[Cogitum in children's neurology and psychiatry (experience in the practical use)]

Transsternal Approach for Broncho-Pleural Fistula Closure After Right Pneumonectomy

Broncho-pleural fistula (BPF) is an abnormal communication between the bronchial lumen and the pleural space that typically occurs postoperatively. Surgical intervention is typically needed to patch the fistula; however, current literature lacks a gold standard for which treatment to use. With a high mortality rate, there is a clear urgency for quick and successful intervention. This case examines a 59-year-old patient presenting with a BPF 14 years after incidental pneumonectomy during upper lobectomy for invasive aspergillus. A fistula was appreciated during bronchoscopy with contrast injection. The fistula was closed via the transsternal approach through median sternotomy and pericardiotomy. This case report aims to provide a viable option to successfully repair a BPF via the transsternal approach.

Inhibition of tick-borne encephalitis virus in cell cultures by ribavirin

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) belonging to arboviruses is a major member of zoonotic pathogens. TBEV infection causes severe human encephalitis without specific antiviral drugs. Due to its use of antiviral drug against a wide range of viruses, we investigated antiviral effect of ribavirin against TBEV in susceptible human cell lines A549 and SH-SY5Y. Ribavirin displayed minor cytotoxicity on multiple cell lines. Ribavirin obviously impaired TBEV replication and protected the infected cells from cytopathic effect. Importantly, ribavirin markedly inhibited TBEV propagation, as evidenced by impairment of TBEV production and viral RNA replication. Treatment with ribavirin (co-treatment and post-treatment) led to a dose-dependent reduction in TBEV titers as well as the viral RNA levels. Antiviral protein myxovirus resistance A mRNA expression was significantly up-regulated and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 was activated in TBEV-infected A549 cells upon the ribavirin treatment. Induction of inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha by TBEV was decreased in A549 cells with the treatment of ribavirin, whereas interleukin 1 beta release appeared to be unaffected. These results suggest that ribavirin might represent a promising safe and effective antiviral drug against TBEV.

[Transsternal occlusion of main bronchi fistulae after pneumonectomy]

OBJECTIVE

To summarize our experience in transsternal occlusion of main bronchus fistula.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We have performed 146 transsternal occlusions of the main bronchi for the period from 1979 to 2018. There were 123 (84.2%) men and 23 (15.7%) women. Mean age of patients was 63 years. Lung tuberculosis was diagnosed in 36 (24.7%) patients, lung cancer - 91 (62.3%) patients, non-specific suppurative lung diseases - 14 (9.6%) patients, trauma - 5 (3.4%) patients. All patients underwent transsternal occlusion of the main bronchi fistulae with or without pericardial cavity dissection. Wedge-shaped bronchial resection or tracheal bifurcation resection were carried out for a short stump fistula.

RESULTS

Perioperative complications occurred in 28 (19.2%) out of 146 patients. Intraoperative complications developed in 4 (2.6%) patients. Postoperative complications were observed in 25 (17.1%) patients. Intraoperative mortality rate was 1.4% (n=2), postoperative mortality - 6.2% (n=9). Thus, overall mortality rate was 7.6% (n=11 It should be noted that intraoperative complications were absent if dissection of the pericardium and pulmonary artery stump ligation were not performed.

CONCLUSION

Transsternal occlusion of the main bronchi fistulae was successful in 80.8% of patients. In these cases, healing of fistulae was not associated with any complications. Thus, we believe that transsternal occlusion of the main bronchial stump fistula should be considered as preferable surgical strategy.