Paralysis of the Rectus Abdominis Muscle after a Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery.

The rectus abdominis muscle is innervated by intercostal nerves T7-T12, and most thoracotomies are performed through the fourth to sixth intercostal spaces, so direct nerve damage to the rectus abdominis seems unlikely. However, at least one trocar is inserted below the seventh intercostal space in most multi-port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgeries (VATSs), and injury of the seventh or lower intercostal nerve with related paralysis of the rectus abdominis is possible, albeit rare. Only two cases of rectus abdominis paralysis caused by after VATSs have been reported, and these cases were not permanent injuries. This is the first report of permanent paralysis of the rectus abdominis after VATSs.

Clinical results of sublobar resection versus lobectomy or more extensive resection for lung cancer patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are at a high risk of requiring lung resection. The optimal surgical strategy for these patients remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the clinical results of a sublobar resection versus a lobectomy or more extensive resection for lung cancer in patients with IPF. METHODS: From January 1995 to December 2012, 80 patients with simultaneous non-small cell lung cancer and IPF were treated surgically at Asan Medical Center. Predictors of recurrence-free survival and overall survival were evaluated in the series. RESULTS: Lobectomy or more extensive resection of the lung (lobar resection group) was performed in 65 patients and sublobar resection (sublobar resection group) was carried out in 15 patients. The sublobar resection group showed fewer in-hospital mortalities than the lobar resection group (6.7% vs. 15.4%; P=0.68). For late mortality after lung resection, cancer-related deaths were not significantly different in incidence between the two groups (55.6% vs. 30.6%; P=0.18). Recurrence-free survival after lung resection was significantly greater in the lobar than in the sublobar resection group (P=0.01). However, overall survival after lung resection was not significantly different between the two groups (P=0.05). Sublobar resection was not a significant predictive factor for overall survival (hazard ratio =0.50; 95% CI: 0.21-1.15; P=0.10). CONCLUSIONS: Although not statistically significant, a sublobar resection results in less in-hospital mortality than a lobar resection for lung cancer patients with IPF. There is no significant difference in overall survival compared with lobar resection. A sublobar resection may be another therapeutic option for lung cancer patients with IPF.

Video-assisted thoracic surgery for bronchogenic cysts: is this the surgical approach of choice?

OBJECTIVES: Although there is no consensus on the management of bronchogenic cyst, most surgeons advocate early removal, even in asymptomatic patients. To evaluate the feasibility and safety of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in the management of bronchogenic cysts and long-term follow-up, a retrospective analysis was performed. METHODS: From January 1995 to April 2013, we retrospectively reviewed the charts of 113 patients who underwent VATS resection of bronchogenic cysts in our institution. Resection of the bronchogenic cysts by VATS was initially performed in patients who had a cyst in the thoracic cavity and no evidence of severely dense adhesion to other organs or tissues on a CT scan. Also, patients with a history of previous thoracic surgeries, in addition to those with concomitant diseases requiring surgical treatment, were enrolled in our series. Operations were carried out using the conventional three-port technique and histological examinations confirmed the diagnosis of benign bronchogenic cyst containing a ciliated columnar epithelial lining. RESULTS: The median size of the cysts was 3.7 cm in their greatest diameter (range, 1-10 cm). One hundred and nine patients with bronchogenic cyst were resected completely by VATS. In 4 cases, VATS was converted to open thoracotomy or median sternotomy: major adhesion to the bronchus in 2, left innominate venous injury in 1 and repair of bronchial tear by surgery in 1. We identified 5 intraoperative complications of tracheobronchial tear, vascular injury and oesophageal laceration. The median operation time was 96.8 min (range, 15-320 min). There were no operative mortalities or major postoperative complications. Patients with VATS excision were discharged after a median of 3.7 days postoperatively. The long-term follow-up ranged from 1 to 11 years, with a median follow-up of 4.2 years. There were no late complications or recurrences. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the low conversion and complication rate, VATS was safe and effective in the resection of the bronchogenic cysts. The size and the location of cysts were not important considerations in selecting the surgical method. VATS excision should be considered the primary therapeutic option in the management of patients with bronchogenic cysts.

Surgical management of pulmonary adenocarcinoma presenting as a pure ground-glass nodule.

