Risk factors and outcomes of prolonged air leak after pulmonary resections

Autologous mesenchymal stromal cells embedded with Tissucol Duo® for prevention of air leak after anatomical lung resection: results of a prospective phase I/II clinical trial with long-term follow-up

BACKGROUND

Prolonged air leak (PAL) is the most frequent complication after pulmonary resection. Several measures have been described to prevent the occurrence of PAL in high-risk patients, however, the potential role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) applied in the parenchymal suture line to prevent postoperative air leak in this setting has not been fully addressed.

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the feasibility, safety and potential clinical efficacy of the implantation of autologous MSCs embedded in Tissucol Duo® as a prophylactic alternative to prevent postoperative prolonged air leak after pulmonary resection in high-risk patients.

STUDY DESIGN

Phase I/II single-arm prospective clinical trial.

METHODS

Six patients with high risk of PAL undergoing elective pulmonary resection were included. Autologous bone marrow-derived MSCs were expanded at our Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Facility and implanted (embedded in a Tissucol Duo® carrier) in the parenchymal suture line during pulmonary resection surgery. Patients were monitored in the early postoperative period and evaluated for possible complications or adverse reactions. In addition, all patients were followed-up to 5 years for clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

The median age of patients included was 66 years (range: 55-70 years), and male/female ratio was 5/1. Autologous MSCs were expanded in five cases, in one case MSCs expansion was insufficient. There were no adverse effects related to cell implantation. Regarding efficacy, median air leak duration was 0 days (range: 0-2 days). The incidence of PAL was nil. Radiologically, only one patient presented pneumothorax in the chest X-ray at discharge. No adverse effects related to the procedure were recorded during the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of autologous MSCs for prevention of PAL in patients with high risk of PAL is feasible, safe and potentially effective.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NO

EudraCT: 2013-000535-27.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov idenfier: NCT02045745.

Risk factors for extensive subcutaneous emphysema after pulmonary resection by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: a case-control study

Introduction

Extensive subcutaneous emphysema may lead to a significantly prolonged hospital stay, cosmetic problems, and even death without timely treatment. However, the risk factors for it have been poorly studied.

Aim

To clarify the prevalence and risk factors of extensive subcutaneous emphysema after pulmonary resection by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

Material and methods

This is a retrospective matched case-control study. A sample of 86 cases and 258 matched controls was recruited from among 4339 patients admitted to the thoracic surgery department from October 2018 to October 2020 in a tertiary teaching hospital in China. Cases were patients who were diagnosed with extensive subcutaneous emphysema after pulmonary resection through video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Controls were matched in a ratio of 3 : 1 to the cases based on age and sex.

Results

In this study, the incidence rate of extensive subcutaneous emphysema was 2.05%, and approximately 75.58% of the cases occurred within 1 to 4 days postoperatively. In univariate analysis, patients with extensive subcutaneous emphysema were also likely to have a significant lower body mass index, worse pulmonary function, greater intraoperative blood loss, longer time of operation, history of lung surgery, wider scope of surgery, and more extensive pleural adhesion. The results of multivariate logistic regression showed that segmentectomy (OR = 3.130, 95% CI: 1.055-9.283, p = 0.040), lobectomy (OR = 4.487, 95% CI: 1.704-11.812, p = 0.002), and extensive pleural adhesion (OR = 4.514, 95% CI: 1.763-11.556, p = 0.002) were independent risk factors.

Conclusions

Segmentectomy, lobectomy, and extensive pleural adhesions were identified as independent risk factors for extensive subcutaneous emphysema after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

Effectiveness of fibrin sealant after pulmonary resection: a propensity score matching analysis

Introduction

Alveolar air leak is a common and troublesome complication after pulmonary resection because it can lead to longer hospital stay and chest tube drainage time.

Aim

As fibrin sealants are useful in the management of alveolar air leaks, we evaluated their benefit in patients undergoing pulmonary resection.

Material and methods

This retrospective study included patients who underwent pulmonary resection in our hospital between 2016 and 2021. We grouped patients on the basis of whether fibrin sealant was used during surgery and compared outcomes between those with (fibrin sealant group) and without (control group) sealant use after propensity score matching (1 : 1).

