A novel tracheobronchial reconstruction for right upper lung carcinoma involving the lower trachea: preliminary results

Reconstruction of the trachea and carina: Surgical reconstruction, autologous tissue transplantation, allograft transplantation, and bioengineering

There have been significant advancements in medical techniques in the present epoch, with the emergence of some novel operative substitutes. However, the treatment of tracheal defects still faces tremendous challenges and there is, as yet, no consensus on tracheal and carinal reconstruction. In addition, surgical outcomes vary in different individuals, which results in an ambiguous future for tracheal surgery. Although transplantation was once an effective and promising method, it is limited by a shortage of donors and immune rejection. The development of bioengineering has provided an alternative for the treatment of tracheal defects, but this discipline is full of ethical controversy and hindered by limited cognition in this area. Meanwhile, progression of this technique is blocked by a deficiency in ideal materials. The trachea together with the carina is still the last unpaired organ in thoracic surgery and propososal of a favorable scheme to remove this dilemma is urgently required. In this review, four main tracheal reconstruction methods, especially surgical techniques, are evaluated, and a thorough interpretation conducted.

[Development, Application Details, and Prospects of Uni-VATS on Lung Cancer Radical Operation under the Concept of "Precise Medical Treatment"]

单孔电视胸腔镜手术（uni-portal uideo-assisted thoracic surgery, Uni-VATS）的推广，是近年微创胸外科最重大的进展之一。随着腔镜下成像设备、切割缝合器械及电分离器械的改进，单孔VATS的应用范围已从最初的肺组织活检术逐渐扩大到解剖性肺叶/段切除、全肺切除、支气管/血管袖式吻合。多中心大量报道已证实：单孔VATS行肺叶切除安全、可行，清扫纵隔淋巴结的组数及总数均不低于传统多孔VATS，在疼痛、创伤及术后恢复方面也有积极的结果。虽然暂未得到多中心、大样本的临床数据如5年生存率，但有序地逐步开展单孔VATS仍是微创胸外科未来发展的重要方向。本文将围绕单孔VATS的原理及具体操作细节，结合肺癌根治术的基本操作理念进行讨论及综述，以期为单孔VATS的有序、规范化开展提出思考和探索。

Non-intubated combined with video-assisted thoracoscopic in carinal reconstruction

Carinal reconstruction is a difficult technique combined with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). It has a high requirement on the operator's skills in operating thoracoscope and meanwhile requires the close cooperation from anesthesiologists. Tracheal intubation and ventilator-assisted ventilation are key steps to ensure the success of surgery. However, tracheal intubation itself may influence the exposure of surgical field and increase the difficulty of anastomosis. In close cooperation of anesthesiologists, we did not perform tracheal intubation; rather, we carried out non-intubated complete VATS carinal reconstruction in a patient with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the lower trachea. The awake complete VATS carinal reconstruction was successfully performed. The anastomosis lasted about 36 hours, and the whole surgical procedure lasted 230 min. The intraoperative blood loss was about 80 mL. The patient recovered well 100 min after surgery. A semi-solid diet began 6 hours following the surgery. This non-intubated anesthesia method makes the surgery easier, especially during the anastomosis of stumps. It is feasible and safe to apply this anesthesia technique in carinal reconstruction.

Reconstruction of the thoracic tracheal defects with portions of deepithelialized myocutaneous flaps after resection of a large tumor

OBJECTIVE

To study the possibility of using portions of deepithelialized myocutaneous flaps to the reconstruction of thoracic tracheal defects after resection of a large tumor.

METHODS

From June 2007 to June 2012, five cases of defects of the thoracic trachea were reconstructed by applying portions of deepithelialized myocutaneous flaps. The patients were 27-61 years old with 4 male cases and 1 female. The cervical trachea ranged in diameter from 4-8.5 cm with circumferences of approximately 1/3-2/5 of the bronchial circumference.

RESULTS

All five patients with thoracic tracheal defects after resection of a large tumor were cured of portions of deepithelialized myocutaneous flaps, with no tracheal stricture remaining and vomica successfully eliminated. During the first 1 to 3 months after the operation, bronchoscopy showed that the tracheal lumens were smooth, and the visible skin of the musculocutaneous flaps became gray and exhibited a small amount of white discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite this being a small series and short follow-up, this thoracic tracheal reconstruction with portions of deepithelialized myocutaneous flaps shows encouraging preliminary results and could be an alternative to other methods for the treatment of carefully selected patients with thoracic tracheal defects.