Outcomes of early anti-fungal therapy with aggressive surgical resection in pulmonary mucormycosis

Objectives

The standard management protocols are lacking in the management of pulmonary mucormycosis (PM). The present study aims at reporting our clinical experience and proposing an algorithm for the management of PM.

Materials and Methods

This is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database at a dedicated thoracic surgical unit in New Delhi, India, over 7 years. An analysis of demographic characteristics and perioperative variables including complications was carried out. Various parameters were analyzed to assess the factors affecting mortality after surgical intervention.

Results

Out of total 19 patients, 15 were males (78.9%) and 4 females (21.1%), with a mean age of 43.8 years (range, 19-72 years). Chronic kidney disease (status postrenal transplant on immunosuppressant therapy) was the most common predisposing factor in 11 patients (57.8%). All patients were initially started on antifungal therapy, and after 7-8 days, the response was assessed by computed tomography scan of the chest, and based on that, 15 patients (78.9%) were operated (surgical group) and the rest 4 (21.1%) were not (nonsurgical group). In the surgical group, lobectomy was required in 12 (80%) and pneumonectomy in 3 patients (20%). Postoperative complications occurred in 5 patients (33.3%). There were 3 perioperative deaths (within 90 days of surgery) (20%). Poor Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (>2) and longer duration of symptoms (>2 weeks) were independent predictors of mortality after surgery. The survivors in the surgical group are doing well. However, all four patients in the nonsurgical group died due to disease progression.

Conclusion

After few days of initiation of antifungal therapy, aggressive surgical resection must be performed (wherever feasible) to improve survival outcome in patients with PM.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax: Results in 110 consecutive cases

Background:

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) results from the rupture of small blebs or bullae in a patient without any pre-existing lung disease. Last decade witnessed a paradigm shift in the surgical management of pneumothorax from open to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) method. In this study, we aim to report our single center experience of surgical management of PSP along with surgical outcomes in 110 consecutive cases of PSP.

Materials and Methods:

This is a retrospective study of 110 operated cases of PSP over 5 years. Demography, computed tomography findings, operative technique, endoscopic classification (Vanderschueren), surgical duration, intraoperative and postoperative complications, duration of Intercostal Drain (ICD), hospital stay, and recurrence in follow-up were recorded.

Results:

The average age of patients was 27.59 years (range 9–68 years). The average number of episodes before the presentation was 2 (range 1–5). The average number of loss of working days because of symptoms, conservative management, or long-term intercostal drainage was 13.33 days (range 5–60 days). As per intra-operative findings, patients were categorized as per Vanderschueren's classification and managed accordingly. Conversion rate was in 1.8% (n = 2). Mean time to removal of chest tubes was 4 days (2–12 days). Mean hospital stay was 3.83 days (2–9 days). There were no postoperative deaths. The mean follow-up was 25.05 months (6–60 months). Overall complication rate was 3.6% (n = 4) and recurrence happened in 2.7% (n = 3) cases.

Conclusions:

VATS is an efficient and safe treatment modality for PSP with low recurrence rates and high level of patient satisfaction.

Chylothorax - Modalities of management and outcomes: A case series

Background:

At present, there are no universally accepted protocols for the management of chylothorax. This study aims at reporting the clinical experience and presenting our institutional protocol for managing chylothorax.

Materials and Methods:

This is a retrospective analysis of chylothorax patients managed at a dedicated thoracic surgical unit over 8 years. A detailed analysis of demography and perioperative variables including complications was carried out. Factors influencing failure of conservative and surgical therapy were analyzed.

Results:

A total of 26 patients were included with a mean age of 42.4 years (range, 2–72 years). Postsurgical chylothorax was the most common variant (53.8%). Majority (46.1%) of the patients had >1000 ml/24 h intercostal tube drainage at presentation. All patients were initially subjected to conservative management, of which 11 (42.4%) patients were managed successfully with conservative therapy alone. Rest 15 (57.6%) patients required video-assisted thoracoscopic thoracic duct ligation, which was successful in 10/15 (66.7%) patients, whereas additional intervention was required in 5/15 (33.3%) patients. Drain output of >1000 ml/day was an independent predictor of failure of conservative therapy. Nontraumatic bilateral chylothorax was associated with high probability of failure of surgical therapy in the first attempt and may require additional treatment modality.

