Thoracoscopic versus thoracotomy lobectomy in children with congenital lung lesions: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Thoracoscopic lobectomy is always compared with open thoracotomy in congenital lung lesions with no definitive results. This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the clinical outcomes of thoracoscopic versus thoracotomy lobectomy in children.

METHODS

The electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PubMed were searched. A meta-analysis was used to analyse and compare the operating time, length of hospital stay, and postoperative complications, such as wound infections and respiratory issues, in thoracoscopic and thoracotomy lobectomy.

RESULTS

Two thousand and ninety five paediatric patients were analysed over 17 studies (1 ambidirectional cohort study and 16 retrospective studies). Of these patients, 903 and 1192 had undergone thoracoscopic lobectomy and thoracotomy, respectively. There was a significant lower incidence of overall and respiratory complications and longer operative time for thoracoscopic lobectomy compared with thoracotomy in children; however, pooling the results for the two methods revealed no significant difference in wound infection or length of hospital stay.

CONCLUSION

Thoracoscopic lobectomy offers the benefit of having fewer overall and respiratory complications than thoracotomy. It did not, however, clearly outperform open surgery in terms of operative time, wound infection, or postoperative hospitalization.

Transcatheter Management of Pulmonary Sequestrations in Children-A Single-Center Experience

BACKGROUND

A pulmonary sequestration (PS) is an area of bronchopulmonary tissue with aberrant arterial supply. Transcatheter occlusion of PSs is an appealing treatment option, but data on outcomes remain scarce. We aim to describe our experience with transcatheter management of PS in infants and children.

METHODS

Retrospective review of clinical data of all patients with suspected PS sent for diagnostic and/or interventional cardiac catheterization at our institution between January 1999 and May 2021. Procedural considerations, techniques, standard safety, and outcomes were assessed.

RESULTS

We identified 71 patients (52.1% males), with median age and weight of 4.9 months (IQR, 2.1-26.6) and 4.2 kg (IQR, 3.9-12.1), respectively. Sixty-one (86%) patients had associated congenital heart defects (CHDs). Forty-two (59%) patients had pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) at the time of diagnosis. Fifty-three (74.7%) patients underwent embolization of the PS feeding vessel using microcoils and/or vascular plugs, and eight (15.1%) of these were neonates who presented with severe PAH and cardiac failure. Two patients had large feeding vessels and were treated surgically. Sixteen (22.5%) patients with small feeding vessels received conservative management. At median follow-up of 36.4 months (IQR, 2.1-89.9), seven patients had died, 24 patients had CHD corrective surgeries, 26 patients had redo catheterizations, and five patients had persistent PAH. No PS surgical resection was needed, and no infection of the remaining lung tissue occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Transcatheter assessment and treatment of PSs is a safe and effective procedure. Neonates with large PSs are severely symptomatic and improve remarkably after PS closure. PS embolization and surgical repair of associated CHDs generally leads to the normalization of pulmonary pressures.

Epidemiology and prevalence of pulmonary sequestration in Chinese population, 2010-2019

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary sequestration (PS) is the second common congenital lung malformation and has been known for over 150 years. However, there is a scarcity of epidemiological studies on it. This study aimed to characterize the epidemiology of pulmonary sequestration in Chinese population in the recent decade by using a nationwide database.

METHODS

Using data from the Chinese Birth Defects Monitoring Network during 2010-2019, the prevalence rates for PS were calculated by birth year, maternal age, residence area, geographical region, and infant sex. Variations in prevalence and changes over time were further examined. Other variables of interest for analysis included the pregnancy outcomes of affected infants, the prenatal diagnosis, and the co-occurring anomalies of PS cases.

RESULTS

During the study period, we identified an average prevalence rate of 0.31, 0.11, and 0.42 per 10,000 live and still births for the isolated, non-isolated, and overall PS, respectively. An upward trend was observed for each category of PS. The prevalence rates varied significantly by maternal age (< 20 years, 0.34/10,000; 20-24 years, 0.33/10,000; 25-29 years, 0.45/10,000; 30-34 years, 0.46/10,000; ≥ 35 years, 0.36/10,000), residence area (urban vs. rural, 0.51/10,000 vs. 0.30/10,000), geographical region (western, 0.33/10,000; eastern, 0.49/10,000; central, 0.43/10,000), and by infant sex (male vs. female, 0.45/10,000 vs. 0.38/10,000). Non-isolated PS cases were more likely born prematurely than isolated cases (15.29% vs. 7.83%). 40.28% and 33.80% of non-isolated cases were accompanied by additional respiratory, and circulatory system malformations, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The study presents for the first time the prevalence of pulmonary sequestration in Chinese population. The rising prevalence and relatively poor perinatal outcome of affected fetuses or newborns indicate the necessity to improve perinatal management of PS.

