Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery yields better outcomes than thoracotomy for anatomical lung resection in Brazil: a propensity score-matching analysis using the Brazilian Society of Thoracic Surgery database.

OBJECTIVES: The use of video-assisted anatomical lung resection is increasingly widespread for lung cancer and non-neoplastic diseases, showing excellent results. Nonetheless, a comparative analysis of the benefits of this technique has yet to be conducted in Latin America, a region with a completely different case mix from the USA or Europe. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and open thoracotomy (OT) for anatomical lung resection in patients included on the Brazilian Society of Thoracic Surgery (BSTS) database. METHODS: Using propensity score matching, we conducted an analysis of 1355 patients who underwent anatomical lung resection (704 OT and 651 VATS) registered in the BSTS database between August 2015 and December 2016. Propensity score matching was performed using the following baseline characteristics: age at surgery, gender, comorbidities, pulmonary lung function, type of resection and cancer and non-cancer diagnosis. The propensity score-matched sample comprised a well-matched group of 890 patients. The main outcomes tested were mortality, complications and major cardiopulmonary complications based on the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS) database definitions and terminology. RESULTS: Standardized differences of means and proportions suggested that an adequate balance had been achieved. Major cardiopulmonary complications were shown to be more frequent in patients who underwent OT (16.0% compared with 9.2% in VATS patients; odds ratio = 1.87, 95% confidence interval 1.25-2.80) and the overall complications rate was higher among patients who underwent OT (30.1% compared with 21.8% in VATS patients; odds ratio = 1.55, 95% confidence interval 1.17-2.05). No statistically significant difference in mortality rate was observed between OT (2.5%) and VATS (1.8%) (odds ratio = 1.38, 95% confidence interval 0.54-3.50). CONCLUSIONS: In Brazil, the rate of complications associated with minimally invasive surgery (VATS) for anatomical lung resection is significantly lower than that of conventional OT.

Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux in lung transplant candidates with advanced lung disease.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the esophageal function profile and the prevalence of gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) in lung transplant candidates. METHODS: From July of 2005 to November of 2006, a prospective study was conducted involving 55 candidates for lung transplantation at the Santa Casa de Misericórdia Hospital in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Prior to transplantation, patients underwent outpatient stationary esophageal manometry and 24-h esophageal pH-metry using one and two electrodes. RESULTS: Abnormal esophageal manometry was documented in 80% of the patients, and 24% of the patients presented pathological acid reflux. Digestive symptoms presented sensitivity and specificity for GER of 50% and 61%, respectively. Of the patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 94% presented abnormal esophageal manometry, and 80% presented lower esophageal sphincter hypotonia, making it the most common finding. Patients with bronchiectasis presented the highest prevalence of GER (50%). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with advanced lung disease, GER is highly prevalent. In the population studied, digestive symptoms of GER were not predictive of pathological acid reflux. The role that GER plays in chronic rejection should be examined and clarified in future studies.

Prevalência de refluxo gastroesofágico em pacientes com doença pulmonar avançada candidatos a transplante pulmonar / Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux in lung transplant candidates with advanced lung disease

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o perfil funcional do esôfago e a prevalência de refluxo gastroesofágico (RGE) em pacientes candidatos a transplante pulmonar. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados prospectivamente, entre junho de 2005 e novembro de 2006, 55 pacientes candidatos a transplante pulmonar da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre. Os pacientes foram submetidos a esofagomanometria estacionária e pHmetria esofágica ambulatorial de 24 h de um e dois eletrodos antes de serem submetidos ao transplante pulmonar. RESULTADOS: A esofagomanometria foi anormal em 80 por cento dos pacientes e a pHmetria revelou RGE ácido patológico em 24 por cento. Os sintomas digestivos apresentaram sensibilidade de 50 por cento e especificidade de 61 por cento para RGE. Dos pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica, 94 por cento apresentaram alteração à manometria, e 80 por cento apresentaram hipotonia do esfíncter inferior, que foi o achado mais freqüente. Pacientes com bronquiectasias apresentaram a maior prevalência de RGE (50 por cento). CONCLUSÕES: O achado freqüente em pacientes com doença pulmonar avançada é RGE. Na população examinada, a presença de sintomas digestivos de RGE não foi preditiva de refluxo ácido patológico. A contribuição do RGE na rejeição crônica deve ser considerada e requer estudos posteriores para seu esclarecimento.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the esophageal function profile and the prevalence of gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) in lung transplant candidates. METHODS: From July of 2005 to November of 2006, a prospective study was conducted involving 55 candidates for lung transplantation at the Santa Casa de Misericórdia Hospital in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Prior to transplantation, patients underwent outpatient stationary esophageal manometry and 24-h esophageal pH-metry using one and two electrodes. RESULTS: Abnormal esophageal manometry was documented in 80 percent of the patients, and 24 percent of the patients presented pathological acid reflux. Digestive symptoms presented sensitivity and specificity for GER of 50 percent and 61 percent, respectively. Of the patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 94 percent presented abnormal esophageal manometry, and 80 percent presented lower esophageal sphincter hypotonia, making it the most common finding. Patients with bronchiectasis presented the highest prevalence of GER (50 percent). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with advanced lung disease, GER is highly prevalent. In the population studied, digestive symptoms of GER were not predictive of pathological acid reflux. The role that GER plays in chronic rejection should be examined and clarified in future studies.