OBJECTIVES: With recent advances in radiology, the detection of ground-glass nodules (GGNs) has become increasingly common. However, there still is no consensus on management, especially on the need for systemic lymph node (LN) dissection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surgical outcomes on the basis of the extent of resection of the primary lesion and mediastinal LN dissection and to carefully suggest appropriate treatment strategies in the patients with pulmonary adenocarcinoma presenting as pure ground-glass opacities. METHODS: From January 2006 to December 2010, 1267 patients with pulmonary adenocarcinoma, including adenocarcinoma in situ, underwent curative-intent surgical resection. Among these patients, pure GGNs were confirmed in 48 patients on preoperative chest computed tomography (CT) by an experienced radiologist, and 42 underwent systemic LN dissection or sampling. We retrospectively reviewed the perioperative data and postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 56 (range, 35-78) years, and 26 (54.2%) patients were male. The median size of the nodules was 12 (5-30) mm, and 8 (16.7%) had multiple lesions at the time of operation. The median duration between the initial diagnosis and operation was 4 (0-45) months. Preoperative positron emission tomography/CT was taken in 36 (75.0%) patients, which showed no significant metabolic uptake. For curative resection, lobectomy was performed in 32 (66.7%) patients, segmentectomy in 4, and wedge resection in 12. Clear resection margins were reported in all patients. Forty-two patients underwent systemic mediastinal LN dissection or sampling, and the median number of dissected LNs was 23 (7-53). No LN was reported as positive for malignancy. The median follow-up duration after the first operation was 39 (23-77) months, and there were no cases of late mortality, local recurrence or nodal recurrence. Recurrent GGNs have been developed in 6 (12.5%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: For pure GGNs, limited resection can be performed when complete resection is obtained, as it was sufficient for cure and especially because there is high probability of multiple lesions. We were unable to demonstrate any additional therapeutic benefit with mediastinal LN dissection in patients with pure GGNs.

Chylothorax complicating pulmonary resection for lung cancer: effective management and pleurodesis.

BACKGROUND: Chylothorax associated with pulmonary resection for lung cancer, although rare, must be considered as a potential complication during thoracic surgery. In the present study, we investigated the effectiveness of a conservative approach (diet or pleurodesis) to the management of chylothorax. METHODS: Between January 2000 and December 2010, 3,120 consecutive patients underwent pulmonary resection and mediastinal lymph node dissection at our institution. Among them, 67 patients with confirmed chylothorax were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Right-sided chylothorax was more common than left-sided chylothorax (p=0.033). All patients were initially treated with nil per os (NPO; n=46) or a low long-chain triglyceride (LCT) diet (n=21). In the NPO group, 24 patients were successfully treated with diet alone and 20 underwent pleurodesis. In the LCT group, 10 patients were successfully treated with diet alone; of the 11 remaining patients, 4 patients improved after NPO. The 7 patients who did not improve with NPO underwent pleurodesis. No significant differences in chest tube output before and after initial treatment, length of stay, or success rate were observed between patients initially treated with NPO and those receiving low LCT. All 32 pleurodeses performed in 27 patients were successful. Two patients underwent surgery without pleurodesis after dietary treatment failure. Postoperative air leakage or drainage for 5 days greater than 21.6 mL/kg were independent risk factors for dietary treatment failure. CONCLUSIONS: Conservative treatment, including pleurodesis, should be the first choice of treatment for chylothorax complicating pulmonary resection.

Clinical Results of Ascending Aorta and Aortic Arch Replacement under Moderate Hypothermia with Right Brachial and Femoral Artery Perfusion.

BACKGROUND: Selective antegrade perfusion via axillary artery cannulation along with circulatory arrest under deep hypothermia has became a recent trend for performing surgery on the ascending aorta and aortic arch and when direct aortic cannulation is not feasible. The authors of this study tried using moderate hypothermia with right brachial and femoral artery perfusion to complement the pitfalls of single axillary artery cannulation and deep hypothermia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 36 patients who received ascending aorta or aortic arch replacement between July 2005 and May 2010. The adverse outcomes included operative mortality, permanent neurologic dysfunction and temporary neurologic dysfunction. RESULTS: Of these 36 patients, 32 (88%) were treated as emergencies. The mean age of the patients was 61.9 years (ranging from 29 to 79 years) and there were 19 males and 17 females. The principal diagnoses for the operation were acute type A aortic dissection (31, 86%) and aneurysmal disease without aortic dissection (5, 14%). The performed operations were ascending aorta replacement (9, 25%), ascending aorta and hemiarch replacement (13, 36%), ascending aorta and total arch replacement (13, 36%) and total arch replacement only (1, 3%). The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 209.4±85.1 minutes, and the circulatory arrest with selective antegrade perfusion time was 36.1±24.2 minutes. The lowest core temperature was 24±2.1℃. There were five deaths within 30 post-op days (mortality: 13.8%). Two patients (5.5%) had minor neurologic dysfunction and six patients, including three patients who had preoperative cerebral infarction or unconsciousness, had major neurologic dysfunction (16.6%). CONCLUSION: When direct aortic cannulation is not feasible for ascending aorta and aortic arch replacement, the right brachial and femoral artery can be used as arterial perfusion routes with the patient under moderate hypothermia. This technique resulted in acceptable outcomes.