Posterior retroperitoneoscopic resection of recurrent nonseminomatous tumor mass: a case report of the surgical procedure

Treatment of stage II–IV nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumors (NSTGCTs) consists of cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy and, when present, resection of residual retroperitoneal tumor mass (RRTM) by conventional laparotomy or laparoscopy. In case of a retroperitoneal recurrence, a second conventional or laparoscopic procedure may be challenging. A case of late relapse after prior conventional resection of a RRTM and tailor-made surgical management with a posterior retroperitoneoscopic resection (PRR) is reported. A posterior retroperitoneoscopic RRTM resection was performed in a 26-year-old male with a history of stage IIC NSTGCT, presenting with a late left-sided retroperitoneal relapse, 6 years after initial treatment. Postoperative course was uneventful and at 1-year follow-up the patient had no evidence of disease. Reoperative surgery by a minimal invasive retroperitoneoscopic approach should be considered as an alternative for patients with a recurrent retroperitoneal tumor mass of a NSTGCT.

Valve-in-Valve TAVR: State-of-the-Art Review

An increasing number of surgically implanted bioprostheses will require re-intervention for structural valve deterioration. Valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement (ViV TAVR) has become an alternative to reoperative surgery, currently approved for high-risk and inoperable patients. Challenges to the technique include higher rates of prosthesis–patient mismatch and coronary obstruction, compared to native valve TAVR. Herein, we review results of ViV TAVR and novel techniques to overcome the aforementioned challenges.

ECMO as a Bridge to Reoperative Cardiac Surgery in a Patient with Cardiogenic Shock and Severe Aortic Insufficiency Due to an Acute Aortic Valve Homograft Failure

We report a 62-year-old male who had severe aortic insufficiency after a homograft root replacement, requiring venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation prior to surgery due to profound cardiogenic shock. Severe aortic insufficiency is a contraindication for venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, but we were able to stabilize the patient and successfully perform an urgent reoperative surgery.