Great progress has been made in immunotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in recent years. However, for thoracic surgeons, immunotherapy is still a new thing and they lack enough experience. Therefore, this paper attempts to discuss some hot issues of immunotherapy, including the indications, side effects, clinical efficacy and evaluation of efficacy. The author hopes that this article will help and attract the attention of thoracic surgeons.
Organ preservation after neoadjuvant therapy for esophageal cancer has gained significant attention. While the CROSS trial established neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) followed by surgery as standard care, approximately 30% of patients achieve pathological complete response (pCR), prompting exploration of active surveillance (AS). The landmark SANO phase Ⅲ trial (2025) demonstrated non-inferior 2-year overall survival (74% AS vs. 71% surgery), with 31% of patients avoiding surgery. Multimodal assessment (endoscopic deep biopsy+EUS+PET-CT) reduced residual disease misdiagnosis to 10%. The Asian-led NEEDS trial is evaluating definitive chemoradiotherapy with salvage surgery. Although immunotherapy boosts pCR rates to 40%-55%, challenges persist, including 8%-12% false-negative cCR assessments, limited long-term data, and East-West histological disparities. The 2024 NCCN guidelines conditionally recommend AS (Category 2B, prioritized for squamous cell carcinoma), emphasizing centralized implementation. Future directions involve ctDNA and radiomics for risk stratification to advance precision organ-preserving strategies.
Patients with thoracic malignancy have a high incidence of perioperative venous thromboembolism (VTE), but its onset is insidious, often asymptomatic or atypical, and is easily overlooked. Early identification and standardized prevention of VTE can effectively reduce the risk of VTE. "Guideline for the prevention and management of perioperative venous thromboembolism in thoracic malignancies in China (2022 version)" has been officially released recently. This article closely follows the context, significance, core implications, and the impact of future VTE prevention in thoracic surgery. It is hoped that through our joint efforts, we can reduce the incidence of perioperative VTE and mortality of thoracic surgery, and strive to improve the long-term survival of patients with lung cancer and esophageal cancer.
Objective To study the role of ultracision harmonic scalpel and skin flap in axillary fossa external fixation in operation of breast cancer. Methods One hundred and sixty-six patients with breast cancer were included in this study between May 2009 and November 2009. Combined group (n=51) applied ultracision harmonic scalpel combined with skin flap external fixation. External fixation group （n=52） used the skill of skin flap external fixation. Routine group included 63 patients. Operative time, accidental injury during operation， volume of bleed and drainage, time of drainage, detection amount of lymph node, and complications such like subcutaneous fluidity were observed and recorded. Results The operative time and detection amount of lymph node were not different among three groups （Pgt;0.05）. The volume of bleed in combined group was less than that in other groups （Plt;0.05）. The volume of drainage and the time of drainage were decreased or shorten by turns from routine group, external fixation group to combined group （Plt;0.05）. The incidence rate of subcutaneous fluidity in combined group was lower than that in routine group （Plt;0.05）. Conclusions Using ultracision harmonic scalpel in operation of breast cancer can remarkably reduce the volume of bleed and drain postoperatively. Ultracision harmonic scalpel combined with skin flap external fixation is safety and can reduce the incidence rate of subcutaneous fluidity, thus can be applied widely in breast cancer operation.
【摘要】 目的 觀察腹腔鏡手術聯合孕三烯酮治療子宮內膜異位癥合并不孕的療效及不同評分系統對妊娠結局的預測價值。 方法 回顧性分析2004年1月-2006年12月收治的97例子宮內膜異位癥合并不孕患者的臨床病理資料，統計其術后妊娠率及活產率。 結果 術后1年內與1~2年的妊娠率與活產率比較，差異均無統計學意義（Pgt;0.05）。根據美國生育協會1985年修訂的子宮內膜異位癥分期標準（r-AFS）進行分期，各期患者術后妊娠率差異無統計學意義（Pgt;0.05）；但隨著分期升高，活產率逐漸下降（Plt;0.05）。子宮內膜異位癥生育指數（EFI）評分越高，其妊娠率和活產率也越高（Plt;0.05）。 結論 子宮內膜異位癥患者腹腔鏡手術后聯用孕三烯酮可能會提高遠期妊娠率。r-AFS分期對妊娠結局的預測有一定局限性，而EFI具有較好的預測性。【Abstract】 Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of laparoscopic surgery combined with gestrinone treatment in the infertile women with endometriosis (EM), and the value of different score systems to predict gestational outcome. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 97 infertile women with EM who were treated in our hospital from January 2004 to December 2006, and collected their pregnancy rate (PR) and live birth rate (LBR) after operation. Results There was no significant difference of PR and LBR within the 1st year and between the 1st and the 2nd year (Pgt;0.05). There was no significant difference of PR among women of various stages of EM based on the 1985 edition of risk stratification for patients with EM put forward by American Fertility Society (r-AFS) (Pgt;0.05), but the LBR decreased with the raising of the stages (Plt;0.05). The endometriosis fertility index (EFI) was positively correlated with PR and LBR (Plt;0.05). Conclusion Laparoscopic surgery combined with gestrinone may increase the long-term pregnancy rate of women with EM. R-AFS classification is limited in predicting the gestational outcome of women with EM, while EFI achieves a better result.
