[Management of the Therapy of Pulmonary Sequestration: A Retrospective Multicentre Study]. / Management in der Therapie adulter Lungensequester - eine retrospektive multizentrische Analyse.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary sequestration is a rare pulmonary malformation whose complex pathogenesis is not completely understood. Extrapulmonary sequestrations are always hereditary malformations and are usually diagnosed during childhood. Some intralobar sequestrations in adults, by contrast, seem to be acquired. The clinical presentation is non-specific and often misinterpreted, which results in delayed diagnosis. Surgical resection continues to be the gold standard. Despite the low incidence, new technologies developed in the past few decades, e.g. preoperative interventional angiology procedures and video-assisted lung resection, have changed the management of the disease. METHODS: A prospective data collection was performed on adult patients who had undergone surgical resection of a pulmonary sequestration in four different centres during a period of 23 years. These data were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: A total of 14 patients with intralobar sequestrations (n = 11, 79 % left lower lobe) underwent surgical resection. The male/female ratio was 8/6 (median age 50 years). Non-specific pulmonary symptoms such as recurrent infections had a high prevalence (n = 6, 42 %). Two patients had haemoptysis. Three patients were asymptomatic. All patients had a chest CT, 7 patients had an additional abdominal CT, while 10 underwent angiography. Preoperative embolization was performed in 5 of these patients (branches of the thoracic aorta: in 2 cases, branches of abdominal aorta: in 2 cases, and branches of both: in 1 case). Resection was mostly performed with an open surgical approach (n = 12, 86 %). Most patients had a non-anatomic pulmonary resection (n = 8, 57 %). In 7 patients, a microbiologic examination revealed a superinfection with Streptococcus pneumoniae, while 1 patient had an invasive mycosis with Candida albicans. CONCLUSION: In patients with non-specific pulmonary symptoms and undetermined lesions, especially in the lower lobes, pulmonary sequestrations must be considered in the differential diagnostic evaluation even in adult and elderly patients. If there are no contraindications, surgical removal is basically recommended and may be minimally-invasive in selected cases. The planning of the resection can be facilitated by preoperative evaluation of the arterial supply (branches of the thoracic or abdominal aorta, or both). In cases with haemoptysis or blood supply over the abdominal aorta, preoperative embolization is indicated.

Investigations of initial airtightness after non-anatomic resection of lung parenchyma using a thulium-doped laser with different optical fibres.

Lung metastases in healthy patients should be removed non-anatomically whenever possible. This can be done with a laser. Lung parenchyma can be cut very well, because of its high energy absorption at a wavelength of 1940 nm. A coagulation layer is created on the resected surface. It is not clear, whether this surface also needs to be sutured to ensure that it remains airtight even at higher ventilation pressures. It would be helpful, if suturing could be avoided, because the lung can become too puckered, especially with multiple resections, resulting in considerable restriction. We carried out our experiments on isolated and ventilated paracardiac lung lobes of pigs. Non-anatomic resection was carried out reproducibly using three different thulium laser fibres (230, 365 and 600 µm) at two different laser power levels (10 W, 30 W) and three different resection depths (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 cm). Initial airtightness was investigated while ventilating at normal frequency. We also investigated the bursting pressures of the resected areas by increasing the inspiratory pressure. When 230- and 365-µm fibres were used with a power of 10 W, 70 % of samples were initially airtight up to a resection depth of 1 cm. This rate fell at depths of up to 2 cm. All resected surfaces remained airtight during ventilation when 600-µm fibres were used at both laser power levels (10 and 30 W). The bursting pressures achieved with 600-µm fibres were higher than with the other fibres used: 0.5 cm, 41.6 ± 3.2 mbar; 1 cm, 38.2 ± 2.5 mbar; 2 cm, 33.7 ± 4.8 mbar. As laser power and thickness of laser fibre increased, so the coagulation zone became thicker. With a 600-µm fibre, it measured 145.0 ± 8.2 µm with 10 W power and 315.5 ± 6.4 µm with 30 W power. Closure with sutures after non-anatomic resection of lung parenchyma is not necessary when a thulium laser is used provided a 600-µm fibre and adequate laser power (30 W) are employed. At deeper resection levels, the risk of cutting small segmental bronchi is considerably increased. They must always be closed with sutures.

