Surgical implications of bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Twenty of 30 patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) had major tracheobronchial abnormalities, which in 18 could be incriminated as contributing to their symptoms. There were 15 examples of tracheobronchial stenosis, 13 of tracheomalacia, nine of bronchomalacia, and one of tracheal web. Sixteen patients had operations. Tracheostomy was successful as a temporizing measure in ten patients although there was significant morbidity. Balloon dilatation of tracheobronchial stenosis produced temporary (2) or long-term (2) improvement in four patients. Electroresection of tracheobronchial stenosis was successful in the three instances it was employed. Lobectomy for lobar emphysema was curative in both patients. Aortopexy for tracheomalacia improved all three patients. We conclude that (1) symptomatic major airway lesions are not uncommon manifestations of BPD, (2) many of the lesions are amenable to surgical therapy, and (3) bronchoscopic evaluation should be considered early in the course of infants with BPD.     

Sequential silastic and expandable metal stenting for tracheobronchial strictures.

The risks and limitations of surgical resection and reconstruction for tracheobronchial strictures demand consideration of other therapeutic options that can alleviate the distressing symptoms of tracheobronchial obstruction. One alternative is to stent the obstructive lesion until surgical advances allow primary reconstruction or replacement of the critically diseased airway or until an ideal endoprosthesis is found. The latter requires uniformity in the distribution of expansile force, conformability and stability within the tracheobronchial tree, and ease of placement. Here we report our experience with the placement of expandable metal stents (Wall-stent) used in conjunction with our Silastic (Dow Corning) endobronchial stents in 5 patients with recurrent tracheal or bronchial strictures. The major site of obstruction was the trachea in 1 patient and a main bronchus or both bronchi in 4 patients. Three patients had a benign bronchial stricture (anastomotic stricture in 2, idiopathic polychondritis in 1), and 2 patients had an obstructive airway neoplasm. Placement of the stents was performed under rigid bronchoscopic guidance. We had no complications from our technique of stenting. There has been no evidence of restenosis or occlusion within the stented segment of airway. The complementary use of expandable metal and Silastic endobronchial stents provided symptomatic and functional improvement in our patients during follow-up ranging from 5 to 24 months.     

Palliation of airway obstruction from tracheobronchial malignancy: use of the CO2 laser bronchoscope

A CO2 laser rigid bronchoscope system has been used to palliate symptoms of a malignancy obstructing the tracheobronchial airway. Fifty-nine endoscopic laser operations (34 patients) were done between 1975 and 1981. Severe dyspnea and obstructive atelectasis were the most common indications for treatment. Contraindications for treatment included extrinsic tracheobronchial compression, widespread distant metastases, rapidly progressing tumors, and highly vascular neoplasms. There were nine primary tracheal malignancies, five metastases from distant sites, and 20 primary lung cancers with tracheobronchial obstructions. Most patients were previously treated with one or more standard modalities (radiation therapy, surgery, and chemotherapy). Removal of airway obstruction was occasionally indicated prior to radiation therapy to facilitate treatment. There were seven instances of complications in this group of patients and one mortality. Most patients (23 of 34) have died from their malignancy. The best palliation was achieved in proximal (tracheal and main stem bronchial), slower growing tumors.     

Bronchoscopic cryotherapy for advanced bronchial carcinoma.

A prospective study was carried out to assess the value of bronchoscopic cryotherapy for palliation of inoperable bronchial carcinoma with bronchial obstruction. Symptoms, lung function, and chest radiographic and bronchoscopic findings were recorded serially before and after 81 cryotherapy sessions in 33 consecutive patients. Most patients improved in terms of overall symptoms, stridor, and haemoptysis and they had an overall improvement in dyspnoea. Objective improvement in lung function was seen in 58% of patients and the changes in lung function correlated with symptoms. Bronchoscopic evidence of relief of bronchial obstruction was seen in 77% of patients and 24% showed improvement in degree of collapse on the radiograph. There were no important complications. These results compare favourably with the results in published series of patients having laser therapy. It is concluded that bronchoscopic cryotherapy is valuable for the palliation of inoperable bronchial carcinoma.     

Laser therapy in 100 tracheobronchial tumours.

