Preoperative changes of forced vital capacity due to body position do not correlate with postoperative respiratory function in obese subjects.

BACKGROUND: Obese patients are at risk of developing postoperative pulmonary complications. We hypothesized that preoperative changes in dynamic spirometry due to body posture would correlate with the drop of forced vital capacity (FVC) measured early after surgery. METHODS: Thirty consecutive morbidly obese patients undergoing gastric banding were investigated. All subjects were studied the day before surgery (T0) and on postoperative day one (T1). Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) was measured, together with heart rate, mean arterial pressure and respiratory rate. At T0 measurements were taken in a random fashion with subjects in upright and in supine position. Subjects were then investigated after surgery in the supine position (T1). Postoperative pain was assessed at T1 using visual analogue scale. Intraoperative variables were also collected. RESULTS: Body Mass Index (BMI) of the investigated subjects was 43.9 ± 5.7 Kg/m2 (range 33.8-60); their age was 40 ± 8 years. All dynamic spirometric data decreased significantly from upright to supine position (P<0.05) and after surgery from 3.07 L (2.77-3.71) to 1.50 (1.15-2.12) (FVC T0 supine vs. T1, P<0.05). Changes of FVC due to body position did not correlate with changes of FVC occurring after surgery (R2=0.105, P=0.081). When subjects were stratified by the median postoperative drop of FVC (45.74%), preoperative (anthropometric and spirometric data), intraoperative (ventilatory settings and hemodynamics) and postoperative (FVC and pain) parameters were similar between groups. The duration of pneumoperitoneum was correlated with the drop of FVC (R2=0.551, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The derangement of FVC that occurs in obese subjects after gastric banding is not predictable before surgery from anthropometric or spirometric data. The duration of pneumoperitoneum significantly contributes to postoperative impairment of respiratory function.

Gene expression analysis of early and advanced gastric cancers.

Gastric carcinoma is one of the major causes of cancer mortality worldwide. Early detection results in excellent prognosis for patients with early cancer (EGC), whereas the prognosis of advanced cancer (AGC) patients remains poor. It is not clear whether EGC and AGC are molecularly distinct, and whether they represent progressive stages of the same tumor or different entities ab initio. Gene expression profiles of EGC and AGC were determined by Affymetrix technology and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Representative regulated genes were further analysed by in situ hybridization (ISH) on tissue microarrays. Expression analysis allowed the identification of a signature that differentiates AGC from EGC. In addition, comparison with normal gastric mucosa indicated that the majority of alterations associated with EGC are retained in AGC, and that further expression changes mark the transition from EGC to AGC. Finally, ISH analysis showed that representative genes, differentially expressed in the invasive areas of EGC and AGC, are not differentially expressed in the non-invasive areas of the same tumors. Our data are more directly compatible with a progression model of gastric carcinogenesis, whereby EGC and AGC may represent different molecular stages of the same tumor. Finally, the identification of an AGC-specific signature might help devising novel therapeutic strategies for advanced gastric cancer.

Videolaparoscopic appendectomy: the current outlook.

BACKGROUND: Mini-invasive techniques have revolutionized surgery, but the superiority of laparoscopic access for appendectomy is widely debated. The authors analyze their monocentric experience with 1,347 laparoscopic appendectomies. METHODS: Between October 1991 and December 2002, all the patients with an indication for appendectomy underwent surgery (301 emergency and 1,046 interval appendectomies) using the laparoscopic approach. RESULTS: For 1,248 patients, appendectomy was performed laparoscopically, whereas for 99 patients (7.3%), it was converted to an open procedure because of technical reasons (90 patients, 6.7%) or intraoperative complications (9 patients, 0.6%). For 59 patients (4.4%), the appendectomy was associated with another procedure. Histology showed "acute" alterations in 261 of the 301 emergency surgeries and in 148 of the 1,046 elective operations. Postoperative complications arose in 37 patients (2.7%), with 5 patients (0.3%) requiring invasive treatment. The mean postoperative stay was 30 h. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic appendectomy offers unquestionable advantages, but it is not yet considered the "gold standard" for appendiceal pathology. Many centers reserve it for selected patients (e.g., obese patients and women suspected of having other pathologies). No randomized trials or metaanalyses have definitively proved its superiority.

