Preliminary Exploration of Transpedal Lymphangiography With High-Dose Ethiodized Oil Application in the Treatment of Postoperative Chylothorax

Objective: To preliminarily explore the safety and effectiveness of transpedal lymphangiography (TL) with high-dose ethiodized oil application (>20 ml) in the treatment of high-output postoperative chylothorax.Methods: From 1 July 2020 to 1 July 2021, a total of 7 patients with high-flow postoperative chylothorax (> 1,000 ml/d) were retrospectively reviewed in a single center. Clinical data, including surgery types, technical and treatment success of TL, and adverse events of TL, were collected and analyzed.Results: Seven patients (5 cases of non-small cell lung cancer; 2 cases of esophageal carcinoma) with a median age of 62 years (range: 30–70 years) occurred postoperative chylothorax after tumor resection with mediastinal lymphadenectomy. All patients received conservative treatment including total parenteral nutrition and somatostatin administration for a median of 20 days (range: 15–31 days) that failed to cure the chylothorax, so TL was performed as a salvage. Before TL, the median daily chyle output was 1,500 ml/day (range: 1,100–2,000 ml/day). The technical success rate of TL was 100% (7/7), with the median volume of ethiodized oil of 27.6 ml (range: 21.2–30.0 ml) injected in TL. Ruptured thoracic duct was identified in 5 patients (5/7, 71%) in fluoroscopy and chest CT after TL. The treatment success rate of TL was 86% (6/7). In 6 patients, the thoracic drainage was removed after a median of 7 days (range: 4–13 days) from TL performance. No adverse event of TL was reported.Conclusion: Transpedal lymphangiography with high-dose ethiodized oil application (>20 ml) is a feasible, safe, and effective modality for the treatment of high-flow (> 1,000 ml/day) postoperative chylothorax.

Giant compressive emphysema: a rare complication of COVID-19

Background The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a new ribonucleic acid (RNA) beta-coronavirus, responsible for a worldwide pandemic. Very few cases of SARS-COV-2-related emphysema have been described, except among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The thoracic CT scan is the key examination for the diagnosis and allows to evaluate the severity of the pulmonary involvement. The prognosis of the patient with giant emphysema (GE) on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in critical or severe form remains poor. We report an original case of COVID-19 pneumonia, critical form, complicated by a giant compressive left emphysema of 22.4 cm in a young subject without respiratory comorbidities. Case presentation A 34-year-old man was hospitalized for left laterothoracic pain. He had no prior medical history. The physical examination revealed tympany on percussion of the left lung. The CT scan confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia with 95% lung involvement. Also, the presence of a voluminous left sub pleural emphysema of 22.4 cm with compression of the ipsilateral pulmonary parenchyma as well as the mediastinal structures towards the right side. The diagnosis COVID-19 pneumonia, critical form, complicated by a compressive left giant emphysema was made. He was put on oxygen, a dual antibiotic therapy, a corticotherapy, and curative doses of enoxaparin. A thoracic drainage surgery was performed at 24th day of hospitalization, which confirmed the giant emphysema. The patient remains on long-term oxygen therapy. Conclusion The COVID-19 has polymorphic manifestations, pneumonia is the most important one. There are relatively few reports associating COVID-19 and emphysema; furthermore, reports associating COVID-19 and giant emphysema are extremely scarce. CT scans can confirm the diagnosis and differentiate it from a pneumothorax. The pulmonary prognosis of the association of COVID-19 in its severe or critical form with giant emphysema remains poor.

P-OGC13 Chest drainage after oesophageal resection: A systematic review

Background Modern enhanced recovery protocols discourage drain use due to negative impacts on patient comfort, mobility, and recovery, and lack of proven clinical benefit. After oesophagectomy, however, drains are still routinely placed. This review aimed to assess the evidence for, and how best to use chest drains after oesophageal surgery. Methods A systematic literature search was performed in Medline, Embase and Cochrane collaboration databases. Studies reporting outcomes for different types or uses of thoracic drainage, or outcomes related to drains after trans-thoracic oesophagectomy were included. Studies were collated into domains based on variations in number, position, type, removal criteria, diagnostic use and complications of drains. Methodological quality was assessed with Newcastle-Ottawa and Jadad scores. Results Among 434 potentially relevant studies, 27 studies met the inclusion criteria and these included 2564 patients. Studies that examined the number of drains showed pain reduction with a single drain compared to multiple drains (3 studies, n = 103), and transhiatal placement compared to intercostal (6 studies, n = 425). Amylase levels may aid diagnosis of anastomotic leak (9 studies, n = 888). Narrow calibre Blake drains may effectively drain both air and fluid (2 studies, n = 163). Drain removal criteria by daily drainage volumes of up to 300ml did not impact subsequent effusion rates (2 studies, n = 130). Complications related directly to drains were reported by 3 studies (n = 59). Conclusions Available evidence on the impact of thoracic drainage after oesophagectomy is limited, but has the potential to negatively affect outcomes. Further research is required to determine optimum drainage strategies.

