Liver transplantation for refractory hepatic hydrothorax is associated with a greater survival benefit compared to other complications of cirrhosis.

Hepatic hydrothorax (HH) is a significant complication of cirrhosis associated with increased mortality. Liver transplantation (LT) remains the best treatment modality. We aim to assess predictors of mortality and the survival benefit of LT in patients with HH. A prospectively maintained cohort of adult patients with cirrhosis, being evaluated for LT at our institution, was retrospectively reviewed from 2015 to 2020. The primary outcome was death or LT. Cox proportional hazard regression identified associations between covariates and death. We calculated the years saved due to LT by comparing patients who were on the waiting list with patients who received an LT. This was done by calculating the area under the Kaplan-Meier curve. Censoring occurred at the time of the last follow-up or death. Patients with refractory HH had the lowest median survival of only 0.26 years. Within the HH group, having a refractory HH group was significantly associated with an increased risk of mortality (HR 1.73; 95% CI 1.06-2.81; p -value 0.03). Refractory HH was also significantly associated with mortality when evaluated in the entire cohort and after adjusting for other covariates (HR 1.48, 95% CI 1.03-2.11; p -value 0.03). Patients with refractory HH had the highest 1-year survival benefit with LT (0.48 y), followed by patients with non-refractory HH (0.28 y), then patients with other complications of cirrhosis (0.19 y). In this large study evaluating the prognostic impact of HH on patients with cirrhosis, refractory HH was an independent predictor of mortality. LT provides an additional survival benefit to patients with HH compared with those without HH.

A case of refractory hepatic hydrothorax due to pleuroperitoneal communication successfully controlled by diaphragmatic plication and subsequent peritoneovenous shunting.

In general, control of hepatic hydrothorax is difficult, and patients have a poor prognosis. A case in which hepatic hydrothorax was well controlled for a long time after diaphragm plication and subsequent Denver shunt placement is reported. A 70-year-old man with decompensated liver cirrhosis presented with progressive exertional dyspnea. 5 years before admission, hepatic ascites associated with portal hypertension appeared, and a left pleural effusion subsequently developed. The pleural effusion was not controlled by salt restriction and diuretics. Based on the clinical findings, the existence of pleuroperitoneal communication was strongly suspected, and surgical diaphragmatic plication was performed. After the treatment, the pleural effusion did not accumulate, but ascites increased significantly, and conservative therapy was ineffective. For the treatment of massive ascites, a peritoneovenous shunt (Denver shunt®) was placed. Although more than 2 years have passed, the thoracoabdominal effusions have not accumulated, and the patient has been asymptomatic. The present case suggests that multidisciplinary treatment may improve the prognosis of patients with refractory thoracoabdominal effusions.

A Case Report of Tension Hydrothorax Incited by Bowel Perforation.

We report the case of a 34-year-old man who developed cardiac arrest due to tension hydrothorax from colonic perforation. Tension hydrothorax, an entity characterized by pleural effusion leading to mediastinal compression, has not been reported in association with intraabdominal inflammation. Our patient developed respiratory insufficiency after repair of colonic perforation, followed by respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. Transthoracic echocardiography provided rapid diagnosis during decompensation and prompted a lifesaving thoracostomy. Clinicians should consider tension hydrothorax as a rare cause of hemodynamic collapse, even in the absence of liver failure, and use bedside tools like transthoracic echocardiography to facilitate diagnosis and intervention.

Minimally invasive surgery for pleuroperitoneal communication complicating peritoneal dialysis.

OBJECTIVE: Pleuroperitoneal communication (PPC) is an uncommon but serious complication of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). At present, there are many kinds of treatment options, with different effects. We describe our single-institutional experiences in the minimally invasive surgery of pleuroperitoneal communication complicating continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in detail. METHODS: Our study consecutively enrolled 12 pleuroperitoneal communication patients complicating CAPD. All patients underwent direct closure of the defective diaphragm and mechanical rub pleurodesis under video-assisted thoracoscopy. What is more, pseudomonas aeruginosa injection was infused into the thoracic cavity postoperatively to further promote pleural adhesion, which was the innovation of our study. RESULTS: After 1.0-8.3 months of CAPD, all 12 patients presented hydrothorax in the right side. All these patients received surgery 7-179 days (18.0 ± 49.5 days) after onset. Bleb-like lesions situated on the diaphragm were discovered in all patients and three patients also had obvious hole on the surface of diaphragm. Pseudomonas aeruginosa injection was infused into the thoracic cavity postoperatively, and three cases showed fever with remission after 2-3 days of symptomatic treatment. The time from surgery to restarting CAPD ranged from 14 to 47 days, with a median of 20 days. There was no recurrence of hydrothorax and transformation to hemodialysis during the follow-up period (median: 7.5 months). CONCLUSIONS: Video-assisted thoracoscopic direct closure of the defective diaphragm and mechanical rub pleurodesis plus chemical pleurodesis using pseudomonas aeruginosa injection postoperatively is a safe and effective option for the treatment of pleuroperitoneal communication complicating continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis with 100% success rate.

