Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery
-
Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Oct 2010
Outcomes of airway stenting for advanced lung cancer with central airway obstruction.
Approximately 30% of lung cancer patients will develop central airway obstruction (CAO). Interventional therapeutic bronchoscopy including airway stenting (AS) providing immediate and effective palliation is therefore essential to improve quality of life (QoL). However, no report has demonstrated the survival benefit of AS. ⋯ AS followed by adjuvant therapy provided a four-month increase in MST, although overall survival was not significantly changed. This study represents a single-institution experience. Although an aggressive strategy of AS is justified in order to improve symptoms and QoL, AS itself did not contribute to survival benefit.
-
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).
-
Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Oct 2010
Does the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs after cardiac surgery increase the risk of renal failure?
A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain relief post-cardiac surgery increases the risk of renal failure. Altogether 53 papers were found using the reported search, of which 11 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. ⋯ In contrast, one RCT assessing these COX-2 inhibitors detected a significant increase in the incidence of oliguria in this group compared to controls (parecoxib/valdecoxib: 14.5%, controls: 9.9%, P=0.187) as well as renal dysfunction (parecoxib/valdecoxib: 1.9%, controls: 0%, P=0.184). Three retrospective studies within paediatric populations, including one cohort study and two chart reviews, found various parameters of renal function, such as serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, to be similar between ketorolac and control groups. We conclude that NSAIDs are not associated with an increased risk of renal failure after cardiac surgery when administered at optimal 'renal' doses, within early postoperative settings, to patients at low-risk of renal dysfunction in whom NSAIDs are not contraindicated.
-
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.