ObjectiveTo compare the influence of intrathoracic and retrosternal esophagogastric anastomosis on pulmonary function in aged patients after esophagectomy.
MethodsForty patients (older than 62 years) with upper or middle thoracic esophageal carcinoma (EC) who underwent esophagectomy in Fengtian Hospital of Shenyang Medical College between February 2009 and May 2011 were enrolled in this study. According to different surgical approach, all the patients were divided into an intrathoracic esophagogastric anastomosis (IEGA) group and a retrosternal esophagogastric anastomosis (REGA) group. There were 20 patients in IEGA group including 16 males and 4 females with their age of 62-79 (64.70±11.47) years, who received cervical anastomosis after EC resection and intrathoracic gastric tube reconstruction. There were 20 patients in REGA group including 17 males and 3 females with their age of 63-77 (65.90±12.72) years, who received cervical anastomosis after EC resection and retrosternal gastric tube reconstruction. Pulmonary function test (PFT) was performed preoperatively and on the 15th and 30th postoperative day, and compared between the 2 groups.
ResultsThere was no statistical difference in preoperative PFT between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). PFT of IEGA group on the 15th and 30th postoperative day was significantly worse than preoperative PFT (P < 0.05). PFT of REGA group on the 15th and 30th postoperative day was not statistically different from preoperative PFT (P > 0.05). PFT of REGA group on the 15th and 30th postoperative day was significantly better than PFT of IEGA group (P < 0.05). In IEGA group, postoperative complications included anastomotic leak in 1 patient, anastomotic stenosis in 1 patient, pneumonia in 5 patients and atelectasis in 1 patient. In REGA group, postoperative complications included anastomotic leak in 1 patient, anastomotic stenosis in 1 patient, gastric outlet obstruction in 1 patient and pneumonia in 3 patients. All the patients were followed up for 1 year. There was no statistical difference between PFT at 1 year after discharge and PFT on the 30th postoperative day in either group.
ConclusionsIEGA can significantly reduce postoperative PFT. REGA has less negative influence on postoperative PFT, is suitable for aged patients and patients with unsatisfactory preoperative PFT, can reduce postoperative complications and improve postoperative quality of life.
Objective To formulate an evidence-based treatment plan for a patient with malignant pleural mesothelioma.Methods Based on an adequate assessment of the patient’s condition and using the principle of PICO, we searched The Cochrane Library (Issue 1, 2007), PubMed (1996 to February 2007) and EMbase (1974 to February 2007) to identify the best available clinical evidence. Results Five randomized controlled trials, 4 systematic reviews and 1 health economic evaluation were included. According to the current evidence, as well as the patient’s clinical condition and preference, 5 cycles of raltitrexed plus cisplatin were given to the patient along with thoracic drainage and other symptomatic treatment. And the follow-up after 4 months indicated that this treatment plan was appropriate for the patient. Conclusion Evidence-based approaches helped us to prepare the most appropriate chemotherapy plan for this patient and will help improve the therapeutic results for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.
ObjectiveTo compare the clinical efficacy of video-assisted thoracoscopy and thoracotomy for the treatment of encapsulated tuberculous pleurisy.
MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 99 patients who had underwent surgery for encapsulated tuberculous pleurisy within 3 months of disease onset in our hospital from January through December 2013. Based on the surgical mode, patients were assigned to a video-assisted thoracoscopy group, including 49 patients (35 males and 14 females, a mean age of 26.78±9.36 years), to receive video-assisted thoracoscopic pleurectomy; or a thoracotomy group, including 50 patients (31 males and 19 females, a mean age of 31.84±11.08 years), to receive conventional thoracotomic pleurectomy. The first 43 patients in the video-assisted thoracoscopy group received thoracic catheter drainage, with the drainage volume of 659.08±969.29 ml; the first 48 patients in the thoracotomy group received thoracic catheter drainage, with the drainage volume of 919.03±129.97 ml. The clinical effects were compared between the two groups.
ResultsAll the patients in the video-assisted thoracoscopy group completed thoracoscopy without conversion to thoracotomy. The surgery duration and postoperative intubation time were shorter in the video-assisted thoracoscopy group than those in the thoracotomy group (surgery duration:103.00±53.04 min vs. 127.06±51.60 min, P<0.01; postoperative intubation time 3.02±0.83 d vs. 3.94±1.25 d, P<0.01). At the end of 6 months of follow-up, the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1>) was 2.83±0.64 L in the thoracos-copy group and 2.25±0.64 L in the thoracotomy group (P<0.01); forced vital capacity (FVC) was 3.02±0.72 L in the thora-coscopy group and 2.57±0.79 L in the thoracotomy group (P<0.05); and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) was 93.90± 15.86 L in the thoracoscopy group and 80.34±17.06 L in the thoracotomy group (P<0.01).
