Tracheobronchial glomus tumor

Glomus tumors are uncommon. A review of the literature for tracheobronchial glomus tumors revealed 13 tracheal glomus tumors. The diagnosis may be elusive and so the true incidence of tracheobronchial glomus tumors may be greater than that reported. Three of the 14 glomus tumors were initially believed to be carcinoid. Glomus tumors should be included in the differential diagnosis of tracheobronchial tumors.

Thoracoscopic resection of ectopic parathyroid glands

BACKGROUND

The vast majority of parathyroid glands in hyperparathyroidism can be resected through a cervical approach. In approximately 2% of the cases, the ectopic gland is in the mediastinum in a location that requires a thoracic approach.

METHODS

We report 7 such cases that were resected using video-assisted thoracic surgery to avoid the need for an open surgical procedure.

RESULTS

All glands were successfully identified preoperatively and subsequently resected. Hospital stay averaged less than 3 days with only one minor complication.

CONCLUSIONS

Ectopic mediastinal parathyroid glands may be safely and accurately resected using video-assisted thoracic surgery to avoid open approaches.

Long-term survival after thoracoscopic lung volume reduction: a multiinstitutional review

BACKGROUND

It has been suggested that bilateral thoracoscopic lung volume reduction (BTLVR) yields significantly better long-term survival than unilateral thoracoscopic lung volume reduction (UTLVR).

METHODS

All perioperative data were collected at the time of the procedure. Follow-up data were obtained during office visits or by telephone.

RESULTS

A total of 673 patients underwent thoracoscopic LVR: 343 had either simultaneous or staged BTLVR and 330, UTLVR. As of July 1998, follow-up was available on 667 (99%) of the 673 patients with a mean follow-up of 24.3 months. The patients in the BTLVR group were significantly younger (62.6+/-8.0 years versus 65.4+/-8.1 years; p < 0.0001), had a higher preoperative arterial oxygen tension (69.7+/-12 mm Hg versus 65.3+/-11 mm Hg; p < 0.0001), and had a superior preoperative 6-minute walk performance (279.9+/-93.6 m [933+/-312 feet] versus 244.5+/-101.4 m [815+/-338 feet] p < 0.0001). There was no difference in the operative mortality rate between the two groups (UTLVR, 5.1%, and BTLVR, 7%). Actuarial survival rates for the UTLVR group at 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years were 86%, 75%, and 69%, respectively versus 90%, 81%, and 74%, respectively, for the BTLVR group (p = not significant).

CONCLUSIONS

Contrary to previous reports, survival after BTLVR was not superior to that after UTLVR even though the former group appeared to have a lower risk preoperatively because of younger age, higher arterial oxygen tension, more advantageous anatomy, and better functional status. Despite thoracoscopic LVR, the actuarial mortality rate approached 30% at 3 years, and this calls into question whether this procedure offers any survival advantage to patients with end-stage emphysema.

Thoracoscopic resection of posterior neurogenic tumors

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) may be used for resection of posterior mediastinal tumors to avoid thoracotomy and shorten hospital stay. Between October 1990 and June 1998, 23 patients had VATS resection of posterior neurogenic tumors. The 14 females and 9 males ranged in age from 14 months to 70 years, with a median of 35 years. Operation time ranged from 30 to 120 minutes (median, 83), and intraoperative complications were limited to minor problems as well as conversion to thoracotomy to enhance complete tumor resection in four cases. Tumor pathology included nerve sheath origin (20) and autonomic ganglia (3). There was only one malignant schwannoma. Tumor size ranged from 0.7 to 13 cm in diameter. Median chest tube days was 1 day (range, 1-4), and hospital stay was 2 days (range, 1-9). Postoperative complications included transient paresthesia (three cases), ileus (two cases), pleural effusion (one case), and transient intercostal pain (one case). Posterior neurogenic tumors may be resected safely using video-assisted techniques. Conversion to thoracotomy to enhance complete resection is both possible and encouraged. The use of VATS seems to decrease hospital stay and minimize postoperative complications. In posterior neurogenic tumors without tumor extension to the spinal canal, VATS has become our preferred method for resection.

Postoperative gastrointestinal complications after lung volume reduction operations

BACKGROUND

Lung volume reduction operations have been shown to improve the quality of life and functional status of some patients with end-stage emphysema.

METHODS

Because of a perceived increase in the occurrence of postoperative gastrointestinal (GI) complications, we reviewed our experience in 287 patients who had lung volume reduction operations to determine the frequency of GI complications and to identify risk factors.

RESULTS

Using a broad definition of postoperative GI complications (nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, gastroesophageal reflux, diarrhea, constipation) there were 137 complications in 67 patients (23%). More severe GI complications (bowel ischemia, GI bleeding, perforation, ulceration, ileus, colitis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis) occurred 49 times in 27 patients (9.4%). Seven of the 27 patients required abdominal operations. Risk factors identified as predictive of severe complications include diabetes (p = 0.0003), lower preoperative hematocrit (p = 0.01), steroid use (p = 0.02), and use of parenteral meperidine analgesic (p = 0.002). Stepwise logistic regression demonstrated that diabetes was 7.02 times more likely to produce severe complications. Other risk factors included steroids (2.81), number of different pain medications (2.59), hematocrit decrease of 5% (1.96), and hematocrit decrease of 1% (1.14). In the patients with severe GI complications there were six of 27 (22%) hospital deaths compared with five of 260 (2%) in those without GI complications (p = 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Severe GI complications in patients with emphysema who had lung volume reduction operations are not uncommon (9.4%) and influence the perioperative mortality rate. Heightened awareness to identified risk factors will allow earlier recognition, prevention, and perhaps decrease morbidity and mortality rates in these high-risk patients.

