FDG-PET/CT is a pivotal imaging modality to diagnose rare intravascular large B-cell lymphoma: case report and review of literature.

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) remains a diagnostic challenge, because of non-specific findings on clinical, laboratory, and imaging studies. We present a case in which 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography was particularly useful to suspect the diagnosis, to detect unexpected locations, to guide contributive biopsy, and to assess the response to treatment. In case of initial negative results, FDG-PET should be repeated in the course of clinical evolution. In the presence of neurological or hormonal symptoms without brain magnetic resonance imaging abnormality, FDG-PET brain slices could depict additional pituitary and/or brain hypermetabolisms. We discuss the potential interests of FDG-PET in IVLBCL by a literature review.

Impact of robotic access on outcomes after lung cancer surgery in France: Analysis from the Epithor database.

Introduction: We aimed to compare postoperative outcomes after pulmonary resection for lung cancer after open thoracotomy (OT), video-assisted (VATS), and robotic-assisted (RA) thoracic surgery using a propensity score analysis. Methods: From 2010 to 2020, 38,423 patients underwent resection for lung cancer. In total, 58.05% (n = 22,306) were operated by thoracotomy, 35.35% (n = 13,581) by VATS, and 6.6% (n = 2536) by RA. A propensity score was used to create balanced groups with weighting. End points were in-hospital mortality, postoperative complications, and length of hospital stay, reported by odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: VATS decreased in-hospital mortality compared with OT (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.58-0.79; P < .0001) but not compared with RA (OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.77-1.52; P = .61). VATS reduced major postoperative complications compared with OT (OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.76-0.92; P < .0001) but not RA (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.84-1.21; P = .17). VATS reduced prolonged air leaks rate compared with OT (OR, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.84-0.98; P = .015) but not RA (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.88-1.18; P = .77). As compared with OT, VATS and RA decreased the incidence of atelectasis (respectively: OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.50-0.65; P < .0001 and OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.60-0.95; P = .016); the incidence of pneumonia (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.67-0.83; P < .0001 and OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.50-0.78; P < .0001); and the number of postoperative arrhythmias (OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.61-0.78; P < .0001 and OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.59-0.96; P = .024). Both VATS and RA resulted in shorter hospital stays (-1.91 days [-2.24; -1.58]; P < .0001 and -2.73 days [-3.1; -2.36]; P < .0001, respectively). Conclusions: RA appeared to decrease postoperative pulmonary complications as well as VATS compared with OT. VATS decreased postoperative mortality as compared with RA and OT.

Is the Epithor conversion score reliable in robotic-assisted surgery anatomical lung resection?

OBJECTIVES: Despite an improvement in surgical abilities, the need for an intraoperative switch from a minimally invasive procedure towards an open surgery (conversion) still remains. To anticipate this risk, the Epithor conversion score (ECS) has been described for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Our objective was to determine if this score, developed for VATS, is applicable in robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS). METHODS: This was a retrospective monocentric study from January 2006 to June 2022, and data were obtained from the EPITHOR database. Patients included were those who underwent anatomic lung resection either by VATS or RATS. The ECS was calculated for all patients studied. Discrimination and calibration of the test were measured by the area under the curve and Hosmer-Lemeshow test. RESULTS: A total of 1685 were included. There were 183/1299 conversions in the VATS group (14.1%) and 27/386 conversions in the RATS group (6.9%). Patients in the RATS group had fewer antiplatelet therapy and peripheral arterial disease. There were more segmentectomies in the VATS group. As for test discrimination, the area under the curve was 0.66 [0.56-0.78] in the RATS group and 0.64 [0.60-0.69] in the VATS group. Regarding the calibration, the Hosmer-Lemeshow test was not significant for both groups but more positive (better calibrated) for the VATS group (P = 0.12) compared to the RATS group (P = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: The ECS seems applicable for patients operated with RATS, with a correct discrimination but a lower calibration performance for patients operated with VATS. A new score could be developed to specifically anticipate conversion in patients operated on by RATS.

