Preliminary Recommendations on the Timing of Lung Surgery after Novel Coronavirus Infection in Patients with Pulmonary Nodules and Lung Cancer / 中国肺癌杂志

In recent years, the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a huge impact on the global medical, political and economic fields. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic, our understanding of the impact of COVID-19 has grown exponentially. Recently, the COVID-19 epidemic has changed rapidly in China, and there has been controversy over how to carry out surgical operations for patients with lung neoplastic lesions. Some studies have shown that lung cancer patients undergoing surgery are more likely to experience respiratory failure and perioperative death after contracting COVID-19 than the general population, however, delays in cancer treatment are also associated with increased mortality among these patients. In particular, the novel coronavirus Omikron variant has a higher transmissibility and may escape the immunity obtained through the previous novel coronavirus infection and vaccination. In order to minimize the risk of novel coronavirus infection in surgical patients, it is necessary to develop new treatment guidelines, expert consensus and preventive measures. However, the current rapid change of the epidemic situation has led to insufficient time and evidence to develop guidelines and consensus. Therefore, thoracic surgeons need to evaluate specific patient populations at higher risk of severe complications before surgery and weigh the benefit of surgical treatment against the risk of novel coronavirus infection. We try to give some recommendations on lung surgery during the current domestic epidemic situation based on the guidelines and consensus of oncology and thoracic surgery organizations in different regions on lung surgery.
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Clinical characteristics and risk factors for perioperative lung surgery patients with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective     To investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors for perioperative lung surgery patients with SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron variant infection. Methods     The clinical data of patients who underwent lung surgery at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from December 1, 2022 to January 9, 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into an infection group and a non-infection group according to whether they were infected with SARS-CoV-2. And the clinical data of two groups were collected and compared. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the risk factors affecting the time of hospitalization. Results     A total of 70 patients were enrolled in this study, including 36 (51.4%) males and 34 (48.6%) females at a median age of 61.0 (49.0, 66.8) years. There were 28 patients in the infection group and 42 patients in the non-infection group. The proportion of preoperative abnormal coagulation function and the risk of postoperative pulmonary infection in perioperative patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 were higher than those in the non-infection group (P<0.05). Subgroup analysis found that patients with preoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection were more likely to have pulmonary infection after surgery, but did not prolong the time of hospitalization or increase the risk of severe disease rate. The patients with postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection had worse clinical prognosis, including longer time of hospitalization (P=0.004), higher ICU admission rate (P=0.000), higher lung infection rate (P=0.003) and respiratory failure rate (P=0.000). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that gender and extent of surgery were independent risk factors for prolonged hospitalization time. Conclusion     Preoperative infection with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant will increase the risk of pulmonary infection, but it will not affect the clinical prognosis. However, postoperative infection with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant will still prolong the time of hospitalization, increase the ICU rate, and the risk of pulmonary complications.

The risk factors of postoperative atrial fibrillation in critically ill lung surgery patients and the establishment of nomogram / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective:To identify the risk factors of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) in critically ill lung surgery patients and establish a nomogram.Methods:213 critically ill lung surgery patients were collected in Beijing Chaoyang Hospital from January 2018 to December 2021. Logistic analysis was used to analyze the risk factors of POAF. A nomogram was developed based on the verified risk factors. Results:The independent risk factors associated with POAF was mitral regurgitation ( OR=4.270, 95% CI: 1.380-13.213, P=0.012), cedilanid ( OR=14.619, 95% CI: 2.913-73.373, P=0.001), catecholamine ( OR=3.244, 95% CI: 1.144-9.203, P=0.027), pericardiotomy( OR=6.079, 95% CI: 1.362-27.128, P=0.009), systematic lymph node dissection( OR=5.460, 95% CI: 1.770-16.846, P=0.003). Nomogram model showed the ROC was 0.801(95% CI: 0.721-0.881, P<0.001). Conclusion:The risk factors of POAF in critically ill lung surgery patients are mitral regurgitation, cedilanid, catecholamine, pericardiotomy and systematic lymph node dissection. The nomogram predicted POAF better than other scoring systems.

