Distinct patterns of angiogenic factor expression as a predictive factor of response to chemotherapy in stage IIIA non-small-cell lung cancer patients.

The expression of various angiogenic factors was assessed in tumour samples of patients with stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and further evaluated in terms of response to induction paclitaxel-ifosfamide-cisplatin chemotherapy. Freshly isolated lung tumour specimens obtained by bronchoscopy from 70 stage IIIA NSCLC chemotherapy-naïve patients were sampled and analysed for vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-1, VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3. Microvessel density was assessed through evaluating the angiogenic markers CD34 and CD105. Immunostaining scores were calculated by multiplying the percentage of labeled cells by the intensity of staining for each examined parameter. The overall mean immunostaining score value from all NSCLC samples was 7.83, 5.56 and 15.86 for VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3, respectively. The overall mean value of the endothelial antigen CD34 was 16.29, whereas the expression of the CD105 antigen in endothelial cells yielded a multivariate distribution. Patients who responded to chemotherapy expressed significantly higher VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-3 mean values compared with non-responders (P<0.001). No significant difference was noted in VEGFR-2 mean values between these two groups (P=0.06). The CD34 mean value was significantly higher in responders (P<0.001), whereas there was no significant difference in CD105 expression between the two groups (P=0.07). Angiogenic marker expression proved to be a potential predictive factor of response to chemotherapy in stage III NSCLC. which merits further investigation.

Major Lung Resections Using Manual Suturing Versus Staplers During Fiscal Crisis.

AbstractObjective: During fiscal crisis there was a period of shortage of staplers in our hospital, which drove us to manual suturing of bronchi and pulmonary vessels during major lung resections. We present our experience during that period in comparison to a subsequent period when staplers became available again. METHODS: A total of 256 lobectomies and 78 pneumonectomies were performed using manual suturing (group A), between September 2009 and September 2010, and compared regarding surgical outcome to 248 lobectomies and 60 pneumonectomies using staplers (group B), between September 2011 and September 2012. RESULTS: Although we did not observe statistically significant differences but only a trend towards less operative time, for both lobectomies (p=0.21) and pneumonectomies (p=0.31), we actually noted a 41 and 47 minutes saving of operative time using staplers (group B), in comparison to manual suturing (group A). We also observed a trend towards less morbidity rates in patients of group B, who underwent lobectomy (10.48%), and pneumonectomy (20%), versus patients of group A, who underwent lobectomy (15.62%), and pneumonectomy (30.76%); we did not observe any substantial differences in the other surgical outcome variables, and in patients' demographics comorbidities, and anatomic allocation of surgical procedures performed. CONCLUSIONS: The use of staplers offers safety with secure bronchial or vascular sealing, and saving of operative time. Their unavailability at an interval during fiscal crisis although it did not affect surgical outcome, revealed their usefulness and value.

Thoracic empyema after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. A rare complication.

The laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is a popular therapeutic option for morbid obesity. It is a minimally invasive procedure. The reported early morbidity is low and there are only few reports of respiratory complications. We report a case of empyema and lung abscess due to diaphragm perforation by a LAGB.

Omental transposition: the final solution for major sternal wound infection.

Sternal osteomyelitis after median sternotomy for cardiac surgery is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. The ideal reconstruction after sternal debridement is still debated. From 2000 to 2004, we treated 15 patients for sternal osteomyelitis (type IIIB, IVA, IVB) after median sternotomy for cardiac surgery. Total or partial resection of the sternum and extensive debridement were performed in all cases. The defect was covered by omental transposition. In 11 cases, a single-stage operation took place, and a two-stage procedure was employed in 4. All patients had antibiotics postoperatively. There were 3 (20%) deaths due to cardiac failure. Hospital stay ranged from 21 to 45 days. Transient paradoxical movement of the anterior chest wall disappeared within one month. No recurrence was observed during 6 to 24 months of follow-up. Radical debridement along with omental flap transposition provides definitive control of the infection in cases of failure of other semi-conservative or surgical interventions. Prognosis depends on the general condition of the patient.

Descending necrotizing anterior mediastinitis: analysis of survival and surgical treatment modalities.

PURPOSE: Descending necrotizing anterior mediastinitis (DNAM) is a severe infectious disease with a very high mortality rate. The aim of this study was to define the impact of several clinical factors on survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1985 and 2002, 27 patients were managed for DNAM, 11 with combined transthoracic mediastinal and cervical drainage (group A) and 16 with a less aggressive surgical approach, such as cervical drainage and transcervical mediastinal drainage (group B). The records of all patients were statistically analyzed for the impact of several clinical factors on survival. RESULTS: Although patients in group A were admitted to the hospital faster, treated with antibiotics as outpatients earlier, and operated on much sooner after hospital admission compared with the patients in group B, multivariate analysis revealed that early combined transthoracic mediastinal and cervical debridement and drainage was the only favorable factor for survival in patients DNAM patients (odds ratio = 9.99; 95% confidence interval = 1.02 to 97.49). CONCLUSIONS: Less extensive surgical approaches (ie, thoracic drainage without cervical drainage or combined cervical and subxiphoid thoracic drainage) led to unsatisfactory results and high reoperation rates. In contrast, early, aggressive combined cervical and thoracic drainage proved to be an effective method for managing DNAM.