ConclusionThoracoscopic surgery is feasible for patients with encapsulated pleurisy within 3 months of onset. Furthermore video-assisted thoraco-scopy will be superior to thoracotomy.
Objective To investigate the expression of aquaporin-1（AQP-1） on pleura in rats with carrageenan-induced pleural effusion and explore the role of AQP-1 in effusion formation.Methods Fifty-six healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal control group and 6 pleuritis groups（6，12，24，36，48 and 72 h groups respectively）.The rat model of inflammatory pleurisy was induced by injecting l-Carrageenan into the pleural cavity.The expression of AQP-1 on pleura was detected with immunohistochemistry.The mRNA and protein expression of AQP-1 on visceral pleura and parietal pleura were measured by RT-PCR and Western blot assay respectively.The volume of pleural effusions were measured.Results The volume of pleural effusion was 2.10±0.22，4.10±0.15，4.40±0.36，3.20±0.27，2.60±0.18，0.12±0.02 mL in the 6，12，24，36，48 and 72 h pleuritis groups respectively.AQP-1 were mainly expressed on visceral and parietal pleural mesothelial cells and capillary endothelial cells，and significantly increased in all pleuritic rats The mRNA and protein expression of AQP-1 on parietal pleura increased after 6 h and reached peak level at 24 h in pleuritic groups.The mRNA and protein expression of AQP-1 on visceral pleura increased after 12 h and reached peak level at 24 h in pleuritic groups.The expression of AQP-1 on parietal pleura at 12 h and 24 h in pleuritic groups was correlated positively with the volume of pleural effusion（r=0.857，r=0.846，all Plt;0.01）.The expression of AQP-1 on visceral pleura at 24 h in pleuritic groups was positively correlated with the volume of pleural effusion（r=0.725，Plt;0.05）.Conclusion The expression of AQP-1 on pleura were increased in rats with e carrageenan-induced pleural effusion.AQP-1 may play a role in pleural fluid transportation in pleural effusion.
Objective To compare the effects of heparin versus urokinase injection intrapleurally in the management of pleural thickening and adhesion due to tuberculous exudative pleurisy. Methods Sixty patients with tuberculous pleurisy were allocated into three groups randomly. Sodium heparin ( heparin group) , urokinase ( urokinase group) , and 0. 9% saline ( control group) were intrapleurally injected respectively. The concentrations of fibrinogen and D-dimer in pleural effusion were measured before and after the injection. The duration of absorption and the total drainage volume of pleural effusion were recorded. The pleural thickness and adhesion were observed two months after the injection. Results In 72 hours after the intrapleural injection, the concentration of fibrinogen( g/L) in the pleural effusion was significantly increased in the heparin group( 1. 13 ±0. 44 vs 0. 34 ±0. 19, P lt; 0. 001) , and significantly decreased in the urokinase group( 0. 25 ±0. 16 vs 0. 38 ±0. 15, P lt; 0. 05) when compared with baseline. Concentrations of D-dimer in the pleural effusions were significantly higher than those at baseline in both the heparin group and the urokinase group( 57. 0 ±17. 6 vs 40. 0 ±15. 4, P lt; 0. 05; 74. 5 ±16. 4 vs 43. 8 ±14. 9, P lt; 0. 001) . There were no significant differences in the absorption duration of pleural effusion among the three groups( P gt;0. 05) . The total drainage volume of pleural effusion was higher in the heparin group and the urokinase group compared to the control group( P lt;0. 01) . And the total volume of pleural effusion was significantly higher in the heparin group and the urokinase group than that in the control group( 2863 mL and 2465 mL vs 1828 mL,P lt;0. 01) . Two months after the intervention, the pleura were thinner[ ( 1. 37 ±0. 82) mm and ( 1. 33 ±0. 85) mmvs ( 3. 06 ±1. 20) mm, P lt; 0. 01] and the incidence of pleural adhesion was significantly lower[ 15% and 20% vs 50% , P lt; 0. 05] in the heparin and the urokinase groups than those in the control group.Conclusion Intrapleural heparin has similar effects with urokinase for prevention pleural thickness andadhesion in tuberculous pleurisy with good availability and safety.