One hundred patients with tracheobronchial tumours were treated with the neodymium YAG (yttrium-aluminium-garnet) or argon laser for symptoms of airways obstruction caused by tumour (59 cases), complete collapse of a lung (17 cases), or recurrent haemoptysis (24 cases). Seventy four of them had relapsed or failed to respond to radiotherapy or chemotherapy and all were inoperable. Objective improvement in results of lung function tests or haemoptysis diary charts was seen in 37 patients with airways obstruction (63%), five (29%) with collapsed lung, and 14 (58%) with haemoptysis. Overall, 68 patients had symptomatic benefit and there was objective improvement in 56. Two deaths occurred in 288 treatment sessions both occurring as a result of asphyxia from minor haemorrhage in patients with advanced cylindromas and critical narrowing of the trachea or single remaining bronchus. In suitable patients with intraluminal tumour laser phototherapy is a valuable addition to conventional treatment.     

Airway stenting for malignant and benign tracheobronchial stenosis

BACKGROUND: Patients with benign and malignant central airway obstruction suffer from disabling dyspnea, obstructive pneumonia, and impending suffocation. Therapeutic bronchoscopy provides immediate and gratifying palliation. Airway stenting is the principal modality used to manage intrinsic tracheobronchial pathology and extrinsic airway compression. This report provides the details of the indications, techniques, and results of airway stenting in our practice. METHODS: University of Washington patients undergoing bronchoscopy with stent placement or revision from May 1992 through December 2001 were extracted from a prospective patient database. Details of the stent procedure were obtained from the medical records and office charts. Early outcomes were assessed by patient symptoms and signs, and late outcomes were assessed by patient follow-up visits, follow-up bronchoscopy, or discussions, or a combination of these with the patient, patient's family, or referring physician. RESULTS: One hundred forty-three patients underwent 309 stent procedures of which 67% were for malignant disease. Eighty-two percent required urgent or emergent intervention, and 77% had compromise of more than three fourths of the airway lumen. Eighty-seven percent of stents placed were silicone rubber and 15% of patients required multiple stents to achieve airway palliation. Significant improvement was achieved in 94% of patients but required multiple endoscopies to maintain improvement in 41%. There was no stent-related mortality and only one major complication required surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Airway stenting provides prompt and durable palliation in unresectable patients with central airway obstruction. Frequently multiple stents and multiple procedures will be necessary to maintain a satisfactory airway.     

Endoscopic palliation of tracheobronchial malignancies.

The prognosis for tracheobronchial tumours remains poor. Most patients can be offered only palliation. When the main symptom is breathlessness or refractory haemoptysis from a large airway tumour endoscopic treatment may be very effective. Over the last decade most attention has focused on the neodymium YAG laser. This often produces dramatic effects but has some important limitations. In the last few years better techniques for stenting and intrabronchial radiotherapy (brachytherapy) have also been developed. This article discusses the range of techniques now available and aims to help clinicians decide which patients may benefit from referral to centres providing these techniques.     

Palliation of malignant tracheal strictures using silicone T tubes.

The use of silicone T tubes for intubation of malignant tracheobronchial strictures may provide some degree of palliation of this distressing condition. It was used in seven patients with malignant lesions and two with benign strictures (resulting from tracheal trauma and lung transplantation). Four patients (two with cancer) are still alive and well with the tube in position. All patients noted improvement in dyspnoea and stridor. The main problems were tube migration (one patient), tracheo-oesophageal fistula (one patient), and blockage of the tube by tumour (two patients) or encrusted secretions (three patients). Airway patency was restored when the tube was blocked by cleaning or by laser resection of the tumour. With careful supervision and education of the patient intubation can give useful palliation to patients with distressing upper airways obstruction.     

Safe and rapid palliation of dysphagia for carcinoma of the esophagus.

Patients with carcinoma of the esophagus continue to present late when their tumors are inoperable. This makes palliation of their dysphagia the main therapeutic aim. The Nd-YAG laser has been used in our department to treat dysphagia resulting from cancer of the esophagus since 1986. Our rapid, one-stage cannulation technique using the Nd-YAG laser in both contact and noncontact modes was applied to 35 cases of carcinoma of the esophagus with the aim of achieving rapid and safe palliation of dysphagia. During the treatment we aimed not to coagulate the tumor and await sloughing, but to vaporize the tumor and ablate as much as possible in a single session. In this way there was less need for repeat sessions to create an adequate lumen. In a small number of patients (9) who had tight strictures with no visible lumen, a pre-laser dilation was required to allow visualization of the lumen and tumor vaporization. For nondilated patients (26) we achieved a 15-mm lumen in an average of 1.6 sessions, and in the dilated patients (9) this was achieved in one session in all patients. Functional improvement occurred in 28 patients (80%). There were four minor complications and no mortality associated with the procedure.     

