Chest Wall Reconstruction Utilizing Ovine-derived Reinforced Tissue Matrix.

BACKGROUND: Chest wall reconstruction can be a challenge. The perfect material does not exist to restore chest wall stability. Synthetic materials have been the mainstay for reconstruction. Biological material use has increased. Recently, we initiated the use of a biosynthetic material for chest wall reconstruction that is composed of ovine-derived extracellular tissue matrix and monofilament polypropylene suture. METHODS: We respectively reviewed all patients who underwent chest wall reconstruction with a biosynthetic material from January 2020 to June 2021. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients underwent chest wall reconstruction. Median age was 35 years (range, 18 to 68); 64% were men. Indication for reconstruction was tumor resection in 10, chest wall defect after pectus repair in 7, radiation necrosis in 5, chest wall infection in 2, and lung herniation in 1. Infection was present in 28%. Median chest wall defect was 7 × 10 cm (range, 3.5 to 22.5 cm). Bioabsorbable bars were used in combination with the biosynthetic material patch in 15 patients (60%) and biosynthetic material alone in 10; 5 patients underwent myocutaneous advancement flaps. There were no operative deaths. Postoperative complications occurred in 6 patients (24%). Median hospital stay was 5 days (range, 3 to 14). Late complications occurred in 4 patients (16%). No patient had paradoxical motion, chest wall instability, or required biosynthetic material removal at a median follow-up of 12 months (range, 1 to 18). CONCLUSIONS: This novel biosynthetic material combines the benefits of biologic material and polymer reinforcement to provide a more natural chest wall reconstruction compared with mesh products made of synthetic material alone. Early results are promising in this first series in the literature.

Development and clinical application of a new sternal zenithal traction system in video-assisted percutaneous thoracoplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Video-assisted percutaneous thoracoplasty involves a complex surgical access with risk of damaging vital structures during the procedure. Historically, different traction and sternal elevation systems have been applied during the intervention to minimize the risk associated with the passage of the instruments between the sternum and the pericardium. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A new sternal traction system is presented by means of an illustrated description. Clinical and sociodemographic data were extracted from the 36 patients operated in our center for Pectus Excavatum between July 2017 and August 2021. The Haller index was not applied as a criterion to determine the use or not of the sternal traction system. Patients were classified according to whether the sternal traction system (TE) or not (ST) had been employed. Statistical analysis of the data collected was performed with STATA, version 15.0 (StataCorp). RESULTS: Both groups were comparable. Haller's Index was 4.19 ± 0.7 for the sternal traction (TE) group and 3.79 ± 0.3 for the no sternal traction (ST) group. In 25 of the patients the described traction system was used, and in 11 no traction system was used. All patients were operated on by the same surgeon. The mean operative time in minutes was 97.73 ± 46.2 for the ST group and 88.13 ± 18.1 for the TE group (p = 0.87). The mean total days of admission was 7.67 ± 0.82 (TE) and 7.73 ± 1.35 (ST). Mean days of intravenous PCA was 6.08 ± 0.72 (TE) and 5.89 ± 1.45 (ST). The mean number of epidural PCA days was 3.79 ± 0.5 (TE) and 3.36 ± 0.5 (ST) (p = 0.01). All patients presented a favorable postoperative evolution. None of the patients presented discomfort at the level of the sternal wounds during hospitalization. Cosmetic evolution was favorable in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: The sternal traction system presented provides safety when performing retrosternal dissection and placement of the thoracoplasty bar, leading to a decrease in surgical time in cases with a Haller Index higher than 3.5. There have been no complications associated with its use, nor has there been an increase in the number of days of hospitalization or analgesic requirements. There are no aesthetic sequelae for the patients.

Pulmonary function after thoracoplasty for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Thoracoplasty is a procedure which involves rib resection from the costovertebral junction to the apex of the rib hump deformity to address the cosmetic concerns of patients of scoliosis. There is conflicting literature on its effect on pulmonary function. The present meta-analysis was conducted to review and analyze the available literature and ascertain the effect of thoracoplasty on pulmonary function. METHODS: Search was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines on three databases. After analysis of all the search results by title, abstracts and full texts-10 studies were identified for inclusion in the review. We included studies which had analyzed preoperative and postoperative pulmonary function tests (PFTs) after thoracoplasty. Pooled estimates were calculated for pulmonary function, and effect of other factors was analyzed by subgroup analysis and meta-regression. RESULTS: The included studies were published between 1998 and 2019. A total of 385 patients were included in these studies, with a mean age of 15.01 years, with a female preponderance. Apprehension over appearance of rib hump was the most common indication for thoracoplasty. Percent-predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV-1) were significantly decreased on follow-up. Anterior approach to corrective surgery and lower age were found to be associated with worse pulmonary function. Preoperative Cobb's angle was found to have significant impact on decrease in FEV-1 only, but not on other PFT parameters. CONCLUSION: Overall decrease in pulmonary function after thoracoplasty necessitates the need of adequate preoperative pulmonary function to mitigate its effect on patient well-being. Use of a posterior approach for corrective surgery when thoracoplasty is planned might lead to better outcomes. More research is needed to study effect of preoperative Cobb's angle on pulmonary function.

