A comparison of axillary thoracotomy versus video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in the surgical treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to compare the results of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and axillary thoracotomy in the surgical treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax. METHODS: Between January 2009 and December 2015, a total of 199 patients (178 males, 21 females; mean age 21.3±7.1 years; range 13 to 35 years) with primary spontaneous pneumothorax who were operated at Dr. Siyami Ersek Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Department of Thoracic Surgery and Kadikoy and Kozyatagi Acibadem hospitals were retrospectively analyzed. Of these patients, 48 underwent axillary thoracotomy, wedge resection, apical pleurectomy, and tissue adhesives, while 151 were administered videoassisted thoracoscopic surgery, wedge resection, apical pleurectomy, and tissue adhesives. Both groups were compared in terms of age, gender, the amount of long-term analgesic use, duration of surgery, length of hospitalization, recurrence, complication, and mortality rates. RESULTS: The patients were followed for one year. No mortality was observed in any patient. There was no significant difference in the age and gender distributions of the patients, postoperative length of hospital stay, recurrence rates, and complication rates according to the type of operation. However, the duration of operation was longer in the videoassisted thoracoscopic surgery patients. CONCLUSION: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is associated with less pain and higher patient satisfaction and allows returning to daily activities in a shorter time period. Based on our study results, we suggest that video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is more suitable, compared to axillary thoracotomy, owing to its advantages, such as being less invasive and providing a better angle of view.

The clinicopathologic characteristics and prognostic factors of gastroesophageal junction tumors according to Siewert classification.

OBJECTIVE: The treatment of gastroesophageal junction tumors remains controversial due to confusion on whether they should be considered as primary esophageal or as gastric tumors. The incidence of these tumors with poor prognosis has increased, thus creating scientific interest on gastroesophageal cancers. Esophagogastric cancers are classified according to their location by Siewert, and the treatment of each type varies. We evaluated the prognostic factors and differences in clinicopathologic factors of patients with gastroesophageal junction tumor, who have been treated and followed-up in our clinics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 187 patients with gastroesophageal junction tumors who have been operated and treated in the Oncology Department between 2005 and 2014. The chi-square test was used to evaluate differences in clinicopathologic factors among Siewert groups I, II and III. Prognostic factors were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The median age of our patients was 62 years, and approximately 70% was male. Nineteen patients (10.2%) had Siewert I tumors, 40 (21.4%) II, and the remaining 128 (64.4%) had Siewert III tumors. Siewert III tumors were at more advanced pathologic and T stages. Preoperative chemoradiotherapy was mostly applied to Siewert group I patients. There was no difference between the 3 groups in terms of recurrence. While the median overall survival and 2-year overall survival rate were 26.6 months and 39.6%, the median disease free survival and disease free survival rates were 16.5 months and 30.1%, respectively. The N stage, pathologic stage, vascular invasion, lymphatic invasion, perineural invasion, surgical margin, and grade were associated with both overall survival and disease free survival, while pathologic stage and presence of recurrence were significant factors for overall survival. The median disease free survival for Siewert III tumors was 20 months, 11.3 month for Siewert I tumors, and 14 months for Siewert II tumors, but the finding was not statistically significant (p=0.08). CONCLUSION: Although gastroesophageal junction tumors were grouped according to their location and they exerted different clinicopathologic properties, their prognosis was similar.

The Diagnostic Value of Pericardial Fluid and Pericardial Biopsy: Single Center Experiences.

