Surgical Treatment of Pulmonary Complications in Behçet's Syndrome.

We described disease characteristics, management and outcome of a group of Behçet's syndrome (BS) patients who underwent pulmonary lobectomy, segmentectomy or various pleura interventions for complications due to pulmonary artery or descending aorta involvement. There were 9 patients with BS (8 M/1 F; mean age: 24.8 ±â€¯7.5 and mean disease duration: 4.3 ±â€¯3.8 years) who underwent lung surgery from 2000 to 2017. Their medical files including operation details and radiological and pathological studies were reviewed retrospectively. Lobectomy was done in 6 patients, decortications and pleura interventions in the remaining 3. The reason for the surgical procedures were giant pulmonary arterial aneurysms refractory to the medical treatment (n = 4), pneumothorax due to large cavities (n = 2), pleural effusions refractory to the medical treatment (n = 1), a bronchopleural fistula after embolization (n = 1) and bronchiectasis (n = 1). All patients received medical treatment with cyclophosphamide and corticosteroids before the surgical interventions. The histological examination in patients with pseudo-aneurysms showed destruction of medial elastic fibers, inflammatory cell infiltration of adventitial tissues and penetration into the adjacent bronchi with adherent thrombi. Two patients died: one due to Budd-Chiari syndrome 1 year after the surgery, another because of a massive hemoptysis 3 months after lobectomy. The remaining 7 patients are still alive with a median follow-up of 8 years (inter-quartile range [IQR]: 4-11). Lobectomies in BS patients with giant pulmonary aneurysms refractory to medical treatment can be done with favorable outcome. Also, complications such as large cavities causing pneumothorax, refractory pleural effusions, bronchiectasis, and embolization complications can be managed effectively with surgical interventions.

Timing of coronary artery bypass surgery in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and postoperative outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to assess whether a cardiac troponin T (cTnT) level 1 ng/ml or below threshold is safe and to evaluate mid-term follow-up results in stable patients with non-ST-segment elevation after acute myocardial infarction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Among cTnT positive patients who presented to the emergency unit with chest pain and received coronary angiography, 100 patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) constituted the study group (group 1). The same number of patients (n = 100) who were cTnT negative and underwent an isolated CABG operation under elective conditions were selected as the control group (group 2). RESULTS: Among preoperative criteria, group 1 had significantly higher smoking rates (74% vs. 41%, p = 0.0001), and significantly lower ejection fraction values (47.1 ±8.25, 54.69 ±8.73, p = 0.0001). There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to operative parameters. Postoperative follow-up periods were significantly longer in group 1 (23.25 ±14 vs. 17.55 ±7.95 months, p = 0.001). Average waiting time for cTnT to drop below the 1 ng/ml threshold value was 5.73 ±2.95 (1-12) days. Intra-aortic balloon pump use in Groups 1 and 2 was 3% and 1%, respectively. There were no hospital mortalities in either group. Mortality rates at mid term were 6% in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study compared two groups positive and negative for preoperative cTnT. The findings show that it is safe to wait until cTnT levels decrease to the 1 ng/ml threshold value in cTnT positive patients having a stable course. This waiting period is not very long, which is significant with respect to potential complications.

Lymph Node Dissection in Surgery for Lung Cancer: Comparison of Open vs. Video-Assisted vs. Robotic-Assisted Approaches.

PURPOSE: We compared open, video-assisted and robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgical techniques in the dissection of N1 and N2-level lymph nodes during surgery for lung cancer. METHODS: This retrospective analysis is based on prospectively collected data of patients (excluding those with N2 or N3 diseases, and sleeve resections) undergoing mediastinal lymph node dissection via open (n = 96), video-assisted thoracoscopy (n = 68), and robotic-assisted thoracoscopy (n = 106). The groups are compared according to the number of lymph node stations dissected, the number of lymph nodes dissected, and the number of lymph nodes dissected by stations. RESULTS: Three techniques had similar results based on the number of the dissected N1 and N2-level lymph node stations. Robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery yielded significantly more lymph nodes in total (p = 0.0007), and in the number of dissected N1-level nodes (p <0.0001). All techniques yielded similar number of mediastinal lymph nodes, whereas robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) yielded more station #11 and #12 lymph nodes compared to the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery has been shown to dissect more lymph nodes at N1 level. However, taking the open approach as standard, we could claim that both currently robotic and video-assisted techniques may provide similar number of dissected N1 and N2-level lymph node stations.

Minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE) in adults: is it a proper choice?

