Technique to reduce air leaks after pulmonary lobectomy

OBJECTIVE

Patients undergoing pulmonary resections often present postoperative air leaks of varying magnitude and duration; this complication is more frequent with incomplete or absent interlobar fissures. Small leaks close spontaneously within 5-7 days; larger leaks may persist longer and could be associated with increased morbidity and prolonged hospitalization. We evaluated the role of different techniques to complete interlobar fissures before pulmonary lobectomy to prevent postoperative air leaks and reduce hospital stay and costs.

METHODS

A total of 30 patients undergoing pulmonary lobectomy for lung cancer and presenting incomplete interlobar fissures that needed to be opened both anteriorly and posteriorly were randomized into three groups. In Group I, fissures were created with a GIA stapler and buttressed with bovine pericardial sleeves. In Group II, we used TA 55 staplers alone; in Group III we used the 'old fashion' cautery, clamps and silk ties. The three groups were homogeneous for age, type of pulmonary resection and stage of the tumor. The duration of postoperative air leaks and hospital stay were compared with the one-way variance analysis.

RESULTS

Postoperative air leaks for Groups I, II and III persisted for 2 +/- 0.94, 5.3 +/- 2 and 5.3 +/- 1.7 days, respectively. Mean hospital stay was 4.4 +/- 0.96, 7.8 +/- 2.14 and 7.2 +/- 1.5, respectively. The difference between groups in terms of duration of postoperative air leaks and hospital stay was statistically significant (P = 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of GIA staplers and pericardial sleeves to complete interlobar fissures for pulmonary lobectomy significantly reduces the duration of postoperative air leaks and hospital stay; no complications were associated with this technique.

Giant leiomyoma of the oesophagus and cardia. Diagnostic and therapeutic considerations: case report and literature review

A case of giant leiomyoma of the oesophagus and cardia is presented. Magnetic resonance imaging was particularly useful for assessing the relationship of the tumour to the neighbouring structures. Radical resection was performed by partial oesophagogastrectomy with intrathoracic oesophagogastrostomy. Giant oesophageal leiomyomas present a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge because of their size and the possibility of malignant behaviour.

Multimodality treatment of thymoma: a prospective study

BACKGROUND

Thymomas are a heterogeneous group of tumors. Treatment of invasive lesions is not well standardized. The aim of this study is to propose a clinicopathologically based protocol for multimodality therapy.

METHODS

Between 1965 and 1988, we operated on 83 patients with thymoma who did not receive standardized adjuvant therapy. In 1989, on the basis of the retrospective analysis of the data, we started a multimodality therapy protocol and used it for 65 patients. Twelve patients had medullary thymoma (11 stage I and 1 stage II), 13 had mixed type (6 stage I and 7 stage II), and 40 had cortical thymoma (4 stage I, 11 stage II, 12 stage III, and 13 stage IV). We considered three groups. Group I (n = 18 patients), benign thymoma, included stage I and II medullary and stage I mixed thymomas; radical resection with no adjuvant therapy was performed. Group II (n = 22), invasive thymoma, included stage I and II cortical and stage II mixed thymomas; postoperative chemotherapy plus radiotherapy was always administered. Group III (n = 25), malignant thymoma, comprised stage III and IV cortical thymomas and stage III mixed thymomas; resectable stage III lesions were removed, and highly invasive stage III and stage IV lesions underwent biopsy, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and surgical resection; postoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy was administered to all patients.

RESULTS

The 8-year survival rate for patients in stages I, II, III, and IV was 95%, 100%, 92%, and 68%, respectively. Patients with medullary thymoma had a 92% 8-year survival rate; those with mixed type, 100%; and those with cortical thymoma, 85%. Group I had an 8-year survival rate of 94%; group II, 100%; and group III, 76%. Survival was compared with that of patients operated on before 1989: differences were not significant for group I; survival improved in group II (100% versus 81%; p = not significant); and group III showed significant improvement (76% versus 43%; p < 0.049).

CONCLUSIONS

Multimodality treatment with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy plus radiotherapy may improve the results of radical resection and the survival of patients with invasive and malignant thymoma.

Safety and efficacy of bronchovascular reconstruction after induction chemotherapy for lung cancer

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to ascertain the safety and efficacy of bronchial sleeve resection and reconstruction of the pulmonary artery in patients who had undergone induction chemotherapy for lung cancer.

