Cryoablation for Chest Wall Trauma: A Brief Report

Respiratory failure secondary to rib fractures is a major source of morbidity and mortality in trauma patients, particularly in older populations. Management of pain in these patients is complex due to the nature of the injuries. We present 3 patients who underwent a video-assisted thoracoscopic cryoablation of intercostal nerves for pain control after chest trauma. None of the patients developed post-operative complications related to poor respiratory status such as pneumonia or atelectasis. At one-month clinic follow-up, all patients reported no chest pain and were not using opiate analgesics. In patients for whom there is a contraindication to rib fixation in the setting of unstable rib fractures, cryoablation may be a method by which to improve respiratory status and decrease ventilator dependency due to pain. Cryoablation of intercostal nerves may provide a more durable and clinically feasible solution to aid in the healing process of these patients.

PREVENTION OF PURULENT-NECROTIC INFLAMMATION OF THORACOTOMY WOUND TISSUES IN THE TREATMENT OF PURULENT MEDIASTINITIS WITH PROGRAMMED RETHORACOTOMY

The need to develop new therapeutic methods for diffuse purulent mediastinitis is still an urgent problem in surgery. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of temporary rib fixation in programmed rethoracotomy while treating diffuse purulent mediastinitis. Materials and Methods. The study involved 49 patients with diffuse purulent mediastinitis. All patients underwent programmed rethoracotomy and sanitation of pyogenic sources in the mediastinum. The subjects were divided into 2 groups: group 1 included 19 patients without preventive measures against wound complications; 30 patients of group 2 underwent temporary rib fixation, which contributed to the decrease of wound complications. To reduce trauma and infection of the thoracotomy wound tissue, a special device was created (RF patent No. 2474389). It consists of staples and locks that appose wound edges after rethoracotomy. During the study, we used V.B. Gavrilov and M.K. Mishkorudnaya’s spectrophotometric method; modified Stoke method; N.I. Gabrielian’s spectrophotometric method. Statistical assessment of parameters was carried out using variation statistics. Statistical significance of differences (t) was calculated by Student’s t-test. Results. Measures to prevent purulent-necrotic complications from a thoracotomic wound significantly contributed to their reduction. The indicators of the effectiveness of these measures were changes in the coefficient of lipid peroxidation, antioxidant activity and midmolecule peptides in the blood serum, the sum of infectious complications and wound complications. Conclusion. Temporary rib fixation contributes to a significant decrease in the number of patients with purulent-necrotic inflammation of thoracotomy wound tissues (p <0.05). Key words: diffuse purulent mediastinitis, programmed rethoracotomy, preventive method, wound infection, complications. Необходимость разработки новых методов терапии диффузного гнойного медиастинита всё ещё остаётся актуальной проблемой в хирургии. Цель исследования. Оценка эффективности использования способа временной фиксации ребер при выполнении программированной реторакотомии в лечении диффузного гнойного медиастинита. Материалы и методы. В исследовании приняли участие 49 пациентов с диффузным гнойным медиастинитом, которым при лечении проводились программированные реторакотомии и санации источника нагноения в средостении. Обследуемых разделили на 2 группы: в I группу вошли 19 пациентов, которым не осуществляли профилактику раневых осложнений; во II группе у 30 пациентов выполнили временную фиксацию ребер, которая создавала условия для снижения вероятности раневых осложнений. Для уменьшения травматизации и инфицирования тканей торакотомной раны был создан прибор (патент РФ на изобретение № 2474389), который состоит из скоб и замков, создающих сближение сторон раны после реторакотомии. При проведении исследования использовали спектрофотометрический метод В.Б. Гаврилова, М.К. Мишкорудной; модифицированный метод Stoke; спектрофотометрический способ по Н.И. Габриэляну. Статистическую оценку показателей осуществляли с применением вариационной статистики и расчета критерия достоверности различий (t) по формуле и таблице Стьюдента. Результаты. Меры предупреждения гнойно-некротических осложнений со стороны торакотомной раны достоверно способствовали их сокращению. Показателями результативности этих мер стали изменения коэффициента перекисного окисления липидов, антиоксидантной активности и среднемолекулярных пептидов в сыворотке крови, сумма инфекционных осложнений и осложнений со стороны раны. Выводы. Использование временной фиксации ребер способствует достоверному уменьшению числа пациентов с гнойно-некротическим воспалением тканей торакотомной раны (p<0,05). Ключевые слова: диффузный гнойный медиастинит, программированная реторакотомия, способ предупреждения, раневая инфекция, осложнения.

Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Internal Rib Fixation

Rib fractures result in serious morbidity and mortality after trauma. Although there is ongoing debate about surgical rib fixation, it is increasingly important for some patients. Minimally invasive techniques for rib fixation are gaining traction within the trauma community. We present an observational experience at our level 1 trauma center with our first 10 cases of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) internal rib fixation. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery internal plates are especially helpful for rib fractures under the scapula, which are difficult to access traditionally. This technique is also excellent at reducing complex segmental fractures as the bridge can span across multiple fractures with a single post on either side. They also work well for posterior fractures where multiple screws cannot be placed. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery internal rib fixation is a viable and exciting option for surgical fixation. The plates work particularly well for certain fracture patterns.

Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgical Rib Fixation for Costochondral Separation Injury

Costochondral separation is a rare phenomenon following blunt thoracic trauma that can also be associated with secondary injuries. We present a case with complete costochondral separation of the right second rib with concomitant mediastinal compression. Definitive treatment was provided through video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical plate osteosynthesis.