Rupture of the thoracic trachea with a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube

Tracheal rupture from within is uncommon and always iatrogenic. We report a case of a tracheal rupture following the use of a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube to control a gastroesophageal hemorrhage. Emergency surgical repair was required. Although complications associated with balloon tamponade are well-documented, no major tracheal injury has ever been reported.

Is lung cancer surgery justified in patients with coronary artery disease?

Between 1987 and 1992, 21 patients who presented with potentially resectable non-small cell lung cancer and coronary artery disease, underwent a preoperative cardiac catheterization in order to assess the coronary artery anatomy and left ventricular function. There were 20 men and 1 woman whose ages ranged from 57 to 77 years. Patients with triple-vessel disease and poor distal circulation or impaired ventricular function (n = 2) were excluded from myocardial revascularization and pulmonary surgery. Patients with a curable left-main or triple-vessel disease (group I) first underwent surgical (n = 3) or transluminal (n = 4) myocardial revascularization. The remaining patients presented with single- or double-vessel disease, and were operated on without prior myocardial revascularization (group II; n = 12). The thoracic procedures consisted of exploratory thoracotomy in two cases, lung-sparing resection in one, lobectomy in ten, bilobectomy in one and pneumonectomy in five. The overall mortality and morbidity rates were 5.3% and 31.6%, respectively. Four patients (21%) experienced postoperative cardiac complications: fatal myocardial infarction (n = 1) and dysrhythmia (n = 2) in three group II patients (25%), and transient myocardial ischemia in one group I patient (14.3%). The overall survival rate at 5 years was 57.4% for the 17 patients who underwent resection of their cancer. We conclude that 1) lung surgery in patients with non-small cell lung cancer and coronary artery disease is justified in selected cases, 2) previous myocardial revascularization appears to confer protection against the development of postoperative cardiac morbidity.

Extended operation for lung cancer invading the superior vena cava

Between 1981 and 1991, 845 patients were operated on for right lung cancer. Among them, 50 (6%) had a tumor invading the superior vena cava (SVC). Fifteen patients (14 men and 1 woman, mean age: 58 years) underwent radical resection with concomitant vascular reconstruction. Two patients presented with a superior vena caval syndrome. The SVC was invaded by direct extension from the tumor (n = 11) or by paratracheal nodal involvement (n = 4). The patients required pneumonectomy (n = 13) or upper lobectomy (n = 2), with lateral (n = 11) or circumferential resection (n = 4) of the SVC. The venous pathway was repaired by direct suture (n = 9), prosthetic patch (n = 2) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft (n = 4). Tumor resection was considered macroscopically complete in 12 patients (80%). One patient died postoperatively (7%) and non-fatal complications occurred in 3 (20%). Early patency of the four grafts was assessed by phlebography. In the late course, pulmonary embolism occurred in two patients and extended superior vena caval thrombosis in one; the overall clinical patency rate was 75.7% at 1 and 5 years. Two patients (13.3%) experienced mediastinal recurrence; the overall survival rates at 1 year, 2 years and 5 years were, respectively, 46.7%, 32% and 24% (median: 8.5 months). We conclude that extended resection for lung cancer invading the SVC, when feasible, is justified given the effective control of the primary tumor thereby provided, with an acceptable operative risk.

Major pulmonary resection by video assisted mini-thoracotomy. Initial experience in 35 patients

Video-assisted thoracic surgery is emerging as a viable approach to increasingly complex intrathoracic therapeutic procedures. From February to July 1993, 35 patients (25 male, 10 female; mean age = 60 years, range: 17-74) underwent a major pulmonary resection using a video-assisted technique: lobectomy (n = 30) or pneumonectomy (n = 5). Pathology disclosed bronchogenic carcinomas (n = 26), metastases (n = 3), and miscellaneous disorders (n = 6). All procedures required one 10.5 mm port for the video-camera, one 3.5 to 5 cm utility thoracotomy through which surgical instrumentation was inserted and the operative specimen removed, and one occasional supplementary 12 mm port. Lung resections were performed with separated dissection and division of each component of the pedicle. The mean operative time was 145 min (SD: +/- 17). There were two postoperative deaths (5.7%) that were not directly related to the technique. Seven patients (20%) experienced non-fatal complications. After lobectomy, the mean duration of chest tube placement was 7.3 days (SD: +/- 1.6). The mean hospital stay was 11 days (SD: +/- 3). All the patients experienced minor postoperative chest pain. We conclude that video-assisted lung resections are technically feasible without an increased risk.

