Factors affecting early and long-term outcomes after completion pneumonectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors that affect operative mortality and morbidity and long-term survival after completion pneumonectomy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of consecutive patients who underwent completion pneumonectomy at our cardiothoracic surgery department from January 1996 to December 2005. RESULTS: We identified 69 patients, who accounted for 17.8% of all pneumonectomies during the study period; 22 had benign disease and 47 malignant disease (second primary lung cancer, n=19; local recurrence, n=17; or metastasis, n=11). There were 50 males and 19 females with a mean age of 60 years (range, 29-80 years). Postoperative mortality was 12% and postoperative morbidity 41%. Factors associated with postoperative mortality included obesity (p=0.005), coronary artery disease (p=0.03), removal of the right lung (p=0.02), advanced age (p=0.02), and renal failure (p<0.0001). Preoperative renal failure was the only significant risk factor for mortality by multivariate analysis (p=0.036). Bronchopleural fistula developed in seven patients (10%), with risk factors being removal of the right lung (p=0.04) and mechanical stump closure (p=0.03). Overall survival was 65% after 3 years and 46% after 5 years. Long-term survival was not affected by the reason for completion pneumonectomy. CONCLUSION: Although long-term survival was acceptable, postoperative mortality and morbidity rates remained high, confirming the reputation of completion pneumonectomy as a challenging procedure. Significant comorbidities and removal of the right lung were the main risk factors for postoperative mortality. Improved patient selection and better management of preoperative renal failure may improve the postoperative outcomes of this procedure, which offers a chance for prolonged survival.

Autologous Tracheal Replacement: Surgical Technique and Outcomes.

Finding a good and durable substitute to trachea and proximal airways has remained the holy grail for thoracic surgeons for many decades. Autologous tracheal reconstruction using armed forearm free flap with rib cartilage achieved satisfactory results in managing extended tracheal lesions without the need for synthetic materials or immunosuppression. This well-vascularized and rigid neo trachea limits postoperative airway collapse, mediastinal infection, and ischemic airway issues, and achieves long-term functional benefit and prolonged survival. Further improvement is needed to deal with the lack of mucociliary clearance for longer airway replacement involving trachea and bronchial bifurcation.

Two cases of intra-pericardial tumors arising from the ascending aorta in adults.

Two female patients aged 64 and 50 years, who had intra-pericardial tumors arising from the ascending aorta, are reported. Both patients were admitted with mediastinal mass. Surgery was performed by median sternotomy with complete excision. Histology revealed teratoma and ectopic thyroid. Tumors arising from the ascending aorta are very rare and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of the mediastinal masses.

Morbidity, mortality, and long-term survival after sleeve lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Sleeve lobectomy is a widely accepted procedure for central tumors for which the alternative is pneumonectomy. The purpose of this study is to assess operative mortality, morbidity, and long-term results of sleeve lobectomies performed for non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). METHODS: A retrospective review of 218 patients who underwent sleeve lobectomy for NSCLC between 1981 and 2005 was undertaken. There were 186 (85%) men and 32 women with a mean age of 61.9 years (range, 19-82 years). Eighty patients (36.6%) had a preoperative contraindication to pneumonectomy. Right upper lobectomy was the most common operation (45.4%). Vascular sleeve resection was performed in 28 patients (12.8%) and was commonly associated with left upper lobectomy (n=20; 9.1%; p=0.0001). The histologic type was predominantly squamous cell carcinoma (n=164; 75%), followed by adenocarcinoma (n=46; 21%). Resection was incomplete in nine (4.1%) patients. RESULTS: There were nine operative deaths; the operative mortality and the morbidity rates were 4.1% and 22.9%, respectively. A total of 14 (6.4%) patients presented with bronchial anastomotic complications: two were fatal postoperatively, seven patients required reoperation, three required a stent insertion, and two were managed conservatively. Multivariate analysis showed that compromised patients (p=0.001), current smoking (p=0.01), right sided resections (p=0.003), bilobectomy (p=0.03), squamous cell carcinoma (p=0.03), and presence of N1 or N2 disease (p=0.01) were risk factors for mortality and morbidity. Follow-up was complete in 208 patients (95.4%). Overall 5-year and 10-year survival rates were 53% and 28.6%, respectively. After complete resection, recurrence was local in 10 patients, mediastinal in 20, and distant in 25. By multivariate analysis, two factors significantly and independently influenced survival: nodal status (N0-N1 vs N2; p=0.01) and the stage of the lung cancer (stage I-II vs III, p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: For patients with NSCLC, sleeve lobectomy achieves local tumor control, even in patients with preoperative contraindication to pneumonectomy and is associated with low mortality and bronchial anastomotic complication rates. Postoperative complications are higher in compromised patients, smokers, N disease, right sided resections, bilobectomies, and squamous cell cancers. The presence of N2 disease and stage III significantly worsen the prognosis.

