The Effectiveness of Measures Aimed at Noise Reduction in an Intensive Care Unit.

Noise is a significant problem for both hospitalized patients and health care workers. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of noise reduction strategies in an intensive care unit. Noise was measured in two phases. In the first phase, the unit's present level of noise was established over 3 weeks between January 1, 2012, and February 1, 2012. During the month following initial measurements, noise reduction interventions, including staff education and physical space arrangement, were initiated, and device alarms were checked. The second phase of measurement was conducted during another 3-week period (between June 1, 2012, and July 1, 2012). The noise levels before and after noise reduction interventions were calculated as 67.6 dB-A and 56 dB-A; the difference between the two levels was statistically significant (p<.05). The interventions were effective in reducing noise in intensive care units; the interventions are relatively easy and low cost.

[Determination of sentinel lymph node by Tc(99m) in small-cell lung cancer]. / Küçük hücreli disi akciger kanserlerinde Tc(99m) ile sentinel lenf nodunun saptanmasi

INTRODUCTION: In the prospective study was aimed to be the actual node staging identified sentinel and mediastinel lymph nodes and mapping in patient with operable non-small cell lung carcinomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve patients underwent pulmonary resections due to non-small cell bronchial carcinoma in the study were included . Intraoperatively, by injecting Tc99m to peritumoral tissues, average 96 minutes later, radioactivity levels of the tumoral tissue and lymph nodes were measured. All patients were evaluated by bronchoscopy for endobronchial lesions. The patients were scanned for the metastasis of solid organs in order to pre-operative staging. RESULTS: The interlobar lymph node stations as a sentinel lymph nodes were detected in 45% of the patient. Lobes of specific, lymph node stations and skip metastasis detected lymph nodes were identified. Sentinel lymph node was in 77% of patients at the level N1 and in 66%of patients at the level N2. It were at two different stations in 66% of patients and at single-station in 33% of patient . In 1 (11%) of 9 patients identified sentinel lymph node, the metastasis has been reported by the routine histopathological examination. CONCLUSION: To detection sentinel lymph node, micrometastasis also allows for a more detailed pathological examination. It provides making true node staging in patients and postoperative therapy helps to organize appropriate support with non-small cell lung cancer.

Atypical giant hydatid cyst at the thoracic wall causing bone and soft tissue destruction: report of a case.

Hydatid cyst is a zoonotic disease that is common in the Mediterranean region. Thoracic wall, rib or extrapulmonary intrathoracic localization of the cysts is very rare. Giant extrapulmonary intrathoracic hydatid cysts can lead to both diagnostic and treatment difficulties and can be confused with tumor. We present a case of a hydatid cyst with thoracic wall involvement mimicking tumor. We confirmed diagnosis only by surgical exploration and histopathological examination because radiology is not conclusive .Surgical treatment involved the total extirpation of cyst together wide debridement and resection of affected tissue. Primary thoracic wall closures were performed. In thoracic wall localization of cyst, post-operative course of albendazole for 6 weeks associated with surgery can help in sterilizing the cyst and reduce the recurrence rate. In this article, we presented a thoracic wall hydatidosis which is very uncommon asymptomatic presentation of hydatid cyst disease with its surgical management.

Clinical and pathologic prognostic factors that are influential in the survival and prognosis of lung adenocarcinomas and invasive predominant subtypes.

Therapeutic approaches to lung adenocarcinomas differ because of their heterogeneous morphologies, prognoses, and clinical features. For this reason, new histopathologic classifications for lung adenocarcinomas were done by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer/American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society to form subtypes with homogeneous prognoses. There are limited clinical data in the literature on the prognosis of the subgroups formed according to the new classification. A total of 86 patients with adenocarcinoma who had undergone pathologic stages I and II curative resection and mediastinal lymph node dissection were retrospectively analyzed according to the seventh TNM staging system revised by the Union for International Cancer Control/American Joint Committee on Cancer. Histologic subtyping was reassessed according to the dominant histopathologic morphology. When survival rates of lung adenocarcinomas were compared according to their localizations, it was observed that adenocarcinomas localized to the right hemithorax had a longer survival than the ones with left hemithorax localization (P = 0.026). When necrosis was taken into account, it was seen that necrosis rate was higher in solid predominant type compared with other types, whereas it was lower in acinary type (P = 0.046). When peritumoral lymphovascular invasion data were assessed, it was observed that disease-free survival was influenced in a negative fashion (P = 0.018). New histopathologic classification of adenocarcinomas has been a step forward to attaining homogeneous groups, but when the biologic heterogeneity of the adenocarcinomas is taken into account, the authors believe that considering the peritumoral lymphatic vascular invasion, left hemithorax localization, and tumoral necrosis entities in the upcoming TNM classification will contribute to evaluating the prognosis.

