Effectiveness of the polyglycolic acid patch in preventing prolonged air leakage after pulmonary decortication.

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of an absorbable polyglycolic acid patch (PGA) in the early prevention of alveolar air leaks after pulmonary decortication operations. METHODS: Between January 2016 and December 2019, files of 185 patients with pleural effusion, empyema, or hemothorax were examined retrospectively. Thirty-five patients who underwent decortication surgery were included in the study. Two-way posteroanterior (PA) chest x-ray, computed tomography (CT), pulmonary function tests (PFT), arterial blood gas, hemogram, and biochemical tests were performed for all patients before the operation. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 was composed of 16 patients (45.7%) with standard decortication, and Group 2 was formed with 19 patients (54.3%) with standard decortication + PGA patch. RESULTS: The median age was 55 years (minimum = 25, maximum = 75) and the vast majority (82.9%; n = 29) of patients were males. There was no significant difference between groups in age, aetiology, or sex. The most common etiological cause in both Group 1 and Group 2 was nonspecific infection (56.3% and 73.7%, respectively). When Group 2 and Group 1 were compared regarding median times (day) of air leak cessation (Group 2 = 4; Group 1 = 8.5), chest drain removal (Group 2 = 5; Group 1 = 10), and hospital discharge times (Group 2 = 8; Group 1 = 13),the durations were statistically significantly shorter in Group 2 than in Group 1 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Use of the PGA patch in pulmonary decortication operations significantly reduced the duration of air leaks, drain removal, and discharge time from the hospital in the postoperative period.

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum incidence and clinical features in non-intubated patients with COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the presentation characteristics and disease course of seven patients with COVID-19 who spontaneously developed pneumomediastinum without a history of mechanical ventilation. METHODS: A total of seven non-intubated patients with COVID-19, of age ranging from 18-67 years, who developed spontaneous pneumomediastinum between 01 April and 01 October 2020 were included in the study. Patients' demographic data, clinical variables, and laboratory values were examined. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum was evaluated using posteroanterior chest radiography and thorax computed tomography. RESULTS: During the research period, 38,492 patients reported to the emergency department of our hospital with COVID-19 symptoms. Of these, spontaneous pneumomediastinum was detected in seven patients who had no previous history of intubation. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2/7) and asthma bronchiale (2/7) were determined as the most common causes of comorbidity. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the frequency of spontaneous pneumomediastinum developing without pneumothorax was found to be high in non-intubated patients. Whether this is related to the nature of the disease or it is a result of the increase in cases diagnosed incidentally owing to the increasing use of low-dose computed tomography should be explored in further studies.

Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum: Analysis of 11 Cases.

OBJECTIVES: The presence of free air in mediastinum is defined as pneumomediastinum. The incidence is between 1/7000-1/32000. In this study, our aim is to discuss our cases with spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM), which has low incidence, in the light of the literature. METHODS: The files of 11 cases who were diagnosed with SPM in pulmonary diseases and thoracic surgery department and followed up and treated in thoracic surgery clinic between 2012-2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients' age, sex, etiological factors, diagnosis and treatment methods and hospital stay were evaluated. RESULTS: Between the years of 2012-2018, 11 cases with SPM who were not related to trauma were detected. Nine (81.8%) of the patients were male; the median age was 38.5 years. Among the predisposing factors that played a role in the formation of SPM, the most common symptom was dyspnea, while the second most common symptom was coughing seizures. The median duration of hospitalization was 3.8 days, and no mortality was observed. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is a rare clinical condition, especially in young men. SPM treatment can be conservative or surgical.

Evaluation of Syrian refugees' emergency service admissions in the western region of Turkey.

Immigration increases physical, mental, and social health problems. Emergency departments constitute resources that refugees can easily access and where they frequently present. Physicians from every specialty (chest diseases, thoracic surgery, internal diseases, etc.) may be consulted if needed. We aimed to compare demographic data and clinical characteristics of Syrian refugees and Turkish citizens in our emergency department. This study was an observational cross-sectional study. It included patients who presented to the Adult Emergency Department between April 1 and July 1, 2018. The patients were grouped into Syrian refugee and Turkish citizen groups. Patient age, gender, International Statistical Classification of Disease and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) diagnostic codes, and judicial case status were recorded from physician-patient outpatient clinic data records. Disease diagnoses and judicial cases were statistically compared between the two groups. A total of 30,749 patients presented to the emergency department during the study period. Of these, 999 were Syrian refugees. The mean ages of the Syrian refugees and Turkish citizens were significantly different. There were also differences between the two groups in the top five diagnostic codes (M79-Soft tissue disorders, J39-Other disorders of the upper respiratory tract; R51-Headache; R10-Abdominal and pelvic pain; M54-Dorsalgia). A comparison of the judicial cases also revealed a difference in mean age between the groups. Fewer specific disease diagnoses were identified among Syrian refugees. This may be explained by difficulties related to language barriers between the refugees and healthcare personnel.

