Lung resection for non-small cell lung cancer after prophylactic coronary angioplasty and stenting: short- and long-term results

AIM

Recent studies have reported a high incidence of perioperative in-stent trombosis with myocardial infarction (MI), in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery, early after coronary angioplasty and stenting. The short and long-term results of surgery for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after prophylatic coronary angioplasty and stenting were analyzed.

METHODS

Prospective collected data were examined for postoperative complications and long-term survival in 16 consecutive patients who underwent mayor lung resection for NSCLC after prophylactic coronary angioplasty and stenting for significant coronary artery disease , from 2001 to 2008. One and two non-drug-eluting stents were placed in 75% or (25% of the patient, respectively. All patients had four weeks of dual antiplatelet therapy, that was discontinued 5 days prior to surgery and replaced by low molecular weight heparin. Patients were keep sedated and intubated overnight, according to our protocol.

RESULTS

There were no postoperative deaths nor MI. A patient experienced pulmonary embolism with moderate troponin release and underwent coronary angiography that showed patency of the stent. Two patients developed postoperative bleeding complications haemothorax requiring a re-thoracotomy in 1, gastric bleeding requiring blood transfusion in 1. At the mean follow-up of 30 months (range 3-95), none of the patients showed evidence of myocardial ischemia, while 5 (31%) patients died, mostly (N.=4) due to distant metastasis. The five-year survival rate was 53%.

CONCLUSION

In contrast to previous reports, lung resection after prophylactic coronary angioplasty and stenting is a safe and effective treatment for NSCLC and myocardial ischemia. The application of a refined protocol could be the key factor for improved results.

Treatment of clavicle fractures

Clavicle fractures are very common injuries in adults (2-5%) and children (10-15%) (1) and represent the 44-66% of all shoulder fractures (2). Despite the high frequency the choice of proper treatment is still a challenge for the orthopedic surgeon. With this review we wants to focus the attention on the basic epidemiology, anatomy, classification, evaluation and management of surgical treatments in relationship with the gravity of injuries. Both conservative and surgical management are possible, and surgeons must choose the most appropriate management modality according to the biologic age, functional demands, and type of lesion. We performed a review of the English literature thought PubMed to produce an evidence-based review of current concept and management of clavicle fracture. We finished taking a comparison with our survey in order to underline our direct experience.

Multichannel computed tomography (MCCT) analysis of glenoid erosion in shoulder hemiarthroplasty: preliminary clinical applications

Glenoid wear following shoulder hemiarthroplasty (HA) has been reported around 80% in long-term follow-up studies. Radiographic analysis is useful to depict glenoid erosion but does not evaluate accurately glenoid bone loss. Multichannel computed tomography (MCCT) allows scanning with submillimeter section thickness through dense areas of glenoid bone, despite the presence of metallic prostheses. In this preliminary study, we performed a MCCT analysis of glenoid erosion, in 15 patients with painful shoulder HA, at an average follow-up of 5.5 years. Clinical scores were retrospectively assessed at an early (1 year), medium (2.5 years), and late (5.5 years) follow-up. We analyzed the following glenoid features: articular line space (ALS), glenoid length (bone stock), glenoid version, morphology of erosion (concentric, superior ed inferior tilt), and gross bone defects. Glenoid was retroversed in 13 patients (minimum 0 degrees maximum 8 degrees), antiversed in 2 patients (2 degrees and 6 degrees). Erosion was described as concentric in 13 patients, eccentric ("superior tilt") in 1 patient, biconcave in another patient. The mean glenoid length was 19.7 mm (min 16.4 max 22.7). Gross bone defects were described in six patients. The scores registered at latest follow-up showed a significant decrease compared with the values at 1 year (P < 0.001) and at 2.5 years (P < 0.001). The patients with glenoid erosion associated with gross defects and ALS <or=1.2 mm had lower scores for pain and lower scores for ROM (P < 0.01). Multidetector CT analysis establishes a new frontier in the postoperative management of shoulder arthroplasty, and its application in the glenoid analysis offers a significant contribution for the following reasons: qualitative and quantitative glenoid features are better seen because volume-rendering eliminates most streak artifacts and produces high-quality images; spatial information relative to the prosthetic devices and the relationship among hardware and bone can be better demonstrated; allows an accurate preoperative planning prior to starting with revision surgery.