Arterial Embolization and Methylene Blue Injection into the Aberrant Artery in Two Infants with Intralobar Sequestration

Bronchopulmonary sequestration is a rare congenital lung dysplasia. An intralobar sequestration (ILS) is a nonfunctional mass within the lung parenchyma without bronchial communication and with aberrant systemic arterial blood supply. Surgical resection or close observation can be proposed in the management of asymptomatic and low-risk ILS, but there is a lack of consensus. Endovascular embolization before thoracoscopic resection of ILS has been described to limit perioperative bleeding. Another technique previously reported is the injection of methylene blue in the feeding artery to macroscopically mark the sequestration from the healthy lung. In that way, a nonanatomical resection can be performed instead of a lobectomy without the risk of leaving abnormal lung tissue in place. We describe the first two cases of these two techniques combined: a 3-year-old girl with an ILS in the right lower lobe with an artery originating from the abdominal aorta, and a 14-month-old girl with an ILS in the right lower lobe with an artery coming from the celiac trunk. The combination of embolization and injection of methylene blue in the aberrant artery leads to a clear macroscopic demarcation of the blue-colored ILS from the healthy lung parenchyma and allowed safe nonanatomical resection of the ILS without risk of bleeding or compromising normal lung tissue.

Debating the embolization of a large aberrant systemic artery for pulmonary sequestration using an Amplatzer duct occluder: a case report and literature review

Here, we report two rare cases of pulmonary sequestration that were fed by large systemic arteries and embolized with a large Amplatzer duct occluder and their 3-year follow-up, and we discuss the efficacy and safety of the embolization of a large aberrant systemic artery to pulmonary sequestration using an Amplatzer duct occluder. A 9-year-old boy complained of chest pain for 1 month, and a 6-year-old boy initially complained of recurrent cough for 3 months. A series of examinations was launched to evaluate any possible malformation or abnormalities in the patients. Chest CT and CTA identified a right lower pulmonary sequestration with infection. After admission, transcatheter device occlusion was planned after essential antibiotic treatment, and postoperative infection prevention and anti-inflammatory treatment were given. In the following 2 years of follow-up, neither of the children had recurrent chest pain, cough or other related symptoms. However, the CT follow-up demonstrated that a residual mass was visible in both patients. The same chest scan section revealed slight reductions in lung lesions from 38.344 cm2 to 37.119 cm2 (3% reduction) and 14.243 cm2 to 13.178 cm2 (7.5% reduction) for each patient. No follow-up data demonstrated the long-term clinical outcomes of the residual lesion. We do not recommend that embolization be performed for large pulmonary sequestration lesions with an aberrant artery larger than 6 mm that is planned to receive a device larger than 10 mm, as their outcomes showed a higher possibility of rebuilding the vascularization network feeding the pulmonary sequestration, indicating a higher risk for long-term complications.

Thoracoscopic surgery for congenital lung malformations: Does previous infection really matter?

BACKGROUND/ PURPOSE

Elective resection of congenital lung malformations (CLMs) is still debatable. The two main risks are malignant transformation and recurrent pulmonary infections. Our study aimed to assess the effect of previous pulmonary infection on the intraoperative and postoperative courses of thoracoscopic surgery for CLMs.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study including all thoracoscopic lung resections for CLMs between 2010 and 2019. Ninety patients were included. There was a history of previous pulmonary infection in 28 patients (group A) and no such history in 62 patients (group B).

RESULTS

The median age at operation for group A was 20.4 months (IQR:14.9-41.4) versus 15.1 months (IQR:9.7-20.8) in group B (p = 0.006). There were 10 conversions (35.7%) in group A and 8 (12.9%) in group B (p = 0.02). The operative time was significantly shorter in group B (p<0.002). In group A, 32.1% of patients experienced postoperative fever versus 11.3% of group B (p = 0.03), with higher antibiotics requirement (28.6% versus 6.5% respectively, p = 0.007). However, no significant differences were found in terms of postoperative complications (p = 0.99).

CONCLUSION

Earlier intervention for CLMs before the development of pulmonary infection carries higher chances for the success of the thoracoscopic approach with shorter operative time and more uneventful postoperative courses.

Multidisciplinary management of a rare case of mixed total anomalous pulmonary venous connection

INTRODUCTION

Mixed total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) is a extremely rare congenital heart disease.

METHODS

We report the initial management of a case of Mixed total anomalous pulmonary venous connection associated to right extralobar bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS).

