Could Thoracoscore predict postoperative mortality in patients undergoing pneumonectomy?

Objectives: Thoracoscore is incorporated in the new British Thoracic Society and National Institute of Health and clinical Excellence guidelines to evaluate the operative mortality risk of patients undergoing thoracic surgery. This study examines the accuracy of Thoracoscore in predicting postoperative mortality in patients undergoing pneumonectomy.

Methods: All patients who underwent pneumonectomy from January 1998 to March 2008 were included.

Comparison of the immediate post-operative outcome of two different myocardial protection strategies: antegrade-retrograde cold St Thomas blood cardioplegia versus intermittent cross-clamp fibrillation.

The objective of this study was to compare the immediate post-operative outcome of two myocardial protection strategies. Data of consecutive elective first time coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were analysed: Group A (n=671, antegrade-retrograde cold St Thomas blood cardioplegia) and Group B (n=783, intermittent cross-clamp fibrillation). Age, angina class, myocardial infarction (MI), pre-operative rhythm, respiratory disease, smoking, diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HT), renal function, cerebrovascular disease, body mass index (BMI) and Parsonnet score were comparable.

Pretreatment with hyperbaric oxygen and its effect on neuropsychometric dysfunction and systemic inflammatory response after cardiopulmonary bypass: a prospective randomized double-blind trial.

Objective: Animal studies have shown that pretreatment with hyperbaric oxygen can induce central nervous system ischemic tolerance and also modulate the inflammatory response. We evaluated this therapy in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.

Methods: Sixty-four patients were prospectively randomized to group A (n = 31; atmospheric air, 1.

Surgical nurse assistants in cardiac surgery: a UK trainee's perspective.

Objective: To assess the impact of surgical nurse assistants on surgical training based on a comparative audit of case-mix and outcome of coronary revascularizations assisted by surgical nurse assistants vs. surgical trainees.

Methods: Relevant recent articles on Calman reform of specialist training and European working time directive (EWTD) on junior doctor working hours were reviewed for the discussion.

Chronic pain due to talc pleurodesis for spontaneous pneumothorax.

Spontaneous pneumothorax is a common condition that usually affects young adults. Talc insufflation, either as a poudrage or by using slurry, is recognized as an effective treatment. We report a case of talc that resulted in chronic debilitating pain and necessitated further surgery.