Protocolo ERATS en cirugía pulmonar / ERATS Protocol in Pulmonary Surgery

Introducción: Los cuidados perioperatorios estandarizados ayudan a asegurar que todos los pacientes reciban un tratamiento óptimo. Objetivo: Aplicar un método de cuidados perioperatorios multimodales sistemáticos, en pacientes sometidos a cirugía pulmonar mayor. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión narrativa de la literatura relevante, publicada sobre el tema en las bases de datos MEDLINE, Cochrane, además de Medigraph, en idiomas inglés, español y francés. Se hizo énfasis en los artículos de los últimos 5 años, sobre todo estudios aleatorizados, bases de datos institucionales y nacionales, revisiones sistemáticas, metanálisis y programas y protocolos ERAS/ERATS, además de artículos de revisión. Desarrollo: Los estudios obtenidos fueron evaluados por los autores por separado y, más tarde, en conjunto para definir cuáles se ajustaban a los objetivos. El protocolo se dividió en 5 fases: preoperatoria, ingreso hospitalario, preoperatoria inmediata, intraoperatoria, posoperatoria. Para cada una de ellas se definieron las acciones a realizar, según la evidencia disponible. Conclusiones: La implantación del protocolo permitirá pasar de una fase empírica a una investigativa, de manera que se podrán obtener resultados superiores en el tratamiento quirúrgico de los pacientes enrolados en las investigaciones que se realicen(AU)

Introduction: Standardized perioperative care helps ensure that all patients receive optimal treatment. Objective: To apply a method of systematic multimodal perioperative care in patients undergoing major pulmonary surgery. Methods: A narrative review was performed of the relevant literature published on the subject in MEDLINE, Cochrane, and Medigraph databases in English, Spanish, and French. Emphasis was made on articles from the last 5 years, especially randomized studies, institutional and national databases, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and ERAS/ERATS programs and protocols, as well as review articles. Discussion: The studies retrieved were evaluated by the authors separately and, later, together to define which ones met the objectives. The protocol was divided into 5 phases: preoperative, hospital admission, immediate preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative. For each of them, the actions to be carried out were defined, according to the available evidence. Conclusions: The implementation of the protocol will allow to go from an empirical phase to an investigative one, so that better results can be obtained in the surgical treatment of patients enrolled in the investigations(AU)

Stereotactic body radiotherapy versus surgery for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer: an updated meta-analysis involving 29,511 patients included in comparative studies / Radioterapia estereotáxica corporal vs. cirurgia para câncer de pulmão de células não pequenas em estágio inicial: meta-análise atualizada envolvendo 29.511 pacientes incluídos em estudos comparativos

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) versus surgery for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by means of a meta-analysis of comparative studies. Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines, searches were performed on PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library for eligible studies. The meta-analysis compared the hazard ratios (HR) for overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and local control (LC). Subgroup and meta-regression analyses evaluated the association of extent of surgical resection, study publication year, tumor staging, propensity score matching, proportion of chemotherapy use, and proportion of pathological lymph node involvement with CSS and OS. Results: Thirty studies involving 29,511 patients were included (surgery group: 17,146 patients and SBRT group: 12,365 patients). There was a significant difference in favor of surgery vs. SBRT in the 3-year OS (HR = 1.35; 95% CI: 1.22-1.44; I2 = 66%) and 3-year CSS (HR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.09-1.37; I2 = 17%), but not in the 3-year LC (HR = 0.97; 95% CI: 0.93-1.08; I2 = 19%). In the subgroup analysis for OS, no significant difference between surgery and SBRT groups was observed in the T1N0M0 subgroup (HR = 1.26; 95% CI: 0.95-1.68; I2 = 0%). In subgroup analysis for CSS, no significant difference was detected between the sublobar resection subgroup and the SBRT group (HR = 1.21; 95% CI: 0.96-1.53; I2 = 16%). Conclusions: Surgery generally resulted in better 3-year OS and CSS than did SBRT; however, publication bias and heterogeneity may have influenced these findings. In contrast, SBRT produced LC results similar to those of surgery regardless of the extent of surgical resection. These findings may have important clinical implications for patients with comorbidities, advanced age, poor pulmonary reserve, and other factors that may contraindicate surgery.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia da stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT, radioterapia estereotáxica corporal) vs. cirurgia para câncer de pulmão de células não pequenas em estágio inicial por meio de uma meta-análise de estudos comparativos. Métodos: Seguindo as diretrizes Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses e Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology, foram realizadas buscas no PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase e Cochrane Library por estudos elegíveis. A meta-análise comparou as razões de risco (RR) para sobrevida global (SG), sobrevida específica para câncer (SEC) e controle local (CL). As análises de subgrupo e metarregressão avaliaram a associação de extensão da ressecção cirúrgica, ano de publicação do estudo, estadiamento do tumor, correspondência de escore de propensão, porcentagem de quimioterapia e porcentagem de acometimento linfonodal com SEC e SG. Resultados: Trinta estudos envolvendo 29.511 pacientes foram incluídos (grupo cirurgia: 17.146 pacientes e grupo SBRT: 12.365 pacientes). Houve diferença significativa a favor da cirurgia vs. SBRT na SG em 3 anos (RR = 1,35; IC95%: 1,22-1,44; I2 = 66%) e na SEC em 3 anos (RR = 1,23; IC95%: 1,09-1,37; I2 = 17%), mas não no CL em 3 anos (RR = 0,97; IC95%: 0,93-1,08; I2 = 19%). Na análise de subgrupo para SG, nenhuma diferença significativa entre os grupos cirurgia e SBRT foi observada no subgrupo T1N0M0 (RR = 1,26; IC95%: 0,95-1,68; I2 = 0%). Na análise de subgrupo para SEC, nenhuma diferença significativa foi detectada entre o subgrupo ressecção sublobar e o grupo SBRT (RR = 1,21; IC95%: 0,96-1,53; I2 = 16%). Conclusões: A cirurgia geralmente resultou em melhor SG e SEC em 3 anos do que a SBRT; no entanto, viés de publicação e heterogeneidade podem ter influenciado esses achados. Já a SBRT produziu resultados de CL semelhantes aos da cirurgia, independentemente da extensão da ressecção cirúrgica. Esses achados podem ter implicações clínicas importantes para pacientes com comorbidades, idade avançada, baixa reserva pulmonar e outros fatores que possam contraindicar a cirurgia.