RESULTS

Mixed TAPVC associated to right extra-lobar BPS was diagnosed at birth in a full-term newborn. At one month of age, the patient underwent embolization of the BPS, complicated by coil entrapment in the right common iliac artery requiring urgent laparotomy. Few days later, the congenital cardiac repair was accomplished uneventfully. At 12-months follow-up, the patient did not have pulmonary hypertension, but presented a moderate stenosis of the right femoral artery, which was effectively treated with anticoagulation therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The multidisciplinary approach allowed a successful treatment of these complex anomalies and the related potential complications.

Is thoracoscopy superior to thoracotomy in the treatment of congenital lung malformations? An updated meta-analysis

Background:

A meta-analysis was performed for a comparison of outcomes between video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and thoracotomy for congenital lung malformations (CLM).

Methods:

Electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched systematically for literature aimed mainly at reporting the therapeutic effects for CLM administrated by VATS and thoracotomy.

Results:

A total of 40 studies meeting the inclusion criteria were included, involving 2896 subjects. VATS was associated with fewer complications [odds ratio (OR) 0.54; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.42–0.69], less use of epidural anesthesia (OR, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.03–0.23), shorter length of hospital stay [standard mean difference (SMD) −0.98; 95% CI, −1.4 to −0.55] and chest drainage (SMD, −0.43; 95% CI, −0.7 to −0.17), as compared with thoracotomy. However, thoracotomy showed superiority in reduced operative time (SMD, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.04–0.84). Pearson analysis (Pearson r = 0.85, 95% CI, 0.28 to 0.98, p = 0.01) and linear regression (R square 0.73) confirmed a positive correlation between percentage of symptomatic cases and conversion in patients using VATS.

Conclusion:

VATS is associated with fewer complications, less use of epidural anesthesia, shorter length of stay and length of chest drainage, but longer operative time, as compared with thoracotomy. Symptomatic patients with CLM using VATS may be prone to conversion to thoracotomy.

The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.

Neonatal pulmonary sequestration (PS) with rhabdomyomas-like hyperplasia: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Pulmonary sequestration (PS) is a rare pulmonary congenital malformation characterized by disconnection with the tracheobronchial tree or the pulmonary arterial blood supply thus impeding the connection to the arterial blood supply from systemic circulation, ultimately resulting in a non-functional lung.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 73-day-old boy with rhabdomyomatoid hyperplasia was hospitalized for cough and fever 2 months after birth.

DIAGNOSES

Routine B-ultrasound revealed a cystic malformation in the right lung. CT showed increased volume of the right lung accompanied with cystic low-density shadows of different sizes and a blood vessel leading from the abdominal aorta into the lesion lung. Thus, he was diagnosed with PS.

INTERVENTIONS

The boy underwent an entire lobectomy of the lower lobe of the right lung. The operation field revealed several malformed blood vessels from the apposition to the right lower lobe. Most of the lung had cystic adenomatoid malformations. Other parts consisted of well-differentiated cystic dilated bronchus and striated muscles. Histopathological examination revealed rhabdomyus fibroblasts distributed throughout the bronchi. Nuclei were located at the margins of the cells. Striated muscle fibers observed as immunological markers (myogenin and desmin) of striated muscles were positively detected.

OUTCOMES

The boy recovered uneventfully after his operation and no abnormal clinical findings were found at the 10-month follow-up.

CONCLUSION

PS can not only accompany other developmental abnormalities, but can also associate with rhabdomyomatoid hyperplasia. This lesion is not a fatal congenital malformation and instead is a benign lesion affecting only a single lobe. It has a relatively good prognosis.

Congenital Lung Malformations: Unresolved Issues and Unanswered Questions

Advances in prenatal and postnatal diagnosis, perioperative management, and postoperative care have dramatically increased the number of scientific reports on congenital thoracic malformations (CTM). Nearly all CTM are detected prior to birth, generally by antenatal ultrasound. After delivery, most infants do well and remain asymptomatic for a long time. However, complications may occur beyond infancy, including in adolescence and adulthood. Prenatal diagnosis is sometimes missed and detection may occur later, either by chance or because of unexplained recurrent or persistent respiratory symptoms or signs, with difficult implications for family counseling and substantial delay in surgical planning. Although landmark studies have been published, postnatal management of asymptomatic children is still controversial and needs a resolution. Our aim is to provide a focused overview on a number of unresolved issues arising from the lack of an evidence-based consensus on the management of patients with CTM. We summarized findings from current literature, with a particular emphasis on the vigorous controversies on the type and timing of diagnostic procedures, treatments and the still obscure relationship between CTM and malignancies, a matter of great concern for both families and physicians. We also present an algorithm for the assessment and follow-up of CTM detected either in the antenatal or postnatal period. A standardized approach across Europe, based on a multidisciplinary team, is urgently needed for achieving an evidence-based management protocol for CTM.