Video-assisted thoracic surgery for spontaneous pneumothorax under two-lung ventilation and single-lumen endotracheal tube intubation.

Background: This study investigated the feasibility of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) performed under two-lung ventilation (TLV) and single-lumen endotracheal tube (SLET) intubation in patients with spontaneous pneumothorax.

Methods: From January 2016 to December 2019, 344 patients who underwent VATS with spontaneous pneumothorax, whether primary or secondary, were enrolled. The surgery was performed through TLV using SLET intubation or one-lung ventilation (OLV) using double-lumen endotracheal tube (DLET) intubation.

Outcome of massive pulmonary embolism treated only with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and anticoagulation without thrombolytic therapy or surgical embolectomy.

Introduction: Although thrombolytic therapy is the standard treatment for massive pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE), it is often ineffective in patients with circulatory collapse. Surgical embolectomy is another treatment option, but whether it is absolutely necessary is controversial. We sought to evaluate the outcomes of patients with massive PTE treated with intensive critical care including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) without thrombolytic therapy or surgical embolectomy.

Delayed Sternal Closure Using a Vacuum-Assisted Closure System in Adult Cardiac Surgery.

Background: Delayed sternal closure (DSC) is a useful option for patients with intractable bleeding and hemodynamic instability due to prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass and a preoperative bleeding tendency. Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) has been widely used for sternal wound problems, but only rarely for DSC, and its efficacy for mediastinal drainage immediately after cardiac surgery has not been well established. Therefore, we evaluated the usefulness of DSC using VAC in adult cardiac surgery.

Viscum pleurodesis is as effective as talc pleurodesis and tends to have less adverse effect.

Purpose: Many patients diagnosed with advanced cancer have malignant pleural effusion that does not respond to chemotherapy or radiation therapy. These patients often have respiratory symptoms, especially dyspnea. In order to relieve these symptoms, various procedures including chemical pleurodesis have been performed.

Long-Term Survival after Wide Resection of Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma of the Chest Wall.

Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of the chest wall is extremely rare and is characterized by aggressive features, including a high incidence of local recurrence and distant metastasis. Surgical resection of the chest wall is the primary modality of management. However, surgical treatment is not generally recommended in patients with evidence of distant metastasis.

A laceration of left internal mammary artery caused by an amateur golfer's swing.

We report the rare case of a patient presenting with a spontaneous laceration of left internal mammary artery (LIMA) after playing golf. The patient had no specific history except for cardiac surgery, and there were no results that caused bleeding on preoperative examination. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest demonstrated an anterior mediastinal hematoma and a left hemothorax with active extravasation close to LIMA.

Collaborative treatment of huge intrathoracic meningoceles associated with neurofibromatosis type 1: a case report.

Background: An intrathoracic meningocele is a relatively rare disease, and it commonly accompanies neurofibromatosis type 1. Patients tend to have no symptom but if its size is too large and compresses a lung and neighboring organs, it needs shunt drainage or surgical resection.

Case Presentation: Herein, we present the case of a 52 year-old female patient with huge intrathoracic meningoceles associated with neurofibromatosis type 1, who has complained about chest discomfort and dyspnea at rest.

Thoracoscopic Bilateral Bullectomy for Simultaneously Developed Bilateral Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax: Ipsilateral Transmediastinal versus Bilateral Sequential Approach.

 Simultaneously developed bilateral primary spontaneous pneumothorax (BPSP) is an indication for thoracic surgery of both sides. Recently, we have reported a new technique for BPSP, which is ipsilateral apicoposterior transmediastinal (TM) bullectomy of both sides using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), and we compared this TM VATS with bilateral sequential (BS) VATS for BPSP.  From June 2003 to May 2014, 11 and 14 patients were performed VATS TM and BS bullectomy for BPSP, respectively.

Prediction of postoperative lung function in patients undergoing lung resection: dual-energy perfusion computed tomography versus perfusion scintigraphy.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of dual-energy perfusion computed tomography (CT) for predicting postoperative lung function in patients undergoing lung resection.

Methods: Fifty-one patients (38 men, 13 women; mean age, 63.8 years) were prospectively enrolled and subsequently underwent dual-energy CT, perfusion scintigraphy, a pulmonary function test before surgery, and a pulmonary function test 6 months after surgery.

Gene encoding prolactin in cinnamon clownfish Amphiprion melanopus and its expression upon acclimation to low salinities.

Background: Prolactin (PRL) is a key hormone for osmoregulation in fish. Levels of PRL in the pituitary gland and plasma ion composition of clownfish seem to change to regulate their hydromineral balance during adaptation to waters of different salinities. In order to understand osmoregulatory mechanism and its association with growth performance and PRL in fish, the gene encoding PRL and its expression level in cinnamon clownfish Amphiprion melanopus upon acclimation to low salinity was analyzed.

Effects of pneumoperitoneum and position changes on blood pressure variability and heart rate variability during laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy.

Background: This study was designed to assess the effects of pneumoperitoneum and positional changes on the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) patients.

Methods: Systolic blood pressures and R-R interval were recorded for 5 minutes in 22 patients, and then power spectral analyses were conducted to evaluate the ANS. The following variables were measured at various positions: preinduction (BASE), prepneumoperitoneum (PREPP), pneumoperitoneum at head-down (PP), normoperitoneum at supine (POSTPP).

Hybrid palliation for right atrial isomerism associated with obstructive total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage.

A twenty-four-day-old girl, who was prematurely born at 36 weeks of gestation, and weighed 2.2 kg, and diagnosed with right atrial isomerism, functionally single ventricle, bilateral superior vena cava (SVC) and obstructive supracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage (TAPVD) draining to the junction between the right SVC and the right atrium, underwent a hybrid procedure in the operating room, which consisted of pulmonary artery banding, ductus ligation and stenting of the draining vein of TAPVD. Obstruction at the drainage site of TAPVD was initially relieved after stenting, but, one month after the procedure, the distal end of the stent became stenotic and she received bilateral sutureless repair of TAPVD.