State of the art in thoracospic surgery: a personal experience of 2000 videothoracoscopic procedures and an overview of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Herein we compare our personal experience with a series of > 2000 videothoracoscopic procedures with those reported in the literature to identify the procedures now accepted as the gold standard, those still regarded as investigational, and those considered unacceptable. METHODS: Between June 1991 and December 2000, we performed 2068 videothoracoscopic procedures, including lung cancer staging (n = 910), wedge resections (n = 261), lobectomies (n = 221), pneumonectomies (n = 6), the diagnosis and treatment of pleural diseases (n = 200), the treatment of pneumothorax (n = 170), giant bullae (n = 57), lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) for emphysema (n = 41), the diagnosis and treatment of mediastinal diseases (n = 133), the treatment of esophageal diseases (n = 39), and 30 other miscellaneous procedures. RESULTS: A review of the literature indicates that videothoracoscopy is usually considered the preferred approach for the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax, the diagnosis of indeterminate pleural effusions, the treatment of malignant pleural effusions, sympathectomy, and the diagnosis and treatment of benign esophageal or mediastinal diseases. The videoendoscopic approach to LVRS for emphysema is still under evaluation. Videothoracoscopic wedge resections for the diagnosis of indeterminate nodules and the treatment of primary lung cancer, metastases, and other malignancies are still controversial due to oncologic concerns. Videoendoscopic major pulmonary resections are usually considered investigational or even unacceptable due to oncologic concerns, technical difficulties, and the risk of complications. CONCLUSIONS: Although we generally agree with the foregoing recommendations, we consider videoendoscopy the best approach for LVRS and particularly useful for the staging of lung cancer, where we always perform it as the first step of the operation. We widely perform videoendoscopic major pulmonary resections, but we believe that these procedures should only be used in strictly selected cases and at specialized centers.

Major vascular injuries in laparoscopic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Major vascular injuries (MVI) still occur in laparoscopic surgery. METHODS: We report our institution's experience of two MVI (aortic lesions) in a series of 3545 laparoscopies (July 1991-December 2000). We compared this experience with other series reporting MVI from Medline, Embase, Current Contents, and Best Evidence. RESULTS: There were no deaths, but we had 23 postoperative and eight intraoperative bleedings, including two hepatic vessel lesions during dissection and six vascular lesions (four minor vessels and two aortic) related to trocar insertion. Prevention and treatment options are also discussed. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of MVI reported in the literature is 0.05%, but the true incidence is difficult to estimate because results are not always comparable and there is a possibility of underreporting. The mortality rates (8-17%) are high. No technique or instrumentation is completely safe; therefore, a high level of alertness must be maintained at all times and precautions must be adopted to avoid major complications.

Can routine laparoscopy help to reduce the rate of explorative laparotomies for gastric cancer? Laparoscopy in gastric cancer.

1. Background We developed this surgical protocol about performing intraoperative laparoscopy for staging in every patient affected by stomach cancer. Sensitivity and specificity of intraoperative laparoscopy are compared with conventional preoperative staging techniques.2. Methods From January 1994 to June 1999, 83 patients affected by stomach cancer were accepted in our department: 12 patients (14.5%) were excluded from our study after the preoperative staging; in 71 patients (85.5%) an explorative laparoscopy as the first step of the operation was performed.3. Results Laparoscopy confirmed preoperative staging in 53 cases (74.6%), in 12 patients demonstrated an overstaging. Laparoscopy demonstrated in 6 patients unsuspected causes of unresectability.4. Conclusions When performed in patients affected by malignant neoplasm and declared resectable, intraoperative laparoscopy can demonstrate conditions not detectable by traditional preoperative investigations, consequently reducing to zero explorative laparotomies.

False radiographic appearance of a right bronchial stump following extended right pneumonectomy.

The authors describe three cases in which postoperative frontal chest radiographs following extended right pneumonectomy showed a right hilar lucency producing the false appearance of a residual main bronchus that is shown by additional studies to represent a dilated esophagus.

Videothoracoscopic treatment of oesophageal leiomyoma.

