Risk factors and short-term outcomes of postoperative pulmonary complications after VATS lobectomy.

Background: Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are associated with poor outcomes following thoracotomy and lung resection. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for lobectomy is now frequently utilised as an alternative to thoracotomy, however patients remain at risk for development of PPC. There is little known of the short-term outcome associated with PPC following VATS lobectomy and if there are any potential risk factors that could be modified to prevent PPC development; our study aimed to investigate this.

Smoking and timing of cessation on postoperative pulmonary complications after curative-intent lung cancer surgery.

Background: Smoking is a risk factor for postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC) following non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) surgery. The optimal timing for preoperative smoking cessation has not been identified. Our study aimed to observe the impact of preoperative smoking cessation on PPC incidence and other postoperative outcomes including long-term survival.

Postoperative pulmonary complications and rehabilitation requirements following lobectomy: a propensity score matched study of patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery versus thoracotomy†.

Objectives: : Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical (VATS) lobectomy is increasingly used for curative intent lung cancer surgery compared to open thoracotomy due to its minimally invasive approach and associated benefits. However, the effects of the VATS approach on postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC), rehabilitation and physiotherapy requirements are unclear; our study aimed to use propensity score matching to investigate this.

Methods: Between January 2012 and January 2016 all consecutive patients undergoing lobectomy via thoracotomy or VATS were prospectively observed.

A 20-year review of pectus surgery: an analysis of factors predictive of recurrence and outcomes.

Objectives: Only a few studies report the long-term outcomes following repair of pectus excavatum (PE) and pectus carinatum (PC). Predictors of recurrence after surgery are important in this group of young patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the short- and long-term outcomes of both PE and PC and identify factors associated with postoperative complications and pectus recurrence.

Pectus patient information website has improved access to care and patient reported outcomes.

Background: Pectus is the most common congenital disorder. Awareness amongst primary care physicians and the general public is poor. NHS commissioning bodies plan to withdraw funding for this surgery because they deem a lack of sufficient evidence of benefit.

A case of a retained drain tip following intercostal drain insertion: avoiding a 'never event'.

Pleural effusions are commonly drained with Seldinger intercostal drains. One uncommon but serious risk of drain insertion is that of a foreign body being retained in the pleural cavity following removal. We report a case in which the tip of the drain was retained in the pleural space following difficult insertion of a Seldinger intercostal drain in a district general hospital.

Long-term impact of developing a postoperative pulmonary complication after lung surgery.

Introduction: Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC) such as atelectasis and pneumonia are common following lung resection. PPCs have a significant clinical impact on postoperative morbidity and mortality. We studied the long-term effects of PPCs and sought to identify independent risk factors.

A rare association of pulmonary carcinoid, lymphoma, and sjögren syndrome.

Pulmonary carcinoid and pulmonary lymphoma are both rare cancers and are seldom seen together. Cases have been reported of their coexistence in the gastrointestinal tract, but our literature searches only found a single case of their coexistence in the lung. We discuss our case as well as the literature to try to find a connection and explanation for this occurrence.

Effectiveness of incentive spirometry in patients following thoracotomy and lung resection including those at high risk for developing pulmonary complications.

Background: Following thoracotomy, patients frequently receive routine respiratory physiotherapy which may include incentive spirometry, a breathing technique characterised by deep breathing performed through a device offering visual feedback. This type of physiotherapy is recommended and considered important in the care of thoracic surgery patients, but high quality evidence for specific interventions such as incentive spirometry remains lacking.

Methods: 180 patients undergoing thoracotomy and lung resection participated in a prospective single-blind randomised controlled trial.

Proteomic analysis of resectable non-small cell lung cancer: post-resection serum samples may be useful in identifying potential markers.

Surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS) can be used to analyse peptides and proteins in clinical samples. A prospective study was undertaken on patients undergoing curative resection for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): we used SELDI-TOF-MS to compare the proteomic profiles of serum from these patients both before surgical resection and after resection (disease-free) to identify potential biomarkers. Student t-tests were used, and a P-value of <0.

Thopaz Portable Suction Systems in Thoracic Surgery: an end user assessment and feedback in a tertiary unit.

