Early and mid-term outcomes of simultaneous thoracic endovascular stent grafting and combined resection of thoracic malignancies and the aortic wall

Surgical Strategies in Reoperation of the Proximal Aorta and Arch for Patients with Previous Frozen Elephant Trunk

Background: The frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique is increasingly utilized for aortic arch replacement in cases of aortic dissections and aneurysms. This rise in usage has led to more patients needing redo aortic surgeries due to progression of existing conditions, FET-related complications, or new valvular/coronary diseases. This article aims to evaluate surgical techniques to minimize risks during these reoperations, including a case study of a complex redo surgery. Methods: A comprehensive examination of surgical strategies was conducted, focusing on preoperative preparation, cannulation site identification, cerebral and cardiac protective measures, and pitfalls to avoid. The importance of adapting to the modified anatomical landscape post-FET is emphasized. A detailed case study of a patient undergoing complex redo FET surgery is included. Results: The article identified key surgical strategies for reoperation in patients with prior FET, highlighting the importance of meticulous preoperative planning and execution. Techniques to minimize risks include detailed imaging for planning, strategic cannulation for optimal perfusion, multidisciplinary approaches as well as careful fail-safe measures. The case study demonstrates the practical application of these strategies in a high-risk scenario. The evidence underscores the necessity for individualized patient management and the development of standardized protocols. Conclusions: The FET technique, while effective for initial aortic arch repairs, often necessitates complex reoperations. Adopting advanced surgical strategies and multidisciplinary planning can significantly mitigate risks associated with these procedures. Future research should focus on refining these techniques and establishing standardized protocols to improve patient outcomes.

Investigating the predictive factors of thoracic aortic invasion and surgical outcomes in patients with primary lung cancer: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate predictors of thoracic aortic invasion in lung cancer patients using preoperative clinical and imaging characteristics and elucidate surgical outcomes in cases of aortic invasion.

METHODS

Of the 4751 lung cancer patients who underwent surgery at our hospital, we included 126 (6.8%) who underwent left-sided surgery and in whom tumor appeared to be in contact with the thoracic aorta on preoperative imaging. The patients were divided into two groups: group A, 23 patients (18%) who underwent combined aortic resection (+); group B, 103 patients (82%) who did not undergo combined aortic resection (-).

RESULTS

The percentage of aortic invasion for tumor diameter <3 cm, 3-4 cm, 4-5 cm, 5-7 cm, and >7 cm was 0%, 13%, 23%, 16%, and 35%, respectively. The percentages of aortic invasion were 27%, 16%, and 0% for tumor localization in the upper division, S6, and S10, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that aortic depression due to tumor or loss of fatty tissue between tumor and mediastinum in the chest CT significantly predicted aortic invasion (odds ratio = 23.83, 16.66). Group A demonstrated significantly more blood loss, longer operative time, prolonged hospital stay, and increased percentage of recurrent nerve palsy (13%) compared to group B. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates for patients in group A were 53.4%, 24.3%, and 24.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

If the chest CT of a patient demonstrates aortic depression due to tumor or loss of fatty tissue between tumor and mediastinum, aortic complications should be considered when planning surgery.

Combined resection of lung cancer and thoracic aortic wall with simultaneous thoracic aortic endografting: a case report

BACKGROUND

Combined resection of lung cancer and the thoracic aortic wall with thoracic aortic endografting has been reported. However, whether the resection and endografting should be performed simultaneously or in two steps remains controversial.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 68-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of left chest pain. Chest contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a huge tumor of the left lower lung lobe, and invasion to the aortic wall was suspected. Bronchoscopic examination was performed, revealing squamous cell carcinoma with a programmed death ligand 1 expression level of 90%. The clinical stage was T4N0M0 stage 3A. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy, we performed one-stage surgery with the patient in the right lateral decubitus position and the left inguinal region exposed for femoral vessel isolation. Posterolateral thoracotomy was performed with making a latissimus dorsi muscle flap. The pulmonary artery, vein, and left lower bronchus were cut with a stapler. After hilar isolation, we evaluated the involvement of the descending aorta and marked the area of the involved aortic wall by a surgical clip. Using the left femoral artery approach, a GORE TAG conformable thoracic stent graft was delivered to the descending aorta. After thoracic aortic endografting, the involved aortic wall was resected and the left lower lobe of the lung and resected aortic wall were resected en bloc. The adventitial defect was covered by the latissimus dorsi muscle flap. The operating time was 474 min, and the blood loss volume was 330 mL. The postoperative pathological diagnosis was adenocarcinoma with an epidermal growth factor receptor mutation of exon 19 deletion. The residual viable tumor was 7 mm in diameter and close to the resected aortic wall. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful. Five days after surgery, chest contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed no endoleak or stent migration. Three months after surgery, he was alive with neither recurrence nor stent graft-related complications.

