Three-Dimensional Printing Applications in Thoracic Surgery.

Advances in technology allowing the combination of medical imaging and three-dimensional printing have greatly benefitted thoracic surgery, allowing for the creation of complex prostheses. Surgical education is also a significant application of three-dimensional printing, especially for the development of simulation-based training models. Aiming to show how three-dimensional printing can benefit patients and clinicians in thoracic surgery, an optimized method to create patient-specific chest wall prosthesis using three-dimensional printing was developed and clinically validated.

Chest Wall Reconstruction Using 3-Dimensional Printing: Functional and Mechanical Results.

Background: Tumors involving the chest wall may require extensive resection and reconstruction. This study aims to evaluate functional, cosmetic results, and quality of life (QoL) in patients who had a reconstruction based on patient-specific 3-dimensional (3D) printing.

Methods: The patient-specific chest wall prosthesis was created for 10 patients.

Quality of Life in Octogenarians After Lung Resection Compared to Younger Patients.

Introduction: To evaluate postoperative outcome and quality of life (QOL), comparing patients <80 years old to patients ≥ 80.

Patients And Methods: EORTC questionnaires, QLQ-C30 and QLQ-LC13 was used to assess QOL, in patients after surgery. Results were evaluated according to 3 age groups: <70, 70 to 79, and ≥80.

New N1/N2 classification and lobe specific lymphatic drainage: Impact on survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with surgery.

Objective: to validate the proposed N descriptor revision on a large cohort of patients and assess the impact of tumour location on the distribution pattern of lymph node metastases for patients with NSCLC.

Methods: This is a retrospective review of a consecutive series of patients who had anatomical lung resections. Systematic lymph node dissection was done for all patients.

Genomic analysis in short- and long-term patients with malignant pleura mesothelioma treated with palliative chemotherapy.

Background: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive tumour with poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to identify genetic mutations associated with poor or extended survival in patients who received palliative chemotherapy.

Methods: A total of 720 patients diagnosed with MPM between 2005 and 2015 were identified.

Differential Survival Characteristics of Sarcomatoid Subtype in Biphasic Pleural Mesothelioma.

Background: Biphasic pleural mesothelioma (BPM) accounts for approximately 10% of all pleural mesothelioma. Our aim was to assess the clinical, radiologic, and pathologic factors impacting survival in BPM and to better identify patients most likely to benefit from active treatment.

Methods: A 10-year retrospective review was made of 214 biopsy-proven BPM cases with minimum 2-year follow-up.