BACKGROUND: Patients with recurrent pericardial effusion and pericardial tamponade are usually treated in thoracic surgery clinics by VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or open pericardial window operation. The diagnostic importance of pathological evaluation of the pericardial fluid and tissue in the same patients has been reported in few studies. We reviewed pathological examination of the pericardial tissue and fluid specimens and the effect on the clinical treatment in our clinic, and compared the results with the literature. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 174 patients who underwent pericardial window operation due to pericardial tamponade or recurrent pericardial effusion. For all patients both the results of the pericardial fluid and pericardial biopsy specimen were evaluated. Clinicopathological factors were analyzed by using descriptive analysis. RESULTS: Median age was 61 (range, 20-94 years). The most common benign diagnosis was chronic inflammation (94 patients) by pericardial biopsy. History of malignancy was present in 28 patients (16.1%) and the most common disease was lung cancer (14 patients). A total of 24 patients (13.8%) could be diagnosed as having malignancy by pericardial fluid or pericardial biopsy examination. The malignancy was recognized for 12 patients who had a history of cancer; 9 of 12 with pericardial biopsy, 7 diagnosed by pericardial fluid. Twelve of 156 patients were recognized as having underlying malignancy by pericardial biopsy (n = 9) or fluid examination (n = 10), without known malignancy previously. CONCLUSION: Recurrent pericardial effusion/pericardial tamponade are entities frequently diagnosed, and surgical interventions may be needed either for diagnosis and/or treatment, but specific etiology can rarely be obtained in spite of pathological examination of either pericardial tissue or fluid. For increasing the probability of a specific diagnosis both the pericardial fluid and the pericardial tissues have to be sent for pathologic examination.

Prognostic markers for metastatic colon cancer patients undergoing multiple metastasectomies.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Following metastasis resection, 5-year survival rate has been reported as approximately 40%. There is no consensus regarding prognostic factors related to progression-free survival after repeated metastasectomies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 21 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who underwent repeated metastasectomies were retrospectively analyzed. The periods between the first and second metastasectomies and that between the second metastasectomy and progression were defined as metastasis-free survival 1 (MFS1) and metastasis-free survival 2 (MFS2), respectively. Univariate analysis was used to analyze factors related to MFS1 and MFS2. RESULTS: Approximately two-thirds of the patients had synchronous metastasis, which were localized mostly in the liver (90%). During a 49-months follow-up, MFS1 was 15.7 (8.4-23) months and MFS2 was 26.3 (12.3-40.4) months. Systemic chemotherapy followed the first metastasectomy (p=0.01), and the recurrence site (p=0.03) was found to be related to MFS1. Furthermore, the number of metastases during the first metastasectomy (p=0.02), the type of the chemotherapy regimen administered following the first metastasectomy (p=0.04), and the number of metastases before the second metastasectomy (p=0.03) were significantly related to MFS2. CONCLUSION: Surgical resection is currently the most effective and curative form of therapy for colorectal metastasis, whenever possible. Repeated metastasectomies can be achieved safely in experienced centers; thus, the operability of the patients should be evaluated by a multidisciplinary approach during treatment.

Thoracic Traumas: A Single-Center Experience.

OBJECTIVES: Trauma is currently among the most important health problems resulting in mortality. Approximately 25% of trauma-related deaths are associated with thoracic trauma. In the present study, morbidity and mortality rates and interventions performed in patients who had been treated as inpatients in Dr. Siyami Ersek Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery hospital after trauma were aimed to be evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In our study, 404 patients who were treated as inpatients because of thoracic trauma between January 2005 and December 2008 were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: The rates of blunt and penetrating trauma were 39.6% and 60.4%, respectively. In the study, 115 (28.4%) patients were noted to have pneumothorax, 99 (24.5%) had hemothorax, and 57 (14.1%) had hemopneumothorax. While tube thoracostomy was sufficient for treatment in approximately 80% of the patients, major surgical interventions were performed in 12.6% of the patients. Mortality rate was found to be 2.2%. CONCLUSION: In patients with chest trauma, necessary interventions should be started at the time of the event, and the time from trauma to arriving at the emergency department should be made the best of. Mortality and morbidity rates in thoracic trauma cases may be reduced by timely interventions and effective intensive care monitoring.

Serum M30 and M65 values in patients with advanced stage non-small-cell lung cancer compared with controls.