Sublobar resection in the treatment of elderly patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer / Ressecção sublobar no tratamento de pacientes idosos com câncer de pulmão não pequenas células em estágio inicial

ABSTRACT Surgical resection is the primary treatment option for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer, lobectomy being considered the standard of care. In elderly patients, physiological characteristics can limit the suitability for surgery and the extent of resection. Sublobar resection (SLR) can be offered as an alternative. The aim of this real-world analysis was to compare lobectomy and SLR in terms of recurrence and survival rates in patients over 70 years of age.

RESUMO A ressecção cirúrgica é a principal opção de tratamento para o câncer de pulmão não pequenas células em estágio inicial, sendo a lobectomia considerada o tratamento padrão. Em pacientes idosos, as características fisiológicas podem limitar a adequabilidade da cirurgia e a extensão da ressecção. A ressecção sublobar (RSL) pode ser oferecida como alternativa. O objetivo deste estudo de mundo real foi comparar a lobectomia e a RSL em termos de taxas de recidiva e de sobrevida em pacientes acima de 70 anos de idade.

Comparison of sevoflurane and propofol anesthesia on the incidence of hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes undergoing lung surgery / 영남의대학술지

BACKGROUND: The type and regimen of anesthesia may affect perioperative hyperglycemia following major surgical stress. This study compared the effects of sevoflurane and propofol on the incidence of hyperglycemia and clinical outcomes in diabetic patients undergoing lung surgery.METHODS: This retrospective study included 176 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who had undergone lung surgery. Blood glucose levels and clinical outcomes from the preoperative period to the first 2 postoperative days (PODs) were retrospectively examined in patients who received sevoflurane (group S, n= 87) and propofol (group P, n=89) for maintenance of general anesthesia. The primary endpoint was the incidence of persistent hyperglycemia (2 consecutive blood glucose levels > 180 mg/dL [10.0 mmol/L]) during the perioperative period. The secondary composite endpoint was the incidence of major postoperative complications and 30-day mortality rate after surgery.RESULTS: Blood glucose levels similarly increased from the preoperative period to the second POD in both groups (p=0.857). Although blood glucose levels at 2 hours after surgery were significantly lower in group P than in group S (p=0.022; 95% confidence interval for mean difference, −27.154 to −2.090), there was no difference in the incidence of persistent hyperglycemia during the perioperative period (group S, 70%; group P, 69%; p=0.816). The composite of major postoperative complications and all-cause in-hospital and 30-day mortality rates were also comparable between the two groups.CONCLUSION: Sevoflurane and propofol were associated with a comparable incidence of perioperative hyperglycemia and clinical outcomes in diabetic patients undergoing lung surgery.