Surgical strategy for lung volume reduction surgery

Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) has been a popular procedure since the early 1990s. It appears that there has developed a consensus in the literature that the ideal patient is one with evidence of marked hyperinflation and heterogenous disease. In this patient profile, LVRS has produced excellent results with respect to lung function and improved exercise tolerance. General areas of controversy are discussed which include the role of lasers; unilateral versus bilateral procedures; the role of a staged unilateral procedure; and which surgical route is best for patients. The existing literature is reviewed on these issues.

Success of laparoscopic fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease

BACKGROUND

We explored the efficacy of laparoscopic fundoplication (LF) in patients with uncomplicated, medically recalcitrant pathologic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) for whom we previously would have recommended open surgical repair.

METHODS

From January 1994 to January 1998, we performed LF on 150 patients (80 men and 70 women) with GERD recalcitrant to maximal medical therapy. No patient suffered from esophageal stricture or epithelial dysplasia; however 16% (24 of 150) had benign Barrett's mucosa. Preoperative esophageal manometry and 24-hour pH testing were obtained in 93% (139 of 150) and 89% (134 of 150) of patients, respectively. Nissen LF (n = 123), Toupet LF (n = 26), or Dor LF (n = 1) were accomplished over a large (54 F) intraesophageal bougie. Preoperative (1 month) and postoperative (>6 month) symptom scoring were assessed on a 0 to 10 scale. Thirty-eight patients with a greater than 6-month postoperative period had manometry and pH studies performed.

RESULTS

The laparoscopic approach was successful in 99% (148 of 150) of patients, and there has been no mortality. Operative time was 160+/-59 minutes. Open conversion was required for 2 patients: because of difficulty with dissection owing to adhesions in 1 case and due to perforation in another. Reoperation was required for 5 patients (1 paraesophageal, 2 dysphagia, 2 recurrent reflux). Major postoperative complications involved stroke and pancreatitis in 1 patient each. Mean hospital stay was 2.6+/-1.2 days, full activity resumed by 7 days. Postoperative esophageal pH testing among 38 patients tested more than 6 months after operation demonstrated normal esophageal acid exposure in all but 2. GERD symptoms were relieved at 1 month, 6 months, and after 1 year in 95% (128 of 135), 94% (99 of 105), and 93% (65 of 70) of patients, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Intermediate-term results with LF suggest this to be a reasonable approach to surgical management of medically recalcitrant uncomplicated GERD. Thoracic surgeons interested in GERD should become familiar with minimally invasive surgical approaches.

Comparison of staged thoracoscopy and median sternotomy for lung volume reduction

BACKGROUND

Lung volume reduction operations have proved beneficial for emphysematous patients, but questions remain about the role of a unilateral procedure.

METHODS

Fifty patients were prospectively enrolled in a lung volume reduction surgery program for emphysema with staged unilateral video-assisted thoracoscopic procedures (VATS group). These patients were compared with 29 patients having bilateral lung volume reduction procedures by median sternotomy.

RESULTS

The VATS group was slightly older and had shorter 6-minute walk distances, but otherwise the two groups were similar. Hospital stays were shorter for each unilateral VATS procedure, but the total of the two hospital stays was longer than the stay for the sternotomy group (21.1 versus 14.8 days). Complications were comparable, there were no in-hospital deaths, and there was significant difference in the 1-year mortality rate (VATS, 6% versus sternotomy, 13.8%; p = 0.137). Functional test results were comparable between the groups with improvements in percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (VATS, 41%, and sternotomy, 40%), 6-minute walk distances (VATS, 48%, and sternotomy, 26%), dyspnea scores, and acid base measurements.

CONCLUSIONS

Staged lung volume reduction operations do not appear to offer any measurable advantages over a single hospitalization and bilateral lung volume reduction procedures.

Thoracoscopic operations on reoperated chests

BACKGROUND

A previous operation is generally considered to be a relative contraindication to the minimal access approach. We reviewed our combined experience from three centers with video-assisted thoracic surgery on reoperated chests.

METHODS

From September 1992 to December 1996, 2,477 patients underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery of whom 40 patients (33 men; age range, 9 to 78 years) had prior operations on the ipsilateral side of the chest: 23 after prior open procedures (22 thoracotomies, 1 median sternotomy) and 17 after video-assisted thoracic surgery. The second procedures consisted of bullectomy or bulla ligation (8), mediastinal and hilar mass biopsy (8), wedge lung resection (6), pericardial window (5), lung volume reduction (4), redo thoracodorsal sympathectomy (3), talc insufflation alone (3), decortication (2), and suturing of a pleural rent (1).

RESULTS

Adhesions were noted in all patients ranging from minimal to strong fibrous adhesions. However, in only 2 patients (5%) were the procedures abandoned because of adhesions. Video-assisted thoracic surgery was safely completed in all other patients. There was no mortality or intraoperative complications and mean hospital stay was 5.1 +/- 3.2 days (range, 0 to 17 days).

CONCLUSIONS

Video-assisted thoracic surgery on reoperated chests is feasible and does not carry a higher morbidity or mortality compared with first-time operations, even though it may be technically more difficult. Experience and clinical judgment, however, are required to select these patients for reoperation with video-assisted thoracic surgery.

Incidence of lung nodules found in patients undergoing lung volume reduction

BACKGROUND

The risk of lung cancer is increased with cigarette smoking and obstructive lung disease. Patients having a lung volume reduction operation represent a high-risk population for cancer.

METHODS

Between March 1994 and December 1996, 281 patients underwent a lung volume reduction operation. All had severe obstructive lung disease with hyperinflation. The incidence of lung nodules and their management were addressed.

RESULTS

Of the 281 patients, 39.5% had at least one lung nodule identified. Fifty-two nodules had typical benign calcification patterns. Of the remaining nodules, 78 were resected and 20 were followed up. Seventeen nodules resected were cancerous, of which 13 were primary lung cancers. Of the resected nodules there were 28 nodules not identified by the preoperative radiologic evaluation.

