[Surgery for Flail Chest with Titanium Plates after Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation;Report of a Case].

A 74-year-old woman was admitted for the management of nausea with hyponatremia. On the 19th day of hospitalization, the patient developed cardiac arrest and needed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). CPR was successful but the patient developed multiple rib fractures with flail chest by CPR. Because of persistent dyspnea, surgery for fixing of the fractured ribs was performed using 4 titanium plates, with prompt improvement of the flail chest after the operation.

[Echographic Examination for Leg Vein Thromboembolism in Thoracic Surgery].

Echographic examination for leg vein thromboembolism was carried out in 123 patients scheduled for thoracic surgery. Preventive measures for thromboembolism were conducted after the risk assessment. Echography was done after surgery in 72 cases, most of which were cases of lung malignant tumors, and thromboembolism was detected in 4 cases. Thus, the incidence rate of venous thromboembolism was 5.6%( 4/72). There was no patients who developed pulmonary thromboembolism during the examination period, suggesting reasonable risk assessment and preventive measures in our procedure.

[Examination of the postoperative change of pedicled pericardial fat pad for reinforcement of bronchial sutures by computed tomography].

A pedicled pericardial fat pad (PPFP) is often used in pulmonary resection to reinforce bronchial sutures. Here, we assessed the significance of PPFP by serial chest computed tomography (CT). Ten cases in which bronchial stump were covered with a PPFP in the past 6 years were reviewed. The procedures were pneumonectomy (3), lobectomy (6), and a segmentectomy. According to the CT value evaluated serially PPFP was recognized as fat tissue until 1~2 postoperative months. No cases of bronchopleural fistulae was encountered in this series. The coverage of the sutures with the PPFP was thought to contribute to the prevention of bronchial fistula by staying around bronchial stump for at least 1 to 2 months.

Feasibility and safety of postoperative management without chest tube placement after thoracoscopic wedge resection of the lung.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to assess the feasibility and safety of several improved criteria to avoid chest tube placement after thoracoscopic wedge resection of the lung. METHODS: From 2000 to 2009, 333 patients who underwent thoracoscopic wedge resections of the lung were reviewed. The patients were classified into two groups: (1) the no chest tube group (NCT), consisting of 132 patients in whom chest tubes were not placed because no air leakage or bleeding during intraoperative alternative sealing test was confirmed, and (2) the chest tube placement (CTP) group, consisting of 201 patients in whom chest tubes were placed because the criteria for the nonplacement of a chest tube were not met. The clinical data and postoperative morbidity were assessed between the two groups. RESULTS: The number of specimens (1.3 vs 1.5) and the endostapler cartridges used (2.5 vs 3.3), and the duration of the postoperative hospital stay (4.6 vs 6.7 days) in the NCT group were significantly lower than in the CTP group. One patient from the NCT group required chest tube insertion due to the development of late pneumothorax. However, no significant differences were found between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our improved criteria are therefore considered to positively contribute to a safe and definite clinical decision regarding postoperative patient management.

[Extirpation of a thrombus during pulmonary metastasectomy in a patient with chronic pulmonary thromboembolism].

A 57-year-old woman with chronic pulmonary thromboembolism was diagnosed to have metastatic lung tumors 6 months after an operation performed for colon cancer. There were no respiratory symptoms associated with the pulmonary thromboembolism. Computed tomography showed 2 pulmonary masses in the right middle and lower lobes, and a thrombus in the inferior trunk of the right pulmonary artery. Excision of the 2 pulmonary metastases was performed and the thrombus in the pulmonary artery was also removed at the same time. Partial improvement of the pulmonary blood flow was observed in the postoperative pulmonary scintigram. Chronic pulmonary thromboembolism without respiratory symptoms is not usually an indication for extirpation of thrombus. However, incidental extirpation of a pulmonary thrombus at the time of other pulmonary surgery should be considered, as it may yield an improvement of the pulmonary blood flow.

[Nuss repair for pectus excavatum; procedure devices and midterm results].

