Long-term survival analysis of robotic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

Robotic esophagectomy has improved early outcomes and enhanced the quality of lymphadenectomy for esophageal cancer surgery. This study aimed to determine risk factors for long-term survival following robotic esophagectomy and the causes of long-term mortality. We included patients who underwent robotic esophagectomy at our institute between 2010 and 2022. Robotic esophagectomy was defined as a surgical procedure performed robotically in both the abdomen and thorax. Robotic esophagectomy was performed in patients at all stages, including advanced stages, even in patients with stage IV and supraclavicular lymph node metastasis. A total of 340 patients underwent robotic esophagectomy during the study period. Ivor-Lewis operation and McKeown operation were performed on 153 (45.0%) and 187 (55.0%) patients, respectively. The five-year survival rates based on clinical stages were as follows: 85.2% in stage I, 62.0% in stage II, 54.5% in stage III, and 40.3% in stage IV. Risk factors for long-term survival included body mass index, Charlson comorbidity index, clinical stages, and postoperative complications of grade 4 or higher. Among the cases of long-term mortality, recurrence accounted for 42 patients (61.7%), while non-cancer-related death occurred in 26 patients (38.2%). The most common cause of non-cancer-related death was malnutrition and poor general condition, observed in 11 patients (16.2%). Robotic esophagectomy has demonstrated the ability to achieve acceptable long-term survival rates, even in patients with cervical lymph node metastasis. However, addressing high-grade postoperative complications and long-term malnutrition remains crucial for further improving the long-term survival outcomes of patients with esophageal cancer.

Thoracic cavity remodeling and pulmonary function change after chest wall resection.

Background: Chest wall resection (CWR) is an essential procedure for treating malignancies and infectious conditions of the chest wall. However, there are few studies on the pulmonary function and changes in thoracic cavity volume (TCV) related to CWR. This study aims to investigate the effects of CWR on long-term changes in TCV and pulmonary function. Methods: Data of patients who underwent CWR between 2001 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who underwent single rib or lung resection rather than wedge resection were excluded. TCV (liter) was defined as the sum of the right and left TCVs (RCV and LCV) and was measured using computed tomography image reconstruction software. Changes in pulmonary function and TCV 1 year postoperatively were analyzed. Results: A total of 45 patients were included. The number of resected ribs was 2 in 16 (35.6%) and ≥3 in 29 (64.4%) patients. Thirty patients underwent reconstruction. Long-term post-CWR decreased in forced vital capacity (FVC) (-7.9%, P=0.004) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) (-7.0%, P=0.002) were significant. There was no significant decrease in FEV1/FVC ratio (-3.0%, P=0.06), diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (-5.9%, P=0.18) and TCV (-3.1%, P=0.10). There was no correlation between changes in TCV and decreases in FVC (r=0.12, P=0.56) or FEV1 (r=0.15, P=0.45). After right-side CWR (n=27), RCV (-7.8%, P=0.01) decreased significantly, whereas LCV (+2.1%, P=0.58) did not. The left-side CWR exhibited an identical pattern. (LCV: -8.5%, P=0.004; RCV: +1.3%, P=0.85). In the ≥3 rib-resection group, FVC (-9.5%, P=0.02), FEV1 (-7.9%, P=0.02) and TCV (-6.4%, P=0.04) decreased significantly. No significant changes were noted in the 2 rib-resection group. There were no significant differences in the changes in pulmonary function nor TCV between the reconstruction and no-reconstruction groups. Conclusions: The long-term decrease in pulmonary function after CWR was significant, especially after ≥3-rib resection.

Comparative Study of Indocyanine Green Intravenous Injection and the Inflation-Deflation Method for Assessing Resection Margins in Segmentectomy for Lung Cancer: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

Background: The inflation-deflation (ID) method has long been the standard for intraoperative margin assessment in segmentectomy. However, with advancements in vision technology, the use of near-infrared mapping with indocyanine green (ICG) has become increasingly common. This study was conducted to compare the perioperative outcomes and resection margins achieved using these methods. Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent direct segmentectomy for clinical stage I lung cancer between January 2018 and September 2022. We compared perioperative factors, including bronchial and parenchymal resection margins, according to the margin assessment method and the type of segmentectomy performed. Since the ICG approach was adopted in April 2021, we also examined a recent subgroup of patients treated from then onward. Results: A total of 319 segmentectomies were performed. ID and ICG were utilized for 261 (81.8%) and 58 (18.2%) patients, respectively. Following April 2021, 61 patients (51.3%) were treated with ID, while 58 (48.7%) received ICG. We observed no significant difference in resection margins between ID and ICG for bronchial (2.7 cm vs. 2.3 cm, p=0.07) or parenchymal (2.5 cm vs. 2.3 cm, p=0.46) margins. Additionally, the length of hospitalization and the complication rate were comparable between groups. Analysis of the recent subgroup confirmed these findings, showing no significant differences in resection margins (bronchial: 2.6 cm vs. 2.3 cm, p=0.25; parenchymal: 2.4 cm vs. 2.3 cm, p=0.75), length of hospitalization, or complication rate. Conclusion: The perioperative outcomes and resection margins achieved using ID and ICG were comparable, suggesting that both methods can safely guide segmentectomy procedures.

