Role of conventional pulmonary function tests and cardiopulmonary exercise test in the prediction of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications in high risk thoracic cancer patients / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate and compare the value of cardiopulmonary exercise test and conventional pulmonary function tests in the prediction of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications in high risk patients with chest malignant tumors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2006 to January 2009, 216 consecutive patients with thoracic malignant tumors underwent conventional pulmonary function tests (PFT, spirometry + DLCOsb for diffusion capacity) and cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) preoperatively. The correlation of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications with the parameters of PFT and CPET were retrospectively analyzed using Chi-square test, independent sample t-test and logistic regression analysis. The P value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 216 patients, 57 did not receive operation due to advanced stage diseases or poor cardiopulmonary function in most of them. The remaining 159 underwent different modes of operations. Thirty-six patients (22.6%) in this operated group had postoperative cardiopulmonary complications and 10 patients (6.3%) developed operation-related complications. Three patients (1.9%) died of the complications within 30 days postoperatively. The patients were stratified into groups based on V(O(2)) max/pred (≥ 65.0%, < 65.0%); V(O(2)) max×kg(-1)×min(-1) (≥ 20 ml, 15 - 19.9 ml, < 15 ml) and FEV1 (≥ 2.0 L, 1.2 - 1.99 L, < 1.2 L) according to the criteria in reported papers. There was statistically significant difference among these groups in the parameters (P < 0.05), the rates of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications were much higher in the groups with poor cardiopulmonary function (V(O(2)) max/pred < 65.0%; V(O(2)) max×kg(-1)×min(-1) < 15 ml or FEV1 < 1.2 L). It was shown by logistic regression analysis that postoperative cardiopulmonary complications were significantly correlated with age, associated diseases, poor results of PFT or CPET, operation modes and operation-related complications.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>FEV1 in spirometry, V(O(2)) max×kg(-1)×min(-1) and V(O(2)) max/pred in cardiopulmonary exercise test can be used to stratify the patients' cardiopulmonary function status and is correlated well with FEV1. V(O(2)) max×kg(-1)×min(-1) is the best parameter among these three parameters to predict the risk of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications in patients with chest malignant tumors and borderline cardiopulmonary function.</p>

Comparison of the results of lymph node dissection via left versus right thoracotomy / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Up to now surgical treatment has been still the most effective treatment for esophageal cancer. However, postoperative lymph node recurrence is still a frequent event and affects long term survival considerably. The aim of this study is to compare the results of lymph node dissection via left vs. right thoracotomies and to verify whether there is any essential difference in lymphadenectomy between these two approaches.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Five hundred and fifty-nine cases with thoracic esophageal cancer were randomly selected from the database of esophageal cancer patients who underwent surgical treatment in our hospital between May 2005 and January 2011, including 282 cases through left thoracotomy and 277 cases through right thoracotomy. This series consisted of 449 males and 110 females with a mean age of 58.8 years (age range: 36 - 78 years). The pathological types were mainly squamous cell carcinoma (548 cases) and other rare types (11 cases). The data were analyzed and compared using Chi-square test. The P-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. The actual 5-year survival rate was calculated based on the recent follow-up data of the patients who underwent surgery at least 5 years ago.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average number of dissected lymph nodes was 23.4 via left versus 24.6 via right thoracotomies. The overall lymph node metastasis rate was 48.9% via left thoracotomy and 53.8% via right thoracotomy, and 34.8% vs. 50.5% in the chest (P < 0.001), 29.1% vs. 17.7% in the abdomen (P = 0.001). The pathologically confirmed lymph node metastasis rate was 45.9%, 44.0% and 34.9% in the upper, middle and lower segments of thoracic esophagus, respectively. The lymph node metastasis rates detected via left and right thoracotomy in the stage T1 cases were 14.7% (5/34) vs. 42.9% (12/28) (P < 0.001), and in the stage T2 cases were 35.4% (17/48) vs. 52.8% (28/53) (P = 0.007); in the station of para-thoracic esophagus were 9.6% vs. 13.4%, in the left upper mediastinum were 2.1% vs. 7.6%, and in the right upper mediastinum were 1.4% vs. 26.0%, respectively. The preliminary actual 5-year survival rate was 38.2% in the cases via left thoracotomy vs. 42.1% in those via right thoracotomy.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The results of this study demonstrate that lymph node dissection is more complete via right thoracotomy than via left thoracotomy, especially for the tracheoesophageal groove and para-recurrent laryngeal nerve nodes, which may eventually improve the survival of patients with esophageal cancer. Therefore, surgical treatment via right thoracotomy by Ivor-Lewis (two incisions) mode or Levis-Tanner (three incisions) mode with two-field or three-field complete lymph node dissection may become prevalent in the future.</p>

