Videothoracoscopic identification of chondromatous hamartoma of the lung

Increased ischemia-modified albumin and malondialdehyde levels in videothoracoscopic surgery

BACKGROUND:

Videothoracoscopic surgery leads to general organ hypoperfusion by reducing mean arterial pressure, systemic vascular resistance, and end-diastolic volume index. Oxidative stress occurs as a result of hypoperfusion. Evaluation of the short-term effects of videothoracoscopic sympathectomy on serum ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO) levels in patients with primary hyperhidrosis was aimed.

METHODS:

Twenty-six patients who underwent videothoracoscopic surgery were contributed in this study. Venous blood samples were obtained from these patients 1 h before and after the surgery. IMA, MDA, and NO levels were measured in serum samples by colorimetric methods. Albumin concentrations were also measured for each sample, and albumin-adjusted IMA levels were calculated.

RESULTS:

Postoperative IMA, albumin-adjusted IMA, and MDA values were significantly higher compared to the preoperative values (P = 0.003, 0.027, 0.018, respectively). However, postoperative NO levels were lower than the preoperative values (P = 0.002). There was no significant difference between pre- and postoperative albumin concentrations, and there was no significant correlation between the parameters tested.

CONCLUSIONS:

We can conclude that elevation in MDA and IMA levels after videothoracoscopic surgery was caused by increased oxidative stress due to minimal ischemia-reperfusion injury after the infusion of CO₂ during the surgical process. Videothoracoscopic sympathectomy operation causes a decrease in NO production, and this should be taken in consideration when evaluating nitrosative stress in videothoracoscopic surgery.

A comparative cost analysis study of lobectomy performed via video-assisted thoracic surgery versus thoracotomy in Turkey

INTRODUCTION

Cost analysis studies performed in western countries report that the overall cost of lobectomies performed via video-assisted thoracic surgery is similar to or less than those performed via thoracotomy. The situation may be different in a developing country.

AIM

We evaluated the cost differences of these two surgical methods.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the hospital records of 81 patients who underwent lobectomy either via video-assisted thoracic surgery (n = 32) or via thoracotomy (n = 49). Patient characteristics, pathology, perioperative complications, additional surgical procedures, length of hospital and intensive care unit stay, and outcomes of both groups were recorded. Detailed cost data for medications, anesthesia, laboratory, surgical instruments, disposable instruments and surgery cost itself were also documented. Statistical analyses were performed to compare the groups.

RESULTS

The two groups were homogeneous in regard to age, sex, pathology and perioperative morbidity. The mean duration of hospitalization in the video-assisted thoracic surgery group was significantly shorter than that of the thoracotomy group (7.78 ±5.11 days vs. 10.65 ±6.57 days, p < 0.05). Overall final mean cost in the video-assisted thoracic surgery group was significantly higher than that of the thoracotomy group ($3970 ±1873 vs. $3083 ±1013, p = 0.002). This significant difference relies mostly on the cost of disposable surgical instruments, which were used much more in the video-assisted thoracic surgery group than the thoracotomy group ($2252 ±1856 vs. $427 ±47, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to western countries, a video-assisted thoracic surgical lobectomy may cost more than a lobectomy via thoracotomy in a developing country. More expensive disposable surgical instruments and cheaper hospital stay charges lead to higher overall costs in video-assisted thoracic surgical lobectomy patients.

Videothoracoscopy in the treatment of benign neurogenic tumours of the posterior mediastinum

Introduction

The indications for videothoracoscopy are very broad and include the treatment of mediastinal tumours.

Aim

To present our experience of using the minimally invasive technique in treating benign neurogenic tumours.

Material and methods

Twenty-two patients were treated due to tumours of the posterior mediastinum from 2003 to 2012. The size of the tumours ranged from 2 cm to 25 cm. Tumours up to the size of 6 cm were treated using videothoracoscopy (VT), bigger ones through thoracotomy.

Results

The videothoracoscopy technique was used in 17 patients, thoracotomy in 5. In 2 cases conversion was required due to adhesions in the pleural cavity preventing VT treatment. Complications related to the procedure were not observed. The average time of hospital stay after VT treatment was 4 days, while after thoracotomy it was 6 days. Histologically, tumours of benign nature were found in all cases. Schwannoma was diagnosed in 15 patients, ganglioneuroma in 3 patients, neurofibroma in 3 patients, and chemodectoma in 1 patient. None of the 3 cases of neurofibroma was associated with Recklinghausen's disease. At a mean follow-up of 60 months no recurrence of the tumour was found.

Conclusions

In the case of tumours up to 6 cm the best surgical technique is videothoracoscopy. In the case of large tumours the best access is the open technique. The minimally invasive technique allows one to shorten the patient's treatment time, reduce postoperative pain and obtain a good cosmetic effect of the treatment.

Left mainstem bronchial laceration with perforation to right pleural cavity as complication after dynamic stent insertion

The development of science at the end of the 20^th century introduced new surgical miniinvasive techniques. Endoscopic insertion of an internal stent is an alternative to other, older techniques in the treatment of tracheobronchial stenosis. Complications are serious and require immediate intervention. We report a case of a 53-year-old patient with left mainstem bronchus perforation during insertion of a dynamic stent. The clinical presentation was characterised by right tension pneumothorax. The dynamic stent in the right pleural cavity on computed tomography scan was observed. Right postero-lateral thoracotomy, stent evacuation and tracheal sutures were performed. Tracheal granulation was treated with argon plasma coagulation. Early diagnosis and treatment offered good current effects.