One-stage surgery for both hepatic and left ventricular hydatid cysts using transthoracic route

Hydatid disease is a major health problem. Multiorgan involvement including the heart and the liver is a very rare presentation. Management of multivisceral hydatidosis through a sole incision should be considered when possible. Median sternotomy is considered in our case.

Thoracoscopic retrieval of an intrapulmonary sewing needle: A case report

The intrathoracic sewing needle is an exceedingly rare condition mildly documented in the literature. Given the needle's tendency to migrate, it must be removed as soon as possible, and the minimally invasive technique should be tried first.

Post traumatic left cardiac luxation: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Rupture of the pericardium complicating blunt thoracic trauma may lead to cardiac luxation if not early recognized and appropriately surgically treated. This condition is exceedingly rare and carries a high mortality rate.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 37-year-old man presented with severe multiple injuries following a road traffic crash, including blunt trauma to the thorax and abdomen. He was in a hemodynamically stable condition. The chest radiograph and CT scan revealed a leftward heart herniation through a pericardial tear, there were also non surgical hepatic and splenic lesions. The diagnosis of left cardiac luxation with no associated valvular lesions was made. Surgical exploration via a midline sternotomy revealed a protruding heart herniating into the left pleural cavity through a large tear (15 cm) of the left pericardium. Sutures with Teflon felt pledgets were performed. The postoperative chest radiograph was normal and the postoperative course was uneventful.

DISCUSSION

Post traumatic heart luxation diagnosis is clinically difficult because the scarcity of signs and lack of specificity. Chest X ray can be suggestive, and specific findings can only be detected by computed tomography, which is the most sensitive diagnostic method. Surgical management in this condition is mandatory to avoid fatal complications such as great vessels strangulation. It consists of replacing the heart in the pericardial sac and repairing the pericardial tear.

CONCLUSION

Despite its rare occurrence, trauma surgeons must be aware of cardiac luxation. Any suspicion of such a diagnosis would warrant surgical exploration to avoid fatal complications.

Gigantic Mediastino-Abdominal Hydatic Cyst Through Esophageal Hiatus

Hydatid disease is one of the most widespread and endemic infections causing a substantial health and economic burden. The liver and lungs remain the most affected viscera. We report the case of a 41-year-old man with an atypical presentation: a hydatid cyst of the liver with a massive extension to the mediastinum through the esophagus hiatus. This patient underwent a single-stage surgical session to treat the mediastinal and abdominal parts of the cyst through a unique thoracic route.

[Correlation between previous coronary artery stenting and early mortality in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery]

BACKGROUND

In this study, we examine the effect of previous percutaneous intervention on the rate of adverse perioperative outcome in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).

METHODS

Outcomes of 240 CABG patients, collected consecutively in an observational study, were compared. Gp A (n=35) had prior PCI before CABG and Gp B (n=205) underwent primary CABG.

RESULTS

Statistically significant results were obtained for the following preoperative criteria: previous myocardial infarction: 48.6% vs 36.6% (P=0.003), distribution of CAD (P=0.0001), unstable angina: 45.7% vs 39% (P=0.04). For intraoperative data, the total number of established bypasses was 2.6 (GpA) vs 2.07 (Gp B) (P=0.017), with the number of arterial bypass grafts being: 20% vs 13% (P=ns). Regarding the postoperative course, no significant difference in troponine I rate, 24-hour bleeding: 962 ml (Gp A) vs 798 ml (Gp B) (P=0.004), transfusion (PRBC unit): 3.63 (Gp A) vs 2.5 (Gp B) (P=0.006). Previous PCI emerged as an independent predictor of postoperative in-hospital mortality (OR 2.24, 95% CI [1.52-2.75], P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Patients with prior PCI presented for CABG with more severe CAD. Thirty-day mortality and morbidity were significantly higher in patients with prior PCI.