Video-assisted repair of a ruptured right hemidiaphragm

Video-assisted thoracic surgery is emerging as a viable approach to increasingly complex intrathoracic therapeutic procedures. We present a case of delayed diagnosis of a ruptured right diaphragm caused by a closed trauma in a young woman. The diaphragm was repaired successfully using a video-assisted procedure. Limited postoperative chest pain and muscular impairment allowed early physical therapy that resulted in an excellent outcome. Video-assisted thoracic surgery is suggested as a new treatment option for traumatic diaphragmatic disorders.

Double-lung transplantation in mechanically ventilated patients with cystic fibrosis

Many lung transplant programs consider ventilator dependence as a contraindication for transplantation. Among 54 patients in whom bilateral lung transplantations for cystic fibrosis were performed by the Joint Marseille-Montreal Lung Transplant Program, 10 were ventilator dependent. Three of them died in the early postoperative period (30%): 2 as a result of cerebral anoxia and sepsis, 1 of Pseudomonas cepacia pneumonia. Two patients died at 15 and 19 months after transplantation of obliterative bronchiolitis and secondary bacterial pneumonitis. Another 2 patients in whom obliterative bronchiolitis developed underwent retransplantation with a heart-lung block; 1 of those was operated on at 12 months and is well at 29 months after his initial transplantation; the second was operated on at 34 months and died of primary graft failure. Three other patients are alive and well at 3, 11, and 14 months after transplantation. Actuarial survival at 1 year was 70%. The postoperative course and the infectious and rejection complications were no different from those in patients who underwent transplantation while spontaneously breathing. Obliterative bronchiolitis developed in 66% of patients at risk (2 of 6 patients surviving more than 6 months). We conclude that transplantation in mechanically ventilated patients with cystic fibrosis is not associated with an increase in morbidity or mortality after bilateral lung transplantation. Long-term survival, as in patients who undergo transplantation while spontaneously breathing, is limited by the development of obliterative bronchiolitis.

[Esophageal prostheses in cancer stenosis. Insertion with the Dumon-Gilliard device. 342 patients]

Endoscopic placement of an oesophageal prosthesis rapidly brings a satisfactory comfort to patients with cancer of the oesophagus beyond the therapeutic stage. When the least traumatic technique and materiel are used, the procedure is simple and safe, irrespective of the patient's general condition and the extent of local or regional lesions. The present possibility to insert, at the same time, a tracheobronchial prosthesis broadens the indication to patients who have an oesophagus-airway fistula or who suffer from compression of the trachea or the left bronchus. The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia at the expense of a short hospital stay which is always appreciated by this type of patients. The author's 10-year experience of oesophageal prosthesis placement with the Dumon-Gilliard applicator, is reported.

[Lung transplantation. Contraindications and new indications]

The authors review the recent changes observed in the indications for lung transplantation. Several classical contra-indications have been alleviated or even cancelled. Chronic infection presenting as cystic fibrosis has become one of the first indications for lung replacement. Respirator-dependent patients are at an operative risk comparable to the overall results. Long-term corticosteroid therapy and pleural adhesions are no longer formal contraindications but should be approached with extreme caution. In recent years, single lung transplantation has been extended to diseases, such as emphysema and pulmonary hypertension, which were formerly indications for double-lung or heart-lung transplantation. The reasons for this include donor shortage and the better 1-year survival following single lung transplantation. The most recent development is paediatric lung transplantation. The legitimacy of redo transplantation is controversial.

