Visual diagnosis of pectus excavatum: An inter-observer and intra-observer agreement analysis.

Background/purpose: Among patients suspected of pectus excavatum, visual examination is a key aspect of diagnosis and, moreover, guides work-up and treatment strategy. This study evaluated the inter-observer and intra-observer agreement of visual examination and diagnosis of pectus excavatum among experts.

Methods: Three-dimensional surface images of consecutive patients suspected of pectus excavatum were reviewed in a multi-center setting.

Dutch Lung Surgery Audit: A National Audit Comprising Lung and Thoracic Surgery Patients.

Background: The nationwide Dutch Lung Surgery Audit (DLSA) started in 2012 to monitor and evaluate the quality of lung operations in The Netherlands as an improvement tool. This outline describes the establishment, structure, and organization of the audit by the Dutch Society of Lung Surgeons (NVvL) and the Dutch Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons (NVT), in collaboration with the Dutch Institute for Clinical Auditing. In addition, the first 4-year results are presented.

Early removal of the chest tube after complete video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomies.

Objective: Chest tubes induce morbidity such as pain, decrease mobility, increase the risk of infection, and prolong the length of hospital stays. This study evaluates a chest-tube protocol containing a high-drainage threshold and a short time period of drainage.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed with data collected from all elective complete video-assisted thoracoscopic (c-VATS) (bi-)lobectomies between March 2006 and December 2009.