Open Thoracic Drainage Followed by Proximal Splenic Artery Embolization for Massive Hydrothorax Before Living Donor Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic hydrothorax is associated with postoperative infectious complications and mortality in patients undergoing living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Thus, preoperative management of massive hepatic hydrothorax is essential for improving the outcomes of LDLT. This study aimed to demonstrate our successful cases and strategy for treating massive hepatic hydrothorax. METHODS: Our strategy for hepatic hydrothorax includes (a) mini-thoracotomy under general anesthesia for the drainage of hydrothorax, (b) preoperative hepatic inflow modulation by proximal splenic arterial embolization, and (c) nutritional and physical intervention to improve the general condition. RESULTS: Two patients with massive hepatic hydrothorax were treated with our strategy. Both patients had end-stage liver disease secondary to primary biliary cholangitis. Their performance status deteriorated due to massive hydrothorax. After the intervention, their performance status significantly improved. After that, LDLTs with right lobe grafts were performed. The duration of the operation was 440 and 343 minutes, with an intraoperative blood loss of 1,700 and 1,600 g, respectively. Their postoperative courses were uneventful, and they were discharged on postoperative days 16 and 14. CONCLUSION: Our pre-LDLT multimodal management strategy for massive hepatic hydrothorax, including preoperative open thoracic drainage, pre-LDLT portal inflow modulation, and nutritional intervention, improved the preoperative condition of patients undergoing LDLT, resulting in successful outcomes.

Hepatic hydrothorax is not associated with increased complications or poor survival after liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic hydrothorax (HH) is associated with a poor prognosis. Liver transplant (LT) is the best treatment modality. We aim to assess post-LT morbidity and mortality in patients with cirrhosis and HH. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Adult patients with cirrhosis, who underwent LT at our institution from 2015 to 2020, were retrospectively reviewed. Baseline data was obtained at the time of LT. Patients were followed from baseline until the last follow-up or death. Censoring occurred at the time of the last follow-up or death, whichever occurred earlier. Cumulative incidence of outcomes was determined by the Kaplan-Meier method. Short-term post-operative complications were compared between both groups as well. RESULTS: 428 patients had a LT, of which 72 (16.8%) had HH. Most of the baseline characteristics were similar between patients with and without HH; however, patients in the HH group had a higher proportion of pre-operative history of ascites and hepatic encephalopathy. Pre-operative HH was not significantly associated with post-LT mortality (Hazard ratio 1.12, 95% confidence interval 0.54-2.32; P-value 0.76). Patients had similar short-term post-operative complications between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: LT is an excellent therapeutic option for patients with cirrhosis and HH, with excellent long-term survival without increased morbidity.

Fetal Hydrothorax Treated with Pleuro-Amniotic Shunting: Fetal and Maternal Complications and Long-Term Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to identify maternal and fetal complications and investigate postnatal and long-term outcomes of fetal hydrothorax (FHT) treated with pleuro-amniotic shunting (shunt). METHODS: Single-center retrospective observational cohort of shunt cases performed from 2000 to 2021. Risk factors for maternal complications, fetal demise, neonatal death (NND), and postnatal outcomes were identified. RESULTS: Out of 88 cases, 70 (79.5%) were complicated by hydrops, with an average gestational age (GA) at diagnosis of 27 weeks (range 16-34). In 16 cases, definitive etiology of FHT was identified; five cases of Noonan syndrome and three cases of monogenic disorders diagnosed by whole-exome sequencing (EPHB4, VEGFR3, RASA1). Shunt was performed at an average GA of 28 weeks (20-34), with a dislodgement in 10 cases (11.4%). Maternal: Complications occurred in three cases; survival rate was 76.1% (67/88). Follow-up data were available for 57/67 (85.1%) children. Incidence of severe neurodevelopmental impairment and pneumopathy (broncho dysplasia, persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn, and asthma) was 5.3% and 8.8%, respectively. Post-treatment persistence of hydrops, FHT associated with genetic syndromes, and GA at birth were risk factors for fetal demise, NND, and postnatal complications. CONCLUSION: In truly isolated FHT, whenever indicated, pleuro-amniotic shunting is a safe procedure associated with good survival rate and long-term outcome.