Pleural granuloma mimicking malignancy 42 years after slurry talc injection for primary spontaneous pneumothorax

BACKGROUND

Talc poudrage is considered a safe pleurodesis technique to improve the results of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in cases of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP).

METHODS

We report the case of a patient with left pleural pseudo-nodular plaque and a high metabolic rate upon PET scan suspected for malignancy, occurring 42 years after slurry talc injection for conservative treatment of PSP. The patient presented with coughing, chest pain and weight loss. Thoracotomy was required to obtain a diagnosis and perform a complete pleurectomy.

RESULTS

Histology was conclusive for pleural talc granuloma.

CONCLUSIONS

Indications and possible complications of talc use in young patients with PSP, and the management of possible consequent pleural lesions suspected for malignancy, need to be investigated.

VATS for congenital lobar emphysema: a case report

Congenital lobar emphysema (CLE) is a rare congenital lung disease consisting in overinflation of a pulmonary lobe. Adult onset of CLE is therefore unusual, often presented with mild symptoms. The authors report a very uncommon case of congenital segmental emphysema diagnosed in a 21-year-old non-smoking man because of recurrent right pneumothorax. Indication to pulmonary resection was established according to functional limitation, radiological findings of right upper lobe segmental emphysema with corresponding bronchial agenesia, scintigraphic result of extremely reduced ventilation and perfusion of lung emphysematous area and recurrency of pneumothorax. The intervention was carried out by 3-portal video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) using single-lung ventilation leading to determine precisely how much lung to resect thanks to the obvious and clear-cut distinction between functioning and non functioning parenchyma of the upper lobe. A stapler wedge resection by VATS was thus obtained, that, as far as the author's knowledge, it is the first case of endoscopic parenchymal sparing resection in CLE. Even though congenital lobar emphysema is rare, clinical awareness of this condition is important for early diagnosis and effective surgical treatment that in this case led to favourable

RESULTS

The VATS procedure seems to be an advantageous approach.

Surgical approach to acute pectoralis major tendon rupture

Pectoralis major rupture is a very uncommon injury first time described by Patissier in 1822. Tears are classified on the type (partial and complete) or on the site (tendinous, myotendinous junction, intramuscular). Ruptures are reported in young high-performance athletes as results of eccentric contractions of the musculotendinous unit. The most probable mechanism in elderly patients is a brisk tearing movement applied to stiff atrophic muscle. Injuries generally involve the sternal portion; the localization to the clavicular portion is rare and can be misdiagnosed as muscle sprain. Preoperative planning include MRI as gold standard regarding operative versus non operative treatment decisions. Surgical repair is recommended in cases of complete tears because of loss of strenght in adduction, flexion and internal rotation. Aim of the current study is to describe the surgical repair of acute pectoralis major tendon rupture in 5 patients. Surgery was performed through a modified delto-pectoral approach; pectoralis major tendon was attached at its anatomic insertion using two metallic anchors. The patient as been immobilized in a sling for 30 days and then assisted physiotherapy begun; strenght exercises were allowed at 90 days. At a mean follow-up of 24 months results were excellent in all cases with restoration of strenght and coming back to previously sports activity.

Endoscopic approach to cubital tunnel syndrome

The cubital tunnel syndrome is one of the most common entrapment neuropathy of the upper limb. The ulnar nerve can be compressed in the oteofibrous tunnel by the bone structures, the Osborne's ligament, the fascia of the ulnar flexor muscle of the carpus or of the aponeurosis of the deep flexor of the fingers. Pressure values in the cubital tunnel >50 mm Hg induce blocking of intraneural circulation with electrodiagnostic modifications, clinical signs and histological changes including demyelinazion of the nerve proximal to the cubital tunnel. Surgery becomes essential in case of failure of conservative and physical therapy. Various surgical techniques have been described in the literature for the treatment of the ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. In this paper the authors report a new endoscopic technique for the treatment of ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow which requires respect of specific electrodiagnostic and clinical criteria of inclusion. The restored joint active motion following elbow arthroscopy in osteoarthritis can induce or get worse a ulnar nerve neuropathy; endoscopy neurolysis is essential to remove perineural adherences and reduces the nerve stress. Immediate well-being of the patient, lesser invasiveness and minimum vascular complications are clear advantages of the endoscopic approach, while the treatment of the pathologies proximal and distal to the Struther's arcade is a limit of the technique.