CONCLUSIONS

Nodules are frequently seen in patients undergoing lung volume reduction operations. The overall incidence of cancer was 6.4%, with several only identified in the pathologic examination. Survival at short follow-up has been excellent for those with primary lung cancer. Nodules seen in this group of patients should be aggressively diagnosed and managed.

Effect of bovine pericardial strips on air leak after stapled pulmonary resection

BACKGROUND

Surgical procedures for emphysema have been proposed and in many settings resulted in significant improvement in dyspnea and function. The most prevalent surgical problem in all series is prolonged postoperative air leak.

METHODS

One hundred twenty-three patients undergoing stapled thoracoscopic unilateral lung volume reduction operation were prospectively randomized to receive either no buttressing of their staple lines or buttressing of all staple lines with bovine pericardial strips.

RESULTS

The two groups were comparable in preoperative risks and in the severity of their emphysema. Postoperative complications were identical in the two groups with respect to pneumonia, empyema, and wound infection; however, there was a significant difference in the duration of postoperative air leaks. Those having the pericardial strips used to buttress their staple lines had chest tubes removed 2.5 days sooner and were discharged from the hospital 2.8 days sooner as a result. The cost data revealed that because of the cost of the pericardial sleeves, the overall hospital charges were almost identical for the two groups ($22,108 bovine, $22,060 no bovine) in spite of the shortened hospital stay.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of bovine pericardial sleeves to buttress the staple lines in thoracoscopic unilateral lung volume reduction operation results in a shorter duration of postoperative air leaks. Total hospital charges were comparable in the two groups as the 2.8 days saved in the hospital were offset by the cost of the pericardial sleeves.

Wedge resection versus lobectomy for stage I (T1 N0 M0) non-small-cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

The role of nonanatomic wedge resection in the management of stage I (T1 N0 M0) non-small-cell lung cancer continues to be debated against the present gold standard of care--anatomic lobectomy.

METHODS

We analyzed the results of 219 consecutive patients with pathologic stage I (T1 N0 M0) non-small-cell lung cancer who underwent open wedge resection (n = 42), video-assisted wedge resection (n = 60), and lobectomy (n = 117) to assess morbidity, recurrence, and survival differences between these approaches.

RESULTS

There were no differences among the three groups with regard to histologic tumor type. Analysis demonstrated the wedge resection groups to be significantly older and to have reduced pulmonary function despite a higher incidence of treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease when compared with patients having lobectomy. The mean hospital stay was significantly less in the wedge resection groups. There were no operative deaths among patients having wedge resection; however, a 3% operative mortality occurred among patients having lobectomy (p = 0.20). Kaplan-Meier survival curves were nearly identical at 1 year (open wedge resection, 94%; video-assisted wedge resection, 95%; lobectomy, 91%). At 5 years survival was 58% for patients having open wedge resection, 65% for those having video-assisted wedge resection, and 70% for those having lobectomy. Log rank testing demonstrated significant differences between the survival curves during the 5-year period of study (p = 0.02). This difference was a result of a significantly greater non-cancer-related death rate by 5 years among patients having wedge resection (38% vs 18% for those having lobectomy; p = 0.014).

CONCLUSION

Wedge resection, done by open thoracotomy or video-assisted techniques, appears to be a viable "compromise" surgical treatment of stage I (T1 N0 M0) non-small-cell lung cancer for patients with cardiopulmonary physiologic impairment. Because of the increased risk for local recurrence, anatomic lobectomy remains the surgical treatment of choice for patients with stage I non-small-cell lung cancer who have adequate physiologic reserve.

Should pulmonary lesions be resected at the time of open heart surgery?

The prevalence and malignant potential of pulmonary lesions found preoperatively in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery are poorly defined. In a review of 3364 consecutive patients undergoing CABG, 191 (5%) were found to have pulmonary lesions. Granulomatous disease was suspected in all patients who had only calcified lesions (n = 151). These were empirically observed with no changes seen at follow-up. The 40 patients with noncalcified lesions (NCLs) were managed variously. Twenty patients underwent resection of the suspicious pulmonary lesion at the time of cardiac surgery. One patient underwent wedge resection of a pulmonary lesion (benign granuloma) 4 days before CABG. Eighteen patients underwent concomitant pulmonary resection and CABG through the median sternotomy (7 benign, 11 malignant). A delayed pneumonectomy was performed 17 days after CABG in another patient. Three of 40 patients died during the perioperative period without pathologic diagnosis. The remaining 17 were followed with serial roentgenograms. Three of 17 (18%) had lesional enlargement in the follow-up period their lesions were found to be malignant. The remaining 14 patients have been observed without surgical intervention now with a mean follow-up of 5.7 years (range, 20 months to 13 years). The prevalence of malignancy in lesions found on CABG preoperative chest roentgenograms was 15 out of 191 (7.8%); however, among patients with NCL the prevalence of malignancy was 15 out of 40 (37%), and malignancy was present in 12/13 (92%) of patients with NCLs that were >/= 2 cm in diameter. When malignancy is diagnosed in an NCL before CABG surgery, the decision to proceed with CABG should be based upon the coronary pathophysiology and the stage and cell type of the malignancy. Concomitant CABG and pulmonary resection is possible in most cases; however, we prefer a staged resection of all newly diagnosed NCLs when these are identified in patients requiring emergent revascularization or when these lesions are difficult to access through sternotomy. The mortality rate may be slightly increased in patients having concomitant procedures (5.47%) versus isolated CABG (3%). The incidence of malignancy in these NCLs is related to size. If a staged resection is not undertaken after CABG, careful observation of NCLs is important, as 18 per cent of these so managed were ultimately found to be malignant.