BACKGROUND: Oesophageal leiomyomas are usually so easily removed that thoracotomy seems out of proportion and thoracoscopic removal is therefore highly desirable. METHODS: Out of a total of 1003 thoracoscopic operations undertaken between July 1991 and December 1996, seven patients underwent thoracoscopic removal of oesophageal leiomyoma. All of them had been preoperatively studied by oesophagogastroscopy and computed tomographic scanning of the chest which had confirmed the presence of a lesion with benign features. The surgical technique required intubation with a double lumen tube. Operative access was gained through the right chest via three ports and a small utility thoracotomy in the inframammary sulcus. The mean operating time was 120 minutes. RESULTS: Conversion to open thoracotomy was necessary in one case with a very large horseshoe-shaped leiomyoma which was firmly adherent. The mean postoperative hospital stay was seven days. No intraoperative deaths or postoperative complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The simplicity and safety of the thoracoscopic approach, combined with reduced surgical trauma and postoperative pain and functional and cosmetic advantages, make this technique the approach of choice for the removal of oesophageal leiomyomas.

Complications following cholecystectomy.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered the gold standard for cholelithiasis. Nevertheless possible complications must not be underestimated. In this department, from 1 July 1991 to 30 November 1995, 1005 patients with cholelithiasis underwent videocholecystectomy. There was no peri-operative mortality. In 36 cases (3.6%) the procedure was changed to laparotomy. In four cases (0.4%) conversion was mandatory due to severe complications: in three patients while introducing a trocar (one aortic lesion, one middle colic vein injury and one visceral perforation) and in one patient due to bleeding in the hepatic hilar region. In 32 cases (3.2%) conversion was carried out electively. This was due to technical difficulties or to choledocholithiasis (22 patients), anaesthesiological problems (three cases), biliodigestive fistula (one), bile spillage from accessory hepatic ducts (three), unexpected colonic cancer (one), instrument malfunction (two cases). Twenty-four patients (2.4%) experienced post-operative complications: one with pneumothorax, two with bile leakage (one bile duct damage, and one cystic duct leakage), eight with haemoperitoneum, five with subphrenic abscess, three with anaemia, three with intraparietal collections, one with bilateral basal bronchopneumonia, one with perforated duodenal stress ulcer. Of these, 11 patients (1%) underwent reintervention: five re-laparoscopies, three conversions, and three open laparotomies. This study demonstrates the safety of videolaparocholecystectomy. Complications are relatively rare and can be often dealt with conservative treatment or re-laparoscopy. Complications are often linked to insertion of a blind trocar or to the induction of a closed pneumoperitoneum. Meticulous technique or open laparoscopy minimize these risks. Conversion must not be considered a defeat but a wise decision in the face of major difficulties. Under these principles, videocholecystectomy is safe and represents the best treatment of gallbladder stones.

[Radiologic assessment in lung volume reduction surgery in emphysema]. / Valutazione radiologica nell'intervento di riduzione del volume polmonare per enfisema.

Aim of this work is to present and discuss the radiologic protocol we have developed for the preoperative assessment of patients with severe pulmonary emphysema candidate to lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS). The operation aims at improving respiratory mechanics and reducing small airway obstruction by removing variable amounts of emphysematous parenchyma. January to September, 1996, twelve patients were submitted to LVRS. Before surgery all patients were examined with standard chest radiographs during maximal inspiration and expiration, chest Computed Tomography (CT), High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) and air trapping quantitation on HRCT scans. Diaphragm and chest wall excursions, patterns, site and distribution of emphysema, as well as heterogeneity (i.e., the uneven distribution of emphysematous and normal parenchyma) were investigated. Air trapping was quantitated with a dedicated software. Postoperative studies were carried out 2 months later in six patients and included: maximal inspiratory and expiratory chest radiographs and air trapping assessment on 3 standardized HRCT scans. All parameters considered improved in every patient. Radiologic studies proved to be of crucial importance for patient selection and LVRS planning. Despite our limited number of patients, the diagnostic protocol adopted in our Hospital appears a valuable tool for both pre- and post-operative assessment of the patients candidate to LVRS.

Major thoracoscopic operations: pulmonary resection and mediastinal mass excision.

After the great success of laparoscopy in the field of abdominal surgery, the mini-invasive approach has opened interesting new possibilities in the field of thoracic surgery too. At present, in many centres, thoracoscopy is the surgical approach of choice for the treatment of recurrent pneumothorax, giant bullous lung disease, peripheral benign lesions. In very few centres a new phase is now starting, having the objective of verifying the validity of more complex thoracoscopic surgical operations. The authors describe their experience in performing major thoracoscopic operations such as excision of mediastinal masses and major pulmonary resections. The series includes 36 patients submitted to thoracoscopic excision of mediastinal masses and 113 patients submitted to video-thoracoscopic major pulmonary resections. Every kind of mediastinal lesion as well as every kind of major pulmonary resection was performed; the evidence of no intra-operative deaths confirms the possibility of a useful employment of the mini-invasive approach in this kind of surgery.

