Double-lumen endotracheal tubes and bronchial blockers exhibit similar lung collapse physiology during lung isolation.

PURPOSE: Double-lumen endotracheal tubes (DL-ETT) and bronchial blockers (BB) are frequently used to allow one-lung ventilation (OLV) during video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Recently, faster lung collapse has been documented with a BB than with a DL-ETT. The physiologic mechanisms behind this faster collapse remained unknown. We aimed to measure ambient air absorption (Vresorb) and intra-bronchial pressure (Pairway) into the non-ventilated lung during OLV using DL-ETT and BB. METHODS: Patients undergoing VATS and OLV for lung resection were randomly assigned to have measurements made of Vresorb or Pairway within the non-ventilated lung using either a DL-ETT or BB. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients were included in the analyses. The mean (standard error of the mean [SEM]) Vresorb was similar in the DL-ETT and BB groups [504 (85) vs 630 (86) mL, respectively; mean difference, 126; 95% confidence interval [CI], -128 to 380; P = 0.31]. The mean (SEM) Pairway became progressively negative in the non-ventilated lung in both the DL-ETT and the BB groups reaching [-20 (5) and -31 (10) cmH2O, respectively; mean difference, -11; 95% CI, -34 to 12; P = 0.44] at the time of the pleural opening. CONCLUSIONS: During OLV before pleural opening, entrainment of ambient air into the non-ventilated lung occurs when the lumen of the lung isolation device is kept open. This phenomenon is prevented by occluding the lumen of the isolation device before pleural opening, resulting in a progressive build-up of negative pressure in the non-ventilated lung. Future clinical studies are needed to confirm these physiologic results and their impact on lung collapse and operative outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02919267); registered 28 September 2016.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Les tubes endotrachéaux à double lumière (TET-DL) et les bloqueurs bronchiques (BB) sont fréquemment utilisés pour l'isolation pulmonaire pendant une chirurgie thoracique assistée par vidéoscopie. Récemment, un affaissement pulmonaire plus rapide avec un BB qu'avec un TET-DL a été documenté. Les mécanismes physiologiques derrière cet affaissement plus rapide demeurent inconnus. Notre objectif était de mesurer l'absorption de l'air ambiant (Vresorb) et la pression intra-bronchique (Paérienne) dans le poumon non ventilé pendant la ventilation à un poumon en utilisant un TET-DL et un BB. MéTHODE: Les patients subissant une chirurgie thoracique assistée par vidéoscopie et recevant une ventilation unipulmonaire à l'aide d'un TET-DL ou d'un BB pour une résection pulmonaire ont été aléatoirement assignés à des mesures de Vresorb ou Paérienne dans le poumon non ventilé. RéSULTATS: Trente-neuf patients ont été inclus dans les analyses. La Vresorb moyenne (erreur-type sur la moyenne) était similaire dans les groupes TET-DL et BB [504 (85) vs 630 (86) mL, respectivement; différence moyenne, 126; intervalle de confiance [IC] 95 %, -128 à 380; P = 0,31]. La Paérienne moyenne (erreur-type sur la moyenne) est devenue progressivement négative dans le poumon non ventilé dans les groupes TET-DL et BB en atteignant [-20 (5) et -31 (10) cmH2O, respectivement; différence moyenne, -11; IC 95 %, -34 à 12; P = 0,44] au moment de l'ouverture de la plèvre. CONCLUSION: Pendant la ventilation unipulmonaire avant l'incision de la plèvre, un appel d'air ambiant dans le poumon non ventilé se produit quand la portion du dispositif d'isolation pulmonaire est maintenue ouverte. Ce phénomène peut être évité en occluant la lumière du dispositif d'isolation pulmonaire avant l'ouverture de la plèvre, ce qui entraînera une accumulation progressive de pression négative dans le poumon non ventilé. De futures études cliniques sont nécessaires pour confirmer ces résultats physiologiques et leur impact sur l'affaissement pulmonaire et les devenirs opératoires. ENREGISTREMENT DE L'éTUDE: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02919267); enregistrée le 28 septembre 2016.