Significance of tumor length as prognostic factor for esophageal cancer.

Our study indicated the relationship between tumor length and clinicopathologic characteristics as well as long-term survival in esophageal cancer. A total of 116 patients who underwent curative surgery for thoracic esophageal cancer with standard lymphadenectomy in 2 fields between 2000 and 2010 were included in the study. The medical records of these patients were retrospectively reviewed. The patients with tumor length 3 cm had a highly significant difference in the involvement of adventitia and lymph node stations. The patients with tumor length 3 cm had significantly lower rates of involvement of the adventitia and lymph node stations. Tumor length could have a significant impact on both the overall survival and disease-free survival of patients with resected esophageal carcinomas and may provide additional prognostic value to the current tumor, node, and metastasis staging system before patients receive any cancer-specific treatment.

Vascular endothelial growth factor expression and neovascularization in non--small cell lung carcinoma.

The prognostic significance of microvascular density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression were investigated in 15 patients with adenocarcinoma (AC) and 15 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Immunohistochemically, VEGF and factor VIII were applied. The average microvessel counts were given as MVD, and VEGF expression was given as VEGF percentage area and VEGF staining degree. Higher values of MVD were obtained in patients with AC (11.47 +/- 3.48) when compared with patients with SCC (7.47 +/- 2.50; P = .001) and also in patients at early stages of disease (10.77 +/- 3.24) when compared with patients at advanced stages (8.47 +/- 3.64; P = .050). A significant correlation was shown between MVD and VEGF percentage area (P = .006) and between VEGF percentage area and VEGF staining degree (P = .000). No significant difference was found in VEGF percentage area between patients with SCC and AC and between patients at early and advanced stages. In conclusion, VEGF or MVD should not be regarded as a solitary prognostic factor but should be supported by other prognostic factors.

The sealing effect of a fibrin tissue patch on the esophageal perforation area in primary repair.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of the fibrin tissue patch and to analyze its use in patients with esophageal perforation. METHODS: We studied 28 patients who were diagnosed with esophageal perforation between January 1990 and January 2006 at Akdeniz University Hospital. Sixteen (57.14%) were male. The average age was 59 +/- 9 years. We performed surgery and primary repair reinforcement even if the diagnosis of esophageal perforation was late. RESULTS: Twenty-three (82.14%) perforations were the result of endoscopic instruments; spontaneous perforations occurred in three (10.71%) patients. Postoperative complication (Heller myotomy) caused perforation in one patient (3.57%) and blunt trauma in one patient (3.57%). Three (10.71%) patients had cervical perforation, and 25 (89.29%) patients had thoracic esophageal perforation. Twelve (42.86%) patients underwent emergency surgery (within the first 24 h). Ten (35.71%) patients underwent surgery within 48 h, and the remaining 6 (21.43%) underwent surgery after 48 h. Nine (32.14%) patients had primary repair, 7 (25%) had reinforcement of the primary repair with fibrin tissue patch, 7 (25%) had esophagectomy and gastric pull-up, and 2 (7.14%) had drainage and placement of metallic stents. In four patients of the nine who had primary repair, fistula complication was detected, whereas in only one of the seven who had reinforcement of the primary repair with fibrin tissue patch was a fistula detected. Three patients (10.71%), two of whom had Boerhaave's syndrome, died. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical primary repair with fibrin tissue patch is the most successful treatment option in the management of esophageal perforation.

