Development and validation of a simulator for teaching minimally invasive thoracic surgery in Brazil

ABSTRACT Purpose To develop and validate a chest cavity simulator for teaching video-assited thoracic surgery (VATS). Methods The first phase of the study consisted of developing a chest cavity simulator. A quasi-experimental study was performed in the second phase, and 25 surgeons and residents participated in a three-stage pulmonary suture experiment. The videos were recorded and timed. Generalized linear regression models for repeated measures were used to analyze the outcome change over time. Results The chest cavity simulator consists of a console simulating the left hemithorax. Among the participants, 96% rated the design, visual aspect, positioning ergonomics, and triangulation of the portals as very good or excellent (face validity). There was a decrease in suturing time in step 1 from 435.7 ± 105 to 355.6 ± 76.8 seconds compared to step 3 (p = 0.001). The evaluation of the simulation effectiveness and performance (content validity) was rated as very good or excellent by 96% ofparticipants. The most experienced surgeon showed significant reduction in procedure time (p = 0.021) (construct validity). Conclusions The thoracic cavity simulator is realistic, showing content and construct validity, and can be used in VATS training. The simulation model allowed skill gain in the endoscopic suture.

Molecular profile of non-small cell lung cancer in northeastern Brazil / Perfil molecular do carcinoma pulmonar de células não pequenas no Nordeste brasileiro

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the histological subtypes and mutational profiles of non-small cell lung cancer in Brazil, looking for correlations among histological subtypes, expression of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), EGFR mutation status, and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. Methods: We evaluated 173 specimens obtained from patients with lung adenocarcinoma in northeastern Brazil. Expression of PD-L1 and ALK was evaluated by immunohistochemistry; EGFR mutation status was evaluated by sequencing. We categorized the histological subtypes in accordance with the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer/American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society classification. Results: The most common histological subtypes of lung adenocarcinoma were solid predominant (in 46.8%), acinar predominant (in 37.0%), and lepidic predominant (in 9.8%). ALK expression was detected in 10.4% of the samples, and 22.0% of the tumors harbored EGFR mutations. The most common EGFR mutation was an exon 21 L858R point mutation (in 45.5%), followed by an exon 19 deletion (in 36.3%). The tumor proportion score for PD-L1 expression was ≥ 50% in 18.2% of the samples, 1-49% in 32.7%, and 0% in 49.5%. The solid predominant subtype was significantly associated with wild-type EGFR status (p = 0.047). Positivity for PD-L1 expression was not found to be significantly associated with ALK expression or EGFR mutation status. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the molecular profile of non-small cell lung cancer in northeastern Brazil differs from those of populations in other regions of the country, with ALK positivity being higher than the other biomarkers. Further studies including clinical and genetic information are required to confirm these differences, as well as studies focusing on populations living in different areas of the country.

RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar os subtipos histológicos e perfis de mutação do carcinoma pulmonar de células não pequenas no Brasil, bem como as correlações entre os subtipos histológicos, a expressão do gene anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK, quinase do linfoma anaplásico), o estado de mutação do gene EGFR e a expressão de programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1, ligante de morte celular programada 1). Métodos: Avaliamos 173 espécimes provenientes de pacientes com adenocarcinoma pulmonar no Nordeste brasileiro. A expressão de PD-L1 e ALK foi avaliada por meio de imuno-histoquímica, ao passo que o estado de mutação do EGFR foi avaliado por meio de sequenciamento. Os subtipos histológicos foram classificados de acordo com a International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer/American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society. Resultados: Os subtipos histológicos mais comuns de adenocarcinoma pulmonar foram o predominantemente sólido (em 46,8%), o predominantemente acinar (em 37,0%) e o predominantemente lepídico (em 9,8%). A expressão de ALK foi detectada em 10,4% das amostras, e 22,0% dos tumores apresentavam mutações do gene EGFR. As mutações mais comuns do EGFR foram a mutação pontual L858R no éxon 21 (em 45,5%) e a deleção do éxon 19 (em 36,3%). O tumor proportion score relativo à expressão de PD-L1 foi ≥ 50% em 18,2% das amostras, = 1-49% em 32,7% e = 0% em 49,5%. O subtipo predominantemente sólido relacionou-se significativamente com EGFR selvagem (p = 0,047). A expressão positiva de PD-L1 não se relacionou significativamente com a expressão de ALK ou o estado de mutação do EGFR. Conclusões: Nossos resultados sugerem que o perfil molecular do carcinoma pulmonar de células não pequenas no Nordeste brasileiro difere do de populações em outras regiões do país: a expressão positiva de ALK é maior que os demais biomarcadores. Mais estudos com informações clínicas e genéticas são necessários para confirmar essas diferenças, além de estudos que se concentrem em populações em diferentes áreas do país.

