Uniportal Thoracoscopic Debridement for Children With Refractory Pleural Empyema: Case Series of 21 Patients

Purpose: The effectiveness of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), even uniportal VATS (U-VATS), in the treatment of pleural empyema has recently been demonstrated. However, few works have evaluated its safety and feasibility for children. We review our experience with U-VATS in the treatment of pleural empyema for children under 11 years old.Methods: From January 2019 to December 2020, we consecutively enrolled 21 children with stage II and stage III pleural empyema in our institution. A 1.0 cm utility port was created in the 5th intercostal space at the anterior axillary line. A rigid 30°5 mm optic thoracoscope was used for vision, and two or three instruments were used through the port. Surgery was based on three therapeutic columns: removal of pleural fluid, debridement, and decortication. A chest tube was inserted through the same skin incision. Perioperative data and outcomes were summarized.Results: The procedures were successful, and satisfactory debridement of the pleural cavity was achieved in all cases. The mean age was 4.1 years (range: 6 months to 11 years old). The mean operating time was 65.7 ± 23.2 min. No intraoperative conversion or major complications were identified among the patients. The mean hospital stay was 5.0 ± 0.6 days. At a follow-up of more than 4 months after operating, all patients had recovered well without recurrence.Conclusion: According to our experience, U-VATS debridement is feasible for the surgical management of stage II and III empyema in the pediatric population. Indeed, U-VATS permits easier performance and complete debridement and decortication, with a very low risk for conversion.

Comparison of variants of anesthesia for left atrial appendage occlusion in patients with atrial fbrillation

Objective: comparison of general anesthesia (GA) and intravenous conscious sedation during left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO).Materials and Methods. The study included 120 patients from LAAO Register at the National Medical Research Center of Cardiology, who were divided into GA (n = 100) and intravenous sedation (n = 20) groups. In-hospital outcomes were assessed, as well as outcomes and data of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) at 45 days and 6 months.Results. 3 patients required intraoperative conversion of the anesthetic method to GA. The duration of the procedure, the time of fluoroscopy, the amount of contrast medium, and the technical success did not differ signifcantly between the two groups. The incidence of in-hospital complications in the GA group was 10%, and 15% in the intravenous sedation group (p = 0.453). There were no statistically signifcant differences between the groups in long-term outcomes and TEE data after 45 days and 6 months.Conclusion. Combined intravenous sedation with local anesthesia is an effective and fairly safe method of anesthesiological support for implantation of the occluder of the left atrial auricle. It can be used in patients with a high risk of GA, with predictable difculties of tracheal intubation, as well as if the patient wishes accordingly. The limitations of the use of intravenous sedation in combination with local anesthesia are anatomical variants of SFM that are difcult for occluder implantation, as well as the patient's low tolerance to ECG in consciousness.

Early clinical outcomes of total thoracoscopic aortic valve replacement

Background: With the promotion of minimally invasive concepts and advances in total thoracoscopic valve surgery, total thoracoscopic aortic valve surgery has become a new option for patients with aortic valve lesions. However, due to its anatomical characteristics, poor surgical field exposure and limited operating space, only a few centers have performed further studies on this procedure. Methods: We evaluate the safety and advantages of total thoracoscopic aortic valve replacement compared to the upper mini-sternotomy AVR group and the conventional AVR group with important perioperative data as well as early postoperative outcomes. Results: All patients successfully underwent elective surgery, with no intraoperative conversion or death occurring. Patients in the total thoracoscopy group had significantly prolonged CPB and aortic clamping (AC) times compared to the other two groups. The average Postoperative chest drainage in the first 24 h of the total thoracoscopic group was significantly less than the other two groups. The mean VAS pain score in the total thoracoscopic group was significantly less than the other two groups. In addition, the total thoracoscopic group had a significantly decreased ICU stay as well as the total hospital stay. Although the length of mechanical ventilation between groups did not show statistically significant differences, mechanical ventilation in the total thoracoscopy group had a smaller relative number. Conclusions: Despite the need for improvement, total thoracoscopic aortic valve replacement is safe, and may improve clinical outcome

Intraoperative conversion during video-assisted thoracoscopy resection for lung cancer does not alter survival

