A simple and safe surgical technique for nonpalpable lung tumors: One-stop Solution for a nonpalpable lung tumor, Marking, Resection, and Confirmation of the surgical margin in a Hybrid operating room (OS-MRCH).

When performing thoracoscopic partial resections of nonpalpable lung tumors such as ground-glass opacities (GGOs) and small tumors, detecting the location of the lesion and assessing the resection margins can be challenging. We have developed a novel method to ease this difficulty, the One-stop Solution for a nonpalpable lung tumor, Marking, Resection, and Confirmation of the surgical margin in a Hybrid operating room (OS-MRCH), which uses a hybrid operating room wherein the operating table is seamlessly integrated with cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). We performed the OS-MRCH method on 62 nodules including primary lung cancer presenting with GGO. Identification of the lesion and confirmation of the margin were performed in 58 of the cases, while nodules were detected in all. The frequency of computed tomography (CT) scans performed prior to resection was one time in 51 cases, two times in eight cases, and ≥3 times in three cases. Additional resection was performed in two cases. The median operative time was 85.0 minutes, and the median pathological margin was 11.0 mm. The key advantages of this method are that all surgical processes can be completed in a single session, specialized skill sets are not required, and it is feasible to perform in any facility equipped with a hybrid operating room. To overcome its disadvantages, such as longer operating time and limited patient positioning, we devised various methods for positioning patients and for CT imaging of the resected specimens. OS-MRCH is a simple, useful, and practical method for performing thoracoscopic partial resection of nonpalpable lung tumors.

Developing a Virtual Reality Simulation System for Preoperative Planning of Robotic-Assisted Thoracic Surgery.

Background. Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) is now standard for lung cancer treatment, offering advantages over traditional methods. However, RATS's minimally invasive approach poses challenges like limited visibility and tactile feedback, affecting surgeons' navigation through com-plex anatomy. To enhance preoperative familiarization with patient-specific anatomy, we devel-oped a virtual reality (VR) surgical navigation system. Using head-mounted displays (HMDs), this system provides a comprehensive, interactive view of the patient's anatomy pre-surgery, aiming to improve preoperative simulation and intraoperative navigation. Methods. We integrated 3D data from preoperative CT scans into Perspectus VR Education software, displayed via HMDs for in-teractive 3D reconstruction of pulmonary structures. This detailed visualization aids in tailored preoperative resection simulations. During RATS, surgeons access these 3D images through Tile-ProTM multi-display for real-time guidance. Results. The VR system enabled precise visualization of pulmonary structures and lesion relations, enhancing surgical safety and accuracy. The HMDs offered true 3D interaction with patient data, facilitating surgical planning. Conclusions. VR sim-ulation with HMDs, akin to a robotic 3D viewer, offers a novel approach to developing robotic surgical skills. Integrated with routine imaging, it improves preoperative planning, safety, and accuracy of anatomical resections. This technology particularly aids in lesion identification in RATS, optimizing surgical outcomes.

Tumor-to-thoracic height ratio as an easy method to predict the feasibility of reduced-port video-assisted thoracic surgery for mediastinal lesions in children: a single-center experience.

In the last few decades, reduced-port video-assisted thoracic surgery (RP-VATS) has been developed to minimize surgical invasiveness. Nevertheless, VATS in children can occasionally be difficult because the lesion occupies a small thoracic cavity, limiting the working space. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of RP-VATS for the resection of mediastinal lesions in children in association with the tumor-to-thoracic height ratio (TTH ratio). We reviewed all patients aged ≤10 years who underwent resection for mediastinal lesions in our institute between January 2008 and August 2022. Patients who underwent diagnostic procedures were excluded from this study. The TTH ratio was calculated as tumor height divided by thoracic height. Seven patients in the RP-VATS group and six in the conventional procedures (multi-portal VATS or open surgery) group were included in this study. The TTH ratio was significantly lower in the RP-VATS group than in the conventional procedures group (median, 26.3% vs. 50.8%; P=0.007). The operating time (P=0.01) and duration of drainage (P=0.003) were significantly shorter and the blood loss (P=0.001) was significantly lower in the RP-VATS group than in the conventional procedures group. After adjusting for age, a lower TTH ratio was significantly associated with the completion of RP-VATS (odds ratio: 0.776; 95% confidence interval: 0.529-0.926; P=0.048). In conclusion, RP-VATS can be performed appropriately in carefully selected cases of pediatric mediastinal lesions. A low TTH ratio may predict the feasibility of RP-VATS. Further studies are warranted to determine the criteria for the indications of RP-VATS in children, so that more children can benefit from RP-VATS.

