Comparison of robotic-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy versus minimally invasive esophagectomy: A propensity-matched study from a single high-volume institution.

Objective: Robotic-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy accounts for a growing proportion of esophagectomies, potentially due to improved technical capabilities simplifying the challenging aspects of standard minimally invasive esophagectomy. However, there is limited evidence directly comparing both operations. The objective is to evaluate the short-term and long-term outcomes of robotic-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy in comparison with the minimally invasive esophagectomy approach for patients with esophageal cancer over a 7-year period at a high-volume center.

Medical Product Innovation: A Primer for Early Career Cardiothoracic Surgeons.

Many cardiothoracic surgeons have become less involved in the process of developing therapies and diagnostic tools. There is renewed interest in innovation as a discipline among early career cardiothoracic surgeons and trainees. We describe the role and the essential skillsets that cardiothoracic surgeons must be adopt in order to successfully contribute to medical product innovation.

Prognostic Difference of Pleural versus Distant Metastasis after Surgery for Lung Cancer.

Background: Pleural metastasis in lung cancer found at diagnosis has a poor prognosis, with 5-11 months' survival. We hypothesized that prognosis might be different for patients who have had curative-intent surgery and subsequent pleural recurrence and that survival might differ based on the location of the first metastasis (distant versus pleural). This may clarify if pleural recurrence is a local event or due to systemic disease.

Lung Nodule Evaluation Using Robotic-Assisted Bronchoscopy at a Veteran's Affairs Hospital.

The incidence of lung nodules has increased with improved diagnostic imaging and screening protocols. Despite improvements for diagnosing pulmonary nodules with technologies such as electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy (ENB), several limitations still exist including adequate visualization, localization, and diagnostic yield. Robotic-assisted bronchoscopy with ENB has been introduced as a method to overcome these shortcomings.

Recommendations for Surveillance and Management of Recurrent Esophageal Cancer Following Endoscopic Therapies.

With advancing endoscopic technology and screening protocols for Barrett disease, more patients are being diagnosed with early-stage esophageal cancer. These early-stage patients may be amendable to endoscopic therapies, such as endomucosal resection and ablation. These therapies may minimize morbidity, but the elevated risk of recurrence cannot be overlooked.

Fighting Fire With Fire: Oncolytic Virotherapy for Thoracic Malignancies.

Thoracic malignancies are associated with high mortality rates. Conventional therapy for many of the patients with thoracic malignancies is obviated by a high incidence of locoregional recurrence and distant metastasis. Fortunately, developments in immunotherapy provide effective strategies for both local and systemic treatments that have rapidly advanced during the last decade.

Intrapleural interleukin-2-expressing oncolytic virotherapy enhances acute antitumor effects and T-cell receptor diversity in malignant pleural disease.

Objective: The mainstay of treatment for patients with malignant pleural disease is fluid drainage and systemic therapy. A tumor-specific oncolytic virus or T-cell-activating interleukin-2 immunotherapy may provide an opportunity for local control. We previously developed a vaccinia virus-expressing interleukin-2, an oncolytic virus that mediated tumor regression in preclinical peritoneal tumor models with expansion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.

Early Distant Recurrence in Patients With Resected Stage I Lung Cancer: A Case Series of "Blast Metastasis".

Background: The standard of care in the management of stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been anatomic lung resection with multistation lymph node sampling of ≥ 10 lymph nodes. The 5-year survival for NSCLC has ranged from 73% to 93% (for stage IB and stage IA, respectively) and will be more favorable for patients with fewer comorbidities and those with a higher state of premorbid functioning and who undergo surgical resection. Despite the positive prognosis for operable stage I NSCLC, a subset of patients will develop metastatic disease within as few as 12 months after resection.

Delayed Chylothorax during Treatment of Follicular Lymphoma with a Malignant Pleural Effusion.

Chylothorax occurs following dysfunction or disruption of the lymphatic drainage along the thoracic duct. Malignant and traumatic causes account for the majority of these occurrences, with lymphoma accounting for 11-37% of chylothoraces. The clinical course of chylothorax may include dehydration, malnutrition, immunosuppression, electrolyte disturbances, infection, and ultimately death.

Surgical Techniques for Robotically-Assisted Laparoscopic Paraesophageal Hernia Repair.

The surgical approach to giant paraesophageal hernia repair has evolved considerably, from an open approach to minimally invasive approaches. Laparoscopic and robotic-assisted approaches to giant paraesophageal hernia have been considered safe and are associated with less morbidity and mortality. Limited data exist comparing the efficacy between laparoscopic and robotic-assisted giant paraesophageal hernia repairs, but the benefits of robotic surgery include superior optics and freedom of motion, thus allowing surgeons to accomplish the key points in a successful repair without compromising patient outcomes.

Making cold malignant pleural effusions hot: driving novel immunotherapies.

Malignant pleural effusions, arising from either primary mesotheliomas or secondary malignancies, heralds advanced disease and poor prognosis. Current treatments, including therapeutic thoracentesis and tube thoracostomy, are largely palliative. The immunosuppressive environment within the pleural cavity includes myeloid derived suppressor cells, T-regulatory cells, and dysfunctional T cells.

Annuloaortic ectasia in a patient with congenital absence of the left pericardium.

We report a patient with congenital absence of the left pericardium with development of progressive annuloaortic ectasia and aortic insufficiency during a 12-year period. The patient was treated with a Bentall procedure. Pathologic examination of the aorta revealed cystic medial necrosis.