Double-lung transplantation in children: a report of 20 cases. The Joint Marseille-Montréal Lung Transplant Program

In the last 3 1/2 years, we have performed 20 double-lung transplantations in children between 7 and 16 years old (mean age, 13 years). One patient had primitive bronchiolitis obliterans and the other 19, cystic fibrosis. Eight patients were operated on in an emergency situation, 7 of them requiring ventilator support before transplantation. The procedures were en bloc double-lung transplantation in the first 11 patients with separate bronchial anastomoses in 10, and sequential bilateral lung transplantation in the later 9 patients. There were no operative deaths. Two patients died in the hospital on postoperative days 37 and 73, and there were four late deaths, which were due to infection, rejection, and bronchiolitis obliterans. The acceptable incidence of airway complications, the improvement in lung function of survivors, and the acceptable midterm survival make double-lung transplantation an acceptable alternative to heart-lung transplantation in children. However, in very small children, heart-lung transplantation may be preferable because of the size of the airway anastomoses at risk.

Lung size matching for double lung transplantation based on the submammary thoracic perimeter. Accuracy and functional results. The Joint Marseille-Montreal Lung Transplant Program

The present study evaluates the accuracy of submammary thoracic perimeter for lung size matching between donor and recipient and analyzes the influence of donor lung size discrepancies on functional outcome after double lung transplantation. The population is composed of 18 double lung graft recipients, 16 of whom had cystic fibrosis. The lung size match was assessed by comparison of predicted total lung capacity of donor and recipient: five patients were matched in a 10% confidence interval; four received smaller lungs, and nine received larger ones. The functional outcome was assessed with the spirometric values measured at 3 and 6 months after transplantation. The final functional result was not influenced by the lung size (r = 0.142 for total lung capacity; r = 0.372 for vital capacity; r = 0.378 for forced expiratory volume in 1 second). For larger lungs the final result tended to the recipient's predicted, whereas for smaller lungs, spirometry tended to the donor's predicted (r = 0.906 for total lung capacity; r = 0.875 for vital capacity; r = 0.874 for forced expiratory volume in 1 second). The thoracotomy effect, that is, restrictive syndrome at 3 months that resolves at 6 months, was not correlated with the lung size (r = 0.07 for total lung capacity; r = 0.436 for vital capacity). It is concluded that respiratory functional result is not affected by larger lungs; despite the wide range of error, the submammary thoracic perimeter appeared to be a satisfactory selection parameter in this group of patients.

Is lung cancer resection justified in patients aged over 70 years?

From January 1980 through January 1985, 452 consecutive patients underwent pulmonary resection for primary non-small cell bronchogenic cancer. Forty-seven patients (10.4%) were 70 years old or older: there were 45 men and 2 women, with a mean age of 72.4 years (S.D.: 2.6; range: 70-79). This population was comparable to the 405 younger patients with respect to the type of resection, histology and TNM staging. Whereas the non-fatal complication rate was similar in both groups (25.5% versus 29.9%), the in-hospital mortality rate was significantly higher in the older patients (12.8% versus 4.7%; P < or = 0.05). The mortality rate after extended resections was significantly higher among the older patients (33.3% versus 6%, P < or = 0.01). The cause of death was myocardial infarction in half the cases; the underlying coronary disease was unrecognized preoperatively in one-third. Five-year survival was comparable in both groups: 29.8% and 33%, respectively. We conclude that pulmonary resection for bronchogenic cancer is justified in patients over 70 years; a careful preoperative assessment ought to be performed and standard resections should be preferred.