A novel edge-marking method in pleural covering with video-assisted thoracic surgery.

Total pleural covering is implemented to reinforce the visceral pleura with surgical sheets. It has been adopted for diffuse cystic lung diseases such as lymphangioleiomyomatosis to prevent pneumothorax and has achieved good results. The procedure is technically demanding, because it is difficult to cover the entire visceral pleura without disarrangement and jamming of surgical sheets, especially during thoracoscopic surgery, where grasping of a wrong site might happen when unfolding the sheets. Herein, we report a technique to cover the entire pleura with dotted line folded sheets to ease the thoracoscopic procedure. We found that the use of this marking method made the procedure easier, with just a little ingenuity, because marking the edges of sheets with dashed lines clarifies the site that should be grasped, thus preventing the incidence of grasping the wrong part of the sheet. Pleural covering with dotted line folded surgical sheets is a useful method for reduced port thoracoscopic surgery.

A novel system for analyzing indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence spectra enables deeper lung tumor localization during thoracoscopic surgery.

Background: Palpation of tumors during thoracoscopic surgery remains difficult, and identification of deep-seated tumors may be impossible. This preclinical study investigated the usefulness of a novel indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence spectroscopy system for tumor localization. Methods: ICG was diluted to 5.0×10-2 mg/mL in fetal bovine serum (FBS) and mixed with silicone resin to prepare pseudo-tumors. Sponges of different densities and a porcine lung were placed on top of the pseudo-tumors, which were examined using a novel fluorescence spectroscopy system and a near-infrared (NIR) camera. Spectra were measured for different sponge and lung thicknesses, and the lung spectra were measured during both inflation and deflation. Results: The fluorescence spectroscopy system was able to identify tumors at depths ≥15 mm, while the NIR system was not. The spectroscopy system also detected tumors at greater depths when the density of the intervening material was lower. Depending on the density and thickness of the intervening material, the system could detect spectra as deep as 40 mm for sponges and 30 mm for lungs. Conclusions: This new fluorescence spectroscopy system can be used to identify lung tumors up to a depth of 30 mm in experiments using pseudo-tumors and a porcine lung, which may aid in tumor identification during thoracoscopic surgery.

Presurgical assessment of flow variability in an azygos vein aneurysm using 4D-flow MRI.

Azygos vein aneurysm (AVA) is necessary to prevent pulmonary embolism due to the outflow of a thrombus or rupture of the aneurysm. However, there is no established modality to assess the properties of AVA. Time-resolved three-dimensional phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (4D-flow MRI) has been used to examine the hemodynamics in various fields. We report a case of AVA to evaluate the flow variability and adhesions of surrounding tissues using 4D-flow MRI. The findings of the study suggested aneurysm turbulence and the absence of thrombi. The cine image, which showed a sliding wall synchronized to the heartbeat, indicated no adhesion to the superior vena cava. Based on these results, the thoracoscopic approach was deemed possible preoperatively. Thoracoscopic AVA resection was performed, and the postoperative course was uneventful. This study documented the utility of 4D-flow MRI for a detailed evaluation of AVA.

Successful Treatment for a Large Chronic Expanding Hematoma Treated by Pneumonectomy after Arterial Embolization.

