The Thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon
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The incidence of late postpneumonectomy bronchopleural fistula (PBPF) is very small after the 3rd postoperative week due to the existence of fibrothorax providing an effective natural protection against fistula formation. However, the development of late PBPF is a serious complication characterized by high morbidity and mortality. We present our modest experience in treating 11 patients with late PBPF using the transsternal transpericardial approach. ⋯ 1. The management of late large PBPF can be only surgical. 2. Fibrothorax and empyema makes the approach through thoracotomy impossible and dangerous for dissection and repair. 3. Bronchial stump repair through the transpericardial approach by median sternotomy is very effective in late PBPF cases where the patient's general condition is good, allowing a major intervention.
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Thorac Cardiovasc Surg · Aug 2004
Case ReportsMassive hemothorax caused by intercostal artery bleeding: selective embolization may be an alternative to thoracotomy in selected patients.
Massive hemothorax is an indication for thoracotomy. We report a case of an 85-year-old debilitated patient, in whom massive hemorrhage from an actively bleeding intercostal artery was controlled by angiographic embolization. Angiographic embolization proved to be an effective alternative to thoracotomy in this patient, thus avoiding numerous postoperative complications and high mortality. Massive bleeding from an intercostal artery should be considered an indication for angiographic embolization in selected patients.
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Thorac Cardiovasc Surg · Aug 2004
Minimally invasive thoracic surgery for diagnostic assessment and palliative treatment in recurrent neoplastic pleural effusion.
We evaluated the effectiveness of VATS in the diagnosis and palliative treatment of recurrent neoplastic pleural effusions. ⋯ VATS chemical pleurodesis is a safe, useful, versatile procedure for oncological pleural effusion management. The use of talc rather than alcohol significantly increased the therapeutic success rate. VATS should be considered the treatment of choice in patients with advanced neoplasm to obtain good palliation and a better quality of life.