Effectiveness of Surgeon-Performed Paravertebral Block Analgesia for Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: In minimally invasive thoracic surgery, paravertebral block (PVB) using ultrasound (US)-guided technique is an efficient postoperative analgesia. However, it is an operator-dependent process depending on experience and local resources. Because pain-control failure is highly detrimental, surgeons may consider other locoregional analgesic options. Objective: To demonstrate the noninferiority of PVB performed by surgeons under video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), hereafter referred to as PVB-VATS, as the experimental group compared with PVB performed by anesthesiologists using US-guided technique (PVB-US) as the control group. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this single-center, noninferiority, patient-blinded, randomized clinical trial conducted from September 8, 2020, to December 8, 2021, patients older than 18 years who were undergoing a scheduled minimally invasive thoracic surgery with lung resection including video-assisted or robotic approaches were included. Exclusion criteria included scheduled open surgery, any antalgic World Health Organization level greater than 2 before surgery, or a medical history of homolateral thoracic surgery. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to an intervention group after general anesthesia. They received single-injection PVB before the first incision was made in the control group (PVB-US) or after 1 incision was made under thoracoscopic vision in the experimental group (PVB-VATS). Interventions: PVB-VATS or PVB-US. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was mean 48-hour post-PVB opioid consumption considering a noninferiority range of less than 7.5 mg of opioid consumption between groups. Secondary outcomes included time of anesthesia, surgery, and operating room occupancy; 48-hour pain visual analog scale score at rest and while coughing; and 30-day postoperative complications. Results: A total of 196 patients were randomly assigned to intervention groups: 98 in the PVB-VATS group (mean [SD] age, 64.6 [9.5] years; 53 female [54.1%]) and 98 in the PVB-US group (mean [SD] age, 65.8 [11.5] years; 62 male [63.3%]). The mean (SD) of 48-hour opioid consumption in the PVB-VATS group (33.9 [19.8] mg; 95% CI, 30.0-37.9 mg) was noninferior to that measured in the PVB-US group (28.5 [18.2] mg; 95% CI, 24.8-32.2 mg; difference: -5.4 mg; 95% CI, -∞ to -0.93; noninferiority Welsh test, P ≤ .001). Pain score at rest and while coughing after surgery, overall time, and postoperative complications did not differ between groups. Conclusions and Relevance: PVB placed by a surgeon during thoracoscopy was noninferior to PVB placed by an anesthesiologist using ultrasonography before incision in terms of opioid consumption during the first 48 hours. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04579276.

Benignant and malignant epidemiology among surgical resections for suspicious solitary lung cancer without preoperative tissue diagnosis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of patients undergoing diagnostic and/or curative surgical pulmonary resections for lung opacities suspected of being localized primary lung cancers without preoperative tissue confirmation. METHODS: We performed a single-centre retrospective study of a prospectively implemented institutional database of all patients who underwent pulmonary resection between January 2010 and December 2020. Patients were selected when surgery complied with the Fleischner society guidelines. We performed a multivariable logistic regression to determine the preoperative variables associated with malignancy. RESULTS: Among 1392 patients, 213 (15.3%) had a final diagnosis of benignancy. We quantified futile parenchymal resections in 29 (2.1%) patients defined by an anatomical resection of >2 lung segments for benign lesions that did not modified the clinical management. Compared with patients with malignancies, patients with benignancies were younger (57.5 vs 63.9 years, P < 0.001), had lower preoperative risk profile (thoracoscore 0.4 vs 2.1, P < 0.001), had a higher proportion of wedge resection (50.7% vs 12.2%, P < 0.01) and experienced a lower burden of postoperative complication (Clavien-Dindo IV or V, 0.4% vs 5.6%, P < 0.001). Preoperative independent variables associated with malignancy were (adjusted odd ratio [95% confident interval]) age 1.02 [1.00; 1.04], smoking (year-pack) 1.005 (1.00; 1.01), history of cardiovascular disease 2.06 [1.30; 3.30], history of controlled cancer 2.74 [1.30; 6.88] and clinical N involvement 4.20 [1.11; 37.44]. CONCLUSIONS: Futile parenchymal lung resection for suspicious opacities without preoperative tissue diagnosis is rare (2.1%) while surgery for benign lesions represented 15.3% and has a satisfactory safety profile with very low postoperative morbi-mortality.