Tracheobronchial healing after lung and heart-lung transplantation. A critical review of 64 anastomoses. The Joint Marseille-Montréal Lung Transplant Program

The authors report on an analysis concerning the healing of tracheobronchial anastomoses after lung and heart-lung transplantation. The present study includes 64 anastomoses selected from a total of 80. Sixteen were excluded because of early postoperative death; none of these deaths was related to an airway complication. Bronchial healing was assessed with bronchoscopic follow-up; the aspect of the suture line was classified according to the grades of Couraud. The initial reference was the examination at 2 weeks postoperatively, which was compared to subsequent follow-ups. At the initial assessment, 42 anastomoses were grade I, 4 were grade II, and 18 were grade III. The subsequent anatomic result was satisfactory for 52 sutures (81%). The complications observed in the remaining patients were malacia in 2, stenosis treated with a stenting device in 4 and dehiscence in 6. The duration of ischemia and postoperative mechanical respiratory support, as well as the proximal or distal location of the anastomosis appeared to be of significant prognostic value.

[Bronchial cancer associated with atheromatous arteriopathy. Prognostic and therapeutic consequences in pulmonary excision]

Between January 1980 and January 1985, 462 consecutive patients underwent lung resection for bronchogenic carcinoma. Eighty of these patients (17.3 percent) had atherosclerosis involving mainly the coronary arteries (40 percent). The mortality rate was significantly higher in patients with atherosclerosis (10 percent) than in those without it (4.7 percent), but the long-term survival was not affected with the presence of atherosclerosis. The lung carcinoma-atherosclerosis association raises two problems: what investigations should be carried out in this group of patients at risk, and what treatment should be given priority when vascular lesions are present and likely to become complicated by pulmonary surgery? However, the presence of atherosclerosis should not lead to a re-evaluation of the need for lung resection.

Size matching in lung transplantation

Volume concordance between donor lungs and the chest cavities of transplant recipients has important perioperative and postoperative implications. Between December 1987 and August 1991, 90 patients underwent lung transplantation in the Joint Marseilles-Montreal Lung Transplantation Program: 51 patients had double lung transplants, 19 patients had single lung transplants, and 20 patients had heart-lung transplants. There were 18 children (age range, 7 to 17 years) and 72 adults (age range, 18 to 58 years). Size matching was based on measurement of the submammary thoracic perimeter. Patient age (+/- 2 years) was also taken into consideration in children. Airway anastomoses were bronchial except for all heart-lung transplant patients and two double lung transplant patients, who had tracheal anastomoses. Occasional differences between donor and receiver bronchial diameters in children (greater donor size twice and smaller donor size once) required bronchoplasty in three instances. Healing was normal in these three instances, and no bronchial stenoses were noted. Performance of separate sutures rather than continuous running sutures on the cartilaginous anterior portion facilitated correction of airway diameter inequalities in adults. Excess volume was noted in three patients during closure of the thorax. In one patient, donor and recipient thoracic perimeters were similar. In two patients, however, donor size was greater by more than 20%. This was corrected by pneumoreduction with a surgical stapler. Lung size was decreased by 10% to 40% with use of this technique. Thoracic closure was facilitated and hemodynamic instability was thus corrected. No functional abnormalities were noted after surgery once the differences in lung size were corrected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Double-lung transplantation for cystic fibrosis. The Cystic Fibrosis Transplant Study Group

One hundred twenty cystic fibrosis patients were accepted for transplantation. Twenty-five patients underwent double-lung transplantation. Twenty-five patients died awaiting transplantation (20.6%). There were 13 female and 12 male patients. Their mean age was 28 years (range, 7 to 34 years), and mean percentage ideal body weight was 76% (range, 58.5% to 91.9%). Most patients were hypoxic and hypercarbic. Two patients underwent tracheal anastomosis, 15 had en bloc bronchial anastomoses, and 8 had sequential single-lung transplants. Operative mortality was 16%; all deaths were related to bleeding from extensive adhesions. Actuarial survival at 1 year was 64%. Rejection and infection were frequent during the first month and decreased thereafter. Airway complications occurred in 5 patients but were amenable to laser therapy and stenting. We conclude that double-lung transplantation is an acceptable modality for the treatment of cystic fibrosis patients with end-stage lung disease. It may be a better alternative to heart-lung transplantation considering the paucity of thoracic organ donors.

