The first peoples of the Atacama Desert lived among the trees: A 11,600- to 11,200-year-old grove and congregation site.

In deserts, water has been singled out as the most important factor for choosing where to settle, but trees were likely an important part of the landscape for hunter-gatherers beyond merely constituting an economic resource. Yet, this critical aspect has not been considered archaeologically. Here, we present the results of mapping and radiocarbon dating of a truly unique archaeological record. Over 150 preserved stumps around five Late Pleistocene/Early Holocene archaeological campsites (12,800 to 11,200 cal BP) show that trees were key features in the creation of everyday habitats for the first inhabitants of the Atacama Desert. At two of these sites, QM12 and QM35, the spatial and chronological correlation between trees and hearths reveals that people located their homes under the tree canopy. At residential site QM35, artifact distribution coincides with a grove dated to ~11,600 to 11,200 cal BP. A third residential area (QM32) occurred along the grove margins ~12,000 to 11,200 cal BP. Based on the distinct cultural material of these two camps, we propose that two different groups intermittently shared this rich wetland-grove environment. The tree taxa suggest a preference for the native Schinus molle, a tree scarcely present on the landscape today, over the endemic, nitrogen-fixing Strombocarpa tamarugo, both for toolmaking and firewood and even though the S. tamarugo was locally more abundant. Together with the spatial and chronological coincidence of campsites, hearths, and trees, we propose that people spared the most abundant and resilient species to create their homes, in turn promoting fertility oases amid the Atacama's hyperaridity.

The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) Staging Project for Lung Cancer: Recommendation to Introduce Spread Through Air Spaces as a Histologic Descriptor in the Ninth Edition of the TNM Classification of Lung Cancer. Analysis of 4061 Pathologic Stage I NSCLC.

INTRODUCTION: Spread through air spaces (STAS) consists of lung cancer tumor cells that are identified beyond the edge of the main tumor in the surrounding alveolar parenchyma. It has been reported by meta-analyses to be an independent prognostic factor in the major histologic types of lung cancer, but its role in lung cancer staging is not established. METHODS: To assess the clinical importance of STAS in lung cancer staging, we evaluated 4061 surgically resected pathologic stage I R0 NSCLC collected from around the world in the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer database. We focused on whether STAS could be a useful additional histologic descriptor to supplement the existing ones of visceral pleural invasion (VPI) and lymphovascular invasion (LVI). RESULTS: STAS was found in 930 of 4061 of the pathologic stage I NSCLC (22.9%). Patients with tumors exhibiting STAS had a significantly worse recurrence-free and overall survival in both univariate and multivariable analyses involving cohorts consisting of all NSCLC, specific histologic types (adenocarcinoma and other NSCLC), and extent of resection (lobar and sublobar). Interestingly, STAS was independent of VPI in all of these analyses. CONCLUSIONS: These data support our recommendation to include STAS as a histologic descriptor for the Ninth Edition of the TNM Classification of Lung Cancer. Hopefully, gathering these data in the coming years will facilitate a thorough analysis to better understand the relative impact of STAS, LVI, and VPI on lung cancer staging for the Tenth Edition TNM Stage Classification.

The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer Lung Cancer Staging Project: Proposals for the Revisions of the T-Descriptors in the Forthcoming Ninth Edition of the TNM Classification for Lung Cancer.

INTRODUCTION: An international database was created by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer to inform on the ninth edition of the TNM classification of lung cancer. The present analyses concern its T component. METHODS: Data on 124,581 patients diagnosed with lung cancer from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2019 were submitted to the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer database. Of these, 33,982 met the inclusion criteria for the clinical T analysis, and 30,715 met the inclusion criteria for the pathologic postsurgical analysis. Survival was measured from the date of diagnosis or operation for clinically and pathologically staged tumors, respectively. T descriptors were evaluated in univariate analysis and multivariable Cox regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, pathologic type, and geographic region. RESULTS: Comprehensive survival analysis revealed that the existing eighth edition T component criteria performed adequately in the ninth edition data set. Although pathologic chest wall or parietal pleura involvement (PL 3) yielded a worse survival compared with the other T3 descriptors, with a similar survival as T4 tumors, this difference was not observed for clinical chest wall or PL 3 tumors. Because of these inconsistent findings, no reallocation of chest wall or PL 3 tumors is advised. CONCLUSIONS: The T subcommittee members proposed not to implement any changes and keep the current eighth-edition T descriptors for the ninth edition.

