European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jun 2008
The role of airway stenting in pediatric tracheobronchial obstruction.
Tracheobronchial obstruction is infrequent in the pediatric age group but it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study is to review the results of a single institution experience with endoscopic stent placement in children with benign tracheobronchial obstruction, and with special concern on safety and clinical effectiveness. ⋯ Although the results were based on a small series, placement of stents in the pediatric airway to treat tracheobronchial obstruction seems to be safe and effective. Stenting is a satisfactory therapeutic option when other procedures have failed or are not indicated.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jun 2008
Does endoesophageal ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration replace mediastinoscopy in mediastinal staging of thoracic malignancies?
To determine the impact of endoesophageal ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) on management of thoracic malignancies. ⋯ EUS-FNA sensitivity depends on the localisation of the primary tumour, and extent and location of mediastinal disease. For left-sided tumours, EUS-FNA improves mediastinal staging by assessing stations 5 and 6 inaccessible to conventional mediastinoscopy. For extended mediastinal disease, mediastinoscopy can be avoided or spared for restaging after neoadjuvant therapy. Exclusion of mediastinal involvement requires mediastinoscopy or open lymphadenectomy. Beyond mediastinal nodal staging, EUS-FNA may detect T4 and M1 situations. Thus, EUS-FNA is a useful supplement to and not the replacement of mediastinoscopy.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jun 2008
Intraoperative device closure of large secundum atrial septal defects; a safe alternative to transcatheter closure.
The aim of this study is to report our short and mid-term results of intraoperative device closure (IODC) in large secundum atrial septal defects (ASD), to evaluate its safety and to determine the impact of 'short' rim on the results. ⋯ IODC is a safe and feasible technique in closing large ASDs. It has the advantages of cost savings, cosmetic results, and less trauma. Early and mid-term results are encouraging. In patients with ASD of a short rim, a larger device is recommended which does not influence the success rate of IODC.