A prospective controlled randomized multicenter study to evaluate the severity of compensatory sweating after one-stage bilateral thoracic sympathectomy versus unilateral thoracic sympathectomy in the dominant side.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the contribution that unilateral thoracic sympathectomy in dominant side or two-stage bilateral thoracic sympathectomy can have as strategies to reduce the incidence of compensatory sweating after sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis. METHODS: This is a prospective, controlled, randomized multicenter trial of 200 participants with palmar hyperhidrosis, which will be randomized into two arms: (a) one-stage bilateral thoracic sympathectomy (control arm); or (b) unilateral thoracic sympathectomy in dominant side (intervention arm). At six months the participants submitted to unilateral procedure can make the contralateral surgery if they wanted it, creating a third group called two-stage bilateral sympathectomy. Participants will be evaluated for the degree of sweating by the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) and of quality of life questionnaires. RESULTS: 96 participants out of the 200 proposed have been included so far, with 48 participants randomized to each arm. From the sample 61 (63.5%) are female, with a mean age of 24 (20-32) years. There were exclusive palmar hiperhydrosis in 14 cases (14.5%), palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis in 36 (37.5%) cases, palmar and axillar hyperhidrosis in 12 (12,5%) cases and palmar-axillary-plantar hyperhidrosis in 34 (35,4%) cases. The age at the beginning of the disease was childhood (78%), with mean of time of disease 15 (11-22) years. CONCLUSIONS: If one or both hypothesis: (a) unilateral sympathectomy in dominant hand is a satisfactory treatment; b) two-stage bilateral sympathectomy causes less compensatory sweating than in one stage are confirmed there is a chance that surgical therapy for palmar hyperhidrosis can be changed for better.

Pulmonary actinomycosis as a pseudotumor: a rare presentation.

Some lung diseases are true diagnostic challenges due to their various clinical presentations. Actinomycosis is one such disease, potentially affecting various organs and systems. We report the case of a patient with pulmonary actinomycosis as a pseudotumor, which is usually only diagnosed by thoracotomy or thoracoscopy.

Actinomicose pulmonar na forma pseudotumoral: uma apresentação rara / Pulmonary actinomycosis as a pseudotumor: a rare presentation

Algumas patologias pulmonares apresentam-se como verdadeiros desafios diagnósticos devido às suas diversas formas de apresentação. A actinomicose é uma dessas patologias, podendo atingir diversos órgãos e sistemas. Relatamos o caso de uma paciente com a forma pseudotumoral pulmonar da doença, cujo seu diagnóstico geralmente só é realizado através de toracotomia ou toracoscopia.

Some lung diseases are true diagnostic challenges due to their various clinical presentations. Actinomycosis is one such disease, potentially affecting various organs and systems. We report the case of a patient with pulmonary actinomycosis as a pseudotumor, which is usually only diagnosed by thoracotomy or thoracoscopy.

Congenital lung malformations.

Congenital lung malformations are rare and vary widely in their clinical presentation and severity, depending mostly on the degree of lung involvement and their location in the thoracic cavity. They can manifest at any age and can be the source of significant morbidity and mortality in infants and children. Individuals with congenital lung malformations can present with respiratory symptoms at birth or can remain asymptomatic for long periods. Recently, there has been an increase in the early diagnosis of these malformations, a change that is attributable to the routine use of prenatal ultrasound. The clinical manifestation of these malformations varies from respiratory distress in the immediate postnatal period to an incidental finding on chest X-rays. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment offer the possibility of absolutely normal lung development. The treatment of asymptomatic patients with lung malformations is controversial, because the prognosis of these diseases is unpredictable. The management of these lesions depends on the type of malformation and symptoms. Because of the risk of complications, most authors recommend resection of the lesion at the time of diagnosis. Lobectomy is the procedure of choice and yields excellent long-term results. This article describes the principal congenital lung malformations, their diagnosis, and the controversies regarding treatment.