The use of early neuromuscular blockage in acute respiratory distress syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) as defined by the Berlin definition has an approximate mortality rate of 40% and no curative treatment. Mutliple therapies have been studied to reduce mortality but only neuromuscular blocking agents show potential benefits on mortality and other complications of ARDS. OBJECTIVE: This review aimed to investigate the efficacy of neuromuscular blockers in ARDS METHODS: Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central and Web of Science were queried on October 1st, 2021. Randomized clinical trials comparing neuromuscular blockers to any comparator in treating ARDS were included. Primary outcome was mortality. Secondary outcomes were ventilator-free days, intensive care (ICU) length of stay (LOS) and complications. Results between sedation levels were examined with a Bayesian Network for Meta-analysis method. RESULTS: We included 6 trials compiling a total of 1557 patients. Neuromuscular blockers compared to any comparator in treating ARDS showed a reduction in mortality (RR 0.79 [95% CI, 0.62 to 0.99]). No difference in ventilator-free days (MD 0.68 [95% CI, -0.50 to 1.85]) or ICU LOS (MD 0.77 [95% CI, -2.99 to 4.54]) were found. A Bayesian Network Meta-analysis yielded no difference in mortality when using light sedation compared to heavy sedation in ARDS. (OR 0.58 [95% CrI, 0.07 to 4.46].) CONCLUSION: Neuromuscular blockers safely reduce mortality. Light sedation potentially has a similar impact on mortality as heavy sedation that carries some burden. A non-inferiority trial comparing both sedation levels may be warranted considering the added value of light sedation.

Maximizing lymph node dissection from fresh lung cancer specimens.

Evaluation of lymph nodes during lung cancer resection is essential for pathologic staging and adjuvant treatment decisions. We developed a standardized approach for grossing resected lobes and segments to better assign the N1 category to hilar and peripheral lymph nodes. Lung specimens were dissected centrifugally from the bronchial stump, and all lymph nodes at the segmental and subsegmental bifurcations were removed. When combined with mediastinal lymph node dissection, this approach will likely maximize the number of lymph nodes analysed and improve the accuracy of pathologic N descriptor classification.

Exercise testing and postoperative complications after minimally invasive lung resection: A cohort study.

Background: Peak oxygen uptake ( V ˙ O 2 ) during cardiospulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is used to stratify postoperative risk following lung cancer resection but peak V ˙ O 2 thresholds to predict post-operative mortality and morbidity were derived mostly from patients who underwent thoracotomy. Objectives: We evaluated whether peak V ˙ O 2 or other CPET-derived variables predict post-operative mortality and cardiopulmonary morbidity after minimally invasive video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for lung cancer resection. Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent VATS lung resection between 2002 and 2019 and in whom CPET was performed. Logistic regression models were used to determine predictors of postoperative outcomes until 30 days after surgery. The ability of peak V ˙ O 2 to discriminate between patients with and without post-operative complications was evaluated using Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: Among the 593 patients, postoperative cardiopulmonary complications occurred in 92 (15.5%) individuals, including three deaths. Mean peak V ˙ O 2 was 18.8 ml⋅kg-1⋅min-1, ranging from 7.0 to 36.4 ml⋅kg-1⋅min-1. Best predictors of postoperative morbidity and mortality were peripheral arterial disease, bilobectomy or pneumonectomy (versus sublobar resection), preoperative FEV1, peak V ˙ O 2 , and peak V ˙ E / V ˙ C O 2 . The proportion of patients with peak V ˙ O 2 of < 15 ml⋅kg-1⋅min-1, 15 to < 20 ml⋅kg-1⋅min-1 and ≥ 20 ml⋅kg-1⋅min-1 experiencing at least one postoperative complication was 23.8, 16.3 and 10.4%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve for peak V ˙ O 2 was 0.63 (95% CI: 0.57-0.69). Conclusion: Although lower peak V ˙ O 2 was a predictor of postoperative complications following VATS lung cancer resection, its ability to discriminate patients with or without complications was limited.