Conclusions:

Initial conservative management is recommended for all chylothorax patients, which is unlikely to succeed if daily drainage is >1000 ml/24 h. VATS thoracic duct ligation is recommended in such cases. Nontraumatic bilateral chylothorax has higher surgical failure rates. In such cases, additional procedures in the form of pleurodesis and/or thoracic duct embolization/disruption should be considered.

Predictors of Mortality after Surgery for Empyema Thoracis in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

Background

Surgical treatment of empyema thoracis in patients with chronic kidney disease is challenging, and few studies in the literature have evaluated this issue. In this study, we aim to report the surgical outcomes of empyema and to analyze factors predicting perioperative mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Methods

This retrospective study included data from 34 patients with chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 for 3 or more months) who underwent surgery for empyema between 2012 and 2020. An analysis of demographic characteristics and perioperative variables, including complications, was carried out. Postoperative mortality was the primary outcome measure.

Results

Patients' age ranged from 20 to 74 years with a 29-to-5 male-female ratio. The majority (n=19, 55.9%) of patients were in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring maintenance hemodialysis. The mean operative time was 304 minutes and the mean intraoperative blood loss was 562 mL. Postoperative morbidity was observed in 70.5% of patients (n=24). In the subgroup analysis, higher values for operative time, blood loss, intensive care unit stay, and complications were found in ESRD patients. The mortality rate was 38.2% (n=13). In the univariate and multivariate analyses, poor performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group >2) (p=0.03), ESRD (p=0.02), and late referral (>8 weeks) (p<0.001) significantly affected mortality.

Conclusion

ESRD, late referral, and poor functional status were poor prognostic factors predicting postoperative mortality. The decision of surgery should be cautiously assessed given the very high risk of perioperative morbidity and mortality in these patients.

Does an enhanced recovery after surgery protocol affect perioperative surgical outcomes in stage III tubercular empyema? A comparative analysis of 243 patients

BACKGROUND

Enhanced recovery after surgery protocols in tuberculous empyema surgery have the potential for improved outcomes, but have not been studied widely. This study aimed to analyze the outcomes after implementation of an enhanced recovery after surgery protocol in patients undergoing surgery for tubercular empyema.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent surgery for tuberculous empyema in a dedicated thoracic surgery center from March 2012 to March 2019 was performed. The control group included patients operated on between March 2012 and March 2016. The enhanced recovery after surgery protocol was strictly introduced into our practice from April 2016. The study group included patients operated on between April 2016 and March 2019. All perioperative outcomes were measured, documented, analyzed, and compared between the two groups. There were 166 patients in the control group and 77 in the study group.

RESULTS

Intraoperative blood loss (p = 0.0001), prolonged air leak (p = 0.04), chest tube duration (p = 0.005), and length of stay (p = 0.003) were significantly reduced in the study group. Overall rates of postoperative complications (p = 0.04) including wound infection (p = 0.01) were also significantly lower in the study group.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of an enhanced recovery after surgery protocol in patients undergoing surgery for tuberculous empyema is feasible and effective. Application of such a protocol leads to less intraoperative blood loss, shorter hospital stay and duration of chest drainage, and fewer complications. Application of enhanced recovery after surgery protocols are strongly recommended in tubercular empyema surgery.

Minimal Access Surgery for Thymoma

Thymoma is a rare epithelial tumor of the thymus gland. Despite rarity, it is the most common tumor of the anterior mediastinum. Surgical resection in the form of extended thymectomy is the gold standard operation. Conventionally and even in the current era of significant advances in the minimally invasive surgery, open transsternal extended thymectomy is considered the gold standard, particularly for advanced-stage tumors. There is however significant evidence now available for the use of minimally invasive approaches for early-stage thymomas. This article aims to discuss the various minimally invasive approaches currently being employed for thymomas.

Superior Vena Cava Resection in Locally Advanced Thymoma-Surgical and Survival Outcomes

