National race and socioeconomic disparities in access to minimally invasive lung resection for early-stage lung cancer: Impact on mortality.

Background: Adoption of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is increasing in the United States. We examined the relationship between sociodemographic factors and receipt of MIS among these patients.

Methods: Patients undergoing surgical resection for stage I and II NSCLC between 2010 and 2018 were identified in the National Cancer Database and stratified by surgical approach.

Erratum: Correction of Affiliations in the Article "Outcomes of Patients on the Lung Transplantation Waitlist in Korea: A Korean Network for Organ Sharing Data Analysis".

This corrects the article on p. e294 in vol. 37, PMID: 36281485.

Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomy in Patients with COVID-19 Supported by Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Background: Pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 can cause acute respiratory distress syndrome, often requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation and eventually tracheostomy. Both procedures occur in isolation units where personal protective equipment is needed. Additionally, the high bleeding risk in patients with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) places a great strain on surgeons.

Outcomes of Patients on the Lung Transplantation Waitlist in Korea: A Korean Network for Organ Sharing Data Analysis.

Background: The demand for lung transplants continues to increase in Korea, and donor shortages and waitlist mortality are critical issues. This study aimed to evaluate the factors that affect waitlist outcomes from the time of registration for lung transplantation in Korea.

Methods: Data were obtained from the Korean Network for Organ Sharing for lung-only registrations between September 7, 2009, and December 31, 2020.

Donor Selection, Management, and Procurement for Lung Transplantation.

Lung transplantation is a life-saving procedure in patients with end-stage lung disease. However, it inherently depends on the availability of donor organs. The selection of suitable lungs for transplantation, management of donors to minimize further injury and improve organ function, and safe procurement remain critical for successful transplantation.

Changes in Thoracic Cavity Volume After Bilateral Lung Transplantation.

Purpose: End-stage lung diseases result in anatomical changes of the thoracic cavity. However, very few studies have assessed changes in the thoracic cavity after lung transplantation (LTx). This study aimed to evaluate the relationships between thoracic cavity volume (TCV) changes after LTx and underlying lung disease.

Assessment of textbook outcome after lobectomy for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer in a Korean institution: A retrospective study.

Background: Textbook outcome (TO) has been introduced as a novel composite measure for lung cancer surgery. We investigated TO after lobectomy for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in a Korean tertiary hospital and its prognostic implications for overall survival and recurrence.

Methods: Between January 2012 and December 2017, 418 consecutive patients who underwent lobectomy for clinical stages I and II NSCLC were identified and retrospectively reviewed.

Prognostic Impact of Postoperative Complications in High-Risk Operable Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

Background: Patients with high-risk (HR) operable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) may have unique prognostic factors. This study aimed to evaluate surgical outcomes in HR patients and to investigate prognostic factors in HR patients versus standard-risk (SR) patients.

Methods: In total, 471 consecutive patients who underwent curative lung resection for NSCLC between January 2012 and December 2017 were identified and reviewed retrospectively.

Risk factors for pulmonary complications after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery for non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: We aimed to investigate the characteristics and pretreatment risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) after neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRTx) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data of 122 patients who underwent curative resection after neoadjuvant CRTx for NSCLC between 2007 and December 2019. Clinical data, including pulmonary function and body mass index (BMI) at the time of concurrent CRTx initiation, were analyzed.

The role of postoperative radiotherapy in stage II and III thymoma: a Korean multicenter database study.

Background: Complete resection is a standard treatment for patients with Masaoka-Koga stages II and III thymoma, however the role of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) is controversial. We analyzed data collected from 4 Korean hospitals to determine the effectiveness of PORT in stage II and III thymoma patients.

Methods: Between January 2000 and December 2013, 1,663 patients underwent surgery for thymic tumors at the 4 hospitals.

Characteristics of Lung Allocation and Outcomes of Lung Transplant according to the Korean Urgency Status.

Purpose: We investigated the characteristics of lung allocation and outcomes of lung transplant (LTx) according to the Korean urgency status.

Materials And Methods: LTx registration in the Korean Organ Transplantation Registry (KOTRY) began in 2015. From 2015 to June 2017, 86 patients who received LTx were enrolled in KOTRY.

The lung allocation score could evaluate allocation systems in countries that do not use the score.