Safety and efficacy of video-assisted thoracic surgical techniques for the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax

Video-assisted thoracic surgery has been widely used in the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax despite a paucity of data regarding the relative safety and long-term efficacy for this procedure. We reviewed 113 consecutive patients (68 male and 45 female patients, aged 15 to 92 years, mean 35.1) who underwent 121 video-assisted thoracic surgical procedures during 119 hospitalizations from 1991 through 1993. Recurrent ipsilateral pneumothorax was the most frequent indication for surgery and occurred in 77 patients (65%). The most common method of management was stapling of an identified bleb in the lung, which was undertaken in 105 (87%) patients. No operative deaths occurred. Complications included an air leak lasting longer than 5 days in 10 (8%) patients, two of whom required second procedures for definitive management. No episodes of postoperative bleeding or empyema occurred. The postoperative stay ranged from 1 day to 39 days (median 3 days, average 4.3 days) and 99 patients (84%) were discharged within 5 days. Mean follow-up was 13.1 months and ranged from 1 to 34 months. Eleven patients (10%) were lost to follow-up. Ipsilateral pneumothorax recurred after five of 121 procedures (4.1%). Twelve perioperative parameters (age, gender, race, smoking history, site of pneumothorax, severity of pneumothorax, operative indications, number of blebs, site of blebs, bleb ablation, method of pleurodesis, and prolonged postoperative air leak) were entered into univariate and multivariate analysis to identify significant independent predictors of recurrence. The only independent predictor of recurrence was the failure to identify and ablate a bleb at operation, which resulted in a 23% recurrence rate versus a 1.8% rate in those with ablated blebs (p < 0.001). These data suggest that video-assisted thoracic surgery is a viable alternative to thoracotomy for the treatment of recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax. It results in a short hospital stay, low morbidity, high patient acceptance, and a low rate of recurrence.

Coronary revascularization in the elderly: determinants of operative mortality

Over a 13-year period, 668 patients 70 years of age or older underwent isolated primary coronary artery bypass grafting at our institution. There were 472 men and 196 women, ranging from 70 to 90 years of age (median age, 74 years). Hospital mortality was 5.2% (35/668). In patients 70 to 79 years of age, hospital mortality was 4.2% (25/600), whereas in patients 80 years of age or older, mortality was 14.7% (10/68; p < 0.001). Twenty-seven clinical or hemodynamic variables hypothesized as predictors of operative mortality were examined. Mortality was higher in women than in men (9% versus 3.6%; p = 0.006). Those who died were a mean of 3 years older (77 versus 74 years old; p < 0.05) and were more likely to have unstable angina or Canadian class III or IV angina (p < 0.01). Patients requiring urgent operations, preoperative intraaortic balloon assist, intravenous nitroglycerin, or inotropic agents, and those with preoperative hypotension or cardiac arrest were most likely to die in the hospital (p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed advancing age, female sex, bypass time, urgency of operation, preoperative cardiac arrest, and unstable angina as primary determinants of mortality (p < 0.05). Although mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting increases with age, the greatest risk of death is in the acutely ill patient with few options for management other than surgical intervention.

Strangulated parahiatal hernia: not just another paraesophageal hernia

Exploratory thoracotomy was necessary to establish the diagnosis of a rare incarcerated parahiatal hernia. Symptomatology, signs, and radiographic findings are compared with those of paraesophageal hernias.

Use of a rate-limited ultrafiltration circuit with centrifugal ventricular assist

Renal insufficiency and pulmonary edema are frequently observed in patients who require centrifugal ventricular assist for postcardiotomy ventricular failure. We describe a technique of using a rate-limited ultrafiltration device in parallel with the assist device circuit to remove excess intravascular volume.

Lack of cardioplegia uniformity in clinical myocardial preservation

Advances in myocardial preservation have led to improved patient survival after open heart operations. However, few studies have detailed the nature of national or regional patterns of cardioplegia use. To determine the regional pattern, all open heart surgery programs in Missouri were surveyed. During 1 year, it was found that cardioplegia was administered to 8,382 patients by 61 cardiothoracic surgeons at ten academic affiliated hospitals and 16 nonteaching hospitals. All cardioplegic solutions were hospital produced. Of 13 crystalloid solutions, 11 differed from one another and eight were intracellular formulations. Of 28 multidose blood-based cardioplegic solutions, there were 23 different mixtures. Most crystalloid (69%) and blood-based (89%) solutions differed substantially from commonly reported formulations. The incidences of the various additives to crystalloid solutions were as follows: bicarbonate, 92%; glucose, 69%; lidocaine, 54%; mannitol, 46%; magnesium, 31%; calcium, 23%; methylprednisolone, 15%; heparin, 8%; and acetate, 8%. Of the common blood-based cardioplegic solution additives, the following incidences were observed: glucose, 79%; bicarbonate, 43%; trishydroxyaminomethane, 36%; acetate, 29%; magnesium, 29%; procaine (or lidocaine), 25%; citrate-phosphate-dextrose, 18%; mannitol/albumin, 14%; nitroglycerin, 11%; glutamate/aspartate, 11%; calcium, 7%; insulin, 3%; and methylprednisolone, 3%. No calcium channel blocker or high-energy phosphate additives were reported. We conclude that many different cardioplegic admixtures that have not been tested experimentally are used routinely in clinical practice, presumably with acceptable results. Because the salutary effects of induced cardiac arrest and hypothermia may mask suboptimal solutions, further study of customized cardioplegia should be considered, particularly with regard to high-risk patients.

