Abstract： Objective To investigate the indications， surgical techniques and postoperative complication management of transhiatal esophagectomy without thoracotomy for patients with esophageal cancer. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical records of 105 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent transhiatal esophagectomy without thoracotomy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between July 2002 and July 2010， including 28 patients who received video-assisted mediastinoscopy. There were 59 male patients and 46 female patients with their average age of 63 （48-81） years. There were 51 patients with upper thoracic esophageal cancer， 18 patients with middle thoracic esophageal cancer and 36 patients with lower thoracic esophageal cancer. Surgical outcomes and safety were evaluated. Results Mean operation time was 153 （140-210） minutes， mean intraoperative blood loss was 150 （100 to 250） ml， and mean hospital stay was 15 （10-35） days. There was no in-hospital death or residual tumor cells in esophagus stumps. Twenty-seven patients had postoperative complications， including 3 patients with anastomotic leakage at neck， 4 patients with recurrent laryngeal nerve injury， 5 patients with pleural effusion， 2 patients with pneumothorax， 3 patients with pneumonia， 3 patients with arrhythmia， 1 patient with chylothorax， 2 patients with incision infection， 2 patients with delayed gastric emptying， and 2 patients with anastomotic stenosis， who were all cured after treatment. Ninety-seven patients were followed up from 16 months to 5 years， and 8 patients were lost during follow-up. During follow-up， there were 94 patients who had lived for 1 year， 67 patients who had lived for 3 years， and 34 patients who had lived for 5 years postoperatively， and some patients needed further follow-up. Conclusion Transhiatal esophagectomy without thoracotomy is a minimally traumatic procedure and can provide fast postoperative recovery. It is especially suitable for patients with stageⅡor earlier esophageal cancer who can’t tolerate or aren’t suitable for transthoracic esophagectomy.
Abstract：?Objective?To evaluate clinical outcomes of single utility port complete video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery （VATS） lobectomy for patients with early-stage lung cancer.?Methods?We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 162 consecutive patients with early-stage lung cancer who underwent single utility port complete VATS lobectomy from September 2009 to October 2011 in Chinese PLA General Hospital （single utility port group），and compared them with 221 patients with early-stage lung cancer who underwent video-assisted mini-thoracotomy （VAMT） lobectomy in the same period （VAMT group）. The clinical outcomes including operation time, intraoperative blood loss, lymph node dissection number, time to first activity out of bed, chest drainage duration and postoperative complications, were compared between the two groups.?Results?No perioperative death was observed in both groups. There were statistical differences in the intraoperative blood loss （162.8±75.6 ml vs. 231.4±62.8 ml）, time to first activity out of bed （2.2±0.3 d vs. 3.7±0.5 d） , and chest drainage duration （3.5±0.2 d vs. 4.6±0.4 d） between the two groups （P＜0.05）. There was no statistical difference in operation time （133.7±22.0 min vs. 124.9±25.7 min） , lymph node dissection number （11.7±1.9 vs. 12.5±2.7）， and incidence of serious postoperative complications （7.4% vs. 8.1%）between the two groups.?Conclusion?Single utility port complete VATS lobectomy and lymph node dissection are safe and reliable for patients with early-stage lung cancer with less injury and better postoperative recovery compared with VAMT.
Treatment of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer by Single-direction Four-hole Complete Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Lobectomy HUANG Jia, ZHAO Xiao-jing, LIN Hao, TAN Qiang, DING Zheng-ping, LUO Qing-quan. (Shanghai Lung Tumor Clinical Medical Center, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai 200030, P. R. China) Corresponding author：LUO Qing-quan, Email：luoqingquan@hotmail. com Abstract： Objective To explore the feasibility and safety of single-direction four-hole video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods Between January 2007 and December 2010, 428 patients with NSCLC were surgically treated by single-direction complete video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy in Shanghai Chest Hospital. There were 186 males and 242 females; aged 33 to 78 years. All the patients were diagnosed as primary NSCLC at early clinical stage. Among the 428 patients, 134 patients underwent right upper lobectomy, 48 patients underwent right middle lobectomy, 98 patients underwent right lower lobectomy, 4 patients underwent right middle and lower lobectomy, 72 patients underwent left upper lobectomy, and 72 patients underwent left lower lobectomy. All the 428 patients were divided into two groups according to their surgical approach：a three-hole group (300 patients) and a four-hole group (128 patients).The clinical results of the two groups were analyzed. Results A total of 412 patients underwent complete video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy, and 16 patients (3.7%) underwent conversion to open surgery. The average operation time was 132.1 (120-180) min, average length of incision was 3.7 (3-5) cm, and average blood loss was 150.0 (50-800) ml. There was no statistical difference in extubation time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative hospital stay between the two groups. But the operation time of the four-hole group is significantly shorter than that of the three-hole group （P＜0.05）. The 16 patients who underwent conversion to open surgery received intraoperative blood transfusion. Five patients died of severe pulmonary infection, pulmonary embolism, and acute cerebral infarction. Fifty two patients had squamous cancer, 340 patients had adenocarcinoma, 20 patients had adenosquamous carcinoma, 8 patients had poorly differentiated carcinoma, 6 patients had big cell lung cancer, and 2 patients had carcinoid. Postoperative persistent lung air leak occurred in 4 patients, thoracic empyema in 2 patients, pulmonary infection in 4 patients, arrhythmia in 26 patients, pulmonary embolism in 2 patients, chylothorax in 2 patients, and acute cerebral infarction in 2 patients. The overall 3-year survival rate was 83.6%（358/428）. Conclusion Single-direction four-hole complete video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy is feasible, safe and consistent with the operation standard in the surgical treatment for NSCLC patient. It is also helpful to reduce the operation time and facilitate lymph node dissection. Key words： Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery； Lobectomy； Single-direction； Four-hole； Non-small cell lung cancer
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 explore the advantages of postoperative chest drainage with 16F urinary catheter for video- assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy.