BACKGROUND: M30 and M65 are derivatives of cytokeratin 18 and released from the epithelial cell during cell death. These markers can be used to evaluate prognosis and chemotherapy response in several tumours. We evaluated serum M30 and M65 values in patients with advanced nonsmall- cell lung cancer (NSCLC) compared with those in a healthy group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-two patients with advanced NSCLC and thirty-two healthy people were included in the study. Serum M30 and M65 values were measured by quantitative ELISA method. The best cut-off value for serum M65 was calculated by ROC analysis and then univariate analysis was performed to determine the importance of M65 value in predicting progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS: There were no differences between mean serum M30 values between patients and controls (445.44±536.17 vs. 340.56±345.07, p=1). The mean serum M65 values were found to be significantly higher in patients than in healthy controls (1421.30±1662.59 vs. 648.85±341.17, p<0.001). The best cut-off value for serum M65 predicting PFS was 1311.64 U/l (AUC 0.58, sensitivity and specificity were 45.5% and 85.7% respectively). The patients with serum M65 values ≥1311.64 U/l had worse PFS than patients with serum M65 values <1311.64 U/l, p=0.01). There was no correlation between serum M30 value and PFS in the patient group (p=0.4). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that serum M65 values elevated in advanced NSCLC compared to a healthy control group and elevated serum M65 level can predict PFS in patients.

[Tracheobronchial injuries]. / Trakeobronsiyal yaralanmalar.

BACKGROUND: We aimed in this study to investigate and compare the diagnostic and therapeutic methods in tracheobronchial injuries. METHODS: Nine cases (7 male, 2 female) operated between 2003 and 2008 because of tracheobronchial injury were included in the study. The cause of tracheobronchial injury was trauma in 7 cases and postintubation laceration in 2 cases. The cases were evaluated in terms of age, sex, type of trauma, clinical findings, localization of injury, performed diagnostic and therapeutic methods, and results. RESULTS: The causes of tracheobronchial laceration were blunt trauma in 6 cases, penetrating trauma in 1 case and iatrogenic (postintubation) in 2 cases. Lacerations were in the trachea in 5 cases and at the bronchial level in 4 cases. Operations included right upper bilobectomy in 1 case, tracheal resection and end to end anastomosis in 1 case, end to end anastomosis in 3 cases, and primary repair in 4 cases. One case died during the operation and 1 case died postoperatively. CONCLUSION: In tracheobronchial injuries, early diagnosis and treatment are very important. The most useful method is bronchoscopy for determining the type and localization of the injury. In treatment, primary repair should be preferred over anatomical resections whenever possible.

The role of PET-CT in the differential diagnosis of thymic mass after treatment of patients with lymphoma.

Thymic hyperplasia is a common phenomenon in both children and young adults after chemotherapy and may explain the finding of a mediastinal mass in patients with malignant lymphoma after complete remission. In the present study, we report 5 cases with malignant lymphoma presenting with a mediastinal mass on CT scan after completion of chemotherapy diagnosed as thymic hyperplasia by PET-CT imaging. We retrospectively analyzed 5 patients who presented with anterior mediastinal masses a median of 4 months (range 3-6) after achieving complete remission following successful treatment for malignant lymphoma. Three patients were diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) and the others with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). The median age of the patients was 23 (range of 18-47). PET-CT was performed on these patients to determine the characteristics of a mass which had been detected on CT. PET-CT was performed for all patients, and the thymic masses demonstrated only mild FDG uptake considered to be consistent with thymic hyperplasia. During a median of 24 months of follow-up, all patients were recurrence-free with a median survival of 15 months (range 10-26 months). It is important to be aware of the possibility of thymic hyperplasia after chemotherapy to avoid misdiagnosis or over-staging of disease, as well as unnecessary biopsies, especially when the presenting anterior mediastinal mass was originally located near the thymus on CT scan. Mild FDG PET uptake was sufficient for the diagnosis of benign disease in the cases in this study.