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum incidence and clinical features in non-intubated patients with COVID-19

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the presentation characteristics and disease course of seven patients with COVID-19 who spontaneously developed pneumomediastinum without a history of mechanical ventilation. METHODS: A total of seven non-intubated patients with COVID-19, of age ranging from 18-67 years, who developed spontaneous pneumomediastinum between 01 April and 01 October 2020 were included in the study. Patients' demographic data, clinical variables, and laboratory values were examined. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum was evaluated using posteroanterior chest radiography and thorax computed tomography. RESULTS: During the research period, 38,492 patients reported to the emergency department of our hospital with COVID-19 symptoms. Of these, spontaneous pneumomediastinum was detected in seven patients who had no previous history of intubation. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2/7) and asthma bronchiale (2/7) were determined as the most common causes of comorbidity. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the frequency of spontaneous pneumomediastinum developing without pneumothorax was found to be high in non-intubated patients. Whether this is related to the nature of the disease or it is a result of the increase in cases diagnosed incidentally owing to the increasing use of low-dose computed tomography should be explored in further studies.

What is the emergency application differences concerning diseases pertinent to the chest between Turkish citizens and Syrian refugees: A cross-sectional study.

AIM: Millions of Syrians were displaced after the Syrian civil war broke in 2011. Turkey hosts the largest number of refugees. This study aimed to describe the disease patterns of Syrian refugees applying to an emergency department. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included patients who presented to an emergency department between 2017 and 2018. Study data were retrieved from the hospital's electronic medical records registry. The main study outcome was the ICD-10 codes pertinent to "chest diseases." Additionally, analyzed data were nationality, age, sex, triage status on admission, hospitalization status, and examination date. RESULTS: The number of emergency department admissions included in the study period was 378 487 persons, of which 14 262 (3.8%) were Syrian refugees. A total of 62 345 diagnoses (16.5%) were related to the respiratory system. Turkish patients had a significantly higher median age than Syrian refugees. Also, there were significantly more women among Syrian applicants, and acute bronchitis and asthma were more common among Syrian patients. However, the hospitalization rates were similar between the two groups. Moreover, Syrian patients had more applications during the summer seasons and had higher "Yellow" labels in the emergency triage. CONCLUSION: There are differences in the disease patterns of Syrian refugees and Turkish citizens applying to the emergency department. This may be explained by the difficulty in communication which, to our opinion, may be reversed as language barriers are overcome and adaptation to the society is completed over time.

The effectiveness of blood amount used in pleurodesis to prevent prolonged air leakage.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the effects of different amounts of blood used in autologous blood patch pleurodesis on clinical outcomes in patients with secondary spontaneous pneumothorax. METHODS: Between January 2015 and April 2019, a total of 42 patients (36 males, 6 females; mean age 52.1±16.0 years; range, 25 to 83 years) with SSP treated in our clinic with persistent air leakage for more than seven days were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups as receiving 60 mL autologous blood patch pleurodesis (Group 1, n=20) and 120 mL autologous blood patch pleurodesis (Group 2, n=22). Data including age, gender, operation side, complications, recurrence rates, time to tube withdrawal, and length of hospital stay were recorded and compared between the groups. RESULTS: The mean duration of air leakage was 3.3±2.4 (range, 1 to 11) days, the mean number of pleurodesis was 1.6±0.7 (range, 1 to 3), the mean time to tube withdrawal was 5.2±3.3 (range, 1 to 16) days, the mean length of hospitalization was 7.1±3.6 (range, 3 to 18) days. There were statistically significant differences in all variables analyzed between Group 1 and Group 2 (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Autologous blood patch pleurodesis is an effective and safe method in the treatment of prolonged air leakage in secondary spontaneous pneumothorax. In addition, 120 mL of blood seems to be more effective option for pleurodesis.

Efficacy of Surgical Tissue Glues and Supporters for Treatment of Prolonged Air Leaks in Bullous Emphysema.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of collagen matrix tissue supporter made of bovine pericardium and polyethylene glycol (PEG) tissue glue on prolonged air leak and postoperative complications in patients with bullous emphysema. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Health Sciences University, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Bursa, Turkey, from January 2010 to December 2018. METHODOLOGY: A total of 60 patients (57 males, 3 females) with radiologically confirmed bullous emphysema, who underwent surgery for secondary spontaneous pneumothorax were reviewed, and grouped into three: Group 1 underwent endostapler/ peristrips (20 patients); Group 2 underwent endostapler / coseal (18 patients), and Group 3 underwent endostapler/ peristrips / coseal (22 patients). All groups underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. The groups were compared for complications, time for removal of chest tube, and duration of hospital stay. RESULTS: The groups were similar with respect to age and gender. The mean time to chest tube removal was 7.57 ±4.73 days (range; 3-21 days); the mean duration of hospital stay was 9.23 ±5.00 days (range; 4-23 days). Group 3 had the shortest time to chest tube removal and duration of hospital stay (5.82 ±2.87 and 7.36 ±3.04; p=0.010 and p=0.006). Significant inter-group difference originated between Group 2 and Group 3 (p=0.008 and p=0.005). Group 2 had the longest time to chest tube removal and duration of hospital stay (10.22 ±5.11 and 12.22 ±5.36). Group 3 had significantly a lower rate of prolonged air leak (9.1% n=1; p=0.021). CONCLUSION: Using coseal with a tissue supporter like Peristrips reduces postoperative complications, time to chest tube removal, and duration of hospital stay compared to its stand alone use.