Late outcome and perioperative complications for surgery of locally recurrent bronchogenic carcinoma

AIM

Many doubts involve a 2(nd) surgical approach for local relapse of non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) since iterative resections represent a well-recognized treatment in second primary lung cancer (SPLC).

METHODS

The medical reports of patients who underwent surgical resection, between 1988 and 2002, were reviewed. All patients submitted to 2(nd) operation were examined according to Martini and Melamed criteria to distinguish between local recurrence and second primary lung cancer.

RESULTS

Complete resection for NSCLC was performed in 1 386 patients. Nineteen patients were submitted to surgery for local recurrence (17 men and 2 women) and mean age at the time of 1(st) operation was 61 years (range 41-78 years). The 1(st) operation consisted of lobectomy in 15 cases, anatomical segmentectomy in 2 and wedge resection in 2. The 2(nd) pulmonary resection was completion pneumonectomy in 16 cases, completion lobectomy in 2, wedge resection in 1. Major complications occurred in 26% and overall hospital mortality was 5%. Five-year survival after 2(nd) intervention was 31% and median survival 27 months. Survival was better when the time between 1(st) resection and cancer relapse was longer than 14 months and when recurrence was intrapulmonary.

CONCLUSIONS

A new malignant lesion can be operated if it is solitary and intrapulmonary, if accurate staging is negative and if the patient is able to go through 2(nd) surgery from cardiopulmonary evaluation.

The Bristow-Latarjet method in the treatment of shoulder instability that cannot be resolved by arthroscopy. A review of the literature and technical-surgical aspects

Arthroscopy has surpassed traditional types of open surgery in the treatment of shoulder instability because of its mini-invasiveness and shorter rehabilitation time. Despite this, in some cases, such as those involving significant glenoid erosions and extensive capsular lesions, arthroscopic methods fail the objectives, and methods that were believed to have been surpassed are again used, such as the Bristow-Laterjet procedure. It is the purpose of this article to describe use of the method in light of the possibilities offered by arthroscopy.

Arthroscopic neurolysis of the ulnar nerve at the elbow

Cubital tunnel syndrome is a frequent form of neuropathy caused by entrapment of the upper limb. Conservative treatment and physical therapy are the treatment of choice for at least 6 months prior to any type of surgery. The surgical techniques proposed for treatment of this syndrome include simple decompression, transposition and neurolysis. It is the purpose of this study to demonstrate the advantages of arthroscopy for neurolysis of the ulnar nerve at the elbow in a specific cohort of patients. The patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively based on subjective (VAS) and objective (Bishop and Dellon) scales. The degree of patient satisfaction on the average was more than 60%. The mean increase in Bishop score was 5 points (minimum 3, maximum 7). Results appeared to be good and stable at 6 and 12-month follow-up evaluation.

The inverse prosthesis as a revision prosthesis in failures of shoulder hemiarthroplasty

The authors describe their series of seven cases of complications and failures of shoulder hemiarthroplasty that were submitted to revision surgery involving an inverse prosthesis. This prosthesis has for some time now been indicated in elderly patients with arthropathy caused by rupture of the cuff. In our cases this prosthesis was implanted in patients who had undergone shoulder hemiarthroplasty for fracture and for arthrosis. The Constant score was used for pre- and postoperative evaluation. Results at mid-term, from 2 to 4 years, indicate evident improvement in Constant score that rose from a mean of 23.14 preoperatively to a mean of 49.14 postoperatively. Despite the limited follow-up the authors suggest the use of the inverse prosthesis as an effective alternative solution in shoulder arthroplasty revision surgery.

