Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Oct 2010
Case ReportsPneumocephalus following thoracic surgery: the implication of the epidural anesthesia is still exceptional.
Epidural analgesia is the gold standard for the management of pain after thoracopulmonary surgery. However, it is not without side-effects and complications. We report the case of a 52-year-old man who underwent left lower lobectomy for a carcinoid tumor. ⋯ Etiological assessment consisted of isotopic cisternography and cerebromedullar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), revealing a breach in the fourth left spinal dural nerve sheath. Although it was initially suspected, the thoracic epidural was eventually excluded as the cause. Management consisted of prompt surgical repair.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Oct 2010
Improved outcomes of paediatric extracorporeal support associated with technology change.
This study aims to evaluate the impact of a change in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) technology on patient and circuit outcomes. A retrospective single-centre study of all ECMO runs from 1988 to 2006 was performed. Predictors of survival to hospital discharge (primary outcome measure) were evaluated in the entire cohort by univariate and multivariate analysis. ⋯ There was a significant reduction in mechanical circuit complications in the respiratory ECMO subgroup. A significant improvement in patient survival outcomes and reduction in mechanical circuit complications was noted in the current era. This improvement was associated with a change in ECMO technology.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Oct 2010
Is blood pleurodesis effective for determining the cessation of persistent air leak?
A best evidence topic in thoracic surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed whether blood pleurodesis is effective for cessation of persistent air leak (PAL). Altogether more than 43 papers were found using the reported search, of which 10 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. ⋯ Recurrence rates were between 0 and 29% compared with 35-41% for simple drainage, although one controlled study in which the recurrence rate was improved from 16% in controls to 0% in the blood pleurodesis group (at 12-48 months). Minor complication (empyema/fever/pleural effusion) rates varied between studies (0-18%), although they show reduced incidence in line with improving technique over time. A controlled study looking at acute respiratory distress syndrome complicated by pneumothorax showed a significant reduction in mortality (odds ratio 0.6), time to cessation of air leak (P<0.01), weaning time (P<0.01) and intensive treatment unit (ITU) stay (P<0.01) whilst another randomized control study showed significant reduction in hospital stay following pulmonary resection (P<0.001).
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Oct 2010
Intercostal-subcostal combined complete port-accessed video-assisted lobectomy.
Video-assisted lobectomy procedures include a broad spectrum of operative techniques that range from complete thoracoscopic surgery to minithoracotomy with a thoracoscope serving only as a light source. We describe a modified method for thoracoscopic approach for lobectomy with thoracic muscle sparing based on a combined complete port-accessed technique with a subcostal incision. We have successfully used this technique for lobectomies in stage I lung tumors. Intercostal muscles and nerve injury preservation allied to fast track rehabilitation perioperative care allowed rapid postoperative recovery.