INTRODUCTION: The Nuss procedure is suitable for prepubertal and early pubertal patients but can also be used in adult patients. AIM: To determine whether the minimally invasive technique (MIRPE) can also be performed successfully in adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between July 2006 and January 2016, 836 patients (744 male, 92 female) underwent correction of pectus excavatum with the MIRPE technique at our institution. The mean age was 16.8 years (2-45 years). There were 236 adult patients (28.2%) (> 18 years) - 20 female, 216 male. The mean age among the adult patients was 23.2 years (18-45 years). The recorded data included length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, number of bars used, duration of the surgical procedure and signs of pneumothorax on the postoperative chest X-ray. RESULTS: The MIRPE was performed in 236 adult patients. The average operative time was 44.4 min (25-90 min). The median postoperative stay was 4.92 ±2.81 days (3-21 days) in adults and 4.64 ±1.58 (2-13) in younger patients. The difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.637). Two or more bars were used in 36 (15.8%) adult patients and in 44 (7.5%) younger patients. The difference was not statistically significant either (p = 0.068). Regarding the overall complications, complication rates among the adult patients and younger patients were 26.2% and 11.8% respectively. The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: MIRPE is a feasible procedure that produces good long-term results in the treatment of pectus excavatum in adults.

Prognostic relevance of sunitinib toxicities and comparison of continuous vs. intermittent sunitinib dosing schedule in metastatic renal cell cancer patients.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Sunitinib-related side effects may develop as a result of the pharmacokinetic pathway affects the of the drug. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data on mRCC patients were obtained from the hospital archives. Outcomes of patients were evaluated in terms of related prognostic factors, sunitinib adverse events during the treatment, and two different sunitinib dosing schedules. RESULTS: Seventy patients diagnosed with mRCC and treated with sunitinib were analyzed for prognostic factors and survival rates. During the mean follow-up of 33.5 months, 38 (54%) patients were alive and 32 (46%) patients died. The median time of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) was 27 months (12-61) and 19 months (5-45), respectively. In univariate analysis, good prognostic risk group according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), hypothyroidism as sunitinib toxicity and patients on sunitinib treatment more than 1 year were favorable prognostic factors for OS. Leukopenia and fatigue as sunitinib toxicity were poor prognostic factors for OS. PFS and OS of the patients were not significantly different when we compared intermittent (4/2) vs. continuous treatment dosing schedules. CONCLUSIONS: As a result of this trial, having hypothyroidism as an adverse effect of sunitinib was a favorable prognostic factor for OS and PFS in mRCC patients. It was also found that 4/2 and continuous dosing schedules of sunitinib did not give rise to different outcomes in mRCC patients.

Robotic anatomic lung resections: the initial experience and description of learning in 102 cases.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze our initial pulmonary resection experience with robotic surgery (Da Vinci, Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Mountain View, California, USA) and define the learning curve based on the duration of operations. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on patients undergoing robotic pulmonary resections from October 2011 to December 2014. The operating time, including the docking and console times, postoperative hospitalization, and peri- and postoperative complications were studied. RESULTS: Hundred patients underwent 102 robotic anatomic pulmonary resections due to various pathologies. Fifty-three percent of the patients underwent lobectomy procedure, whereas 45% underwent segmentectomy. The mean operating time was 104 ± 34 min. The learning curve was calculated to be 14 patients (R(2) = 0.57). The complication rate in our series was 24% (n = 24) and higher in elderly patients (p = 0.03) and in patients with longer operating times (p = 0.03). Prolonged air leaks were observed in 10, and arrhythmia developed in nine patients. Two patients died, due to a concurrent lymphoblastic leukemia diagnosed at the postoperative period and exacerbation of interstitial fibrosis, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic pulmonary resections prove to be safe and effective even at the initial learning experience. The duration of operations is considered to be acceptable. The learning curve could be established after 14 cases.

A late visceral hernia after diaphragmatic flap coverage of the bronchial stump.

A 54-year-old man presented with sudden and severe abdominal pain, and vomiting. He had underwent a right pneumonectomy with bronchial stump reinforcement using diaphragmatic muscle flap 9 years ago, due to non-small cell lung cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. A right partial visceral herniation had been detected 5 years ago during the follow-up which was not present at previous visits. He had refused any surgical intervention since he had been asymptomatic. The chest computed tomography demonstrated visceral herniation. The patient underwent an urgent operation via thoracoabdominal incision to repair the herniation. This type of late catastrophic complication of diaphragmatic muscle flap reinforcement is extremely rare.

Neural tube defects in Jarcho-Levin syndrome: study of twenty-eight cases.