Comparison of the short-term outcomes of surgical treatment for non-small cell lung cancer via video assisted thoracoscopic surgery and open thoracotomy / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the short-term outcomes of surgical treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and open thoracotomy (OT).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Data of 737 consecutive NSCLC patients who underwent surgical treatment for non-small cell lung cancer by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and 630 patients who underwent pulmonary resection via open thoracotomy (as controls) in Cancer Institute & Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between January 2009 and August 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. The risk factors after lobectomy were also analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the 506 NSCLC patients who received VATS lobectomy, postoperative complications occurred in 13 patients (2.6%) and one patient died of acute respiratory distress syndrome (0.2%). In the 521 patients who received open thoracotomy (OT) lobectomy, postoperative complications occurred in 21 patients (4.0%) and one patient died of pulmonary infection (0.2%). There was no significant difference in the morbidity rate (P > 0.05) and mortality rate (P > 0.05) between the VATS group and OT group. In the 190 patients who received VATS wedge resections, postoperative complications occurred in 3 patients (1.6%). One hundred and nine patients received OT wedge resections. Postoperative complications occurred in 4 patients (3.7%). There were no significant differences for morbidity rate (P = 0.262) between these two groups, and there was no perioperative death in these two groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that age (OR = 1.047, 95%CI: 1.004 - 1.091), history of smoking (OR = 6.374, 95%CI: 2.588 - 15.695) and operation time (OR = 1.418, 95%CI: 1.075 - 1.871) were independent risk factors of postoperative complications.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>To compare with the NSCLC patients who should undergo lobectomy or wedge resection via open thoracotomy, a similar short-term outcome can be achieved via VATS approach.</p>

Clinical analysis of 19 cases of adult primary mediastinal liposarcoma / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the pathoclinical features of adult primary mediastinal liposarcoma and their correlation with the prognosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 19 patients with adult primary mediastinal liposarcoma who were treated in our hospital between 1970 and 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. Eighteen patients underwent open thoracic tumor excisions for at least one time, and the remaining one patient only received biopsy surgery. Histopathological results after surgery revealed that 6 well-differentiated type tumors, 6 myxoid type tumors, 3 pleomorphic type tumors, 2 mixed type tumors, and 2 un-classified tumors.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among 6 patients with well-differentiated type tumors, 1 died after having been survived for 10 years; 5 were still alive, with a mean duration of 126.2 months,the 5-year survival rate was 100%. Among 6 patients with myxoid type tumors, 5 patients had follow-up data, with a mean survival of 26.2 months. Among 3 patients with pleomorphic type tumors, only one patient had follow-up data: the patient finally died, with a survival of 34 months. Of 2 patients with mixed type tumors, only one patient had follow-up data: the patient survived 8 months and died. Of 2 patients with un-classified type tumors, one had follow-up data: the patient lived for 24 months and died.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Mediastinal liposarcoma is a rare disease. Surgery is the primary therapeutic modality. Different pathological subtypes have different epidemiological features, biological behaviors, and malignant potentials. Pathological subtype is an important prognosis factor. Patients with well-differentiated tumors have much better prognosis than those with other subtypes.</p>

Comparative study of endoscopic mucous resection with transparent cap and endoscopic multi-band mucosectomy for early esophageal cancer and precancerous lesion / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic mucous resection with transparent cap (EMR-Cap) and endoscopic multi-band mucosectomy (MBM) in the treatment of early esophageal cancer and precancerous lesion.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective study was performed to review 30 EMR-Cap cases from December 2008 to December 2009 and 32 MBM cases from January 2010 to January 2011 of early esophageal cancer and precancerous lesions. The differences between these two techniques in efficacy, safety, and cost were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In EMR-Cap group, the median resection time was 26(10-56) min and median procedure time was 43(22-81) min, significantly longer than those in MBM group [10(7-18) min and 32(28-45) min, P=0.036 and 0.038, respectively]. There were no significant differences between the two groups in total thickness and depth of resected lesions (P>0.05). In EMR-Cap group, the median cost was significantly higher than that of MBM group [(5466±354) vs. (4014±368) RMB, P=0.008)].</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>EMR-Cap and MBM are minimally invasive, safe and effective methods in the treatment of early esophageal cancer and precancerous lesions. Compared to the EMR-Cap, MBM is simple with shorter treatment time and lower cost.</p>