[Surgical results of type III and IV hiatal hernia with left thoracotomy]. / Resultados del tratamiento quirúrgico de las hernias hiatales tipo III y IV por vía transtorácica izquierda.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of the study is to report the short- and long-term outcome of a left approach in the management of type III and IV hiatal hernia. METHODS: We have retrospectively reviewed all the records of patients treated for type III and IV hiatal hernia with a left transthoracic approach. All the patients were evaluated before and after the surgery on clinical presentation, symptoms and functional assessment. We have specifically focused the evaluation on surgical results, mortality, morbidity and long term functional assessment. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients were included in this study. Type III hiatal hernia (86%) were majority compared to type IV(14%). Surgical techniques included Nissen fundoplication (37%), Collis Nissen elongation gastroplasty (20%) and Belsey-Mark IV (15%). Morbidity was low and there was no hospital mortality. Mean follow-up was 42 months. Long-term reassessment demonstrated a significant improvement of symptoms. Erosive esophagitis persisted in one patient (P < 0.001). Pressure at the level of lower esophageal sphincter was normal in all patients. 24-hours pH-metry was normal in 92% of patients. Anti-acid medication was reduced significantly (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Obesity, short esophagus, massive hiatal hernia, associated oesophageal diseases or previous failed surgery constituted the indications of choice for transthoracic approach. This procedure gives satisfactory functional and anatomical long term results with healing of mucosal damage.

Predictors of Postoperative Urinary Retention Following Pulmonary Resection.

To identify predictors of postoperative urinary retention (POUR) following pulmonary resection. Retrospective chart review from a single academic institution of all patients who underwent pulmonary resection between June 2004 and January 2020. The surgical procedures consisted of pneumonectomy, lobectomy and sublobar resections. The primary outcome was occurrence of POUR within 30 days following surgery, defined as painful and palpable bladder, when the patient is unable to pass any urine, and requiring catheterization. A total of 6004 consecutive patients underwent pulmonary resection among which 306 pneumonectomies (5.1%), 3467 lobectomies (57.7%) and 2231 sublobar resection (37.2%). The surgical approach was a thoracotomy (n = 3546; 59.1%), a video-assisted [VATS] (n = 2075; 34.5%) or a robot-assisted thoracoscopy [RATS] (n = 383; 6.4%). POUR occurred in 301 cases (5%). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, male gender (OR 2.30 [1.70-3.17]; P < 0.001), age (OR 1.02 [1.01-1.03]; P < 0.001), benign prostatic hyperplasia (OR 7.08 [4.57-10.83]; P < 0.001), and COPD (OR 1.52 [1.13-2.01]; P = 0.004) were significant predictors of POUR. Conversely, VATS (OR 0.62 [0.46-0.83]; P = 0.001) had a protective effect on the occurrence of POUR. In a large single-center study, we disclosed significant clinical predictors of POUR after pulmonary resection, including age, sex, comorbidities and surgical approach. Prospective studies are necessary to evaluate the efficacy of chemoprophylaxis by perioperative α-blockers in order to prevent POUR.

Early-stage non-small cell lung cancer beyond life expectancy: Still not too old for surgery?