Malformações pulmonares congênitas / Congenital lung malformations

As malformações congênitas do pulmão são raras e variam muito na sua forma de apresentação clínica e gravidade, dependendo principalmente do grau de envolvimento pulmonar e de sua localização na cavidade torácica. Elas podem se manifestar em qualquer idade e podem ser fonte de importante morbidade e mortalidade em lactentes e crianças. Os indivíduos com malformações congênitas do pulmão podem apresentar sintomas respiratórios ao nascimento, enquanto outros podem permanecer assintomáticos por longos períodos. Atualmente, com o uso rotineiro da ultrassonografia pré-natal, vem ocorrendo um aumento no diagnóstico mais precoce dessas malformações. A manifestação clínica dessas malformações varia desde uma disfunção respiratória pós-natal imediata a um achado acidental na radiografia de tórax. O diagnóstico precoce e o tratamento imediato oferecem a possibilidade de um desenvolvimento pulmonar absolutamente normal. Quando assintomáticos, a conduta para o tratamento dos pacientes com malformações pulmonares ainda é controversa, uma vez que o prognóstico dessas afecções é imprevisível. O manejo dessas lesões depende do tipo de malformação e de sintomas. Devido ao risco de complicação, a maioria dos autores sugere a ressecção da lesão no momento em que essa é identificada. A lobectomia é o procedimento de escolha, fornecendo excelentes resultados a longo prazo. Este artigo descreve as principais malformações pulmonares congênitas, seu diagnóstico e controvérsias quanto o tratamento.

Congenital lung malformations are rare and vary widely in their clinical presentation and severity, depending mostly on the degree of lung involvement and their location in the thoracic cavity. They can manifest at any age and can be the source of significant morbidity and mortality in infants and children. Individuals with congenital lung malformations can present with respiratory symptoms at birth or can remain asymptomatic for long periods. Recently, there has been an increase in the early diagnosis of these malformations, a change that is attributable to the routine use of prenatal ultrasound. The clinical manifestation of these malformations varies from respiratory distress in the immediate postnatal period to an incidental finding on chest X-rays. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment offer the possibility of absolutely normal lung development. The treatment of asymptomatic patients with lung malformations is controversial, because the prognosis of these diseases is unpredictable. The management of these lesions depends on the type of malformation and symptoms. Because of the risk of complications, most authors recommend resection of the lesion at the time of diagnosis. Lobectomy is the procedure of choice and yields excellent long-term results. This article describes the principal congenital lung malformations, their diagnosis, and the controversies regarding treatment.

[Surgical treatment of congenital lung malformations in pediatric patients]. / Tratamento cirúrgico das malformações pulmonares congênitas em pacientes pediátricos.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the main congenital lung malformations treated and the principal diagnostic methods employed, as well as the indications for surgical treatment and the results obtained, at a referral facility for pediatric thoracic surgery. METHODS: We reviewed the medical charts of 52 patients anatomopathologically diagnosed with congenital lung malformations and who had been submitted to pulmonary resection between January of 1997 and December of 2006. Exclusion criteria were age > 12 years and incomplete clinical data. The final sample comprised 35 patients. RESULTS: In this sample, the mean age was 31 months, and there was a predominance of males (n = 21). The anatomopathological findings were cystic adenomatoid malformation (n = 14), congenital lobar emphysema (n = 13), pulmonary sequestration (n = 8) and arteriovenous malformation (n = 1). The most common type of lung resection was left lower lobectomy (in 25.71%) followed by different types of segmentectomy (in 22.85%), left upper lobectomy (in 22.85%), right upper lobectomy (in 14.28%), right lower lobectomy (in 8.57%) and middle lobectomy (in 5.71%). Of the 35 patients, 34 (97.14%) were submitted to closed pleural drainage, with a mean duration of thoracic drainage of 3.9 days. Ten patients (28.5%) presented with postoperative complications. There were no deaths in our sample. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary resection for the treatment of congenital lung malformations is a safe procedure, presenting low morbidity and no mortality at a referral facility for pediatric thoracic surgery.

Tratamento cirúrgico das malformações pulmonares congênitas em pacientes pediátricos / Surgical treatment of congenital lung malformations in pediatric patients