Operability assessment in CTEPH: Lessons from the CHEST-1 study.

Pulmonary endarterectomy is the gold standard treatment for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension and is potentially curative, although some patients are unsuitable for pulmonary endarterectomy and require alternative management. Lack of standardized assessment of pulmonary endarterectomy eligibility risks suboptimal treatment in some patients. We discuss the implications for future clinical trials and practice of a unique operability assessment in patients who have chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension and were initially screened for inclusion in the CHEST-1 (Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension Soluble Guanylate Cyclase Stimulator Trial-1) study. The CHEST-1 study evaluated riociguat for the treatment of inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) or persistent/recurrent pulmonary hypertension after pulmonary endarterectomy. Screened patients who were initially considered "inoperable" underwent central independent adjudication by a committee of experienced surgeons, or local adjudication in collaboration with an experienced surgeon. Operability decisions were based on accessibility of thrombi and the association between pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and the extent of obstruction, using pulmonary angiography/computed tomography with ventilation/perfusion scintigraphy as the minimum diagnostic tests. Of 446 patients screened for CHEST-1, a total of 188 and 124 underwent central and local adjudication, respectively, after being initially considered to be "inoperable." After a second assessment by an experienced surgeon, 69 of these 312 "inoperable" patients were deemed operable. Rigorous measures in CHEST-1 guaranteed that only technically inoperable patients, or patients who had persistent/recurrent pulmonary hypertension, were enrolled, thus ensuring that only patients for whom surgery was not an option were enrolled. This study design sets new standards for future clinical trials and practice in CTEPH, helping to ensure that patients who have CTEPH receive optimal treatment.

Subclavian artery resection and reconstruction for thoracic inlet neoplasms.

BACKGROUND: To update the long-term outcomes after subclavian artery (SA) resection and reconstruction during surgery for thoracic inlet (TI) cancer through the anterior transclavicular approach. METHODS: Between 1985 and 2014, 85 patients (60 men and 25 women; mean age, 52 years) underwent en bloc resection of thoracic-inlet non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (n=69), sarcoma (n=11), breast carcinoma (n=3) or thyroid carcinoma (n=2) involving the SA. L-shaped transclavicular cervicothoracotomy was performed, with posterolateral thoracotomy in 18 patients or a posterior midline approach in 15 patients. Resection extended to the chest wall (>2 ribs, n=60), lung (n=76), and spine (n=15). Revascularization was by end-to-end anastomosis (n=48), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft interposition (n=28), subclavian-to-common carotid artery transposition (n=8), or grafting of the autologous superficial femoral artery in an anterolateral thigh free flap (n=1). Complete R0 resection was achieved in 75 patients and microscopic R1 resection in 10 patients. Postoperative radiation therapy was given to 51 patients. RESULTS: There were no cases of postoperative death, neurological sequelae, graft infection or occlusion, or limb ischemia. Postoperative morbidity consisted of pneumonia (n=16), phrenic nerve palsy (n=2), recurrent nerve palsy (n=4), bleeding (n=4), acute pulmonary embolism (n=1), cerebrospinal fluid leakage (n=1), chylothorax (n=1), and wound infection (n=2). Five-year survival and disease-free survival rates were 32% and 22%, respectively. Long-term survival was not observed after R1 resection. CONCLUSIONS: Subclavian arteries invaded by TI malignancies can be safely resected and reconstructed through the anterior transclavicular approach, with good long-term survival provided complete R0 resection is achieved.

Autologous tracheal replacement for cancer.

Surgical research has failed during fifty years to find an ideal substitute for the trachea after extended resection. All the prostheses could erode the adjacent structures or lead to infection or obstructive issues. Innovation in surgery development has been improved using novel techniques of plastic surgery. During the last ten years, we have developed a technique using free fasciocutaneous flaps. This allows us to construct tubes for tracheal replacement. The most accurate flap used for this technique is the forearm free flap (FFF). Reinforcement of the flap with autologous strips of cartilage harvested from the last ribs offers sufficient resistance to respiratory pressure. This technique is also completely autologous without any stent in the tracheal lumen. From 2004 to 2015 we have already reconstructed the trachea of 16 patients for 12 primary tracheal neoplasms [including 9 adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and 3 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)], 3 secondary tracheal Neoplasms and one for benign lesion. This article describes the indications, determination of resectability, patient selection, subheading for surgery, postoperative management and results of this technique.