Preliminary experience of clinical applications of the 7th UICC-AJCC TNM staging system of esophageal carcinoma / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the instructive value of the 6th and 7th editions of the UICC-AJCC staging system in prognosis of esophageal cancer (EC) patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The staging and prognosis of 1397 esophageal carcinoma patients undergoing curative resection from Jan. 2003 to Dec. 2006 in our hospital were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed according to the 6th AJCC staging system and the 7th UICC-AJCC staging system.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 5-year overall survival (OS) of EC patients with curative resection was 38.5% (481/1250 cases), with a follow-up rate of 89.5% (1250/1397 case). In overall terms, both the editions were statistically significant discriminators of OS (P < 0.05). The 5-year OS of stages I, II and III patients were 64.9%, 43.5%, 25.2% according to the 6th edition, and 63.5%, 44.5%, 23.5% according to the 7th edition, respectively. Distinct differences in survival were present among patients categorized as stage Ia and Ib according to the 7th edition (P < 0.05), with a 5-year OS of 80.0% and 58.3%, respectively. Similarly, according to the 7th edition, the 5-year overall survivals (OS) of the stages IIIa, IIIb and IIIc patients were 28.2%, 18.4% and 16.7%, respectively, showing that the prognoses were significantly different (P < 0.05). In addition, according to the 7th edition, the prognoses of patients in stages N0, N1, N2 and N3 were also significantly different (P < 0.01), and the 5-year OS were 50.0%, 31.5%, 18.7% and 16.7%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Both the 6th and 7th editions of UICC-AJCC staging system are significant discriminators for survival of esophageal cancer patients. The 7th edition is proved to be more accurate in prognosis. The number of lymph node metastases is an important predictor of prognosis.</p>

Surgical treatment of sternal tumors: resection of the tumors and reconstruction of the chest wall defects / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the efficacy of surgical treatment of sternal tumors and repairing methods of the chest wall defects.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifteen patients with sternal tumors were diagnosed and underwent resection of the sternal tumors according to the en-bolck principle and repair of the chest wall defects using various materials from January 1968 to December 2010 in our hospital.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of 6 patients with sternal manubrim tumors, one patient had reconstruction only with steel wire, other 5 patients healed completely after repair with soft materials. Of 7 patients with sternal body tumors, one patient recovered quickly without reconstruction because he had only partial resection; four patients had chest wall repair with soft materials, but they breathed hardly; and two patients had chest wall reconstruction with rigid materials. One patient had ventilatory support, another patient recovered quickly. Ventilatory support was needed in two patients treated by subtotal sternectomy because they had chest wall repair with soft materials.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In surgical treatment of sternal tumors by manubrim sternetomy, the chest wall defects can be constructed with soft materials. After resection of sternal body tumors and subtotal sternectomy, the thoracic wall defects need to be reconstructed with rigid materials.</p>