Minimally invasive surgery (Nuss procedure) is being accepted rapidly as a preferred method for pectus excavatum repair. This report describes single institution experience with the Nuss procedure. Patient records were reviewed for retrospective analysis. One hundred eighteen patients with pectus excavatum underwent repair by Nuss procedure. The patient age ranged in age from 4 to 20 years (average, 11 years). There were 84 males and 34 females. All patients have been completed the procedure without any intraoperative complications. The operating times ranged from 35 to 201 minutes (average, 74 minutes). Complications were pleural effusion in 4.2%, wound infection in 5.9% and displacement of the steel bar requiring revision in 5.1%. A 3-point fixation system minimized the risk of bar shifting. The minimally invasive technique has evolved into an effective method of pectus excavatum repair. Mid-term results continue to be excellent.

Is video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery a feasible approach for clinical N0 and postoperatively pathological N2 non-small cell lung cancer?

OBJECTIVE: It remains controversial whether video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) major pulmonary resection (VMPR) with systematic node dissection (SND) is a feasible approach for clinical N0 and pathological N2 non-small cell lung cancer (cN0-pN2 NSCLC). We compared the clinical outcome of patients who underwent VMPR with SND for cN0-pN2 NSCLC with the outcome of patients who underwent MPR with SND by thoracotomy. We conducted this study to determine the feasibility of VMPR for cN0 and pN2 NSCLC patients and intraoperative node staging by node sampling. METHODS: Between 1997 and 2006, 770 patients underwent MPR with SND for NSCLC, wherein 450 patients had VMPR and 320 were subjected to open thoracotomy. There were 673 clinical N0 patients. Among them, we retrospectively reviewed 69 patients (10.3%) with cN0-pN2 NSCLC of which the greatest tumor dimension ranged from 20 to 50mm. These patients were divided into two groups: 37 patients under group V, who underwent VMPR, and 32 patients under group T, who underwent MPR by thoracotomy, for cN0-pN2 NSCLC. The majority of the patients underwent postoperative chemotherapy. RESULTS: There were no differences between the two groups regarding preoperative data or the number of nodes dissected. The rate of nodal metastasis (number of metastatic nodes/number of dissected nodes) was similar between the two groups (group V vs group T, 0.24 vs 0.24 in total nodes dissected, 0.24 vs 0.23 in mediastinal nodes dissected). The 3-year and 5-year recurrence-free survivals were similar (60.9% vs 49.6% and 60.9% vs 49.6%), as well. Most of the pattern of recurrence was due to remote metastasis. In like manner, the 3-year and 5-year survivals were similar (67.6% vs 57.7% and 45.4% vs 41.1%). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that VMPR with SND is a feasible surgical therapy for cN0-pN2 NSCLC without loss of curability. It is unnecessary to convert the VATS approach to thoracotomy in order to do SND even if pN2 disease is revealed during VMPR.

Repair of ventricular septal perforation with asymmetrical conical patch exclusion.

We report a case of repair of the postinfarction ventricular septal perforation (VSP), using an equine pericardium tailored in an asymmetrical conical shape for exclusion (modified sack technique) and an additional direct patch closure of VSP. An asymmetrical conical patch is easily sutured to the normal septum away from the VSP edge by using the longer part of the cone border. The postoperative left ventriculogram 1.5 months after surgery revealed a minor leakage from the patch to the excluded left ventricle. However, no residual left to the right shunt was found in calculation from the oxygen saturation in blood samples. Echocardiography 1 year after surgery showed no residual patch leakage at all. We suggest that this modified sack technique is a simple and easy method by which to exclude the VSP.