Safety of lung resection surgery after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in the post-vaccination era.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the postoperative outcomes of lung resection in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and determine the optimal timing of surgery. METHODS: This retrospective, single-centre cohort study included patients who underwent lung resection between June 2021 and June 2022. Patients were divided into the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and non-COVID-19 groups based on their preoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection history, and postoperative outcomes were compared. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the risk factors of complications after lung resection surgery. RESULTS: In total, 1194 patients were enrolled, of whom, 79 had a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In the COVID-19 group, 66 patients (90.4%) had received at least 1 vaccination dose. The average interval between infection and surgery was 67 days, with no significant impact on postoperative outcomes. Regarding postoperative outcomes, there were no significant differences in major complication rate (6.3% vs 5.4%, P = 0.613), respiratory complication rate (19.0% vs 12.2%, P = 0.079) or length of stays (4.9 ± 3.4 vs 5.0 ± 5.6, P = 0.992) between the 2 groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age, male sex, poor pulmonary function test, open surgery and extensive lung resection were risk factors for postoperative complications, while preoperative COVID-19 infection status was not a statistically significant risk factor. CONCLUSIONS: In the post-vaccination era, lung resection surgery can be safely performed shortly after SARS-CoV-2 infection, even within 4 weeks of infection.

Risk Factors of Anastomosis Stricture After Esophagectomy and the Impact of Anastomosis Technique.

BACKGROUND: Anastomosis complications after esophagectomy are related to postoperative survival and quality of life. This is a retrospective observational study to identify risk factors for anastomotic stricture after esophageal cancer surgery and the effect of different anastomosis techniques on stricture development. METHODS: This study included 737 patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer that used stomach conduits. Four types of anastomoses were used: manual sewing (n = 221, 30%), circular stapling (n = 172, 23%), hybrid linear stapling with a 45-mm stapler (HLS; n = 155, 21%), and triangular linear stapling with 60-mm staplers (TLS; n = 189, 26%). Multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate the risk factors for stricture. RESULTS: Strictures that required endoscopic dilatation within 1 year after surgery occurred in 105 patients (14%), and 13% of the strictures were related to leakage. Multivariate analysis revealed that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (hazard ratio [HR] 1.726, P = .017), leakage (HR 2.502, P = .015), and anastomosis techniques other than TLS (manual sewing: HR 9.588; circular stapling: HR 6.516; HLS HR 5.462, all P < .001) were significant risk factors for stricture. TLS significantly reduced the stricture rate (3.2%) compared with other techniques (manual sewing: 22.2%; circular stapling:, 14.5%; HLS: 16.1%; P < .001). Stricture rate was lower in the TLS group in patients without leakage (P < .001); however, the effect disappeared with leakage. CONCLUSIONS: Anastomosis stricture occurred in 14% of esophagectomy patients. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, leakage, and anastomosis technique are risk factors for stricture. A large anastomosis area with the TLS technique using 60-mm length linear staplers prevented stricture, especially when leakage was not observed.

Computed tomography volumetric analysis for predicting postoperative lung function for segmentectomy.

