Routine placement of an intercostal chest drain during video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical lung biopsy unnecessarily prolongs in-hospital length of stay in selected patients.

Objective: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical (VATS) lung biopsy is frequently used in the diagnosis of parenchymal lung disease. However, there is still debate over the need for routine use of an intercostal chest drain after this procedure. This study aimed to evaluate the necessity of positioning an intercostal chest drain as an integral part of VATS lung biopsy.

Pseudo-aneurysm formation post apico-aortic conduit.

Apico-aortic conduit (AAC) is an alternative to conventional aortic valve replacement (AVR) in selected high-risk patients. It involves the interposition of a vascular graft with a prosthetic valve from the left ventricular (LV) apex to the descending thoracic aorta. Its use is uncommon but increasing.

Extended duration of brachially inserted intra-aortic balloon pump for myocardial protection in two patients undergoing urgent coronary artery bypass grafting.

Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) provides myocardial protection for patients who are at risk of myocardial injury during cardiac surgery. The haemodynamic support is crucial in patients with significant and critical coronary artery disease undergoing revascularisation procedures. Traditionally, the femoral arterial access is the preferred route for IABP insertion.

Is an intercostal chest drain necessary after video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) lung biopsy?

Background: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical lung biopsy is a frequently performed procedure as an integral part of the diagnostic armamentarium for parenchymal lung disease. However, there is no evidence in the literature concerning the need for an intercostal chest drain after the procedure.

Methods: A prospective randomized control trial was set up to assess the need for intercostal chest drainage after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical lung biopsy.

Is adhesive paper-tape closure of video assisted thoracoscopic port-sites safe?

Video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is used in lung surgery for diagnostic, staging, curative and palliative purposes. The port-sites are usually sutured with dissolvable sutures. The use of adhesive paper-tape for port-site closure was assessed by a prospective randomised double-blind control trial comparing sutured to adhesive paper-tape closure.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the heart.

A 32-year-old man presented with dyspnea, chest pain, palpitations and ankle edema and was found to have a tumor involving the heart. This was diagnosed as malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, a rare sarcoma of the heart. Immunohistochemistry was utilized to establish the diagnosis.