METHODS

Between January 1991 and July 1996, we operated on 68 patients who had received three cycles of cisplatin-based induction chemotherapy. In 27 of these cases, we performed a lobectomy (n = 25) or bilobectomy (n = 2) associated with reconstruction of the bronchus, the pulmonary artery, or both. In only five additional patients, pneumonectomy had to be carried out. Before chemotherapy, 14 patients were in stage IIIA and 13 were in stage IIIB. All patients in stage IIIB had T4 disease; no N3 cases were included. At thoracotomy, one patient had no evidence of tumor, six were in stage I, 13 were in stage II, six were in stage IIIA, and one was in stage IIIB. Sixteen patients had epidermoid carcinoma and 11 had adenocarcinoma.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients underwent bronchial sleeve resection; 11 had various types of pulmonary artery reconstruction, associated with the bronchial sleeve in eight cases. In 26 patients, resection was radical with histologically negative margins. Neither bronchial complications nor deaths occurred. One patient had empyema and two had wound infections. Mean chest tube duration was 6 days. After a postoperative follow-up of 4 to 69 months (mean 25 months), 14 patients are alive and free of disease, one is alive with disease, and 12 have died. There were no local recurrences. The 1- and 4-year survival rates are 78% and 39%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Although it is technically demanding, lobectomy associated with bronchovascular reconstruction is feasible, with good immediate and long-term results, after induction chemotherapy.

Schizophrenic patients before and after HIV infection: a case-control study

Thirteen HIV positive schizophrenic patients (Group 1), age ranging from 23 to 60 years, diagnosed as schizophrenics (DSM IV), were studied during a four week hospitalization period, due to an acute exacerbation phase. The patients were treated with haloperidol (3-15 mg/die p.o.) and diazepam (2-25 mg/die p.o.). Clinical picture and side-effects were assessed by BPRS, HRS-A, HRS-D, and DOTES, at admission and after 2, 3, 4 weeks of hospitalization period (Time 5, 7, 8, 9). Clinical evaluations were compared to a previous hospitalization period, before seroconversion (Time 0, 2, 3, 4), and to a control group (Group 2) of HIV negative schizophrenic patients (11 pb) followed as well during 2 periods of hospitalization. Our data seem to emphasize that the HIV infection could induce organic alterations in the CNS which might cause psychopathological consequences: significantly more severe depressive symptomatology and a reduction of tolerability to neuroleptics in the seroconverted patients' group.

Thoracoscopic staging of IIIB non-small cell lung cancer before neoadjuvant therapy

BACKGROUND

Bronchoscopy and imaging techniques are the most valuable tools for noninvasive staging of patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer but their overall accuracy is not satisfactory. Neoadjuvant therapy protocols require strict criteria for patient selection and invasive staging should be carried out to establish standardized inclusion criteria and to homogenize posttreatment results. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the role of thoracoscopy in the assessment of the real extent of lung cancer in patients with the clinical suspicion of stage IIIB disease.

METHODS

From January 1993 to March 1996, we observed 64 patients with suspected IIIB non-small cell lung cancer. Forty-three patients were considered eligible for this study and were divided into three groups: group I, cytologically negative pleural effusion (n = 10); group II, computed tomographic suspicion of mediastinal infiltration (n = 30); and group III, contralateral lymphadenopathy not accessible by mediastinoscopy (n = 3).

RESULTS

No complications related to thoracoscopy occurred. Of 10 patients in group I, thoracoscopy up-staged the disease to IIIB in 6 (60%). Of 30 patients with suspicion of T4 (group II), thoracoscopy confirmed T4 in 15 patients (50%). Nine (30%) were downstaged to stage IIIA and 2 (6.6%) to stage II. In 4 patients (13.4%) thoracoscopy failed to yield definitive staging. In all 3 patients of group III, thoracoscopy confirmed stage IIIB.

CONCLUSIONS

Thoracoscopy proved adequate for correct staging in 39 of 43 patients (91%); therefore, it should be considered in the staging work-up of suspected stage IIIB patients.

Contact sensitization to sunscreens

BACKGROUND

Para aminobenzoic acid (PABA) derivatives and cinnamate are chemical sunscreens that protect against UVB (290 to 320 nm). They may occasionally produce contact and photocontact sensitization.

OBJECTIVE

To report a sensitization to octyl-dimethyl-PABA and photosensitization to 2-ethylhexyl-p-metossicinnamate in a 31-year-old man.