A chronic expanding hematoma is a rare late complication of thoracoplasty for tuberculosis, before the development of drugs. Total resection of a chronic expanding hematoma often requires invasive surgery consisting of combined resection of the lung and chest wall, accompanied by intraoperative bleeding. We report a case of successful surgical resection of a chronic expanding hematoma with preoperative arterial embolization, 48 years after extraperiosteal paraffin plombage for pulmonary tuberculosis. The operative indication or procedure for a chronic expanding hematoma should be determined carefully, and preoperative preparations as well as strategies should be elaborated for safe surgical resection. It is important to share information about treatment for a large chronic expanding hematoma, as we may continue to encounter this complication over the long term.

Surgical treatment for tracheal stent prolapse in a patient with blunt tracheal trauma.

Blunt tracheal injury is a rare but life-threatening condition. Several indications for treatment have been reported. Conservative treatment (i.e., stenting) can be performed when the patient is clinically stable or has medical contraindications to surgical treatment. Although some studies have reported the use of tracheal stents as treatment for iatrogenic injury and blunt trauma, the efficacy of these stents is unknown. Herein, we report a case of emergency tracheoplasty for the management of tracheal stent prolapse in a patient with blunt tracheobronchial trauma. This report highlights the necessity of being cautious about the migration and prolapse of tracheal stents, which can more frequently occur in blunt trauma than in malignant stenosis or iatrogenic injury. Due to the limitations of non-surgical treatments, early surgical intervention may be lifesaving.

Intralobar pulmonary sequestration associated with left main coronary artery obstruction and mitral regurgitation.

A 4-year-old boy with left intralobar pulmonary sequestration associated with left main coronary artery obstruction (LMCAO) and severe mitral regurgitation (MR) was admitted to our hospital. Since the patient presented with dyskinesia of the cardiac apex and increased left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left main coronary artery reconstruction and mitral annuloplasty were performed. The enlargement of the left ventricle was improved after sequential surgeries. There was a risk of deterioration of MR and regrowth of LVEDV due to shunt blood flow; therefore, left lower lobectomy and aberrant artery division were performed. This is a very rare case of a patient with pulmonary sequestration associated with LMCAO and severe MR.

Rare Diagnosis of a Multilobular Pulmonary Mass.

CASE PRESENTATION: A 57-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for an abnormal chest shadow found during routine chest radiography. She had no respiratory symptoms. Her medical history included dyslipidemia, and her surgical history included conization for cervical cancer at age 38 years. She was a social drinker and ex-smoker of approximately 10 cigarettes per day (from ages 20 to 30 years); she denied recreational drug use.

Pneumatosis Intestinalis After Living Donor Lung Transplantation Associated With Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitor Treatment: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is a rare but critical condition in which gas is found in the bowel wall. Although organ transplant recipients have an increased PI risk because of long-term immunosuppression, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (α-GI), a standard diabetes therapy, often contribute to PI. However, little is known about the postorgan transplantation relationship between PI and α-GI. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of PI in a lung transplant recipient treated with α-GI. CASE REPORT: A 59-year-old man underwent hybrid (living-donor and cadaveric) lung transplantation (LTx). The patient was treated with prednisolone and tacrolimus as immunosuppressive therapy and α-GI for diabetes for 4 years. He developed asymptomatic PI 1031 days after transplantation without any acute abdominal finding. After excluding other possible causes of PI, his PI was attributed to α-GI. The suspected α-GI was immediately withdrawn. The patient was managed conservatively with bowel rest and oxygen therapy. After 11 days of α-GI discontinuation, PI improved, and the patient completely recovered. CONCLUSION: Physicians should keep this rare adverse drug reaction in mind when prescribing α-GI, particularly in patients with diabetes after organ transplantation and including LTx. The management strategy for asymptomatic PI caused by α-GI is the immediate discontinuation of α-GI therapy, followed by conservative management initiation.

A case of resected pulmonary lymphomatoid granulomatosis.

