Uniportal Thoracoscopic Debridement for Children With Refractory Pleural Empyema: Case Series of 21 Patients

Purpose: The effectiveness of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), even uniportal VATS (U-VATS), in the treatment of pleural empyema has recently been demonstrated. However, few works have evaluated its safety and feasibility for children. We review our experience with U-VATS in the treatment of pleural empyema for children under 11 years old.Methods: From January 2019 to December 2020, we consecutively enrolled 21 children with stage II and stage III pleural empyema in our institution. A 1.0 cm utility port was created in the 5th intercostal space at the anterior axillary line. A rigid 30°5 mm optic thoracoscope was used for vision, and two or three instruments were used through the port. Surgery was based on three therapeutic columns: removal of pleural fluid, debridement, and decortication. A chest tube was inserted through the same skin incision. Perioperative data and outcomes were summarized.Results: The procedures were successful, and satisfactory debridement of the pleural cavity was achieved in all cases. The mean age was 4.1 years (range: 6 months to 11 years old). The mean operating time was 65.7 ± 23.2 min. No intraoperative conversion or major complications were identified among the patients. The mean hospital stay was 5.0 ± 0.6 days. At a follow-up of more than 4 months after operating, all patients had recovered well without recurrence.Conclusion: According to our experience, U-VATS debridement is feasible for the surgical management of stage II and III empyema in the pediatric population. Indeed, U-VATS permits easier performance and complete debridement and decortication, with a very low risk for conversion.

A Rare Case of Interlobar Pneumothorax

BACKGROUND: Pneumothorax is a severe medical condition characterized by the collection of air in one or several spaces of the pleura. A rare subtype of pneumothorax where air is restricted in interlobar pleural space, mostly due to the previous fibrous pleural adhesions, is known as interlobar pneumothorax. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a rare case of a 58-year-old female admitted to the emergency department due to difficulty on breathing, hemoptysis, and discomfort in the right anterior axillary line, which worsened with inspiration and was associated with breathlessness during physical activity. The diagnosis was confirmed by thoracic multi slice computed tomography (MSCT), showing that air was located between the middle and lower lobes of the right lung , measuring 7 × 5 × 2.5 cm (transversal × oblique cranio-caudal × antero-posterior), representing interlobar pneumothorax. DISCUSSION: Cases of interlobar pneumothorax need to be carefully differentiated and evaluated, while skin folds, overlapping breast margin, interlobar fissure, bullae in the apices, pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium, inferior pulmonary ligament air collection, pneumatocele, and air collection in the intrathoracic extrapleural space, can mimic pneumothorax and make diagnosing very challenging.

The external oblique intercostal block: anatomical evaluation and case series

Study Objective We report a modified block technique aimed at obtaining upper midline and lateral abdominal wall analgesia: the external oblique intercostal (EOI) block. Design A cadaveric study and retrospective cohort study assessing the potential analgesic effect of the EOI block. Setting Cadaver lab and operating room. Patients Two unembalmed cadavers and 22 patients. Interventions Bilateral ultrasound-guided EOI blocks on cadavers with 29 ml of bupivacaine 0.25% with 1 ml of India ink; single-injection or continuous EOI blocks in patients. Measurements Dye spread in cadavers and loss of cutaneous sensation in patients. Main Results In the cadaveric specimens, we identified consistent staining of both lateral and anterior branches of intercostal nerves from T7–T10. We also found consistent dermatomal sensory blockade of T6–T10 at the anterior axillary line and T6–T9 at the midline in patients receiving the EOI block. Conclusions We demonstrate the potential mechanism of this technique with a cadaveric study that shows consistent staining of both lateral and anterior branches of intercostal nerves T7–T10. Patients who received this block exhibited consistent dermatomal sensory blockade of T6–T10 at the anterior axillary line and T6–T9 at the midline. This block can be used in multiple clinical settings for upper abdominal wall analgesia.