Effect of pleural adhesions on short- and long-term outcomes after minimally invasive esophagectomy: a propensity score matching analysis.

BACKGROUND: The extent to which the presence of pleural adhesions affects the surgical and oncological outcomes of patients undergoing McKeown minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) for esophageal cancer (EC) has not previously been studied. METHODS: Data of consecutive EC patients undergoing McKeown MIE by a single surgeon in the Department of Thoracic Surgery at Daping Hospital from November 2015 to December 2020 were collected. Patients were grouped according to the presence or absence of pleural adhesions when entering the chest cavity. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to reduce selection bias from confounding factors. Kaplan-Meier was used to assess the survival differences. RESULTS: A total of 617 consecutive EC patients underwent McKeown MIE were enrolled. There were 116 patients with pleural adhesions (Group A) and 501 patients without pleural adhesions (Group B). Patients in Group A were more likely to be older than those of patients in Group B: (66.26 vs. 63.27, P = 0.001). In addition, Group A had more patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (24.1% vs. 16.8%, P = 0.04). After propensity score matching (102 matched patients in Group A and 185 matched patients in Group B), these findings were no longer statistically significant. Postoperative pulmonary infection occurred in 57 patients in Group A and in 15 patients in Group B (53.9% vs. 13.0%, P < 0.001). In addition, the presence of pleural adhesions was significantly associated with the prolonged operation time (232 min vs. 210 min, P < .001), length of stay (12 days vs. 10 days, P = 0.001), and hydrothorax requiring drainage (12.7% vs. 5.4%, P = 0.04). However, the disease-specific survival and disease-free survival rates were comparable between the two groups (P = 0.40 and 0.13, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of pleural adhesions predicted an increased operation time, length of stay, postoperative pneumonia, and hydrothorax requiring drainage of EC patients undergoing McKeown MIE, but did not exert unfavourable effect on long-term survival.

Pleural effusion in a child with a correctly placed ventricle-peritoneal shunt.

Pleural effusions in children (PE) due to ventricle-peritoneal shunt (VPS) is very rare, with few cases reported. We present a new case of an infant with VPS who had a massive hydrothorax not associated with misplacement or migration of the distal catheter or with ascites. After the evacuation of the PE we managed the patient by adjusting the pressure of the adjustable valve (AV). Sequential thoracic ultrasounds showed a satisfactory outcome. We review the literature thoroughly and describe the possible pathophysiological mechanisms.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for pleuroperitoneal communication.

Here we report the cases of five patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) who developed hydrothorax because of pleuroperitoneal communication. Preoperative computed tomography (CT) peritoneography revealed penetrated sites on the diaphragm in all patients. All patients underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), and a dialysate containing indigo carmine was injected intraperitoneally through a CAPD catheter to confirm the fistula. In all patients, a thinned bleb was found at the center of the diaphragmatic tendon consistent with that noted on preoperative CT peritoneography. The bleb was resected using a surgical stapler in four patients, and the pleuroperitoneal communication did not recur. However, in one patient, the bleb was only covered with reinforcement agents and the hydrothorax recurred after CAPD. This study demonstrates that VATS treatment for pleuroperitoneal communication is safe and effective but that lesion resection would be more useful for preventing hydrothorax recurrence in patients undergoing CAPD.

[Early Resuming of Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis on the Following Day After Surgery for Pleuroperitoneal Communication:Report of a Case].

A 72-year-old man was introduced continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) for chronic renal failure. Five months later, he was pointed out a massive right pleural effusion. Being diagnosed with pleuroperitoneal communication, he was referred to our department for surgery. Dialysis fluid and indocyanine green were injected through a peritoneal catheter for CAPD 30 minutes before surgery. A small fistula was detected by pressing the abdomen and using infrared thoracoscopy. The fistula was sutured and covered with polyglycolic acid sheet and fibrin glue. A day after surgery, CAPD was resumed. He was discharged on the post operative sixth day without any complications.

Minimally Invasive Surgical Treatment of Hepatic Hydrothorax Complicated by Empyema: A Case Report.

