Use of Octopus™ Tissue Stabilizer for Minimal Manipulation Approach of Bronchial Anastomosis in Lung Transplant

ABSTRACT Bronchial anastomotic complications are a cause of grave concern for surgeons that perform lung transplantations. There are several risk factors that may lead to this complication, being inadequate surgical technique one of them, specifically regarding adequate exposure and manipulation of the bronchial stump and anastomosis. Here we report the use of Octopus™ Tissue Stabilizer as a mean to allow for a better exposure of the stump and facilitate a "no-touch" approach towards anastomosis. Systematic application of devices that facilitate the employment of the correct surgical techniques can have an effect in reducing the incidence of bronchial anastomotic complications.

Risk factors related to pleural empyema after talc slurry pleurodesis

Abstract Objective: Empyema is a complication of talc-pleurodesis that may lead to further surgical intervention and death. Therefore, the present study's objective was to identify the risk factors for the development of post-pleurodesis empyema after talc slurry pleurodesis in order to better select patients for this procedure and minimize its morbidity. Methods: Patients with malignant pleural effusion who underwent talc slurry pleurodesis at the present institution from January 2018 to January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Post-pleurodesis empyema was defined as pleural infection up to 30 days after pleurodesis. Using Cox regression analysis, significant prognostic factors for the development of empyema were examined. Results: Of the 86 patients identified for inclusion in the study, 62 were women (72%). Their mean age was 56.3±12.6 years. The median pleural drainage time was 9 days, and 20 patients (23.3%) developed empyema. In the univariate analysis, both drainage time (p = 0.038) and the use of antibiotics prior to pleurodesis (p < 0.001) were risk factors for pleural empyema. Multivariate analysis also identified the use of antibiotics as an independent risk factor (Odds Ratio [OR] 9.81; 95% Confidence Interval [95% CI] 2.87-33.54). Although the pulmonary expansion was not associated with empyema in the multivariate analysis, patients with less than 50% pulmonary expansion had a 4.5-times increased risk of empyema (95% CI 0.90-22.86; p = 0.067), and patients with 50-70% pulmonary expansion had a 3.8-times increased risk of empyema (95% CI 0.98-15; p = 0.053) after pleurodesis. Conclusion: The study suggests that antibiotic therapy prior to talc slurry pleurodesis may increase the risk of developing empyema. Furthermore, pleurodesis should be considered with caution in patients with long-duration chest tube placement and incomplete lung expansion.

ANATOMIC STUDY OF THE NERVOUS COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE MEDIAN AND MUSCULOUCUTANEOUS NERVE

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence of nerve communication between the musculocutaneous and median nerve . Methods: Anatomical dissection of 40 limbs from 20 fetal cadavers was performed at the Laboratory of Anatomy, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas e da Saúde da Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo . Results: A communicating branch was found in 10 upper limbs. In nine limbs there was a musculocutaneous-median anastomosis (type I); and in one limb there was a median-musculocutaneous anastomosis (type II) . Conclusion: It is very important to know these anatomical variations, especially when considering clinical examination, diagnostic, prognostic and surgical treatment. Level of Evidence IV, Case Series.

Anastomose intramuscular de Martin-Gruber / Intramuscular Martin-Gruber anastomosis

Objetivo: A finalidade deste trabalho foi apresentar a incidência,origem, curso e ralações anatômicas da anastomose intramuscular de Martin-Gruber. Método: Foram dissecados 100 antebraços de 50cadáveres adultos. A comunicação nervosa intramuscular entre os nervos mediano e ulnar no antebraço (anastomose de Martin-Gruber)foi registrada em cinco antebraços, três no antímero direito e duasno esquerdo, sendo uma bilateral. Todas as comunicações nervosas localizavam-se entre os nervos interósseo anterior e o nervo ulnar.Conclusão: As comunicações nervosas intramusculares, que registramos em 5% dos 100 membros dissecados, tem apenas a finalidade de suprir o músculo flexor profundo dos dedos, sendo pouco provável que tenham alguma influência na inervação dos músculos intrínsecos da mão. Nível de Evidência IV, Série de Casos.

Objective: This paper reports the incidence, origin, courseand anatomical relationships of intramuscular Martin-Gruberanastomosis. Methods: Anatomical dissection of 100 limbsfrom 50 adults cadavers was performed. The intramuscularMartin-Gruber anastomosis was found in five forearms, threein the right and two in the left side, one was bilateral. All communicationwere located between the anterior interosseousnerve and the ulnar nerve. Conclusion: The purpose of intramuscularMartin-Gruber anastomosis, which we found in 5%of dissected limbs, is to supply the flexor digitorum profundusmuscle and it is unlikely to have any influence on the innervationof the intrinsic muscles of the hand. Level of Evidence IV,Cases Series.