Background: Evaluating allocation system effects on lung transplantation and determining systemic flaws is difficult. The purpose of this study was to assess the Korean urgency-based lung allocation system using the lung allocation score.

Methods: We reviewed transplantation patients retrospectively.

Effect of Sarcopenic Overweight on Lung Transplant Based in Three-Dimensional Reconstructed Psoas Muscle Mass.

Background: In lung transplantation, preoperative sarcopenia was reported to be associated with short-term outcomes based on cross-sectional image. This study aimed to investigate the influence of psoas muscle mass (PMM) on the operative outcome and survival using three-dimensional reconstruction of PMM and to evaluate the effect of preoperative sarcopenic overweight on postoperative outcomes and survival.

Methods: A total of 107 patients who underwent double lung transplantation in one institute from January 1, 2014, to June 30, 2017, were enrolled.

Amylase level in cervical drain fluid and anastomotic leakage after cervical oesophagogastrostomy.

Objectives: Anastomotic leakage after oesophageal cancer surgery is a serious complication. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possibility of anastomotic leakage by repeatedly measuring amylase levels in the fluid obtained from the drainage tube inserted at the cervical anastomotic site.

Methods: Ninety-nine patients who underwent oesophagectomy and cervical oesophagogastrostomy between April 2014 and March 2017 were retrospectively reviewed.

Carcinoembryonic antigen predicts waitlist mortality in lung transplant candidates with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Objectives: Elevated serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) has been reported in lung transplant candidates with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, but its association with waitlist mortality is not known. In this study, we evaluated the ability of the serum CEA level to predict waitlist mortality in these patients.

Methods: Fifty-nine patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis who were enrolled as lung transplant candidates between January 2004 and December 2014 were retrospectively reviewed.

Prognostic factors for resected non-small cell lung cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: For diabetic patients with lung cancer, blood glucose levels and medications such as metformin and statins may influence survival.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine prognostic survival factors for diabetic patients with resected non-small cell lung cancer.

Patients And Methods: Between January 2005 and December 2013, 301 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who underwent curative resection for non-small cell lung cancer were identified and reviewed retrospectively.

Transition to routine use of venoarterial extracorporeal oxygenation during lung transplantation could improve early outcomes.

Background: The study objective was to compare the outcomes of intraoperative routine use of venoarterial (VA) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) versus selective use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Methods: Between January 2010 and February 2013, 41 lung transplantations (LTx) were performed, and CPB was used as a primary cardiopulmonary support modality by selective basis (group A). Between March 2013 and December 2014, 41 LTx were performed, and ECMO was used routinely (group B).

Early outcomes of lung transplantation for bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a single-centre experience.

Objectives: Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) is a serious late complication following allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and is associated with chronic graft-versus-host disease. However, the outcome of medical treatment for BOS, mainly immunosuppressive therapy, is disappointing. This study evaluated the early outcomes of lung transplantation (LTx) as a treatment option for severe BOS.

Three-Dimensional Ground Glass Opacity Ratio in CT Images Can Predict Tumor Invasiveness of Stage IA Lung Cancer.

Purpose: We investigated the relationship between various parameters, including volumetric parameters, and tumor invasiveness according to the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC)/American Thoracic Society (ATS)/European Respiratory Society (ERS) classification.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 99 patients with completely resected stage IA lung adenocarcinoma. The correlation between several parameters [one-dimensional ground glass opacity (1D GGO) ratio, two-dimensional (2D) GGO ratio, three-dimensional (3D) GGO ratio, 1D solid size, 2D solid size, and 3D solid size] and tumor invasiveness according to IASLC/ATS/ERS classification was investigated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Safety of thoracoscopic surgery for lung cancer without interruption of anti-platelet agents.

Background: Perioperative bleeding concerns have led to the general recommendation that antiplatelet agents (APAs) be discontinued 7-10 days preoperatively, but this could increase the risk of perioperative cardiovascular events. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the safety of APA continuation during thoracoscopic surgery for lung cancer.

Methods: Between January 2009 and February 2015, 164 patients taking APAs underwent curative resection.

Thoracoscopic Left Cardiac Sympathetic Denervation for a Patient with Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia and Recurrent Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Shocks.

A patient presented with loss of consciousness and conversion. During an exercise test, catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) resulted in cardiac arrest. He started taking medication (a beta-blocker and flecainide) and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) was inserted, but the ventricular tachycardia did not resolve.