Transthoracic needle biopsy versus surgical diagnosis for solid pulmonary nodules.

Background: When investigating solitary pulmonary nodules (SPN), non-surgical [such as transthoracic needle biopsy (TTNB)] or surgical biopsies can be performed. There is a paucity of data comparing these two approaches. Methods: This descriptive study is a retrospective analysis of a cohort of 149 patients who underwent TTNB and/or surgery for a SPN >8 mm but ≤3 cm between January and December 2016, at Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec (IUCPQ). Our primary objective was to evaluate the proportion of patients investigated with TTNB vs. surgical diagnosis in our center. Secondary objectives were to examine the distribution of diagnoses (malignancy vs. benign lesion), to evaluate the proportion of TTNB that would yield a benign diagnosis and permit to avoid surgery, to evaluate if delays to surgery were longer when preoperative TTNB was performed, and if operative times were longer with upfront surgery. Results: In our cohort, 87 patients (58%) underwent TTNB, while 62 (42%) had an upfront surgical procedure. One hundred and twenty-eight patients (86%) had a malignant diagnosis. Thirteen patients out of the 87 biopsied (15%) avoided surgery owing to a benign biopsy result, or a non-specific diagnosis and a physician reassured enough to decide for radiological surveillance, while 5/62 patients (8%) who underwent upfront surgery had a benign diagnosis. There was no significant difference in delays from imaging to surgery or in operative time between patients with or without prior TTNB. Conclusions: In this unicentric retrospective cohort of patients investigated for SPN, the malignancy rate was high (86%), which seemed to limit the applicability of prediction models. Adherence to guidelines for the investigation of SPN by physicians seemed suboptimal. More real-world prospective studies are needed to compare non-surgical and surgical biopsies. There is also a need for simpler nodule evaluation algorithms.

A Delphi Consensus report from the "Prolonged Air Leak: A Survey" study group on prevention and management of postoperative air leaks after minimally invasive anatomical resections.

OBJECTIVES: This study reports the results of an international expert consensus process evaluating the assessment of intraoperative air leaks (IAL) and treatment of postoperative prolonged air leaks (PAL) utilizing a Delphi process, with the aim of helping standardization and improving practice. METHODS: A panel of 45 questions was developed and submitted to an international working group of experts in minimally invasive lung cancer surgery. Modified Delphi methodology was used to review responses, including 3 rounds of voting. The consensus was defined a priori as >50% agreement among the experts. Clinical practice standards were graded as recommended or highly recommended if 50-74% or >75% of the experts reached an agreement, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 32 experts from 18 countries completed the questionnaires in all 3 rounds. Respondents agreed that PAL are defined as >5 days and that current risk models are rarely used. The consensus was reached in 33/45 issues (73.3%). IAL were classified as mild (<100 ml/min; 81%), moderate (100-400 ml/min; 71%) and severe (>400 ml/min; 74%). If mild IAL are detected, 68% do not treat; if moderate, consensus was not; if severe, 90% favoured treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This expert consensus working group reached an agreement on the majority of issues regarding the detection and management of IAL and PAL. In the absence of prospective, randomized evidence supporting most of these clinical decisions, this document may serve as a guideline to reduce practice variation.

Post-pneumonectomy patients undergoing cardiac surgery: A case series.

BACKGROUND: Data regarding post-pneumonectomy patient assessment for cardiac surgery is scarce. This retrospective study was conducted to define early and late outcomes in these patients, and to identify risk factors for poor outcomes. METHODS: This study included patients with a previous history of pneumonectomy undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery with median sternotomy. The institutional database was reviewed from 1992 to 2018. RESULTS: Sixteen post-pneumonectomy patients (all lung cancer) were identified. The age range was 53-81 years. The mean FEV1/FVC was 69%. The mean EuroSCORE II was 11.6%. Four patients had heart failure symptoms in the 2 weeks before surgery. Seven patients had isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and six patients had CABG + aortic valve replacement (AVR). The major perioperative events affecting the ease and outcomes of the surgical procedures were structural shifts (5), extensive adhesions on heart and vessels (5), and extensive calcification of heart components (5). Important postoperative complications were respiratory (7), infections (5), and acute kidney injury (5). The median hospital length of stay was 7 days. Five patients died in hospital (none with isolated CABG) with a preoperative New York Heart Association classification (NYHA) of III-IV, a cardiopulmonary bypass time of 175.2 min and an aortic cross-clamp time of 104.0 min. The long-term survival data were recorded with a mean follow-up of 7.3 ± 7.1 years (range from 0 to 19). The overall, 5-year survival, was 50% for all cardiac surgeries, 71% for isolated CABG surgeries, and 17% for CABG + AVR surgeries, respectively. CONCLUSION: Post-pneumonectomy patients have acceptable postoperative outcomes and survival. Simple and short surgeries with careful planning can yield favorable outcomes for this high-risk subgroup of patients.