Surgical Management of Mycobacterial Infections and Related Complex Pleural Space Problems: From History to Modern Day.

Owing to the advent of effective drugs for tuberculosis in the mid-twentieth century, few cases require surgery for active tuberculosis in the present day in areas where effective drugs are available. However, surgical techniques developed to combat tuberculosis in the predrug era are still useful to manage the challenging chest pathology of our time surgically, such as destroyed lung or postresectional empyema. Thoracoplasty and open window thoracostomy are representative procedures and discussed in detail in this review.

Structural Failure of the BioBridge Rib Prosthesis After Chest Wall Reconstruction.

Chest wall reconstruction presents a challenging surgical problem with no universally recognized gold standard for the procedure. Various prosthetic and bioprosthetic materials exist for use in chest wall reconstruction, with bioprosthetic materials offering significant advantages in the case of a preoperatively infected surgical field. Here we present a case of the absorbable BioBridge system (Acute Innovations, Hillsboro, OR) used for chest well reconstruction and describe a novel complication of structural failure of the BioBridge plate, involving fracturing of the prosthesis with wound erosion, ultimately requiring reoperation and removal of the device.

Interlocking Multi-Twisted Wires Versus Interrupted Simple Sternal Wires for Closure of Median Sternotomy.

BACKGROUND: Although closure of a sternotomy incision is usually a simple procedure, failure to do so (sternal dehiscence) is a serious complication and is an independent factor that poses a high degree of morbidity or mortality after open heart surgery. Instability of the bone fragments can lead to complete sternal breakdown, sternal wound infection, and mediastinitis. The stainless-steel encircling wire used as either interrupted simple sutures or as figure of eight sutures is the current standard method of median sternotomy closure. Interlocking multi-twisted sternal wire closure is an alternative that provides rigid sternal fixation. We aim to identify the best method of sternal closure in order to implement it as a standardised protocol for our department. METHODS: Two-hundred patients aged 18-70 years were undergoing cardiac surgeries at Ain Shams University hospitals. They were divided into two groups: Group I included 100 patients with sternal closure using simple wire, and group II included 100 patients with sternal closure using interlocking multi-twisted wires. The day 7, 1 month, and 3 months sternal instability, superficial wound infection, ventilation time, cross-clamp time, length of ICU stay, and length of hospital stay were analyzed. RESULTS: The incidence of sternal instability on the 7th day, 1 month, and 3 months was significantly higher in the simple wire closure group (P < 0.05). However, incidence of superficial wound infection, length of ICU stay, and duration of mechanical ventilation were comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The interlocking multi-twist is a safe, effective, and easily reproducible method for preventing sternal dehiscence.

Analysis of chest wall elevation after the Nuss procedure using 3D body scanning technique in patients with pectus excavatum.

PURPOSE: For the evaluation of the chest wall deformity, we adopted a non-invasive 3D body scanning system. The objective of this study is to evaluate surgical effect on the whole thorax using 3D scanning technique before and after Nuss procedure. METHODS: We performed 3D body scanning using Structure Sensor (Occipital Inc, USA) in 11 symmetric patients (average age 13 ± 3.2) under general anesthesia before and after Nuss procedure. Using the scanned data, the improved chest wall was analyzed using 3D-Rugle (Medic Engineering, Japan) imaging software. Preoperative and postoperative 3D data were super-imposed and a thoracic elevating distance in the line of the axial and sagittal section through the deepest point was calculated. Pre- and postoperative external sternal angle (ESA) were calculated from the scanned data. RESULTS: Mean thoracic elevation distance at the deepest point was 38.6 ± 6.1 mm and it was 28.4 ± 5.1 mm and 19.4 ± 4.9 mm at 4 cm and 8 cm cranial side, respectively. Average ESA improved from 3.9 ± 1.6 degrees to 15.0 ± 1.1 degrees after the operation. CONCLUSION: Chest depression was effectively elevated 39 mm at the deepest point after Nuss procedure. An indirect elevation effect by pectus bars was found on the wide area of the anterior chest.