Clinical efficacy of prophylactic cranial irradiation for patients with surgically resected small cell lung cancer / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) in the treatment of surgically resected small cell lung cancer (SCLC).Methods Clinical data of SCLC patients undergoing radical resection surgery in Zhejiang Cancer Hospital from 2003 to 2015 were retrospectively analyzed.According to the treatment modality,all patients were allocated into the PCI and non-PCI groups.A total of 52 patients were finally included,including 19 patients in the PCI group (5 cases of stage Ⅰ,5 stage Ⅱ and 9 stage Ⅲ) and 33 in the non-PCI group (12 cases of stage Ⅰ,5 stage Ⅱ and 16 stage Ⅲ).Kaplan-Meier method was utilized for survival analysis.Cox proportional hazards model was adopted to analyze clinical prognosis.Results The median survival time was 32.9 months in the PCI group,and 20.4 months in the non-PCI group.The 2-year overall survival rate was 72％ in the PCI group,significantly higher than 38％ in the non-PCI group (P=0.023).The median brain metastasis-free survival (BMFS) was 32.5 months in the PCI group,and 17.1 months in the non-PCI group.In the PCI group,the 2-year BMFS rate was 89％,significantly better than 53％ in the non-PCI group (P=0.026).Subgroup analysis demonstrated that PCI could confer survival benefit to patients with p-stage Ⅲ (p=0.031) rather than p-stage Ⅰ (P=0.924) and Ⅱ (P=0.094) counterparts.Multivariate analysis revealed that PCI (HR=0.330,P=0.041) was an independent prognostic factor of the overall survival.Conclusions PCI can reduce thr risk of brain metastasis rate and improve the overall survival of patients with surgically resected SCLC.

Current status and progress of preoperative pulmonary function evaluation in patients with lung cancer / 中国肿瘤临床

With the diversification in surgical population and the progress of surgical techniques, the current clinical application of pre-operative pulmonary function assessment methods can hardly be qualified for accurately assessing whether lung cancer patients can tolerate surgical treatment and surgery-related risk. This paper focuses on the advantages and weaknesses of the commonly-used pul-monary function assessment methods, with the literature review of the clinical application status and progress of pulmonary function currently. We aim to achieve a reasonable evaluation of preoperative cardio-pulmonary function assessment, and sequentially reduce the risk and occurrence of surgical-related complications.

Controversies over the treatment for stage Ⅲ A-N2 non-small cell lung cancer and related advances / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Stage Ⅲ A non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has high heterogeneity and there are some controversies over the treatment of this disease,especially for patients with stage ⅢA-N2 NSCLC.This article investigates whether preoperative or postoperative radiotherapy can improve the survival of patients with stage ⅢA-N2 NSCLC and evaluates the effect of surgical treatment.

Early Detection of the Acute Exacerbation of Interstitial Pneumonia after the Surgical Resection of Lung Cancer by Planned Chest Computed Tomography

BACKGROUND: To improve postoperative outcomes associated with interstitial pneumonia (IP) in patients with lung cancer, the management of the postoperative a cute exacerbation of IP (PAEIP) was investigated. METHODS: Patients with primary lung cancer were considered to be at risk for PAEIP (possible PAEIP) based on a preoperative evaluation. The early phase of this study was from January 2001 to December 2008, and the late phase was from January 2009 to December 2014. In the early phase, chest computed tomography (CT) was performed for patients for whom PAEIP was suspected based on their symptoms, whereas in the late phase, chest CT was routinely performed within a few days postoperatively. The numbers of possible PAEIP cases, actual PAEIP cases, and deaths within 90 days due to PAEIP were compared between both phases. RESULTS: In the early and late phases, surgery was performed in 712 and 617 patients, 31 and 72 possible PAEIP cases were observed, nine and 12 actual PAEIP cases occurred, and the mean interval from the detection of PAEIP to starting treatment was 7.3±2.3 and 5.0±1.8 days, respectively. Five patients died in the early phase, and one patient died in the late phase. Significantly fewer PAEIP-related deaths were observed in the late phase (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Identifying patients at risk for PAEIP by routine postoperative CT examinations led to the early diagnosis and treatment of PAEIP, resulting in the reduction of PAEIP-related mortality.

