[Successful Closure of Postpneumonectomy Bronchopleural Fistula with Inserting Technique of Omental Pedicle Flap into the Right Main Bronchus:Report of a Case].

A 67-year-old male was admitted to our hospital for the treatment of pyothorax due to bronchopleural fistula at right main bronchus after pneumonectomy for lung cancer( squamous cell carcinoma, pathological stageⅢB). After tube drainage and fenestration, we performed operation to close large diameter fistula, that was almost fully opened stump of the right main bronchus. Omental flap was sutured roughly to the fistula with four stiches and inserted into the bronchus lumen, and covered with latissimus dorsi muscle flap to fix omental pedicle flap and additionally performed thoracoplasty to close the residual space of the pleural cavity.

[The Successful Reduction of Resected Lung Volume for Intralobar Pulmonary Sequestration with Infrared Thoracoscope].

A 59-year-old male patient was referred to our hospital for further examinations and treatment due to an abnormal shadow detected in his left lower lung lobe on computed tomography. The patient was diagnosed with intralobar pulmonary sequestration and scheduled for an operation. During the surgery, after resection of the aberrant artery, indocyanine green was intravenously injected, and the border between normal lung and sequestrated lung was clearly identified by an infrared thoracoscope.

[Metastases in the Lung and Mediastinal Lymph Nodes from Breast Cancer 28 Years after the First Operation:Report of a Case].

A 76-year-old woman was pointed out a small nodule in the right lower lung lobe on a chest computed tomography( CT) for follow-up examinations of malignant thyroid lymphoma. Although she had undergone a radical mastectomy for right breast cancer 28 years previously, the nodule was suspected to be either metastatic lymphoma or primary lung cancer and thoracoscopic surgery was planned to perform. Since the intraoperative frozen section diagnosis was adenocarcinoma, right lower lobectomy and systemic lymph node dissection were performed.

[Early Resuming of Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis on the Following Day After Surgery for Pleuroperitoneal Communication:Report of a Case].

A 72-year-old man was introduced continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) for chronic renal failure. Five months later, he was pointed out a massive right pleural effusion. Being diagnosed with pleuroperitoneal communication, he was referred to our department for surgery.

Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors as first-line treatment for postoperative recurrent EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma: a multi-institutional retrospective study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyse the long-term survival outcomes and prognostic factors of patients receiving epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) as first-line treatment for postoperative recurrent EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma.

Methods: Using a multi-institutional database, we performed a retrospective chart review to identify all patients who had undergone complete resection of stage I-III EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma at 11 acute care hospitals between 2009 and 2016 and had received first-line EGFR-TKI treatment for postoperative recurrence. Adverse events, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were investigated.

A new technique to detect communication sites for pleuroperitoneal communication.

Pleuroperitoneal communication is one of the complications for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Communication sites, such as defects or bleb-like lesions, are found in the diaphragm, but it is sometimes difficult to detect these sites. We combined the infrared thoracoscopy and negative pressure technique to detect communication sites.

Staged removal of artificial patches for thoracic empyema after extrapleural pneumonectomy for diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma.

A 69-year-old man with occupational exposure to asbestos was referred to our hospital with right diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma. He underwent extrapleural pneumonectomy with reconstruction of the pericardium and diaphragm using elongated polytetrafluoroethylene patches, followed by postoperative chemotherapy and chest wall irradiation. One year later, he was hospitalized because of a right empyema caused by Escherichia coli infection.

[Successful Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Pleural Empyema by Closing Bronchopleural Fistula with Cyanoacrylate Products].

A 69-year-old man had experienced right upper lobectomy for inflammatory granuloma. Three months after surgery, he was diagnosed with pleural empyema due to bronchopleural fistula and open window thoracostomy was performed. Since we could not decrease the dead space and the amount of pleural effusion, we introduced negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT).

[Surgery for Right Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation with Recurrent Brain Abscess:Report of a Case].

A 68-year-old man was referred to our hospital for further examination for chest abnormal shadow in the right lung field. He had a past history of subarachnoid hemorrhage. He was diagnosed with pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) and recommended early treatment, but he didnot accept immediate surgical treatment.

Bronchoscopic Surgery for a Solitary Tracheal Tumor of Tracheobronchopathia Osteochondroplastica.

Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica is a rare benign condition in which multiple cartilaginous or bony submucosal nodules project into the trachea or bronchi. A 71-year-old man complained of cough for 3 months. Computed tomography scanning revealed a calcified tracheal tumor near the tracheal bifurcation.

Resected case of giant cystic thymoma with spontaneous intracystic hemorrhage.

Background: Spontaneous intracystic hemorrhage of cystic thymoma is very rare. We encountered a patient with giant cystic thymoma with spontaneous intracystic hemorrhage and successfully resected the thymoma.

Case Presentation: A 38-year-old man was referred to our hospital with chest pain.

Lobectomy for Lung Cancer With Congenital Pericardial Defect.