Comparison between arthroscopy and arthrotomy in the treatment of shoulder instability

Anterior post-traumatic shoulder instability represents a common finding in orthopaedic surgery. The surgical treatment of this lesion is often indispensable for the normal social life of the patient and for the sports activity of the young. The Bankart procedure with capsular retensioning by arthrotomic access has for years been the gold standard. In the last 10 years arthroscopic accesses have gained more and more consent for the surgical treatment of such lesions, with results that have considerably improved in time. It is the purpose of this study to compare the results obtained in patients affected with anterior-inferior post-traumatic shoulder instability treated by Bankart surgery, arthrotomic and arthroscopic, with a minimum follow-up of 4 years.

Comparison between segmentectomy and larger resection of stage IA non-small cell lung carcinoma

AIM

Stage IA non small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) represents early cancer and is best treated by surgery. The frequency of recurrence and new primary cancer varies from one report to another while the role of sublobar resection is still debated.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 121 consecutive patients with pathological stage IA after radical surgery.

RESULTS

In stage IA NSCLC 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates were 89%, 76% and 66%. Nearly half of the deaths were unrelated to the original cancer. From statistical analysis we did not find any factor indicative of a better prognosis. We did not find any difference in survival between histologic types. Segmentectomy did not show a worse survival rate compared with larger resection.

CONCLUSION

Survival is neither influenced by the type of resection nor by the histologic types in stage IA. However, we noticed a high incidence of local recurrence, segmentectomy could be a viable choice in patients with cardiopulmonary impairment.

Pneumonectomy vs lobectomy in the treatment of pathologic N1 NSCLC: could the type of surgical resection dictate survival?

AIM

To define the prognostic significance of specific types of N1 lymph node involvement in patients operated on for stage II (N1) NSCLC and to evaluate if the extent of resection affects survival.

METHODS

Of 1117 patients operated on from 1985 to 1998, an homogeneous group of 124 consecutive patients with pathologic T1-T2 N1 disease who had undergone a complete resection with systematic nodal dissection were analysed. No patients received adjuvant radio- or chemotherapy.

RESULTS

The overall 5-year survival rate was 48.8%. Survival was not related to pathologic T factor, histology, number, percentage or level of N1 involved, visceral pleura involvement, number of lymph nodes dissected. Patients were then divided into 3 groups depending on the level of lymph node involvement (stations 10, 11 and 12-13) and survival analysed according to the extent of resection (pneumonectomy vs lobectomy). No significant difference was found, however, in the group of level 10, patients treated by pneumonectomy showed a better 5-year survival (58%) compared to patients treated by lobectomy (33%) with a median survival of 110 against 58 months. This data was confirmed by a lower incidence of local recurrence in the pneumonectomy group than lobectomy group (0% vs 24%), whereas the same incidence of distant metastases was observed in the two groups (29% vs 23%).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with stage II (N1) NSCLC, only in case of station 10 involved, pneumonectomy could allow a better survival lowering the incidence of local recurrence. However the major part of patients with stage II (N1) NSCLC die for distant metastasis. This supports the necessity to develop a specific systemic treatment.

Survival after bronchoplastic lobectomy for non small cell lung cancer compared with pneumonectomy according to nodal status

BACKGROUND

In this retrospective study we have compared the results after sleeve lobectomy and pneumonectomy performed for non small cell lung cancer in the period January 1990-December 1995 at the Thoracic Surgery Unit, University Hospital of Siena. Follow-up was updated until December 2000.

METHODS

In that period, 38 patients underwent sleeve lobectomy and 127 underwent pneumonectomy. The bronchoplasty was a full sleeve in 30 patients and a bronchial wedge resection in eight. Systemic nodal dissection was undertaken routinely.