Uniportal thoracoscopic apical (S1) segmentectomy of the right upper lobe via an anterior approach

An apical (S1) segmentectomy of the right upper lobe is considered one of the most challenging procedures among the uncommon pulmonary segmentectomies. However, we consider that the uniportal thoracoscopic approach, for which the single port access is located at the 4th intercostal space of the anterior axillary line, makes this challenging operation easier because we can recognize any intrathoracic vessels and bronchi that should be divided just under the incision. Moreover, it is easy to insert a stapler to divide an intersegmental plane between S1 and the other segments because of the good surgical view provided by this approach. In this video tutorial, we describe the successful results of a patient undergoing uniportal thoracoscopic S1 segmentectomy of the right lower lobe and explain the nuances of performing it.

A new minimally invasive technique for correction of pectus carinatum

Background The Abramson technique for the correction of pectus carinatum (PC) is commonly performed worldwide. However, the postoperative complications of this technique related to bar fixation, including wire breakage and bar displacement, are relatively high. In this study, a new minimally invasive technique for correction of PC is described, in which the pectus bar is secured by bilateral selected ribs, and for which no special fixation to the rib is needed. Methods The procedure was performed by placing the pectus bar subcutaneously over the sternum with both ends of the bar passing through the intercostal space of the selected rib at the anterior axillary line. The protruding sternum was depressed by the bar positioned in this 2 intra- and 2 extra-thorax manners. Between October 2011 and September 2019, 42 patients with PC underwent this procedure. Results Satisfactory cosmetic results were obtained in all the patients. The mean operation time was 87.14 min, and the mean postoperative stay was 4.05 days. Wound infection occurred in 3 patients, 2 were cured by antibiotics, and 1 received bar removal 4 months after the initial operation due to the exposure of the implant resulting from uncontrolled infection. Mild pneumothorax was found in 3 patients and cured by conservative treatment. One patient suffered from hydropneumothorax, which was treated with chest drainage. The bars were removed at a mean duration of 24.4 months since primary repair in 20 patients without recurrence. Conclusions This new technique for minimally invasive correction of PC deformity is a safe and feasible procedure yielding good results and minimal complications.

Challenges of Diagnosing Congenital Heart Defects — Anomalous Origin of the Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery

Background. Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) also known as Bland — White — Garland syndrome is a rare congenital heart defect that affects 1 in every 300 000 newborns, thus comprising 0.22% of all congenital heart defects and 0.4–0.7% of critical congenital heart defects. In case of a more favorable disease course, symptoms typically appear between the 1st and 2nd months after birth. The ECG may show typical signs of ischemia, myocardial infarction, and left ventricular hypertrophy. The EchoCG is more informative as it enables the visualization of coronary artery orifices. Surgical correction is the only treatment method for this heart defect.Case report. Patient G.S.V., one month of age, was admitted to the neonatal pathology unit. Based on the physical examination the patient’s condition was severe. The skin was pale with cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle. The respiration rate was accelerated (50–52 breaths per minute) with the indrawing of the intercostal spaces. The displacement of the apex beat 1 cm to the left of the left midclavicular line was revealed by palpation. The displacement of the left border of the relative cardiac dullness to the anterior axillary line was revealed by percussion. Upon auscultation, the first heart sound at the heart apex was decreased, and there was a blowing systolic murmur radiating to the left anterior axillary line. Upon examination the child was diagnosed with severe acute acquired non-rheumatic diffuse viral bacterial carditis. The lack of improvement in the child’s condition following the myocarditis treatment and the examination results were suggestive of the anomalous coronary artery. The child was transferred by emergency to the Penza Federal Center of Cardiovascular Surgery where the diagnosis was confirmed.Conclusion. Despite being rare, this congenital heart defect may be diagnosed in clinical pediatric practice. A thorough record of complaints and medical history is an important step in its early diagnosis, and the presence of signs of heart failure requires additional examination. In case of suspected myocardial lesions, presence of high troponin levels and other markers of myocardial injury in the blood, ECG signs of myocardial ischemia and lack of improvement despite the treatment conducted, pathologic changes in the coronary arteries must be ruled out.

