Preoperative serum lactate dehydrogenase level as a predictor of major complications following thoracoscopic lobectomy: a propensity-adjusted analysis.

Objectives: Despite the positive effects of a thoracoscopic approach on improving postoperative outcomes, the risk of major complications following thoracoscopic lobectomy is not negligible. We sought to assess the usefulness of the preoperative determination of serum biomarkers to refine risk stratification in this patient population.

Methods: From 2009 to 2017, 626 patients (285 women, 341 men; median age: 67 years) underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy or anatomical segmentectomy for confirmed or suspected early-stage lung cancer or metastasis at our institution.

Impact of comorbidity burden on morbidity following thoracoscopic lobectomy: a propensity-matched analysis.

Background: Given the positive effect of a thoracoscopic approach on improving postoperative outcomes, it is reasonable to speculate whether an increased comorbidity burden is related to higher morbidity following thoracoscopic lobectomy. We sought to evaluate the impact of comorbidity burden on adverse postoperative outcomes in this patient population.

Methods: A retrospective review of our institutional database included 512 patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from 2009 through 2016.

American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status facilitates risk stratification of elderly patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy.

Objectives: Accurate risk assessments are particularly important for elderly patients being considered for lobectomy. Considering the positive effects of the thoracoscopic approach on postoperative outcomes, we sought to review the reliability of the established risk factors for elderly patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy.

Methods: From January 2009 to March 2016, 441 patients in our institution underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy for early-stage lung cancer.

Increased cFLIP expression in thymic epithelial tumors blocks autophagy via NF-κB signalling.

The anti-apoptotic cellular FLICE-like inhibitory protein cFLIP plays a pivotal role in normal tissues homoeostasis and the development of many tumors, but its role in normal thymus (NT), thymomas and thymic carcinomas (TC) is largely unknown. Expression, regulation and function of cFLIP were analyzed in biopsies of NT, thymomas, thymic squamous cell carcinomas (TSCC), thymic epithelial cells (TECs) derived thereof and in the TC line 1889c by qRT-PCR, western blot, shRNA techniques, and functional assays addressing survival, senescence and autophagy. More than 90% of thymomas and TSCCs showed increased cFLIP expression compared to NT.

[Functional Outcome after Chest Wall Stabilisation].

This overview reviews the current literature to compare the functional results after surgical and conservative treatment of patients with flail chest and multiple rib fractures. Regarding functional aspects, patients in the early phase after a thoracic trauma are those that benefit most from the stabilisation of the chest wall by internal fixation of the ribs. Patients recover faster from restrictive respiratory disorders, have less pain and return to the workplace earlier after an operation compared with those that receive conservative treatment.