Videothoracoscopic operative staging for lung cancer.

The authors describe their experience in performing Videothoracoscopy as the first step of the operation in patients affected by lung cancer: they refer to this procedure as Videothoracoscopic Operative Staging (VOS). In 286 patients, already proposed for curative surgical resection on the basis of conventional staging, VOS was carried out in order to reach a conclusive judgement of resectability. VOS discovered unsuspected causes of inoperability in 17 patients (5.7%), while 269 patients underwent surgical operation but in 9 of them this consisted in an exploratory thoracotomy (ET). Furthermore, VOS allowed us to assess the operability of 11 patients in whom preoperative computed tomography (CT) had suggested unresectability but without providing a definitive judgement. Based on their experience the Authors conclude that VOS should be performed in every patient affected by lung cancer in order to obtain a more detailed staging and to reduce to a minimum the number of ETs. By using VOS it was possible to decrease the rate of exploratory thoracotomies to less than 4%.

[Preoperative role of computerized tomography in videothoracoscopic lung surgery]. / Ruolo preoperatorio della Tomografia Computerizzata nella chirurgia polmonare videotoracoscopica.

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is used in a growing range of pulmonary and mediastinal conditions. By avoiding thoracotomy, VATS is minimally invasive and allows shorter postoperative hospitalization. The advantages of video-assisted thoracoscopic techniques are obvious in the patients with severe cardiorespiratory failure. We investigated the role of CT before VATS. From September, 1991, to January, 1994, two hundred and eight patients were submitted to VATS: 80 pleurectomies, 63 lobectomies, 42 wedge resections, 11 bullectomies, 8 biopsies and 4 pneumonectomies were performed in patients with diffuse lung disease. All patients underwent conventional CT and an additional HRCT was performed in 164 patients. Bullae site, number, characteristics and size must be assessed. The possible relationship of bullae to impaired respiratory function must be studied. When nodules are present, their site, depth and relationship to fissures must be defined. With small and deep-seated nodules a thin snap-open mandrel device should be used for intraoperative detection. When lobectomies are contemplated, fissures must be accurately studied to assess their integrity and whether they completely separate the lobes. Fibrous adhesions can prevent pulmonary collapse; unfortunately, some of them cannot be detected by CT. Another limitation is the difficulty in assessing whether fissures are incomplete. To conclude, CT integrated with HRCT provides useful information for correct video-assisted thoracic surgical management.

The versatility of pectoralis major muscle and musculocutaneous flaps in the reconstruction of the oral cavity and of the anterior chest wall.

Musculocutaneous flaps, allowing one stage reconstructions and reducing the stay in hospital and rehabilitation period, have revolutionised modern plastic surgery. Muscle flaps are a good alternative to provide adequate coverage of tissue losses but with limited scarring. The authors report their 5 year clinical experience in the reconstruction of oral cavity and chest wall defects using the pectoralis major as muscle or musculocutaneous flap. The preliminary data of an angiographic study, confirming the segmentation of the pectoralis major muscle into two subunits, each provided with its own vascular supply (mainly the clavicular and the sternocostal segment), are also presented. The short and long-term results confirm the excellent viability and versatility of the pectoralis major musculocutaneous and muscle flap. In particular the complications rate is so low that this procedure can be considered safe and reliable.

Tracheal sleeve pneumonectomy for bronchogenic carcinoma.

For a long time, primary tumors arising less than 2 cm distal to the carina have presented a contraindication to surgical excision. Tracheal sleeve pneumonectomy technique allows carinal resection and reconstruction but still carries considerable postoperative complications. From 1983 to 1992 we performed 27 right tracheal sleeve pneumonectomies and one left. Fourteen patients had N0 nodes, nine had N1, and five had N2. No anastomotic complications, either fistula or stenosis, were observed. Successful outcome depends on meticulous attention to surgical details and careful anaesthetic management with a new ventilation tube. One patient died on the twenty-second postoperative day from myocardial infarction. Complications included pneumonia (one), vocal cord paresis (two), and pleural empyema without bronchial fistula (one). Conservative treatment allowed complete recovery from all complications. There are seven patients alive at 4 years after operation and one at 5 years. Six patients have been disease-free for between 1 and 32 months. Two patients died free of disease at 13 and 42 months. Two patients died of mediastinal recurrence and 10 of distant metastases within 6 and 54 months.

