.3), respectively. The median time to treatment failure of gefitinib, erlotinib, afatinib and osimertinib were 12.8, 8.8, 12.0 and 16.9 months or more, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our real-world data revealed that the swift and widespread utilization of newer-generation EGFR-TKIs in patients with EGFR mutation-positive non-small-cell lung cancer, and that these newer-generation EGFR-TKIs can prolong overall survival regardless of hospital volume or type. Therefore, osimertinib could be a reasonable first choice treatment for these patients across various clinical practice settings.

Preoperative prognostic predictors and treatment strategies for surgical procedure focused on the sequential organ failure assessment score in nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Several large-scale studies have assessed endovascular and surgical treatment methods for nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI); however, the prognostic factors for NOMI remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate risk factors for in-hospital mortality among patients with NOMI who underwent laparotomy and to examine therapeutic strategies that may improve the prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this multicenter retrospective study, the authors reviewed the electronic medical records retrieved from the inpatient database of patients with NOMI at eight district general hospitals between January 2011 and January 2021. A total of 88 patients who underwent laparotomies were divided into survivor and nonsurvivor groups, and statistical analysis was performed to determine clinical and physiological factors. RESULTS: Exploratory laparotomy based on second-look surgery was the first treatment choice. The overall mortality rate was 48.8%, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.1:1. The median Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score was 8 [interquartile range: 3.75-14.2], and the median SOFA scores were 5 [3-7] in the survivor group and 13 [9-17.5] in the nonsurvivor group. Univariate analysis revealed a significant difference in BMI ( P <0.001), hypoglycemia ( P =0.0012), previous cardiovascular surgery ( P =0.0019), catecholamine use ( P <0.001), SOFA score ( P <0.001), platelet count ( P =0.0023), and lactate level ( P <0.001). Logistic regression analysis using the factors with significant differences revealed that SOFA score ≥10 (odds ratio 23.3; 95% CI: 1.94-280.00; P =0.013) was an independent prognostic factor. In addition, catecholamine use was suggested as a factor with a SOFA score greater than or equal to 10. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that a SOFA score of greater than or equal to 10 may be associated with increased mortality. While closely monitoring low blood pressure and renal dysfunction, survival rates may be improved if surgical intervention is performed before the SOFA score reaches greater than or equal to 10.

A case of severe bilateral empyema due to Streptococcus pyogenes.

Bilateral empyema is a rare and severe condition and deciding on a treatment is quite difficult. Additionally, infections caused by group A Streptococcus (GAS [Streptococcus pyogenes]) are known to be invasive. We successfully treated without surgery a previously healthy 59-year-old woman with bilateral empyema due to GAS, with repeated drainages, antibiotics, and fibrinolytic therapy. To our knowledge, there have not been any published reports on cases of bilateral empyema due to GAS infection. In rare, severe cases of bilateral empyema caused by organisms such as GAS, physicians managing the condition should consider the overall condition of the patient.

A Surgical Case of Bronchial Artery Aneurysm Connecting to a Pulmonary Artery and Vein Complicated by Racemose Hemangioma.

We report a surgical case of bronchial artery aneurysm (BAA) that directly connected to a pulmonary artery and a pulmonary vein through an abnormal vessel. It was complicated by racemose hemangioma. This is a rare vascular malformation. An 82-year-old female had a large BAA that was found incidentally. First, we consider treating the BAA with embolization by interventional radiology (IVR). However, because of strong meandering of the bronchial artery, we could not advance a microcatheter into the BAA. Therefore, a surgical operation was performed through a standard posterior lateral thoracotomy. The BAA was located between the upper and lower lobes and directly connected to the pulmonary artery. Some bronchial artery branches that provided inflow to the aneurysm were ligated, and the abnormal vessel that connected the BAA to the upper pulmonary vein was ligated easily. A fistula between the BAA and pulmonary artery was sutured by the cardiovascular surgeon using an artificial cardiopulmonary device, with permissive stenosis of A2b (ascending A2).

Virtual-assisted lung mapping in sublobar resection of small pulmonary nodules, long-term results.