Non-ventilated lung deflation during one-lung ventilation with a double-lumen endotracheal tube: a randomized-controlled trial of occluding the non-ventilated endobronchial lumen before pleural opening.

PURPOSE: Lung deflation during one-lung ventilation (OLV) is thought to be faster using a double-lumen endotracheal tube (DL-ETT) than with a bronchial blocker, especially when the non-ventilated lumen is opened to allow egress of air from the operative lung. Nevertheless, ambient air can also be entrained into the non-ventilated lumen before pleural opening and subsequently delay deflation. We therefore hypothesized that occluding the non-ventilated DL-ETT lumen during OLV before pleural opening would prevent air entrainment and consequently enhance operative lung deflation during video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). METHODS: Thirty patients undergoing VATS using DL-ETT to allow OLV were randomized to having the lumen of the operative lung either open (control group) or occluded (intervention group) to ambient air. The primary outcome was the time to lung collapse evaluated intraoperatively by the surgeons. The T50, an index of rate of deflation, was also determined from a probabilistic model derived from intraoperative video clips presented in random order to three observers. RESULTS: The median [interquartile range] time to lung deflation occurred faster in the intervention group than in the control group (24 [20-37] min vs 54 [48-68] min, respectively; median difference, 30 min; 95% confidence interval [CI], 14 to 46; P < 0.001). The estimated T50 was 32.6 min in the intervention group compared with 62.3 min in the control group (difference, - 29.7 min; 95% CI, - 51.1 to - 8.4; P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Operative lung deflation during OLV with a DL-ETT is faster when the operative lumen remains closed before pleural opening thus preventing it from entraining ambient air during the closed chest phase of OLV. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03508050); registered 27 September 2017.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: On pense que la déflation pulmonaire pendant la ventilation unipulmonaire (VUP) est plus rapide à l'aide d'un tube endotrachéal à double lumière (TET-DL) qu'avec un bloqueur bronchique, surtout lorsque la lumière non ventilée est ouverte pour permettre l'évacuation de l'air du poumon opéré. Néanmoins, l'air ambiant peut également être entraîné dans la lumière non ventilée avant l'ouverture pleurale et ainsi retarder la déflation. Nous avons donc émis l'hypothèse que l'occlusion de la lumière non ventilée du TET-DL pendant la VUP avant l'ouverture de la plèvre empêcherait l'entraînement d'air et accélérerait par conséquent la déflation du poumon opéré pendant une chirurgie thoracoscopique vidéo-assistée (VATS). MéTHODE: Trente patients subissant une VATS avec un TET-DL pour permettre une VUP ont été randomisés à une ouverture (groupe témoin) ou à une occlusion (groupe intervention) de la lumière du poumon opéré à l'air ambiant. Le critère d'évaluation principal était le temps jusqu'au collapsus du poumon tel qu'évalué pendant l'opération par les chirurgiens. Le T50, un indice du taux de déflation, a également été déterminé à partir d'un modèle probabiliste dérivé de clips vidéo peropératoires présentés de façon randomisée à trois observateurs. RéSULTATS: Le temps médian [écart interquartile] jusqu'à la déflation du poumon était plus court dans le groupe d'intervention que dans le groupe témoin (24 [20-37] min vs 54 [48-68] min, respectivement; différence médiane, 30 min; intervalle de confiance [IC] à 95 %, 14 à 46; P < 0,001). Le T50 estimé était de 32,6 min dans le groupe d'intervention comparativement à 62,3 min dans le groupe témoin (différence, -29,7 min; IC 95 %, -51,1 à -8,4; P = 0,008). CONCLUSION: La déflation du poumon opéré pendant une VUP avec un TET-DL est plus rapide quand la lumière opératoire reste fermée avant l'ouverture pleurale, l'empêchant ainsi d'entraîner l'air ambiant pendant la phase pré ouverture pleurale de la VUP. ENREGISTREMENT DE L'éTUDE: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03508050); enregistrée le 27 septembre 2017.