Methods Data of 102 patients (October to December 2015) who under- went VATS lobectomy of lung disease with insertion of catheter (16 F urinary catheter or 28 F chest tube) were analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups including a 16F group (49 patients, with 16 F urinary catheter) and a 18F group (53 patients, with 18F chest drainage tube).The following post-operative data were evaluated: primary healing of tube inci- sion, chest X ray abnormalities (pneumothorax, pleural effusion, subcutaneous emphysema, and hematoma), drainage time, re-insert the drainage tube, and wound healing at the site of insertion.
Results Both groups were similar in age, gender, co-morbidity and pathological evaluation of resected specimens. After adjustment, no statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in pulmonary complications (30.6% vs. 28.3%, P=0.102), subcutaneous emphysema (60.0% vs. 6.7%, P=0.011), required intervention (2.0% vs. 5.7%, P=0.048). The average total drainage volume in the 16F group (587.3±323.7 ml) was less than that of the 28 F group (824.1±444.3 ml, P=0.000). The rate of primary healing at the site of insertion in the 16 F group (100.0%) was higher than that in the 28F group (58.5%, P=0.014). A significant difference was found in the drainage time and post-operative length of stay between the two groups (54.2±28.6 h vs. 95.6±65.5 h，4.2±1.4 d vs. 6.5±3.0 d).
Conclusion Since 16F urinary catheter has advantage in fast track rehabilitation and low risk of pulmonary complications, the use of 16F urinary catheter is appropriate after VATS pulmonary lobectomy.
Objective
To explore the minimal invasiveness and practability of combined video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) with two trocars and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in the treatment of esophageal leiomyoma.
Methods
Between February 2007 and February 2012, we retrospectively analysed the clinical data of 166 patients who underwent various surgeries for the treatment of esophageal leiomyoma. Among them, 62 received routine thoracotomy (group A), 49 accepted conventional VATS surgery with three trocars (group B), and 55 underwent combined VATS surgery with two trocars and EUS (group C). Then, we summarized the clinical indexes of patients in all the three groups for further comparative analysis.
Results
There was no significant difference among the three groups in age, gender, and lesion location, origin level and size (P > 0.05). There were significant differences between group A and C in blood loss, surgery time, intraoperative localization, postoperative incision pain, hospitalization expenses, length of hospital stay, fasting time, pulmonary infection, and the complications during the follow-up (P < 0.05). There were significant differences between group C and B in blood loss, surgery time, intraoperative localization, fasting time and pulmonary infection (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Combined VATS surgery with two trocars and EUS is safe, minimally invasive, thorough with few complications, which is worthy of clinical promotion.
ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of total thoracoscopy (VATS) lobectomy and the thoracotomy for the treatment of benign lung disease.
MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 70 patients with benign lung diseases in the First People's Hospital of Qujing between January 2012 and September 2013. According to the surgical way, the patients were divided into two groups including a total VATS group involved in 35 patients with 25 males and 10 females, aged 18 to 71 years, mean age of 41.3±6.4 years and a thoracotomy group involved in 35 patients with 26 males and 9 females, aged 19 to 72 years, mean age of 42.4±5.6 years. Then we compared the efficacy of the two groups.
ResultsThere was no statistical difference (P > 0.05) in operative time and postoperative survival rate comparison. While in the total VATS group, the total thoracoscopic incision length, bleeding volume or pain time, postoperative day time of analgesia, thoracic drainage volume, postoperative drainage tube pulling time and hospitalization time were all lower than those in the thoracotomy group with statistical differeces (P < 0.05).
ConclusionThe thoracoscopic lobectomy for treatment of benign pulmonary lesions is superior to the conventional thoracotomy with much less bleeding and pain, more faster postoperative recovery and less impact on the patient's body. It's suitable for clinical application in normal hospital.
ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and surgical approach on postoperative fast track recovery and hospitalization cost of patients undergoing lung cancer resection, and explore clinical pathways and clinical value of fast track recovery.