OBJECTIVES: The short-term efficacy of virtual-assisted lung mapping (VAL-MAP), a preoperative bronchoscopic multi-spot lung-marking technique, has been confirmed in 2 prospective multicentre studies. The objectives of this study were to analyse the local recurrence and survival of patients enrolled in these studies, long-term. METHODS: Of the 663 patients enrolled in the 2 studies, 559 patients' follow-up data were collected. After excluding those who did not undergo VAL-MAP, whose resection was not for curative intent, who underwent concurrent resection without VAL-MAP, or who eventually underwent lobectomy instead of sublobar resection (i.e. wedge resection or segmentectomy), 422 patients were further analysed. RESULTS: Among 264 patients with primary lung cancer, the 5-year local recurrence-free rate was 98.4%, and the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 94.5%. Limited to stage IA2 or less (≤2 cm in diameter; n = 238, 90.1%), the 5-year local recurrence-free and OS rates were 98.7% and 94.8%, respectively. Among 102 patients with metastatic lung tumours, the 5-year local recurrence-free rate was 93.8% and the 5-year OS rate was 81.8%. Limited to the most common (colorectal) cancer (n = 53), the 5-year local recurrence-free and OS rates were 94.9% and 82.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: VAL-MAP, which is beneficial in localizing small barely palpable pulmonary lesions and determining the appropriate resection lines, was associated with reasonable long-term outcomes. SUBJ COLLECTION: 152, 1542.

The role of virtual-assisted lung mapping 2.0 combining microcoils and dye marks in deep lung resection.

OBJECTIVES: Virtual-assisted lung mapping 2.0 is a novel preoperative bronchoscopic lung mapping technique combining the multiple dye marks of conventional virtual-assisted lung mapping with intrabronchial microcoils to navigate thoracoscopic deep lung resection. This study's purpose was to evaluate the feasibility of virtual-assisted lung mapping 2.0 in resecting deeply located pulmonary nodules with adequate margins. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective single-arm study was performed from 2019 to 2020 in 8 institutions. The selection criteria were barely identifiable nodules requiring sublobar lung resections, nodules requiring resection lines reaching the inner 2/3 of the pulmonary lobe on computed tomography images in wedge resection, or the nodule center located in the inner 2/3 of the pulmonary lobe in wedge resection or segmentectomy. Resection margins larger than 2 cm or the nodule diameter were considered successful resection. Bronchoscopic placement of multiple dye marks and microcoil(s) was conducted 0 to 2 days before surgery. RESULTS: We analyzed 65 lesions in 64 patients. The diameter and depth of the targeted nodules and the minimum required resection depth reported as median (interquartile range) were 9 (7-13) mm, 11 (5-15) mm, and 30 (25-35) mm, respectively. Among 60 wedge resections and 5 segmentectomies, successful resection was achieved in 64 of 65 resections (98.5%; 95% confidence interval, 91.7-100). Among 75 microcoils placed, 3 showed major displacement after bronchoscopic placement. There were no severe adverse events associated with the virtual-assisted lung mapping procedure. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that virtual-assisted lung mapping 2.0 can facilitate successful resections for deep pulmonary nodules, overcoming the limitations of conventional virtual-assisted lung mapping.

Multimodal treatment for acute empyema based on the patient's condition, including patients who are bedridden: A single center retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of acute empyema has increased in various countries; some elderly patients with acute empyema have contraindications for surgery under general anesthesia. Therefore, suitable management based on a patient's clinical condition is required. METHODS: We evaluated the different surgical and nonsurgical therapeutic approaches available for patients with acute empyema. This was a retrospective study of 57 patients with acute empyema who received treatment in our department between May 2015 and February 2019. For patients who did not initially improve with drainage or drainage combined with fibrinolytic therapy, surgery, or additional percutaneous drainage was performed based on their general condition. We compared several clinical factors pertaining to the patients who underwent surgical versus nonsurgical treatment. RESULTS: Our study showed that the patients with a performance status of 0-2 and an American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification of class II or lower underwent surgery safely without major operative complications. The combination of repeated drainage of the pleural cavity and fibrinolytic therapy appeared to be a reasonable nonsurgical management option for patients in poor overall condition. CONCLUSION: For an aging population, we think that the combination of repeated pleural cavity drainage procedures and fibrinolytic therapy is a reasonable nonsurgical strategy for the management of patients with acute empyema.

Monitoring the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score in nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia increases the survival rate: A single-center observational study.

