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 2004
Current indications and results of VATS in the evaluation and management of hemodynamically stable thoracic injuries.
Thoracic injuries are among the most severe forms of trauma and also a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) has recently provided an alternative method to simultaneously diagnose and manage patients sustaining chest injuries. We analyze our experience with VATS in the setting of thoracic trauma detailing indications for exploration, procedures performed and results of surgery. ⋯ In hemodynamically stable patients with thoracic injuries, VATS provides an accurate assessment of intra-thoracic organ injury and can be utilized to definitively and effectively manage injuries sustained as a result of blunt or penetrating thoracic trauma. VATS should be used with caution in patients sustaining severe and life threatening intra-abdominal injuries.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jun 2004
Role of endotracheal stenting in tracheal reconstruction surgery-retrospective analysis.
To review a single institution experience with tracheal stenosis treatment and to define a role of endotracheal stenting in tracheal reconstruction surgery. ⋯ Tracheal stenosis is a serious, life-threatening disease with increasing incidence. In our study, the best results were achieved by segmental tracheal resection. However, the endotracheal stenting is the method of choice, when the segmental resection cannot be performed. The management of tracheal stenosis reconstruction by our own modification of Montgomery T-tube is being presented.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · May 2004
Comparative StudyAcute aortic dissection versus aortic root aneurysm: comparison of indications for valve sparing aortic root reconstruction.
To prove whether different indications for valve sparing aortic root reconstruction may have an impact on the outcome and longevity of the repair. ⋯ Regardless of the underlying indication, the aortic valve preserving reimplantation technique can be performed with favourable functional results.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · May 2004
Reoperations and late adverse outcome in Marfan patients following cardiovascular surgery.
Anulo-aortic ectasia represents the most common cardiovascular manifestation requiring surgery in Marfan patients. Aim of this report was to analyze the type of presentation and the incidence of cardiovascular lesions and the clinical follow-up after initial surgery, mainly aortic root repair or replacement. ⋯ The incidence of reoperations is significantly higher in patients who presented initially with acute type A aortic dissection than in those with dilatation only. In addition, this survey demonstrates that unexpected fatal outcome may appear in the remaining native aorta following uncomplicated elective aortic root surgery, even if the aorta is normal-sized. A close follow-up of all Marfan patients is necessary to detect asymptomatic changes requiring surgery because complex elective redo-operations can be performed with a very low perioperative risk.