One-stage thoracoscopic resection of bilateral bronchiectasis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of one-stage thoracoscopic resection of bilateral bronchiectasis. METHODS: Between June 2009 and December 2020, there were 23 patients selected for one-stage thoracoscopic resection of bilateral bronchiectasis. Their average age was 58.5 (36-73). Female patients were more common, accounting for 17 (74%). Preoperatively, 17 (74%) patients mainly presented with hemoptysis and the other 6 (26%) patients with purulent sputum. RESULTS: In these 23 patients, a total of 121 segments were resected, with an average of 5.26 segments, ranging from 3 to 9 segments. Five of 17 patients with massive hemoptysis underwent ligation of bronchial arteries in addition to lung resections. The average operating time was 271 min, ranging from 145 to 500 min. The average blood loss was 108 ml, ranging from 20 to 600 ml. The average postoperative hospital stay was 8 days, ranging from 3 to 20 days. There was no surgical morbidity or surgical death. Hemoptysis and purulent sputum of all patients was almost controlled after surgery. CONCLUSION: One-stage thoracoscopic resections of bilateral localized bronchiectasis could be well-tolerated and safe for these selected patients. The one-stage operation could shorten the course of treatment.

Innominate Arterial Barrier Blocked a 25-Year Substernal Neoesophagus.

A 67-year-old woman underwent esophagogastroduodenectomy, partial jejunectomy, pancreaticojejunostomy, cervical esophagostomy, and feeding jejunostomy at the age of 42 for corrosive necrosis. She underwent esophageal reconstruction using the ileocolon through the substernal route 4 months later. Twenty-five years after esophageal reconstruction, the proximal part of the neoesophagus was obstructed by the innominate artery barrier. She could eat regular diets after revision surgery.

Pleural drainage using drainage bag for thoracoscopic lobectomy.

Objective This study was designed to compare the effectiveness and convenience of a drainage bag and a chest bottle following thoracoscopic lobectomy. Methods We conducted a test to ensure that the drainage bag was characterized by easy drainage and an antireflux effect. Thereafter, the drainage bag was used in all thoracic operations in our service. To understand the usefulness of the drainage bag, a retrospective cohort study enrolled 30 patients who had a drainage bag after thoracoscopic lobectomy and compared them with 30 similar patients operated on previously who had chest bottles. Variables studied included total drainage volume, duration of drainage, complications, and satisfaction of the care providers. Results There was no significant difference between the chest bottle and drainage bag groups respectively in terms of total drainage (697.5 ± 89.7 vs. 614.1 ± 76.6 mL, p = 0.483) or duration of drainage (4.23 ± 0.38 vs. 4.43 ± 0.38 days, p = 0.713). No device-related complication was observed. After our experience with the drainage bag, we abandoned use of the chest bottle. The drainage bag was more convenient for patients and promoted early ambulation as well improving cost effectiveness. Most care providers preferred to use the drainage bag (p = 0.000). Conclusion The drainage bag is superior to the chest bottle for postoperative drainage.

Thyroid carcinoma showing thymus-like differentiation with tracheal invasion.

We describe a case of thyroid carcinoma showing thymus-like differentiation with tracheal invasion. The malignant tumor was managed by refined spiral tracheoplasty after tangential resection of the trachea. At 8 months after the surgery, computed tomography and bronchoscopy showed no tumor recurrence or tracheal stenosis.

Perioperative Evaluation of Patient Outcomes after Severe Acid Corrosive Injury.

We reviewed 64 patients with perforation or full-thickness injury of the alimentary tract after acid ingestion. Based on our classification of laparotomy findings, there were class I (n = 15); class II (n = 13); class III (n = 16); and class IV (n = 20). Study parameters were preoperative laboratory data, gastric perforation, associated visceral injury, and extension of the injury. End points of the study were the patients' mortality and length of hospital stay. All these patients underwent esophagogastrectomy with (n = 16) or without (n = 24) concomitant resection, esophagogastroduodenojejunectomy with (n = 4) or without (n = 13) concomitant resection, and laparotomy only (n = 7). Concomitant resections were performed on the spleen (n = 10), colon (n = 2), pancreas (n = 1), gall bladder (n = 1), skipped areas of jejunum (n = 4), and the first portion of the duodenum (n = 4). The study demonstrates five preoperative risk factors, female gender, shock status, shock index, pH value, and base deficit, and four intraoperative risk factors, gastric perforation, associated visceral injury, injury beyond the pylorus, and continuous involvement of the jejunum over a length of 50 cm. The overall mortality rate was 45.3%, which increased significantly with advancing class of corrosive injury.

Incremental change in acute esophageal necrosis: report of two cases.

Acute esophageal necrosis, also called "black esophagus" because of its characteristic appearance on endoscopy, is a life-threatening disease; however, its temporal evolution on endoscopy is not well understood. We describe the serial changes in acute esophageal necrosis in two patients, who underwent four upper endoscopic examinations each. Serial endoscopy demonstrated progressive necrosis extending from the lower esophagus proximally to involve the middle or upper thoracic esophagus in both patients. The first patient was treated with transhiatal esophagectomy, followed by esophageal reconstruction, and medical control of repeated duodenal ulcer bleeding. The second patient died of esophageal perforation, as a complication of Sengstaken-Blakemore tube stent placement to control esophageal bleeding. We report these cases to demonstrate the importance of early detection and prompt surgical treatment of acute esophageal necrosis.

Formation of a tracheoesophageal common channel after alkaline injury.

We describe tracheoesophageal common channel formation in a 40-year-old woman who swallowed alkaline detergent. Necrosis and fistula formation between the posterior tracheal wall and the anterior esophageal wall were visualized by panendoscopy 15 days after the injury. Urgent tracheostomy, tube hypopharyngostomy, gastrostomy, and feeding jejunostomy were performed. Tracheoesophageal common channel formed by anterior tracheal wall and posterior esophageal wall was visualized by bronchoscopy at 48 days after the injury. Progression was observed by a panendoscopy, bronchoscopy, and chest computed tomography. Sequelae included trismus, obliteration of laryngopharynx, proximal cervical esophagus, and thoracic esophagus below the carina, stomach stricture, and scarring of the scalp, neck, back, and thighs.

A simple device for closure of a colocutaneous fistula within the laparotomy wound: a case report.

Colocutaneous fistulas within laparotomy wounds are rare and difficult to treat. Surgical repair may be contraindicated or not desired and negative pressure wound therapy may not be successful. A simple device made from a silicone, flexi-aid hand exerciser was used to close a colocutaneous fistula within the laparotomy wound of a 50-year old man following surgery of an esophageal carcinoma and a surgical history of Whipple's procedure for adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater. His wound developed 9 days postoperatively, measured 8 cm x 3 cm x 2 cm, and was contaminated with fecal material. Initial efforts involving cleansing and the use of negative pressure wound therapy were unsuccessful and the patient refused additional surgery. In this patient, a silicone occlusion device, used in conjunction with a silver hydrofiber dressing, prevented fecal soiling and facilitated closure of the colocutaneous fistula and the laparotomy wound. He was discharged on postop day 22 and healed by postop day 64. This was the first time this approach was used. Studies to optimize nonsurgical management approaches of these complicated conditions are needed.