Number of Prescription Medications and Overall Survival in Metastatic Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer.

Assessment of comorbid diseases is essential to clinical research and may risk-stratify patients for mortality independent of established methods such as the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). In a retrospective study of U.S.

Lobe-specific lymph node sampling is associated with lower risk of cancer recurrence.

Objective: Adequate intraoperative lymph node (LN) assessment is a critical component of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) resection. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network and the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC) recommend station-based sampling minimums agnostic to tumor location. Other institutions advocate for lobe-specific LN sampling strategies that consider the anatomic likelihood of LN metastases.

Exposure to Agent Orange is associated with increased recurrence after surgical treatment of stage I non-small cell lung cancer.

Objective: Approximately 3 million Americans served in the armed forces during the Vietnam War. Veterans have a higher incidence rate of lung cancer compared with the general population, which may be related to exposures sustained during service. Agent Orange, one of the tactical herbicides used by the armed forces as a means of destroying crops and clearing vegetation, has been linked to the development of several cancers including non-small cell lung cancer.

HeartMate 3 Implantation Through Left Atrial e-PTFE Conduit for Restrictive Cardiomyopathy.

Restrictive or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy presents a challenge to left ventricular assist device placement because of the small left ventricle cavity. Cases have described inflow cannulation of the HeartWare HVAD by expanded polytetrafluoroethylene conduit through the atrial septum to the left atrium. We applied this technique to an adult man with restrictive cardiomyopathy and pulmonary hypertension using the HeartMate 3, which successfully supported the patient and led to significant reduction in pulmonary artery pressure.

Comparison of perioperative outcomes among non-small cell lung cancer patients with neoadjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitor plus chemotherapy, EGFR-TKI, and chemotherapy alone: a real-world evidence study.

Background: The utilization of neoadjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) plus chemotherapy has increased significantly for resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is still unclear whether such a treatment paradigm affects perioperative outcomes compared with other neoadjuvant treatment. We aimed to evaluate the perioperative outcomes of pulmonary resection after neoadjuvant ICI plus chemotherapy and to compare them with neoadjuvant epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI) and neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone for resectable NSCLC.

Minimum Volume Standards for Surgical Care of Early-Stage Lung Cancer: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.

Background: Multiple stakeholders have advocated for minimum volume standards for complex surgical procedures. The Leapfrog Group recommends that patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receive surgical resection at hospitals that perform at least 40 lung resections annually. However, the cost-effectiveness of this paradigm is unknown.

Long-term patient-reported outcomes after non-small cell lung cancer resection.

Objectives: Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are critical tools for evaluating patients before and after lung cancer resection. In this study, we assessed patient-reported pain, dyspnea, and functional status up to 1 year postoperatively.

Methods: This study included patients who underwent surgery for non-small cell lung cancer at a single institution (2017-2020).

Pilot Study of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Patients With Esophageal Cancer After Esophagectomy.

Background: Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are critical measures of patient well-being after esophagectomy. In this pilot study, we assessed PROs before and after esophagectomy using the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) to assess patient recovery after surgery.

Methods: We prospectively collected PROMIS dyspnea severity, physical function, and pain interference measures from patients with esophageal cancer undergoing esophagectomy (2017-2020).

Paradoxical outcome of heart transplantation associated with institutional case volume.

Background: Previous studies in heart transplantation have shown an association between institutional case volume and outcomes. We aim to determine the case volume associated with optimal 1-year survival after transplantation.

Methods And Results: The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) national database was analyzed for adult patients who underwent orthotopic heart transplantation between January 2013 and December 2017.

Routine Collection of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Thoracic Surgery: A Quality Improvement Study.

Background: Patient-reported outcomes are critical for delivering high-quality surgical care, yet they are seldom collected in routine clinical practice. The objective of this quality improvement study was to improve routine patient-reported outcomes collection in a thoracic surgery clinic.

Methods: Thoracic surgery patients at a single academic institution were prospectively monitored from April 2019 to March 2020.

The Impact of Center Volume on Outcomes in Lung Transplantation.

Background: Studies in lung transplantation have shown variable association between hospital volume and clinical outcomes. We aimed to identify the pattern of effect of hospital volume on individual patient survival after lung transplantation.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis using the United Network for Organ Sharing national thoracic organ transplantation database.

Impact of Nighttime Lung Transplantation on Outcomes and Costs.

Background: Previous studies in the field of organ transplantation have shown a possible association between nighttime surgery and adverse outcomes. We aim to determine the impact of nighttime lung transplantation on postoperative outcomes, long-term survival, and overall cost.

Methods: We performed a single-center retrospective cohort analysis of adult lung transplant recipients who underwent transplantation between January 2006 and December 2017.

Assessment of Preoperative Opioid Use Prevalence and Clinical Outcomes in Pulmonary Resection.

Background: Preoperative opioid use is associated with increased health care use after elective abdominal surgery. However, the scope of preoperative opioid use and its association with outcomes have not been described in elective pulmonary resection. This study aimed to characterize prevalent preoperative opioid use in patients undergoing elective pulmonary resection and compare clinical outcomes between patients with and without preoperative opioid exposure.