RESULTS

The 30-day postoperative mortality was 5.2% (2/38) in the sleeve lobectomy group and 3.9% (5/127) in the pneumonectomy group. Postoperative complications occurred in 23.6% of patients in the sleeve lobectomy group and in 23.2% of those in the pneumonectomy group. Local recurrences occurred in 5.2% of patients in the sleeve lobectomy group and in 4.8% of those in the pneumonectomy group. The overall 5-year survival for the sleeve lobectomy group was 38% whereas that for the pneumonectomy group was 25% (p=0.03). Regarding lymph-node involvement, in the sleeve lobectomy group, the 5-year survival for N0, N1 and N2 was 62.5, 17.5 and 12.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data confirm that sleeve lobectomy, when performed in selected patients with non small cell lung cancer, provides at least similar overall long term survival to that seen after pneumonectomy. Long term result are chiefly related to nodal stage with a significantly lower survival for patients with nodal involvement. As most patients with nodal involvement die from distant metastases, adjuvant treatment, instead of type of resection, would play a major role in prolonging survival.

Results of induction chemotherapy followed by surgical resection in patients with stage IIIA (N2) non-small cell lung cancer: the importance of the nodal down-staging after chemotherapy

OBJECTIVE

Chemotherapy of stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using second generation, cisplatin-based combinations has shown to improve the results; however, the distant relapses remain the major problem. Encouraging results in the treatment of stage IV NSCLC with newer agents (gemcitabine, placlitaxel) has encouraged us to use them in stage III. The aim of this study was to assess feasibility and efficacy of induction chemotherapy with cisplatin and gemcitabine followed by surgery for patients with stage IIIA (N2) NSCLC.

METHODS

From February 1996 to December 1999, 36 consecutive patients with mediastinoscopically staged N2 NSCLC received three cycles of cisplatin (80 mg/m(2), day 2) and gemcitabine (1200 mg/m(2), day 1+8) followed by surgery in responding patients. Patients with stable disease or even local progression received radiotherapy. All patients had clinical N2 disease (mediastinal lymph nodes metastasis) observed on CT scan.

RESULTS

No major complications of the chemotherapy occurred. Twenty-five patients (70%) had a clinical partial response and were surgically explored, with 18 complete resections (70%). There were no in-hospital deaths, although four (16%) major complications: bronchopleural fistula (two), respiratory insufficiency (one), oesophagospleural fistula (one). In the total group of 36 patients, 3-year survival was 20%. So far, no patient without surgery has survived longer then 27 months; median survival was 8 months. In the group of the 25 patients who underwent surgery 3-year survival was 30%, with a median survival of 21 months. The difference is significant (P=0.0027). In the surgical group, the survival of patients with down staged disease (56%) was greater than that of patients with persistent N2 disease (44%) after chemotherapy (3-year survival of 59 and 0%, respectively; P=0.0013).

CONCLUSION

induction chemotherapy with cisplatin and gemcitabine resulted in major tumour regression in a large percentage of patients with clinical N2 disease. In responding patients both the complete respectability rate and survival were higher when compared to historical controls. Survival was significantly better in patients down-staged to a mediastinal negative disease.

Complex traumatic-degenerative injury of the proximal metaepiphysis of the humerus

The authors describe one case of displaced fracture of the proximal third of the humerus with high-grade degenerative arthropathy in the humeral head and in the glenoid surface on a humerus that had previously been treated thirty years earlier with a Delitala intramedullary nail for diaphyseal fracture.

The effects of patellar taping on patellofemoral incongruence. A computed tomography study

Patellar taping for the purpose of patellar medialization is a nonoperative rehabilitation technique used in the treatment of patellofemoral pain. Despite early reports of excellent success rates, the indications for this treatment and its efficacy on patellofemoral pain are unclear. The present computed tomography study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of patellar taping on patellofemoral incongruence. Sixteen female patients (age range, 16 to 25 years) with anterior knee pain related to patellofemoral incongruence underwent computed tomography examination with their quadriceps muscles relaxed and contracted both before and after patellar taping. Patellar lateralization was measured as lateral patellar displacement, and patellar tilt was measured as lateral patellar angle. Patellar taping did not significantly affect patellofemoral lateralization or tilt. The results of this study do not support the use of this method for passive correction of patellofemoral incongruence. Although patellar taping may well be effective in controlling anterior knee pain during physical therapy, it does not do so by medializing the patella.