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing in the evaluation of high risk patients with lung cancer / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>It is still unclear whether pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are sufficient for predicting perioperative risk, and whether all patients or only a subset of them need a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) for further assessment. Thus, this study was designed to evaluate the CPET and compare the results of CPET and conventional PFTs to identify which parameters are more reliable and valuable in predicting perioperative risks for high risk patients with lung cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2005 to August 2008, 297 consecutive lung cancer patients underwent conventional PFTs (spirometry + single-breath carbon monoxide diffusing capacity of the lungs (DLCOsb) for diffusion capacity) and CPET preoperatively. The correlation of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications with the parameters of PFT and CPET was retrospectively analyzed using the chi-square test, independent sample t test and binary Logistic regression analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 297 patients, 78 did not receive operation due to advanced disease stage or poor cardiopulmonary function. The remaining 219 underwent different modes of operations. Twenty-one cases were excluded from this study due to exploration alone (15 cases) and operation-related complications (6 cases). Thus, 198 cases were eligible for evaluation. Fifty of the 198 patients (25.2%) had postoperative cardiopulmonary complications. Three patients (1.5%) died of complications within 30 postoperative days. The patients were stratified into groups based on VO(2)max/pred (≥ 70.0%, < 70.0%); VO(2)max×kg(-1)×min(-1) (≥ 20.0 ml, 15.0 - 19.9 ml, < 15.0 ml) and FEV1 (≥ 2.0 L, 1.2 - 1.99 L, < 1.2 L), respectively. The rate of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications was significantly higher in the group with VO(2)max/pred< 70.0% or VO(2)max×kg(-1)×min(-1) < 15.0 ml or FEV1 < 1.2 L than that in the group with VO(2)max/pred ≥ 70.0% or VO(2)max×kg(-1)×min(-1) ≥ 15.0 ml or FEV1 ≥ 1.2 L, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed that postoperative cardiopulmonary complications were significantly correlated with age, comorbidities, and poor PFT and CPET results.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>FEV1 in spirometry, VO(2)max×kg(-1)×min(-1) and VO(2)max/pred in cardiopulmonary exercise tests can all be used to stratify the patients' cardiopulmonary function status and to predict the risk of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications for the high risk patients with lung cancer. FEV1 and VO(2)max×kg(-1)×min(-1) are better than VO(2)max/pred in predicting perioperative risk. If available, cardiopulmonary exercise testing is strongly suggested for high-risk lung cancer patients in addition to conventional pulmonary function tests, and both should be combined to assess cardiopulmonary function status.</p>

Diagnostic value of transbronchial needle aspiration combined with transesophageal endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration in mediastinal and pulmonary hilar lesions / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the value of transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) combined with transesophageal endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in the diagnosis of mediastinal and pulmonary hilar lesions as well as in the lymph node staging (N staging) of lung cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>129 patients with mediastinal and pulmonary hilar lesions underwent either TBNA or EUS-FNA with cytological needle aspiration. The samples obtained from TBNA or EUS-FNA were examined by both cytologiy and histopathology.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 129 patients, 59 underwent TBNA and 70 EUS-FNA. The diagnostic rate were 84.7% (50/59) by TBNA and 94.3% (66/70) by EUS-FNA, resepectively. The diagnosis of 116 (89.9%) patients were confirmed by either TBNA or EUS-FNA. The pathological and cytological diagnostic rates were 92.2% (107/116) and 88.0% (102/116), resepectively. The diagnostic rate was elevated by 8.4% (9/107) through pathological examination. The histological classification rates by cytological and pathological examination were 73.8% (76/116) and 89.3% (92/103), respectively. The diagnostic rate of histological classification was elevated by 35.5% (27/76) through pathological examination.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The combination of TBNA and EUS-FNA can improve the diagnostic rate for wider mediastinal and pulmlonary hilar lesions. Pathological examination of the samples obtained from the TBNA and EUS-FNA can elevate not only the rate of diagnosis but also the rate of histological classification.</p>

Treatment and prevention of bronchus-pleural fistula after pneumonectomy for lung cancer / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the methods of the treatment and the principles of the prevention of bronchus-pleural fistula (BPF) after pneumonectomy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 15 cases of BPF after pneumonectomy in 815 lung cancer cases treated from July 1999 to June 2006 were analyzed retrospectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The occurrence rate of BPF after right pneumonectomy was 3.9% (12/310), higher than 0.6% (3/505) of left pneumonectomy (P < 0.01). The occurrence rate of BPF in cases with positive cancer residues in stump of bronchus was 22.7% (5/22), higher than 1.3% (10/793) of the cases with negative stump of bronchus (P < 0.01). The occurrence rate of BPF in the cases received preoperative radio- or chemotherapy was 5.0% (6/119), higher than 1.3% (9/696) of the cases received operation only (P < 0.05). There were no BPF occurred in the 76 cases whose bronchial stump were covered with autogenous tissues. All of the cases diagnosed as BPF were undertaken either closed or open chest drainage. Two cases were cured by thoracentesis aspiration and infusion antibiotics repeatedly. Two cases were cured by blocking the fistula with fibrin glue after sufficient anti-inflammatory treatment and hypertonic saline flushing. Six cases were discharged with a stable condition after closed drainage only. One case was discharged with open drainage for long time and 1 case was cured by hypertonic saline flushing after failure to cover the BPF using muscle flaps. Three cases died of multi-organs functional failure.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>BPF are related to the bronchial stump management and positive or negative residue of tumor at the bronchial stump. Autogenous tissues covering of the bronchial stump is a effective method for decrease the rate of BPF and especially for those patients received preoperative radio- or chemotherapy and right pneumonectomy. It should be performed for early mild cases with repeated thoracentesis aspirations or blocking the fistula with fibrin glue together with antibiotics. Chest closed drainage immediately and flushing with hypertonic saline repeatedly are effective methods for BPF.</p>