A Prediction Model to Optimize Invasive Mediastinal Staging Procedures for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer in Patients With a Radiologically Normal Mediastinum: The Quebec Prediction Model.

BACKGROUND: Current guideline-recommended criteria for invasive mediastinal staging in patients with a radiologically normal mediastinum fail to identify a significant proportion of patients with occult mediastinal disease (OMD), despite it leading to a large number of invasive staging procedures. RESEARCH QUESTION: Which variables available before surgery predict the probability of OMD in patients with a radiologically normal mediastinum? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We identified all cTxN0/N1M0 non-small cell lung cancer tumors staged by CT imaging and PET with CT imaging in our institution between 2014 and 2018 who underwent gold standard surgical lymph node dissection or were demonstrated to have OMD before surgery by invasive mediastinal staging techniques and divided them into a derivation and an independent validation cohort to create the Quebec Prediction Model (QPM), which allows calculation of the probability of OMD. RESULTS: Eight hundred three patients were identified (development set, n = 502; validation set, n = 301) with a prevalence of OMD of 9.1%. The developed prediction model included largest mediastinal lymph node size (P < .001), tumor centrality (P = .23), presence of cN1 disease (P = .29), and lesion standardized uptake value (P = .09). Using a calculated probability of more than 10% as a threshold to identify OMD, this model had a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value in the derivation cohort of 73.9% (95% CI, 58.9%-85.7%), 81.1% (95% CI, 77.2%-84.6%), 28.3% (95% CI, 23.4%-33.8%), and 96.8% (95% CI, 95.0%-98.1%), respectively. It performed similarly in the validation cohort (P = .77, Hosmer-Lemeshow test; P = .5163, Pearson χ2 and unweighted sum-of-squares statistics; and P = .0750, Stukel score test) and outperformed current guideline-recommended criteria in identifying patients with OMD (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] for American College of Chest Physicians guidelines criteria, 0.65 [95% CI, 0.59-0.71]; AUC for European Society of Thoracic Surgeons guidelines criteria, 0.60 [95% CI, 0.54-0.67]; and AUC for the QPM, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.80-0.90]). INTERPRETATION: The QPM allows the clinician to integrate available information from CT and PET imaging to minimize invasive staging procedures that will not modify management, while also minimizing the risk of unforeseen mediastinal disease found at surgery.

Non-ventilated lung deflation during one-lung ventilation with a double-lumen endotracheal tube: a randomized-controlled trial of occluding the non-ventilated endobronchial lumen before pleural opening.