Heterotopic en bloc tracheobronchial transplantation with direct revascularization in pigs.

OBJECTIVE: This article describes the application of a novel aortic tube technique for directly revascularized tracheobronchial transplantation with dual blood supply in pigs. METHODS: Eleven adult Large White pigs underwent heterotopic tracheal transplantation with a dual revascularization technique (inferior thyroid artery and bronchial artery). Seven tracheobronchial grafts were perfused ex vivo, and hemodynamic data were collected. RESULTS: At the last evaluation, 6 pigs had normally epithelialized mucus-producing allografts with correct morphologic conformation and cartilage viability. The histopathologic examination revealed homogeneous tissue regardless of biopsy site (trachea, carina, or bronchi), demonstrating the efficacy of the revascularization procedure. Four animals had early ischemic necrosis develop, 2 from acute rejection and 2 from technical mishap. One additional pig had acute rejection starting on the 14th postoperative day. The CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio was maintained close to or above 0.8 in the subgroup with rejection and below 0.6 in the animals that were correctly immunosuppressed. Pressure-flow curves in 7 ex vivo tracheobronchial grafts showed a nonsignificant difference (P <.12) in vascular resistance between the bronchial artery territory (lower resistance) and the inferior thyroid artery territory. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, a transplantation technique encompassing the entire trachea, carina, and stem bronchi has been made possible. By means of the dual inferior thyroid and bronchial artery axis, we were able to obtain a structurally healthy and functional graft to replace the main airway.

Sleeve lobectomy for bronchogenic cancers: factors affecting survival.

BACKGROUND: Sleeve lobectomy is a parenchyma-sparing procedure that is particularly valuable in patients with cardiac or pulmonary contraindications to pneumonectomy. The purpose of this study is to report our experience with sleeve lobectomy for bronchogenic cancer and to investigate factors associated with long-term survival. METHODS: Between January 1981 and June 2001, 169 patients underwent sleeve lobectomy for non-small-cell lung cancer (n = 139) or carcinoid tumor (n = 30), including 61 with a preoperative contraindication to pneumonectomy. Mean age was 59 +/- 14 years (range, 19 to 82 years). Vascular sleeve resection was performed in 11 patients. The remaining bronchial stump contained microscopic disease in 7 patients. RESULTS: Major bronchial anastomotic complications occurred in 6 (3.6%) patients: one was fatal postoperatively, three required reoperation, and two were managed conservatively. In the non-small-cell lung cancer group, operative mortality was 2.9% (4 of 139), and overall 5-year and 10-year survival rates were 52% and 28%, respectively. Six patients experienced local recurrence after complete resection. By multivariate analysis, two factors significantly and independently influenced survival: nodal status (N0 or N1 versus N2; p = 0.01) and microscopic invasion of the bronchial stump (p = 0.02). In the carcinoid tumor group, there were no operative deaths, and overall 5-year and 10-year survival rates were 100% and 92%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Sleeve lobectomy achieves local tumor control and is associated with low mortality and bronchial anastomotic complication rates. Long-term survival is excellent for carcinoid tumors. For patients with non-small-cell lung cancer, N2 disease or incomplete resection is associated with a worse prognosis; outcome is not affected by presence of a preoperative contraindication to pneumonectomy.

Sternal resection and reconstruction for primary malignant tumors.

BACKGROUND: Primary malignant sternal tumors (PMST) are locally aggressive and their optimal surgical management still continues to evolve. METHODS: From 1986 to 2002, 38 patients (25 females/13 males) underwent radical resection of PMST. This series included 33 sarcomas, 17 of which had been radiation-induced, 3 hematologic tumors, and 2 carcinomas. Seventeen were high-grade tumors. Nine patients had received preoperative chemotherapy. Twelve patients required extensive skin excision. Eight total, seven subtotal, and 23 partial sternectomies were performed. Resection was extended to the anterior chest-wall in 4 patients, lung in 4, brachiocephalic vein in 3, superior vena cava in 2, and pericardium in 1. In 36 patients, chest wall stability was obtained by Marlex (n = 21) or Vicryl (n = 2) mesh and polytetrafluoroethylene patch (n = 13), with methylmethacrylate reinforcement in 12 patients. Soft tissue coverage was done by the pectoralis major muscles with skin advancement in 25 patients, a myocutaneous flap in 11, a breast transposition in 1, and a skin flap in 1. Omentoplasty was performed in 3 patients. RESULTS: One patient died from pneumonia. Two patients needed a tracheostomy after total sternectomy. No flap-related complication was observed. Four local septic complications required removal of the composite prosthesis with reoperations. Local recurrence occurred in 9 patients, 7 patients having a repeat resection. Metastases developed in eight. The 5-year overall and disease-free survival was 66% and 53%, respectively. The histologic grade of sarcomas was a survival predictor (high grade versus others p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Wide resection of PMST is necessary to minimize local recurrence. Large sternal defects are safely reconstructed with a musculocutaneous flap. We suggest that the use of methylmethacrylate should be limited to reconstruction after total sternectomy.