Management of primary small cell carcinoma of the esophagus / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Primary small cell carcinoma of the esophagus is rare. Although surgery is successful in eradicating local tumor, the five-year survival rate of patients with primary small cell carcinoma of the esophagus after resection is lower than that of patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical manifestations, pathological features and treatment of primary small cell carcinoma of the esophagus.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 73 patients with primary small cell carcinoma of the esophagus who had been treated by surgery from 1984 to 2003 were analyzed retrospectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In this series, the overall resection rate was 94.5% (69/73), the radical resection rate 89.0% (65/73) and the operative mortality 1.4% (1/73). The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates of patients were 50.7%, 13.7% and 8.2%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Primary small cell carcinoma of the esophagus is rare with a poor prognosis. Surgical resection is the leading method for patients with stage I or II primary small cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Postoperative chemotherapy is beneficial to these patients. The patients of stage III or IV should be given chemotherapy and radiation therapy.</p>

Surgical therapeutic strategy for non-small cell lung cancer with (N2) mediastinal lymph node metastasis / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the surgical therapeutic strategy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with (N2) mediastinal lymph node metastasis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 325 patients with N2 NSCLC treated surgically between 1961 and 1995 were analysed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The over-all 5-year survival rate was 19.6%. Survival was higher in patients with radical resection than with palliative resection, with squamous-cell carcinoma than with adenocarcinoma, with sleeve lobectomy and pneumonectomy than with regular lobectomy, with 1 to 3 mediastinal metastatic lymph nodes than those over 4, and with adjuvant therapy (chiefly postoperative radiotherapy) than without. All these differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no 5-year survivor in patients with T3 or T4 tumor, nor in those with distant metastasis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It is suggested that surgery is the best choice for N2 NSCLC patients with T1 or T2 tumor, with non-adenocarcinoma, and with metastatic mediastinal lymph nodes less than 4 in number. Surgery is probably not a good choice in those with T3 tumor varieties. At operation, radical resection of the tumor and systematic removal of all hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes are essential for disease staging and survival improvement. Adjuvant therapy may improve long-term survival and is especially indicated in patients with residual tumor and/or metastatic mediastinal lymph nodes over 3 in number.</p>

Postoperative respiratory failure in patients with cancer of esophagus and gastric cardia / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>We retrospectively analyzed the cause and death risk of 114 postoperative respiratory failure patients found in 3519 patients with esophageal cancer and 1495 patients with carcinoma of gastric cardia surgically treated between January 1992 and May 2003.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>To analyze the reasons causing postoperative respiratory failure in surgically treated esophageal or gastric cardia cancer patients, and the correlation between the death risk of postoperative respiratory failure and preoperative pulmonary function tests, postoperative complications, operation modes, history of preoperative accompanying diseases and so on using Binary Logistic Regression analysis and Chi-square tests (chi(2)) in SSPS statistics software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In this series, postoperative respiratory failure developed in 97 of 3519 (2.76%) esophageal cancer patients and 17 of 1495 (1.14%) gastric cardia cancer patients, which were mainly caused by severe respiratory tract infection (37.7%, 43/114) and operative complications (35.1%, 40/114) such as: anastomotic leakage or perforation of thoracic stomach, extensive bleeding during operation, chylothorax, etc, totally accounting for 72.8% (83/114). In contrast with lung cancer patients, most of the postoperative respiratory failure (69.3%) occurred in the patients who had perioperative complications but almost always normal preoperative pulmonary function tests. Other reasons to cause postoperative respiratory failure were: extubation in unconscious patients at the end of general anesthesia; over-infusion during operation; pulmonary artery embolism; severe arrhythmia and so on. All patients except 2 were treated in ICU by mechanic ventilation through intubation and/or tracheotomy. Eighty patients (70.2%) were intubated and/or had tracheotomy within 3 days postoperatively. Seventy patients (61.4%) were rescued successfully, whereas 44 cases (38.6%) died of postoperative respiratory failure and/or other postoperative complications. Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis by binary logistic regression indicated that: severe perioperative complications, more postoperative complications, poor preoperative pulmonary function, radical preoperative radiotherapy, intubation and/or tracheotomy after the second postoperative day and long period of mechanic ventilation were the major risk factors leading to death once the postoperative respiratory failure developed. The former 3 factors were independent risk factors leading to death with OR of 2.50, 2.37, 1.68, respectively. Age, sex, operation modes, history of preoperative accompanying disease, prophylactic antibiotics were not demonstrated as statistically significant risk factors correlated with death.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Severe perioperative complications and respiratory tract infection are the two major causes of postoperative respiratory failure in patients with cancer of esophagus and gastric cardia. Patients with severe perioperative complications or poor preoperative pulmonary function or association with more than two kinds of postoperative complications have much higher death risk than other patients when they develop postoperative respiratory failure. Careful manipulation during operation and effective perioperative management are the most important measures to avoid postoperative respiratory failure and high mortality.</p>