Identification of The Intersegmental Plane By Arterial-Ligation Method During Thoracoscopic Segmentectomy

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the feasibility of identifying the intersegmental plane by arterial ligation alone during thoracoscopic anatomical segmentectomy. Methods We selected 35 patients with peripheral small lung nodules who underwent thoracoscopic anatomical segmentectomy between May and December 2020. First, the targeted segmental arteries were distinguished and ligated during the operation. Then, bilateral pulmonary ventilation was performed with pure oxygen to fully inflate the entirety pulmonary lobes. After waiting for a while, the intersegmental plane appeared. Finally, the intersegmental plane was observed using thoracoscopy after indocyanine green was injected into the peripheral vein. The intersegmental planes determined by these two methods were compared. Results Thirty-four patients underwent segmental resection and one patient finally underwent lobectomy. The intersegmental planes were successfully observed in all patients using the arterial ligation method. The time from contralateral pulmonary ventilation to the appearance of the intersegmental plane was 13.7±3.2 min (6-19 min). The intersegmental planes determined by the arterial ligation method and the fluorescence method were comparable. After the operation, CT examinations showed that the remaining lung segments of all patients were well inflated. The mean duration of closed thoracic drainage was 3.1±0.9 days. Conclusion The arterial ligation method can be used to determine the intersegmental plane in anatomical segmentectomy. The method is feasible, reliable, and safe.

Lung Abscess with a Refractory Bronchopleural Fistula Saved from Potentially Fatal Sepsis by Omentoplasty and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Controlling air leaks during thoracic drainage in patients with lung abscesses caused by bronchopleural fistulas is challenging. To reduce the occurrence of air leaks, positive pressure ventilation should be avoided whenever possible. A 69-year-old man presented with a 10-day history of gradually worsening chest pain. He had lost consciousness and was brought to the emergency room. His SpO2 was approximately 70%, and his systolic blood pressure was approximately 60 mmHg. Chest radiography and computed tomography revealed findings suggestive of a right pyothorax. Therefore, thoracic drainage was performed. However, the patient’s respiratory status did not improve, and his circulatory status could not be maintained. Therefore, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was introduced after the improvement in circulation by noradrenaline and fluid resuscitation, resulting in adequate oxygenation and ventilation without the use of high-pressure ventilator settings. Subsequently, omentoplasty for a refractory bronchopleural fistula was successfully performed, and the air leak was cured without recurrence of the lung abscess.

Bronchus-blocked ultrasound-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (BUS-PTNB) for intubated patients with severe lung diseases

Background Examinations based on lung tissue specimen can play a significant role in the diagnosis for critically ill and intubated patients with lung infiltration. However, severe complications including tension pneumothorax and intrabronchial hemorrhage limit the application of needle biopsy. Methods A refined needle biopsy technique, named bronchus-blocked ultrasound-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (BUS-PTNB), was performed on four intubated patients between August 2020 and April 2021. BUS-PTNB was done at bedside, following an EPUBNOW (evaluation, preparation, ultrasound location, bronchus blocking, needle biopsy, observation, and withdrawal of blocker) workflow. Parameters including procedure feasibility, sample acquisition, perioperative conditions, and complications were observed. Tissue specimens were sent to pathological examinations and microbial tests. Results Adequate specimens were successfully obtained from four patients. Diagnosis and treatment were correspondingly refined based on pathological and microbial tests. Intrabronchial hemorrhage occurred in patient 1 but was stopped by endobronchial blocker. Mild pneumothorax happened in patient 4 due to little air leakage, and closed thoracic drainage was placed. During the procedure, peripheral capillary hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SPO2), blood pressure, and heart rate of patient 4 fluctuated but recovered quickly. Vital signs were stable for patient 1–3. Conclusions BUS-PTNB provides a promising, practical and feasible method in acquiring tissue specimen for critically ill patients under intratracheal intubation. It may facilitate the pathological diagnosis or other tissue-based tests for intubated patients and improve clinical outcomes.

