Factors affecting survival after anatomical lung resection in pulmonary aspergilloma: Our 10-year single institution experience.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term outcomes of patients who underwent anatomic lung resection for pulmonary aspergilloma and to evaluate the prognostic factors affecting early postoperative morbidity. Methods: Between January 2007 and January 2017, we retrospectively evaluated a total of 55 patients (40 males, 15 females; mean age: 44.6 years; range, 18 to 75 years) who underwent lobectomy and pneumonectomy for pulmonary aspergilloma. All patients were evaluated for simple or complex aspergilloma based on imaging and thoracotomy findings. Results: Thirty-two (58.2%) patients presented with hemoptysis. Seven (12.7%) patients underwent emergency surgery due to massive hemoptysis. Postoperative morbidity was observed in 15 (27.3%) patients. Prognostic factors that had an effect on morbidity were resection type, Charlson Comorbidity Index >3, and massive hemoptysis (p<0.05). There was no intra- or postoperative mortality. The five-year survival rate was 89.4%. None of the factors evaluated in the study were associated with survival. Conclusion: The main finding of this study is the absence of mortality after surgical treatment for pulmonary aspergilloma. The success of surgical treatment depends on the management of postoperative complications.

Does Pulmonary Hamartoma Increase the Risk of Lung Cancer? Outcomes of 38 Pulmonary Hamartoma Cases.

OBJECTIVES: Hamartomas are common benign tumors of the lung. Rarely, lung cancer coincidence may occur at the time of diagnosis or in the follow-up period. METHODS: Between 2016 and 2019, 38 patients who underwent a surgical procedure and diagnosed with lung hamartoma were retrospectively evaluated regarding clinicopathological features. Cases were analyzed according to age, sex, radiological findings, localization of nodules, surgical methods, and the coincidence of lung cancer. RESULTS: The mean age was 50.2±11.1 (range 28-76 years). There were 23 male (60.5%) and 15 female (39.5%) patients. Mean size was 2.7±1.8 (range 0.8-10 cm). In 28 patients, hamartoma was <3 cm in diameter (73.6%). Eighteen hamartomas were localized in the upper lobe (47.4%). Only 6 cases (15.8%) were localized at the central part of the lung. Multiple nodules were reported in 10 cases (26.3%). In 4 cases (10.5%), lung carcinoma and hamartoma were seen together at the time of diagnosis. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been performed in 29 cases (76.3%). As a surgical method, enucleation was performed in 4 cases (10.5%), wedge resection in 28 cases (73.7%), and lobectomy in 6 cases (15.8%). No post-operative mortality appeared in the early follow-up. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary hamartomas are usually present as solitary pulmonary nodules with benign radiological findings. VATS wedge resection is a method that can be used safely in diagnosis and treatment. Hamartomas may be associated with lung cancer at the time of diagnosis or follow-up, so it should be kept in mind that a different nodule seen in patients diagnosed with hamartoma may be associated with lung cancer.

Long-Term Outcomes of Carinal Sleeve Resection in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Carinal resections for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) invading the carina are challenging cases that require a therapeutic strategy. The aim of this study was to compare the oncologic outcomes and complications of patients who underwent carinal resection. METHODS: Sixty-four patients who underwent carinal resection between 2005 and 2016 were evaluated. Data were retrospectively reviewed for indications, complications, and factors influencing long-term survival. RESULTS: The study included 51 patients (79.7%) who underwent sleeve pneumonectomy (sP) and 13 patients who underwent carinal sleeve lobectomy (csL) as a curative therapy. Nine patients (14.1%) received induction chemotherapy. Complications were observed in 31 patients (48.8%), including 24 patients (47.1%) in the sP group and 7 patients (53.8%) in the csL group (p = 0.662). Six patients (9.4%) developed bronchopleural fistula. The 30-day mortality rate was 10.9% (n = 7). The 5- and 10-year survival rates were 42.2 and 23.1%, respectively. N2 and R1 were identified as factors affecting survival (p = 0.029 and p = 0.047). CONCLUSION: Carinal resections have acceptable morbidity, mortality, and long-term survival outcomes in central NSCLC. The main factors affecting survival are complete resection and nodal status. The results of csL were similar to those of sP. Therefore, we believe that csL should be performed in all eligible patients.