MethodClinical data of 129 consecutive patients undergoing lung cancer resection by one surgical group in West China Hospital from January 2010 to March 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. According to whether the patients had concomitant COPD, all the patients were divided into COPD group including 53 patients (39 males and 14 females) with their average age of 56.31±10.51 years, and non-COPD group including 76 patients (37 males and 39 females) with their average age of 65.92±7.85 years. According to different surgical approaches, all the patients were divided into complete video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) group including 83 patients (44 males and 39 females) with their average age of 61.62±10.80 years, and routine thoracotomy group including 46 patients (32 males and 14 females) with their average age of 62.95±9.97 years. Postoperative morbidity, average hospital stay and hospitalization cost were compared between respective groups.
ResultsThere was no statistical difference in postoperative morbidity (53% vs. 40%, P=0.134)or average hospital stay[(7.66±2.95) days vs. (7.36±2.74)days, P=0.539] between COPD group and non-COPD group. Postoperative morbidity (34% vs. 65%, P < 0.001)and average hospital stay[(6.67±2.52)days vs. (8.61±3.01) days, P < 0.001] of VATS group were significantly lower or shorter than those of routine thoracotomy group. Total hospitalization cost (￥44 542.26±11 447.50 yuan vs. ￥23 634.13±6 014.35 yuan, P < 0.001) and material cost (￥37 352.53±11 807.81 yuan vs. ￥12 763.08±7 124.76 yuan, P < 0.001) of VATS group were significantly higher than those of routine thoracotomy group. Average medication cost of VATS group was significantly lower than that of routine thoracotomy group (￥7 473.54±4 523.70 vs. ￥10 176.71±6 371.12, P < 0.001). There was no statistical difference in other cost between VATS group and routine thoracotomy group.
ConclusionVATS lobectomy can promote postoperative fast track recovery of lung cancer patients, but also increase material cost of the surgery. COPD history does not influence postoperative fast track recovery or hospitalization cost.
[Abstract]Acute cardiac tamponade after thoracoscopic lobectomy is extremely rare and highly lethal once it occurs. This paper reports a case of a 64-year-old male with preoperative hypertension and coronary heart disease who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic right upper lung wedge resection for early-stage lung adenocarcinoma. Three hours postoperatively, he suddenly developed hypotension and loss of consciousness. Ultrasound indicated a large amount of pericardial effusion, suggesting cardiac tamponade. Despite emergency pericardiocentesis, his hemodynamics did not improve, and the patient went into cardiac arrest. Subsequent veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was performed to support systemic circulation, and emergency thoracotomy was carried out. During the surgery, a needle-like tear in the anterior wall of the ascending aorta was found, corresponding exactly to a prominent staple at the lung resection margin, suggesting a stapler malfunction. After vascular repair, the patient recovered smoothly and was discharged. This case suggests that during lung resection, great attention should be paid to the integrity of staples and anatomical variations of large vessels, and vigilance is needed for rare but potentially fatal stapler-related complications.
ObjectiveTo analyze clinical experience and outcomes of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)for bioprosthetic mitral valve replacement (MVR).
MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 32 patients who underwent VATS bioprosthetic MVR in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of Guangdong General Hospital from March to December 2013. There were 14 males and 18 females with a mean age of 55.6±17.3 years (range, 19 to 80 years), mean body weight of 55.7±9.7 kg (range, 37 to 78 kg) and mean body surface area of 1.67±0.16 m2 (range, 1.30 to 1.95 m2). Five patients had atrial fibrillation. There were 20 patients in New York Heart Association (NYHA)functional class Ⅱ, 11 patients in class Ⅲ, and 1 patient in class Ⅳ. There were 16 patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease, 11 patients with degenerative mitral valve disease, 4 patients with infective endocarditis and 1 patient with associated congenital heart disease.
ResultsVATS bioprosthetic MVR was successfully performed for all the patients, including 27 patients with Medtronic Hancock Ⅱ Bioprosthesis and 5 patients with Medtronic Mosaic Bioprosthesis. Concomitantly, tricuspid valvuloplasty was performed for 13 patients and atrial septal defect repair was performed for 1 patient. There was no in-hospital death, low cardiac output syndrome or left ventricular rupture. Postoperative echocardiography showed good bioprosthetic function in all the patients without paravalvular leakage. Postoperative cardiac function significantly improved compared with preoperative cardiac function. There were 9 patients in NYHA functional class Ⅰ, 17 patients in class Ⅱ, and 6 patients in class Ⅲ. Left atrial diameter and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter examined postoperatively and 3 months after surgery were significantly smaller than preoperative values. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)examined postoperatively and 3 months after surgery was significantly lower than preoperative LVEF.
ConclusionsVATS bioprosthetic MVR is a minimally invasive, safe and feasible procedure with a low postoperative morbidity. Incision size can be significantly reduced with a special type of bioprosthesis.
