A simple technique for removing the Nuss bar with one stabilizer: the lateral approach.

The removal of the substernal bar after the Nuss operation is not always an easy and fast maneuver. Only a few different technical solutions have been described. In the original Nuss technique, the patient was lying on dorsal decubitus and rotated on the side during the procedure. The Noguchi technique avoids the rotation of the patient, but requires two incisions and straightening of the bar before pulling it out the thorax. Recently, another technique was proposed, avoiding the need of straightening the bar, but it is feasible only if two operative beds in a large operative room are available. We propose another approach for the removal of the bar: The patient is lying on the lateral decubitus, only one incision is performed, and the bar is pulled out along the thoracic wall. Twenty-one bars were removed by using the present approach without any complications. The advantages of our approach on the previous techniques are the single incision, no need of rotating the patient, straightening the bar, or having two operative beds. Our approach is not feasible when metallic stabilizers have been used on both sides, but in our experience, this was not necessary in order to stabilize the bar.

Bilateral endoclose approach for the stabilization of the bar in pectus repair.

BACKGROUND: Mini-invasive repair of pectus excavatum with Nuss technique is the preferred technique in most centers. One of the most important technical points for the final result is the stabilization of the bar, usually obtained by one or more stabilizers and few stitches fixing the bar to some ribs. Our aim is to show how to get the bar more stable by passing bilaterally some stitches around the bar and the ribs close to it. By a right thoracoscopy and a 30-degree optic, we are able to pass the stitches bilaterally by using an Endoclose needle (Covidien Ltd., Hamilton HM, Bermuda). The left hemithorax is visualized from the right side, pushing the optic through the mediastinum following the bar and staying just below it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have operated on 230 patients in two centers. We have used only one stabilizer in more than 90% of the patients. In all patients, we have passed four absorbable stitches on the right side, using an Endoclose needle. In the last 45 cases, we have adopted bilateral fixation of the bar by the Endoclose needle. RESULTS: The maneuver takes only around 10 minutes. We did not have complications related to that maneuver. We did not observe destabilization of the bar in those cases. The overall destabilization rate was 1.3%. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest this technique to give the bar more stability on both sides. We think the use of a bilateral stabilizer can be avoided.

Spleen surgery in pediatric age: seven-year unicentric experience.

BACKGROUND: Either "open" and laparoscopic spleen surgery in pediatric age are well known and performed with ease in children. Yet, few data regarding follow-up and outcome are discussed in the international literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical notes of all patient who underwent spleen surgery in a single center between 2000 and 2007 were reviewed and a specific follow-up questionnaire was administered, aiming to evaluate pre- and postoperative data, especially considering underlying disease, cosmetic results, and quality of life after surgery. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients underwent spleen surgery in our series, 33 of whom returned a complete follow-up questionnaire and were included in the study. Splenectomy was performed in 26 patients, whereas 7 patients underwent a partial splenectomy; 19 cases (57.6%) were approached laparoscopically. A total of 4 complications (12%) occurred in our series, none of them being intraoperative. Hospital stay resulted as significantly shorter in laparoscopic cases (5.5 +/- 2.9 vs. 8.7 +/- 4.8 days; P < 0.01), with better results in terms of cosmetics. Quality of life is strictly related to underlying disease, as well as long-term survival. CONCLUSIONS: Whatever surgical approach is adopted, spleen surgery is safe, effective, and reproducible. When feasible, the laparoscopic approach should be preferred to the traditional open approach, as far as efficacy and safety are similar, in order to reduce hospital stay, abdominal wall traumatism, and consequently, improve postoperative pain control and cosmetic results.

Muscle-sparing thoracotomy combined with mechanically stapled lung resection for benign lung disorders: functional results and quality of life.

We set out to review our experience with resection of benign lung lesions performed using mechanical stapling devices via a muscle-sparing thoracotomy, and provide data on long-term morbidity, functional results, and quality of life (QOL). Fifty-two patients with a benign lung disorder were included in the study. All underwent a lung resection with mechanical staplers via a muscle-sparing thoracotomy. Medical records were retrospectively searched for postoperative complications. Nineteen patients (36.5%) also underwent a final follow-up including clinical examination, radiological investigations, functional tests, and assessment of QOL by a standardized questionnaire. No intra-operative complications occurred. The resection was anatomical (lobectomy) in 28 (53%) children and wedge in 25 (47%). Five cases (9.6%) required secondary surgery. Of the 19 children undergoing long-term follow-up, 3 (16%) had musculoskeletal anomalies and 6 (31.5%) respiratory symptoms. All X-rays were normal. Spirometry was abnormal in 9 cases (47.3%). QOL was excellent/good in 17 cases (89.5%) and sufficient in 2 (10.5%). An abnormal spirometric pattern was significantly more frequent in cases with a poorer QOL. In conclusion, stapled resection via a muscle-sparing thoracotomy is a good option to perform lung resections. However, a muscle-sparing approach does not avoid entirely long-term musculoskeletal complications. QOL is good in nearly 90% of cases, but respiratory symptoms and abnormal spirometric function can be found in one third and half of the patients, respectively. An abnormal spirometry is more common in patients with a poorer QOL. Systematic radiological follow-up is unnecessary.