Clinical repercussions of Martin-Gruber anastomosis: anatomical study / Repercussões clínicas da anastomose de Martin-Gruber: estudo anatômico

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was to describe Martin-Gruber anastomosis anatomically and to recognize its clinical repercussions. METHOD: 100 forearms of 50 adult cadavers were dissected in an anatomy laboratory. The dissection was performed by means of a midline incision along the entire forearm and the lower third of the upper arm. Two flaps including skin and subcutaneous tissue were folded back on the radial and ulnar sides, respectively. RESULTS: Nerve communication between the median and ulnar nerves in the forearm (Martin-Gruber anastomosis) was found in 27 forearms. The anastomosis was classified into six types: type I: anastomosis between the anterior interosseous nerve and the ulnar nerve (n = 9); type II: anastomosis between the anterior interosseous nerve and the ulnar nerve at two points (double anastomosis) (n = 2); type III: anastomosis between the median nerve and the ulnar nerve (n = 4); type IV: anastomosis between branches of the median nerve and ulnar nerve heading toward the flexor digitorum profundus muscle of the fingers; these fascicles form a loop with distal convexity (n = 5); type V: intramuscular anastomosis (n = 5); and type VI: anastomosis between a branch of the median nerve to the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle and the ulnar nerve (n = 2). CONCLUSION: Knowledge of the anatomical variations relating to the innervation of the hand has great importance, especially with regard to physical examination, diagnosis, prognosis and surgical treatment. If these variations are not given due regard, errors and other consequences will be inevitable.

OBJETIVOS: Descrever anatomicamente a anastomose de Martin-Gruber e reconhecer suas repercussões clínicas. MÉTODO: Foram dissecados 100 antebraços de 50 cadáveres adultos no laboratório de anatomia. A dissecção foi feita através uma incisão mediana em todo o antebraço e terço inferior do braço, dois retalhos incluindo a pele e subcutâneo foram rebatidos, para o lado radial e ulnar respectivamente. RESULTADOS: A comunicação nervosa entre os nervos medianos e ulnar no antebraço (anastomose de Martin-Gruber) foi registrada em 27 antebraços. Classificamos a anastomose em seis tipos. Tipo I: anastomose entre o nervo interósseo anterior e o nervo ulnar (nove membros); Tipo II: anastomose entre o nervo interósseo anterior e o nervo ulnar em dois pontos (dupla anastomose - dois membros); Tipo III: anastomose entre o mediano e o nervo ulnar (quatro membros); Tipo IV: anastomose entre ramos dos nervos mediano e ulnar destinada ao músculo flexor profundo os dedos, esses fascículos formam uma alça de convexidade distal (cinco membros); Tipo V: anastomose intramuscular (cinco membros); Tipo VI: anastomose entre ramo do nervo mediano para o músculo flexor superficial e nervo ulnar (dois membros). CONCLUSÃO: O conhecimento das variações anatômicas em relação à inervação da mão tem importância relevante, principalmente quando se considera o exame físico, diagnóstico, prognóstico e tratamento cirúrgico. Se essas variações não forem valorizadas, erros e consequências serão inevitáveis.

Anatomical study on the innervation of the elbow capsule / Estudo anatômico da inervação da cápsula do cotovelo

To put forward an anatomical description of the innervation of the elbow capsule, illustrated through morphological analysis on dissections. METHODS: Thirty elbows from fresh fixed adult cadavers aged 32-74 years, of both sexes, were dissected. RESULTS: Among the dissected arms, we observed that the median nerve did not have any branches in two arms, while it had one branch in five arms, two branches in two arms, three branches in ten arms, four branches in nine arms and five branches in two arms. The radial nerve did not have any branches in two arms, while it had one branch in two arms, two branches in nine arms, three branches in ten arms, four branches in five arms and five branches in two arms. The ulnar nerve did not have any branches in three arms, while it had one branch in six arms, two branches in four arms, three branches in five arms, four branches in seven arms, five branches in four arms and six branches in one arm. CONCLUSIONS: We observed branches of the radial, ulnar and medial nerves in the elbow joint, and a close relationship between their capsular and motor branches.

Promover a descrição anatômica da inervação da cápsula do cotovelo com ilustração por meio da morfologia das dissecações. MÉTODOS: Foram dissecados 30 cotovelos de cadáveres adultos frescos e fixados, com idade entre 32 e 74 anos, de ambos os sexos. RESULTADOS: Observamos, dentre os braços dissecados, dois com nenhum ramo do nervo mediano, cinco com um ramo, dois com dois ramos, 10 com três ramos, nove com quatro ramos e dois com cinco ramos. Quando se trata do nervo radial, dois braços não apresentaram ramos, dois mostraram dois ramos, nove continham dois ramos, 10 contaram com três ramos, cinco tinham quatro ramos e dois tinham cinco ramos. Em relação ao nervo ulnar, tivemos três braços sem ramos articulares, seis com um ramo, quatro com dois ramos, cinco com três ramos, sete com quatro ramos, quatro com cinco ramos e um com seis ramos. CONCLUSÕES: Constatamos ramos do nervo radial, ulnar e medial na articulação do cotovelo, assim como a relação próxima entre os seus ramos capsulares e motores.