This study was aimed at reporting the surgical management of superior vena cava invasion in patients with locally advanced thymoma and to evaluate surgical and survival outcomes. This is a retrospective analysis of 12 patients operated for superior vena cava resection for locally advanced thymoma over 8 years in a thoracic surgery centre in India. An analysis of peri-operative variables including complications was carried out. The influence of various predictors on survival was assessed by log-rank test. Intra-operatively, superior vena cava (SVC) alone was involved in 3 (25%) cases, SVC with BCV involvement was there in 8 cases (66.7%) and in 1 patient, the SVC involvement extended into the right atrium also. In all cases, the tumour was resected en bloc with the involved part of SVC. Repair with primary closure was sufficient in 2 cases (16.6%) in view of < 1/3rd of circumferential involvement. However, in remaining 10 cases, SVC was replaced with PTFE graft (single graft in 6 cases, Y-graft in 2 cases and twin grafts in 2 cases). No peri-operative deaths. Overall survival (OS) at 1, 3 and 5 years was 100%, 91.6% and 83.3%, respectively. Myasthenia gravis and higher Masaoka stage (IV A) of the disease were poor predictors of survival. Superior vena cava resection and reconstruction is a feasible and oncologically superior option in invasive thymoma with SVC involvement. This challenging surgical procedure should only be attempted by an experienced team of thoracic and cardiac surgeons at high-volume centre to achieve best outcomes.

Microbiological profile of tubercular and nontubercular empyemas and its impact on clinical outcomes: A retrospective analysis of 285 consecutively operated cases

BACKGROUND

Empyema thoracis is an entity seen across all age groups. This study aims at reporting a detailed microbiological profile of "pus and pleural tissue" in patients operated for empyema thoracis and also correlating it with perioperative clinical outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients operated for empyema thoracis between 2012 and 2016 were included in the study. Patients were taken up for surgery after thorough preoperative evaluation. Perioperative outcomes were correlated with the results of microbiological analysis to evaluate their effect on clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

In the study, 285 patients were operated. There were 215 males (75.4%) and 70 females (24.6%). Tuberculosis (TB) was responsible for 58.2% of the cases (n = 166). Of 166, 32 patients were mycobacterial culture positive, suggesting 19.28% mycobacterial culture positivity rate. 21.8% of the total mycobacterial cultures were multidrug resistant. TB culture-positive patients had a significantly higher incidence of air leak (P = 0.03), inter-costal drain (ICD) duration (P = 0.03), and higher rates of recurrence (P = 0.03). Nontubercular empyema constituted 119 cases (41.8%). Forty-seven (39.5%) cases were culture positive. Gram-negative organisms were cultured in 30 (63.8%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the predominant isolate. Bacterial culture-positive patients had significantly higher conversions (P = 0.03), prolonged postoperative air leak (P = 0.04), and postoperative wound infections.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the emergence of Gram-negative organisms in bacterial empyema and emergence of multidrug resistance in tubercular empyema. Clinical outcome correlation revealed increased complications in culture-positive cases in both tubercular and nontubercular empyemas.

Carinal Resection and Reconstruction for Tracheo-bronchial Neoplasms-Surgical Outcomes of 20 Consecutively Operated Cases

Carinal resections for trachea-bronchial neoplasms are technically challenging and have high operative morbidity and mortality. This study examines the clinical experience of carinal resections for various tracheo-bronchial tumors in a dedicated thoracic surgery center. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed from March 2012 to December 2019 to identify all patients who underwent carinal resection. An analysis of demographic characteristics, perioperative variables including complications, was carried out. Perioperative outcome was the primary outcome measure. Twenty carinal resections were performed with a median follow-up of 2.4 years (range 0.5-4.1). Procedures included 8 isolated carinal resections (40%), 6 right carinal pneumonectomy (30%), 1 left carinal pneumonectomy (5%), and 5 carinal right upper sleeve lobectomy (25%). Age of the patients range from 18 to 62 years with 9/11 male-female ratio. Mean duration from symptom onset to diagnosis was 6.1 months. All post-operative complications occurred in 7 (35%) patients. Anastomotic complications occurred in 2 (10%) patients. Out of these, 1 patient was initially managed with stent placement, ultimately requiring pneumonectomy. Post-operative events were significantly higher in group of patients who underwent carinal resection with concomitant pulmonary resection (P = 0.01). No perioperative (90-day) mortality was found. Despite advances in perioperative management, carinal resection poses challenges for both patient and surgeon. Concomitant pulmonary resection was associated with increased risk of peri-operative complications. Appropriate patient selection, meticulous surgical technique, and stringent post-operative protocols are the key for success.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the bronchus: a rare early diagnosis

Salivary gland tumours of the tracheobronchial tree are rare and early diagnosis in T1 stage is further rare. We report a case of a young 21-year-old male medical student diagnosed and treated for the same prompted by a detailed respiratory examination.