PURPOSE: Lung deflation during one-lung ventilation (OLV) is thought to be faster using a double-lumen endotracheal tube (DL-ETT) than with a bronchial blocker, especially when the non-ventilated lumen is opened to allow egress of air from the operative lung. Nevertheless, ambient air can also be entrained into the non-ventilated lumen before pleural opening and subsequently delay deflation. We therefore hypothesized that occluding the non-ventilated DL-ETT lumen during OLV before pleural opening would prevent air entrainment and consequently enhance operative lung deflation during video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). METHODS: Thirty patients undergoing VATS using DL-ETT to allow OLV were randomized to having the lumen of the operative lung either open (control group) or occluded (intervention group) to ambient air. The primary outcome was the time to lung collapse evaluated intraoperatively by the surgeons. The T50, an index of rate of deflation, was also determined from a probabilistic model derived from intraoperative video clips presented in random order to three observers. RESULTS: The median [interquartile range] time to lung deflation occurred faster in the intervention group than in the control group (24 [20-37] min vs 54 [48-68] min, respectively; median difference, 30 min; 95% confidence interval [CI], 14 to 46; P < 0.001). The estimated T50 was 32.6 min in the intervention group compared with 62.3 min in the control group (difference, - 29.7 min; 95% CI, - 51.1 to - 8.4; P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Operative lung deflation during OLV with a DL-ETT is faster when the operative lumen remains closed before pleural opening thus preventing it from entraining ambient air during the closed chest phase of OLV. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03508050); registered 27 September 2017.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: On pense que la déflation pulmonaire pendant la ventilation unipulmonaire (VUP) est plus rapide à l'aide d'un tube endotrachéal à double lumière (TET-DL) qu'avec un bloqueur bronchique, surtout lorsque la lumière non ventilée est ouverte pour permettre l'évacuation de l'air du poumon opéré. Néanmoins, l'air ambiant peut également être entraîné dans la lumière non ventilée avant l'ouverture pleurale et ainsi retarder la déflation. Nous avons donc émis l'hypothèse que l'occlusion de la lumière non ventilée du TET-DL pendant la VUP avant l'ouverture de la plèvre empêcherait l'entraînement d'air et accélérerait par conséquent la déflation du poumon opéré pendant une chirurgie thoracoscopique vidéo-assistée (VATS). MéTHODE: Trente patients subissant une VATS avec un TET-DL pour permettre une VUP ont été randomisés à une ouverture (groupe témoin) ou à une occlusion (groupe intervention) de la lumière du poumon opéré à l'air ambiant. Le critère d'évaluation principal était le temps jusqu'au collapsus du poumon tel qu'évalué pendant l'opération par les chirurgiens. Le T50, un indice du taux de déflation, a également été déterminé à partir d'un modèle probabiliste dérivé de clips vidéo peropératoires présentés de façon randomisée à trois observateurs. RéSULTATS: Le temps médian [écart interquartile] jusqu'à la déflation du poumon était plus court dans le groupe d'intervention que dans le groupe témoin (24 [20-37] min vs 54 [48-68] min, respectivement; différence médiane, 30 min; intervalle de confiance [IC] à 95 %, 14 à 46; P < 0,001). Le T50 estimé était de 32,6 min dans le groupe d'intervention comparativement à 62,3 min dans le groupe témoin (différence, -29,7 min; IC 95 %, -51,1 à -8,4; P = 0,008). CONCLUSION: La déflation du poumon opéré pendant une VUP avec un TET-DL est plus rapide quand la lumière opératoire reste fermée avant l'ouverture pleurale, l'empêchant ainsi d'entraîner l'air ambiant pendant la phase pré ouverture pleurale de la VUP. ENREGISTREMENT DE L'éTUDE: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03508050); enregistrée le 27 septembre 2017.

Ultrasound-guided transthoracic needle biopsy of the lung: sensitivity and safety variables.

OBJECTIVES: Variables affecting the performance of ultrasound-guided transthoracic needle biopsy (US-TTNB) are not well established. We examined clinical and imaging variables affecting the sensitivity and the complication rates of US-TTNB. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of 528 US-TTNBs performed from 2008 to 2017. Univariate analyses were used to assess the influence of clinical and imaging variables on sensitivity and complication rates. Multivariate logistic regression was used to account for possible confounding variables. RESULTS: In 397 malignant lesions, the sensitivity of US-TTNB was 72% (95% CI 68-77%; 285/397). The overall pneumothorax rate was 15% (95% CI 12-18%; 77/528), leading to a chest tube in 2% (95% CI 1-3%; 9/528). Multivariate analysis showed that increasing pleural contact length (up to 30 mm) was associated with increased sensitivity (OR 1.08 per mm; 95% CI 1.04-1.12; p < 0.001), and pleural contact length (OR 0.98 per mm; 95% CI 0.97-0.99; p = 0.013), lesion size (OR 0.98 per mm; 95% CI 0.96-0.99; p = 0.006), and core needle diameter of 18G (OR 0.47 as compared with 20G; 95% CI 0.26-0.83; p = 0.010) were associated with a decreased pneumothorax rate. Graphical inspection of cubic splines showed that the probability of a positive biopsy rose sharply with increasing pleural contact length up to 30 mm and was stable thereafter. A similar, but inverse, relationship was observed for the probability of a pneumothorax. CONCLUSION: Pleural contact length is a key variable predicting the sensitivity of US-TTNB and pneumothorax rate after US-TTNB. Lesion size also predicts pneumothorax rates. KEY POINTS: • US-TTNB has a high sensitivity and a low complication rate for pleural and pulmonary lesions with pleural contact. • Pleural contact length is a key variable predicting the sensitivity of US-TTNB and pneumothorax rate after US-TTNB. • This study suggests that relying on US-TTNB may not be optimal for lesions < 10 mm for which the risk of pneumothorax is as high as the chance of obtaining diagnosis.