Frequency of seal disruption with the sarns centrifugal pump in postcardiotomy circulatory assist

We have used the Sarns centrifugal pump for uni- or biventricular assist in 58 patients with postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock. This device utilizes a spinning impeller pump that is magnetically coupled to a motor imparting rotary motion to incoming perfusate. Nine patients (16%) experienced 22 device failures, which consisted of a nonvisible disruption of the seal within the pumphead. This allowed fluid to accumulate between the pumphead and the motor necessitating change of the pumphead. The time to seal disruption was 10-149 h (median 48). Of the 22 seal disruptions, 18 occurred in 73 left ventricular pumps (25%), and 4 occurred in 38 right ventricular pumps (11%) p = 0.015. Left ventricular pumps failed at 10-144 h (median 48), and right ventricular pumps failed at 48-149 h (median 83) p = 0.02. The Sarns centrifugal pump is dependable for its intended use of cardiopulmonary perfusion. However, when used for postcardiotomy assist, seal disruption should be expected. It occurs sooner and is more common during left ventricular assist. We recommend inspection of the magnet chamber for evidence of seal disruption every 12 h with left ventricular assist and every 24 h with right ventricular assist.

A comparison of patient charges associated with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and coronary artery bypass grafting

Appropriate interventional treatment for coronary artery disease is an important component in controlling health care expenditures. We conducted a retrospective study to compare the patient charges associated with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). All patients underwent treatment for left anterior descending coronary artery stenosis over a 3 year 9 month time period from March 1987 to December 1990 and were followed for 7-58 months (median 43 months) after treatment. The two groups were constructed in such a way that they were balanced for common vessels diseased, number of vessels diseased, sex, age, and ejection fraction (EF). The study included 26 PTCA patients between the ages of 33 and 86 years, 18 males and eight females, with a mean EF of 58 per cent, and 26 CABG patients from 39 to 80 years of age, 18 males and 8 females, with a mean EF of 61 per cent. Charges were categorized as to hospital, professional, cardiac medication, follow-up, and total costs. While CABG was initially more expensive, nine of the PTCA patients (38%) required further interventional treatment (3 PTCA, 5 CABG, 1 PTCA and CABG), whereas none of the CABG patients required further intervention (P < .001). This short-term follow-up demonstrated, that although initially less expensive, repeat interventional charges are significantly higher in PTCA patients. With the escalating costs of health care, the appropriate initial interventional therapy for coronary artery disease must be carefully selected to reduce long-term health care expenses.

Diagnostic and therapeutic thoracoscopy: lessons from the learning curve

A variety of video-assisted thoracic operations are being reported with increasing frequency. Problems encountered during the development of this technology have received less attention. During the course of 27 months, 69 consecutive patients underwent minimally invasive procedures at our institution. Conversion to thoracotomy was required in 16 of 49 (33%) patients undergoing diagnostic procedures and 1 of 20 (5%) patients undergoing therapeutic interventions. Fewer complications occurred in those patients with diagnostic procedures (10 of 49, 20%) versus therapeutic interventions (10 of 20, 50%; p = 0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to be an independent risk factor for complications. The mean postoperative stay was 7.9 +/- 6.8 days for diagnostic and 12.8 +/- 9.7 days for therapeutic interventions (p = 0.02). As new technologic improvements were introduced, the mean hospital stay decreased (first 10 months: 14.6 +/- 10.0 days, 10 to 20 months: 9.8 +/- 9.6 days, more than 20 months: 5.2 +/- 3.0 days, p < 0.004). The surgeon's thoracoscopic experience was not as strongly predictive (5 or fewer cases: 8.9 +/- 5.9 days, 6 to 15 cases: 13.1 +/- 12.6 days, more than 15 cases: 5.0 +/- 2.0 days). Although thoracoscopic surgery is promising, the potential for problems requires careful surgical judgment and expertise in dealing with thoracic complications.

Randomized, prospective comparison of first- and second-generation cephalosporins as infection prophylaxis for cardiac surgery

Surgical wound infections after cardiovascular surgery may be life threatening and are resource intensive. Second-generation cephalosporins are purported to have a broader antimicrobial spectrum than first-generation cephalosporins and, therefore, may be more efficacious for infection prophylaxis. We have conducted a randomized prospective study of 702 patients undergoing open heart surgery to test the hypothesis that the second-generation cephalosporin, cefuroxime, will be more efficacious for infection prophylaxis than the first-generation cephalosporin, cefazolin. Patients were randomized to receive cefazolin 1 g intravenously every 8 hours for 48 hours begun 1 hour preoperatively plus 1 g after 4 hours of surgery (8 doses, n = 425) or cefuroxime 1.5 g 1 hour prior to surgery plus 1.5 g every 12 hours for 3 additional doses (4 doses, n = 277). Infection was defined as a draining wound with or without a positive culture. There was no difference in the wound infection rate between the groups (p = 0.68). Chest wound infections occurred in 2.1% of patients treated with cefazolin and 2.9% of patients treated with cefuroxime (p = 0.79). The rate of true mediastinitis requiring exploration and drainage was 0.7% in both groups (p = 0.084). Leg infections occurred in 6.6% of cefazolin-treated patients and 5.6% of cefuroxime-treated patients (p = 0.83). The second-generation cephalosporin, cefuroxime, did not reduce the incidence of wound infection when compared with the first-generation cephalosporin, cefazolin. Since institutional antibiotic acquisition and administration costs vary, careful analysis of these factors will allow determination of the most cost-effective infection prophylaxis regimen in cardiac surgery.

The patient with an automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator

Sudden cardiac death is the leading cause of death in the United States. A relatively new technology used to treat ventricular dysrhythmias that lead to sudden cardiac death is the automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator. This device uses patches on the heart to deliver an energy current to convert lethal dysrhythmias. The nurse practitioner can expect to encounter these devices when seeing patients for a variety of diagnoses. This article will serve as a resource for clinical management and patient education.