Influence of the number of lymph node metastasis on survival and significance of postoperative radiotherapy for esophageal carcinoma / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the influence of the number of lymph node metastasis on survival and prophylactic postoperative radiotherapy after radical resection of thoracic esophageal carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Four hundred and ninety-five patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell cancer who had undergone radical resection were randomly divided into surgery group alone (S, 275) and surgery plus radiotherapy group (S + R, 220). The patients were classified into three groups: Group A: 234 patients (47.2%) without lymph node involvement; Group B: 146 patients (29.5%) with 1 to 2 involved lymph nodes and Group C: 115 patients (23.2%) with >or= 3 involved lymph nodes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>1. The 5-year survival rate in Groups A, B and C for the same T stage (T3) was 52.6%, 28.8% and 10.9%, respectively (P = 0.0000); the 5-year survival rate in group C was 0% in S group and 19.3% in S + R group (P = 0.0336); 2. In the positive lymph node group, the metastatic rate of intra-thoracic and supraclavicular lymph node was 35.9% and 21.2% in S group and 19.7% and 4.4% in S+R group (P = 0.014 and P = 0.000). In the negative lymph node group, the metastatic rates of intra-thoracic lymph node was 27.8% in S group and 10.3% in S + R group (P = 0.003). The metastatic rate of intra-abdominal lymph node in Groups A, B and C was 3.9%, 9.4% and 17.5%, respectively (P = 0.0000). The occurrence of hematogenous metastasis was most frequent in group C (27.8%) with >or= 3 positive lymph nodes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>1. The number of metastatic lymph node is one of the important factors which affects the survival of thoracic esophageal carcinoma. 2. Chemotherapy might be given to the patients with three or more lymph nodes involved who have the possibility of developing hematogenous metastasis. Postoperative radiotherapy can reduce the occurrence of intra-thoracic and supraclavicular lymph node metastasis and improve the survival of patients with three or more lymph nodes involvement.</p>

Clinical analysis of surgical treatment of primary tracheal tumors / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize the clinical experiences in treating primary tracheal tumors by surgery.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data concerning 70 surgically treated patients between 1968 and 2001 were retrospectively analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 39 sleeve tracheal resections, 13 carinal resections, 10 lateral tracheal wall resections, 5 local enucleations, and 1 pneumonectomy. The tumors in 2 patients were unresectable. The morbidity rate was 31% (22/70) and operative 30-day mortality for resection with primary reconstruction was 8% (4/52). The tumors were benign in 14 and malignant in 56 cases. The most common malignant tumors were adenoidcystic carcinoma (45%) and squamous cell carcinoma (23%). The cases of benign tracheal tumors were followed up for an average of 5.7 years. After resection for malignant tumors, the overall 5- and 10-year survival rates were 64% (21/33) and 54% (14/26), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Surgical resection is the most effective treatment of tracheal tumors. Tracheal resection and reconstruction is the treatment of choice for primary tracheal tumors. Benign tumors should be resected conservatively with preservation of tracheal parenchyma. The reduction of operative complications are key points of good surgical results.</p>