Surgical management of malignant tumours invading the inferior vena cava.

OBJECTIVES: The management of malignant tumours invading the inferior vena cava (IVC) generally requires a high-risk surgery with low long-term benefits. Surgical treatment with resection and/or embolectomy of the IVC may, however, be beneficial in selected patients. We describe our experience with regard to patient selection, operative technique and outcomes through a standardized and simplified approach. METHODS: Between 1996 and 2012, 37 patients underwent extended resection of malignant tumours invading the IVC. Tumour infiltration was located at the hepatic and suprahepatic segment in 23 patients (62%), the renal segment in 6 (16%), and the infrarenal segment in 8 (24%). Fourteen patients (38%) had right heart involvement, of whom 5 had a tumour thrombus located in the pulmonary arteries (PA). RESULTS: All the patients underwent a median laparotomy. A sternotomy with full liver mobilization was performed for tumours involving the PA, or the retrohepatic or supradiaphragmatic IVC. Cardiopulmonary bypass was performed in 15 patients (41%), with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) in 5 (14%). The 30-day mortality rate was 5.4%. The 1-, 5- and 10-year survival rates were 68.1, 45.7 and 40%, respectively, with a median survival of 18 months. Incomplete resection (R1 or R2) was the only parameter found to have a significant negative effect on survival (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Radical resection of malignant tumours invading the IVC is feasible in carefully selected patients and may require CPB with or without DHCA. Morbidity and mortality are low and the survival rates acceptable, particularly in patients with complete resection of the tumour.

A paradigm shift for sternal reconstruction using a novel titanium rib bridge system following oncological resections.

OBJECTIVES: The postoperative course following sternectomy for cancer carries significant morbidity due to paradoxical breathing, pulmonary infections and infectious complications. The purpose of this report is to evaluate the outcomes in patients undergoing sternal reconstruction using an innovative titanium rib bridge system (STRATOS). METHODS: From 2008 to 2011, 24 patients underwent sternectomy with a titanium rib bridge system reconstruction. Soft coverage tissue was performed concurrently using a prosthetic mesh and pedicled or free flaps. Postoperative data were collected prospectively. RESULTS: The median age was 56 (31-85 years). The indications for sternal resection were primary sarcoma (n = 4), metastasis (n = 15) and radiation-induced sarcoma (n = 5). Twenty-one subtotal and three total sternectomies were performed. Resection margins included the anterior rib (n = 13, mean: 2/patient), clavicles (n = 9), breast (n = 4), superior vena cava (n = 1), pericardium (n = 5), phrenic nerve (n = 4), lung (n = 6) and diaphragm (n = 1). The stability of the chest wall typically required an average of two titanium bars and rib clips per patient. There was no perioperative mortality. Twenty-three patients were extubated within the first 24 h. The mean intensive care unit and hospital stay was 3.5 and 14 days, respectively. Wound infection did occur in one patient but did not require the removal of the titanium rib system. The postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 s did not differ significantly from the preoperative status (P = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: After sternectomy for cancer, reconstruction with a titanium rib bridge system has low morbidity and permits a rapid return to baseline pulmonary mechanics.

Long-term outcome of pleuropneumonectomy for Masaoka stage IVa thymoma.