Jarcho-Levin syndrome (JLS) is a congenital disorder consisting of various vertebral and costal anomalies. Congenital heart defects, abdominal wall malformations, urogenital and anal abnormalities, multiple skeletal anomalies, upper limb anomalies, spina bifida, and inguinal, umbilical and diaphragmatic hernias can be seen as components of JLS. Spina bifida appears to be a common finding in reported JLS cases. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records, plain X-rays and MRIs of patients with spina bifida between 2010 and 2014 and discussed the results.

Robotic lung segmentectomy for malignant and benign lesions.

OBJECTIVE: Surgical use of robots has evolved over the last 10 years. However, the academic experience with robotic lung segmentectomy remains limited. We aimed to analyze our lung segmentectomy experience with robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. METHODS: Prospectively recorded clinical data of 21 patients who underwent robotic lung anatomic segmentectomy with robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery were retrospectively reviewed. All cases were done using the da Vinci System. A three incision portal technique with a 3 cm utility incision in the posterior 10(th) to 11(th) intercostal space was performed. Individual dissection, ligation and division of the hilar structures were performed. Systematic mediastinal lymph node dissection or sampling was performed in 15 patients either with primary or secondary metastatic cancers. RESULTS: Fifteen patients (75%) were operated on for malignant lung diseases. Conversion to open surgery was not necessary. Postoperative complications occurred in four patients. Mean console robotic operating time was 84±26 (range, 40-150) minutes. Mean duration of chest tube drainage and mean postoperative hospital stay were 3±2.1 (range, 1-10) and 4±1.4 (range, 2-7) days respectively. The mean number of mediastinal stations and number of dissected lymph nodes were 4.2 and 14.3 (range, 2-21) from mediastinal and 8.1 (range, 2-19) nodes from hilar and interlobar stations respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Robot-assisted thoracoscopic segmentectomy for malignant and benign lesions appears to be practical, safe, and associated with few complications and short postoperative hospitalization. Lymph node removal also appears oncologically acceptable for early lung cancer patients. Benefits in terms of postoperative pain, respiratory function, and quality of life needs a comparative, prospective series particularly with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

Prolonged pleural catheters in the management of pleural effusions due to breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the second most common etiologic cause in malignant pleural effusions (MPE). The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of long term pleural catheters in inducing self sclerosis in pleural effusions of breast cancer patients. METHODS: In this study, 26 patients with breast cancer relapleural effusions that occurred between January 2011 and July 2013, who were considered not to undergo any other treatments and managed with prolonged pleural catheters (Jackson-Pratt silicone flat drain), were retrospectively analyzed. Thirty pleural catheters were inserted in 26 patients. All patients were female, mean age was 52 (range, 37-66) years old. Drainage over 1,500 mL per day was not allowed in order to avoid a lung edema. The catheters were removed in patients who had restoration of lung expansion and drainage under 50 mL/day. RESULTS: The histologic subtypes in pleural effusions were invasive ductal carcinoma in 18 patients, ductal carcinoma in situ in 4, invasive lobular carcinoma in 2, tubular carcinoma in 1, and medullary carcinoma in 1. Three of the 26 patients underwent bilateral catheter insertion, and one patient underwent a reinsertion of the catheter into the same hemithorax due to a recurrence. The catheters were retained for a mean period of 18 days (range, 11-38 days). In one patient with invasive ductal carcinoma and paramalignant pleural effusion (PMPE) (3.8%), a recurrent pleural effusion was seen 34 days after removal of the catheter. There were no complications. One patient died while the catheter was in place. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged catheters for the management of pleural effusions in selected patients have become more popular than other treatment alternatives due to a shorter length of stay and lower costs. We recommend the use of Jackson Pratt (JP) silicone flat drains which in our opinion provide effective pleurodesis in addition to easy application in recurrent effusions caused by breast cancer.

The use of Jackson-Pratt silicone flat drains as prolonged pleural catheters for the management of pleural effusions.

