Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Oct 2014
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyLow protein content of drainage fluid is a good predictor for earlier chest tube removal after lobectomy.
Owing to the great absorption capability of the pleura for transudates, the protein content of draining pleural fluid may be considered as a more adequate determinant than its daily draining amount in the decision-making for earlier chest tube removal. In an a priori pilot study, we observed that the initially draining protein-rich exudate converts to a transudate quickly in most patients after lobectomies. Thus, chest tubes draining high-volume but low-protein fluids can safely be removed earlier in the absence of an air leak. This randomized study aims to investigate the validity and clinical applicability of this hypothesis as well as its influence on the timing for chest tube removal and earlier discharge after lobectomy. ⋯ Regardless of the daily drainage, chest tubes can safely be removed earlier than anticipated in most patients after lobectomy if the protein content of the draining fluid is low.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Oct 2014
Case ReportsThoracoscopic anatomical subsegmentectomy of the right S2b + S3 using a 3D printing model with rapid prototyping.
Thoracoscopic segmentectomies and subsegmentectomies are more difficult than lobectomy because of the complexity of the procedure; therefore, preoperative decision-making and surgical procedure planning are essential. In the literature, we could successfully perform thoracoscopic anatomical subsegmentectomy of the right S2b + S3 using a 3D printing model with rapid prototyping. This innovative surgical support model is extremely useful for planning a surgical procedure and identifying the surgical margin.