The Impact of Food Insecurity on the Management and Survival of Stage I-III Esophageal Cancer.

Background: Food insecurity is associated with poor health outcomes; however, the connection with cancer care is not well understood. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of county-level food insecurity on the surgical management and survival of patients with esophageal cancer.

Methods: Patients with stage I to III esophageal cancer were identified from Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results data (2010-2016).

Anatomy of the Trachea.

The trachea serves as a conduit for inspiration and expiration of air; apparatus for phonation; mucociliary escalator for airway clearance and pulmonary defense; and allows for the more distal exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Each of these functions is a result of the embryologic development and resultant structural anatomy of the trachea. The purpose of this article is to provide a review of tracheal embryology and anatomy, including endoscopic anatomy and airway imaging techniques.

The COMPARE Study: Comparing Perioperative Outcomes of Oncologic Minimally Invasive Laparoscopic, Da Vinci Robotic, and Open Procedures: A Systematic Review and meta-analysis of The Evidence.

Objective: To assess 30-day outcomes of da Vinci robotic-assisted (dV-RAS) versus laparoscopic/thoracoscopic (lap/VATS) or open oncologic surgery.

Summary Background Data: Complex procedures in deep/narrow spaces especially benefit from dV-RAS. Prior procedure-specific comparisons are not generalizable.

Microscopic Small Airway Abnormalities Identified in Early Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Using Endobronchial Optical Coherence Tomography.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) affects the subpleural lung but is considered to spare small airways. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) studies demonstrated small airway reduction in end-stage IPF explanted lungs, raising questions about small airway involvement in early-stage disease. Endobronchial optical coherence tomography (EB-OCT) is a volumetric imaging modality that detects microscopic features from subpleural to proximal airways.

Wedge Resection versus Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Tumors ≤8 mm.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the overall survival of patients with ≤8 mm non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who undergo wedge resection versus stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). Kaplan-Meier analysis, multivariable Cox proportional hazards modeling, and propensity score-matched analysis were performed to evaluate the overall survival of patients with ≤8 mm NSCLC in the National Cancer Database (NCDB) from 2004 to 2017 who underwent wedge resection versus patients who underwent SBRT. The above-mentioned matched analyses were repeated for patients with no comorbidities.

A Pilot Study Using Machine Learning Algorithms and Wearable Technology for the Early Detection of Postoperative Complications After Cardiothoracic Surgery.

Objective: To evaluate whether a machine learning algorithm (i.e. the "NightSignal" algorithm) can be used for the detection of postoperative complications prior to symptom onset after cardiothoracic surgery.

Predictors of Venous Thromboembolism After Lung Cancer Resection.

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing oncologic operations. We sought to identify risk factors for postoperative VTE to define high-risk groups that may benefit from enhanced prophylactic measures.

Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis using The Society of Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Surgery Database was conducted on patients who underwent lung cancer resection between 2009 and 2021.

Surgery for M1A Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer With Additional Pulmonary Nodules in a Contralateral Lobe.

Introduction: Limited consensus exists on the optimal treatment strategy for clinical M1a non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) presenting as a primary tumor with additional intrapulmonary nodules in a contralateral lobe ("M1a-Contra"). This study sought to compare long-term survival of patients with M1a-Contra tumors receiving multimodal therapy with versus without thoracic surgery.

Methods: Overall survival of patients with cT1-4, N0-3, M1a NSCLC with contralateral intrapulmonary nodules who received surgery as part of multimodal therapy ("Thoracic Surgery") versus systemic therapy with or without radiation ("No Thoracic Surgery") in the National Cancer Database from 2010 to 2015 was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier analysis, Cox proportional hazards modeling, and propensity score matching.

Shortage of thoracic surgeons in the United States: Implications for treatment and survival for stage I lung cancer patients.

Objectives: To evaluate whether there is a shortage of thoracic surgeons in the United States and whether any potential shortage is impacting lung cancer treatment and outcomes.

Design: Using the US Area Health Resources File and Surveillance Epidemiology End Results database, we assessed the number of cardiothoracic surgeons per 100,000 people and the number of stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) diagnoses in the US in 2010 versus 2018. Changes in the percentage of patients diagnosed with stage I NSCLC who underwent surgery and stereotactic body radiotherapy and changes in overall survival of patients with stage I NSCLC from 2010 to 2018 in the National Cancer Database were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards modeling.

Long-Term Survival of American Joint Committee on Cancer 8th Edition Staging Descriptors for Clinical M1a Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Background: The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 8th edition TNM staging manual for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) M1a descriptors includes tumors presenting with malignant pleural or pericardial effusion (ie, M1a-Effusion), pleural or pericardial nodule(s) (ie, M1a-Pleural), or separate tumor nodule(s) in a contralateral lobe (ie, M1a-Contralateral).