[Management of Hemoptysis: Results of an Algorithm-Based Interdisciplinary Treatment Scheme]. / Management von Hämoptysen: Ergebnisse einer algorithmusbasierten interdisziplinären Versorgung.

INTRODUCTION: Hemoptysis is a worrying symptom for the majority of patients, is frequently a sign for a severe disease and can develop into a life-threatening situation. Various therapeutic methods and medical specialties can be involved in the management of these patients. Guidelines or evidence-based recommendations on this issue are not available. Based on our long-term experience and considering all established diagnostic and therapeutic means, we propose an algorithm to manage this condition. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of a cohort from a single thoracic surgical institution. Data regarding the used diagnostic and therapeutic methods with focus on outcome parameters are presented. Based on our experience and the published data we discuss the proposed algorithm. RESULTS: Between 01.2009 and 12.2013, 204 patients were hospitalised and treated for hemoptysis. Malignancies were the most frequent (50 %) cause of hemoptysis, followed by infectious/inflammatory diseases (25 %), cardiovascular disorders (6 %), rare (12 %) and unclear (7 %) circumstances. In 71 cases the bleeding stopped spontaneously, in 124 (61 %) one invasive measure (interventional bronchoscopy 43, bronchial artery embolisation 34 or operation 12) or a combination of methods (35 combinations of two or all three methods) were necessary to stop the hemoptysis. Six patients died without intervention. The bronchial artery embolisation showed a 79 % success rate and a morbidity of 11 %. Lung resections were performed in 30 cases (morbidity 43 %, mortality 0 %). The mortality directly due to massive hemoptysis was 4.5 %. CONCLUSIONS: Even small hemoptysis can be the warning signal for serious conditions and immediate diagnostic evaluation and therapy, preferentially in an inpatient setting, is often mandatory. A prompt diagnostic bronchoscopy is advocated. The therapeutic method of first choice is non-surgical for the most cases (interventional bronchoscopy, bronchial artery embolisation). Lung resections retain an important role in the management of hemoptysis and are the only available therapy for some diseases. It is advisable to delay surgery until the bleeding is controlled and the patient is stabilised. Best results for managing hemoptysis can be achieved with a multidisciplinary approach (interventional bronchoscopy, angiology and thoracic surgery) in a high expertise centre.

Lung Sealing with the Sandwich-Technique: A New Surgical Method to Deal with the Emphysematous Lung.

UNLABELLED: The persistent air leak is a common and sometimes difficult to manage complication after major pulmonary resections. Especially in cases with lung emphysema spontaneous sealing of the lung surface under conservative therapy can be prolonged or even fail and a reoperation to close the damaged visceral pleura might be necessary. An ideal surgical solution to deal with this problem is not known, all of the techniques have advantages but also limitations and additional operations should be avoided in this group of frail patients. In this paper a new surgical method to seal the lung surface is presented based on two exemplary cases and our clinical experience. Basically, two stripes of fleece bounded fibrin based sealant are put on the visceral pleura parallel to the wound, which will be then closed by multiple stitches of absorbable suture line inserted through the stripes. Afterwards, a second layer of the same sealant will be placed over it to cover the suture with a narrow overlapping in all directions to the adjacent visceral pleura (Sandwich-Technique). In our experience, this technique can be used to successfully prevent or treat persistent air leaks especially in patients with lung emphysema in whom otherwise treatment options are limited. ABBREVIATIONS: VATS = video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery POD = postoperative day LVRS = lung volume reduction surgery FEV1 = forced expiratory volume in the first second DLCO = diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide.

[Postoperative pain in the acute phase after surgery: VATS lobectomy vs. open lung resection - results of a prospective randomised trial]. / Schmerzen in der frühen postoperativen Phase: VATS-Lobektomie vs. offene Lungenresektion - Ergebnisse einer prospektiv-randomisierten Studie.