A congenital complete pericardial defect is a rare and often asymptomatic condition that may be diagnosed intraoperatively. While performing lung lobectomy in patients with this condition, surgeons must exercise more caution than with standard lobectomies. Additional points of consideration include the use of surgical instruments to ensure a clear operative field, vascular treatment for pulmonary veins, confirmation of the phrenic nerve location, and determination of the need to repair the pericardial defect.

Development of novel force-limiting grasping forceps with a simple mechanism.

Objectives: In endoscopic surgery, fragile tissues may be damaged by the application of excessive force. Thus, we developed novel endoscopic forceps with a simple force-limiting mechanism.

Methods: The novel forceps were constructed with a leaf spring, and the spring thickness determines grasping pressure.

Development of a socket-type rib coaptation device made of poly-L-lactide fibers: feasibility study in a canine model.

Background: Costal coaptation pins made of poly-L-lactide (PLA) are clinically available for fixing surgically divided ribs. However, the clinical results of such rib fixation have not been completely satisfactory. We aimed to develop a new rib coaptation socket system and explore its clinical applicability.

Development of a novel tissue-engineered nitinol frame artificial trachea with native-like physical characteristics.

Background: Tracheal reconstruction is complicated by the short length to which a trachea can be resected. We previously developed a biocompatible polypropylene frame artificial trachea, but it lacked the strength and flexibility of the native trachea. In contrast, nitinol may provide these physical characteristics.

A novel suction-based lung-stabilizing device for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical procedures.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has become more commonly used in recent years. To provide a sufficient field of view during these procedures, surgeons must manipulate the lung using conventional devices such as cotton-tipped medical applicators and graspers. However, medical applicators are unable to pull on the target lung lobes, and graspers can damage the lung tissue.

Three-dimensional Navigation for Thoracoscopic Sublobar Resection Using a Novel Wireless Marking System.

We developed a novel localization technique for small intrapulmonary lesions using radiofrequency identification (RFID) technology. Micro-RFID markers with nickel-titanium coils were designed to be placed from subsegmental bronchi to the peripheral parenchyma. In this preclinical study, thoracoscopic subsegmentectomy of a canine pseudotumor model was performed to demonstrate the feasibility and three-dimensional positional accuracy of the system.

Thoracoscopic partial resection without using a stapler. (complete republication).

Thoracoscopic partial pulmonary resection for small peripheral nodules without using a stapler has been introduced to our hospital. After partial resection was performed with electrocautery, two different methods of surface sealing were used: a coagulation method (C method) with Soft Coagulation alone, and a coagulation-suturing method (CS method) with Soft Coagulation combined with continuous suturing. The clinical outcomes of the two methods were retrospectively compared in this study.

Development of a novel lung-stabilizing device for VATS procedures.

Background: The use of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has substantially increased in recent years. These procedures involve the insertion of specialized devices into the thoracic cavity via access ports. However, conventional devices such as cotton-tipped applicators and graspers can limit the field of view and injure the fragile lung tissue.

Localizing small lung lesions in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery via radiofrequency identification marking.

Background: To facilitate accurate localization of small lung lesions in thoracoscopic surgery, we employed a micro-radiofrequency identification tag designed to be delivered through the 2-mm working channel of a flexible bronchoscope. This report presents the results of preclinical studies of our novel localizing technique in a canine model.

Methods: To evaluate functional placement, three types of tags [Group A, tag alone (n = 18); Group B, tag + resin anchor (n = 15); and Group C, tag + NiTi coil anchor (n = 15)] were bronchoscopically placed in subpleural areas and subsegmental bronchi via our new delivery device; tags were examined radiographically on days 0-7 and day 14.

Clinical experience of sleeve lobectomy with bronchoplasty using a continuous absorbable barbed suture.

Anastomosis in bronchoplasty is usually performed using interrupted sutures, which are considered safe, reliable, and secure. However, placing interrupted sutures can be complex and time-consuming. There have been recent reports of continuous suturing using standard suture materials in bronchoplasty.

Clinical relevance of decreased oxygen saturation during 6-min walk test in preoperative physiologic assessment for lung cancer surgery.

Objective: The Japanese Association for Chest Surgery (JACS) has released guidelines on preoperative physiologic assessment for lung cancer surgery. However, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), which is recommended for patients with poor pulmonary function, is available only in limited institutions. We investigated the possibility of 6-min walk test (6MWT) as a substitute of maximum oxygen consumption test (VO(2)max) on preoperative physiologic assessment for lung cancer surgery.

A resected case of solitary pulmonary capillary hemangioma showing pure ground glass opacity.

A 53-year-old Japanese woman was referred to our hospital for pure ground glass opacity (GGO) in the left upper lung on computed tomography. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography revealed no abnormal uptake in the lesion. After 4 months of follow-up, we strongly suspected the lesion to be a bronchioloalveolar carcinoma and decided to perform a surgery for diagnosis.