Bronchial blocker versus left double-lumen endotracheal tube in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: a randomized-controlled trial examining time and quality of lung deflation.

INTRODUCTION: Double-lumen endotracheal tubes (DL-ETT) and bronchial blockers (BB) have both been used for lung isolation in video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Though not well studied, it is widely thought that a DL-ETT provides faster and better quality lung collapse. The aim of this study was to compare a BB technique vs a left-sided DL-ETT strategy with regard to the time and quality of lung collapse during one-lung ventilation (OLV) for elective VATS. METHODS: Forty patients requiring OLV for VATS were randomized to receive a BB (n = 20) or a left-sided DL-ETT (n = 20). The primary endpoint was the time from pleural opening (performed by the surgeon) until complete lung collapse. The time was evaluated offline by reviewing video recorded during the VATS. The quality of lung deflation was also graded offline using a visual scale (1 = no lung collapse; 2 = partial lung collapse; and 3 = total lung collapse) and was recorded at several time points after pleural incision. The surgeon also graded the time to complete lung collapse and quality of lung deflation during the procedure. The surgeon's guess as to which device was used for lung isolation was also recorded. RESULTS: Of the 40 patients enrolled in the study, 20 patients in the DL-ETT group and 18 in the BB group were analyzed. There mean (standard deviation) time to complete lung collapse of the operative lung was significantly faster using the BB compared with using the DL-ETT [7.5 (3.8) min vs 36.6 (29.1) min, respectively; mean difference, 29.1 min; 95% confidence interval, 1.8 to 7.2; P < 0.001]. Overall, a higher proportion of patients in the BB group than in the DL-ETT group achieved a quality of lung collapse score of 3 at five minutes (57% vs 6%, respectively; P < 0.004), ten minutes (73% vs 14%, respectively; P = 0.005), and 20 min (100% vs 25%, respectively; P = 0.002) after opening the pleura. The surgeon incorrectly guessed the type of device used in 78% of the BB group and 50% of the DL-ETT group (P = 0.10). CONCLUSION: The time and quality of lung collapse during OLV for VATS was significantly better when using a BB than when using a left-sided DL-ETT. Surgeons could not reliably determine which device was being used based on the time and quality of lung collapse. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01615263.

The use of early neuromuscular blockage in acute respiratory distress syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) as defined by the Berlin definition has an approximate mortality rate of 40% and no curative treatment. Mutliple therapies have been studied to reduce mortality but only neuromuscular blocking agents show potential benefits on mortality and other complications of ARDS. OBJECTIVE: This review aimed to investigate the efficacy of neuromuscular blockers in ARDS METHODS: Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central and Web of Science were queried on October 1st, 2021. Randomized clinical trials comparing neuromuscular blockers to any comparator in treating ARDS were included. Primary outcome was mortality. Secondary outcomes were ventilator-free days, intensive care (ICU) length of stay (LOS) and complications. Results between sedation levels were examined with a Bayesian Network for Meta-analysis method. RESULTS: We included 6 trials compiling a total of 1557 patients. Neuromuscular blockers compared to any comparator in treating ARDS showed a reduction in mortality (RR 0.79 [95% CI, 0.62 to 0.99]). No difference in ventilator-free days (MD 0.68 [95% CI, -0.50 to 1.85]) or ICU LOS (MD 0.77 [95% CI, -2.99 to 4.54]) were found. A Bayesian Network Meta-analysis yielded no difference in mortality when using light sedation compared to heavy sedation in ARDS. (OR 0.58 [95% CrI, 0.07 to 4.46].) CONCLUSION: Neuromuscular blockers safely reduce mortality. Light sedation potentially has a similar impact on mortality as heavy sedation that carries some burden. A non-inferiority trial comparing both sedation levels may be warranted considering the added value of light sedation.

Maximizing lymph node dissection from fresh lung cancer specimens.