Acute tracheobronchial injuries: early and late term outcomes.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the early and long-term outcomes of acute tracheobronchial injuries (TBI). METHODS: Twelve patients (10 males, 2 females; mean age 28; range 10 to 65 years) diagnosed as tracheobronchial injury and managed during between December 1997 and December 2004 were evaluated retrospectively. Clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, associated traumas, surgical management and outcome were reviewed. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 7 years. RESULTS: All patients underwent surgical debridement and primary repair (anastomosis). There were three tracheal, eight bronchial and one laryngotracheal injury. Accompanying simultaneous traumas were treated at the same session in all cases. One case was discharged from the hospital with permanent tracheostomy. Control bronchoscopies were performed one week and one month after the surgical repair. Bronchiectasia developed in one case after five years and left lower lobectomy was performed. One case died 23rd day after the primary repair. In the remaining ten cases no complication was determined. CONCLUSION: In all cases with a suspicion of TBI, bronchoscopy should be performed immediately by specialist physicians. Early recognition of tracheobronchial injury and expedient institution of appropriate surgical intervention are lifesaving in these potentially lethal injuries. Concomitant injuries are the most important mortality factor.

Methods of surgical therapy in pulmonary hydatid disease: is capitonnage advantageous?

BACKGROUND: Hydatid disease of the lungs is still a serious health problem for some Mediterranean countries. The best surgical therapy for the treatment of this disease is still unclear. In this clinical retrospective study, we aimed to investigate whether capitonnage is an effective therapy method for a pulmonary hydatid cyst or not. METHODS: Between 1990 and 2004, 89 patients (49 male and 40 female) each with a pulmonary hydatid cyst were treated surgically. The patients were divided into two groups based on whether capitonnage was carried out (group 1, n = 44) or not (group 2, n = 45). Cystotomy and the closure of the bronchial openings were carried out in both groups. The results were assessed in two groups during a 1 year follow-up period. The groups were comparable with regards to their clinical, operative and demographic characteristics. RESULTS: There was no mortality, and no significant difference in hospitalisation time between the two groups. It was 8.2 +/- 3.2 days for group 1 and 8 +/- 3.1 days for group 2 (P = 0.89). The most serious complications were restricted bronchopleural fistula (only one patient in group 2), empyema (only one patient in group 1 and two patients in group 2), and prolonged air leak (five patients in group 1 and six patients in group 2). These results were not valuable statistically (P = 1.00, P = 1.00 and P = 0.78, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that it is not an advantage to carry out capitonnage when treating pulmonary hydatid cysts.

Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Study of the Effect of TENS on postthoracotomy pain and pulmonary function.

We investigated the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for postthoracotomy pain control in a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. We studied two groups of patients undergoing posterolateral thoracotomy. In group 1, TENS was used postoperatively on 60 patients for 5 days. Group 2 contained 56 patients without TENS. In both groups a visual analog scale (VAS) was used to indicate if analgesia was needed. When the VAS was higher than 4, an analgesic was administered. We observed the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)), the forced vital capacity (FVC), partial arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2), partial arterial carbon dioxide pressure (PaCO2), and how many doses of analgesia were given at postoperative 0 (extubation time), 2, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 120 hours. TENS was not employed in patients with cardiac or neurologic disease. In group 1, TENS reduced the need to administer opioids during the 5-day postoperative period. This result is statistically significant (P = 0.013). Additionally, following the sixth postoperative hour, TENS increased the spirometric breath function. The FEV1, FVC, and PaO2 were high and PaCO2 was low when the first group is compared to the second. All these results are statistically significant (P = 0.012, P = 0.01, P = 0.024, and P = 0.02 respectively). We observed that TENS produced no evidence of side effects or intolerance in the patients of group 1. TENS is thus beneficial for pain relief following thoracotomy and has no side effects. Consequently, the routine use of TENS following thoracic surgery is recommended.

One-stage transthoracic operation for the treatment of right lung and liver hydatid cysts.

