A new thoracoscopic technique for pulmonary lobectomies.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for pulmonary lobectomies has recently been introduced as a minimally invasive technique for selected patients. Herein I describe an original technique, which allows for lobectomies under the direct vision of a surgeon respecting the principles that are the basis of the thoracoscopic techniques. The originality of the technique consists in the supine position of the patient and the use of a modified retractor for lower lobectomies.

Thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis: outcome, clinical and pathological correlations in 197 patients on a 20-year experience.

We studied 197 patients with thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis (T-MG) to identify variables that can influence the natural history of the disease and the therapeutical approaches. Multivariate analysis showed that neither clinical nor pathological variables were associated with a better chance to reach complete stable remission. The video-assisted thoracoscopic extended thymectomy (VATET) was not significantly correlated with a lower chance of achieving complete stable remission compared with the classical transsternal approach (T-3b) (p=0.

Superior vena cava replacement in thymic tumours treated with radio-chemotherapy.

From 1987 to 2000 108 patients were operated on for thymic tumours. Two of these underwent replacement of the superior vena cava with polytetrafluoroethylene prostheses because the tumours invaded the superior vena cava. One of these was affected by myasthenia gravis, and was treated preoperatively with concurrent radio-chemotherapy and lymphocytopheresis.

Tuberous sclerosis with pulmonary involvement. A rare cause of bilateral pneumothorax. A case report.

The authors report a case of bilateral pneumothorax observed in a 25-year-old woman affected by tuberous sclerosis with pulmonary involvement. The singular epidemiological, histopathological, physiopathological, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of the rare pulmonary localisation of this heredofamilial disease are discussed. Finally, they suggest performing a pleurodesis with a videothoracoscopic method.