Experience with four surgical techniques to repair traumatic aortic pseudoaneurysm

We report our experience with 27 (22 male and 5 female) patients who were from 16 to 82 years of age (median 29 years) who underwent surgical repair for traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the thoracic aorta. The cause of injury in all cases was blunt trauma. Repair was accomplished with partial bypass by means of a roller pump with systemic heparinization in 6 (23%), Gott shunt in 7 (27%), clamp-and-sew technique in 6 (23%), and centrifugal pump without systemic heparinization in 8 (30%). Significant postoperative complications occurred in 12 patients. Paraplegia occurred in 1 patient (clamp and sew), anterior spinal cord syndrome in 1 (clamp and sew), renal failure in 1 (Gott shunt), temporary vocal cord paralysis in 2 (Gott shunt, centrifugal pump), permanent vocal cord paralysis in 1 (roller pump), and coagulopathy in 2 (centrifugal pump, Gott shunt). Hospital mortality occurred in 5 of 27 (19%), (1 clamp and sew, 1 Gott shunt, 1 centrifugal pump, 2 roller pump). Follow-up of survivors (1 week to 20 years, median 2.1 years) revealed no further problems from either aortic graft or primary repair. Although patient numbers are small, evaluation of each of the four surgical techniques leads us to favor repair with shunting with a centrifugal pump without heparin. The potential advantage of left atrial-left femoral artery shunt with centrifugal pump support was evident in operative field exposure, afterload reduction, avoidance of clamp injury, and maintenance of stable distal aortic perfusion without heparin.

Clinical experience with the Sarns centrifugal pump

Since October 1986, we have had experience with 96 Sarns centrifugal pumps in 72 patients (pts). Heparinless left atrial to femoral artery or aorta bypass was used in 14 pts undergoing surgery on the thoracic aorta with 13 survivors (93%). No paraplegia or device-related complications were observed. In 57 patients, the Sarns centrifugal pump was used as a univentricular (27 pts) or biventricular (30 pts) cardiac assist device for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock. In these patients, cardiac assist duration ranged from 2 to 434 h with a hospital survival rate of 29% in those requiring left ventricular assist and 13% in those requiring biventricular assist. Although complications were ubiquitous in this mortally ill patient population, in 5,235 pump-hours, no pump thrombosis was observed. Hospital survivors followed for 4 months to 6 years have enjoyed an improved functional class. We conclude that the Sarns centrifugal pump is an effective cardiac assist device when used to salvage patients otherwise unweanable from cardiopulmonary bypass. Partial left ventricular bypass using a centrifugal pump has become our procedure of choice for unloading the left ventricle and for maintenance of distal aortic perfusion pressure when performing surgery on the thoracic aorta. This clinical experience with the Sarns centrifugal pump appears to be similar to that reported with other centrifugal assist devices.

Thoracoscopic resection of 85 pulmonary lesions

Advances in endoscopic surgical equipment and laser technology have expanded the role of thoracoscopy to include thoracoscopic pulmonary resection. Eighty-five thoracoscopic pulmonary resections were performed on 61 consecutive patients with small lesions (less than 3 cm) in the outer third of the lung. Patients with preoperative histologic evidence of bronchogenic carcinoma were excluded unless there was impairment of cardiopulmonary function, advanced age, or concomitant extrathoracic malignancy. These thoracoscopic pulmonary resections were accomplished with the neodymium:yttrium-aluminum garnet laser (31), endoscopic stapler (29), or both (25). The mean diameter of the lesions was 1.3 cm (range, 0.4 to 2.7 cm). There has been one late death (38th postoperative day) unrelated to the operation. Morbidity consisted of postoperative atelectasis (2), pneumonia (2), bleeding requiring transfusion (1), and bronchopleural fistula of greater than 7 days duration (3). There were no wound problems. The mean period of chest tube drainage was 3.3 +/- 3.0 days. Mean postoperative stay was 5.7 +/- 4.9 days. The pathologic diagnosis was benign disease in 28 patients (interstitial fibrosis/pneumonitis, 15; radiation fibrosis, 1; sclerosing hemangioma, 1; rheumatoid nodules, 1; granuloma, 2; nocardia, 1; infarct, 1; hamartoma, 4; scar, 1; cytomegalovirus pneumonia, 1), metastatic malignancy in 20 patients, and bronchogenic carcinoma in 13 patients. Five patients found at thoracoscopic pulmonary resection to have bronchogenic cancer had adequate pulmonary function and therefore underwent formal segmentectomy (3) or lobectomy (2). Thoracoscopic pulmonary resection was the only operation performed on patients with benign disease, patients with metastatic lesions, and selected patients with limited stage bronchogenic carcinoma at increased risk for thoracotomy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Experience with the Sarns centrifugal pump in postcardiotomy ventricular failure

The reported clinical use of the Sarns centrifugal pump (Sarns, Inc./3M, Ann Arbor, Mich.) as a cardiac assist device for postcardiotomy ventricular failure is limited. During a 25-month period ending November 1988, we used 40 Sarns centrifugal pumps as univentricular or biventricular cardiac assist devices in 27 patients who could not be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass despite maximal pharmacologic and intraaortic balloon support. Eighteen men and nine women with a mean age of 60.4 years (28 to 83) required assistance. Left ventricular assist alone was used in 12 patients, right ventricular assist in 2, and biventricular assist in 13. The duration of assist ranged from 2 to 434 hours (median 45). Centrifugal assist was successful in weaning 100% of the patients. Ten of 27 patients (37%) improved hemodynamically, allowing removal of the device(s), and 5 of 27 (18.5%) survived hospitalization. Survival of patients requiring left ventricular assist only was 33.3% (4/12). Complications were common and included renal failure, hemorrhage, coagulopathy, ventricular arrhythmias, sepsis, cerebrovascular accident, and wound infection. During 3560 centrifugal pump hours, no pump thrombosis was observed. The Sarns centrifugal pump is an effective assist device when used to salvage patients who otherwise cannot be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass. Statistical analysis of preoperative patient characteristics, operative risk factors, and postoperative complications failed to predict which patients would be weaned from cardiac assist or which would survive.