Four Columns of the Thorax: Operative Decision-Making in the Setting of Complete Bony Instability.

Thoracic skeletal injury is a common outcome of motor vehicle accidents. Skeletal reconstruction is guided by anatomic and physiologic variables dictated by the injury complex. Here we describe a report of a patient who sustained complex trauma to the thorax leading to complete thoracic dissociation. Clinical and operative decision-making is discussed to inform the reader of a proposed ordered protocol and considerations for operative intervention and reconstruction.

Long-Term Metabolic Assessment of Cryopreserved Sternal Allograft: A Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Sternal resection and reconstruction with cryopreserved allografts provides a safe alternative to traditional methods of anterior chest wall reconstruction. Despite favorable results, successful integration of the graft sternum has never been demonstrated owing to the invasiveness of bone biopsy. We describe our experience of using 18F-sodium fluoride positron emission tomography/computed tomography scans as a noninvasive method of evaluating graft integration. METHODS: Seven patients underwent surgery and radiologic follow-up. Surgical indications were sternal metastases (n = 5) and sternal dehiscence (n = 2). Sternal reconstruction was performed using a cryopreserved cadaveric sternal allograft fixed in place with titanium plates and screws. Follow-up with 18F-sodium fluoride positron emission tomography/computed tomography scans was performed at 1 and 2 years after surgery. RESULTS: Three patients underwent total sternectomy. Two underwent partial upper sternectomy involving the manubrium, clavicle (1 patient only), and upper sternal body; and 2 had partial sternectomy of the sternal body and xiphoid process. Focal tracer accumulation occurred at the junctions between native bone and graft bone. The median maximum standardized uptake value at 1 year was 16.8 (range, 11.2 to 37.9; interquartile range, 13.6 to 19.4), and at 2 years it was 10.8 (range, 6.1 to 30.2; interquartile range, 8.9 to 15.1). In 6 cases accumulation was lower at the second scan, whereas in 1 patient the accumulation was higher at the second scan. CONCLUSIONS: Sternal reconstruction with cryopreserved allograft is safe and well tolerated. The 18F-sodium fluoride positron emission tomography/computed tomography scans are a useful and promising noninvasive method of demonstrating the metabolic activity of the graft and its incorporation into the host skeleton during follow-up.

Aplicabilidad de la clasificación Clavien-Dindo en las complicaciones quirúrgicas del procedimiento de Nuss / Applicability of Clavien-Dindo classification in nuss procedure surgical complications

OBJETIVOS: La intervención de Nuss es una cirugía segura, pero no está exenta de complicaciones. La clasificación de Clavien-Dindo (1992) permite registrar complicaciones de cualquier operación. Nuestro objetivo es demostrar la aplicabilidad de dicha clasificación para el estudio de las complicaciones de la cirugía de Nuss. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Presentamos una serie retrospectiva de pacientes afectos de PE intervenidos entre enero de 2010 y enero de 2018 y su morbilidad asociada a la cirugía de Nuss hasta la retirada de la barra. Dichas complicaciones se agruparán mediante la clasificación de Clavien-Dindo. RESULTADOS: Se recogen un total de 31 pacientes. La media de edad fue 14,67 años (4-27 años), con una media de índices de Haller de 6,06 (3,35-14,14) y una media de índices de corrección del 41,2% (16-87%). Se observaron complicaciones leves I-IIIb de la clasificación de Clavien-Dindo en el 35,48% de los pacientes. Se constató seroma en cuatro pacientes (12%), de los cuales uno presentó sobreinfección y otro, dehiscencia de herida. En seis pacientes se observó movilización de la barra y/o estabilizador y en 1 paciente, edema agudo de pulmón posoperatorio (3%). De los 11 pacientes que presentaron complicaciones, solo seis requirieron reintervención: cinco de ellos por movilización de la prótesis y uno por infección no resuelta con antibioterapia endovenosa. CONCLUSIONES: La clasificación de Clavien-Dindo se emplea cada vez más como una forma de unificar los criterios de las complicaciones quirúrgicas, permitiendo comparar los resultados obtenidos. Comprobamos que es perfectamente factible y reproducible para reflejar la morbilidad del procedimiento quirúrgico de Nuss y poder compararla con otros grupos

