Subxiphoid Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery for Lung Resection Under Spontaneous Ventilation: Case Report

This case report describes two patients that underwent successful video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lung resections under spontaneous ventilation using the uniportal subxiphoid approach. The authors performed lung wedge resection in both patients under local anesthesia without using of a Foley catheter, arterial line, or intercostal chest drain. Only intravenous drugs and an oxygen mask with reservoir bag were used. The postsurgical course for both patients was uneventful. Both were discharged on postoperative day 2 and were doing well at 1- and 3-month follow-ups. Keywords: Subxiphoid approach; Pulmonary resection; Lung cancer

Hydropneumopericardium: A rare complication of pericardiocentesis

Hydropneumopericardium is defined as the presence of air and water in the pericardial cavity. Several causes have been postulated which can lead to hydropneumopericardium including trauma, infections secondary to gas-producing bacilli, fistula formation, positive pressure ventilation or even spontaneously without an underlying cause in healthy adults and rarely after pericardiocentesis. We report an uncommon instance of hydropneumopericardium after pericardiocentesis in a 35-year-old man, which developed due to a leaky drainage system. It was immediately drained through the subxiphoid approach under echocardiographic guidance, and the patient was relieved. Hydropneumopericardium is an uncommon but easily diagnosable and avoidable complication of pericardiocentesis. It should be suspected whenever the patient develops increasing dyspnoea following a temporary relief by pericardiocentesis.

485 Unexpected Pathological Findings In 189 LVRS Patients: Clinical Relevance

Objectives LVRS improves survival and quality of life in selected patients with emphysema. In view of the great improvement in the detailed information available from CT, it is important to evaluate the benefit of routine pathological assessment of the resected specimen. We reviewed the histopathological findings in our contemporary LVRS series to determine the rate of pathological findings in addition to emphysema. Method Prospectively collected data from a specialised higher volume LVRS centre. The CT and histopathology reports of 189 consecutive LVRS procedures were reviewed. One underwent thoracotomy, 188 were by VATS, of which one was converted to thoracotomy and of which 22 were by a subxiphoid approach. The target reduction volume was 30-50% of the lung. Results All patients were reported to have emphysematous changes in both CT and histology. Ten patients, all with radiographic evidence of a lesion preoperatively, had squamous carcinoma (x2), adenocarcinoma, atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH) (x2), squamous metaplasia (x2), carcinoid tumourlet, chondroid hamartoma, and DIPNECH. There were 39 neoplastic histological findings which were not radiologically reported; these were adenocarcinoma (1), AAH (10), squamous metaplasia (7), carcinoid tumourlet (5), squamous dysplasia (3), neuroendocrine hyperplasia (2), and chemodectoma. In addition, 21 inflammatory/infective cases were also reported. Conclusions Our systemic retrospective CT and histopathology review of LVRS operations shows that the rate of additional findings is 32%. Of these 83% were not reported on the pre-operative review of the CT. This supports the value of systematic pathological assessment of resected samples.

Electrocardiographic and Electrophysiological Characteristics of Idiopathic Ventricular Arrhythmias Ablated Through a Percutaneous Trans-pericardial Approach

Aims Idiopathic epicardial ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) are clustered in the areas of the summit and crux. This study was to report a group of idiopathic epicardial VAs remote from the summit and crux areas. Methods In total, 9 patients (6 males, mean age 32±13 years) were enrolled. The locations were identified by epicardial mapping and ablation. The electrocardiographic and electrophysiological characteristics were compared to those of 9 patients who had VAs ablated at the opposite endocardial site. Results VAs were identified at the epicardium, with 4 patients had VAs located at the inferior wall, one at the anterior wall, one at the apex and 3 patients had VAs at the lateral wall. A “QS” type at the location-related leads was the only identified surface electrocardiogram indication suggesting epicardial origin (compared to that of the controls, 100% vs 0%, p<0.001). Endocardial and epicardial mapping revealed pre-maturities of -11±4 ms and -25±8 ms, respectively (VS. -28±8 ms revealed by endocardial mapping in control patients, p<0.001 and p=0.389, respectively). All of the study cases demonstrated an “rS” pattern in the endocardial unipolar electrogram. Acute and long-term successful ablation (a median of 11 months of follow-up) was achieved in all patients without complications. Conclusion A distinct group of idiopathic VAs remote from the summit and crux areas warranting ablation by a subxiphoid approach were identified. Morphological ECG features of a “QS” type among the location-related grouped leads combined with the mapping findings helped in the identification of the epicardial site of origin.

Minimally invasive techniques in thymic surgery (review of literature)

We carried out the systematic review of the domestic and foreign literature focusing on surgical treatment of patients with thymic pathology. Special attention was paid to the discussion of the advantages of minimally invasive surgery, particularly, video endoscopic thymectomy from subxiphoid access. Pubmed, Medline and E-library databases were searched for retrospective and prospective randomized trials. Based on the analysis of literature sources, we presented the data on tumor and non-tumor pathology of the thymus gland, clarified indications for surgical treatment in different types of thymic pathology. Variants of thymectomy were described, a brief historical review of the use of the surgical method in patients with thymus gland pathology was conducted. The technique of surgeries, advantages and weak points of various surgical approaches were described. We focused our attention on minimally invasive interventions, listed its advantages in comparison with the standard “open” surgical approach. The contemporary trends in surgical approaches in thymus pathology were discussed. Minimally invasive thymectomy is modern, safe and feasible variant of surgical treatment of patients with tumor and non-tumor pathology of the thymus gland. The subxiphoid approach allows to reduce postoperative pain, provides an excellent view of mediastinal structures and both pleural cavities, which improves the safety of operation with satisfactory cosmetic results.

932 A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Subxiphoid Versus Unilateral Intercostal Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

Introduction Subxiphoid approach is emerging as an alternative to intercostal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). We sought to compare the clinical efficacy of both approaches. Method A protocol was registered at PROSPERO [CRD42020155686]. Studies were retrieved from literature in July 2020. The Main outcomes were operative duration, intraoperative complications and postoperative length of hospital stay (LoS). Subgroup analysis was performed by procedure type. Results 1469 patients (51% male) were included from 12 observational studies, with 620 (42%) having undergone sVATS. There was a high-moderate risk of bias across included papers. There was no difference in operative duration (MD 13.1 minutes, 95% CI -11.3 to + 37.6; p = 0.29), intraoperative complications (OR 0.17, 95% CI -0.28 to + 0.61; p = 0.47), or LoS (MD -0.8 days, 95% CI -1.8 to + 0.2; p = 0.08). LoS was lower for sVATS thymectomy (MD -1.7 days, 95% CI -2.9 to -0.3; p = 0.01). Acute pain (10-point numerical rating scale) was lower for sVATS (MD -2.2, 95% CI -3.2 to -1.2; p &lt; 0.001). There was insufficient data to report on chronic pain, quality of life, or surgeon workload. Conclusions There is a potential benefit for sVATS in selected procedures. Well-designed randomised trials with consistent outcome reporting are required.