Hepatic hydrothorax complicated by empyema is difficult to manage. A 53-year-old man with liver cirrhosis was admitted for refractory right pleural effusion. He had a pleural catheter inserted 2 months prior. Pleural fluid appeared as exudate, and bacteria were identified in the pleural fluid culture. After confirming full ipsilateral lung expansion, minimally invasive surgery was performed. A diaphragmatic defect found by creating a pneumoperitoneum was closed, followed by talc pleurodesis. Postoperatively, overnight positive-pressure ventilation and 5-day peritoneal drainage were performed; chest tube drainage dramatically reduced over this time. At the 10-month follow-up, no recurrence of pleural effusion or signs of infection were observed.

Thoracoscopic mesh implantation as a definitive treatment approach for peritoneal dialysis-associated hydrothorax.

Pleuroperitoneal leakage with the formation of hydrothorax is a rare complication of peritoneal dialysis, usually necessitating termination of peritoneal dialysis. We hypothesized that implantation of a polypropylene mesh on the diaphragm using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery might induce permanent closure of pleuroperitoneal leakage. We report a case series of n = 12 peritoneal dialysis patients with pleuroperitoneal leakage and right-sided hydrothorax who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopy with mesh implantation from 2011 to 2020. Pleuroperitoneal leakage had been confirmed before surgery by intraperitoneal administration of toluidine blue, contrast-enhanced computer tomography or glucose determination from the pleural effusion. Median time from the start of peritoneal dialysis to manifestation of pleuroperitoneal leakage was 52 days. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery revealed multiple penetration points in the tendinous part of the diaphragm in all patients, which appeared as blebs. These were closed by covering the whole diaphragm with a polypropylene mesh. In all patients, peritoneal dialysis was paused for three months and bridged by hemodialysis. After restarting peritoneal dialysis and a median follow-up time of 1.9 years, none of the patients experienced a recurrence of pleuroperitoneal leakage. This case series demonstrates that pleuroperitoneal leakage in peritoneal dialysis patients can be permanently closed using thoracoscopic mesh implantation and allows peritoneal dialysis to be continued as renal replacement therapy.

Intrauterine Ultrasound-Guided Laser Coagulation as a First Step for Treatment of Prenatally Complicated Bronchopulmonary Sequestration: Our Experience and Literature Review.

INTRODUCTION: Prenatal ultrasound-guided laser coagulation (USLC) for complicated bronchopulmonary sequestrations has been described but a consensus on the procedure and on the following management is still lacking. We present our experience and provide a literature review. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients treated in our center. Literature review and combined analysis of perinatal data were performed. RESULTS: Five cases were treated at our center, all presenting with severe hydrothorax. Four met the criteria for fetal hydrops. Four cases underwent postnatal computed tomography (CT) scan: in one case, there was no evidence of persistent bronchopulmonary sequestration. The other three underwent thoracoscopic resection, in two, a viable sequestration was found. Including our series, 57 cases have been reported, with no mortality and a success rate of 94.7%. Mean gestational age (GA) at the procedure was 28 ± 3.4 weeks and mean GA at birth and birth weight (BW) were 38.6 ± 2.3 weeks and 3,276 ± 519.8 g, respectively. In 80.6% of the cases investigated postnatally, a residual mass was found, 50% of cases who showed prenatal arterial flow cessation had a persistent sequestration postnatally, and 26.3% of cases underwent postnatal sequestrectomy. Both patients in our series had pathology examination confirming a viable bronchopulmonary sequestration. CONCLUSION: Prenatal USLC seems to be a valid option for bronchopulmonary sequestration complicated by severe hydrothorax and/or fetal hydrops. Authors believe that this procedure should aim to reverse fetal distress and allow pregnancy continuation, and it should not be considered a definitive treatment. The currently available data do not support changes of the common postnatal management.

Sterile cerebrospinal fluid ascites, hydrothorax and hydrocele as a complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunting in an elderly patient.

An 89-year-old man with a history of multiple abdominal surgeries and ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement for normal pressure hydrocephalus presented for intractable abdominal bloating and scrotal swelling, for which imaging revealed massive ascites, bilateral hydrocele and small bilateral pleural effusions. Cardiac, hepatic and renal workup were insignificant. Culture and cytology of ascitic fluid were negative for infection or malignancy. Aetiology of the ascites as secondary to Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the VP shunt was confirmed via ligation of the shunt. Sterile CSF ascites, hydrothorax and hydrocele are rare complications of VP shunt for hydrocephalus and are mostly presented in paediatric patients. We report the first known case of concurrent CSF ascites, hydrothorax and hydrocele in an elderly patient. We examine the difficulty of shunt replacement as a diagnostic and treatment modality in this age group and propose the use of reversible shunt ligation as a diagnostic modality.