Assessing the prognostic value of the extent of mediastinal lymph node infiltration in surgically-treated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Although there have been several attempts in dividing N2 patients into several subgroups on the basis of different prognoses, the correct treatment for these patients is still a moot point. Even multimodal treatment, which is the most common therapy used, does not result in a consistent outcome. The aim of our study is to assess the prognostic value of the extent of mediastinal lymph node infiltration in surgically treated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). From January 1990 to December 1997, 682 patients underwent surgery for NSCLC at the Thoracic Surgery Unit, University Hospital of Siena, 87 of which (12%) had mediastinal involvement. Studies on the number of lymph node stations show that those with one station involved tend to have a better 5-year survival rate with respect to the others. We studied the number of lymph node stations by using a new critique based on the percentage of lymph node infiltration. The percentage is obtained from a ratio of the number of involved nodes to the total number of nodes removed. The result was an improved 5-year survival ratio in patients with lymph node infiltration, lower than 50% with respect to the others, and the difference was significant (P=0.0001). It appears that surgery may be the most suitable option for treating those N2 patients that we consider to be in 'early N2 phase', in view of long term survival. Although an invasive technique like mediastinoscopy seems to be the appropriate indicator in selecting N2 patients, it does not allow the calculation of the ratio a priori.

Iterative surgical resections for local recurrent and second primary bronchogenic carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To report our experience with repeated pulmonary resection in patients with local recurrent and second primary bronchogenic carcinoma, to assess operative mortality and late outcome.

METHODS

The medical records of all patients who underwent a second lung resection for local recurrent and second primary bronchogenic carcinoma from 1978 through 1998 were reviewed.

RESULTS

There were 27 patients. They constituted 2.5% of 1059 patients who had undergone lung resection for bronchogenic carcinoma in the same period. Twelve patients (1.1%) (group 1) had a local recurrence that developed at a median interval of 24 months (range 4-83). The first pulmonary resection was lobectomy in ten patients and segmentectomy in two. The second operation consisted of completion pneumonectomy in ten cases, completion lobectomy in one and wedge resection of the right lower lobe after a right upper lobectomy in one. The other 15 patients (1.4%) (group 2) had a new primary lung cancer that developed at a median interval of 45 months (range 21-188). The first pulmonary resection was lobectomy in 12 patients, bilobectomy in one and pneumonectomy in two. The second pulmonary resection was controlateral lobectomy in seven patients, controlateral sleeve lobectomy in two, controlateral pneumonectomy in 1, controlateral wedge resection in four and completion pneumonectomy in one. Overall hospital mortality was 7.4%, including one intraoperative and one postoperative death in group 1 and 2, respectively. Five-year survival after the second operation was 15.5 and 43% with a median survival of 26 and 49 months in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P=ns).

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term results justify complete work-up of patients with local recurrent and second primary bronchogenic carcinoma. Treatment should be surgical, if there is no evidence of distant metastasis and the patients are in good health. Early detection of second lesions is possible with an aggressive follow-up conducted maximally at 4 months intervals for the first 2 years and 6 months intervals thereafter throughout life.

[Video-assisted thoracic surgery in the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax]

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the surgical indications and the results of a series of 107 patients treated by video-assisted thoracic surgery for spontaneous pneumothorax with a minimum follow-up of 12 months.

METHODS

From January 1991 to December 1997, 107 patients (86 male and 21 female patients) mean age 28 years (range 14-78), underwent VATS for treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax.