OBJECTIVES: Nuss procedure is a safe surgery but not exempt from complications. Clavien-Dindo classification (1992) allows complications of any surgery to be recorded. Our objective was to prove its applicability in the study of Nuss procedure complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We present a retrospective series of PE patients undergoing surgery from January 2010 to January 2018. Nuss procedure associated morbidity prior to bar removal was studied. Complications were stratified according to Clavien-Dindo classification. RESULTS: A total of 31 patients were included. Mean age was 14.67 years (4-27 years), with a mean Haller index of 6.06 (3.35-14.14) and a mean correction index of 41.2% (16-87%). Clavien-Dindo classification I-IIIb mild complications were recorded in 35.48% of patients. Seroma was found in 4 patients (12%), of whom 1 had superinfection and 1 had wound dehiscence. In 6 patients, bar and/or stabilizer mobilization was noted, and in 1 patient, postoperative acute pulmonary edema (3%) was observed. Of the 11 patients with complications, only 6 required re-intervention -5 as a result of prosthesis mobilization, and 1 as a result of infection not resolved with intravenous antibiotic therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Clavien-Dindo classification is being increasingly used as a way of unifying surgical complication criteria by comparing results. Our study demonstrated that such classification is a feasible and reproducible method when it comes to reflecting Nuss procedure morbidity and comparing it with other groups

Effectiveness and safety of a modified (rib ends fixed under transverse process) thoracoplasty for rib hump deformity in adults with severe thoracic scoliosis: A retrospective study.

Razor back deformity is one of the most noticeable problems of severe scoliosis. Thoracoplasty has been reported to be a useful approach to correct the rib hump deformity. However, the outcomes of thoracoplasty in patients with severe, rigid, thoracic scoliosis have not yet been evaluated.To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a modified technique of thoracoplasty (rib ends fixed under transverse process) for rib hump deformity in adults with severe thoracic scoliosis and severe pulmonary dysfunction.Patients with severe thoracic scoliosis and severe pulmonary dysfunction who underwent staged surgical strategy including halo-pelvic traction, spinal osteotomy combined with the modified thoracoplasty were included. To avoid paradoxical breathing result from multiple rib resections and enlarge the capacity of thoracis, the ends after rib resection were fixed under transverse process compared with conventional thoracoplasty. Patients were excluded on the basis of pulmonary diseases and inadequate follow-up. Data on deformity correction and pulmonary complications were reviewed. A t test was performed on the pre- and postoperative data of pulmonary function, height of the rib hump deformity, and total lung area.Eighteen patients (5 men and 13 women) with a major thoracic curve of >130° were included. The mean age of patients was 25.3 ±â€Š3.6 years (range, 19-32 years), with an average length of follow-up of 30.2 months. After application of halo-pelvic traction, the mean major thoracic curve decreased from 168.2°â€Š±â€Š14.28° to 97.3°â€Š±â€Š10.75° and the thoracic kyphosis decreased from 159.4°â€Š±â€Š20.60° to 94.8°â€Š±â€Š9.58°. On average, 6.3 (range, 4-8) ribs were resected. The height of the rib hump decreased from 84.6 ±â€Š13.3 to 15.3 ±â€Š3.4 mm. The average predicted forced vital capacity (FVC%) before surgery was 37.2 ±â€Š13.30%, indicative of severe pulmonary impairment, with a small but non-significant improvement in the FVC% at the final follow-up. The mean total lung area increased from 2583.2 ±â€Š501.36 to 2890.1 ±â€Š537.30 mL at the last follow-up. No severe pulmonary complications occurred.Our modified approach to thoracoplasty procedure is effective and safe in correcting a razor back deformity in patients with severe, rigid, scoliosis, and severe pulmonary dysfunction, without causing any significant change in long-term pulmonary function.

[Musculocutaneous grafting in the treatment of irradiation-induced chest osteomyelitis]. / Kozhno-myshechnaya plastika v lechenii postluchevogo osteomielita kostei grudnoi kletki.

