99mTechnetium and methylene blue guided pulmonary nodules resections: preliminary British experience.

BACKGROUND: Subcentimetre pulmonary nodules can be challenging to locate either during video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) or by open techniques. In an era of increasing computed tomography scan availability the number of nodules that are identified that are suspicious for malignancy is rising, and thoracic surgeons require a reliable method to locate these nodules intraoperatively. METHODS: Our aim was to evaluate, for the first time in the UK, resection of pulmonary nodules using radioactive dye labelling. Local research ethics approval was obtained and the study was submitted to the Integrated Research Application System (IRAS). All data were prospectively collected in our dedicated thoracic surgical database and analyzed at the conclusion of the study. This represents a consecutive series of patients, from January 2016 and until April 2017, who underwent this procedure at our institution: James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom. The primary outcome measured was successful resection rate of the target nodules. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients underwent radiolabeled excision of pulmonary nodules, their average age was 61 years (range, 28-79 years), 13 women and 10 men. The average maximum diameter of the nodule was 8 mm (range, 3-16 mm). All patients underwent successful excision of the target lesion (success rate 100%). One patient (4.3%) sustained pneumothorax following the CT-guided injection of the radio-labelled dye and this required chest drainage prior to general anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that technetium guided pulmonary nodule resection is a very reliable method for localization and resection of subcentimetre nodules which may be otherwise be difficult to identify.

Robotic right middle lobectomy with a subxiphoid utility port.

We present the case of a 74-year-old man with Stage IIa pulmonary adenocarcinoma, for which he underwent a robotic right middle lobectomy. A 4-armed, 5-port approach was used. Four intercostal ports were created above the ninth rib using the Cerfolio's technique. The subxiphoid port was created in the midline, 5 cm down from the xiphisternum. The robot offers higher image quality, depth perception and improved articulation of the instruments, allowing for more accurate dissection and stitching. The usage of a subxiphoid utility port reduces the clashing between instruments, offers a good angle for stapling and provides a direct view of the instruments entering into the chest. Specimen removal through the subxiphoid port may reduce postoperative pain and enhance patient recovery. The use of the subxiphoid approach as a utility port for robotic surgery is promising and may be a suitable replacement for the traditional utility port.

Hiatal hernia causing extrapericardial tamponade after coronary bypass surgery.

Cardiac tamponade is defined as compression of the heart due to accumulation of fluid in the pericardial sac, leading to raised pericardial pressures with haemodynamic compromise. We describe the case of a 76-year old female patient who underwent a routine off-pump coronary artery bypass graft operation and within 48 h developed classic signs of cardiac tamponade. The perioperative echocardiogram and operative findings at re-exploration revealed no clots or fluid collection. A giant hiatus hernia was found to be responsible for the tamponade through extrinsic compression. After insertion of a nasogastric tube and decompression of the stomach, there was a rapid improvement of the clinical picture. The remaining postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged 5 days later, with referral to the general surgeon for further management. We conclude that, in cases of tamponade post-cardiac surgery, extrapericardial pathologies should be considered.

Low-pressure pulmonary artery aneurysm presenting with pulmonary embolism: a case series.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary artery aneurysm is an uncommon disorder with severe complications. The diagnosis is often difficult, since the clinical manifestations are non-specific and the treatment is controversial, as the natural history of the disease is not completely understood. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe the cases of two patients with pulmonary artery aneurysms. The first patient was a 68-year-old Caucasian man with an idiopathic low-pressure pulmonary artery aneurysm together with a pulmonary embolism. The patient preferred a conservative approach and was stable at the 10-month follow-up visit after being placed on anti-coagulant treatment. The second patient was a 66-year-old Caucasian woman with a low-pressure pulmonary artery aneurysm also presented together with a pulmonary embolism. The aneurysm was secondary to pulmonary valve stenosis. She received anti-coagulants and, after stabilization, underwent percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary embolism may be the initial presentation of a low-pressure pulmonary artery aneurysm. No underlying cause for pulmonary embolism was found in either of our patients, suggesting a causal association with low-pressure pulmonary artery aneurysm.

The role of ascorbic acid in the prevention of atrial fibrillation after elective on-pump myocardial revascularization surgery: a single-center experience--a pilot study.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia that occurs postoperatively in cardiac surgery. There is evidence for the role of oxidative stress in the etiology of AF. In our study, we examined whether antioxidant ascorbic acid (vitamin C), could help in the reduction of the incidence of postoperative AF. Patients who were scheduled to undergo elective isolated on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were included in our study. One hundred and seventy patients were randomly divided in two groups: Group A (n=85) received vitamin C preoperatively and postoperatively whereas Group B (n=85) did not receive any (control group). The incidence of AF was 44.7% in the vitamin C group and 61.2% in the control group (P=0.041). The hospitalization time, the intensive care unit stay and the time interval for the conversion of AF into sinus rhythm was significantly shorter in the vitamin C group. Patients that developed AF also had longer hospital length of stay (9.5±2.8 days vs. 6.7±1.9, P=0.034). Supplementation of vitamin C reduces the incidence of postCABG AF, and decreases the time needed for rhythm restoration and length of hospital stay.

Endovascular repair of traumatic aortic transection.

The present study reports a single center experience and mid-term results of endovascular repair of acute aortic traumatic transection on an emergency basis, instead of open surgical management. From January 2005 to December 2008, 13 cases of traumatic aortic transection with serious comorbidities, which underwent repair with thoracic stent grafts at our institution, were reviewed. The mean patient age was 32.5+/-7.8 years. During the follow-up period of 25.5+/-12.8 months, 12 patients were alive and one patient died of associated injuries. There were no intraoperative deaths, no incidence of paraplegia and no procedure-related mortality. The blood loses during the procedure were minimal. The thoracic aortic grafts were larger than the thoracic aorta by 12.4+/-5.7%. Five cases required complete or partial coverage of the left subclavian artery. There were two cases of graft collapse, which were successfully treated by endovascular reintervention. Our results suggest that this approach is safe, effective and can be performed with low rates of morbidity and mortality, especially in respect of patients with multiple injuries. Although initial results are encouraging, close long-term follow-up and technical improvements of the stent grafts are required.