Dynamic Ultrasonographic Measurement of Inferior Joint Cap-Sule Thickness in Patients with Unilateral Frozen Shoulder

The diagnostic value of ultrasonography (US) for frozen shoulder (FS) is not well established. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic value of US measurement of inferior joint capsule (IJC) thickness and evaluate changes in the thickness of the IJC by US depending on arm position. A total of 71 patients with clinically diagnosed unilateral FS who underwent bilateral US measurement of the IJC were enrolled in this study. The US measurement of the IJC was performed with a linear transducer positioned around the anterior axillary line with the shoulder 40° abducted and with neutral rotation of the glenohumeral joint (neutral position). We also measured the IJC thickness in the externally rotated and internally rotated positions with the shoulder 40° abducted. In the neutral position, as well as in the internally rotated and externally rotated positions, the thickness of the IJC on US was significantly higher in the affected shoulder than that in the unaffected shoulder (all p < 0.001). On both the affected and unaffected sides, the US thickness of the IJC in the neutral position was significantly higher than that in the externally rotated position (p < 0.001), but lower than that in the internally rotated position (p < 0.001). Regarding IJC thickness in the neutral position, a 3.2-mm cutoff value yielded the highest diagnostic accuracy for FS, with a sensitivity and specificity of 73.2% and 77.5%, respectively. The area under the curve for IJC thickness was 0.824 (95% confidence interval, 0.76–0.89). US measurement of the IJC in the neutral position yielded good diagnostic accuracy for FS. Because IJC thickness is affected by arm rotation, it is important to measure the IJC thickness in a standardized posture to ensure diagnostic value.

Ultrasound examination of the liver: the search for the most reproducible and easy to operate measuring method of the right lobe oblique craniocaudal diameter

Introduction. Mismatching of the organ sizes to the standard measurements is the sign of pathology, so it is important to make measurements using the same method for the same type of assessment.Goal: to evaluate the intra- and inter-research reproducibility of the oblique craniocaudal diameter measurement of the right liver lobe with the application of Russian and European methods by different operators, and find out which of the methods is the most convenient for practical application.Materials and methods. 47 healthy volunteers and 3 operators were participated in the study. One of the operators participated in both stages of study.Results. Keeping conditions such as quiet breathing and longitudinal scanning in the anterior axillary line from the VII-X intercostal spaces increases reproducibility and provides well visualization of the lobe even if the patient is not prepared for the study.Conclusion. The oblique size of the right lobe is highly reproducible for both methods, but the European method (longitudinal scanning of right lobe) is more convenient for the practical application.

A New Minimally Invasive Technique for Correction of Pectus Carinatum

BackgroundThe Abramson technique for the correction of pectus carinatum (PC) is commonly performed worldwide. However, the postoperative complications of this technique related to bar fixation, including wire breakage and bar displacement, are relatively high. In this study, a new minimally invasive technique for correction of PC is described, in which the pectus bar is secured by bilateral selected ribs, and for which no special fixation to the rib is needed.MethodsThe procedure was performed by placing the pectus bar subcutaneously over the sternum with both ends of the bar passing through the intercostal space of the selected rib at the anterior axillary line. The protruding sternum was depressed by the bar positioned in this 2 intra- and 2 extra-thorax manners. Between October 2011 and September 2019, 42 patients with PC underwent this procedure.ResultsSatisfactory cosmetic results were obtained in all the patients. The mean operation time was 87.14 min, and the mean postoperative stay was 4.05 days. Wound infection occurred in 3 patients, 2 were cured by antibiotics, and 1 received bar removal 4 months after the initial operation due to the exposure of the implant resulting from uncontrolled infection. Mild pneumothorax was found in 3 patients and cured by conservative treatment. One patient suffered from hydropneumothorax, which was treated with chest drainage. The bars were removed at a mean duration of 24.4 months since primary repair in 20 patients without recurrence. ConclusionsThis new technique for minimally invasive correction of PC deformity is a safe and feasible procedure yielding good results and minimal complications.

Surgery without Scars: Right Lateral Access for Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement

As part of an institutionally driven holistic concept, named the “360-degree approach,” all established surgical access routes —full sternotomy, partial upper sternotomy, and right anterolateral thoracotomy using the second interspace—are supported. The surgical toolbox now is completed by adding a further approach: through a 5- to7-cm skin incision in the right anterior axillary line, the third interspace is used for a minimally invasive aortic valve surgery providing striking exposition of the aortic valve and resulting in superior cosmetics with nearly no visible scars. The choice for the one or other method is institutionally driven and based on risk profiles, as well as anatomical and physiognomic considerations.