OBJETIVO: Determinar as principais malformações congênitas pulmonares e os principais métodos diagnósticos utilizados, assim como as indicações de tratamento cirúrgico e os seus resultados em um serviço de referência de cirurgia torácica pediátrica. MÉTODOS: Foram revisados 52 prontuários de pacientes com diagnóstico anatomopatológico de malformações congênitas pulmonares e que foram submetidos à ressecção pulmonar entre janeiro de 1997 e dezembro de 2006. Os critérios de exclusão foram idade > 12 anos e dados clínicos incompletos. A amostra final foi composta de 35 pacientes. RESULTADOS: Nesta amostra, a média de idade foi de 31 meses, com predominância do sexo masculino (n = 21). Os achados anatomopatológicos foram malformação adenomatoide cística (n = 14), enfisema lobar congênito (n = 13), sequestro pulmonar (n = 8), e malformação arteriovenosa (n = 1). A ressecção mais comum foi a lobectomia inferior esquerda (25,71 por cento), seguida por diferentes tipos de segmentectomia (22,85 por cento), lobectomia superior esquerda (22,85 por cento), lobectomia superior direita (14,28 por cento), lobectomia inferior direita (8,57 por cento) e lobectomia média (5,71 por cento). Dos 35 pacientes, 34 (97,14 por cento) foram submetidos à drenagem pleural fechada, com tempo médio de permanência do dreno torácico de 3,9 dias. Dez pacientes (28,5 por cento) apresentaram complicações pós-operatórias. Não houve óbitos nesta série. CONCLUSÕES: A ressecção pulmonar para o tratamento das malformações pulmonares é um procedimento seguro, apresentando baixa morbidade e nenhuma mortalidade em um serviço de referência para doenças pulmonares.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the main congenital lung malformations treated and the principal diagnostic methods employed, as well as the indications for surgical treatment and the results obtained, at a referral facility for pediatric thoracic surgery. METHODS: We reviewed the medical charts of 52 patients anatomopathologically diagnosed with congenital lung malformations and who had been submitted to pulmonary resection between January of 1997 and December of 2006. Exclusion criteria were age > 12 years and incomplete clinical data. The final sample comprised 35 patients. RESULTS: In this sample, the mean age was 31 months, and there was a predominance of males (n = 21). The anatomopathological findings were cystic adenomatoid malformation (n = 14), congenital lobar emphysema (n = 13), pulmonary sequestration (n = 8) and arteriovenous malformation (n = 1). The most common type of lung resection was left lower lobectomy (in 25.71 percent) followed by different types of segmentectomy (in 22.85 percent), left upper lobectomy (in 22.85 percent), right upper lobectomy (in 14.28 percent), right lower lobectomy (in 8.57 percent) and middle lobectomy (in 5.71 percent). Of the 35 patients, 34 (97.14 percent) were submitted to closed pleural drainage, with a mean duration of thoracic drainage of 3.9 days. Ten patients (28.5 percent) presented with postoperative complications. There were no deaths in our sample. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary resection for the treatment of congenital lung malformations is a safe procedure, presenting low morbidity and no mortality at a referral facility for pediatric thoracic surgery.

Lesão complexa da traqueia: correção com retalho pediculado de músculo intercostal / Complex tracheal lesion: correction with an intercostal muscle pedicle flap

A reconstrução esofágica é uma das mais complexas cirurgias do aparelho digestivo, principalmente quando realizada por técnicas minimamente invasivas. Esse procedimento está associado a inúmeras complicações, como deiscência de anastomose, quilotórax, necrose do tubo gástrico e fistulas. Relatamos o caso de um paciente com o diagnóstico de carcinoma epidermoide no terço distal do esôfago que foi submetido à uma esofagectomia por videotoracoscopia e laparoscopia. Durante o ato operatório, houve lesão do brônquio principal esquerdo, sendo necessária a correção cirúrgica imediata da lesão. No pós-operatório, o paciente evoluiu com insuficiência respiratória aguda e grande escape aéreo pelos drenos de tórax e pela ferida operatória cervical. Foi submetido à nova intervenção cirúrgica, através da qual se observou uma grande lesão na parede membranosa da traqueia, que foi corrigida com um retalho de músculo intercostal.

Esophageal reconstruction is one of the most complex types of gastrointestinal surgery, principally when it is performed using minimally invasive techniques. The procedure is associated with various complications, such as anastomotic dehiscence, chylothorax, esophageal necrosis and fistulae. We report the case of a patient diagnosed with epidermoid carcinoma in the distal third of the esophagus. The patient was submitted to esophagectomy by video-assisted thoracoscopy and laparoscopy. During the operation, the left main bronchus was injured, and this required immediate surgical correction. In the postoperative period, the patient presented with acute respiratory failure and profuse air leak through the thoracic drains and through the cervical surgical wound. The patient underwent a second surgical procedure, during which a large lesion was discovered in the membranous wall of the trachea. The lesion was corrected with an intercostal muscle pedicle flap.

Compensatory sweating after thoracoscopic sympathectomy: characteristics, prevalence and influence on patient satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE: This prospective study aimed at investigating predictive factors for compensatory sweating after thoracoscopic sympathectomy. METHODS: From 2000 to 2002, 80 patients (53 females and 27 males) underwent thoracoscopic sympathectomy to treat hyperhidrosis. Patient ages ranged from 12 to 56 years, and the mean post-operative follow-up period was 42.51 +/- 5.98 months. Patient satisfaction with the results was evaluated through the use of a rating scale. The procedure was performed bilaterally: at the T2 level for facial hyperhidrosis; at the T3-T4 level for axillary hyperhidrosis; and at the T3 level for palmar hyperhidrosis. RESULTS: Post-operatively, 68 patients (85.0%) presented compensatory sweating, which was classified as mild in 23 (33.8%), moderate in 23 (33.8%) and severe in 22 (32.4%). Considering the final surgical results, 70 patients (87.5%) were satisfied with the outcome of the operation, whereas 10 patients (12.5%) were dissatisfied. The level of patient satisfaction varied according to gender, age, body mass index (BMI) and extent of denervation. The compensatory sweating was more severe on the abdomen and back than on the legs. CONCLUSIONS: Although compensatory sweating, which is a common adverse effect of sympathectomy, occurred in the majority of cases, the level of patient satisfaction was high. The best candidates for thoracoscopic sympathectomy are young adult women with a BMI < 24.9 kg/m(2).