In this study we reviewed our experience of hydatid disease of the lung and the liver and discussed the safety and the follow-up results of the one-stage operation. Between 1990 and 2004, 142 patients with pulmonary hydatid disease underwent operation in our clinic. Of these, 27 (19%) patients had cysts located on the dome of the liver, treated with phrenotomy through a right thoracotomy. Hydatid cysts located in the lungs were managed by means of cystotomy. For liver cysts, cystotomy and the inversion of the cavity with sutures was the surgical method of choice, and a drain was left in place. The pulmonary cysts of 12 (8.4%) patients were bilateral and 5 (3.5%) patients had prior surgical treatment of hepatic (n = 1) or pulmonary (n = 4) hydatid cysts. The liver cysts were approached transdiaphragmatically after the lung cysts were excised in 27 (19%) patients. In patients with pulmonary cysts, cystotomy, with or without capitonnage was performed on 123 (86.6%) patients, and wedge resection was performed on 11 (7.7%), segmentectomy was performed on 6 patients (4.2%), and lobectomy was performed on 2 (1.4%) patients. There was no mortality, and only a small number of complications were encountered: empyema in 3, excessive biliary drainage in 2, and bronchopleural fistula in only 1. We suggest that the extraction of pulmonary and hepatic cysts simultaneously through the transthoracic route is a useful and safe surgical technique. This technique also prevents the need for a second operation.

Tracheal stenosis aftertracheostomy or intubation: review with special regard to cause and management.

To investigate the management outcomes of patients who developed tracheal stenosis after tracheostomy or intubation, we reviewed the courses of 45 patients who had experienced tracheal stenosis at a single institution, over 19 years from February 1985 through January 2004. There were 38 tracheal and 7 infraglottic stenoses. Twenty-nine stenoses were associated with the stoma, 12 with the cuff, and 2 with the endotracheal tube resulting in infraglottic lesions; the remaining 2 were double stenoses. Eleven patients were treated by bronchoscopic surgery, and 34 patients were treated by tracheal or laryngotracheal resection. The overall success rate was 93%. The complication rate was 18%. A 2nd operation was required in 3 patients, and 1 of the 3 died of sepsis. Our management strategy of treating tracheal stenosis with resection and end-to-end anastomosis has been associated with good outcomes. Management of infraglottic stenosis is difficult, particularly when there is a large laryngeal defect or when there have been previous surgical attempts at the same site.

Surgical management of tuberculosis-related hemoptysis.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is a disease that is often treated with chemotherapy. However, medical treatment usually fails in the management of tuberculosis-related hemoptysis. In this paper, we review our experience in the surgical treatment of tuberculosis-related hemoptysis. METHODS: Fifty-nine patients with tuberculosis-related hemoptysis (46 men, 13 women) who underwent surgical treatment were enrolled in this study. A thoracotomy was performed urgently in 21 patients with massive (>600 mL daily) hemoptysis, and within the first 2 days in 24 with major (200 to 600 mL daily) hemoptysis, and within the first 4 days in 14 with persistent minor (<200 mL daily) hemoptysis. RESULTS: A chest roentgenogram showed cavitary lesion in all of the patients with massive hemoptysis (21 patients), in 22 of 24 patients with major hemoptysis, and in 3 of 14 patients with persistent minor hemoptysis. Pneumonectomy was performed in 4 patients, lobectomy in 39 patients, and segmentectomy or wedge resection in 16 patients. The average hospitalization period was 13 days. The mortality rate was 6.8% perioperatively. Of the patients deceased, 3 were intubated with a single-lumen endotracheal tube and 1 with a double-lumen endotracheal tube. During the postoperative period, empyema and bronchopleural fistula developed in 3 patients, and no other severe complications occurred. The average postoperative follow-up period was 3 years. The number of thoracotomies for tuberculosis performed in the years from 1995 to 2003 was significantly decreased, compared with the years between 1985 to 1994 (p = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: In tuberculosis-related hemoptysis, thoracotomy with double-lumen endotracheal intubation and resection of the cavity may be curative and lifesaving.

[A rare tracheal malignant tumor: mucoepidermoid carcinoma (a case report)]. / Nadir bir trakea malign tümörü: mukoepidermoid karsinom (olgu sunumu).

An 18-year-old male preferred to our clinic with hemoptysis, cough, dyspnea and stridor. A wide-based polypoid tumor that was localized at the right wall of the distal trachea was observed over 3 cm from the carina by flexible bronchoscope. Computerized tomography showed an intraluminal soft tissue density mass in the trachea. Though right thoracotomy, a tracheal resection that contains three rings of the trachea with malignant lesion was performed. Pathologic examination reported a tracheal mucoepidermoid carcinoma. The patient is alive without recurrence three years after surgery.

Bronchogenic cyst.