OBJECTIVE: Because pleuropneumonectomy is associated with a high mortality rate, its indication for the treatment of Masaoka stage IVa thymoma is debated. We reviewed retrospectively our single-center experience in order to determine if the benefits warrant the risk of such procedure. METHODS: Between 1970 and 2009, 17 patients (12 men and 5 women) with a mean age of 44 years (range, 25-62 years) underwent a pleuropneumonectomy for a Masaoka stage IVa thymoma in our institution. Eight patients had recurrent thymoma after a mean postoperative period of 47 ± 28 months, and nine patients presented de novo with stage IVa disease. A multimodality treatment including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or both was performed in 14 (82%) patients. RESULTS: Eight patients (47%) experienced a major postoperative complication, including four broncho-pleural fistulae (23%). There were no operative deaths and the 30-day mortality was 17.6% (3/17). But two patients died at 2 and 3 months, increasing the postoperative mortality to 29.4% (5/17). Complete resection was achieved in 11 (65%) patients. By univariate analysis, myasthenia gravis was the only risk factor for broncho-pleural fistulae. With a median survival of 76 months and median follow-up of 59 months (range, 1-262 months), 5-year and 10-year survivals were 60% and 30%, respectively. During follow-up, a recurrence occurred in two patients at 26 and 87 months, respectively, which was treated medically without success. CONCLUSIONS: Pleuropneumonectomy for Masaoka stage IVa thymoma is associated with a high morbid-mortality rate. However, included in a multimodality strategy and in highly selected patients this procedure may provide good long-term survival.

Giant aneurysmal dilation of an intralobar pulmonary sequestration artery.

Bronchopulmonar intralobar sequestrations receive their arterial blood supply through anomalous arteries from the systemic circulation. Usually the lumen of the aberrant artery can be oversized, but it is unusual to find a true arterial aneurysm. Here, we report a case of a 40-year-old woman with this unusual evolution. Because of the potential risk of rupture, she was treated with a lobectomy associated with a resection of the aneurysm.

Complete resection of pulmonary inflammatory pseudotumors has excellent long-term prognosis.

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary inflammatory pseudotumor is an uncommon disease, often with a benign presentation. However, invasion of adjacent thoracic organs, local recurrence, and distant metastases have been described, and the best management strategy remains unclear. We present a single large institutional experience in patients with pulmonary inflammatory pseudotumor and propose guidelines for treatment of this patient population. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed to review all patients who underwent resection for pulmonary inflammatory pseudotumor between 1974 and 2007. RESULTS: A total of 25 patients were treated with pulmonary inflammatory pseudotumor at the Marie Lannelongue Hospital. The mean age was 33 years. Two patients were referred after an incomplete resection. One patient presented with cerebral metastasis. We performed a complete resection in all patients: wedge resection (n = 7), lobectomy (n = 6), sleeve arterial lobectomy (n = 1), lobectomy with thoracic inlet exenteration (n = 2), bilobectomy (n = 2), pneumonectomy with brain metastasectomy (n = 1), sleeve pneumonectomy (n = 2), sleeve main bronchus or tracheal resection (n = 2), wedge with sleeve main pulmonary artery resections (n = 1), and sleeve pneumonectomy with esophageal, aortic arch, and right pulmonary artery resection (n = 1). No adjuvant therapy was given to any patients. Postoperative 30-day mortality and morbidity rates were 4% and 8%, respectively. With a mean follow-up of 80 months (range 4-369 months, 100% follow-up), actuarial 10-year survival was 89%. One patient died of an extensive sarcomatous recurrence 2 years after surgery. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary inflammatory pseudotumor is a malignant disease affecting young patients with local invasion, distant metastasis, local recurrence, and sarcomatous degeneration. A complete resection should always be performed at initial presentation because of its high likelihood of cure with aggressive management.

Composite cervical skin and cartilage flap provides a novel large airway substitute after long-segment tracheal resection.