CONCLUSIONS

One-stage surgery involving combined resection of lung cancer and the thoracic aortic wall with simultaneous thoracic aortic endografting in the right lateral decubitus position with the left inguinal region exposed is safe and acceptable.

The role of extracorporeal life support in extended lung resections for non-small cell lung cancer: a narrative review

Background and Objective

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) may be used as a substitute of traditional cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in thoracic surgeries. Extended resections for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) occasionally require extracorporeal life support. We present a narrative review of the current clinical uses of extracorporeal devices in this setting of patients.

Methods

We searched Medline database/PubMed for "extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation" and "non-small cell lung carcinoma" in the English language literature between the years 2000 and 2022.

Key Content and Findings

As opposed to CPB, ECMO is simple, requires minimal or no anticoagulation and elicits fewer complications. T4 lung cancers are frequently considered for surgery in marginally operable patients. ECMO may provide the means to achieve these resections. There are case series of carinal extended resections safely performed under venovenous (VV) or venoarterial (VA) support. The main advantages are a clear surgical field, certainty of proper oxygenation and avoidance of ventilator induced trauma. Left atrial resections have been described with VA ECMO, but the standard of care is still CPB. Descending thoracic aorta resections can also benefit from extracorporeal support, making sure that abdominal organs and lower limbs are well perfused, the heart is not overloaded, and cross clamping is safe.

Conclusions

Surgeons performing extended lung cancer resections should be familiar with ECMO and are encouraged to report their experience.

Primary Thoracic Endografting for T4 Lung Cancer Aortic Involvement

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to present the results in patients with a T4 thoracic tumor with aortic involvement who were treated with a thoracic endograft before surgical resection.

DESCRIPTION

All consecutive patients undergoing a thoracic endograft procedure before an oncologic resection between January 2012 and December 2019 were reviewed in a single-center retrospective study. Included patients had either a T4 lung tumor or a mediastinal tumor invading the thoracic aorta.

EVALUATION

Nine patients were included: 7 with T4 lung cancer, 1 with sarcoma, and 1 patient with thymoma. Median follow-up was 25 months (range, 22-47 months). There were no endograft-related complications. All but 1 patient had an R0 oncologic resection. Eight patients were alive and free from recurrence at the last follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of thoracic stent grafting before surgical resection for patients with a thoracic tumor invading the aorta is a feasible option that obviates the need for extracorporeal circulation and its associated morbidity. This technique could be an alternative strategy in the treatment of tumors invading the thoracic aorta.

Thoracic stent-graft herniation through the aortic wall in a case of lung cancer

A 67-year-old man had left upper lung cancer with invasion into the descending aorta. He underwent pre-emptive thoracic endovascular aortic repair using a Valiant Navion followed by left lung upper lobectomy with resection of the aortic wall. Because of continuous bleeding, he underwent re-thoracotomy. Since the surgically resected aortic wall was largely cleaved, bleeding around the stent-graft that herniated into the left pleural cavity was observed. Re-thoracic endovascular aortic repair using a GORE TAG was immediately performed to prevent further stent-graft herniation and impending lethal haemorrhage. It may be necessary to consider reinforcement of the resected aortic wall to prevent thoracic endovascular aortic repair-related complications.

Salvage surgery combined with descending aorta resection for lung cancer

Background

Recent retrospective studies have shown that salvage surgery can improve survival with acceptable adverse events, and this procedure has been adapted for lung cancer. However, there are no reports demonstrating the efficacy of salvage surgery combined with aortic resection.

Case presentation

A 73-year-old man had received definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (carboplatin/paclitaxel, 70 Gy) for lung cancer originated from the left upper lobe and infiltrating the thoracic aorta (cT4N1M0 stage IIIA). Although the tumor has shrunk significantly (ycT4N0M0 stage IIIA), radiation pneumonitis occurred. Due to the steroid therapy, radiation pneumonitis was relieved; however, re-enlargement of the primary tumor was observed during steroid tapering. Nonetheless, the lymphatic and distant metastases were controlled. Moreover, aortic invasion was localized to the periphery of the third branch, and the tumor was considered to be resectable. Intraoperatively, we observed macroscopic evidence of aortic invasion in the periphery of the third branch; thus, left upper lobectomy combined with descending aorta resection was performed under partial extracorporeal circulation. The patient is currently active without any recurrence 21 months post-surgery.

Conclusions

No clear consensus exists regarding salvage surgery combined with aortic resection for primary lung cancer. However, we believe that this surgery may improve the survival of carefully selected patients.