Bronchoscopic preparation for airway resection.

In patients being considered for tracheobronchial resection and reconstruction, therapeutic bronchoscopy provides a necessary and complementary role to airway resection. Surgeons involved in tracheobronchial reconstruction need to be adept at airway interventions with the flexible and the rigid bronchoscopes. Bronchoscopy is an important part of the evaluation, stabilization, and preparation of the airway before tracheobronchial resection. Therapeutic bronchoscopy also provides the most common alternative to airway resection so that familiarity with the techniques of therapeutic bronchoscopy is important as the surgeon considers the advantages of definitive versus palliative airway management. Furthermore, postoperative complications of tracheobronchial surgery may require therapeutic endoscopic interventions to optimize outcomes after tracheobronchial resection and reconstruction. In patients being considered for airway resection, bronchoscopy provides the most direct assessment for a tissue diagnosis and measurement of the extent of the lesion and its relation to airway landmarks and an assessment of the quality of the airway being considered for anastomosis. Patients who have critical airway stenosis and impending obstruction can be temporized by bronchoscopic dilatation or core out of endoluminal tumor. Bronchoscopic dilatation or core out allows stabilization of the patient, completion of the assessment for surgical resectability, and performance of an elective rather than an emergent surgical resection. By relieving airway obstruction, therapeutic bronchoscopy also can improve the assessment of tumor margins and allow for clearing of an obstructive pneumonia so that postoperative pulmonary and anastomotic complications are minimized. Airway resection remains the preferred definitive approach for benign and malignant airway pathologies, but therapeutic bronchoscopy provides a useful adjunct to surgery in assessing the patient for surgical resection, preparing the patient for surgery, and optimizing postoperative results.     

Diffuse necrotizing tracheobronchitis: an acute and chronic disease

Necrotizing tracheobronchitis (NTB) is characterized by acute episodes of airway obstruction, hypercarbia, and lack of chest movement in mechanically ventilated neonates. Emergency bronchoscopic removal of necrotic tissue is essential for survival. Although postmortem lesions extend into smaller bronchi, survivors have not demonstrated residual tracheobronchial abnormalities. Two infants were treated successfully for NTB but succumbed to diffuse tracheobronchial strictures with progressive pulmonary hyperinflation. A third neonate with esophageal atresia and left pulmonary agenesis developed NTB. Despite initial postbronchoscopic improvement, the infant died at age 6 weeks with diffuse obstructing NTB. All three infants required endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. High-frequency jet ventilation was not used. Tracheal cultures for fungi, bacteria and viruses were negative. Successful treatment of NTB may be followed acutely by recurrence of NTB and chronically by diffuse tracheobronchial strictures and emphysema.     

Bronchoscopic management of central airway obstruction

OBJECTIVES: Patients with central airway obstruction are critically ill, with impending suffocation. They are seen with diverse anatomic and functional deficits caused by both benign and malignant obstructions. Such cases were reviewed to examine the indications, techniques, and outcomes of an algorithm approach to bronchoscopic management. METHODS: Between July 1992 and April 1996, 97 patients underwent bronchoscopic procedures for the management of central airway obstruction, and their cases were used for a retrospective review of the airway management. RESULTS: There were 48 male and 49 female patients, aged 13 to 85 years. There were 48 benign and 49 malignant pathologic conditions that gave rise to 108 stenoses. These were treated with 199 endoscopic procedures with an average of 1.7 interventions per endoscopy, including mechanical core-out (62), dilation (135), laser ablation (44), placement of brachytherapy catheters (9), and stent placement (88). Diagnoses included lung cancer, primary tracheobronchial tumors, tumors metastatic to the airway or mediastinum, and a variety of benign obstructions. In the group of 97 patients there were 2 (2%) perioperative deaths and 34 (34%) late deaths, 29 in the malignant group and 5 in the benign group. Median survival was 7.6 months (range 1 week-31 months). There were 7 (7%) complications among the group of 97, 4 in the malignant group, and 3 in the benign group. CONCLUSIONS: Endobronchial surgical techniques can be used safely and systematically for the relief of benign and malignant central airway obstructions; a diversity of approaches and interventions are required to produce and maintain palliation of airway symptoms.     