Major videothoracoscopic pulmonary resections.

Major pulmonary resections are generally performed through long thoracotomies which cause important functional and cosmetic sequelae. The progress in videoendoscopic surgery has allowed the authors to perform 31 pulmonary resections (28 lobectomies, 1 segmentectomy and 2 pneumonectomies) by thoracoscopic approach. Seven patients had benign pulmonary disease, 3 patients had pulmonary metastases and 21 cases suffered from a primary lung cancer TNM stage I. In all cases of malignancy hilar lymphadenectomy was performed. No major postoperative complications were observed. Functional and cosmetic results were always excellent.

Videoendoscopic thoracic surgery.

Personal experience of 42 videothoracoscopic operations is reported. From September 91 to May 92 we performed 10 major lung resections (1 pneumonectomy, 8 lobectomies, 1 segmentectomy) 9 wedge lung resections, 4 excisions of pulmonary bullae, 12 pleurectomies with or without apicectomy, 6 excisions of mediastinal masses (3 thymomas, 2 mediastinal cysts, 1 thoracic disembryoma), 1 removal of esophageal leiomyoma. No major complications occurred. Except for one patient submitted to bullectomy with pleurectomy who required a second thoracoscopy due to postoperative bleeding, all patients had excellent p.o. course. We describe technical details employed in different videothoracoscopic operations and discuss personal results and principles of videothoracoscopic approach. Different fields of videoendoscopic chest surgery are examined. Present data seem to advocate videothoracoscopic treatment for many thoracic diseases and also for major lung resections, due to its minimal trauma and little functional impairment. Nevertheless this still remains avant-garde surgery. Further improvement in endoscopic instrumentation is necessary and may lead to future extensions of videothoracoscopic surgical possibilities.

Anastomotic healing in dogs under cortisone treatment. A pilot study comparing compression and stapled anastomosis.

Colonic anastomoses made both by a new Compression Anastomotic Device (CAD) and by a traditional stapler (Autosuture CDEEA) were evaluated in impaired anastomotic healing induced by systemic cortisone in the dog. Twenty dogs were given daily i.m. hydrocortisone (25 mg/kg) starting one month before surgery and then until sacrifice. Eight untreated dogs served as controls. Surgery consisted of colonic transection and anastomosis done with CAD-25 in half the cases and with CDEEA-25 in the remaining half. The dogs were sacrificed six and 13 days after surgery. Macroscopic assessment, bursting pressure test, and histology were performed on the anastomosis. One dog died from peritonitis due to anastomotic dehiscence. No other clinical complications were observed. Although the number of observations was too small to attain statistical significance, CAD anastomoses appeared better than stapled ones as regards peri-anastomotic adhesions, anastomotic index, and histology. This preliminary study suggests that compression is as reliable as the stapler in the construction of colon anastomosis even in such situations of delayed anastomotic healing. Further experience is required to substantiate this conclusion.

Locally advanced lung cancer treatment: personal experience of 588 stage III operated on patients.

From 1967 to 1988, we operated on 1507 non-small cell lung cancer. Complete data concerning patients at stage III are available for 501 of them. In 73% of cases the histological type was epidermoid, in 22% it was adenocarcinoma and in 5% large cells anaplastic carcinoma. Explorative thoracotomy (E.T.) was performed in 45% of interventions whereas curative resections in 55%. Sixty-two percent of these patients underwent pneumonectomy and thirty-eight percent lobectomy. Exeresis interventions were performed in patients at stage III A in 86% of cases, whereas in patients at stage III B in 14% of cases. Five years survival rate for stage III non small cell lung cancer is 17% whereas in stage II is 33% and in stage I is 52%. The only valuable prognostic factor seems to be the size of parenchymal exeresis. Indeed, survival rate after lobectomy is 24% versus 13% after pneumonectomy. In our experience the different survival between tumours at stage III A and tumours at stage III B are not significant, when the unexpected intraoperative finding of marginal infiltration of mediastinal organ is still compatible with resection. Also the survival rates between the two histological types are not statistically significant.