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to assess the long-term outcomes of patients treated by anatomical pulmonary resection with the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) approach, VATS requiring intraoperative conversion to thoracotomy or an upfront open thoracotomy for lung cancer surgery. METHODS We performed a retrospective single-centre study that included consecutive patients between January 2011 and December 2018 treated either by VATS (with or without intraoperative conversion) or open thoracotomy for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients treated for a benign or metastatic condition, stage IV disease, multiple primary lung cancer or by resection, such as pneumonectomies or angioplastic/bronchoplastic/chest wall resections, were excluded. RESULTS Among 1431 patients, 846 were included: 439 who underwent full-VATS, 94 who underwent VATS-conversion (21 emergent, 73 non-emergent) and 313 treated with upfront open thoracotomy. The median follow-up was 37 months. There were no statistical differences in stage-specific overall survival between the full-VATS, VATS-conversion, and open thoracotomy groups, with 5-year OS for stage I NSCLC of 76%, 72.3% and 69.4%, respectively (P = 0.47). There was a difference in disease-free survival for stage I NSCLC, with 71%, 60.2% and 53%, respectively at 5 years (P = 0.013). Fewer complications occurred in the full-VATS group (pneumonia, arrhythmia, length of stay), but complication rates were similar between the VATS-conversion and thoracotomy groups. CONCLUSIONS VATS resection for NSCLC with intraoperative conversion does not appear to alter the long-term oncological outcome relative to full-VATS or open upfront thoracotomy. Postoperative complications were higher than for full-VATS and comparable to those for thoracotomy. VATS should be favoured when possible.

Necrosis or Flap Loss After Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Reconstruction: Impact of Perforators and Recipient Vessels

Background The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of the number and location of perforators harvested and the recipient vessels used on deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap survival and the occurrence of flap necrosis requiring re-operation. Patients and Methods Four hundred and seventy-one DIEP flap reconstructions, performed between January 2008 and December 2019, were retrospectively analyzed. Results Flap necrosis requiring re-operation was observed in 40 (9%) of flaps and total flap loss rate was 1% (n = 6). No significant differences were observed between internal mammary vessels (IMV, n = 287, 61%) and thoracodorsal vessels (TDV, n = 184, 39%) regarding postoperative re-anastomosis (p = 0.529) or flap survival (p = 0.646). Intraoperative conversion from IMV to TDV was performed on 64 (14%) patients. TDV were more commonly associated with problems in preparation of the vessels than IMV (p < 0.001). Second vein anastomosis was performed on 18 (4%) patients. In total, 81 flaps (17%) had one perforator, 165 (35%) had two, 218 (46%) had three to five, and 7 (2%) had more than five perforators. Flaps with three to five perforators were more commonly associated with flap necrosis (p < 0.001) than flaps with one or two perforators. Independent factors associated with necrosis were body mass index (BMI) > 30 (odds ratio [OR]: 2.28; 95% confidence interval: 1.06–4.91, p = 0.035) and perforator/s located on the lateral row (OR: 3.08, 95% CI 1.29–7.33, p = 0.011). Conclusion We conclude that the occurrence of flap necrosis requiring re-operation may be higher in DIEP flaps with more than two perforators or perforator/s located on the lateral row and in obese patients. Neither the recipient vessels used nor the number of perforators harvested had any impact on the flap survival rate.

Potential use of peptic ulcer perforation (PULP) score as a conversion index of laparoscopic-perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) repair

Background Laparoscopic repair is a well-accepted treatment modality for perforated peptic ulcer (PPU). However, intraoperative conversion to laparotomy is still not uncommon. We aimed to identify preoperative factors strongly associated with conversion. Methods A retrospective review of records of all PPU patients treated between January 2011 and July 2019 was performed. Patients were divided into three groups: laparoscopic repair (LR), conversion to laparotomy (CL), and primary laparotomy (PL). Patient demographics, operative findings, and outcomes were compared between the groups. Logistic regression analyses were performed, taking conversion as the outcome. Results Of 822 patients, there were 236, 45, and 541 in the LR, CL, and PL groups, respectively. The conversion rate was 16%. Compared with those in the LR group, patients in the CL group were older (p < 0.001), had higher PULP scores (p < 0.001), had higher ASA scores (p < 0.001) and had hypertension (p = 0.003). PULP score was the only independent risk factor for conversion. The area under the curve (AUC) for the PULP score to predict conversion was 75.3%, with a best cut-off value of ≥ 4. The operative time was shorter for PL group patients than for CL group patients with PULP scores ≥ 4. For patients with PULP scores < 4, LR group patients had a shorter length of stay than PL group patients. Conclusion The PULP score may have utility in predicting and minimizing conversion for laparoscopic PPU repair. Laparoscopic repair is the procedure of choice for PPU patients with PULP scores < 4, while open surgery is recommended for those with PULP scores ≥ 4.