Pulmonary siderosis cases diagnosed with minimally invasive surgical technique: A retrospective analysis of 7 cases.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to report our patients with pulmonary siderosis (PS) who were exposed to iron oxide and diagnosed with the minimally invasive surgical technique (video-assisted thoracic surgery [VATS]), and to provide a discussion of the relevant literature. METHODS: Hospital records of seven patients who were diagnosed with PS by VATS between 2008 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. VATS was performed for seven patients for whom no definitive diagnosis could be made with other diagnostic techniques. RESULTS: All 7 patients included in our study were male, and their mean age was 54 years. As for the profession, two patients were founders, two were grinders, and three were welders. All patients were operated with VATS. The patients were followed with chest radiograms and spirometric tests for an average of 24 (15-36) months. At the follow-up, the patients were not only free of progression but also they even showed regression. CONCLUSION: VATS is currently an established technique used for many diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, notably in chest surgery practice. We also advocate that VATS technique is an ideal method for making the pathological diagnosis of pneumoconioses when other methods fail to do so.

Surgical Treatment of Childhood Pulmonary Hydatidosis: An Analysis of 25 Cases.

BACKGROUND: Hydatid cyst disease is caused by the parasite Echinococcus granulosus and it is an important health problem in the childhood period. In the present study, we aimed to report our experience in 25 surgically managed pediatric hydatid cyst cases under the light of the relevant literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 25 patients below 15 years of age who were treated for pulmonary hydatid cyst at our clinic between 2005 and 2016. The patients were analyzed for age, sex, signs and symptoms, diagnostic methods, cyst localization, diameter, number, treatment modalities, mortality, morbidity, and recurrences. RESULTS: Of the 25 patients included in this clinical study, 16 were male and their mean age was 10.5 (range 5-15) years. The most common presenting symptom was paroxysmal cough which affected 18 patients. The cysts were located in lungs in 23 patients and lungs and liver in 2 patients. Nineteen pulmonary cysts were solitary, and 21 (66%) were in the lower lobe. Thirteen (52%) patients had perforated cysts. Fourteen (56%) patients were operated with cystotomy and capitonnage, 9 (36%) with cystotomy, and 2 (8%) with enucleation. No case of recurrence was observed during an average 12 (range 8-18) months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Surgery is the primary treatment of pediatric pulmonary hydatid cyst disease. Cystotomy and capitonnage is the most commonly used parenchyma sparing technique.

The relationship of metalloproteinase gene polymorphisms and lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: We analyzed the relationship between matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, -7, and -13 gene expression and polymorphisms and disease susceptibility and prognosis in patients who had undergone surgery for non-small-cell lung cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 132 patients who had undergone radical surgery for non-small-cell lung cancers. The control group consisted of 80 healthy volunteers. We isolated deoxyribonuclease samples for use in analyzing gene polymorphisms from pathology blocks for the patient group and from blood samples for the control group. We identified MMP gene polymorphisms with polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphisms. Results were compared with those of the control group to evaluate disease susceptibility, correlation with other clinical parameters, and with survival and prognosis by using appropriate statistical methods. RESULTS: When we compared polymorphisms pertaining to MMP genes in healthy controls and lung tumor DNA, we observed a decrease in the MMP-2 (-735) polymorphism GG genotype and increases in the MMP-13 (A77G) polymorphism AG and GG genotypes (P = 0.008, P = 0.047, and P = 0.047, respectively). For the MMP-7 (-181) polymorphism, the genotype did not differ significantly for disease susceptibility. Median overall survival time was 25.5 mo in the MMP-13 AA/AG genotypes and 9.3 mo in the GG genotype. CONCLUSIONS: Decreases in the MMP-2 (-735) polymorphism GG genotype and increases in the MMP-13 (A77G) polymorphism AG and GG genotypes increase the risk for lung cancer. Furthermore, the presence of the MMP-13 (A77G) polymorphism GG genotype is an unfavorable prognostic factor.

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.