Assessment of node dissection for clinical stage I primary lung cancer by VATS.

Objective: The feasibility of systematic node dissection (SND) for stage I primary lung cancer by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of SND by VATS.

Methods: Four hundred and eleven patients with clinical stage I primary lung cancer were enrolled in this study.

Avoiding chest tube placement after video-assisted thoracoscopic wedge resection of the lung.

Objective: A chest tube is usually placed in the pleural cavity after wedge resection of the lung, even after thoracoscopic procedures. The aim of this study was to determine the validity and safety of postoperative management without chest tube placement for patients undergoing thoracoscopic wedge resection of the lung.

Methods: Between 1998 and 2002, 93 patients underwent thoracoscopic wedge resection of the lung.

Prognostic factors for myasthenic crisis after transsternal thymectomy in patients with myasthenia gravis.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess which clinical features of patients with myasthenia gravis predict postoperative respiratory problems due to myasthenic crisis after transsternal thymectomy.

Methods: One hundred twenty-two patients who underwent transsternal thymectomy in our institute were analyzed retrospectively. Fourteen of those experienced myasthenic crisis and required prolonged (48 hours or more) postoperative mechanical ventilation.

The use of a lateral stabilizer increases the incidence of wound trouble following the Nuss procedure.

Background: A lateral stabilizer has been used to prevent bar displacement during the Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum repair in pediatric patients. We experienced wound troubles in patients who had a stabilizer placed within them. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a lateral stabilizer and other clinical factors on wound troubles after the Nuss procedure.

Retroperitoneal bronchogenic cyst: a case report.

A 46-year-old woman presented with a 1-year history of progressive left-arm numbness. A cyst below the left hemidiaphragm was discovered incidentally when a CT scan was performed to examine the thymus for a suspected tumor. A thymic mass was found.