Lymphomatoid granulomatosis (LYG) is a rare Epstein-Barr virus-associated B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder and was incorporated into the WHO classification of Tumours of the Lung, Pleura, Thymus and Heart in 2015. LYG is known to be associated with the host's immune function, and can be caused by some immunosuppressive agents, including methotrexate. A woman in her sixties with an 18-year history of methotrexate treatment for rheumatoid arthritis visited our hospital after detection of an abnormal chest shadow on her radiograph. She had been having anemia and a slight fever. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a 2.9-cm sized nodule in her left lung and hilar adenopathy, which suggested a primary lung carcinoma or an inflammatory lesion. We performed a left upper lobectomy with lymph node dissection for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Pathologic findings revealed that the tumor was a grade 3 LYG based on the number of EBV-positive B cells. The patient was treated with two chemotherapy regimens including R-CHOP at another hospital, and survived for four years after resection without recurrence in the lung. It is rare to find a case resected LYG, and the clinical or pathological findings of our case are expected to be extremely helpful in studying this disease and improving the understanding of this disease.

Intraoperative real-time hemodynamics in intralobar pulmonary sequestration using indocyanine green and near-infrared thoracoscopy.

A 33-year-old man with left pulmonary sequestration was admitted to our hospital. We planned left basilar segmentectomy to preserve the lung function, using indocyanine green (ICG) and near-infrared thoracoscopy. The intravenous (IV) administration of ICG (0.1 mg/kg) showed the distribution of fluorescence from the aberrant arteries, blood flow blockage from the aberrant arteries after they were divided, and the superior-basal boundary after the pulmonary artery and vein were divided. In adult patients with intralobar pulmonary sequestration, ICG and near-infrared thoracoscopic techniques are useful to confirm abnormal hemodynamics and demonstrate a safe and successful basilar segmentectomy.

Feasibility of limited resection for peripheral small-sized non-small cell lung cancer: a retrospective single-center-based study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to establish new criteria for limited resection of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) based on computed tomography findings and maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax). METHODS: Between December 2007 and December 2015, 611 patients underwent lung cancer surgery; of these, 70 with cT1aN0M0 who underwent limited resection were enrolled. Criteria for undergoing intentional limited resection (ILR) were (1) tumor ground-glass opacity (GGO) ratio of ≥ 0.75 and (2) tumor SUVmax ≤ 1.5. Patients who met criteria (1) and (2) underwent partial resection, and those who only met criteria (2) underwent segmentectomy as ILR. The control group was subjected to limited surgery without meeting the criteria. RESULTS: Overall, 45 and 25 patients who met the criteria were included in the ILR and control groups, respectively. In the ILR group, 13 patients underwent partial resection, and 32 underwent segmentectomy; in the control group, 18 patients underwent partial resection and 7 underwent segmentectomy. According to our criteria, no relapsed cases occurred in the ILR group, although six patients showed recurrence of lung cancer in the control group. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates in the ILR and control groups were 100% and 67.7%, respectively, and the relapse-free survival (RFS) rates were 100% and 61.6%, respectively. The log-rank test showed that this difference was statistically significant (OS: P < 0.0001, RFS: P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: SUVmax may serve as a predictive marker of recurrence to determine the treatment strategy for patients with NSCLC. Patients with low GGO ratio and low SUVmax may be cured by limited resection.

Preoperative identification of clinicopathological prognostic factors for relapse-free survival in clinical N1 non-small cell lung cancer: a retrospective single center-based study.