ABSTRACT: Several large-scale studies have assessed the endovascular and surgical treatments for nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI); nonetheless, the prognostic factors for NOMI remain unclear.In this single-center study, we retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of 197, 149 patients were retrieved from the inpatient database of our hospital from January 2011 to January 2020; 79 patients with NOMI were observed. A total of 44 patients who underwent laparotomy were statistically analyzed and divided into the survivor and non-survivor groups. Prognostic factors were compared between the 2 groups. Exploratory laparotomy based on a second-look surgery was the first treatment choice.The overall mortality rate was 61.3%, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.6:1. The median Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score was 11.06 [5.75-17.25]. The median SOFA score was 5 [interquartile range: 3-8] in the survivor group and 14.8 [interquartile range: 10.5-19] in the non-survivor group. The log-rank test showed a significant difference in the presence of diabetes mellitus (P = .025), hypoglycemia (P = .001), SOFA score ≥10 (P < .001), hemoglobin levels ≥11 g/dL (P = .003), platelet count ≥12.9 × 104/µL (P = .01), lactate levels ≥2.6 mmol/L (P = .005), and base excess <-3.0 (P < .023). Multivariate analysis using the factors with significant differences revealed that SOFA score ≥10 (hazard ratio for death, 1.199; 95% confidence interval, 1.101-1.305; P < .001) was an independent prognostic factor.The SOFA score can be used to assess disease severity. A SOFA score of ≥10 may be associated with increased mortality.

Feasibility study of cryobiopsy for practical pathological diagnosis of primary lung cancer including immunohistochemical assessment.

BACKGROUND: Precision medicine in non-small cell lung cancer requires attainment of a sufficient amount of high-quality tumor tissue. Transbronchial cryobiopsy has emerged as a new diagnostic method for non-neoplastic lung disease with a better potential to assess morphology compared with conventional methods. However, the influence of cryobiopsy on specimen quality, particularly detection of protein expression, is unknown. We performed a comparative immunohistochemical study in specimens obtained by cryobiopsy versus conventional sampling to evaluate the feasibility of cryobiopsy for lung cancer diagnosis. METHODS: Pairs of artificial biopsy specimens, collected using a cryoprobe or conventional scalpel, were obtained from 43 surgically resected primary lung tumors. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks were prepared in an ISO15189-certified laboratory. Immunohistochemical staining of thyroid transcription factor-1, p40, Ki67 and programmed death-ligand 1 (22C3) was performed. The H-scores for thyroid transcription factor-1 and p40, labeling index for Ki67 and tumor proportion score for programmed death-ligand 1 were assessed. Pearson's correlation coefficients between two sampling types were calculated. RESULTS: The thyroid transcription factor-1 and p40 H-scores showed perfect correlations between the cryobiopsy and conventional scalpel-obtained specimens (R2 = 0.977 and 0.996, respectively). Ki67 labeling index and PD-L1 tumor proportion score also showed strong correlations between the two sample types (R2 = 0.896 and 0.851, respectively). Five cases (11.6%) exhibited differences in tumor proportion score category between sample types, potentially because of intratumoral heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS: Immunohistochemical expression of certain tumor markers showed a high concordance between cryobiopsy and conventional scalpel sampling. Cryobiopsy is feasible for pathological diagnostics including PD-L1 evaluation.

Intraoperative angiography with indocyanine green injection for precise localization and resection of small bowel bleeding.

AIM: Bleeding in the small bowel rarely occurs, and its treatment is challenging. Surgery is sometimes required in unstable patients; however, intraoperative identification of the bleeding site is extremely difficult. Many methods have been reported, but no standard strategy has been established yet. Here, we aimed to assess the safety and feasibility of intraoperative angiography with indocyanine green staining to accurately identify small bowel bleeding sites. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed contrast-enhanced computed tomography images of patients (n = 8) with small bowel extravasation who underwent surgery. If extravasation or other vessel abnormalities that were potential bleeding sites were detected on intraoperative angiography, a microcatheter was placed as close as possible to the extravasation site. Laparotomy was carried out, and 3-5 mL indocyanine green was injected through the microcatheter. The green-stained segment of the small bowel was resected. RESULTS: Seven of the eight patients had positive angiographic findings and underwent bowel resection. The eighth patient had no abnormalities and hence did not undergo laparotomy. The rate of hemostatic success among the resected cases was 85.7% (six of seven cases). The resected specimens showed pathologic features in six of the seven patients (85.7%), all of whom achieved hemostasis. One patient had pneumonia and congestive heart failure that required longer hospital stay, but no mortality occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative angiography with indocyanine green injection, followed by resection for massive small bowel bleeding is effective. This can be a therapeutic option for hemodynamically unstable patients.

