Transhiatal Chest Drainage Reduces The Frequency of Postoperative Thoracentesis In Transmediastinal Esophagectomy For Esophageal Cancer: A Retrospective Study

Background: Transmediastinal esophagectomy for esophageal cancer occasionally results in the postoperative accumulation of pleural effusion despite the preservation of the mediastinal pleura. Transhiatal chest drainage has reported utility in thoracic esophagectomy; however, its use in transmediastinal esophagectomy remains unelucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of transhiatal chest drainage in transmediastinal esophagectomy.Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent transmediastinal esophagectomy for esophageal cancer from 2018 to 2020. The transhiatal chest drainage involved the insertion of a 19-Fr Blake® drain from the inferior hepatic space to the left thoracic cavity through the hiatus. The drainage group comprising 13 patients was compared with the non-drainage group comprising 13 patients in whom a transhiatal chest drainage tube was not placed during transmediastinal esophagectomy.Results: The frequency of thoracentesis in the drainage group was significantly lower than that in the non-drainage group (p = 0.03). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the occurrence of other postoperative complications, duration of oxygen administration, and postoperative hospital stay.Conclusions: Transhiatal chest drainage could evacuate pleural effusion effectively and safely after transmediastinal esophagectomy. Therefore, this procedure is clinically useful in transmediastinal esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

Pulmonary hydatidosis presenting as pyopneumothorax in a 15 year old male

Pulmonary hydatid cyst is an exceptional cause of pyopneumothorax that should be considered in countries where hydatid disease is endemic. The documented rates of simple pneumothorax in patients with pulmonary hydatidosis ranges from 2.4-6.2%. Hydatidosis is a parasitic zoonosis of the genus Echinococcus that infects herbivores and humans in its larvae stage(hydatid) and in paediatric population, generally presents as pulmonary hydatidosis. Misdiagnosis of this condition as tubercular in origin can cause treatment and prognostic delays for the patient. We report a case of a 15 year old male presenting with complaints of breathlessness (Grade 2 MMRC) since 3 months and dry cough, low grade fever with chills since 3 months. He had previously received AKT therapy and IV antibiotics. His blood investigations were normal. His sputum for AFB, CBNAAT was negative. His initial chest xray was suggestive of right sided hydropneumothorax. CECT Thorax revealed features suggestive of hydatid cyst in right posterobasal segment lower lobe with loculated pyopneumothorax with collapsed and consolidated right lung with mediastinal lymphadenopathy. After admission, Intercostal chest drainage tube was inserted on the right side and connected to underwater seal and pleural fluid was drained. Pleural fluid investigations revealed exudative effusion by Lights criteria, ADA was 150, culture and sensitivity revealed no growth and cytology revealed features of empyema.The patient was started on IV Piperacillin+Tazobactam, IV Metronidazole and Tab Albendazole for 14 days along with AKT considering raised pleural fluid ADA levels as suggestive of tubercular pleural effusion. The patients hydatid serology (Echinococcus IgG Antibody ELISA- 0.88) came out to be positive which confirmed our diagnosis of hydatidosis. After repeat chest x ray, there was resolution noted in effusion and ICD tube was removed and the patient was discharged on oral antibiotics for 14 days and Tab Albendazole for 3 months.

Treatment of Chylothorax complicating pulmonary resection with hypertonic glucose Pleurodesis

Background To retrospectively assess the efficacy of hypertonic glucose pleurodesis for treatment of chylothorax after pulmonary resection. Methods Out of a total of 8252 patients who underwent pulmonary resection (at least lobectomy) at department of thoracic surgery, between June 2008 and December 2015, 58 patients (0.7%) developed postoperative chylothorax. All patients received conservative treatment, including thoracic closed drainage, oral fasting, and total parenteral nutrition. Results Conservative treatment was successful in 50 (86.2%) patients, while eight patients [mean age: 58.0 years (range, 45–75)] were treated with hypertonic glucose pleurodesis. All eight patients had undergone operation for lung cancer (four squamous cell carcinomas and four adenocarcinomas). The bronchial stump was covered by pleural flap in three patients. After pleurodesis, three patients developed fever but without empyema; thoracentesis was performed in two patients. The mean time interval between pleurodesis and operation was 4.3 days (range,3–5) days. The average length of stay was 23.1 days (range, 18–31). No recurrent pleural effusion was observed over a mean follow-up duration of 28 months. Conclusion Hypertonic glucose pleurodesis performed via the chest drainage tube is a viable treatment option for chylothorax after lung resection, prior to resorting to a thoracoscopic or thoracotomic ductus thoracicus ligation of the thoracic duct leak. It is a simple, safe and efficient modality associated with rapid recovery and less pain.