Evaluation of lymph nodes during lung cancer resection is essential for pathologic staging and adjuvant treatment decisions. We developed a standardized approach for grossing resected lobes and segments to better assign the N1 category to hilar and peripheral lymph nodes. Lung specimens were dissected centrifugally from the bronchial stump, and all lymph nodes at the segmental and subsegmental bifurcations were removed. When combined with mediastinal lymph node dissection, this approach will likely maximize the number of lymph nodes analysed and improve the accuracy of pathologic N descriptor classification.

Transthoracic needle biopsy versus surgical diagnosis for solid pulmonary nodules.

Background: When investigating solitary pulmonary nodules (SPN), non-surgical [such as transthoracic needle biopsy (TTNB)] or surgical biopsies can be performed. There is a paucity of data comparing these two approaches. Methods: This descriptive study is a retrospective analysis of a cohort of 149 patients who underwent TTNB and/or surgery for a SPN >8 mm but ≤3 cm between January and December 2016, at Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec (IUCPQ). Our primary objective was to evaluate the proportion of patients investigated with TTNB vs. surgical diagnosis in our center. Secondary objectives were to examine the distribution of diagnoses (malignancy vs. benign lesion), to evaluate the proportion of TTNB that would yield a benign diagnosis and permit to avoid surgery, to evaluate if delays to surgery were longer when preoperative TTNB was performed, and if operative times were longer with upfront surgery. Results: In our cohort, 87 patients (58%) underwent TTNB, while 62 (42%) had an upfront surgical procedure. One hundred and twenty-eight patients (86%) had a malignant diagnosis. Thirteen patients out of the 87 biopsied (15%) avoided surgery owing to a benign biopsy result, or a non-specific diagnosis and a physician reassured enough to decide for radiological surveillance, while 5/62 patients (8%) who underwent upfront surgery had a benign diagnosis. There was no significant difference in delays from imaging to surgery or in operative time between patients with or without prior TTNB. Conclusions: In this unicentric retrospective cohort of patients investigated for SPN, the malignancy rate was high (86%), which seemed to limit the applicability of prediction models. Adherence to guidelines for the investigation of SPN by physicians seemed suboptimal. More real-world prospective studies are needed to compare non-surgical and surgical biopsies. There is also a need for simpler nodule evaluation algorithms.

Exercise testing and postoperative complications after minimally invasive lung resection: A cohort study.

Background: Peak oxygen uptake ( V ˙ O 2 ) during cardiospulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is used to stratify postoperative risk following lung cancer resection but peak V ˙ O 2 thresholds to predict post-operative mortality and morbidity were derived mostly from patients who underwent thoracotomy. Objectives: We evaluated whether peak V ˙ O 2 or other CPET-derived variables predict post-operative mortality and cardiopulmonary morbidity after minimally invasive video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for lung cancer resection. Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent VATS lung resection between 2002 and 2019 and in whom CPET was performed. Logistic regression models were used to determine predictors of postoperative outcomes until 30 days after surgery. The ability of peak V ˙ O 2 to discriminate between patients with and without post-operative complications was evaluated using Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: Among the 593 patients, postoperative cardiopulmonary complications occurred in 92 (15.5%) individuals, including three deaths. Mean peak V ˙ O 2 was 18.8 ml⋅kg-1⋅min-1, ranging from 7.0 to 36.4 ml⋅kg-1⋅min-1. Best predictors of postoperative morbidity and mortality were peripheral arterial disease, bilobectomy or pneumonectomy (versus sublobar resection), preoperative FEV1, peak V ˙ O 2 , and peak V ˙ E / V ˙ C O 2 . The proportion of patients with peak V ˙ O 2 of < 15 ml⋅kg-1⋅min-1, 15 to < 20 ml⋅kg-1⋅min-1 and ≥ 20 ml⋅kg-1⋅min-1 experiencing at least one postoperative complication was 23.8, 16.3 and 10.4%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve for peak V ˙ O 2 was 0.63 (95% CI: 0.57-0.69). Conclusion: Although lower peak V ˙ O 2 was a predictor of postoperative complications following VATS lung cancer resection, its ability to discriminate patients with or without complications was limited.