METHODS

A patient with a 3-year history of a relapsing dermatitis involving the face, neck, legs, and knees is reported. The eruption had recurred every summer after sunlight exposure. Patch tests with International Contact Dermatitis Research Group (IC-DRG) standard series and the photopatch series (Hermal-Trolab, Reinbek, Germany) using Finn chambers on Scanpor (Norgesplaster A/S, Oslo, Norway) were carried out.

RESULTS

We found a positive reaction to Balsam of Peru, fragrance mix, Escalol 507, and Parsol MCX (Hermal-Trolab, Reinbek, Germany). Photopatch test revealed a positive reaction only for Parsol MCX.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of allergic contact dermatitis to sunscreens is considered low. Recently sunscreens patch test concentrations have been increased from 2% to 10%. These higher percentages will probably permit the identification of more cases of sunscreens allergy in the near future.

Usefulness of serology in preendoscopic screening. The Italian Helicobacter pylori Study Group

BACKGROUND

Over the last 20 years, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy has become the investigation of choice for patients with symptoms referrable to the upper gastrointestinal tract. As the increasing number of patients referred for endoscopy has led to enlarged waiting lists and medical expenses, it has been recommended that preendoscopic screening strategies might identify patients at low risk of having major pathology. These patients could avoid prompt endoscopy and might safely undergo different management. Since the recognition of the major role played by Helicobacter pylori in gastroduodenal pathology, H. pylori serological and demographical features have been proposed as part of preendoscopic screening strategies in dyspeptic patients referred to endoscopy, in an attempt to reduce endoscopic workload and medical expenses.

METHODS

We evaluate data presented in the literature and aim to give interpretations possibly helpful in the clinical practice.

RESULTS

The analysis of the endoscopic findings showed that applying a preendoscopic strategy based on age and H. pylori status in local hospitals without a specific interest in H. pylori research would have meant missing a proportion of relevant pathology: 35 of 557 (6.3%) peptic ulcers (24 duodenal and 11 gastric ulcers) and two gastric cancers (0.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

Although we do understand the need to increase the cost-effectiveness of endoscopy and realize that considering age and H. pylori status could help to get to this target, we conclude that similar preendoscopic screening strategies must be refined further before being adopted on a large scale.

Noninvasive in vivo quantitative assessment of fat content in human liver

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Since the introduction of ultrasonography, liver steatosis has become an increasingly frequent diagnosis. Both ultrasonography (US) and computerized tomography (CT) provide qualitative rather than quantitative assessment of fatty infiltration. The objective of this study was to develop a noninvasive method for the quantification of the hepatic fat content in vivo. A test object containing solutions with CT scan density (CTD) similar to normal liver ("liver-equivalent") or "fat-equivalent material" in variable proportions was prepared to measure patients with variable degrees of steatosis in vivo.

RESULTS

A linear correlation (r=0.99, p<0.001) linked CTD and the increasing percentage of fat-equivalent material. A CTD calibration curve was derived as a reference for the in vivo determinations. In 29 consecutive patients with steatosis diagnosed by histology, CTD was linearly correlated (r=0.83, p<0.001) with the hepatic fat content (HFC) expressed as percent of the whole liver, obtained by a computerized histomorphometric analysis. Based on the calibration curve obtained in 29 subjects who underwent liver biopsy, 38 additional consecutive steatotic patients were examined and the degree of hepatic fat content was calculated. The HFC was linearly correlated (r=-0.86, p<0.001) with the liver-to-spleen ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that the use of test objects allows an accurate and reproducible noninvasive quantitative assessment of hepatic fat infiltration in humans. This technique may prove useful in the evaluation of the natural course and treatment of hepatic steatosis as well as in the assessment of donor livers prior to transplantation.

[An uncommon complication: cryptorchidism in an adult]

This unusual pathology has not been described in the medical literature of the last ten years. A 39-year-old patient, affected by unilateral cryptorchidism, on the right side, and congenital inguinal hernia, reached the operating theatre suffering from occlusive intestinal syndrome, due to a clogged hernial sac. This clog was caused by a retracting testicle which in turn stopped the ileal ansa from slipping back in to the peritoneum. Through this case we can underline the excursus of such pathology, which isn't very frequent in the adult but can, nevertheless create a fairly serious pathology, often leading to neoplan.