Compensatory sweating after thoracoscopic sympathectomy: characteristics, prevalence and influence on patient satisfaction / Hiperhidrose compensatória após simpatectomia toracoscópica: características, prevalência e influência na satisfação do paciente

OBJECTIVE: This prospective study aimed at investigating predictive factors for compensatory sweating after thoracoscopic sympathectomy. METHODS: From 2000 to 2002, 80 patients (53 females and 27 males) underwent thoracoscopic sympathectomy to treat hyperhidrosis. Patient ages ranged from 12 to 56 years, and the mean post-operative follow-up period was 42.51 ± 5.98 months. Patient satisfaction with the results was evaluated through the use of a rating scale. The procedure was performed bilaterally: at the T2 level for facial hyperhidrosis; at the T3-T4 level for axillary hyperhidrosis; and at the T3 level for palmar hyperhidrosis. RESULTS: Post-operatively, 68 patients (85.0 percent) presented compensatory sweating, which was classified as mild in 23 (33.8 percent), moderate in 23 (33.8 percent) and severe in 22 (32.4 percent). Considering the final surgical results, 70 patients (87.5 percent) were satisfied with the outcome of the operation, whereas 10 patients (12.5 percent) were dissatisfied. The level of patient satisfaction varied according to gender, age, body mass index (BMI) and extent of denervation. The compensatory sweating was more severe on the abdomen and back than on the legs. CONCLUSIONS: Although compensatory sweating, which is a common adverse effect of sympathectomy, occurred in the majority of cases, the level of patient satisfaction was high. The best candidates for thoracoscopic sympathectomy are young adult women with a BMI < 24.9 kg/m².

OBJETIVO: Este estudo prospectivo visou investigar fatores preditivos para a hiperidrose compensatória após a simpatectomia toracoscópica. MÉTODOS: De 2000 a 2002, 80 pacientes (53 mulheres e 27 homens), com idade entre 12 e 56 anos, foram submetidos à simpatectomia toracoscópica para o tratamento de hiperidrose e acompanhados em média por 42,51 ± 5,98 meses. A satisfação destes pacientes quanto aos resultados do procedimento foi aferida por meio de uma escala de avaliação. O procedimento foi executado bilateralmente: no nível de T2 para a hiperidrose facial; de T3 e T4 para a hiperidrose axilar; e de T3 para a hiperidrose palmar. RESULTADOS: No período pós-operatório, 68 pacientes (85,0 por cento) apresentaram hiperidrose compensatória, que foi classificada como leve em 23 (33,85 por cento), moderada em 23 (33,8 por cento) e grave em 22 (32,4 por cento). Quanto aos resultados da cirurgia, na avaliação dos pacientes, 70 deles (87,5 por cento) se consideraram satisfeitos, enquanto 10 pacientes (12,5 por cento) disseram estar insatisfeitos. O grau de satisfação do paciente variou de acordo com o sexo, a idade, o índice de massa corpórea (IMC) e a extensão da operação. A hiperidrose compensatória foi mais intensa no abdome e dorso do que nas pernas. CONCLUSÕES: Embora a hiperidrose compensatória seja um efeito adverso frequente após a simpatectomia, o grau de satisfação dos pacientes foi elevado. Os melhores candidatos para simpatectomia toracoscópica são mulheres adultas jovens com IMC < 24,9 kg/m².

Complex tracheal lesion: correction with an intercostal muscle pedicle flap.

Esophageal reconstruction is one of the most complex types of gastrointestinal surgery, principally when it is performed using minimally invasive techniques. The procedure is associated with various complications, such as anastomotic dehiscence, chylothorax, esophageal necrosis and fistulae. We report the case of a patient diagnosed with epidermoid carcinoma in the distal third of the esophagus. The patient was submitted to esophagectomy by video-assisted thoracoscopy and laparoscopy. During the operation, the left main bronchus was injured, and this required immediate surgical correction. In the postoperative period, the patient presented with acute respiratory failure and profuse air leak through the thoracic drains and through the cervical surgical wound. The patient underwent a second surgical procedure, during which a large lesion was discovered in the membranous wall of the trachea. The lesion was corrected with an intercostal muscle pedicle flap.