Delayed Iatrogenic Diaphragmatic Hernia after Left Lower Lobectomy

A 66-year-old patient undergoing regular follow-up at Samsung Medical Center after left lower lobectomy visited the emergency department around 9 months postoperatively because of nausea and vomiting after routine esophagogastroduodenoscopy at a local clinic. Abdominal computed tomography showed the stomach herniating into the left thoracic cavity. We explored the pleural cavity via video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Adhesiolysis around the herniated stomach and laparotomic reduction under video assistance were successfully performed. The diaphragmatic defect was repaired via VATS. The postoperative course was uneventful, and he was discharged with resolved digestive tract symptoms.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy versus surgery for resectable stage Ⅰ non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic evaluation / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for resectable stage Ⅰ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods Clinical trials of SBRT or surgery for resectable stage Ⅰ NSCLC were collected by computerized search of Cochrane Library,MEDLINE,EMbase,CBM,CNKI,and VIP.Literature selection,quality evaluation,and data extraction were performed by two inspectors based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria.A meta-analysis was performed on the enrolled studies using RevMan 5.3 software.Results A total of four clinical trials involving 410 patients were included.The results of meta-analysis showed that there was no significant difference in 3-year overall survival rate between SBRT and surgery (RR=1.13,95％ CI=0.66-1.94,P=0.66);there was no significant difference in local control rate between SBRT and surgery (RR=0.71,95％ CI=0.26-1.93,P=0.50);patients treated with SBRT had significantly lower incidence rates of grade 3-4 adverse reactions than those treated with surgery (RR=0.29,95％ CI=0.16-0.53,P=0.000).Conclusions SBRT shows equivalent efficacy to surgery in the treatment of resectable stage Ⅰ NSCLC.However,due to the limitations in this systematic evaluation,the conclusion needs to be further confirmed by large randomized controlled trials.

An analysis of prognostic factors for stage ⅢA (N2) non-small cell lung cancer after complete resection / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective To investigate the factors associated with postoperative metastasis, recurrence, and survival in patients with stage ⅢA ( N2 ) non?small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC ) , and to provide an objective basis for postoperative radiotherapy in patients. Methods Clinical data were collected from 199 patients who underwent complete resection and were diagnosed with stage ⅢA ( N2 ) NSCLC after surgery in our hospital from 2009 to 2013. The Cox regression model was used for the multivariate analyses of metastasis and recurrence. The survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan?Meier method and analyzed using the log?rank test. Results In the 199 patients, 173 had complete follow?up data. The 1?and 2?year metastasis, recurrence, and survival rates were 38?7%/52?6%, 27?8%/39?1%, and 92?5%/51?4%, respectively. The multivariate analysis showed that pathological type and two positive indices among preoperative CEA/CY211/SCC were two risk factors for metastasis ( P=0?013,0?014) . Positive lymph node number, metastatic lymph node number, lymph node metastasis rate, and two positive indices among preoperative CEA/CY211/SCC were risk factors for recurrence ( P=0?046,0?004,0?028,0?001) . All the above indices were risk factors for low survival rates ( P= 0?013 , 0?011 , 0?002,0?026 ) . Conclusions Patients with stage ⅢA ( N2 ) NSCLC who have positive lymph nodes, lymph node metastases, and two positive indices among preoperative CEA/CY211/SCC may benefit from postoperative radiotherapy.

Prevalence of Benign Pulmonary Lesions Excised for Suspicion of Malignancy: Could It Reflect a Quality Management Index of Indeterminate Lung Lesions?

BACKGROUND: The effort to detect lung cancer in ever-earlier stages leads to the identification of an increasing number of patients without preoperative histological diagnosis. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and characteristics of benign lesions excised in the context of lung cancer surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from 125 surgical procedures. We compared the preoperative clinical or cyto-histological diagnosis with the surgical-pathologic diagnosis in order to identify the percentage of benign lesions excised. Furthermore, other parameters were analyzed, such as age, sex, tumor size, the presence of calcification, and the type of surgery according to subgroup. RESULTS: Of the 125 patients included in the study, 63 (50.4%) had a preoperative histological diagnosis of malignancy, corresponding to 56 cases (44.8%) of primary lung cancer and 7 cases (5.6%) of metastases. The 62 (49.6%) remaining cases without preoperative histological diagnosis were divided among 50 (40%) solitary pulmonary nodules and 12 (9.6%) pulmonary masses. According to the postoperative pathologic examination, we identified 12 (9.6%) benign lesions excised during lung cancer surgery. There were no statistically significant differences by subgroups with respect to age or sex. We found statistically significant evidence regarding the size and wedge resection as the surgical technique of choice for this type of benign lesion. CONCLUSION: Our study obtained results similar to those published by other groups regarding the resection of benign lesions in lung cancer surgery. This percentage could be a quality management index of indeterminate lung lesions.