[Successful lung transplantation after long-term ventilator and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in a patient with severe bronchiolitis obliterans following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation].

A 29-year-old man was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at 20 years of age; he achieved a second complete remission at 22 years of age after an allogeneic unrelated bone marrow transplantation. After 14 months, he developed bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) due to chronic graft-versus-host disease. Home ventilator management was continuously performed for 3 years, but the patient required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) after progression to type 2 respiratory failure. A matched brain-dead lung donor was found after 5 months of intensive care management on ECMO, and bilateral lung transplantation was successfully performed. BO is a progressive refractory respiratory disease with poor prognosis. Careful management of infection, monitoring organ function, and lung transplantation at the appropriate time of initiation of mechanical ventilation or ECMO may save a patient's life. However, it is crucial to collaborate with higher education institutions or medical professionals in other departments.

Effect of virtual-assisted lung mapping in acquisition of surgical margins in sublobar lung resection.

OBJECTIVE: Virtual-assisted lung mapping is a preoperative bronchoscopic multi-spot dye-marking technique. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of virtual-assisted lung mapping for obtaining sufficient surgical margins in sublobar lung resection. METHODS: The multicenter, prospective, single-arm study was conducted from September 2016 to July 2017 in 19 registered centers. Patients who required sublobar lung resection and careful determination of resection margins underwent virtual-assisted lung mapping followed by thoracoscopic surgery. Successful resection was defined as resection of the lesion with margins greater than the lesion diameter or 2 cm using the preoperatively planned resection without additional resection. We defined the primary goal of the study as achieving successful resection in 95% of lesions. RESULTS: The resection of 203 lesions (average diameter, 9.6 ± 5.3 mm) was intended in 153 patients. The lesions included pure and mixed ground-glass nodules (75 [35.9%] and 36 [17.2%], respectively), solid nodules (91 [43.5%]), and others (7 [3.3%]). Surgical procedures included wedge resection (131, 71.2%), segmentectomy (51, 27.7%), and others (2, 1.1%). Successful resection was achieved in 178 lesions (87.8% [95% confidence interval, 82.4-91.9%]), and virtual-assisted lung mapping markings successfully aided in the identification of 190 lesions (93.6% [95% confidence interval, 89.3-96.5%]). Multivariable analysis showed that the most significant factor affecting resection success was the depth of the necessary resection margin (P = .0072). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that virtual-assisted lung mapping has reasonable efficacy, although the successful resection rate did not reach the primary goal. The depth of the required margin was the most significant factor leading to resection failure.

Successful treatment of hepatic gas gangrene by open drainage: A case report and review of the Japanese literature.

INTRODUCTION: Liver gas gangrene is rare and has a low prognosis. This case, reports a successful treatment of hepatic gas gangrene using an open drainage technique, followed by antibiotics and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO). PRESENTATION OF THE CASE: An 82-year-old male with a history of left hepatectomy and bile duct resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma presented with chilling, lethargy and dyspnea. He had a history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and angina pectoris. Physical examination revealed scleric icterus, right hypochondrium tenderness and percussion tenderness of the liver, with warm extremities. Laboratory findings revealed leukocytosis and increased levels of hepatobiliary enzymes. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed gas accumulation in an S8 lesion with portal vein gas. Percutaneous drainage was performed immediately, and broad-spectrum antibiotics were started, but the drainage was insufficient. Consequently, laparotomy drainage was carried out, followed by HBO. No abscess was detected at one-year of follow-up. DISCUSSION: Hepatic gas gangrene progresses rapidly and has a high mortality rate. Malignant disease and diabetes mellitus may be predisposing factors. While half of non-clostridial cases survive, most cases of hepatic gas gangrene are associated with clostridial infection and have a fatal outcome. CONCLUSION: All survival cases of hepatic gas gangrene were treated by laparotomy drainage, thus immediate laparotomy seems essential to prevent a fatal outcome.

The role of virtual-assisted lung mapping in the resection of ground glass nodules.