OBJECTIVE: We investigated on the benefit/risk ratio of surgery in octogenarians with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 2005-2020, 100 octogenarians were operated on for a clinical stage IA to IIA NSCLC. All patients had undergone whole body PET -scan and brain imaging. Operability was assessed according to current guidelines regarding the cardiopulmonary function. Since 2015, patients followed a dedicated geriatric evaluation pathway. Minimally invasive approaches were used in 66 patients, and a thoracotomy in 34. RESULTS: Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ 4 complications occurred in 15 patients within 90 days, including 7 fatalities. At multivariable analysis, the number of co-morbidities was their single independent prognosticator. Following resection, 24 patients met pathological criteria for adjuvant therapy among whom 3 (12.5 %) received platinum-based chemotherapy. Five-year survival rates were overall (OS) 47 ±â€¯6.3 %, disease-free (DFS) 77.6 ±â€¯5.1 %, and lung cancer-specific (CSS) 74.7 ±â€¯6.3 %. Diabetes mellitus impaired significantly long-term outcomes in these 3 dimensions. OS was improved since the introduction of a dedicated geriatric assessment pathway (72.3 % vs. 6.4 %, P = 0.00002), and when minimally invasive techniques were used (42.3 % vs. 11.3 %; P = 0.02). CSS was improved by the performance of systematic lymphadenectomy (55.3 % vs. 26.9 %; P = 0.04). Multivariable and recursive partitioning analyses showed that a decision tree could be built to predict overall survival on the basis of diabetes mellitus, high co-morbidity index and low ppoDLCO values. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of a dedicated geriatric assessment pathway to select octogenarians for lung cancer surgery was associated with OS values that are similar to outcomes in younger patients. The use of minimally invasive surgery and the performance of systematic lymphadenectomy were also associated with improved long-term survival. Octogenarians with multiple co-morbid conditions, diabetes mellitus, or low ppo DLCO values may be more appropriately treated with SBRT.

Intent-to-cure surgery for small-cell lung cancer in the era of contemporary screening and staging methods.

OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to report on the contemporaneous single-centre experience of patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) who had lung resection with curative intent. METHODS: Between 2005 and 2018, 31 patients were operated on for SCLC with curative intent. There were 11 women and 20 men whose ages averaged 63 ± 10 years. The clinical diagnosis was incidental in 16 patients (51.6%). All patients were screened with high-resolution computed tomography, positron emission tomography and brain imaging. Eight patients (25.8%) had invasive mediastinal lymph node staging. RESULTS: Preoperative tissue diagnosis was unknown or erroneous in 26 patients (83.9%). Lung resections comprised mainly lobectomies (n = 23; 74.2%). Lymphadenectomies harvested a mean of 16.3 ± 3 lymph nodes, leading to upstaging in 38.7% of the cases. An R0 resection was achieved in 28 patients (90.3%). Pathological analysis disclosed pure small cell histological specimens in 24 patients (77.4%). There were no 90-day deaths. Perioperative platinum-based chemotherapy was performed in 27 patients (87.1%); adjuvant thoracic irradiation, in 7 (50%) of the 14 N+ patients; and prophylactic cranial irradiation, in 8 (29.6%) of the 27 potential candidates. Overall, disease-free and disease-specific survival rates at 5 years were 32.9 ± 10%, 35.2 ± 10% and 44.1 ± 11.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the use of contemporary screening and staging methods, selection of SCLC candidates for surgery remained haphazard, surgery was typically performed in ignorance of the actual histological and adherence to treatment guidelines was inconsistent. Nevertheless, one-third of patients with SCLC who were operated on were cured, even in cases of regional or oligometastatic disease.

Screening and topical decolonization of preoperative nasal Staphylococcus aureus carriers to reduce the incidence of postoperative infections after lung cancer surgery: a propensity matched study.