The Prognosis According to Patterns of Mediastinal Lymph Node Metastasis in Pathologic Stage IIIA/N2 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate prognostic factors for survival in pathologic stage IIIA/N2 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), to identify the prognostic significance of the metastatic patterns of mediastinal lymph nodes (MLNs) relating to survival and to recurrence and metastasis. METHODS: A total of 129 patients who underwent radical resection for pathologic stage IIIA-N2 NSCLC from July 1998 to April 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. The end points of this study were rates of loco-regional recurrence and distant metastasis, and survival. RESULTS: The overall 5-year survival rate was 47.4%. A univariate analysis showed that age, pathologic T stage, and adjuvant chemotherapy were significant prognostic factors, while in multivariate analysis, pathologic T stage and adjuvant chemotherapy were significant prognostic factors. The metastasis rate was higher in patients with multistation N2 involvement and with more than 3 positive MLNs. Further, non-regional MLN metastasis was associated with a higher loco-regional recurrence rate. CONCLUSION: Pathologic T stage and adjuvant chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors for long-term survival in pathologic stage IIIA/N2 NSCLC. The recurrence and the metastasis rate were affected by the metastatic patterns of MLNs. These results may be helpful for planning postoperative therapeutic strategies and predicting outcomes.

Pulmonary Actinomycosis Associated with Endobronchial Vegetable Foreign Body

A 51-year-old woman visited our hospital with massive hemoptysis. She had suffered from recurrent hemoptysis for five years and had undergone bronchial artery embolization many times. The patient had a history of pulmonary tuberculosis and bronchiectasis. Chest radiography showed consolidation around the nodule in the lateral basal segment of the right lower lobe. We successfully performed a right lower lobectomy. The histological study of the resected specimen showed a vegetable foreign body and clumps of Actinomyces, indicating actinomycosis, which was suggested to be the cause of the hemoptysis. This was a very rare case of hemoptysis caused by a vegetable foreign body and actinomycosis.

A Surgically Treated Case of Chronic Necrotizing Aspergillosis with Pleural Invasion

Aspergillus is a ubiquitous fungus and can cause many levels of disease severity. Chronic necrotizing aspergillosis is a rare disease and few cases have been reported in Korea. We experienced a case of pleural aspergillosis that was treated successfully with medical and surgical interventions. The 52-year-old man who was diagnosed with chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis underwent surgical treatment including a lobectomy, decortication, and myoplasty. The patient was also medically treated with amphotericin B followed by voriconazole. Pleural irrigation with amphotericin B was also performed. A multi-dimensional approach should be considered for treating chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis.

Surgical Outcomes in Small Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND: The experience of a single-institution regarding surgery for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) was reviewed to evaluate the surgical outcomes and prognoses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 1990 to December 2009, thirty-four patients (28 male) underwent major pulmonary resection and lymph node dissection for SCLC. Lobectomy was performed in 24 patients, pneumonectomy in eight, bilobectomy in one, and segmentectomy in one. Surgical complications, mortality, the disease-free survival (DFS) rate, and the overall survival rate were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 26 months (range, 4 to 241 months), and there was one surgical mortality (2.9%). Six patients (17.6%) experienced recurrence, all of which were systemic. Eight patients died during follow-up; four died of disease progression and the other four died of pneumonia or of another non-cancerous cause. The three-year DFS rate was 79.2+/-2.6% and the overall survival rate was 66.4+/-10.5%. Recurrence or death was significantly prevalent in the patients with lymph node metastasis (p=0.001) as well as in those who did not undergo adjuvant chemotherapy (p=0.008). The three-year survival rate was significantly greater in the patients with pathologic stage I/II cancer than in those with stage III cancer (84% vs. 13%, p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Major pulmonary resection for small cell lung cancer is feasible in selected patients. Patients with pathologic stage I or II disease showed an excellent survival rate after surgery and adjuvant treatment. Prospective randomized studies will be needed to define the role of surgery in early-stage small cell lung cancer.

Airway obstruction by dislodgement of an endobronchial tumor fragment during right lung lobectomy using a bronchial blocker: A case report

Dislodgement of tumor fragment with airway obstruction in a dependent bronchus can be a cause of severe hypoxemia, which is a rare but very serious complication of lung surgery. We describe a case of airway obstruction following deflation of a balloon of a bronchial blocker of a Univent tube during right bilobectomy. Following reintubation with a single lumen tube, the patient was simultaneously extubated with the biopsy forceps holding the mass. This report underlines that anesthesiologist should be alert to a possibility of airway obstruction following deflation a balloon of a bronchial blocker.