Operative Planning in Thoracic Surgery: A Pilot Study Comparing Imaging Techniques and Three-Dimensional Printing.

Background: Careful preoperative planning in thoracic surgery is essential for positive outcomes, especially in video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), where palpation and 3-dimensional (3D) imaging is restricted. This study evaluated the ability of different imaging techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) scanning, maximal intensity projection imaging, 3D reconstruction, and 3D printing, to define the anatomy of the hilar structures before anatomical lung resection.

Methods: All patients undergoing elective lung resections by VATS for cancer under a single surgeon were identified over a 3-month period.

The Requirement of Sutures to Close Intercostal Drains Site Wounds in Thoracic Surgery.

Background: Chest drains are used routinely in thoracic surgery. Often a pursestring or mattress suture is used to facilitate closure of the defect on removal of the drain. This stitch can cause an unsightly scar, increase drain removal pain, and necessitate that the patient attend a community health care center to have this removed.

A lateral costal artery complicating video-assisted thorascopic surgery (VATS) pleurectomy.

The lateral costal artery is a rare variant arising from the internal thoracic artery (ITA). It has been associated with steel syndrome after coronary artery bypass using the ITA as a conduit. Clinically, it is under-reported in the literature.

Simulator Teaching of Cardiopulmonary Bypass Complications: A Prospective, Randomized Study.

Objective: Complications of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are rare, but life-threatening events that need prompt and rehearsed actions involving a team. This is not adequately taught to cardiothoracic surgical trainees. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge of cardiothoracic trainees required to manage these events after simulation-based vs.