OBJECTIVES: Health care-associated infections (HAIs) are serious issues following lung cancer surgery, leading to an increased risk of morbidity and hospital cost burden. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact on postoperative outcomes of a preoperative screening and decolonization strategy of nasal carriers for Staphylococcus aureus prior to lung cancer surgery. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study comparing 2 cohorts of patients undergoing major lung resection: a control group of patients from the placebo arm of the randomized Clinical Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Chlorhexidine Mouthwashes operated on between July 2012 and April 2015 without any nasopharyngeal screening (N = 224); an experimental group, with preoperative screening for S. aureus of nasal carriers and selective 5-day decolonization in positive carriers using mupirocin ointment between January 2017 and December 2017 (N = 310). The 2 groups were matched according to a propensity score analysis with 1:1 matching. The primary outcome was the rate of postoperative HAIs, and the secondary outcome was the need for postoperative mechanical ventilation after surgery. RESULTS: After matching, 2 similar groups of 108 patients each were obtained. In the experimental group, 26 patients had positive results for nasal carriage, and a significant decrease was observed in the rate of overall postoperative HAIs [control n = 19, 17.6%; experimental group n = 9, 8.3%; P = 0.043; relative risk 0.47 (0.22-1)] and in the rate of postoperative mechanical ventilation [control n = 12, 11.1%; experimental group n = 4, 3.7%; P = 0.038; relative risk 0.33 (0.11-1)]. After logistic regression and multivariable analysis, screening of S. aureus nasal carriers reduced the rate of HAIs [odds ratio (OR) 0.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.11-0.76; P = 0.01] and reduced the risk of the need for postoperative mechanical ventilation (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.05-0.74; P = 0.02). There was no significant statistical difference between the 2 groups regarding the rate of postoperative S. aureus-associated infection (control group n = 6, 5.6%; experimental group n = 2, 1.9%; P = 0.28). CONCLUSIONS: Identification of nasal carriers of S. aureus and selective decontamination using mupirocin appeared to have a beneficial effect on postoperative infectious events after lung resection surgery.

Multifocal T4 non-small cell lung cancer: a subset with improved prognosis.

OBJECTIVE: T4-disease for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) includes different conditions: mediastinal invasion, neoplastic pleural cytology, and multifocal disease in the same lobe; regarding the last category, no strict criteria allow to differentiate satellite nodules from synchronous multiple primary tumours. METHODS: Retrospective study of 56 patients who underwent a complete resection from 1985 to 2006 of a NSCLC graded pT4N0 due to multifocal disease. A small nodule (<1cm) closed to the primary tumour, in a same pulmonary segment with an identical histology was considered as a satellite nodule (pT4sn). Multiple tumours, sized more than 1cm, with an identical histology, located in the same lobe but in different segment were considered as synchronous cancers (pT4sc). RESULTS: There were 44 males and 12 females: 35 patients were graded T4sn and 21 patients T4sc. The median age was 62.5 years. The two groups were similar for sex, age, tobacco consumption, ASA score, NYHA, Charlson's index, spirometric parameters, cardiovascular comorbidity and history of previous extra-thoracic malignancies. All had a complete anatomic resection with mediastinal lymphadenectomy. Thirty-day mortality rate was 3.6%. Overall 5-year and 10-year survival rates were 48.2% and 29.9%, respectively. There was a non-significant trend for a worse survival in T4sn group patients when compared to that of T4sc group patients: 42.9% vs 52.3% at 5 years, and 25% vs 34.9% at 10 years (p=0.62). CONCLUSIONS: Multifocal T4 stage IIIB disease is a heterogeneous category where overall prognosis is far better than those of other T4 subgroups. Survival rates associated with pT4sn and pT4sc look roughly similar because of the small size of the subgroups usually submitted to comparison in most series. In the present experience, respective survival figures diverge, suggesting different biological behaviours.

Long-term results of redo gastro-esophageal reflux disease surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To review the long-term results of redo gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) surgery with special emphasis on residual acid-suppressing medications, pH monitoring results, and quality of life. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 52 patients (24 males) who underwent redo GERD surgery between 1986 and 2006 through a transthoracic (n=14), or a transabdominal (n=38) approach. Indications were recurrent GERD in 41 patients, and complication of the initial surgery in 11. Quality of life was evaluated by telephone enquiry using a validated French questionnaire (reflux quality score, RQS). RESULTS: Postoperative complications occurred in 18 patients (35%), resulting in one death (2%). Reoperation was required in seven patients. At 1 year, 26 patients (51%) had 24h pH monitoring, among whom 2 (8%) were proved to have recurrence of GERD. RQS values were calculated in 38 patients with a mean follow-up of 113 months. Fifty percent of this subgroup had a RQS value beyond 26/32, indicating an excellent quality of life. Among these 38 patients, 20 (53%) had acid-suppressing medications whatever their RQS values. Patients who underwent transthoracic GERD surgery had the highest RQS values (p=0.02), a lower rate of complications (p=0.06) and a lower rate of reoperation (p=0.04). CONCLUSION: Our experience confirms that selection of candidates for redo GERD surgery is a challenging issue. A transthoracic approach seems to produce better results and lower rates of complications.