Systematic node dissection by VATS is not inferior to that through an open thoracotomy: a comparative clinicopathologic retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Major pulmonary resection with systematic node dissection (SND) for early lung cancer by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is performed in many institutes, but the feasibility of SND for early lung cancer by VATS remains controversial. The aim of this study was to elucidate the feasibility and safety of SND by VATS. METHODS: Three hundred fifty patients with clinical stage I lung cancer who underwent pulmonary major resection with SND between 1998 and 2003 were enrolled in this study. Of these patients, 191 (VATS group) underwent pulmonary resection with SND by VATS; 159 patients (open thoracotomy [OT] group) did so through anterolateral thoracotomy. The clinical and pathologic data, including the number of dissected nodes in each nodal station, of the 2 groups were compared to evaluate the feasibility of SND by VATS. RESULTS: Pathologic data showed that, in the VATS group, more patients had adenocarcinoma (P = .0078) and fewer patients had advanced factors than the OT group. The greatest tumor diameter was 24.5 mm and 29.6 mm in the VATS group and OT group, respectively (P < .0001). The total number of mediastinal nodes dissected in right upper lobectomy plus right middle lobectomy (RUL+RML), right lower lobectomy (RLL), left upper lobectomy (LUL), and lower left lobectomy (LLL) also did not differ between the 2 groups. The total number of mediastinal nodes dissected in RUL+RML, RLL, LUL, and LLL was 19.7 in the VATS group versus 22.0 in the OT group (P = .122), 23.4 versus 21.0 (P = .241), 14.8 versus 17.5 (P = .123), and 18.8 versus 15.8 (P = .202), respectively. The number of dissected nodes in each nodal station in RUL+RML, RLL, LUL, and LLL was similar between the 2 groups. Operative mortality, morbidity, or recurrence did not differ between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: With regard to the number of dissected nodes, SND by VATS was not inferior to that of OT. SND by VATS is technically feasible and safe, and seems acceptable for clinical stage I lung cancer.

Assessment of node dissection for clinical stage I primary lung cancer by VATS.

OBJECTIVE: The feasibility of systematic node dissection (SND) for stage I primary lung cancer by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of SND by VATS. METHODS: Four hundred and eleven patients with clinical stage I primary lung cancer were enrolled in this study. Two hundred and twenty-one patients, VATS group, underwent a major pulmonary resection with SND by VATS through a minithoracotomy (30-70mm) and two access ports; 190 patients, open thoracotomy (OT) group, did so through anterolateral thoracotomy. The two groups were compared regarding clinical data including number of dissected nodes in each nodal station for evaluating the feasibility of SND by VATS. RESULTS: In the right side, the total number (N) of nodes dissected (VATS 31 vs OT 31, P=0.899), N of mediastinal nodes dissected (20 vs 21, P=0.553), and N of dissected nodes in each nodal station were similar between the two groups. In the left side, total N of nodes dissected (28 vs 27, P=0.714), N of mediastinal nodes dissected (16 vs 17, P=0.333), and N of dissected nodes in each nodal station were similar between the two groups. There were three (1.4%) and five (2.6%) operation related deaths in the VATS group and OT group, respectively (P=0.48). Chest tube duration was shorter in the VATS group than the OT group (5.8 vs 7.6 days, P=0.001). The incidences of chylothorax, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and pleural effusion requiring thoracentesis after surgery were similar between the two groups (3 vs 4, P=0.709; 5 vs 3, P=0.480, 3 vs 8, P=0.122). The 5-year actuarial recurrence-free survival rate and cumulative survival rate of pathological stage IA cases were similar between the two groups (88.6 vs 92.4%, P=0.698; 92.9 vs 86.5%, P=0.358). CONCLUSIONS: The SND by VATS was as technically feasible as SND through OT regarding number of dissected nodes and morbidity. It seems acceptable as an oncological treatment for clinical stage I lung cancer.

Node dissection for solitary interlobar node metastasis from renal cell carcinoma by VATS.

We present an unusual case of a patient with a right pulmonary interlobar node metastasis from renal cell carcinoma following nephrectomy. She underwent interlobar node dissection (ND) by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Interlobar ND without lobectomy by VATS has not been reported until now in English literature. The retraction of the right intermediate bronchus is a useful technique during this procedure.

[Pulmonary metastasis from colorectal cancer with hepatic metastasis].

We have investigated cases where pulmonary metastasis from colorectal cancer was resected during the last 15 years, comparing a group with liver metastasis [LM (+)] to a group without liver metastasis [LM (-)]. The following are the characteristics of the LM (+) versus LM (-) groups. Gender: male 6, female 5 versus male 9, female 11, age: 61.4+/-11.4 versus 63.9+/-9.4 years, number of lung metastasis: 1.42 versus 1.29, duration of primary-lung metastasis: 1.59+/-1.02 versus 2.55+/-1.46 years, preoperative CEA: 69.3+/-71.1 versus 8.64+/-5.63 ng/ml, ratio of bilateral lung metastasis: 23.0 versus 4.8%, more than 1 ratio of pulmonary metastasis: 38 versus 19%, complete resection ratio of pulmonary metastasis: 84.6 versus 100%, ratio of thoracoscopic surgery: 69.2 versus 66.7%, and 2-year survival ratio: 63 versus 78%. There were no statistically significant differences in these values between the LM (+) and LM (-) group. A larger number of cases and follow-up duration will be required in the future; we think that the resection of pulmonary metastasis from colorectal cancer with liver metastasis can be supported for the present.