OBJECTIVE: To report our own experience of one-stage surgical treatment of irradiation-induced osteomyelitis as a complication of radiotherapy for breast cancer (BC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 25 patients with irradiation-induced chest osteomyelitis after previous radiotherapy for breast cancer. All patients were examined according to the same protocol. One-stage surgery with full-thickness resection of affected tissues and plastic closure of the wound was performed depending on localization of lesion and availability of plastic material. RESULTS: Follow-up period ranged from 18 to 110 months (median 48 (19; 52) months). Complications were assessed according to Clavien-Dindo classification. Complications followed by antibacterial therapy and/or local treatment were observed in 8 (32%) out of 25 patients (95% CI 11.5-43.4). Marginal necrosis of musculoskeletal flap was registered in 4 (16%) patients. One (4%) patient required redo thoracomyoplasty after excision of necrotic tissues of musculocutaneous flap due to extensive tissue defect. Total necrosis of musculocutaneous flap was not noted. There were no fatal outcomes. Mean length of hospital-stay was 13 (10; 27) days in the group of musculocutaneous flap from latissimus dorsi muscle and 11 days (7; 24) in the group of rectus abdominis muscle. Good and satisfactory treatment outcomes after one-stage surgical treatment were achieved in 24 (96%) out of 25 patients (95% CI: 75-97.8). CONCLUSION: Irradiation-induced chest osteomyelitis is still actual problem despite an improvement of modern medical equipment and accumulation of experience in radiotherapy. Surgery is preferable method of treatment. Comprehensive examination including contrast-enhanced chest CT with 3D reconstruction and Doppler ultrasound of vascular pedicle is valuable to determine type of resection and plastic technique. Simultaneous approach with resection and plastic closure of the wound is preferred for irradiation-induced chest osteomyelitis if sufficient amount of plastic material is available and contraindications for reconstructive surgery are absent.

Tratamiento del aspergiloma pulmonar en paciente de alto riesgo quirúrgico: cavernostomía / Cavernostomy in the Treatment of Pulmonary Aspergilloma in a High Surgical Risk Patient

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The impact of an enhanced recovery perioperative pathway for pediatric pectus deformity repair.

PURPOSE: Pediatric repair of chest wall deformities is associated with significant pain, morbidity, and resource utilization. We sought to determine outcomes of a perioperative enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway for patients undergoing minimally invasive (Nuss) and traditional (Ravitch) corrective procedures. METHODS: Our ERAS protocol was implemented in 2015. We performed a retrospective review of patients for Nuss or Ravitch procedures before and after ERAS implementation. Combined and procedure segregated bivariate analyses were conducted on postoperative outcomes and resource utilization. RESULTS: There are 17 patients in the pre-intervention group (Nuss = 13 and Ravitch = 4) compared to 38 patients in the post-intervention group (Nuss = 28 and Ravitch = 10). Protocol implementation increased utilization of pre-operative non-narcotic medication. The combined and Nuss post-intervention groups had a significant decrease in epidural duration and time to enteral medications, but had increased total postoperative opioid usage. The Ravitch post-intervention group had a significant decrease in intra-operative narcotics and discharge pain scores. There were no differences in length of stay or complications. CONCLUSION: Implementation of our ERAS protocol standardized pectus perioperative care, but did not improve postoperative opioid usage, complications, or resource utilization. Alterations in the protocol may lead to achieving desired goals of better pain management and decreased resource utilization.

Heart Surgery Access Bone: Spectrum of Pathology.

A variety of pathologies may affect the most important bone to cardiac surgeons. In this paper, 3 interesting cases of different pathology and aetiology are presented and discussed.

Three-Dimensional-Printed Model as a Template for Chest Wall Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: To our knowledge, this is the first time that a three-dimensional (3D)-printed model was used as an intraoperative template to recreate the resected portion of the lateral chest wall after resection of a large chest-wall tumour. METHODS: Fabrication of 3D-printed models requires collaboration among a surgeon, radiologist, segmenter, and 3D printing centre. Three-dimensional models are created with computed tomographic and magnetic resonance data. These models can provide an accurate guide for surgical resection and can be used intraoperatively as a template to construct tailored prostheses. RESULTS: We achieved complete resection of the chest wall defect, restored skeletal function and physiologic chest excursion, and achieved the best cosmetic appearance in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Small- to medium-sized chest wall defects can be repaired with musculocutaneous flaps with or without prosthetic materials, but more complicated defects require increasingly sophisticated reconstructive techniques and technologies. An advanced technique is the use of a 3D-printed model of the chest wall as an intraoperative template.

Soft-Tissue Reconstruction after Composite Vertebrectomy and Chest Wall Resection for Spinal Tumors.