Incarcerated intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernia after laparoscopic pericardial window for malignant pericardial effusion

Laparoscopic Pericardial Window (LPW) is a safe, minimally invasive surgical technique for treating pericardial effusion/tamponade. This technique allows adequate decompression and avoids single-lung ventilation and the need for thoracic drainage in severely ill patients; it also provides anatomopathological and microbiological diagnosis leading to treatment measures. An intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernia is among the rarest complications of this procedure. A 85-year-old man, who underwent LPW for pericardial tamponade, presented to the emergency department 12 days post-operative with bowel obstruction; CT scan showed an incarcerated hernia into the pericardial sac. Laparoscopic reduction and hernia repair were performed using a large-pore Mesh to allow further drainage of histologically proven malignant pericardial effusion. Keywords: pericardial tamponade; pericardial window; surgical drainage of pericardial effusion; intra-pericardial diaphragmatic hernia.

Chest drainage after oesophageal resection: A systematic review

Summary Background Modern enhanced recovery protocols discourage drain use due to negative impacts on patient comfort, mobility, and recovery, and lack of proven clinical benefit. After oesophagectomy, however, drains are still routinely placed. This review aimed to assess the evidence for, and how best to use chest drains after oesophageal surgery. Methods A systematic literature search was performed in Medline, Embase and Cochrane collaboration databases. Studies reporting outcomes for different types or uses of thoracic drainage, or outcomes related to drains after trans-thoracic oesophagectomy were included. Studies were collated into domains based on variations in number, position, type, removal criteria, diagnostic use and complications of drains. Methodological quality was assessed with Newcastle-Ottawa and Jadad scores. Results Among 434 potentially relevant studies, 27 studies met the inclusion criteria and these included 2564 patients. Studies that examined the number of drains showed pain reduction with a single drain compared to multiple drains (3 studies, n = 103), and transhiatal placement compared to intercostal (6 studies, n = 425). Amylase levels may aid diagnosis of anastomotic leak (9 studies, n = 888). Narrow calibre Blake drains may effectively drain both air and fluid (2 studies, n = 163). Drain removal criteria by daily drainage volumes of up to 300 mL did not impact subsequent effusion rates (2 studies, n = 130). Complications related directly to drains were reported by 3 studies (n = 59). Conclusion Available evidence on the impact of thoracic drainage after oesophagectomy is limited, but has the potential to negatively affect outcomes. Further research is required to determine optimum drainage strategies.

Trauma Scores and Their Prognostic Value for the Outcome Following Pediatric Polytrauma

Purpose: The management and prognostic assessment of pediatric polytrauma patients can pose substantial challenges. Trauma scores developed for adults are not universally applicable in children. An accurate prediction of the severity of trauma and correct assessment of the necessity of surgical procedures are important for optimal treatment. Several trauma scores are currently available, but the advantages and drawbacks for use in pediatric patients are unclear. This study examines the value of the trauma scores Injury Severity Score (ISS), Pediatric Trauma Score (PTS), National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), and Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) for the assessment of the polytraumatized child.Methods: In a retrospective study, 97 patients aged 0–17 years who presented with polytrauma and an ISS ≥16 in the trauma bay were included in the study. Patient records including radiological studies were analyzed. Pathological imaging findings and emergency surgery were assessed as outcome variables and the predictive value of the trauma scores were analyzed using receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves. Statistical significance was set at an alpha level of P ≤ 0.05.Results: In this study, 35 of the 97 studied children had pathological cranial computed findings. These either underwent craniectomy or trepanation or a parenchymal catheter was placed for intracranial pressure monitoring. Abdominal trauma was present in 45 patients, 16 of which were treated surgically. Forty-three patients arrived with thoracic injuries, 10 of which received a thoracic drainage. One child underwent an emergency thoracotomy. Predictive accuracy for emergency surgery calculated using receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curves was highest for ISS and NACA scores (0,732 and 0.683, respectively), and lower for GCS (0.246) and PTS (0.261).Conclusion: In our study cohort, initial ISS and NACA scores better predicted operative interventions and outcome than PTS or GCS for polytraumatized pediatric patients.