Background: Thoracic surgical patients have chest drains inserted to enable re-expansion of lungs, to clear contents from the pleural cavity which sometimes require negative suction. Suction impedes mobility, may have variable suction delivery and increases risk of infection. Assessment of air-leak in conventional drains is not scientific and is subjective.

Relevant surgical anatomy of the chest wall.

The chest wall, like other regional anatomy, is a remarkable fusion of form and function. Principal functions are the protection of internal viscera and an expandable cylinder facilitating variable gas flow into the lungs. Knowledge of the anatomy of the whole cylinder (ribs, sternum, vertebra, diaphragm, intercostal spaces, and extrathoracic muscles) is therefore not only important in the local environment of a specific chest wall resection but also in its relation to overall function.

Postoperative oncological referral patterns for adjuvant treatment of patients undergoing curative resections for non-small-cell lung cancer at a regional thoracic centre.

Objective: The Heartlands hospital provides services for 13 hospitals in the Pan Birmingham, Three Counties and Arden Lung Cancer Networks. After surgery for lung cancer, patients may be referred for adjuvant chemotherapy. The referral patterns and follow-up of patients differ between the various trusts.

BioGlue and Peri-strips in lung volume reduction surgery: pilot randomised controlled trial.

Background: Both tissue sealants and buttressing have been advocated to reduce alveolar air leaks from staple lines following Lung Volume Reduction Surgery (LVRS). However, the long term detrimental effects of buttressing material are increasingly apparent. We performed a pilot prospective randomised self controlled trial in patients undergoing LVRS comparing BioGlue and Peri-strips as adjuncts in preventing alveolar air-leaks.

Measuring lung water following major lung resection.

Following the acute changes of lung resection surgery, does the ratio of intrathoracic blood volume (ITBV) to global end diastolic volume (GEDV) remain constant? If it does this could validate a single thermo dilution (STD) technique in the measurement of extravascular lung water index (EVLWI) in patients undergoing lung resection surgery. EVLWI was derived using both double dye technique (DDT) and single thermo dilution technique (STD) in four patients undergoing thoracotomy selected for major lung resection surgery. Regular measurements were made for up to 12 h after surgery.

Developments in the management of patients with lung cancer in the United kingdom have improved quality of care.

The management of patients with lung cancer has undergone significant improvement in the last decade in the United Kingdom. The 5-year survival for all patients diagnosed with lung cancer had remained unchanged at 5% over the previous decade, well behind Europe and the United States. Together, government and medical bodies produced guidelines based on best available evidence.

Excision of sympathetic ganglia and the rami communicantes with histological confirmation offers better early and late outcomes in Video assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy.

Background: Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy (VATS) is an established minimally invasive procedure for thoracic sympathetic blockade in patients with hyperhidrosis, facial flushing and intractable angina. Various techniques using clips, diathermy and excision are used to perform sympathectomy. We present our technique of excision of the sympathetic chain with histological proof and the analysis of the early and late outcomes.

Idiopathic primary chylopericardium with associated chylothorax following coronary artery surgery--successful conservative treatment.

A 58-year-old Asian male underwent an uneventful triple coronary bypass that included a pedicled left internal mammary artery (LIMA) graft. On the third postoperative day, following resumption of full oral intake he developed a high output left-sided chylothorax. Initial therapy with a medium chain trigylceride diet and intercostal drainage showed no improvement.

Chest wall and sternal resection and reconstruction.

Chest wall resection is performed for a variety of conditions and has been a complex problem in the past due to intraoperative technical difficulties, surgical complications, and respiratory failure. Advances in the fields of surgery and anaesthesia and the team effort of the involved thoracic and plastic surgeons result in more aggressive resections with good results. The surgical technique of sternal excision and reconstruction with a Marlex methacrylate composite prosthesis as a part of chest wall resection and reconstruction series is described here in this chapter.

Reconstruction of the chest wall and the diaphragm using the inverted Y Marlex methylmethacrylate sandwich flap.

Objective: Chest wall resection and reconstruction is a demanding operation involving a dedicated team. It can be performed with minimal mortality with excellent cosmetic and functional results using various substitutes. However, reconstructing the lower costal margin with diaphragmatic resection is a challenging prospect needing special techniques.