[Castleman's disease. An intrapulmonary isolated form with fissural exteriorization]

We report a well-documented case of Castleman's disease which embodied all the main features of its localized forms, those most frequently described in the literature. This case was particular by its unusual intrapulmonary location and its intra-fissural development, which explains why the diagnosis was not considered preoperatively. A review of the literature showed that beside the localized forms of Castleman's disease multifocal forms have recently been reported; these have a much poorer prognosis, and their treatment has not yet been established.

Treatment of thymomas. A report of 67 cases

From 1979 to 1989, 126 patients were treated for thymic tumors. Of these, 67 (53%) had thymomas occurring in 27 men and 40 women; the mean age was 46 years: 24 patients had no symptoms and myasthenia gravis was present in 21 cases. A complete resection was performed in 45 patients, associated in 22 with postoperative adjuvant treatment (radiotherapy, 2; radio- and chemotherapy, 20). Two patients had a partial resection followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Twenty patients had initially only a biopsy and were treated by irradiation in 3 cases, radio- plus chemotherapy in 16, radio- plus chemotherapy and subsequent resection in 1 case. The staging was carried out according to the GETT Classification (stage I A:26; I B:6; II:12; III A:1; III B:18; IVA:4). Thymomas were found to be of predominant epithelial type in 12 cases, predominantly lymphocytic type in 9, and mixed in 46. No recurrence occurred after complete resection. The overall 10-year survival was 71.1%. A good correlation was found according to staging: 96% in stage I; 80% in stage II; 35% in stage III. Presence of myasthenia gravis did not affect the results. The best prognostic factor remains complete resection with postoperative radiotherapy to prevent recurrences. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy needs further evaluation.

Inoperable nonmetastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus managed by concomitant chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil and cisplatin) and radiation therapy

Thirty-five patients with nonmetastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus were treated with chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil, cisplatin) and concomitant split-course radiation therapy. All of the patients presented with dysphagia. Treatment consisted of two courses of chemotherapy with 5-FU (1 g/m2/day in continuous infusion for 5 days [days 1 to 5 and days 29 to 33] ) and cisplatin (70 mg/m2 intravenous bolus at days 2 and 30). Radiation therapy was concomitant in two courses delivering 20 Gy in 5 days (days 1 to 5 and days 29 to 33). On the first day of treatment, endoscopic peroral dilation or Nd-YAG laser therapy was usually carried out. At the end of the treatment, all of the patients were capable of oral nutrition. Histoendoscopic confirmation was made 8 weeks after the beginning of the therapy. Twenty-five of the 35 patients had a complete response with negative biopsy findings. There was only one serious complication (fatal myelosuppression) in the only patient who received more than two courses of chemotherapy. Sixteen patients died and 19 were still alive at 3 to 42 months after the beginning of treatment. Overall median survival for the 35 patients is 17 months. Actuarial survival was 55 +/- 18% at 1 year and 41 +/- 21% at 2 years. The median survival of the Stage I and II patients is 28 months. These results confirm that concomitant chemoradiotherapy is capable of producing a very high histoendoscopic complete response rate and improved 1-year and 2-year survival. The use of concentrated split-course radiotherapy enabled the authors to reduce the total length of the treatment to two periods of 5 days, with results that are similar to previous studies using classic radiotherapy for a 5-week to 7-week period.

Inoperable nonmetastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus managed by concomitant chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil and cisplatin) and radiation therapy