Subxiphoid robotic extended thymectomy - The first Indian report

Background

Minimally invasive thymectomy is fast becoming the preferred approach for myasthenia gravis and non-invasive thymoma. The most commonly employed approach for minimally invasive thymectomy is the lateral thoracic approach. Safe achievement of radical resection requires adequate visualisation of both the phrenic nerves along their entire course. In our experience, such visualisation is rather difficult with unilateral transthoracic approaches. We herein describe our technique and initial experience of 25 cases with subxiphoid robotic thymectomy (SRT) for myasthenia gravis with or without thymoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such report from India.

Subjects and Methods

We retrospectively analysed data of patients who underwent SRT at our centre from June 2017 to September 2018. Twenty-five consecutive patients were analysed, and demographic data, total duration of the procedure, console time, blood transfusion requirement, duration of chest drainage, length of hospital stay, pain score on post-operative day (POD) 1 and day of discharge and post-operative morbidity and mortality within 90 days were recorded.

Results

A total of 25 patients underwent SRT. All our patients had myasthenia gravis with 4 of them having thymoma. There were 11 males and 14 females with mean age of 29.30 years (range 23-48). The mean console time was 102.85 min (range 88-120) while the mean total operative time was 199.14 (range 180-220). On first POD 1, visual analogue scale score average was 5, and at discharge, it was 2. There was no 30-day or 90-day mortality. All cases of thymoma had a complete R0 resection.

Conclusion

Our experience suggests that subxiphoid approach offers a good operative view of the thymus in cervical region along with easy identification of bilateral phrenic nerves. Thus, SRT can be performed safely with comparable results.

Vasoformative Lesions in Mediastinal Mixed Germ Cell Tumors: an Interesting Account of Two Cases Spanning the Benign to Malignant Spectrum

Extragonadal germ cell tumors are most commonly encountered in the anterior mediastinum. The presence of sarcomatous malignancies in these tumors is a rare phenomenon that adversely impacts patient prognosis because of poor response to conventional cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Even more unusual is the presence of florid benign somatic proliferations that overshadow the germ cell component, often resulting in misdiagnosis and inappropriate management. Two young male patients aged 17 and 28 years respectively presented with mass in the anterior mediastinum. Histopathology of both cases revealed mixed germ cell tumor admixed with prominent vascular component. Interestingly, one case showed malignant vasoformative neoplasm (angiosarcoma) while in the other the vascular proliferation was of benign nature (venous hemangioma).

Thoracoscopic foreign body removal and repair of bronchus intermedius following injury during failed bronchoscopic retrieval

Aspiration of foreign body (FB) into the airways is common in children and continues to be a cause for morbidity and mortality. We report herein, successful thoracoscopic management of a child who aspirated a large magnetic FB into his right bronchus and developed a tear of bronchus intermedius (BI) during an attempt at bronchoscopic retrieval using rigid bronchoscope. The impacted FB was successfully removed thoracoscopically followed by thoracoscopic BI repair.

Changes in phytates and HCl extractability of calcium, phosphorus, and iron of soaked, dehulled, cooked, and sprouted pigeon pea cultivar (UPAS-120)

UPAS-120, a high yielding and early maturing variety of pigeon peas released by the Department of Plant Breeding, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar contained a significant amount of phytic acid, i.e. 886 mg/100 g. When it was subjected to various domestic processing and cooking methods viz. soaking (6, 12, 18 h), dehulling, ordinary as well as pressure cooking and germination (24, 36 and 48 h), a drastic decrease in level of phytic acid with a remarkable increase in the HCl-extractability of mono, divalent, and trivalent ions, like calcium, phosphorus, and iron occurred. Germination (48 h) was found to be the best method for decreasing the phytic acid content, i.e. 35 to 39 percent less than the control and significantly (p < 0.05) increasing the non-phytate phosphorus and HCl-extractable phosphorus. Pressure cooking of soaked-dehulled pigeon pea also rendered equally good results. The calcium, phosphorus, and iron contents of pigeon pea seeds were 197.3, 473.1, and 9.91 mg/100 g, respectively; some losses varying from 3 to 9 percent were noticed when the legume was subjected to soaking, cooking, and germination but the maximum losses, i.e. 23 percent, occurred when the seeds were dehulled. However, HCl-extractability of Ca, P, and Fe improved to a significant extent when the pigeon pea seeds were soaked, soaked-dehulled, cooked and sprouted which may have been due to decrease in the phytate content followed by processing and cooking. The significant negative correlations between the phytic acid and HCl-extractability of minerals of processed pigeon pea strengthens these findings.