Double-lumen endotracheal tubes and bronchial blockers exhibit similar lung collapse physiology during lung isolation.

PURPOSE: Double-lumen endotracheal tubes (DL-ETT) and bronchial blockers (BB) are frequently used to allow one-lung ventilation (OLV) during video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Recently, faster lung collapse has been documented with a BB than with a DL-ETT. The physiologic mechanisms behind this faster collapse remained unknown. We aimed to measure ambient air absorption (Vresorb) and intra-bronchial pressure (Pairway) into the non-ventilated lung during OLV using DL-ETT and BB. METHODS: Patients undergoing VATS and OLV for lung resection were randomly assigned to have measurements made of Vresorb or Pairway within the non-ventilated lung using either a DL-ETT or BB. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients were included in the analyses. The mean (standard error of the mean [SEM]) Vresorb was similar in the DL-ETT and BB groups [504 (85) vs 630 (86) mL, respectively; mean difference, 126; 95% confidence interval [CI], -128 to 380; P = 0.31]. The mean (SEM) Pairway became progressively negative in the non-ventilated lung in both the DL-ETT and the BB groups reaching [-20 (5) and -31 (10) cmH2O, respectively; mean difference, -11; 95% CI, -34 to 12; P = 0.44] at the time of the pleural opening. CONCLUSIONS: During OLV before pleural opening, entrainment of ambient air into the non-ventilated lung occurs when the lumen of the lung isolation device is kept open. This phenomenon is prevented by occluding the lumen of the isolation device before pleural opening, resulting in a progressive build-up of negative pressure in the non-ventilated lung. Future clinical studies are needed to confirm these physiologic results and their impact on lung collapse and operative outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02919267); registered 28 September 2016.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Les tubes endotrachéaux à double lumière (TET-DL) et les bloqueurs bronchiques (BB) sont fréquemment utilisés pour l'isolation pulmonaire pendant une chirurgie thoracique assistée par vidéoscopie. Récemment, un affaissement pulmonaire plus rapide avec un BB qu'avec un TET-DL a été documenté. Les mécanismes physiologiques derrière cet affaissement plus rapide demeurent inconnus. Notre objectif était de mesurer l'absorption de l'air ambiant (Vresorb) et la pression intra-bronchique (Paérienne) dans le poumon non ventilé pendant la ventilation à un poumon en utilisant un TET-DL et un BB. MéTHODE: Les patients subissant une chirurgie thoracique assistée par vidéoscopie et recevant une ventilation unipulmonaire à l'aide d'un TET-DL ou d'un BB pour une résection pulmonaire ont été aléatoirement assignés à des mesures de Vresorb ou Paérienne dans le poumon non ventilé. RéSULTATS: Trente-neuf patients ont été inclus dans les analyses. La Vresorb moyenne (erreur-type sur la moyenne) était similaire dans les groupes TET-DL et BB [504 (85) vs 630 (86) mL, respectivement; différence moyenne, 126; intervalle de confiance [IC] 95 %, -128 à 380; P = 0,31]. La Paérienne moyenne (erreur-type sur la moyenne) est devenue progressivement négative dans le poumon non ventilé dans les groupes TET-DL et BB en atteignant [-20 (5) et -31 (10) cmH2O, respectivement; différence moyenne, -11; IC 95 %, -34 à 12; P = 0,44] au moment de l'ouverture de la plèvre. CONCLUSION: Pendant la ventilation unipulmonaire avant l'incision de la plèvre, un appel d'air ambiant dans le poumon non ventilé se produit quand la portion du dispositif d'isolation pulmonaire est maintenue ouverte. Ce phénomène peut être évité en occluant la lumière du dispositif d'isolation pulmonaire avant l'ouverture de la plèvre, ce qui entraînera une accumulation progressive de pression négative dans le poumon non ventilé. De futures études cliniques sont nécessaires pour confirmer ces résultats physiologiques et leur impact sur l'affaissement pulmonaire et les devenirs opératoires. ENREGISTREMENT DE L'éTUDE: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02919267); enregistrée le 28 septembre 2016.