Unexpected conversion to thoracotomy during thoracoscopic lobectomy: a single-center analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to discuss indications and outcomes for conversion to thoracotomy during thoracoscopic lobectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer between January 2012 and December 2016 were evaluated retrospectively. The study included 129 patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy (group-V) and 18 patients converted from thoracoscopic lobectomy to thoracotomy due to unexpected intraoperative complications (group-T). RESULTS: The two patient groups showed no statistical differences in terms of demographic characteristics. Causes of unexpected conversions to thoracotomy were hemorrhage in six patients, dense pleural adhesions in seven patients, fused fissure in one patient, and fibrocalcified lymph nodes around the vascular structures in four patients. Operative time was 180.37 ± 68.6 min in group-V and 235 ± 72.6 min in group-T (p = 0.003). Intraoperative blood loss was 263.9 ± 180.6 mL in group-V, compared to 562.7 ± 296.2 mL in group-T (p < 0.001). Patient age ≥ 70 years was a significant risk factor for conversion to thoracotomy (p = 0.015, odds ratio 4.73). The 5-year survival rate in group-V was 71.4% {mean: 65.2 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 59.6-70.8]}, while that in group-T was 80% [mean 54.9 months (95% CI 45.9-63.8)] (p = 0.548). CONCLUSION: Advanced age was identified as the main risk factor for conversion to thoracotomy. However, early- and long-term outcomes were similar in the two groups, indicating that video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is a safe and applicable method.

Long-term outcomes of completion pneumonectomy for non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Completion pneumonectomy (CP) is the removal of remaining lung tissue after initial resection. Our aim in this study was to investigate the factors affecting mortality, morbidity, and survival after CP. Methods: Patients who underwent CP in our clinic between January 2000 and December 2015 were evaluated retrospectively. The patients' demographic information, morbidity, mortality, histopathological characteristics, and 2-, 5-, and 10-year survival were evaluated. Results: Of the 32 non-small cell lung cancer patients in the study, 31 (96.9%) were male and one (3.1%) was female. The postoperative mortality rate was 9.4% and the morbidity rate was 46.9%. The most common complication was atrial fibrillation (31.3%). Median survival time was 67 ± 10.3 months; 5- and 10-year survival rates were 50.3 and 31.2%, respectively. Conclusion: Completion pneumonectomy involves an acceptable mortality rate but high morbidity rate. Based on the results of this study, the interval between initial resection and CP does not affect survival time.

Is the Outcome of Pulmonary Resections due to Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in Octogenarian Patients Worse?

PURPOSE: Lung cancer is one of the major sources of mortality in the elderly. This study was undertaken to assess the early and long-term results of surgical resection in patients older than 70 years of age by comparing the results of patients aged 70-79 years (group 1) with patients older than 80 years of age (group 2). METHODS: Data on patient age, gender, spirometry values, side, size, histology and stage of the tumor, surgical procedures, postoperative complications, Charlson comorbidity scores (CCS), and survival were collected. RESULTS: After 1-2 propensity score matching group 1 (70-79 years) included 84 and group 2 (age over 80) 42 cases. The multivariate analysis showed that CCS was the only significant factor affecting the development of complications (p = 0.003). The overall median and 5-year survival of all patients were 55 months and 42.5%, respectively. Although the survival of the elderly group 2 was higher than the first group, the difference did not reach significance (50 vs. 49 months, respectively). CONCLUSION: The outcomes of surgery in terms of morbidity and mortality rates do not differ between the two age groups. The safety of pulmonary resections in the elderly group is comparable to patients under 70 years if the comorbidities are appropriately controlled. In addition, surgery provides satisfactory survival rates in both age groups.

A rare intrathoracic mass: Accessory liver lobe.