Prognostic factors for myasthenic crisis after transsternal thymectomy in patients with myasthenia gravis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess which clinical features of patients with myasthenia gravis predict postoperative respiratory problems due to myasthenic crisis after transsternal thymectomy. METHODS: One hundred twenty-two patients who underwent transsternal thymectomy in our institute were analyzed retrospectively. Fourteen of those experienced myasthenic crisis and required prolonged (48 hours or more) postoperative mechanical ventilation. The following factors were evaluated: sex, age, body mass index, grade of symptom, disease interval, existence of thymoma, history of preoperative crisis, doses of anticholinesterase drugs, steroid use, pulmonary function, serum anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody, history of pulmonary disease, presence of other disease, operation time, and blood loss. RESULTS: Univariate analysis revealed preoperative bulbar symptoms (odds ratio = 14.246, P =.001), history of preoperative myasthenic crisis (7.091,.018), and preoperative serum level of anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody > 100 nmol/L (4.098,.044) were prognostic factors for postoperative myasthenic crisis. On the other hand, multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed preoperative bulbar symptoms (33.333,.004), preoperative serum level of anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody > 100 nmol/L (7.874,.020), and intraoperative blood loss > 1000 mL (18.519,.048) were prognostic factors for postoperative myasthenic crisis. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, postoperative myasthenic crisis after transsternal thymectomy in 122 patients with myasthenia gravis was affected by the existence of preoperative bulbar symptoms, history of preoperative myasthenic crisis, preoperative serum level of anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody > 100 nmol/L, and intraoperative blood loss > 1000 mL. Meticulous preoperative and postoperative care should be carried out to prevent postoperative myasthenic crisis in patients with these prognostic factors.

Replacement of a thrombosed valve after the Bentall procedure.

A 50-year-old man developed thrombosis in the valve of a Björk-Shiley prosthesis that had been used for composite graft replacement of the aortic valve and ascending aorta 8 years previously. The thrombosed valve was removed, and because of the narrow aortic valve ring, it was replaced using patch enlargement of the aortic annulus without replacement of the conduit.

Traumatic coronary artery dissection.

A 14-year-old boy sustained blunt chest trauma resulting in dissection of the left main coronary artery, postinfarction left ventricular aneurysm, mitral regurgitation, and tricuspid regurgitation. He underwent pericardial patch angioplasty of the left main coronary artery, left ventricular aneurysmectomy, mitral valvuloplasty, and tricuspid annuloplasty. The patient continues to do well 4 years after operation.

Composite graft replacement after aortic valvuloplasty in Takayasu arteritis.

A 24-year-old woman had undergone valvuloplasty of the aortic valve and external reinforcement of an aneurysm of the ascending aorta during the active phase of Takayasu arteritis 1 year prior to admission to our hospital. On examination, she was diagnosed as having a large false aneurysm of the ascending aorta with annuloaortic ectasia and severe aortic regurgitation, bilateral common carotid artery aneurysms with a left internal carotid artery saccular aneurysm, and bilateral subclavian artery and right vertebral artery obstructions due to Takayasu arteritis. Because of the risk of rupture, surgical intervention was carried out in spite of the fact that aortitis was in the active phase.

Aortic root remodeling operation: how do we tailor a tube graft?