Thirty-five patients with nonmetastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus were treated with chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil, cisplatin) and concomitant split-course radiation therapy. All of the patients presented with dysphagia. Treatment consisted of two courses of chemotherapy with 5-FU (1 g/m2/day in continuous infusion for 5 days [days 1 to 5 and days 29 to 33] ) and cisplatin (70 mg/m2 intravenous bolus at days 2 and 30). Radiation therapy was concomitant in two courses delivering 20 Gy in 5 days (days 1 to 5 and days 29 to 33). On the first day of treatment, endoscopic peroral dilation or Nd-YAG laser therapy was usually carried out. At the end of the treatment, all of the patients were capable of oral nutrition. Histoendoscopic confirmation was made 8 weeks after the beginning of the therapy. Twenty-five of the 35 patients had a complete response with negative biopsy findings. There was only one serious complication (fatal myelosuppression) in the only patient who received more than two courses of chemotherapy. Sixteen patients died and 19 were still alive at 3 to 42 months after the beginning of treatment. Overall median survival for the 35 patients is 17 months. Actuarial survival was 55 +/- 18% at 1 year and 41 +/- 21% at 2 years. The median survival of the Stage I and II patients is 28 months. These results confirm that concomitant chemoradiotherapy is capable of producing a very high histoendoscopic complete response rate and improved 1-year and 2-year survival. The use of concentrated split-course radiotherapy enabled the authors to reduce the total length of the treatment to two periods of 5 days, with results that are similar to previous studies using classic radiotherapy for a 5-week to 7-week period.

[Approaching the posterior wall of the aortic arch. Temporary division of the innominate artery]

Two cases of wound affecting the posterior wall of the aortic arch are reported. One wound occurred during mediastinoscopy, the other was caused by a bullet. During surgery under extracorporeal circulation, the approach and repair of the wounds was greatly facilitated by temporary division of the innominate artery: the ascending and horizontal portions of the aorta could be tilted to the left, giving a very satisfactory access to the posterior wall of the arch. The innominate artery was easily repaired, without neurological complications. The authors insist on the convenience of this technique to approach not only the aortic arch but also various mediastinal organs, such as the tracheal bifurcation, the right branch of the pulmonary artery and the roof of the left atrium.

[Inoperable cancer of the esophagus: preliminary results of combined chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil-cisplatin) and radiotherapy]

The aim of this study was to appreciate the tolerance and efficacy of a new nonoperative therapy for inoperable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma based on chemotherapy (5FU-cisplatinum) and concomitant splitcourse radiation therapy. Twenty five symptomatic patients (24 males, 1 female, mean age: 59 yrs, range: 41-72 yrs) were included. Five had 2 esophageal carcinoma, 5 an associated upper respiratory tract tumor and 2, relapse after surgery. Nine patients had a tumor limited to the esophagus (stage I or II) but were considered at high surgical risk. Sixteen had stage III disease with mediastinal involvement in 13 cases, nodal involvement in 4 and distant metastasis in 7. Treatment consisted of 2 cycles of chemotherapy with 5-FU (1 g/m2/24 h by continuous infusion for 5 days, D1-D5 and D29-D33) and cisplatinum (70 mg/m2 IV bolus on D2 and D30). Radiation therapy was concomitant in 2 courses delivering 20 grays in 5 days (D1-D5 and D29-D33). On the first day of the treatment, peroral endoscopic dilation or Nd-YAG laser therapy was applied. At the end of treatment all the patients could eat. Histoendoscopic control was performed 8 weeks after the beginning of therapy. Seventeen of the 24 patients had a complete response with negative biopsies. Of the 7 patients with metastatic disease, only 4 were evaluable for response to chemotherapy: one with hepatic metastasis had a complete response for 12 months, 2 had stable disease and one progressive disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Chemoprevention with intravenous doxycycline in 40 cases of colonic esophagoplasty]

Doxycycline was used to prevent infection in 40 patients undergoing oesophageal surgery (for carcinoma in 35 and for benign lesions in 5). Treatment began with induction of anaesthesia and continued in doses of at least 200 mg/day for a mean period of 10 days. Concentrations of the antibiotic were measured in the serum and colonic tissue of 20 patients, 2 hours on average after the first injection. Mean serum and tissue levels were 4.1 +/- 0.8 mcg.ml-1 and 2.9 +/- mcg.ml-1 respectively, with a tissue to serum ratio of 0.7. This ratio remained practically unchanged between the first and fourth hours post-injection. Doxycycline was successful in preventing post-operative infection in 75% of the cases. No infection due to anaerobic organisms was observed.