OBJECTIVES: We compared the computed tomographic (CT) volumetric analysis and anatomical segment counting (ASC) for predicting postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) in patients who had segmentectomy for early-stage lung cancer. METHODS: A total of 175 patients who had segmentectomy for lung cancer and had postoperative pulmonary function test were included. CT volumetric analysis was performed by software, which could measure total lung and target segment volume from CT images. ASC and CT volumetric analysis were used to determine predicted postoperative (PPO) values and the concordance and difference of these values were assessed. The relationship between PPO values and actual postoperative values was also investigated. RESULTS: The PPO-FEV1 and PPO-DLCO showed high concordance between 2 methods (concordance correlation coefficient = 0.96 for PPO-FEV1 and 0.95 for PPO-DLCO). There was no significant difference between PPO values as determined by 2 methods (P = 0.53 for PPO-FEV1, P = 0.25 for PPO-DLCO) and actual postoperative values [P = 0.77 (ASC versus actual) and P = 0.20 (CT versus actual) for FEV1; P = 0.41 (ASC versus actual) and P = 0.80 (CT versus actual) for DLCO]. We subdivided the patients according to poor pulmonary function test, the number of resected segments and the location of the resected lobe. All subgroup analyses revealed no significant difference between PPO values and actual postoperative values. CONCLUSIONS: Both CT volumetric analysis and ASC showed high predictability for actual postoperative FEV1 and DLCO in segmentectomy.

Erratum: Outcomes of the Multimodal Treatment of Malignant Pleural Mesiothelioma: The Role of Surgery.

[This corrects the article on p. 35 in vol. 51, PMID: 29430427.].

Outcomes of the Multimodal Treatment of Malignant Pleural Mesiothelioma: The Role of Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is challenging, and multimodal treatment including surgery is recommended; however, the role of surgery is debated. The treatment outcomes of MPM in Korea have not been reported. We analyzed the outcomes of MPM in the context of multimodal treatment, including surgery. METHODS: The records of 29 patients with pathologically proven MPM from April 1998 to July 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. The treatment outcomes of the surgery and non-surgery groups were compared. RESULTS: The overall median survival time was 10.6 months, and the overall 3-year survival rate was 25%. No postoperative 30-day or in-hospital mortality occurred in the surgery group. Postoperative complications included tachyarrhythmia (n=4), pulmonary thromboembolism (n=1), pneumonia (n=1), chylothorax (n=1), and wound complications (n=3). The treatment outcomes between the surgery and non-surgery groups were not significantly different (3-year survival rate: 31.3% vs. 16.7%, respectively; p=0.47). In a subgroup analysis, there was no significant difference in the treatment outcomes between the extrapleural pneumonectomy group and the non-surgery group (3-year survival rate: 45.5% vs. 16.7%, respectively; p=0.23). CONCLUSION: Multimodal treatment incorporating surgery did not show better outcomes than non-surgical treatment. A nationwide multicenter data registry and prospective randomized controlled studies are necessary to optimize the treatment of MPM.

Intraoperative Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Monitoring in a Patient with Contralateral Vocal Fold Palsy.

Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury can develop following cervical or thoracic surgery; however, few reports have described intraoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring. Consensus regarding the use of this technique during thoracic surgery is lacking. We used intraoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring in a patient with contralateral vocal cord paralysis who was scheduled for completion pneumonectomy. This case serves as an example of intraoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring during thoracic surgery and supports this indication for its use.

Elevated Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 Level in a Patient with Horseshoe Type Pulmonary Sequestration.

Elevated carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 can indicate malignancies of the gastrointestinal, pancreatic, and biliary tracts, and be found in a pulmonary sequestration. A 30-year-old man visited Seoul National University Bundang Hospital due to elevated CA 19-9 levels, representing pulmonary sequestration of the bilateral lower lobes, which were connected with each other. We performed left lower lobectomy and division of the systemic arteries. After operation, CA 19-9 levels decreased to normal range, even though a small amount of sequestrated lung remained in the right lower lobe. It is not uncommon that presence of pulmonary sequestration might elevate serum CA 19-9 levels; however, horseshoe type bilateral pulmonary sequestration is very rare.

Surgical Management of Aorto-Esophageal Fistula as a Late Complication after Graft Replacement for Acute Aortic Dissection.

A 49-year-old male presented with chills and a fever. Five years previously, he underwent ascending aorta and aortic arch replacement using the elephant trunk technique for DeBakey type 1 aortic dissection. The preoperative evaluation found an esophago-paraprosthetic fistula between the prosthetic graft and the esophagus. Multiple-stage surgery was performed with appropriate antibiotic and antifungal management. First, we performed esophageal exclusion and drainage of the perigraft abscess. Second, we removed the previous graft, debrided the abscess, and performed an in situ re-replacement of the ascending aorta, aortic arch, and proximal descending thoracic aorta, with separate replacement of the innominate artery, left common carotid artery, and extra-anatomical bypass of the left subclavian artery. Finally, staged esophageal reconstruction was performed via transthoracic anastomosis. The patient's postoperative course was unremarkable and the patient has done well without dietary problems or recurrent infections over one and a half years of follow-up.