Women in thoracic surgery: perspectives from South America.

The thoracic surgery specialty is dominated by male surgeons worldwide, and South America is no exception. The training period to become a thoracic surgeon is long and requires a maximal commitment. Finding a balance between personal life and work is a challenge, especially for female surgeons. Consequently, the scarcity of female surgeons comes as no surprise. However, despite the low number of female thoracic surgeons who can serve as role models, the number of women participating in thoracic surgery residency programs in South America is growing.

Safety of Transesophageal Echocardiography to Guide Structural Cardiac Interventions.

BACKGROUND: Despite the widespread use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to guide structural cardiac interventions, studies evaluating safety in this context are lacking. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine the incidence, types of complications, and factors associated with esophageal or gastric lesions following TEE manipulation during structural cardiac interventions. METHODS: This was a prospective study including 50 patients undergoing structural cardiac interventions in which TEE played a central role in guiding the procedure (mitral and tricuspid valve repair, left atrial appendage closure, and paravalvular leak closure). An esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) was performed before and immediately after the procedure to look for new injuries that might have arisen during the course of the intervention. Patients were divided in 2 cohorts according to the type of injury: complex lesions (intramural hematoma, mucosal laceration) and minor lesions (petechiae, ecchymosis). The factors associated with an increased risk of complications were assessed. RESULTS: Post-procedural EGD showed a new injury in 86% (n = 43 of 50) of patients, with complex lesions accounting for 40% (n = 20 of 50) of cases. Patients with complex lesions presented more frequently with an abnormal baseline EGD (70% vs. 37%; p = 0.04) and had a higher incidence of post-procedural dysphagia or odynophagia (40% vs. 10%; p = 0.02). Independent factors associated with an increased risk of complex lesions were a longer procedural time under TEE manipulation (for each 10-min increment in imaging time, odds ratio: 1.27; 95% confidence interval: 1.01 to 1.59) and poor or suboptimal image quality (odds ratio: 4.93; 95% confidence interval: 1.10 to 22.02). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients undergoing structural cardiac interventions showed some form of injury associated with TEE, with longer procedural time and poor or suboptimal image quality determining an increased risk. Imaging experts performing this technique should be aware of the nature of potential complications, to take the necessary precautions to prevent their occurrence and facilitate early diagnosis and treatment.

Lung cancer resection and postoperative outcomes in COPD: A single-center experience.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) increases postoperative morbidity and is associated with diminished long-term survival after lung cancer resection. Whether this is also true for mild-to-moderate COPD is uncertain. We conducted a retrospective analysis of all the patients who underwent lung cancer surgery between 2002 and 2012 in a university-affiliated hospital. The severity of airflow limitation was stratified according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) from stage 1 to 4. Data from 1456 cases of lung cancer surgery were reviewed and 1126 patients were included in the study: 672 (59.7%) patients had COPD (GOLD 1, n = 340; GOLD 2, n = 282; GOLD 3, n = 50) and 454 patients had a normal spirometry (controls). Following lung cancer resection, patients with COPD had a higher rate of postoperative morbidities of any kind (p < 0.0001), in particular, pneumonia (7.0% vs. 3.7%; p = 0.0251) and prolonged air leak (17.0% vs. 8.2%; p < 0.0001) than controls. In-hospital mortality was increased in GOLD 3 COPD but the incidence of other postoperative complications was not influenced by COPD severity. Neither COPD nor its severity influenced long-term survival in this population. To conclude, patients with COPD undergoing lung cancer surgery were at higher risk of postoperative complications than patients with normal respiratory function but the procedure was considered safe. The presence of COPD itself did not influence long-term survival. The results of our study apply mainly to patients with a GOLD 1 and 2 COPD since only a small number of patients with GOLD 3 COPD were involved.