The clinical presentation of the bronchogenic cyst is variable, from respiratory distress at birth to late appearance of symptoms. In order to determine clinical features and treatments, we retrospectively studied the medical records and pathology reports of all patients with bronchogenic cysts (n = 22) referred to our surgical department from February 1985 through January 2002. They included 18 male and 4 female patients with an age range of 1 to 38 years (average, 16.4 years). There were 14 mediastinal, 2 hilar, and 6 intrapulmonary bronchogenic cysts. Symptoms were present in 18 of the 22 patients. Cough was the most common symptom (45%). Ten patients (45%) presented with complications: severe hemoptysis, pneumothorax and pleuritis, esophageal compression, infected cyst, and postobstructive pneumonia. In all patients, complete resection of the bronchogenic cyst was performed by thoracotomy A postoperative sequela occurred in only 1 patient, who had a persistent air leak. There were no late sequelae, nor was there a recurrence of the cyst. The follow-up period ranged from 8 months to 12 years (mean, 5.2 years). Because a confident preoperative diagnosis is not always possible and because complications are common, we recommend surgical resection of all suspected bronchogenic cysts in operable candidates.

The efficacy of self-expanding metal stents for palliation of malignant esophageal strictures and fistulas.

OBJECTIVES: Esophageal strictures and esophagorespiratory fistulas are complications of malignant esophageal tumors, which are difficult to manage. The efficacy of self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) for palliation of malignant esophageal strictures and fistulas was investigated prospectively. METHODS: Forty-three SEMS were inserted in 41 patients with malignant esophageal stricture or fistula. Our series included 32 men and nine women, of whom median age was 61.4 years. Twenty nine stents were inserted for stricture, ten for esophago-tracheal fistula, and four esophago-pleural fistula. Stents were inserted endoscopically under fluoroscopic control. RESULTS: SEMS implantation was technically successful in 40 of 41 patients. A second stenting was needed in two patients. Median dysphagia score improved from 3.4 to 1.3. The covered SEMS was succesful in completely sealing 85.7% of the fistulas. Complication occurred in 11 (26.8%) patients. Especially in the case of tumor stenoses in the distal esophagus, complication rate was higher (44%). In total six patients (14.6%) died after stent placement during early postoperative period. Procedure-related mortality was 4.8% (2/41). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that treatment of malignant esophageal obstructions, including esophagorespiratory fistulas, with SEMS is an alternative palliative procedure. Furthermore SEMS implantation seems more safe in the case of tumor stenoses locating in the middle esophagus.

Intrathoracic migration of Steinman wire.

We report two cases of intrathoracic migration of Steinman wire used for the treatment of the fracture and shoulder dislocation. The migrations were symptomatic with back pain in our cases. The treatment involved removing of the pin via thoracotomy. The postoperative course was uneventful. Intrathoracic migration of Steinman wires should be expected in fixation of the shoulder problems. To avoid this complication, threaded pins have to be used in surgery of the shoulder region.

[Pleuropulmonary blastoma: a case report]. / Plevropulmoner blastom: Olgu sunumu.

Pulmonary blastoma is a rare seen malignant tumor. It is generally reported in adults. The tumor including immature mesenchimal and/or epithelial structures is morphologically similar to fetal lung tissue. In this study, a male patient having been operated is presented because of the mass found in his chest X-ray. The lesion is histopathologically reported as a pleuropulmonary blastoma. The literature is reviewed because this case has a bad prognosis and is rarely seen.

Complete congenital sternal cleft associated with pectus excavatum.

We report herein a rare case of complete congenital sternal cleft (absent sternum) and anterior pericardial defect in association with pectus excavatum. In neonates with absent sternum, the sternal bars can be easily approximated by simple suture, due to the flexibility of the cartilaginous thorax. There is also little danger of cardiac compression when the repair is performed early in life. If reconstruction is delayed, the increased rigidity of the chest wall and the physiologic accommodation of the thoracic organs to the circumference of the chest render simple approximation impossible, without serious compromise of the heart and lungs. Our patient was a 13-year-old girl, whose case was particularly unusual because of the association of sternal cleft with pectus excavatum. After surgical correction of the pectus excavatum, we were able to construct a sternum by incising the lateral border of each sternal bar, thereby creating flaps that we sutured together at midline. The sternal bars were then approximated by loops of nonabsorbable suture around their circumference. The patient had an uncomplicated course, and at the 12-month follow-up visit, her sternal appearance was normal.