A Delphi Consensus report from the "Prolonged Air Leak: A Survey" study group on prevention and management of postoperative air leaks after minimally invasive anatomical resections.

OBJECTIVES: This study reports the results of an international expert consensus process evaluating the assessment of intraoperative air leaks (IAL) and treatment of postoperative prolonged air leaks (PAL) utilizing a Delphi process, with the aim of helping standardization and improving practice. METHODS: A panel of 45 questions was developed and submitted to an international working group of experts in minimally invasive lung cancer surgery. Modified Delphi methodology was used to review responses, including 3 rounds of voting. The consensus was defined a priori as >50% agreement among the experts. Clinical practice standards were graded as recommended or highly recommended if 50-74% or >75% of the experts reached an agreement, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 32 experts from 18 countries completed the questionnaires in all 3 rounds. Respondents agreed that PAL are defined as >5 days and that current risk models are rarely used. The consensus was reached in 33/45 issues (73.3%). IAL were classified as mild (<100 ml/min; 81%), moderate (100-400 ml/min; 71%) and severe (>400 ml/min; 74%). If mild IAL are detected, 68% do not treat; if moderate, consensus was not; if severe, 90% favoured treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This expert consensus working group reached an agreement on the majority of issues regarding the detection and management of IAL and PAL. In the absence of prospective, randomized evidence supporting most of these clinical decisions, this document may serve as a guideline to reduce practice variation.

Correlative anatomy for the esophagus.

Because the esophagus is a tubular muscular structure only partially filled with air and surrounded by major structures (vessels, lungs, and heart), its radiologic evaluation cannot be performed solely by conventional chest radiograph or barium studies. The emergence of newer techniques has had a dramatic effect on the use of luminal contrast examinations of the gastrointestinal tract. This article describes the current radiographic techniques for examining the gastrointestinal tract with contrast materials, emphasizing the role of barium suspensions, computed tomography scan, and magnetic resonance imaging, and illustrating normal anatomy.

Correlative anatomy for the mediastinum.

Diseases of the mediastinum comprise a wide spectrum of benign and malignant entities that share the same anatomic site within the chest. Correct management often requires a multidisciplinary approach. Diagnostic imaging modalities such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasonography, and positron emission tomography play a major role in the diagnosis of mediastinal diseases and in guiding minimally invasive diagnostic procedures, minimizing the risk of imaging-guided biopsies. This article describes the mediastinal anatomy, correlating the findings of plain radiography, CT, and MRI.

Women in thoracic surgery: perspectives from South America.

The thoracic surgery specialty is dominated by male surgeons worldwide, and South America is no exception. The training period to become a thoracic surgeon is long and requires a maximal commitment. Finding a balance between personal life and work is a challenge, especially for female surgeons. Consequently, the scarcity of female surgeons comes as no surprise. However, despite the low number of female thoracic surgeons who can serve as role models, the number of women participating in thoracic surgery residency programs in South America is growing.

The learning curve on uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery: An analysis of proficiency.

OBJECTIVES: Minimally invasive techniques for lung cancer surgery have revolutionized thoracic surgery, and single-port approaches are becoming increasingly used. We analyzed our experience with uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for lobectomy to identify the number of procedures necessary to achieve proficiency according to clinical outcomes. METHODS: We queried our institutional prospective database for all single-port lobectomies in patients with early-stage lung cancer performed by a single surgeon from 2014 to 2017; 274 patients met the inclusion criteria. Using cubic splines, we derived 3 distinct learning phases based on the length of the procedure. Blood loss, additional port insertion, and conversion to thoracotomy were also compared according to these learning phases. RESULTS: The initial phase (procedures 1-60) had the longest procedure times and the most variability in procedure length (158.8 ± 52.2 minutes) compared with the transition phase (procedures 61-140; 145.9 ± 43.8 minutes) and the proficient phase (procedures 141-274; 117.9 ± 32.6 minutes, P < .001). Blood loss (156 mL vs 130.4 mL vs 64.9 mL, P = .003), conversion rate to thoracotomy (11.7% vs 3.8% vs 0.7%, P = .001), and need for a second incision (8.3% vs 5% vs 0.7%, P = .025) were all highest during the initial phase. In a multivariable model, there was a significant interaction between procedure number and learning phase (P = .003), indicating that the effect of each additional procedure on procedure length differed in each phase. CONCLUSIONS: In this analysis, a distinct learning curve for uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy was observed. Procedure time decreased sharply at approximately the 60th procedure, but 80 additional lobectomies were required to master the approach.