Postoperative morphine consumption and anaesthetic management of patients undergoing video-assisted or robotic-assisted lung resection: a prospective, propensity score-matched study.

BACKGROUND: Robotic assistance is increasingly being used for treatment of early stage of non-small cell lung cancer. Our objectives were to compare the morphine consumption during the postoperative 48 hours after robotic-assisted thoracic surgery and that after video-assisted thoracic surgery as well as compare the patient's haemodynamic and respiratory function during the procedures. METHODS: This observational, prospective study was conducted in a single referral centre for thoracic surgery from January 2016 to March 2017. Patients who were scheduled to undergo surgical lung resection were included. A propensity score based on age, sex, American society of Anesthesiology score was used between groups. Linear regression analyses were used to determine the mean difference in the postoperative morphine consumption. We also compared the haemodynamic and respiratory function during the two procedures. RESULTS: Among the 194 patients included, 105 (54%) and 89 (46%) underwent video and robotic surgery, respectively. Total 75 of each group were matched using the propensity score. The consumption of morphine was 23.0 (16.5-39.0) mg and 33.0 (19.3-46.5) mg (P=0.05) in the video and robotic groups, respectively. Linear regression revealed an average difference ß (95% CI) of 6.76 mg (0.32-13.26) (P=0.04) in the morphine consumption after adjusting for the body mass index and local anaesthetic use. Robotic surgery was associated with worse haemodynamic and respiratory function than video surgery. CONCLUSIONS: As compared with video, robotic surgery was associated with increased use of morphine and greater alteration in the haemodynamic and respiratory functions.

Single-lung and double-lung transplantation: technique and tips.

The first successful single-lung and double-lung transplantations were performed in the eighties. Since then both surgical and anesthesiological management have improved. The aim of this paper is to describe the surgical technique of lung transplantation: from the anesthesiological preparation, to the explantation and implantation of the lung grafts, and the preparation of the donor lungs. We will also describe the main surgical complications after lung transplantation and their management. Each step of the surgical procedure will be illustrated with photos and videos.

Oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal decontamination with chlorhexidine gluconate in lung cancer surgery: a randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: Respiratory complications are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality after lung cancer surgery. We hypothesized that oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal decontamination with chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) would be an effective method to reduce these complications as reported in cardiac surgery. METHODS: In this multicenter parallel-group randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial, we enrolled consecutive adults scheduled for anatomical pulmonary resection for lung cancer. Perioperative decontamination consisted in oropharyngeal rinse solution (0.12% CHG) and nasopharyngeal soap (4% CHG) or a placebo. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of patients requiring postoperative invasive and/or noninvasive mechanical ventilation (MV). Secondary outcome measures included occurrence of respiratory and non-respiratory healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and outcomes within 90 days. RESULTS: Between July 2012 and April 2015, 474 patients were randomized. Of them, 24 had their surgical procedure cancelled or withdrew consent. The remaining 450 patients were included in a modified intention-to-treat analysis: 226 were allocated to CHG and 224 to the placebo. Proportions of patients requiring postoperative MV were not significantly different [CHG 14.2%; placebo 15.2%; relative risks (RRs) 0.93; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59-1.45; P = 0.76]. Neither of the proportions of patients with respiratory HAIs were different (CHG 13.7%; placebo 12.9%; RRs 1.06; 95% CI 0.66-1.69; P = 0.81). The CHG group had significantly decreased incidence of bacteremia, surgical-site infection and overall Staphylococcus aureus infections. However, there were no significant between-group differences for hospital stay length, change in tracheal microbiota, postoperative antibiotic utilization and outcomes by day 90. CONCLUSIONS: CHG decontamination decreased neither MV requirements nor respiratory infections after lung cancer surgery. Additionally, CHG did not change tracheal microbiota or postoperative antibiotic utilization. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01613365.