Objective To investigate the changes in osteoprotegerin (OPG) / receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) ratio in sepsis-associated acute lung injury (SA-ALI) and the role of regulation of this ratio on the inflammatory response in SA-ALI. Methods Eighteen C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into sham operation group, cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) group and RANKL group, with 6 mice in each group. Before the experiment, the RANKL group was intraperitoneally injected with 5 μg (0.2 mL) of recombinant RANKL antibody, whereas both the sham operation group and the CLP group were intraperitoneally injected with a volume-matched normal saline. One hour later, the sham operation group underwent only abdominal exploration and repositioning, while the other groups underwent the CLP surgery to induce the SA-ALI model. After 24 h of modelling, all mice were sacrificed and samples were collected. Pathological evaluation of lung tissues was performed by haematoxylin-eosin staining; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-1β; while the mRNA and protein expression of OPG and RANKL, along with their ratio values, were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction for quantitative analysis and protein immunoblotting. Results The SA-ALI mouse model was successfully established. Compared with the sham operation group, mice in the CLP group showed disturbed alveolar structure, obvious alveolar and interstitial haemorrhage and inflammatory cell infiltration, elevated serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β (P<0.05), significantly increased mRNA and protein expression of OPG and elevated OPG/RANKL ratio in lung tissue (P<0.05), whereas RANKL mRNA and protein expression was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the CLP group, the pathological damage of lung tissue in the RANKL group was reduced, the infiltration of alveolar and interstitial inflammatory cells was significantly improved, and the alveolar structure and morphology were more regular, with lower serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β (P<0.05), significantly lower mRNA and protein expression of OPG and OPG/RANKL ratio in lung tissue (P<0.05), and significantly higher mRNA and protein expression of RANKL in lung tissue (P<0.05). Conclusion The alteration of OPG/RANKL ratio may be related to the pathophysiological process of SA-ALI, and the decrease in its level may reflect the attenuation of the inflammatory response in SA-ALI.
ObjectiveTo investigate the predictive value of preoperative plasma fibrinogen and serum albumin score (FA score) for postoperative survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepatectomy.MethodWe retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological data and follow-up information of 275 patients with HCC who underwent hepatectomy in West China Hospital of Sichuan University from March 2009 to December 2013.ResultsThere’s no statistically significant difference in gender, ALT, total bilirubin, hepatitis B virus surface antigens, AFP, cirrhosis, macrovascular invasion, tumor differentiation, TNM stage, and postoperative adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization of HCC patients between FA score of 0 group and FA score of 1 and 2 group (P>0.05). There’s statistically significant difference in age, AST, tumor size, tumor number, microvascular invasion, and BCLC stage (P<0.05). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses revealed that FA score (1 and 2) was an independent risk factor for HCC patients’ overall survival rate [HR=1.632, 95%CI was (1.141, 2.335), P=0.007] and early recurrence-free survival rate [HR=1.678, 95%CI was (1.083, 2.598), P=0.021], the overall survival rate and early recurrence free survival rate of HCC patients with FA score of 0 group were better than those of patients with FA score of 1 and2 group.ConclusionsThe preoperative FA score has a good prognostic value for survival of HCC patients who underwent hepatectomy. Preoperative FA score of 1 and 2 is an independent risk factor for overall survival rate and early recurrence free survival rate of HCC patients after hepatectomy.
