Outcomes of single- versus multi-port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: Data from a multicenter randomized controlled trial of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery versus thoracotomy for lung cancer.

Objectives: Surgery through a single port may be less painful because access is supplied by 1 intercostal nerve or more painful because multiple instruments are used in 1 port. We analyzed data collected from the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery group of a randomized controlled trial to compare differences in pain up to 1 year.

Methods: Groups were compared in a prespecified exploratory analysis using direct (regression) and indirect comparison (difference with respect to thoracotomy).

Study protocol for VIdeo assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy versus conventional Open LobEcTomy for lung cancer, a UK multicentre randomised controlled trial with an internal pilot (the VIOLET study).

Introduction: Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide and surgery remains the main treatment for early stage disease. Prior to the introduction of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), lung resection for cancer was undertaken through an open thoracotomy. To date, the evidence base supporting the different surgical approaches is based on non-randomised studies, small randomised trials and is focused mainly on short-term in-hospital outcomes.

Single-Port Thoracoscopic Pericardial Window Under Local Anesthesia.

There are numerous surgical approaches for the treatment of pericardial effusions but no clear consensus of best management. We present a 44-year-old woman with metastatic breast cancer presenting with a new 2-cm pericardial effusion on ultrasound. In light of the patient's palliative condition and the urgent need for chemotherapy, careful consideration was made for her surgical drainage of the pericardial effusion.

Increasing frequency of non-smoking lung cancer: Presentation of patients with early disease to a tertiary institution in the UK.

Background: Never-smokers with lung cancer often present late as there are no established aetiological risk factors. The aim of the study is to define the frequency over time and characterise clinical features of never-smokers presenting sufficiently early to determine if it is possible to identify patients at risk.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed data from a prospectively collected database of patients who underwent surgery.

Detection of Circulating Tumour Cells and Survival of Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

Background: Detection of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in the peripheral blood of lung cancer patients may predict survival. Various platforms exist that allow capture of these cells for further analysis; little work however, has been done with the ScreenCell device, an antibody-independent CTC platform. The aim of our study was to evaluate the ScreenCell device for detection of CTCs in lung cancer patients and to establish correlations of these findings with survival.

Selection for adjuvant chemotherapy in completely resected stage I non-small cell lung cancer: external validation of a Chinese prognostic risk model.

Background: The ability to sub-stratify survival within stage I is an important consideration as it is assumed that survival is heterogeneous within this sub-group. Liang et al. recently published a nomogram to predict post-operative survival in patients undergoing lung cancer surgery.

The mediastinal staging accuracy of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglycose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in non-small cell lung cancer with variable time intervals to surgery.

Background: PET/CT scanning can determine suitability for curative therapy and inform decision making when considering radical therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Metastases to central mediastinal lymph nodes (N2) may alter such management decisions. We report a 2 year retrospective series assessing N2 lymph node staging accuracy with PET/CT compared to pathological analysis at surgery.

Concomitant mitral valve surgery with aortic valve replacement: a 21-year experience with a single mechanical prosthesis.

Background: Long-term survival for combined aortic and mitral valve replacement appears to be determined by the mitral valve prosthesis from our previous studies. This 21-year retrospective study assess long-term outcome and durability of aortic valve replacement (AVR) with either concomitant mitral valve replacement (MVR) or mitral valve repair (MVrep). We consider only a single mechanical prosthesis.

Plasma fibrinogen and serum C-reactive protein are associated with non-small cell lung cancer.

Objectives: There is an association between coagulation and lung cancer. Therefore, pre-operative plasma fibrinogen and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration were assessed to determine their association with tumour characteristics and to ascertain any role in patient selection for curative resection.

Methods: These parameters were compared with tumour size, pTNM stage, and possibility of complete resection in 93 patients with non-small cell lung cancer who underwent surgical resection.