The Role of Endobronchial Ultrasound for Mediastinal Staging in Mesothelioma.

Background: Invasive mediastinal staging is a crucial component of the preoperative evaluation for potential surgical candidates with pleural mesothelioma (PM). Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) is less invasive than mediastinoscopy for staging; however, its accuracy in patients with PM remains undefined. We present our institutional experience with EBUS staging in patients with PM.

Empiric flap coverage for the pneumonectomy stump: How protective is it? A single-institution cohort study.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of empiric tissue flaps on bronchopleural fistula (BPF) rates after pneumonectomy.

Methods: Patients who underwent pneumonectomy between January 2001 and December 2019 were included. Primary end point was development of BPF.

Thoracoscopic Radial Diaphragm Plication.

In appropriately selected patients diaphragm plication improves quality of life by alleviating dyspnea and allowing patients to return to their routine activities. Many plication techniques exist, but the optimal surgical approach remains unclear. We report our experience with a minimally invasive radial diaphragm plication technique.

Pleurabrade: A Spiral Brush for Mechanical Pleurodesis and a Review of the Literature.

 While the optimal treatment for primary spontaneous pneumothorax remains unclear, mechanical pleurodesis is a well-established treatment. The Pleurabrade is a spiral brush designed for mechanical pleurodesis during thoracoscopy. We present two patients who underwent mechanical pleurodesis with the Pleurabrade.

Effect of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation transport on short- and long-term survival in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has emerged as an important tool in the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The creation of portable ECMO circuits and pumps has supported the development of interfacility ECMO programs. Prior studies have demonstrated that ECMO transport is safe; however, long-term outcomes for these patients remain unknown.

High complication and revision rates after total femoral replacement: a retrospective single center analysis of indication, function, and complication.

Introduction: Total femoral replacement (TFR) is a limb salvage procedure performed for large bony defects. However, it is often associated with major complications and reduced function. Data on limb preservation rates and functional outcomes after TFR are limited.

Effect of Femoral Antetorsion on Tibiofemoral Translation and Rotation in the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Deficient Knee.

We aimed to investigate how increased or decreased femoral antetorsion would affect the biomechanics of the knee in an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient cadaveric model. We hypothesized that external or internal rotation of the distal femur, achieved through a femoral osteotomy, would affect the magnitude of tibiofemoral translation and rotation. Navigated measurements of tibiofemoral translation and rotation during the anterior drawer, Lachman, and pivot shift tests were performed on six whole-body cadaveric specimens in each of the following four conditions: native, ACL-deficient knee, ACL-deficient knee and 20-degree internal distal femur rotation, and ACL-deficient knee and 20-degree external distal femur rotation.

Timing of ECMO Initiation Impacts Survival in Influenza-Associated ARDS.

In the past decade, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has emerged as an innovative therapy for influenza-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Despite its promising results, the ideal timing of ECMO initiation for these patients remains unclear. Retrospective analysis of a single institution experience with venovenous ECMO for influenza-induced ARDS was performed.

Selective roles for antiapoptotic MCL-1 during granulocyte development and macrophage effector function.

During hematopoiesis, myeloid cell leukemia-1 (MCL-1) mediates the survival of bone marrow progenitors and lymphocytes. However, its requirement during myeloid cell differentiation, development, and effector function is less clear. Lineage-specific deletion of MCL-1 in myeloid precursors results in neutropenia due to death during differentiation.