Rapid Diagnosis of Lung Tumors, a Feasability Study Using Maldi-Tof Mass Spectrometry.

OBJECTIVE: Despite recent advances in imaging and core or endoscopic biopsies, a percentage of patients have a major lung resection without diagnosis. We aimed to assess the feasibility of a rapid tissue preparation/analysis to discriminate cancerous from non-cancerous lung tissue. METHODS: Fresh sample preparations were analyzed with the Microflex LTTM MALDI-TOF analyzer. Each main reference spectra (MSP) was consecutively included in a database. After definitive pathological diagnosis, each MSP was labeled as either cancerous or non-cancerous (normal, inflammatory, infectious nodules). A strategy was constructed based on the number of concordant responses of a mass spectrometry scoring algorithm. A 3-step evaluation included an internal and blind validation of a preliminary database (n = 182 reference spectra from the 100 first patients), followed by validation on a whole cohort database (n = 300 reference spectra from 159 patients). Diagnostic performance indicators were calculated. RESULTS: 127 cancerous and 173 non-cancerous samples (144 peripheral biopsies and 29 inflammatory or infectious lesions) were processed within 30 minutes after biopsy sampling. At the most discriminatory level, the samples were correctly classified with a sensitivity, specificity and global accuracy of 92.1%, 97.1% and 95%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The feasibility of rapid MALDI-TOF analysis, coupled with a very simple lung preparation procedure, appears promising and should be tested in several surgical settings where rapid on-site evaluation of abnormal tissue is required. In the operating room, it appears promising in case of tumors with an uncertain preoperative diagnosis and should be tested as a complementary approach to frozen-biopsy analysis.

Correction: Rapid Diagnosis of Lung Tumors, a Feasability Study Using Maldi-Tof Mass Spectrometry.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155449.].

One hundred consecutive pneumonectomies after induction therapy for non-small cell lung cancer: an uncertain balance between risks and benefits.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess postoperative outcome after pneumonectomy after neoadjuvant therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. METHODS: This retrospective study included 100 patients treated from January 1989 through December 2003 for a primary lung cancer in whom pneumonectomy had been performed after an induction treatment. Surgical intervention had not been considered initially for the following reasons: N2 disease (stage IIIA, n = 79), doubtful resectability (stage IIIB [T4, N0], n = 19), and M1 disease (stage IV [T2, N0, M1, solitary brain metastasis], n = 2). All patients received a 2-drug platinum-based regimen with a median of 2.5 cycles (range, 2-4 cycles), and 30 had associated radiotherapy (30-45 Gy). RESULTS: There were 55 right and 45 left resections. Overall 30-day and 90-day mortality rates were 12% and 21%, respectively. At multivariate analysis, one independent prognostic factor entered the model to predict 30-day mortality: postoperative cardiovascular event (relative risk, 45.7; 95% confidence interval, 3.7-226.7; P = .001). Four variables predicted 90-day mortality: age of more than 60 years (relative risk, 5.06; 95% confidence interval, 1.47-17.48; P = .01), male sex (relative risk, 8.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-67.34; P = .049), postoperative respiratory event (relative risk, 3.64; 95% confidence interval, 1.14-9.37; P = .007), and postoperative cardiovascular event (relative risk, 7.84; 95% confidence interval, 3.12-19.71; P < .001). Estimated overall survivals in 90-day survivors were 35% (range, 29%-41%) and 25% (range, 19.3%-30.7%) at 3 and 5 years, respectively. At multivariate analysis, one independent prognostic factor entered the model: pathologic stage III-IV residual disease (relative risk, 1.89; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-3.26; P = .022). CONCLUSIONS: Pneumonectomy after induction therapy is a high-risk procedure, the survival benefit of which appears uncertain.