Safety of Transesophageal Echocardiography to Guide Structural Cardiac Interventions.

BACKGROUND: Despite the widespread use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to guide structural cardiac interventions, studies evaluating safety in this context are lacking. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine the incidence, types of complications, and factors associated with esophageal or gastric lesions following TEE manipulation during structural cardiac interventions. METHODS: This was a prospective study including 50 patients undergoing structural cardiac interventions in which TEE played a central role in guiding the procedure (mitral and tricuspid valve repair, left atrial appendage closure, and paravalvular leak closure). An esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) was performed before and immediately after the procedure to look for new injuries that might have arisen during the course of the intervention. Patients were divided in 2 cohorts according to the type of injury: complex lesions (intramural hematoma, mucosal laceration) and minor lesions (petechiae, ecchymosis). The factors associated with an increased risk of complications were assessed. RESULTS: Post-procedural EGD showed a new injury in 86% (n = 43 of 50) of patients, with complex lesions accounting for 40% (n = 20 of 50) of cases. Patients with complex lesions presented more frequently with an abnormal baseline EGD (70% vs. 37%; p = 0.04) and had a higher incidence of post-procedural dysphagia or odynophagia (40% vs. 10%; p = 0.02). Independent factors associated with an increased risk of complex lesions were a longer procedural time under TEE manipulation (for each 10-min increment in imaging time, odds ratio: 1.27; 95% confidence interval: 1.01 to 1.59) and poor or suboptimal image quality (odds ratio: 4.93; 95% confidence interval: 1.10 to 22.02). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients undergoing structural cardiac interventions showed some form of injury associated with TEE, with longer procedural time and poor or suboptimal image quality determining an increased risk. Imaging experts performing this technique should be aware of the nature of potential complications, to take the necessary precautions to prevent their occurrence and facilitate early diagnosis and treatment.

Uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy: a consensus report from the Uniportal VATS Interest Group (UVIG) of the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS).

OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to report the results of the first consensus paper among international experts in uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (UniVATS) lobectomy obtained through a Delphi process, the objective of which was to define and standardize the main procedural steps, optimize its indications and perioperative management and identify elements to assist in future training. METHODS: The 40 members of the working group were convened and organized on a voluntary basis by the Uniportal VATS Interest Group (UVIG) of the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS). An e-consensus finding exercise using the Delphi method was applied to require 75% agreement for reaching consensus on each question. Repeated iterations of anonymous voting continued for 3 rounds. RESULTS: Overall, 31 international experts from 18 countries completed all 3 rounds of questionnaires. Although a technical quorum was not achieved, most of the responders agreed that the maximum size of a UniVATS incision should be ≤4 cm. Agreement was reached on many points outlining the currently accepted definition of a UniVATS lobectomy, its indications and contraindications, perioperative clinical management and recommendations for training and future research directions. CONCLUSIONS: The UVIG Consensus Report stated that UniVATS offers a valid alternative to standard VATS techniques. Only longer follow-up and randomized controlled studies will predict whether UniVATS represents a valid alternative approach to multiport VATS for major lung resections or whether it should be performed only in selected cases and by selected centres. The next step for the ESTS UVIG is the establishment of a UniVATS section inside the ESTS databases.

The technique of VATS right pneumonectomy.