INTRODUCTION: Imbalance between secretion and absorbtion of pleural fluid results in pleural effusion. Emergence of pleural effusion ipsilateral or contralateral to the side drained previously is named recurrent effusion. There is currently no standart approach for the management of recurrent pleural effusions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients, treated between 2011 and 2012 for recurrent pleural effusions due to various etiologies, not considered for surgical or other treatments, and underwent placement of prolonged pleural catheters (Jackson-Pratt drain) were included in this study. Twenty two prolonged pleural catheters were inserted in 18 patients. There were 10 females and 8 males, with mean age 59 (35-77). In 20 patients the catheters were inserted by an anterior approach, and by a posterior approach in one patient. Daily drainage above 1,500 mL was not permitted in order to avoid pulmonary edema. Catheters were removed in patients who had lung expansion and drainage under 50 mL/day. RESULTS: The most common etiology for pleural effusions was extrathoracic malignancy in 9 patients, primary bronchial carcinoma in 5 patients, and benign pleural effusion in 4 patients. Four patients underwent bilateral prolonged pleural catheter insertion. The catheters were retained for a mean period of 19 (10-40) days. Pleural effusion recurred two months after removal of the catheter in one patient with primary bronchial cancer (5%). Only one patient developed a complication (empyema) while under drainage (5%). Two patients died while the catheter was in place. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased length of stay and lower costs have enabled prolonged are the major advantages of pleural catheter applications in appropriate patients compared to other treatment methods. We believe that the Jackson Pratt silicone flat drains provide effective pleurodesis along with easy application, and suggest their use as an alternative to pleurodesis in especially malignant pleural effusions and not benign pleural effusions.

A rare benign tumor of the lung: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor - Case report.

A fifty year old lady who was operated for thyroid cancer two years ago and completed adjuvant therapy, underwent a computer tomography (CT) of the chest during her follow up. The CT showed a mass lesion in the right lung, located to the lateral segment of the middle lobe. There were no intrabronchial lesions on bronchoscopy. Positron emission CT (PET CT) showed a dense hypermetabolic mass located in the right middle lobe lateral segment and having malignant characteristics. A videothorascopic wedge resection was performed and the specimen was sent for frozen section, which showed no evidence of malignancy. Pathology report revealed an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT). Since IMT is a rare benign tumor of the lung, we herein report this patient along with a discussion of the relevant literature.

Pneumomediastinum, subcutaneous emphysema, and tracheal tear in the early postoperative period of spinal surgery in a paraplegic achondroplastic dwarf.

Achondroplasia was first described in 1878 and is the most common form of human skeletal dysplasia. Spinal manifestations include thoracolumbar kyphosis, foramen magnum, and spinal stenosis. Progressive kyphosis can result in spinal cord compression and paraplegia due to the reduced size of spinal canal. The deficits are typically progressive, presenting as an insidious onset of paresthesia, followed by the inability to walk and then by urinary incontinence. Paraplegia can be the result of direct pressure on the cord by bone or the injury to the anterior spinal vessels by a protruding bone. Surgical treatment consists of posterior instrumentation, fusion with total wide laminectomy at stenosis levels, and anterior interbody support. Pedicle screws are preferred for spinal instrumentation because wires and hooks may induce spinal cord injury due to the narrow spinal canal. Pedicle lengths are significantly shorter, and 20-25 mm long screws are appropriate for lower thoracic and lumbar pedicles in adult achondroplastic There is no information about the appropriate length of screws for the upper thoracic pedicles. Tracheal injury due to inappropriate pedicle screw length is a rare complication. We report an extremely rare case of tracheal tear due to posterior instrumentation and its management in the early postoperative period.

[Analysis of the alterations of trace elements in plasma and tissue, in lung cancer]. / Akciger kanserinde serum ve dokuda eser element degisimlerinin incelenmesi.

In our research, we aimed to analyse the relationship between the lung cancer and the zinc (Zn) and the copper (Cu) which are important trace elements for the organisms in cases containing lung cancer. The research included 20 patients who have been operated as a result of primary lung cancer. In the research, the Zn and Cu and Cu/Zn levels in the patient's cancerous and normal lung tissues and serum (pre-operative, post-operative day first and day fifth) were measured (pre-operative, post-operative day first and post-operative day fifth serum albumin levels were also measured). It was found out that the Cu level in the tissue with tumour has been significantly higher than that of the normal tissue (p< 0.01); that the Zn level in the normal tissue has been significantly higher than the tissue with tumour (p< 0.001) and that the Cu/Zn rate in the tissue with tumour has been significantly higher than the normal tissue (p< 0.001). Regarding the serum values, in the post-operative day first, a significant decrease has been viewed in the levels of Cu, Zn and albumin compared to the pre-operative period (p< 0.001); in the post-operative day first serum Cu/Zn rate has significantly increased compared to the pre-operative period (p< 0.001); in the post-operative day fifth serum albumin levels have significantly decreased compared to the pre-operative period (p< 0.001); in the post-operative day fifth, serum Cu/Zn rate has significantly decreased compared to the post-operative day first (p< 0.01). As a result of the research we performed, we believe that the Cu/Zn level is a more significant data regarding the research of the cancer than the levels of Zn and Cu. We also believe that the Cu/Zn level in the patients with lung cancer should not be used as a diagnostic test, but rather as an indicator of the weakening of the antioxidant defence in patients.