Posterior cricoid plate drill enlargement in idiopathic subglottic stenosis.

Objectives: Idiopathic subglottic stenosis (ISS) is an airway stricture between larynx and trachea, within 1 cm from the vocal cords. Resection-reconstruction present technical issues because of the need to resect the anterior portion of the cricoid cartilage, but not the posterior plate beyond which the recurrent laryngeal nerves access the vocal cords. The main surgical challenge consists of the minute airway calibre short below the cords, ensuing after the resection.

Mini-Invasive Thoracic Surgery for Early-Stage Lung Cancer: Which Is the Surgeon's Best Approach for Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery?

The choice of the best Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) surgical approach is still debated. Surgeons are often faced with the choice between innovation and self-confidence. The present study reports the experience of a high-volume single institute, comparing data of uni-portal, bi-portal and tri-portal VATS, to find out the safest and most effective mini-invasive approach, leading surgeon's choice.

Carinal Reconstruction for Lung Cancer and Airway Tumors: Long-term Results.

Background: Resection and reconstruction of the carina infiltrated by non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or an airway tumor is a technically demanding operation allowing oncologic radical treatment. Hereby we report the results of a 20-year experience from a high-volume center.

Methods: Carinal resection was performed in 41 patients for NSCLC (n = 32) or primary airway tumor (n = 9).

Multidisciplinary Management of Descending Necrotizing Mediastinitis: Is Thoracoscopic Treatment Feasible?

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is a life-threatening condition, generally caused by downward dissemination of oropharyngeal infections through cervical fascial planes. Mediastinal drainage is conventionally achieved by thoracotomy, but a Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) approach is gaining interest due to the reduced invasiveness of procedure. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of VATS treatment in patients with DNM.

New perspectives on tracheal resection for COVID-19-related stenosis: A propensity score matching analysis.

Objective: The large number of patients with COVID-19 subjected to prolonged invasive mechanical ventilation has been expected to result in a significant increase in tracheal stenosis in the next years. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare postoperative outcomes of patients who survived COVID-19 critical illness and underwent tracheal resection for postintubation/posttracheostomy tracheal stenosis with those of non-COVID-19 patients.

Methods: It was single-center, retrospective study.