Results

During the study period, 375 patients underwent pulmonary resection; of these, fibrin sealant was applied at the staple line in 107 patients (fibrin sealant group), whereas sealant was not used in 268 patients (control group). After propensity score matching (1 : 1), there were 95 patients in both groups. There were no differences between the two groups in duration of chest tube drainage (3 days vs. 3 days; p = 0.753) or length of hospital stay (5 days vs. 4 days; p = 0.499). However, the sealant group showed higher cost of hospitalization (USD 4,360 vs. 3,614; p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis for identifying risk factors of persistent air leak revealed that male sex and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were associated.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that application of fibrin sealant was not effective in reducing length of hospital stay, duration of chest drains or air leakage.

Initial Airtightness of the Lung Parenchyma After Transection of the Interlobar Fissure - Monopolar Cutter, Stapler Versus Nd: YAG Laser

INTRODUCTION

Every lobectomy requires the transection of the interlobar fissure. Resection surfaces must be airtight in order to avoid leakage and infection. Using an ex vivo model based on porcine lung, we compared three techniques with respect to initial airtightness at different inspiratory pressures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the first technique (group 1), we transected the interlobar fissure with a monopolar cutter and overstitched the edges of the resection area with a monofilament thread. In the second technique (group 2), the interlobar fissure was cut with a stapling device. In the third technique (group 3), the interlobar fissure was cut using a laser fibre connected to an Nd: YAG laser. The resection areas were not overstitched; 15 transections were performed in each group.

RESULTS

In group 1, three parenchymatous bridges leaked starting at a pressure of 25 mbar. In the other two groups, all preparations were airtight at this pressure. If the ventilation pressure was increased up to 40 mbar, all seams in group 1 were leaky at a pressure of 35 mbar. Four staple seams were airtight at a pressure of 40 mbar. In group 3, 11 preparations (73.3 %) were airtight up to a pressure of 40 mbar.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our results, the use of an Nd: YAG laser is suitable for the transection of the interlobar fissure. In effect, this technique compares well with the other techniques examined.

Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Day Surgery for Patients with Pulmonary Nodules: A Single-Center Clinical Experience of 200 Cases

Background

We reviewed our experience with 200 patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic day surgery (VATDS) at the Day Surgery Center at West China Hospital to identify the safety and feasibility of VATDS and assess the value of novel management in patients with pulmonary nodules.

Methods

Between June 2019 and December 2020, 200 patients with pulmonary nodules underwent VATDS at the Day Surgery Center at West China Hospital. The medical records of these 200 patients were reviewed for age, sex, preoperative history, operative and pathological findings, amount of daily chest tube drainage, procedure method and duration, length of stay (LOS), visual analog scale (VAS), and postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs).

Results

There were 45 male and 155 female patients with a median age of 43 years (range 18 to 58 years). A total of 158 (79.00%) patients were diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, 35 (17.50%) were diagnosed with chronic inflammation with fibrous hyperplasia, and seven (3.50%) were diagnosed with granulomatous inflammation with necrosis. The mean LOS of the 200 patients was 1.25±0.95 days, and 187 (93.50%) patients were discharged within 24 hours as planned. Thirteen patients were transferred to the thoracic surgery ward for further treatment because of PPCs. The median VAS was 3 points (range 1 to 7 points), and the rate of PPCs was 11.50%.

Conclusion

Two hundred patients underwent VATDS with an acceptable 24-hour discharge rate. However, selection of patients for VATDS is required, and the implementation of VATDS on a larger scale requires further discussion.

Predictors of failure of intersegmental line creation using bronchoscopic jet ventilation for thoracoscopic pulmonary segmentectomy

BACKGROUND

During pulmonary segmentectomy, identification of the target segment is essential. We used bronchoscopic jet ventilation (BJV) to delineate the intersegmental plane by selectively sending air into the target segment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors associated with BJV failure.

METHODS

Data were retrospectively collected from 48 patients who underwent pulmonary segmentectomy with BJV between March 2014 and May 2019 at a single center. Data were compared between BJV succeeded cases and failed cases.

RESULTS

In 13 cases (27%), BJV were unsuccessful. The Brinkman index was significantly higher in failed cases (962 ± 965 failed vs. 395 ± 415 successful, P = 0.0067). The success rate was significantly lower when BJV was applied to the posterior basal segmental bronchus (B10) (B10: 1/5 (20%) vs others: 34/43 (79%), P = 0.015).

CONCLUSION

Long-term smoking and the bronchus corresponding to the posterior basal segment might make successful performance of BJV difficult.