RESULTS

Seventy-five patients had primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) and thirty-two patients had secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP). Bullous area was not seen in 26 patients with PSP. Ninety-nine patients were treated with wedge stapled resection of the bullous area or of the apex (when no bullous area was seen) and some form of pleurodesis, whereas 8 patients with PSP were treated only with pleurodesis. Among these 8 patients, two presented recurrence. Two patients with PSP and 8 patients with SSP were treated by apical pleurectomy: no one developed recurrence. The other 97 were treated with electrocoagulation of the parietal pleura. Conversion to a thoracotomy was necessary in 4 patients (12.5%) because of massive pleural adhesions. There were no postoperative deaths. A complication developed in 3 patients (4%) with PSP and in 5 patients (17.8%) with SSP, whose procedure was ended by VATS. The duration of systematic postoperative drainage was 3.8 +/- 0.9 (range 3-15 days) for the group of patients with PSP and 6 +/- 2.1 (range 4-23 days) for the group of patients with SSP. The duration of the hospital stay was 5.6 +/- 1.4 (range 4-15) and 8.4 +/- 2.3 (range 6-18) in patients with PSP and SSP respectively. Follow-up analysis revealed 2 (2.66%) ipsilateral recurrent pneumothorax in 75 patients treated for PSP. Among 26 patients with SSP, whose procedure was completed by VATS, 2 recurrences (7.7%) were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical treatment by VATS is a valid alternative to open thoracotomy in patients with PSP and will be the treatment of choice because, with increased experience of surgeons, it will yield the same results as standard operative therapy but with the advantages of the minimally invasive operation. The usefulness of VATS in patients with SSP remains to be defined.

Treatment and survival after lung resection for non-small cell lung cancer in patients with microscopic residual disease at the bronchial stump

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is a retrospective evaluation of survival in patients who had undergone lung resection for non-small cell lung cancer and in whose microscopic residual disease at the bronchial resection margin was found, according to the type of infiltration, histology, lymph node involvement and postoperative treatment.

METHODS

A total of 1384 patients underwent lung resection for non-small cell lung cancer at the Thoracic Surgery Unit of the University of Siena from 1983 through 1998. All patients underwent complete mediastinal lymphadenectomy and this guaranteed an accurate stadiation. Staging was done according to the TNM and UICC classifications. Residual microscopic disease at the bronchial resection margin was divided in mucosal microscopic residual disease and extramucosal microscopic residual disease. Patients dying within 30 days from operation were excluded from survival analyses. Survival was analysed by the product limit method of Kaplan and Meier and curves were compared using the log-rank test.

RESULTS

Microscopic residual disease was found postoperatively at the bronchial margin in 3.39% (47/1384), of all patients undergoing lung resection for non-small cell lung cancer. Thirty patients (2.16%) had extramucosal microscopic residual disease and 17 (1.22%) had mucosal microscopic residual disease. Seventeen patients received adjuvant radiotherapy after operation, two patients underwent completion pneumonectomy; no chemotherapy was given. Median survival for the whole group was 22 months. The probability of survival was not significantly (P > 0.05) correlated with the type of infiltration, nor with lymph node disease, neither with histology, although patients with squamous cell carcinoma had a median survival of 30 versus 12 months of patients with adenocarcinoma. The probability of survival could not be correlated with the administration of adjuvant radiotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

A frozen-section analysis of the bronchial resection margin and peribronchial tissue should be made in all patients with endobronchial tumour. We suggest that patients with microscopic residual tumour and stage I or II disease should undergo re-operation, if possible. In patients with documented N2 disease we don't recommend re-operation; extending the magnitude of the resection is unlikely to alter their outcome. Choice treatment for these patients is radiotherapy.

Ectopic parathyroid adenoma. Two cases treated with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery

In recurrent or persistent hyperparathyroidism, accurate location of the abnormal gland is essential before further surgery, but the variety of available imaging techniques suggests that no one procedure is universally reliable. We report two cases in which clear preoperative visualization of adenoma with double-phase 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy and exact high-resolution CT location permitted successful minimally invasive surgery.

Videothoracoscopic obliteration of pleuroperitoneal fistula in continuous peritoneal dialysis

Hydrothorax during peritoneal dialysis is a very tedious complication. Many authors have described techniques of performing diagnosis and therapeutic procedures to take care of these complications. We describe a method to perform diagnosis and therapy by videothoracoscopy. Videothoracoscopy permits identification and closure of the tiny flaws in the diaphragm.