Anatomic pulmonary resection by video-assisted thoracoscopy: the Brazilian experience (VATS Brazil study) / Ressecção pulmonar anatômica por videotoracoscopia: experiência brasileira (VATS Brasil)

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the results of anatomic pulmonary resections performed by video-assisted thoracoscopy in Brazil. Methods: Thoracic surgeons (members of the Brazilian Society of Thoracic Surgery) were invited, via e-mail, to participate in the study. Eighteen surgeons participated in the project by providing us with retrospective databases containing information related to anatomic pulmonary resections performed by video-assisted thoracoscopy. Demographic, surgical, and postoperative data were collected with a standardized instrument, after which they were compiled and analyzed. Results: The surgeons provided data related to a collective total of 786 patients (mean number of resections per surgeon, 43.6). However, 137 patients were excluded because some data were missing. Therefore, the study sample comprised 649 patients. The mean age of the patients was 61.7 years. Of the 649 patients, 295 (45.5%) were male. The majority-521 (89.8%)-had undergone surgery for neoplasia, which was most often classified as stage IA. The median duration of pleural drainage was 3 days, and the median hospital stay was 4 days. Of the 649 procedures evaluated, 598 (91.2%) were lobectomies. Conversion to thoracotomy was necessary in 30 cases (4.6%). Postoperative complications occurred in 124 patients (19.1%), the most common complications being pneumonia, prolonged air leaks, and atelectasis. The 30-day mortality rate was 2.0%, advanced age and diabetes being found to be predictors of mortality. Conclusions: Our analysis of this representative sample of patients undergoing pulmonary resection by video-assisted thoracoscopy in Brazil showed that the procedure is practicable and safe, as well as being comparable to those performed in other countries.

RESUMO Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever os resultados de ressecções pulmonares anatômicas por videotoracoscopia no Brasil. Métodos: Cirurgiões torácicos (membros da Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia Torácica) foram convidados, por correio eletrônico, a participar do estudo. Dezoito cirurgiões participaram do projeto enviando seus bancos de dados retrospectivos referentes a ressecções anatômicas de pulmão por videotoracoscopia. Dados demográficos, cirúrgicos e pós-operatórios foram coletados em um instrumento padronizado e posteriormente compilados e analisados. Resultados: Dados referentes a 786 pacientes foram encaminhados (média de 43,6 ressecções por cirurgião), sendo 137 excluídos por informações incompletas. Logo, 649 pacientes constituíram nossa população estudada. A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 61,7 anos, 295 eram homens (45,5%), e a maioria - 521 (89,8%) - foi submetida à cirurgia por neoplasia, mais frequentemente classificada como estádio IA. A mediana do tempo de drenagem pleural foi de 3 dias, e a do tempo de internação, 4 dias. Dos 649 procedimentos realizados, 598 (91,2%) foram lobectomias. A taxa de conversão para toracotomia foi de 4,6% (30 casos). Complicações pós-operatórias ocorreram em 124 pacientes (19,1%), sendo pneumonia, escape aéreo prolongado e atelectasia as mais frequentes. A mortalidade em 30 dias foi de 2,0%, tendo como preditores idade avançada e diabetes. Conclusões: A casuística brasileira mostra que as ressecções pulmonares por cirurgia torácica videoassistida são factíveis e seguras, além de comparáveis àquelas de registros internacionais.