BACKGROUND: Given the difficulty in preoperatively diagnosing lymph node metastasis, patients with Stage I-III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are likely to be included in the clinical N1 (cN1) group. However, better treatment options might be selected through further stratification. This study aimed to identify preoperative clinicopathological prognostic and stratification factors for patients with cN1 NSCLC. METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated 60 patients who were diagnosed with NSCLC during 2004-2014. Clinical nodal status had been evaluated using routine chest computed tomography (CT) and/or positron emission tomography (PET). To avoid biasing the fluorodeoxyglucose uptake values based on inter-institution or inter-model differences, we used only two PET systems (one PET system and one PET/CT system). Relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were the primary study outcomes. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) was calculated for each tumor and categorized as low or high based on the median value. Patient sex, age, histology, tumor size, and tumor markers were also assessed. RESULTS: Poor OS was associated with older age (P = 0.0159) and high SUVmax values (P = 0.0142). Poor RFS was associated with positive carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) expression (P = 0.0035) and high SUVmax values (P = 0.015). Multivariate analyses confirmed that poor OS was independently predicted by older age (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.751, confidence interval [CI]: 1.300-5.822; P = 0.0081) and high SUVmax values (HR = 5.121, 95% CI: 1.759-14.910; P = 0.0027). Furthermore, poor RFS was independently predicted by positive CEA expression (HR = 2.376, 95% CI: 1.056-5.348; P = 0.0366) and high SUVmax values (HR = 2.789, 95% CI: 1.042-7.458; P = 0.0410). The primary tumor's SUVmax value was also an independent prognostic factor for both OS and RFS. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with cN1 NSCLC, preoperative prognosis and stratification might be performed based on CEA expression, age, and the primary tumor's SUVmax value. To enhance the prognostic value of the primary tumor's SUVmax value, minimizing bias between facilities and models could lead to a more accurate prognostication.

A Novel Insertion Technique for the Extra-Long Montgomery T-Tube in Patients with a Large Mediastinal Tumor.

The Montgomery T-tube is widely used to stent airway stenotic diseases. Conventional insertion methods can sometimes fail in the case of long-distance subglottic stenosis due to the flexibility of a T-tube made of silicon, which kinks when forced against resistance. Therefore, an alternative approach can assist in the insertion of an extra-long T-tube, especially when using a long proximal limb. We report herein the case of a patient with a large mediastinal tumor caused by neurofibromatosis type 1 in which airway obstruction was avoided through the use of a novel extra-long T-tube placement technique.

Adenocarcinoma arising from an ectopic pancreas in the duodenum: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The malignant transformation of an ectopic pancreas in the duodenum is extremely rare. Herein, we report a case of an adenocarcinoma that arose from an ectopic pancreas. We also reviewed 14 cases of malignant transformations arising from an ectopic pancreas in the duodenum that were previously published. CASE PRESENTATION: An 81-year-old man with a 1-month history of vomiting was admitted to our institution. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and computed tomography (CT) scans revealed an obstruction at the first part of the duodenum. A distal gastrectomy was performed for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The histopathological examination of the resected specimen showed adenocarcinoma that arose from an ectopic pancreas (Heinrich type 1). The patient is alive without relapse at 18 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Adenocarcinoma that arises from an ectopic pancreas should be considered when an obstruction is identified in the duodenum.

Prognostic value of MAGEA4 in primary lung cancer depends on subcellular localization and p53 status.

Melanoma antigen family A4 (MAGEA4), a cancer/testis antigen, is overexpressed and is thus an immunotherapy target in various malignant tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer. However, whether MAGEA4 induces or inhibits the apoptosis of lung cancer cells remains controversial, as is its prognostic significance, particularly since there is no reliable method with which to detect MAGEA4 specifically. In this study, we optimized assay conditions to detect MAGEA4 based on cells transiently transfected with MAGEA genes, and found that MAGEA4 was expressed in four of eight non-small cell lung cancer cell lines, and in 25.4% of clinical lung cancer specimens. We also found that MAGEA4 overexpression decreased apoptosis, as measured by the levels of cleaved caspase-3 in stably transfected 293F cells. Notably, patients with nuclear MAGEA4, but not p53 expression exhibited a significantly poorer survival than those expressing both nuclear MAGEA4 and p53. Indeed, multivariate analysis identified nuclear MAGEA4 as an independent prognostic factor (P=0.0042), albeit only in the absence of p53. In this study, to the best of our knowledge, we are the first to demonstrate that the function and prognostic value of MAGEA4 depends on its subcellular localization and on the p53 status.