BACKGROUND: In aortic root remodeling operation, it is difficult to perform graft sizing and tailor a graft appropriately. Thus the aim of this study was to create guidelines for sizing and tailoring that would help to standardize the operation. METHODS: We studied the anatomy of the aortic root and assessed the reliability of three equations reported to assist in graft sizing with aortic root casts obtained from 127 cadavers. RESULTS: Yacoub's equation and ours accurately predicted the diameter at the sinotubular junction. Three cusps of the aortic valve were not equal in size. Sinus height of the aortic root was unpredictable. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, we recommend that aortic root remodeling operation should be performed as follows: (1) graft sizing should be performed using Yacoub's way or our way; (2) the tube graft should be cut into three parts in proportion to the size of each cusp; and (3) the position of the commissures in the tube graft should be secured with sutures first, and the depth of the sinuses should be determined later.

Configurations of the segmental and subsegmental bronchi and arteries in the right upper lobe of the human lung with special reference to their concomitant relations and double subsegmental arterial supply.

The basic, concomitant topographical relation between the segmental bronchus and artery shows derived figures in the dorsolateral part of the cranial portion of the mammalian lung, especially in humans. However, the pulmonary arterial supply has not been investigated well in the subsegmental level, even in humans. One or two subsegments of S2 received a double arterial supply from both the superior and inferior pulmonary trunks in 39.8% of the right upper lobes of 194 human lung dissections, whereas 20.6% did so in S3, although the latter cases were limited to one of the two subsegments. Moreover, we found several arterial patterns that were significantly frequently observed in a specific group of the bronchial tree in S2 and/or S3. Invasion of an additional artery of inferior trunk origin seemed to happen at the same time in both segments even without complementary territorial relations with the essential segmental artery of the superior trunk origin. S2 and S3 in the human right lung seemed to be the best fields for reconsideration of the basic rules in the lung segment system in mammals as a result of their having the largest sets of variations. We speculate that the discrepancy between the bronchial and arterial ramification patterns, which was frequently found in S2 and S3, is a result of a hypothetical secondary increase of the comparative volume of this area in evolution and/or development of the lung.

Avoiding chest tube placement after video-assisted thoracoscopic wedge resection of the lung.

OBJECTIVE: A chest tube is usually placed in the pleural cavity after wedge resection of the lung, even after thoracoscopic procedures. The aim of this study was to determine the validity and safety of postoperative management without chest tube placement for patients undergoing thoracoscopic wedge resection of the lung. METHODS: Between 1998 and 2002, 93 patients underwent thoracoscopic wedge resection of the lung. In January 2000, we established the following criteria for avoiding chest tube placement: (1) absence of air leaks during intraoperative alternative sealing test, (2) absence of bullous or emphysematous changes on inspection, (3) absence of severe pleural adhesions, and (4) absence of prolonged pleural effusion requiring chest drainage preoperatively. Seventeen of 93 patients did not satisfy the criteria. The other 76 patients were divided into two groups: group 1 consisted of 34 patients who underwent thoracoscopic resection before 1999 and in whom a chest tube was routinely placed in spite of retrospectively meeting the criteria, group 2 consisted of 42 patients who underwent thoracoscopic resection after 2000 and in whom chest tube was not placed. The clinical data were evaluated and analyzed between the two groups. RESULTS: Two patients in group 1 required new intervention after removal of a chest tube that had been inserted during the operation due to recurrence of a pneumothorax, so did two patients in group 2 after the operation. The rate of late pneumothorax requiring intervention is similar in groups 1 and 2. No differences were found between the two groups with regard to postoperative chest pain and hospital stay. No patients experienced a significant adverse outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Avoiding the chest tube placement did not increase postoperative morbidity if carefully selected criteria are met.

New material for Nuss procedure.

The Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum repair has been considered an acceptable method in terms of its decreased invasiveness and excellent cosmetic results. Although a steel bar is usually used for elevating the sternum, we used a titanium alloy plate for pectus excavatum repair for the first time. The characteristics of this plate are that 1) it comes out translucently on X-rays, 2) MRI examination is possible because titanium will not be magnetized, and 3) it is possible to go through the security checkpoint at the airport without setting off the metal detector. Furthermore, the titanium alloy is highly elastic, which reduces complications such as dislocation, and it excels in the conformity to organization. Patients who have received the Nuss operation are forced to somewhat limit their daily life for two or three years until the bar is removed. A plate made from titanium alloy resolves this problem because of its material and it is thought to be an ideal candidate for elevating the sternum during the Nuss operation.