The application analysis of 8F ultrafine chest drainage tube for thoracoscopic lobectomy of lung cancer

Background Currently, thoracoscopic lobectomy is widely used in clinical practice, and postoperative placement of ultrafine drainage tube has advantages of reducing postoperative pain and accelerating postoperative recovery in patients. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and safety of placement of 8F ultrafine chest drainage tube after thoracoscopic lobectomy and its superiority over traditional 24F chest drainage tube. Methods A retrospective data analysis was conducted in 169 patients who underwent placement of 8F ultrafine chest drainage tube or 24F chest drainage tube with thoracoscopic lobectomy for lung cancer from January 2018 to December 2019. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to reduce bias between the experimental group and the control group. After PSM, 134 patients (67 per group) were enrolled. The drainage time, the total drainage volume, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative pain score and postoperative complication of both groups were analyzed and compared. Results Compared to group B, group A had lower pain scores on postoperative days 1, 2 and 3 (3.72 ± 0.65point vs 3.94 ± 0.67point, P = 0.027; 2.72 ± 0.93point vs 3.13 ± 1.04point, P = 0.016; and 1.87 ± 0.65point vs 2.39 ± 1.22point, P = 0.005), shorter drainage time (4.25 ± 1.79d vs 6.04 ± 1.96d, P = 0.000), fewer drainage volume (1100.42 ± 701.57 ml vs 1369.39 ± 624.25 ml, P = 0.021); and shorter postoperative hospital stay (8.46 ± 2.48d vs 9.37 ± 1.70d, P = 0.014). Postoperative complications such as subcutaneous emphysema, pulmonary infection, atelectasis, chest tube reinsertion and intrathoracic hemorrhage showed no differences between both groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion Compared with 24F chest drainage tube, the application of an 8F ultrafine chest drainage tube after thoracoscopic lobectomy has significantly shortened the drainage time, reduced the total drainage volume, reduced the postoperative pain degree, shortened the hospital day, and effectively detected postoperative intrathoracic hemorrhage. So, it is considered as an effective, safe and reliable drainage method.

The application analysis of 8F ultrafine chest drainage tube for thoracoscopic lobectomy of lung cancer

Background Currently, thoracoscopic lobectomy is widely used in clinical practice, and postoperative placement of ultrafine drainage tube has advantages of reducing postoperative pain and accelerating postoperative recovery in patients. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and safety of placement of 8F ultrafine chest drainage tube after thoracoscopic lobectomy and its superiority over traditional 24F chest drainage tube. Methods A retrospective data analysis was conducted in 134 patients who underwent placement of 8F ultrafine chest drainage tube or 24F chest drainage tube with thoracoscopic lobectomy for lung cancer from January 2018 to December 2019. Patients with 8F ultrafine chest drainage tube were included in group A (n = 67) and those with 24F chest drainage tube were included in group B (n = 67). The drainage time, the total drainage volume, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative pain score and postoperative complication of both groups were analyzed and compared. Results Compared to group B, group A had lower pain scores on postoperative days 1, 2 and 3 (3.72 ± 0.65point vs 3.94 ± 0.67point, P = 0.027; 2.72 ± 0.93point vs 3.13 ± 1.04point, P = 0.016; and 1.87 ± 0.65point vs 2.39 ± 1.22point, P = 0.005), shorter drainage time (4.25 ± 1.79d vs 6.04 ± 1.96d, P = 0.000), fewer drainage volume (1100.42 ± 701.57 ml vs 1369.39 ± 624.25 ml, P = 0.021); and shorter postoperative hospital stay (8.46 ± 2.48d vs 9.37 ± 1.70d, P = 0.014). Postoperative complications such as subcutaneous emphysema, pulmonary infection, atelectasis, chest tube reinsertion and intrathoracic hemorrhage showed no differences between both groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion Compared with 24F chest drainage tube, the application of an 8F ultrafine chest drainage tube after thoracoscopic lobectomy has significantly shortened the drainage time, reduced the total drainage volume, reduced the postoperative pain degree, shortened the hospital day, and effectively detected postoperative intrathoracic hemorrhage. So, it is considered as an effective, safe and reliable drainage method.