OBJECTIVE: Airway replacement after long-segment tracheal resection for benign and malignant disease remains a challenging problem because of the lack of a substitute conduit. Ideally, an airway substitute should be well vascularized, rigid, and autologous to avoid infections, airway stenosis, and the need for immunosuppression. We report the development of an autologous tracheal substitute for long-segment tracheal resection that satisfies these criteria and demonstrates excellent short-term functional results in a large-animal study. METHODS: Twelve adult pigs underwent long-segment (6 cm, 60% of total length) tracheal resection. Autologous costal cartilage strips measuring 6 cm x 2 mm were harvested from the chest wall and inserted at regular 0.5-cm intervals between dermal layers of a cervical skin flap. The neotrachea was then scaffolded by rotating the composite cartilage skin flap around a silicone stent measuring 6 cm in length and 1.4 cm in diameter. The neotrachea replaced the long segment of tracheal resection, and the donor flap site was closed with a double-Z plasty. Animals were killed at 1 week (group I, n = 4), 2 weeks (group II, n = 4), and 5 weeks (group III, n = 4). In group III the stent was removed 1 week before death. Viability of the neotrachea was monitored by means of daily flexible bronchoscopy and histologic examination at autopsy. Long-term morbidity and mortality were determined by monitoring weight gain, respiratory distress, and survival. RESULTS: There was no mortality during the study period. Weight gain was appropriate in all animals. Daily bronchoscopy and postmortem histologic evaluation confirmed excellent viability of the neotrachea. There was no evidence of suture-line dehiscence. Five animals had distal granulomas that were removed by using rigid bronchoscopy. In group III 1 animal had tracheomalacia, which was successfully managed by means of insertion of a silicon stent. CONCLUSION: Airway reconstruction with autologous cervical skin flaps scaffolded with costal cartilages is a novel approach to replace long segments of resected trachea. This preliminary study demonstrates excellent respiratory function and survival in large animals undergoing resection of more than 50% of their native trachea. Use of cervical skin flaps buttressed with costal cartilage is a promising solution for long-segment tracheal replacement.

Interventional and surgical modalities of treatment in pulmonary hypertension.

Most patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension are operable, and pulmonary endarterectomy is the treatment of choice. Pulmonary endarterectomy should not be delayed for medical therapy, and risk stratification helps to define patients likely to achieve the best outcome. Inoperable patients should be referred for trials of medical agents. Atrial septostomy is promising but underutilized, although better ways of ensuring an adequate, lasting septostomy still need to be determined. Indications for the procedure are unchanged, and it should be considered more frequently. Bilateral sequential lung or heart-lung transplantation is an important option for selected patients, and potential candidates who are class IV or III but not improving should be referred early to a transplantation center. Currently, there is a need for right ventricular assist devices with flow characteristics suited to the circulation of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Right ventricular synchronization therapy has not yet been tested. Novel shunts (e.g., Potts anastomosis) also hold promise. All surgery for pulmonary hypertension should be performed in centers with experience in these techniques.

Results of primary surgery with T4 non-small cell lung cancer during a 25-year period in a single center: the benefit is worth the risk.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess operative mortality, morbidity, and long-term results of patients with surgically resected T4 non-small cell lung carcinoma. METHODS: A retrospective review of 271 patients with T4 non-small cell lung carcinoma between 1981 and 2006 was undertaken. They were divided into four subgroups: 126 patients with superior sulcus tumors, 92 with carinal involvement, 39 with superior vena cava replacement, and 14 with the tumor invading other mediastinal structures. There were 221 men and 50 women with a mean age of 56.3 years. Resection was complete in 249 (92%) patients. The pathologic N status was N0/N1 in 208 and N2/N3/M1 in 63 patients. RESULTS: Operative mortality and morbidity rates were 4% and 35%, respectively. Overall 5-year survival rate was 38.4%. It was 36.6% for superior sulcus tumor, 42.5% for carinal involvement, 29.4% for superior vena cava replacement, and 61.2% for mediastinal group. By multivariate analysis, only three factors influenced survival: nodal status (N0/N1 versus N2/3/M1; 43% versus 17.7% at 5 years, respectively; p = 0.01), complete resection (R0 versus R1; 40.4% versus 15,9%, respectively; p = 0.006), and invasion of the subclavian artery (with versus without invasion; 24.9% versus 41.7%, respectively, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In highly qualified centers, radical surgery of T4 N0/N1 non-small cell lung carcinoma can be performed with a 4% mortality rate and may yield a 43% 5-year survival rate. These results seem to indicate primary surgery as the treatment of choice for T4 non-small cell lung carcinoma, whenever a complete resection is thought to be technically feasible and the patient's condition is compatible with the extent of the planned surgery.

Tracheal compression caused by straight back syndrome, chest wall deformity, and anterior spinal displacement: techniques for relief.

BACKGROUND: Straight back syndrome and other causes of extreme narrowing of the space between sternal notch and vertebrae can cause critical tracheal obstruction. Additional points of compression may result from the brachiocephalic artery and from anterior vertebral displacement. METHODS: Individualized surgical maneuvers are necessary to correct all points of obstruction. Techniques include sternoplasty, sternal division, reimplantation of brachiocephalic artery, correction of severe pectus excavatum, and posterior wall tracheoplasty. RESULTS: Four patients were successfully treated by individualized techniques with complete long-term relief of critical tracheal obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Severe tracheal compression caused by straight back syndrome and other causes of narrowed sternospinal channel is surgically correctable.