[Role of Doppler color ultrasonography and of flowmetric analysis in the diagnosis and follow-up of Grave's disease]

Hyperthyroidism in Graves' disease is caused by the presence of circulating autoantibodies to the THS receptors on the thyroid cells. Thyroid-suppression therapy prevents hormone production directly, without affecting the pathogenetic process. We performed color Doppler US of the thyroid gland and pulsed Doppler analysis of thyroid artery flow in 21 patients with Graves' disease before and during medical treatment. US results were compared with those of a control group of 40 healthy subjects and correlated with the values of thyroid hormones, TSH, and thyroid microsomal and thyroglobulin antibodies. The thyroid gland was hypovascularized in the control group. Pulsed Doppler examination of the thyroid arteries exhibited peak systolic velocity of PSV 20 +/- 4 cm/s, diastolic velocity of 8 +/- 1 cm/s, and resistive index of 0.60 +/- 0.04. The thyroid gland of Graves' disease patients was hypervascularized. Pulsed Doppler examination of the thyroid arteries exhibited peak systolic velocity (PSV = 51 +/- 12 cm/s), end diastolic velocity (VD = 15 +/- 4 cm/s), and resistive index (RI = 0.71 +/- 0.04) significantly higher than in normal subjects (p < 0.001). Circulating thyroid hormones and flow parameters normalized after 6-8 months of medical therapy (PSV = 20 +/- 6 cm/s, VD = 9 +/- 3 cm/s, RI = 0.58 +/- 0.07). Conversely, the color Doppler patterns normalized only in a patient with normal TSH and antibodies. Sampling of the thyroid arteries proved more repeatable than sampling of parenchymal vessels.

Occult lung cancer in patients with bullous emphysema

BACKGROUND

The incidence of lung cancer is increased in patients with bullous emphysema.

METHODS

A series of 95 patients undergoing excision of bullous lung tissue was reviewed to determine the incidence and long term outcome of occult carcinoma present in the resected material.

RESULTS

Four patients (4.2%) had peripheral foci of large cell carcinoma in the resection specimen (three bullectomies and one lobectomy).

CONCLUSIONS

Resected bullous lung tissue should be carefully examined for areas of bronchogenic carcinoma. The results of incidental complete excision are favourable.

Ambulatory mediastinal biopsy for hematologic malignancies

OBJECTIVE

We retrospectively evaluated our experience with outpatient surgical biopsy of mediastinal lesions in patients with hematologic malignancies, its cost-effectiveness and ability to allow diagnosis.

METHODS

Eighty patients underwent outpatient surgical biopsy of mediastinal lesions related to hematologic malignancies (50 cervical mediastinoscopies, 24 anterior mediastinotomies and six video-assisted thoracoscopies). Eight patients had a superior vena cava syndrome, five had lesions residuing or relapsing after chemo-radiotherapy and six and had been treated with steroids before diagnosis; in five cases the biopsy had been previously performed at other hospitals without achieving a positive diagnosis.

RESULTS

Ambulatory mediastinal biopsy allowed diagnosis in all cases. Fifty-one patients had Hodgkin disease, 28 had non-Hodgkin lymphoma and one had chronic lymphatic leukemia. There was no operative mortality. Complications were: pneumothorax and bleeding during mediastinoscopy and wound infection after anterior mediastinotomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Mediastinal biopsy can be safely performed on an outpatient basis in selected patients with mediastinal involvement due to hematologic malignancies. Costs were markedly reduced with respect to in-hospital procedures.

Salvage lung resection for massive hemoptysis after resolution of pulmonary aspergillosis in a patient with acute leukemia

A 58-year-old woman with acute myelogenous leukemia in complete remission underwent successful pulmonary resection for massive hemoptysis occurring after resolution of pulmonary aspergillosis. Despite the fact that the role of surgery in the treatment of pulmonary mycosis in immunocompromised hosts is still to be clearly defined, emergency lung resections can be successfully performed in this group of patients with almost immediate recovery of stable clinical parameters. Brisk recovery can reduce overall morbidity and mortality and allow for early resumption of any necessary treatment for underlying disease.

Is there a postinfection fatigue syndrome?

Prolonged fatigue syndromes are common in general practice. Most of these syndromes are secondary to other common medical or psychological disorders. It appears, however, that some specific infectious illnesses are associated with prolonged recovery. Theories as to the mechanisms for such post infection fatigue syndromes include a range of immunological, psychological and neurobiological processes. Current evidence suggests disruption of fundamental central nervous system mechanisms, such as the sleep-wake cycle and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, may underpin the clinical features of this disorder. Treatment should focus on the provision of continuous medical care, physical rehabilitation and adjunctive psychological therapies.