Clinical Profile of Thoracoscopic Bullectomy in Treatment of Pneumothorax.

Background: In pneumothorax patients requiring surgery for various indications, thoracotomy was the traditional approach until the advent of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. In the last decade, role of thoracoscopy in the surgical management of pneumothorax has been consolidated and established. In this study, we aim to report our experience of thoracoscopy in the surgical management of pneumothorax.

Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery for Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

The burden of respiratory and upper-gastrointestinal diseases especially affects low- and middle-income countries. Five billion people lack access to safe, timely, and affordable surgical care, including thoracic surgical care. Minimally invasive thoracic surgery (MITS) has been shown to reduce complications, shorten hospital lengths of stay, and minimize health care costs, thereby enabling patients to pay less out-of-pocket and/or limit time away from work and families.

Esophageal Perforation following Accidental Ingestion of a Razor Blade.

Background: Ingestion of sharp foreign bodies is uncommon and often underreported. It can present with esophageal perforation which is a life-threatening complication requiring prompt diagnosis and management. We report a case of accidental ingestion of a razor blade in a chronic alcoholic who presented with hematemesis after an esophageal perforation, the diagnosis of which was confirmed by radiology.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm causing aorto-esophageal fistula-our experience with a rare disease.

Aorto-esophageal fistula is a life-threatening condition, accounting for a small number of cases of upper gastrointestinal bleeding where patients present with one or more features of Chiari's triad. We present the case of a 43-year-old woman, referred to us with symptoms of central chest pain, sudden onset dysphagia followed by massive hemoptysis. She was diagnosed with an aorto-esophageal fistula due to a ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm and rushed for an emergency endovascular thoracic aortic stent and feeding jejunostomy with intravenous antibiotics and supportive care.

Traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the heart.

Missile injuries to heart are one of the most severe penetrating chest injuries, and mostly fatal. The presentation in those who survive may be unusual and insidious. Pseudoaneurysms of the heart, usually sequel to myocardial infarction, may rarely present after penetrating cardiac wounds.

Low lung cancer resection rates in a tertiary level thoracic center in Nepal--where lies our problem?

Background: Resection rates of lung cancer are low in general and especially in countries like Nepal. Advanced stage at presentation and poor general condition of the patient are the usual causes.

Materials And Methods: In this prospective observational study, one hundred cases of lung cancer who presented at the Thoracic Surgery Unit between October 2011 and October 2012 were included.