A heterotopic, supradiaphragmatic liver tissue is an extremely rare entitiy. It is usually asymptomatic and is often detected incidentally. Herein, we report a female case who had coughinduced occasional back and chest pain and in whom an intrathoracic paravertebral mass was radiographically detected.

Endoscopic and Surgical Treatment of Benign Tracheal Stenosis: A Multidisciplinary Team Approach.

PURPOSE: Surgical resection and reconstruction are considered the most appropriate approaches to treat post-intubation tracheal stenosis (PITS). Bronchoscopic methods can be utilized as palliative therapy in patients who are ineligible for surgical treatment or who develop post-surgical re-stenosis. We investigated treatment outcomes in patients with benign tracheal stenosis. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed in patients who were diagnosed with PITS. Tracheal resection was performed for operable cases, whereas endoscopic interventions were preferred for inoperable cases with a complex or simple stenosis. RESULTS: In total, 42 patients (23 treated by bronchoscopic methods, 19 treated by surgery) took part in this study. No significant differences were observed in segment length, the proportion of obstructed airways, or vocal cord distance between the two groups. In all, 15 patients in the bronchoscopic treatment group received a stent. Following the intervention, the cure rates in the bronchoscopic and surgical treatment groups were 43.47% and 94.7%, respectively. A multidisciplinary approach resulted in a cure or satisfactory outcome in 90.5% of the patients while failure was noted in 9.5% of the patients. CONCLUSION: Bronchoscopic methods are associated with a lower cure rate compared to surgery. A multidisciplinary approach was helpful for treatment planning in patients with PITS.

Which is the Best Minimal Invasive Approach for the Treatment of Spontaneous Pneumothorax? Uniport, Two, or Three Ports: A Prospective Randomized Trail.

OBJECTIVE: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has become the standard treatment method for primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Concerns about lesser pain and better cosmesis led to the evolution of uniportal access. This study prospectively compared the results of the uniportal, two-port, and three-port thoracoscopic surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and thirty-five patients were randomized into three groups according to the port numbers. The groups were compared regarding the operation time, hospital stay, amount of drainage, area of pleurectomy, complications, recurrences, and pain scores. RESULTS: Except for the amount of drainage (p = 0.03), no factors were found to be statistically significant. The overall recurrence rate was 5%. Although the first and second week pain scores were not statistically significant, the single-incision group patients had significantly less pain at 4, 24, and 72 hours (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The study indicated that uniportal VATS approach is less painful and has better cosmetic results, besides it is as efficient as two- or three-port VATS approach.

Surgical approach to posterior mediastinal lesions and long-term outcomes.

Background Posterior mediastinal lesions are classified as solid lesions and cysts. The treatment for both types is surgery. We evaluated the surgical outcomes and recurrence rates after video-assisted thoracic surgery and thoracotomy for posterior mediastinal lesions. Methods Data of 66 resections for posterior mediastinal masses between 2000 and 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. Twenty-two patients were treated by video-assisted thoracic surgery (group V) and 44 underwent thoracotomy (group T); 29 (43.9%) were female and 37 (56.1%) were male, the mean age was 45.9 ± 14.7 years. Results Bronchogenic cyst was the most common cystic lesion (10/12, 83.3%), and benign schwannoma was the most common solid lesion (32/54, 59.2%). The mean diameter of solid lesions was 5.19 ± 2.4 cm (group V 3.98 ± 1.8 vs. group T 5.78 ± 2.5 cm, p = 0.006). The tumor diameter was 4.06 ± 1.9 cm in asymptomatic patients and 6.93 ± 2.2 cm ( p < 0.001) in symptomatic patients. In group V, hospital stay and duration of drainage were significantly shorter than in group T ( p = 0.02, p = 0.01). Local recurrence was detected in 4 (6.1%) patients. Cystic lesions had a higher recurrence rate than solid lesions ( p = 0.01). There was no significant difference in recurrence rates in groups V and T ( p = 0.59). Conclusion Video-assisted thoracic surgery is a safe method for surgical treatment of posterior mediastinal lesions, with a shorter drainage time and postoperative hospitalization and similar recurrence rates. More recurrences are seen in patients with cystic lesions.