INTRODUCTION: Minimally invasive procedures, e.g. video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy, are less traumatic and thus one may expect a lower level of postoperative pain compared to open procedures. This assumption is supported by several studies/metaanalyses. However, confirmation by larger prospective randomised studies is lacking. In the present study we analysed 2 groups of patients with lobectomy for early-stage lung cancer performed by VATS or by antero-lateral thoracotomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 66 patients with early-stage NSC lung cancer were randomised to VATS lobectomy (A) or open resection (B). Two patients from A were excluded. The 2 groups were equally large (n = 32). All patients received the same analgetic therapy regime during and after surgery. We defined the early postoperative period as the first 10 days after operation and evaluated the intensity of pain (assessed by NAS) and the medication. Data acquisition was performed until discharge or the 10th postoperative day. RESULTS: 21 values for mean NAS were calculated for both groups and each situation (at rest or under movement). For 8 a significant difference resulted in favour of VATS. In open thoracotomy the postoperative pain level was acceptable (NAS < 4) due to our well established pain control management. Also, 3 categories of patients with a very low pain profile were defined: patients with NAS not over 4 at any point, patients without any pain (NAS = 0) after a certain point or patients discharged without any pain. The VATS procedure showed a higher proportion of patients in all 3 categories: 17 in A vs. 7 in B had a max. NAS of 4 during the course; 20 vs. 11 were free of pain at certain times and 22 vs. 12 were discharged without pain. For both groups a painless postoperative course was achieved on day 6 (range, 4-10 days for A/3-10 for B). The medication was adjusted according to intensity. A difference was seen in favour of VATS for Sufentanil + Ropivacain via PDK and for Piritramid i. v. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of procedure (VATS vs. open) pain control can be achieved with an adequate analgetic regime. For VATS during the first days a lower amount of medication is required. The VATS group showed a higher proportion of patients with very low postoperative pain profile: patients with pain score always under 4 and patients without pain at certain points before the 10th postoperative day or at discharge.

[Burst pressures of the central pulmonary artery after bipolar vessel sealing--examination in an ex vivo model]. / Berstdrücke an der zentralen Pulmonalarterie nach bipolarer Gefäßversiegelung - Untersuchungen an einem Ex-vivo-Modell.

BACKGROUND: In every pneumonectomy due to a malignant or benign pulmonary disease the pulmonary artery must be centrally ligated and dissected. If a thoracotomy is undertaken the vessel is usually doubly ligated with a non-absorbable suture and then dissected. Alternatively a vessel stapler can be used. In a thorascopic procedure only the stapler can be used. In the search for a cheaper alternative we investigated whether a bipolar instrument as employed in thorascopy could be used and reused. The aim of this study was to investigate the static pressure performance of the closed vessel in an ex vivo non-perfused vessel model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From freshly slaughtered pigs the heart-lung block was removed. The central pulmonary artery was exposed. For sealing the vessel we used the bipolar sealing system MARSEAL®, Brothers Martin company (Tuttlingen, Germany), consisting of an HF generator and a MARSEAL slim instrument. Two groups were formed: group A (n = 49) Stromart SealSafe®, step G5 (automatic performance regulation, duration of use depending on impedance) and group B (n = 58) bipolar Stromart "Macrocoag" (power: 120 W, constant duration of use: 15 s). At the end of the pulmonary artery a pressure probe was implanted to digitally measure the pressure at the vessel sealing suture. After sealing the end of the artery, the vessel was slowly filled via an external source in order to determine the burst pressure. The burst pressure was reached as soon as the vessel suture started to leak. The average values of the 2 groups were then compared (t test for independent variables, significance set at p < 0.05). RESULTS: All examined vessels (n = 107) had the same vessel diameter of 15 ± 3 mm. The average value of the burst pressure in group A was 139.3 ± 62.17 mmHg, that in group B 124.8 ± 38.46 mmHg. The ranges of burst pressures were in group A 51-297.0 mmHg und in group B 60.75-244.5 mmHg. There was no significant difference between group A and group B (p = 0.071). CONCLUSIONS: Satisfactory burst pressures in the central pulmonary artery can also be achieved with the bipolar sealing instrument MARSEAL® and the impedance-controlled Stromart SealSafe®. However, because of the large scattering of the measured values, further studies are required.