Heparin induced thrombocytopenia in patients undergoing intra-aortic balloon pumping after open heart surgery

Heparin is usually administered to patients with intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABP) to prevent thromboembolism. In addition to thrombocytopenia caused by IABP mechanical damage to platelets, exposure to heparin can cause heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Heparin induced thrombocytopenia is caused by an immune mechanism in which heparin antibodies are produced, causing platelet aggregation, leading to bleeding or thromboembolic complications. Over a 9 year period, 35 of 764 (4.5%) patients with IABPs have been diagnosed as having HIT. Surgical procedures included coronary artery bypass (CABG) in 14 (40%), valve repair or replacement in 7 (20%), and CABG and other cardiac procedure in 14 (40%). Lowest platelet counts ranged from 17,000-114,000/mm3 (median, 44,000/mm3). Thirty-three of 35 (94.3%) had mediastinal hemorrhage requiring infusion of multiple blood products, and 6 of these 35 (17%) required return to the operating room. Seventeen of 35 (48.6%) experienced thromboembolic complications. Hospital mortality was 15 of 35 (42%). Etiology of thrombocytopenia in patients on IABPs is multifactorial. Patients on an IABP who develop thrombocytopenia should be tested for heparin dependent anti-platelet antibodies to rule out HIT. When a heparin antibody is present, heparin must be discontinued and alternate forms of anticoagulation/platelet inhibition initiated to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Autopsy findings in patients on postcardiotomy centrifugal ventricular assist

Reported experience with ventricular assist devices (VAD) routinely includes the rate of thromboembolic events, which is commonly calculated from clinically evident findings. Fifty-four patients have had postcardiotomy circulatory support with the Sarns centrifugal device at our institution. We have reviewed 43 patients who failed to survive VAD support to compare the thromboembolism rate diagnosed clinically to that determined at autopsy. In the 35 patients who had no autopsy, there was one clinically apparent thromboembolic event (2.3%). In eight similar patients who had autopsy, there was no clinically apparent thromboembolism. Five of these eight patients (63%) had acute thromboembolic infarcts determined at autopsy. Three had evidence of pulmonary thromboembolism, two cerebrovascular infarction, two liver infarcts, two splenic infarcts, two kidney infarcts, and one each gastric, pancreatic, prostate, adrenal, cervical, and ileal infarcts. All had left and/or right ventricular infarctions. It is concluded that patients dying following VAD have commonly suffered perioperative myocardial infarction. When evaluating complications associated with VAD, one should consider that the true incidence of thromboembolic events is underestimated by clinical findings.

Time to first pulse after automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation

Should automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD) power sources be explanted and discontinued if they have not pulsed during the first generator life? We have followed 59 patients an average of 23 months (range, 3 days to 8.4 years) after AICD implantation. The indication for AICD implantation was based on clinical dysrhythmia, history of sudden death, and findings at electrophysiologic study. Thirty-eight of 59 patients (64%) had experienced sudden death and 52/58 (90%) were inducible at electrophysiologic study. Excluding 5 inappropriate pulsing episodes, 31 of 59 patients (53%) had 235 pulses (range, 1 to 36; median, 2 pulses). The time to first pulse after implantation ranged from 1 day to 3.5 years with a median time of 2 months. In 6 patients, the first pulsing occurred later than 1 year after AICD implantation. Fifteen generators demonstrating impending power source failure have been replaced in 11 patients. Power source depletion occurred at an average of 24.1 months (range, 8 to 40 months). In 3 patients, the first pulsing occurred after generator depletion and replacement. By univariate analysis, none of 13 variables (sex, age, cardiac disease process, functional class, previous myocardial infarction, sudden death history, ejection fraction, type of dysrhythmia, inducibility with electrophysiologic testing, number of extra stimuli required for induction, left ventricular aneurysm resection, endocardial resection, or concomitant operation) was found to be a predictor of pulsing (p greater than 0.05). We conclude that the majority of patients with pulses after AICD implantation will have them during the first 6 months.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in open heart surgical patients: sequelae of late recognition

Most patients undergoing open heart operations have had exposure to heparin for diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures. Heparin antibody formation and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with repeat heparin administration can cause high morbidity and mortality from thrombotic complications, especially when delay in diagnosis occurs. From 1981 to 1991, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia was diagnosed in 82 of 4,261 open heart surgical patients (1.9%). Platelet counts less than 100 x 10(9)/L (100,000/microL) or new or recurring thrombotic events prompted suspicion of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Heparin-dependent antibody was diagnosed preoperatively in 12 patients (group I) and postoperatively in 70 patients (group II). Heparin was not given postoperatively in group I patients, and complications in this group were limited to bleeding in 3 patients. There were no thromboembolic events and all patients survived. Group II patients had late recognition of heparin-dependent antibody postoperatively, and heparin exposure was continued for varying periods postoperatively. Thirty-seven group II patients (53%) had bleeding complications and 31 (44%) had thromboembolic complications. These complications led to death in 23 group II patients (33%). Heparin-dependent antibody may occur in patients having open heart operations and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality if not diagnosed early with cessation of heparin therapy.

Clinical spectrum of paraesophageal herniation

Paraesophageal herniation is a potentially devastating condition of the gastroesophageal hiatus commonly manifesting in patients of advanced age with other significant medical problems. Surgical treatment is generally indicated to avoid catastrophe related to gastric volvulus. The operative approach utilized should be individualized to the patient's pathophysiologic condition rather than attempting to apply a single repair for all patients with this heterogeneous clinical problem.