Pneumonectomy has higher morbidity and mortality rate than any other anatomic lung resection. It is infrequently performed by VATS and mostly in high volume centers. The handling of central vessels with long instruments across very small incisions instead of palpation is the main cause of surgeon's discomfort and resistance to perform this radical type of resection. Published data on VATS pneumonectomy is still limited and based on case series. Nevertheless, the available series suggest that VATS pneumonectomy is at least equivalent to open pneumonectomy. Through a case presentation illustrated with surgical videos, we aim to describe the main technical features of a uniportal VATS right pneumonectomy for lung cancer. The clinical indications, contraindications, patient's preoperative evaluation and postoperative care will also be discussed.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy with chest wall resection.

Lung cancer presents with chest wall invasion in 5-8% of patients, which imparts some treatment challenges. Surgical resection is currently the standard of care, and there are some controversies regarding the best approach. Published series and case reports confirm the safety and feasibility of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in highly complex surgical cases including lobectomy with chest wall resection of locally advanced lung cancer. In this article, we present the clinical indications of locally advanced lung cancer that infiltrates the chest wall, the modalities for and importance of accurately staging lung cancers with chest wall invasion, and the technical aspects of accomplishing a safe and oncologically sound extended resection through VATS.

Extended uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery for lung cancer: is it feasible?

Since the first description of uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (U-VATS) (or single-port) lobectomy, several centers in Asia and Europe rapidly adopted this technique as a standard approach for treatment of early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Despite the controversies regarding feasibility and completeness of resection, thoracic surgeons in high volume centers keep pushing the limits to perform very complex procedures also known as "extended resections" through minimally invasive surgery. Published series and case reports confirm the viability of U-VATS in highly complex surgical cases such as pneumonectomy, chest wall resection and bronchoplasty, which require experience and technical ability to be performed through a 3-6 cm single incision. In this article, the authors would like to present several clinical indications of locally advanced NSCLC and the technical aspects to accomplish an extended resection through U-VATS.

Post esophagectomy diaphragmatic hernia: a case report of a rare cause of acute respiratory distress.

BACKGROUND: Diaphragmatic hernia is frequent among the elderly and is usually associated with mild chronic digestive and respiratory symptoms. CASE PRESENTATION: An elderly post-esophagectomy male patient, in the early postoperative period of cardiac surgery, presented with acute respiratory distress. An emergent surgery was performed to reduce a giant diaphragmatic herniation. CONCLUSIONS: An acute transhiatal herniation can cause serious respiratory impairment; surgical repair should be considered in select patients of cardiac surgery.

Tumor-based gene expression biomarkers to predict survival following curative intent resection for stage I lung adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Prognostic biomarkers are needed in clinical setting to predict outcome after resection for early-stage lung adenocarcinoma. The goal of this study is to validate tumor-based single-gene expression biomarkers with demonstrated prognostic value in order to move them along the clinical translation pipeline. METHODS: Prognostic genes were selected from the literature and the best candidates measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in tumors of 233 patients with stage I adenocarcinoma. Significant prognostic genes were then validated in an independent set of 210 patients matching the first set in terms of histology, stage, and clinical data. RESULTS: Eleven genes with demonstrated prognostic value were selected from the literature. Complementary analyses in public databases and our own microarray dataset led to the investigation of six genes associated with good (BTG2, SELENBP1 and NFIB) or poor outcome (RRM1, EZH2 and FOXM1). In the first set of patients, EZH2 and RRM1 were significantly associated with better survival on top of age, sex and pathological stage (EZH2 p = 3.2e-02, RRM1 p = 5.9e-04). The prognostic values of EZH2 and RRM1 were not replicated in the second set of patients. A trend was observed for both genes in the joint analyses (n = 443) with higher expression associated with worse outcome. CONCLUSION: Adenocarcinoma-specific mRNA expression levels of EZH2 and RRM1 are associated with poor post-surgical survival in the first set of patients, but not replicated in a clinically and pathologically matched independent validation set. This study highlights challenges associated with clinical translation of prognostic biomarkers.