[Pulmonary metastasectomy: an analysis of technical and oncological outcomes in 301 patients with a focus on laser resection]. / Pulmonale Metastasektomie: Analyse technischer und onkologischer Ergebnisse bei 301 Patienten mit Fokus auf die Laserresektion.

BACKGROUND: Resection of lung metastasis is an important component in the therapy of patients with metastatic solid tumours. The aim of this analysis was to compare the technical and oncological outcomes of laser-assisted pulmonary metastasectomy with those of standard resection techniques such as electrocautery and stapling. PATIENTS/MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed all patients who had undergone curative intended pulmonary metastasectomy in our department between January 2005 and June 2010. Follow-up was accomplished by visits in the outpatient department of our medical centre or by questionnaires of the primary physicians. RESULTS: 301 patients were identified. In 62 patients (20.6 %) the Nd-YAG laser was used for resection. Despite a significantly higher number of resected lesions in the laser-assisted resection group in comparison to the group with wedge and anatomic resections (median: 7.0 vs. 2.0; p < 0.01), there was no significant difference in surgical and overall morbidity except for a higher rate of pneumonia (11.3 vs. 2.9 %; p < 0.01). Follow-up was completed for 85.4 % of the patients. After a median follow-up of 27.2 months (range: 2.3 to 60.6 months) 42.5 % of the patients suffered from recurrence and 29.2 % had died. Mean disease-free interval was 12.9 months (range: 0 to 60.6 months). Although a higher number of metastases was resected in the laser group, we did not see a significant correlation between surgical technique and long-term survival (p < 0.8). Regression analysis confirmed the number of metastases to be a significant factor influencing survival (p < 0.02), but subgroup analysis of laser-assisted resections no longer showed significance in respect to the number of metastases. CONCLUSION: The number of metastases has an influence on prognosis but seems to be of secondary importance, particularly if complete technical resectability with the aid of the laser is given.

[Surgery of traumatic tracheal and tracheobronchial injuries]. / Chirurgie traumatischer trachealer und tracheobronchialer verletzungen.

Tracheal injuries are altogether rare events and can be divided into three broad categories: tracheobronchial injuries caused by external violence, iatrogenic ruptures of the trachea and inhalation trauma. Successful management of tracheobronchial injuries requires a fast and straightforward diagnostic evaluation. In all severely injured patients with cervicothoracic involvement an injury of the tracheobronchial system should be actively excluded. Although it is commonly agreed that posttraumatic injuries require surgical intervention the management of iatrogenic injuries is presently shifting towards a more conservative treatment.

[Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia. 2 case reports and review of the literature]. / Herniile diafragmatice posttraumatice. Observatii în legatura cu doua cazuri operate si discutia literaturii.

We have presented two cases of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia which have been diagnosed and operated in late stages, 6 months and 4 years, respectively, after the abdominal and thoracical traumatism causing diaphragmatic injure. The diagnosis was based on clinical and imaging results, while the treatment was meant to reduce the herniated organs in the abdomen and the closing up of the diaphragmatic defect, followed by good postoperative results. We have discussed the peculiarities of both case, the difficulty of early diagnosis and the techniques used to treat these cases. We have also presented data regarding posttraumatic diaphragmatic hernia and their treatment techniques.

[Congenital choledochal cysts. Observations on 2 operated cases]. / Chisturile congenitale coledociene. Observatii în legatura cu doua cazuri operate.

The authors present two cases of congenital choledochal cysts treated by cyst excision with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy, followed by good postoperative results. One of the patients has been treated by early excisional procedure, while the other has initially undergone an enteric drainage by cystoduodenostomy, followed by complications, which required reoperations after 18 months. We have evaluated the peculiarities of both cases, the present data revealed by literature regarding biliary carcinogenesis related to congenital choledochal cysts, their classification according to pancreatobiliary malunion, as well as the treatment of choice in choledochal cysts, meaning excisional procedure with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy to prevent the risk of postoperatory complications which might appear after plain enteric drainage of the cyst.