Impact of unstable angina on operative mortality with coronary revascularization at varying time intervals after myocardial infarction

We have performed a retrospective study of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting for postinfarction angina in an effort to determine the influence of recency of myocardial infarction and unstable angina on operative mortality. Time from myocardial infarction to bypass was arbitrarily divided into five intervals. Nine hundred ninety-three patients having isolated coronary bypass for postinfarction angina were analyzed, and a significant trend of increased operative mortality with recency of myocardial infarction was found (p less than 0.001). When patients were operated on during the time interval zero to 24 hours after infarction, the operative mortality rate was 18.6%. In the interval from 1 day to 1 week after infarction, the operative mortality rate was 7.4%; 1 week to 3 weeks, 5.9%; and 3 weeks to 3 months, 2.7%. In patients operated on more than 3 months after infarction, the operative mortality rate was 3.9%. The operative mortality rate in 360 patients with postinfarction stable angina was 0.83% compared with 7.3% in 633 patients with postinfarction unstable angina (p less than 0.001). Of 18 risk factors tested, 12 were found by univariate analysis to be independent predictors of operative mortality, including recency of myocardial infarction and unstable angina. Stepwise logistic regression analysis of independent predictive variables revealed that unstable angina, previous surgical revascularization, preoperative hypotension, nonelective surgery, preoperative cardiac arrest, and female sex were the strongest predictors of mortality; recency of myocardial infarction was not a factor. When acute surgical reperfusion is not the primary treatment strategy for patients with myocardial infarction, operative mortality with coronary bypass is increased with the recency of myocardial infarction. The reason for this increase in operative mortality is a patient selection process in which those with persistent or intermittent myocardial ischemia, as reflected in the clinical syndrome of unstable angina, are selected for operation. Unstable angina is a major determinant of operative mortality after myocardial infarction. In patients with stable angina, operative mortality is not increased by the recency of myocardial infarction.

Thoracoscopic neodymium: yttrium-aluminum garnet laser-assisted pulmonary resection

The recent explosion of interest in surgical endoscopic techniques has revived the application of an old thoracic surgical procedure--thoracoscopy. We report a case of a transthoracoscopic neodymium: yttrium-aluminum garnet laser resection of a limited-stage peripheral adenocarcinoma of the lung accomplished in an elderly man with serious chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

A new balanced operation for complex gastroesophageal reflux disease

Twenty-seven patients with advanced gastroesophageal reflux disease have been treated with combined transthoracic parietal cell vagotomy and Collis-Nissen fundoplication. Gastric acid analyses (n = 20) obtained preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively demonstrated a significant late reduction in gastric acid output. Twenty-six patients (96%) have experienced relief of gastroesophageal reflux disease at a mean of 13.3 months (range, 6 to 25 months) without postvagotomy symptoms. Transthoracic parietal cell vagotomy may be considered as an adjunct to mechanical surgical control of advanced gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Intrathoracic goiter: approaching the posterior mediastinal mass

The surgical management of posterior mediastinal goiters can pose considerable technical difficulty. We illustrate a method of sterile spoon extraction that can facilitate the cervical or limited cervicomediastinal approach to these lesions.

Neodymium:yttrium-aluminum garnet laser-assisted pulmonary resections

The neodymium:yttrium-aluminum garnet laser is a new approach to limited pulmonary resection. It avoids distortion of surrounding pulmonary tissue and potential pleural space problems, which can occur with mechanical stapler resections. We have recently used this laser to manage 39 pulmonary lesions in 20 patients. There were no major postoperative complications, and air leak after resection was minimal. Neodymium:yttrium-aluminum garnet laser excision is a useful method that may have an advantage over mechanical stapling techniques for the limited resection of many pulmonary lesions.

Strut fixation of an extensive flail chest

The indications for and preferred approaches to operative stabilization of posttraumatic chest wall instability are uncertain. We suggest this simple, rapid, and effective approach to surgical stabilization by Luque rod strutting of the flail segment when operation is required.

Management of an extensive tracheoesophageal fistula by cervical esophageal exclusion

Giant tracheoesophageal fistulae occurring in ventilator-dependent patients usually result in significant ventilatory embarrassment. Cervical exclusion of the fistula can safely control the fistula and quickly restore adequate ventilation to these critically ill patients.

The giant paraesophageal hernia: a particularly morbid condition of the esophageal hiatus

The giant paraesophageal hernia is an uncommon but particularly morbid disorder of the gastroesophageal hiatus that may have life-threatening complications. The authors present three cases of these hernias to illustrate the potential complications of true hernias of the gastroesophageal hiatus.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in patients who undergo open heart surgery

To determine whether heparin-dependent antiplatelet antibodies (HAAb) have an effect on morbidity and/or mortality rates, we reviewed the cases of 3438 patients who underwent open heart surgery from 1981 to 1989. Forty-six patients (1.3%) had HAAb. The patients were divided into two groups: those patients who were known to have HAAb before surgery (group I) and those patients who were diagnosed with HAAb after surgery (group II). Group I patients (n = 5) were pretreated with platelet-inhibiting drugs before reexposure to heparin during cardiopulmonary bypass and were maintained with strict abstinence from heparin afterward. Their lowest observed platelet counts ranged from 42,000/mm3 to 89,000/mm3 (median, 63,00/mm3). Thromboembolic complications did not occur, and all patients survived. Group II patients (n = 41) who were diagnosed to have HAAb after surgery had not been pretreated with platelet-inhibiting drugs before surgery. Lowest platelet counts ranged from 11,000/mm3 to 128,000/mm3 (median, 42,000/mm3). Bleeding complications occurred in 21 patients (51%), and thromboembolic complications occurred in 13 patients (32%). Hospital mortality in group II patients was 37%. Late recognition of HAAb was associated with an increase in morbidity and mortality rates. Thromboembolic complications of HAAb, which had been diagnosed before surgery, were eliminated, and bleeding was reduced by pretreatment with platelet-inhibiting drugs and strict abstinence from heparin after surgery.