Predictive factors of difficulty of thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the left decubitus position.

BACKGROUND: We have sometimes experienced technical difficulty performing thoracoscopic esophagectomy because of the position of the descending aorta or width of the mediastinal space. In this study, we retrospectively investigated predictive preoperative factors that influence the procedure of thoracoscopic esophagectomy with a focus on the position of the descending aorta and width of the mediastinal space. METHODS: Ninety-five patients who underwent thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer by two specialists were included in this study. Thirty patients in whom both the operation time and blood loss in the thoracic region exceeded the median were categorized to the difficult group. The remaining 65 patients were categorized into the common group. During the evaluation of the position of the descending aorta, we measured the aorta-vertebra angle at the level of the left inferior pulmonary vein. During the evaluation of the width of the mediastinal space, we measured the sternum-vertebra distance at the level of the tracheal bifurcation. RESULTS: A forward stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed the following independent predictive factors of the technical difficulty of thoracoscopic esophagectomy: aorta-vertebra angle (≥ 30°), sternum-vertebra distance (< 100 mm), and clinical T stage (T3). CONCLUSIONS: The position of the descending aorta, width of the mediastinal space, and clinical T stage are predictive factors of the technical difficulty of thoracoscopic esophagectomy. These factors might become supporting indices for the indication for thoracoscopic esophagectomy among trainees or the surgeons who introduce this procedure.

Hypercalcaemia caused by active pulmonary tuberculosis in an elderly person without fever or pulmonary symptoms.

Many diseases can cause hypercalcaemia, including primary hyperparathyroidism, cancer, drugs and granulomatous diseases. A nursing home resident aged 81 years was admitted because of altered mental status. The patient did not have fever, cough, sputum or night sweat. Hypercalcaemia was identified as a cause of the consciousness disturbance. Chest radiograph showed no acute process. Laboratory workups revealed elevated serum levels of 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3 and positive T-spot test. Microscopic examination of the suctioned sputum identified acid-fast bacilli, which was confirmed as Mycobactrium tuberculsosis Tuberculosis should be considered as the important cause of hypercalcaemia since early diagnosis and treatment is recommended for preventing its outbreak among people with close contacts with patients.