BACKGROUND: Oncologic resections involving both the spine and chest wall commonly require immediate soft-tissue reconstruction. The authors hypothesized that reconstructions of composite resections involving both the thoracic spine and chest wall would have a higher complication rate than reconstructions for resections limited to the thoracic spine alone. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients who underwent a thoracic vertebrectomy and soft-tissue reconstruction from 2002 to 2017. Patients were divided into two groups: those whose defect was limited to the thoracic spine and those who required a composite resection involving the chest wall. RESULTS: One hundred patients were included. Composite resection patients had larger defects, as indicated by a greater incidence of multilevel vertebrectomies (70.2 percent versus 17 percent; p = 0.001). Thoracic spine patients were older (58.2 ± 10.4 years versus 48.6 ± 13.9 years; p < 0.001) and had a greater incidence of metastatic disease (88.7 percent versus 38.3 percent; p = 0.001). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses demonstrated that composite resections were not significantly associated with a higher rate of surgical, medical, or overall complications. Multivariate logistic regression analysis of composite resection subgroup demonstrated that flap separation of the spinal cord from the intrapleural space was protective against complications (OR, 0.22; 95 percent CI, 0.05 to 0.81; p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the large defect size in composite resection patients, there was no increase in complications compared to thoracic spine patients. In composite resection patients, separating the exposed spinal cord from the intrapleural space with well-vascularized soft tissue was protective against complications. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, II.

11-year experience with Chest Wall resection and reconstruction for primary Chest Wall sarcomas.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Primary chest wall sarcomas are rare and therapeutically challenging tumors. Herein we report the outcomes of a surgery-based multimodality therapy for these pathologies over an 11-year period. In addition, we present a case that illustrates the surgical challenges that extensive chest wall resection may pose. METHODS: Using the Society of Thoracic Surgeons general thoracic surgery database, we have prospectively collected data in our institute on all patients undergoing chest wall resection and reconstruction for primary chest wall sarcomas between June 2008-October 2019. RESULTS: We performed 28 surgical procedures on 25 patients aged 5 to 91 years (median age 33). Eleven tumors were bone- and cartilage-derived and 14 tumors originated from soft tissue elements. Seven patients (7/25, 28%) received neo-adjuvant therapy and 14 patients (14/25, 56%) received adjuvant therapy. The median number of ribs that were resected was 2.5 (range 0 to 6). In 18/28 (64%) of surgeries, additional skeletal or visceral organs were removed, including: diaphragm [1], scapula [2], sternum [2], lung [2], vertebra [1], clavicle [1] and colon [1]. Chest wall reconstruction was deemed necessary in 16/28 (57%) of cases, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Gore-Tex patches was used in 13/28 (46%) of cases and biological flaps where used in 4/28 (14%) of cases. R0, R1 and R2 resection margins were achieved in 19/28 (68%), 9/28 (32%) and 0/28 (0%) of cases, respectively. The median follow up time was 33 months (range 2 to 138). During the study period, disease recurred in 8/25 (32%) of patients. Of these, 3 were re-operated on and are free of disease. At date of last follow up, 5/25 (20%) of patients have died due to their disease and in contrast, 20/25 (80%) were alive with no evidence of disease. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery-based multimodality therapy is an effective treatment approach for primary chest wall sarcomas. Resection of additional skeletal or visceral organs and reconstruction with synthetic and/or biological flaps is often required in order to obtain R0 resection margins. Ultimately, long-term survival in this clinical scenario is an achievable goal.

Case of Video-Assisted Thoracoplasty Application in Pulmonary Tuberculosis Treatment.

A patient with extensive fibrocavitary pulmonary tuberculosis and extensively drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis underwent bilateral video-assisted thoracic surgery thoracoplasty. An examination 4 years post-surgery revealed that the patient was in a satisfactory condition and able-bodied. We performed surgery according to our proposed video-assisted thoracic surgery thoracoplasty technique. In the postoperative period, we noted early patient symptoms, including significantly less-pronounced pain than with standard incisions, the absence of limitations in upper limb mobility, and the absence of gross chest deformation. Permanent surgical collapse sufficient for closing cavities and the elimination of bacilli were achieved and confirmed with a computed tomography scan.

Successful bilateral lung transplantation and simultaneous Nuss technique correction of pectus excavatum post-allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation has aroused clinical concern. We describe a case of a 39-year-old female patient diagnosed as bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome and concomitant pectus excavatum with a Haller index of 3.32. The patient received bilateral lung transplantation and simultaneously underwent Nuss surgery via bilateral anterolateral thoracotomies with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. The bar was removed 2 years after transplantation, and the patient has been stable in the past 4 years with haematological remission and satisfactory lung function.