硬质气管镜手术治疗大气道疾病

目的 总结硬质气管镜手术治疗气道良、恶性疾病的效果,探讨其在大气道内疾病治疗方面的价值.方法 2002年9月至2007年11月共为44例大气道疾病患者施行硬质气管镜手术,其中原发性气管肿瘤23例,气管肿瘤术后复发2例,其他病变压迫气管11例,外伤后瘢痕形成4例,异物3例,术后肉芽肿形成1例.窄蒂的良性肿瘤行内镜下完全切除;可切除的肿瘤在硬质气管镜下清除肿瘤后开胸行气管部分切除吻合;不能切除的恶性肿瘤或外压性病变,进行气道疏通或放置支架.结果 病变位于气管19例,隆突4例,左主支气管11例,右主支气管10例.良性病变17例,恶性病变27例.共进行54次手术,其中肿瘤根治性切除17次,气道疏通18次,瘢痕清除8次,异物取出3次,支架放置或取出8次.全组手术顺利,无死亡及严重并发症发生,发生轻微并发症3例.术后良性病变患者随访16例,失访1例,除3例气管外伤后瘢痕形成外,其余13例随访4～44个月,平均23.0个月,均无复发;恶性病变患者随访23例,失访4例,随访时间5～58个月,平均27.1个月,7例根治性切除的恶性肿瘤患者随访均超过1年,仍无瘤生存,无复发;其他患者随访1个月以上,效果满意.结论 硬质气管镜手术治疗大气道内病变安全、可靠,效果确实,值得在临床推广.     

Physiological effect of endobronchial radiotherapy in patients with major airway occlusion by carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Endobronchial radiotherapy by a high dose rate remote after-loading technique (high dose rate brachytherapy) has become an established treatment for major airway occlusion by inoperable carcinoma of the bronchus. Only limited objective data on its effect on pulmonary physiology and on radiographic and bronchoscopic appearances are available. The aim of this study was to make a detailed assessment of patients before and after high dose rate brachytherapy to determine which investigations were useful and to generate data for comparing this with other methods of treatment. METHODS: Twenty patients with major airway obstruction by inoperable lung cancer underwent a detailed assessment before receiving endobronchial radiotherapy (15 Gy at 1 cm in a single fraction) and six weeks after treatment. This included chest radiography, computed tomography of the thorax, bronchoscopy including an obstruction index, five minute walking tests, isotope ventilation and perfusion lung scanning, and full lung function tests with maximum inspiratory and expiratory flow-volume loops. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (mean age 69 years) completed the study. Symptomatic improvement occurred in 17 patients. A collapsed lobe or lung, seen on the chest radiograph in 13, reexpanded in nine. Bronchoscopic appearances improved in 18, the mean obstruction index decreasing from 6.2 to 2.8. The isotope scans showed significant increases in the percentage of total lung ventilation (V) and perfusion (Q) measured over the abnormal lung (V 17.7% to 27.7%, Q 15.1 to 21.9%). Five minute walking distance (305 to 329 m), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1 1.45 to 1.61 l), forced vital capacity (FVC 2.17 to 2.48 l) and ratio of forced expiratory to forced inspiratory flow rate at 50% vital capacity (FEF50/FIF50 0.58 to 0.88) all increased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Endobronchial radiotherapy led to subjective benefit in most cases in terms of symptoms and bronchoscopic and radiological appearances. There was objective improvement in spirometric indices and in exercise tolerance with increased pulmonary ventilation and perfusion and evidence of decreased intrathoracic airway obstruction.     