BACKGROUND: Virtual-assisted lung mapping (VAL-MAP), a bronchoscopic multi-spot dye-marking technique, was tested for its ability to resect ground glass nodules (GGNs) in sublobar lung resections. METHODS: All patients were prospectively registered in the multi-institutional lung mapping (MIL-MAP) study using VAL-MAP. The data were retrospectively analyzed, focusing on GGNs. GGN characteristics, pathological findings, operation type, and the surgical contribution of VAL-MAP were evaluated. RESULTS: The 370 GGNs in 299 patients included 257 pure and 113 mixed GGNs. There were 146 wedge resections (43.6%), 99 simple segmentectomies (29.6%), and 60 complex segmentectomies (18.0%). The largest number of marks were used in complex segmentectomy (4.05±0.74), followed by simple segmentectomy (3.35±0.97) and wedge resection (2.96±0.80). The overall successful resection rate was 98.6%. Multiple [2-5] GGNs were concurrently targeted by VAL-MAP in 53 patients (17.7%) with 123 GGNs. Two concurrent resections were conducted in 36 patients (12.1%), most commonly wedge resection and segmentectomies (21 patients). Among 190 sub-centimeter GGNs, 24 out of 51 GGNs ≤5 mm in diameter (47.1%) and 113 of 139 GGNs >5 mm in diameter (81.3%) were primary lung cancer (P<0.0001). Regarding the contribution of VAL-MAP to successful resection, wedge resection and pure GGNs were graded higher than both other resection types and mixed GGNs. CONCLUSIONS: VAL-MAP enabled thoracoscopic limited resection of GGNs. Its multiple marks facilitated resections of multi-centric GGNs. Resected suspicious GGNs >5 mm in diameter are likely to be lung cancer. VAL-MAP may impact decision-making regarding the indications and type of surgery for suspicious small GGNs.

Small intestinal metastases from esophageal carcinoma presenting as a perforation: A case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Small intestinal metastasis from oesophageal carcinoma is rare. We report a case of small intestinal metastases from oesophageal carcinoma presenting as a perforation and discuss the aetiology with other cases of small intestinal metastasis from oesophageal carcinoma reported in previous literature. PRESENTATION: An 86-year-old man presented with fever and coughing. He had choked while eating and had history of weight loss. He was diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia. Two days after the admission, he complained of abdominal pain. Physical examination revealed guarding and rebound tenderness in the upper abdomen. A contrast computed tomography of the abdomen showed ascites, free air, and irregular thickness of the small intestinal walls. Small intestinal perforation was noted, and surgical resection of the small intestine was performed. The pathological findings of the resected small intestine revealed ulcers with squamous cell carcinoma, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy demonstrated oesophageal tumour, whose biopsy revealed squamous cell carcinoma. A diagnosis of small intestinal metastases from oesophageal carcinoma was made, but the patient died one month after the diagnosis. DISCUSSION: Most cases found in the literature of oesophageal tumour involve squamous cell carcinoma with male patients, and specific symptoms are divided into obstruction and perforation. All patients with small intestinal metastasis from oesophageal carcinoma who survived were treated by a combination of resection and radiation and/or chemotherapy; thus, immediate treatments seem essential to improve the prognosis. CONCLUSION: Physicians should keep in mind the possibility of small intestinal metastasis when patients with a history of oesophageal cancer have abdominal symptoms.

Lumbar Arterial Bleeding Treated with Endovascular Aneurysm Repair: A Report of 4 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Lumbar arterial bleeding is a severe condition. Surgical exploration is not indicated because of its rich collateral flow. Transarterial embolization (TAE) is reportedly effective, but there have been cases of failure. It may be a time-consuming procedure for patients with multiple bleeding sources or those with poor vital signs. In this case series, we used endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) instead of TAE. METHOD: In this case series, we described 4 male patients (2 with traumatic injury, 1 with iatrogenic injury, and 1 with drug-induced hypocoagulability) with lumbar arterial bleeding. The reasons we chose EVAR are because 2 patients had poor vital signs, one patient was a technically difficult case for selective cannulation, and one patient had accompanying aortic dissection. RESULT: In all patients, EVAR was performed successfully, and hemostasis was obtained although one patient died of pneumonia on postoperative day 23. CONCLUSIONS: EVAR is an effective alternative for lumbar arterial bleeding although TAE is a first choice of treatment.