The application analysis of 8F ultrafine chest drainage tube in thoracoscopic lobectomy for lung cancer

Background：Currently, thoracoscopic lobectomy is widely used in clinical practice, and postoperative placing of ultrafine drainage tube has advantages in reducing postoperative pain and accelerating postoperative recovery of patients.This study aim to investigate the feasibility and safety of placing 8F ultrafine chest drainage tube after thoracoscopic lobectomy and its superiority over traditional 24F chest drainage tube.Methods: A retrospective data analysis was undertaken on 134 patients who placed 8F ultrafine chest drainage tube or 24F chest drainage tube with thoracoscopic lobectomy for lung cancer from January 2018 to December 2019 by our surgical team.Patients divided into Group A（n=67）with 8F ultrafine chest drainage tube and Group B（n=67）with 24F chest drainage tube.The drainage time, the total drainage volume,postoperative hospital stay,postoperative pain score and postoperative complication of both groups were compared.Results: Compared to B group,the A group had lower pain scores on postoperative days 1,2 and 3(3.72±0.65point vs 3.94±0.67point,P=0.027 ;2.72±0.93point vs 3.13±1.04point,P=0.016;1.87±0.65point vs 2.39±1.22point,P=0.005),shorter drainage time(4.25±1.79d vs 6.04±1.96d,P=0.000),fewer drainage volume(1100.42±701.57ml vs 1369.39±624.25ml,P=0.021);shorter postoperative hospital stay(8.46±2.48d vs 9.37±1.70d,P=0.014).Postoperative complication such as subcutaneous emphysema,pulmonary infection,atelectasis,chest tube reinsertion and intrathoracic hemorrhage displayed no difference between both group as well(P >0.05).Conclusion:Compared with 24F chest drainage tube, the application of 8F ultrafine chest drainage tube after thoracoscopic lobectomy can significantly shorten the drainage time,reduce the total drainage volume,reduce the postoperative pain degree,shorten the hospital day,and effectively detect postoperative intrathoracic hemorrhage. It is an effective, safe and reliable drainage method.

Comparison of chest drainage tube types (24Fr silastic vs. thoracic catheter) after lung resection

Background: Silastic drains (SDs) are widely used for postoperative chest drainage. We performed a direct comparison of SDs and conventional single-lumen thoracic catheters (TCs) with similar sizes.Methods: We performed a historically controlled retrospective study. SDs (24 Fr in size) were used for postoperative drainage from September 2017 to May 2018, and TCs (24 or 28Fr) were used from June 2018 to March 2019. Drainage tubes were maintained with a water seal alone. A comparison was performed of the volume and the speed of fluid until 48 hrs after surgery, the undrained area on chest X-ray, expansion of subcutaneous emphysema, and the duration of drainage.Results: One hundred fifty-eight patients with SDs and one hundred fifty-five patients with TCs were included. The patient characteristics were equivalent between the groups. The median length of drainage was two days for both groups. The fluid drainage speed was similar between the groups. While the incidence of expansion of subcutaneous emphysema was equivalent for both groups, reinsertion of drainage tubes was more frequent in the SD group due to insufficient air drainage.Conclusions: SDs and TCs have almost equivalent drainage performances. For patients with a risk of massive air leakage, SDs should be avoided.

Hyaluronic Acid on the Urokinase Sustained Release with a Hydrogel System Composed of Poloxamer 407

Pleural empyema is an inflammatory condition characterized by accumulation of pus inside the pleural cavity, which is usually followed by bacterial pneumonia. During the disease process, the pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cytokines in the purulent pleural effusion cause proliferation of fibroblasts and deposition of extracellular matrix, which lead to fibrin deposition and fibrothorax. Urokinase instillation therapy through a chest drainage tube is frequently used for fibrinolysis in patients with empyema. However, urokinase treatment requires multiple instillation (2-3 times per day, for 4-8 days) and easily flows out from the chest drainage tube due to its high water solubility. In this in vitro study, we developed a thermo-responsive hydrogel based on poloxamer 407 (P407) combined with hyaluronic acid (HA) for optimal loading and release of urokinase. Our results show that the addition of HA to poloxamer gels provides a significantly more compact microstructure, with smaller pore sizes (**p < 0.001). The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) profile revealed no influence on the micellization intensity of poloxamer gel by HA. The 25% poloxamer-based gel was significantly superior to the 23% poloxamer-based gel, with slower gel erosion when comparing the 16th hour residual gel weight of both gels (*p < 0.05; **p < 0.001). The 25% poloxamer-HA gel also exhibited a superior urokinase release profile and longer release time. A Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) study of the P407/HA hydrogel showed no chemical interactions between P407 and HA in the hydrogel system. The thermoresponsive P407/HA hydrogel may have a promising potential in the loading and delivery of hydrophilic drugs. On top of that, in vitro toxicity test of this combination demonstrates a lower toxicity.