Research Question: Is M1a NSCLC presenting with malignant pleural or pericardial effusion associated with worse survival compared with other types of M1a NSCLC?

Study Design And Methods: Patients with cT1-4, N0-3, M1a NSCLC (satisfying a single M1a descriptor of M1a-Effusion, M1a-Pleural, or M1a-Contralateral), according to AJCC eighth edition staging criteria, in the National Cancer Database from 2010 to 2015 were included. Overall survival was evaluated by using Kaplan-Meier analysis, multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards modeling, and propensity score matching.

Multimodal Therapy for T4 N2 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer With Additional Ipsilateral Pulmonary Nodules.

Background: The optimal treatment strategy for T4 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with additional intrapulmonary nodules in a different ipsilateral lobe (T4-Add) is not well characterized across clinical N stages. This study evaluated long-term survival of patients with T4-Add N2 NSCLC who received multimodal therapy including surgical resection and chemotherapy vs concurrent chemoradiation.

Methods: Patients with T4-Add N2 M0 NSCLC in the National Cancer Database from 2010 to 2015 were included.

Role of Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Early-Stage Combined Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Background: The role of adjuvant therapy in completely resected primary tumors that have components of both non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer (combined SCLC) is poorly understood. We sought to determine the potential benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients who undergo complete resection for early-stage combined SCLC.

Methods: Overall survival of patients with pathologic T1-2 N0 M0 combined SCLC who underwent complete resection in the National Cancer Database from 2004 to 2017, stratified by adjuvant chemotherapy vs surgery alone, was evaluated by multivariable Cox proportional hazards modeling and propensity score-matched analysis.

Wedge Resection Versus Segmentectomy for Older Patients With Stage IA Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

Introduction: Anatomic lung resection remains the standard of care for early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but wedge resection may offer similar survival in older adult patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the survival of patients aged 80 y and older undergoing wedge resection versus segmentectomy for stage IA NSCLC using a large clinical registry.

Methods: Patients aged 80 y and older in the National Cancer Database who underwent wedge resection or segmentectomy for cT1a-b N0 M0 NSCLC between 2004 and 2018 were identified for an analysis.

Healthcare Resource Utilization After Surgical Treatment of Cancer: Value of Minimally Invasive Surgery.

Background: As the US healthcare system moves towards value-based care, hospitals have increased efforts to improve quality and reduce unnecessary resource use. Surgery is one of the most resource-intensive areas of healthcare and we aim to compare health resource utilization between open and minimally invasive cancer procedures.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed cancer patients who underwent colon resection, rectal resection, lobectomy, or radical nephrectomy within the Premier hospital database between 2014 and 2019.

Open, Video- and Robot-Assisted Thoracoscopic Lobectomy for Stage II-IIIA Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Background: This study compares the short- and long-term outcomes of open vs robotic vs video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy for stage II-IIIA non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: Outcomes of patients with stage II-IIIA NSCLC (excluding T4 tumors) who received open and minimally invasive surgery (MIS) lobectomy in the National Cancer Database from 2010 to 2017 were assessed using propensity score-matched analysis.

Results: A propensity score-matched analysis of 4652 open and 4652 MIS patients demonstrated a decreased median length of stay associated with MIS compared with open lobectomy (5 vs 6 days; P < .

First-in-Human Intrathoracic Implantation of Multidrug-Eluting Microdevices for In Situ Chemotherapeutic Sensitivity Testing as Proof of Concept in Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of implantation and retrieval of a novel implantable microdevice (IMD) in NSCLC patients undergoing operative resection.

Background: Adjuvant therapy has limited impact on postsurgical outcomes in NSCLC due to the inability to predict optimal treatment regimens.

Methods: An IMD measuring 6.

Combined Percutaneous Tracheostomy and Endoscopic Gastrostomy Tubes in COVID-19: A Prospective Series of Patient Outcomes.

A significant number of patients with severe respiratory failure related to COVID-19 require prolonged mechanical ventilation. Minimal data exists regarding the timing, safety, and efficacy of combined bedside percutaneous tracheostomy and endoscopy gastrostomy tube placement in these patients. The safety for healthcare providers is also in question.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Endobronchial Optical Coherence Tomography for the Microscopic Diagnosis of Usual Interstitial Pneumonia.

Early, accurate diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) informs prognosis and therapy, especially in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Current diagnostic methods are imperfect. High-resolution computed tomography has limited resolution, and surgical lung biopsy (SLB) carries risks of morbidity and mortality.