Transthoracic esophagectomy for adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus: standard versus extended two-field mediastinal lymphadenectomy?

OBJECTIVE: Controversy continues over the optimal extent of lymphadenectomy for the surgical treatment of Adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus. METHODS: From 1996 to 2003, 102 transthoracic en-bloc esophagectomy were performed for adenocarcinoma. Based on the 1994 consensus conference of the International Society of Disease of Esophagus, 35 patients underwent standard lymphadenectomy whereas 67 underwent extended lymphadenectomy. Mortality, morbidity and long-term survival were reviewed in each group. RESULTS: Extended lymphadenectomy increased the number of resected lymph nodes and improved the healthy/invaded lymph node ratio. It allowed to detect skip nodal metastasis in 36.4% of the N+ patients. Morbidity was higher following extended lymphadenectomy, with respect to pulmonary complications, and blood transfusions requirement (P=0.04). However, operative mortality was similar in both groups (9 vs. 11%). Overall disease-free survival was 28% at 5 years. Median of survival was higher in N0 than in N+ patients (55 months vs. 20 months; P=0.02). Extended lymphadenectomy was associated with an improving of disease-free survival when compared to standard lymphadenectomy (41 vs. 10% at 5 years; P<0.05), especially in the subgroup of patients with a N0 disease (median of survival 44 months vs. 17 months; P=0.001). Based on multivariable analyses, predictive factors of recurrence affecting disease free-survival were the pT status (P=0.02), standard lymphadenectomy (P=0.05) and extracapsular lymph node involvement (0.04). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that extended 2-field lymphadenectomy is an important component of the surgical treatment of patients with adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus. It increases the likelihood of proper staging and affects patient outcome, while it does not enhance the operative mortality. However, extended lymphadenectomy increases non-fatal morbidity, especially the incidence of pulmonary complications and the need for blood transfusion.

Pulmonary Endogenous Fluorescence Allows the Distinction of Primary Lung Cancer from the Perilesional Lung Parenchyma.

BACKGROUND: Pre-therapeutic pathological diagnosis is a crucial step of the management of pulmonary nodules suspected of being non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), especially in the frame of currently implemented lung cancer screening programs in high-risk patients. Based on a human ex vivo model, we hypothesized that an embedded device measuring endogenous fluorescence would be able to distinguish pulmonary malignant lesions from the perilesional lung tissue. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent surgical resection of pulmonary lesions were included in this prospective and observational study over an 8-month period. Measurements were performed back table on surgical specimens in the operative room, both on suspicious lesions and the perilesional healthy parenchyma. Endogenous fluorescence signal was characterized according to three criteria: maximal intensity (Imax), wavelength, and shape of the signal (missing, stable, instable, photobleaching). RESULTS: Ninety-six patients with 111 suspicious lesions were included. Final pathological diagnoses were: primary lung cancers (n = 60), lung metastases of extra-thoracic malignancies (n = 27) and non-tumoral lesions (n = 24). Mean Imax was significantly higher in NSCLC targeted lesions when compared to the perilesional lung parenchyma (p<0,0001) or non-tumoral lesions (p<0,0001). Similarly, photobleaching was more frequently found in NSCLC than in perilesional lung (p<0,0001), or in non-tumoral lesions (p<0,001). Respective associated wavelengths were not statistically different between perilesional lung and either primary lung cancers or non-tumoral lesions. Considering lung metastases, both mean Imax and wavelength of the targeted lesions were not different from those of the perilesional lung tissue. In contrast, photobleaching was significantly more frequently observed in the targeted lesions than in the perilesional lung (p≤0,01). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that endogenous fluorescence applied to the diagnosis of lung nodules allows distinguishing NSCLC from the surrounding healthy parenchyma and from non-tumoral lesions. Inconclusive results were found for lung metastases due to the heterogeneity of this population.