European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Apr 2014
Predicted postoperative lung function is associated with all-cause long-term mortality after major lung resection for cancer.
Preoperative lung function is an independent predictor of long-term survival after lung resection for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The extent of resection has an impact on operative mortality, determines postoperative lung function and may influence both overall- and cancer-specific survival. We sought to determine the impact of predicted postoperative (ppo) lung function on long-term survival after lung cancer resection. ⋯ Ppo lung function is strongly associated with long-term survival after major lung resection and is more strongly related to survival than preoperative lung function. Surgeons struggle with challenging decisions about the appropriate extent of resection for early-stage cancer, balancing factors such as operative morbidity/mortality, local recurrence and postoperative quality of life. Ppo lung function and its relation to survival also should be taken into consideration during such deliberations.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Apr 2014
Case ReportsManagement of Boerhaave's syndrome with an over-the-scope clip.
Boerhaave's syndrome is a spontaneous barotraumatic disruption of the distal oesophagus secondary to an abrupt increase in intraoesophageal pressure during vomiting. Management ranges from a conservative approach to an oesophagectomy. The over-the-scope-clip (OTSC, Ovesco Endoscopy GmbH, Tuebingen, Germany) system is a newly designed clipping method for tissue mechanical compression in the gastrointestinal tract. We report the case of a patient referred with a delayed diagnosis of Boerhaave's syndrome and successfully treated by OTSC application followed by lung decortication.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Apr 2014
Thymectomy in myasthenia gravis: proposal for a predictive score of postoperative myasthenic crisis.
Thymectomy plays an important role in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). This study aimed to explore predictors of postoperative myasthenic crisis (POMC) after thymectomy and to define a predictive score of respiratory failure. ⋯ Our model facilitates the stratification of patient risk and prediction of the occurrence of POMC. Moreover, it could help to guide the anaesthesiologist's decision on the duration of intubation. Further studies based on larger series are needed to confirm these preliminary data.
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The use of artificial chordae techniques has increased the number of mitral valve lesions which are amenable to repair. Artificial chordae can be adapted for a wide range of mitral valve pathologies including restricting the motion of overly mobile 'floppy' Barlow disease leaflets, replacing diseased chordae and improving coaptation in degenerative disease. There is continuing concern about the long-term performance of artificial chordae, which become endothelialized over time and may exhibit complications during the early or late follow-up period. ⋯ A number of problems remain in the use of artificial chordae, especially the proper determination of their length. Techniques that solve these issues may enhance patient outcomes further.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Apr 2014
Multicenter StudyMorbidity and mortality in a large series of surgical patients with pulmonary metastases of colorectal carcinoma: a prospective multicentre Spanish study (GECMP-CCR-SEPAR).
Little information is available on postoperative morbidity and mortality after pulmonary metastasectomy. We describe the postoperative morbidity and mortality in a large multicentre series of patients after a first surgical procedure for pulmonary metastases of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) and identify the pre- and intraoperative variables influencing the clinical outcome. ⋯ The first episode of lung surgery for pulmonary metastases of CRC was associated with very low mortality and reoperation rates (<1%). The postoperative morbidity rate was 16%. Independent risk factors of postoperative morbidity were major lung resection and respiratory and/or cardiovascular co-morbidity. Video-assisted surgery showed a protective effect.