Objective To evaluate the efficacy of asarone injection in treating respiratory disease. Methods All the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about treating respiratory disease with asarone injection were collected by searching MEDLINE (1990 to 2010), EMbase (1990 to 2010), CSJD (1989 to January 2010) and CNKI (1979 to December 2009). The assessment of methodological quality and data extraction of the included studies were performed independently by two reviewers, and Meta-analysis was conducted with RevMan 5.0 software. Results A total of 29 studies involving 3 931 patients met the inclusion criteria. The results of Meta-analysis showed that: a) Asarone injection was effective in treating respiratory diseases including bronchiolitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) and AECOPD, bronchitis and pneumonia; b) In treating bronchiolitis, asarone injection was superior to aminophylline, heartleaf houttuynia herb and virazole in total effective rate, and was similar to andrographolide in curative effect; c) In treating COPD and AECOPD, asarone injection was superior to symptomatic treatment and bromhexine in total effective rate, was similar to benzylpenicillin sodium and tablete glycyrrhiza in curative effect, and was inferior to aminophylline in total effective rate without significant difference; d) In treating bronchitis, asarone injection was superior to aminophylline and symptomatic treatment in total effective rate, and was similar to mucosolvin in curative effect; and e) In treating pneumonia, asarone injection was superior to antibiotic, ribavirin and aminophylline in total effective rate. Conclusion Asarone injection is effective in treating respiratory disease. Because of the lower methodological quality and publication bias of the included trials, it is necessary to perform more high-quality and large-scale randomized controlled trials to make the conclusion more reliable.
Abstract: Objective To evaluate the feasibility and safety of combined laparoscopic and thoracoscopic esophagectomy and intrathoracic esophagogastric anastomosis for the treatment of esophageal cancer. Methods We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 40 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent esophagectomy in Beijing Chaoyang Hospital of Capital Medical University from March 2010 to March 2012. All the 40 patients were divided into 2 groups according to their different surgical approach， including 22 patients who underwent combined laparoscopic and thoracoscopic esophagectomy and intrathoracic esophagogastric anastomosis （minimally invasive surgery group） and 18 patients who underwent Ivor Lewis esophagectomy （open surgery group）. Operation time， intra-operative blood loss， lymph node dissection， postoperative morbidity， hospital stay and cost were compared between the two groups. Results The hospitalcost of minimally invasive surgery group was significantly higher than that of open surgery group ［（78 181.5±8 958.8） yuan vs. （61 717.2±35 159.4） yuan， Z=4.078，P=0.000］ . There was no statistical difference in operation time ［（292.0±74.8） min vs. （256.1±41.0） min， t=1.838，P=0.074］， intra-operative blood loss ［（447.7±597.0） ml vs. （305.6±125.9） ml， Z=0.401，P=0.688］， total number of dissected lymph nodes （230 vs. 215， t=1.714，P=0.095）， postoperative morbidity ［22.7% （5/22） vs. 33.3% （6/18）， χ2=0.559，P=0.498］， time to resume oral intake ［（8.5±3.5） d vs. （11.1±9.6） d，t=1.202，P=0.237］， and postoperative hospital stay ［（11.6±5.7） d vs. （13.3±9.4） d， t=0.680， P=0.501）］ between the two groups. The minimally invasive surgery group was further divided into two subgroups according to operation date， including 10 patients in the early stage subgroup and 12 patients in the later stage subgroup. The operation time of the later stage subgroup was significantly shorter than that of the early stage subgroup ［（262.9±64.9） min vs. （327.5±73.0） min， t=2.197， P=0.040］， but not statistically different from that of the open surgery group ［（262.9±64.9） min vs. （256.1 ±41.0） min， t=0.353， P=0.727］. Intra-operative blood loss of the later stage subgroup was significantly reduced compared with those of the early stage subgroup ［（220.8±149.9） ml vs. （720.0±808.0） ml， Z=3.279， P=0.001)］ and the open surgery group ［（220.8±149.9）ml vs. （305.6±125.9） ml， Z=2.089， P=0.037）］. Conclusion Combined laparoscopic and thoracoscopic esophagectomy and intrathoracic esophagogastric anastomosis is a safe and effective surgical procedure for the treatment of esophageal cancer.
