Carinal sleeve pneumonectomy for lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Here, we present our experience of 12 lung cancer cases operated with carinal sleeve pneumonectomy (CSP) from 2001 to 2011. METHODS: 12 cases who had undergone CSP in our department from 2001 to 2011 were retrospectively evaluated and presented by taking into account their demographical and clinical features, the surgical technique that was used, the complications that developed and the latest conditions of these patients. RESULTS: Of the 12 cases, 11 were male and 1 was female with a mean age of 58.6 years (40-71 years). 11 cases had right and 1 had left CSP. The ethiology for resection was lung cancer in all cases. 10 cases had carinal invasion of the lung cancer, 1 had bronchopleural fistula developing after right pneumonectomy, 1 had distal tracheal rupture due to intubation tube placed during pneumonectomy; these all resulted in performing CSP. Five patients developed complications during the postoperative period. Three cases developed recurrences/metastases during the follow-up. Nine patients died, 3 patients were alive and were followed-up by our department. For all the cases, the median survival was 9 months, the estimated survival rate of 2-years was 33%, and 5-year survival rate was 22%. Survival for 2-4 years was 71%. CONCLUSIONS: We think that with increasing surgical experience better results are obtained in these technically demanding procedures.

Resection via median sternotomy in patients with lung cancer invading the main pulmonary artery.

BACKGROUND: Conventional pneumonectomy via posterolateral thoracotomy is not always possible in cases with T4 tumour with widespread pulmonary artery invasion. Our objective is to present our surgical experiments in cases with a hilar mass who were thought to have pulmonary artery invasion, in whom we performed intrapericardial pneumonectomy through median sternotomy. METHOD: Nine cases who had undergone intrapericardial pneumonectomy via median sternotomy were included in this study and evaluated retrospectively. These cases were thought to have right or left pulmonary artery invasion in preoperative evaluation. RESULTS: Two cases had right and seven cases left pneumonectomy. Based on TNM classification, two patients were Stage IIB, two Stage IIIA and five Stage IIIB in postoperative histopathological examination. Either right or left main pulmonary artery invasion was seen in IIIB cases while invasion was limited to the pericardium in the others. Lymph node involvement was detected in seven cases while six cases were N1, and one case was N2. There was no operative mortality. CONCLUSION: Standard posterolateral thoracotomy might not be possible in all cases, particularly in patients with hilar tumours invading the main pulmonary artery. In such patients an intrapericardial approach with median sternotomy provides an easier and safer alternative while making it possible to have wider lymph node dissection. Furthermore, if necessary, hemi-clamshell incision can easily be added to this approach.

The reliability of mediastinoscopic frozen sections in deciding on oncological surgery in bronchogenic carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: This study was carried out to determine the accuracy of mediastinoscopic frozen section examination, performed prior to major surgery-especially where mediastinal lymph node metastasis (N2 disease) was suspected. We aimed to find out whether or not mediastinoscopic frozen section analysis was (i) a reliable tool when deciding to continue resection in lung cancer patients and (ii) reliable in diagnosing mediastinal masses. METHODS: One-hundred and thirty-six patients undergoing mediastinoscopy were enrolled in this study. Resection was planned for each case, and biopsies were taken from at least two sites, including the subcarinal lymph node. Thoracotomy and resection were performed when the results of frozen section examination were negative for malignancy in patients with lung cancer. Results of frozen section examination during mediastinoscopy were compared to the results of definitive histological examination of the same specimens stained using haematoxylin-eosin. Additionally, the results of frozen section examination were compared to the results of definitive histological examination of the lymph nodes excised during resection. RESULTS: We determined total sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive values of 94.51%, 100%, 100% and 90%, respectively. In the 105 patients with malignant diseases, these values were 93.33%, 100%, 100% and 91.84%, respectively. In the 31 patients with benign diseases, values were 96.77%, 100%, 100% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: It was confirmed that mediastinoscopy supported by frozen section examination plays an important role in establishing diagnosis and planning treatment both in benign and malignant diseases.

Dilemma on the treatment of haemoptysis: an analysis of 249 patients.

BACKGROUND: Mild haemoptysis can change into massive haemoptysis and unfortunately one cannot predict whether it will change or not. For this reason, we investigated the records of patients who had been admitted due to haemoptysis retrospectively in order to find the trigger mechanisms of haemoptysis and the effects of conservative and aggressive treatment methods. METHODS: Hospital records of 249 patients with haemoptysis between 1997 and June 2005 were analysed retrospectively. Patients were classified into three groups according to the amount of blood expectorated in 24 hours. Group 1 included cases that had haemoptysis of less than 200 ml/24 h ; group 2 consisted of massive haemoptysis which was defined as expectoration of blood of 200-400 ml/24 h, and group 3 comprised patients who had 400 ml/24 h or more of haemoptysis defined as life-threatening haemoptysis. RESULTS: There were 169 male and 80 female patients. Mean age was 43.9 (4-78) in male patients and 33.8 (7-82) in female patients. The most frequent cause of haemoptysis was lung cancer in groups 1 and 2, and hydatid disease in group 3. Furthermore, we found that at least one trigger mechanism beyond primary disease caused haemoptysis in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: Haemoptysis is a life-threatening symptom that can alert patients to see a physician. Mild to moderate haemoptysis may change into massive and life-threatening forms. Unfortunately it is not predictable whether it will change or not. We deduced that a treatment strategy has to be planned according to trigger mechanism in patients with haemoptysis and that surgery is a definitive solution in these patients.