Virtual bronchoscopy for evaluation of malignant tumors of the thorax

OBJECTIVE: Virtual bronchoscopy is a novel technique making use of 3-dimensional reconstruction of 2-dimensional helical computed tomographic images for noninvasive evaluation of the tracheobronchial tree. This study was undertaken to evaluate the diagnostic potential of virtual bronchoscopy by comparing virtual bronchoscopic images with fiberoptic bronchoscopic findings in patients with thoracic malignant disease. METHODS: Thirty-two consecutive patients with thoracic malignant tumors underwent virtual bronchoscopy for evaluation of suspected tracheobronchial lesions. For each virtual bronchoscopic examination, 200 to 300 contiguous 1.25-mm images of the thorax were obtained in only one or two 17-second breath holds by using a multislice computed tomographic scanner. Virtual bronchoscopy images were reconstructed and interpreted blind to the actual endoscopic findings. Results of virtual bronchoscopy were compared with fiberoptic bronchoscopic findings in 20 patients. RESULTS: Anatomic computer simulation of the bronchial tree was successfully created in all patients. In 7 (35%) of 20 patients, results of fiberoptic bronchoscopy were found to be within normal limits. In all patients with normal anatomy, virtual bronchoscopy accurately correlated with the fiberoptic findings. Thirteen (65%) patients had a total of 22 abnormal findings on fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Virtual bronchoscopy detected 18 of 22 abnormal fiberoptic bronchoscopic findings: 13 of 13 obstructive lesions, 5 of 6 endoluminal lesions, and 0 of 3 mucosal lesions. The sensitivity of virtual bronchoscopy was 100% for obstructive lesions, 83% for endoluminal lesions, 0% for mucosal lesions, and 82% for all abnormalities; the specificity of virtual bronchoscopy was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary evaluation indicates that virtual bronchoscopy may be a promising and noninvasive modality for identifying bronchial obstructions and endoluminal lesions, as well as for assessing the tracheobronchial tree beyond stenoses. However, at present, virtual bronchoscopy does not enable the detection of subtle mucosal lesions, and as such, this modality may not be appropriate for identifying premalignant lesions in the respiratory tract. Although fiberoptic bronchoscopy remains the standard modality for evaluating airway patency and mucosal lesions, virtual bronchoscopy may provide additional information that may be useful in the management of pulmonary malignant tumors.     

Laser treatment for tracheobronchial tumours: local or general anaesthesia?

Ninety seven patients with tracheobronchial tumours have been treated with the neodymium yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Nd YAG) laser over a period of 33 months. Fifty one of these patients were treated under local anaesthesia and 46 under general anaesthesia. The results obtained with the two methods have been compared retrospectively. The numbers of patients responding to treatment, the magnitude of the response, and the duration of palliation were similar in the two groups; significantly more treatment sessions, however, were required during each course of treatment under local anaesthesia. This advantage of general anaesthesia was thought to arise from the ability to continue treatment for longer and with greater efficiency. The use of the rigid bronchoscope with jet ventilation under general anaesthesia was also thought to provide better control of the airway and to allow more efficient clearance of blood and mucus. Two operative deaths occurred under local anaesthesia, when bleeding led to asphyxiation, but none have occurred under general anaesthesia. Treatment under general anaesthesia is not, however, without risk and is potentially hazardous in patients with severe chronic hypoxic lung disease.     

The role of cryosurgery in palliation of tracheo-bronchial carcinoma

Objective: Carcinoma of the lung is the commonest cause of death from malignant disease in humans. At diagnosis, about 85% of patients are in an advanced stage of the disease and approximately 30% present with a tumour blocking a large bronchial lumen, causing distressing and life threatening symptoms. Early reopening and treatment of the blocked airways is required to improve symptoms and quality of life. There are a number of methods available to achieve this aim including cryotherapy, the controlled application of extreme cold. Methods: We present a prospective study of 153 consecutive patients, cryotreated between January 1995 and December 1997 with a mean age of 68.8 years and a male:female ratio of 1.59:1. The procedure can be performed under general or local anaesthetic using a rigid or flexible cryoprobe. A temperature of about −70°C is delivered to the tumour site for two 3-min periods causing destruction of the tumour mass. Patients were evaluated clinically and for performance status before and after treatment. Histological composition was: non-small cell 88.2%, small cell 11.1% and malignant melanoma 0.7%. The TNM staging for NSC patients, at the time of treatment was stage II 8.2%, IIIa 27.4%, IIIb 25.9%, IV 38.5%. Results: Subjective symptomatic improvement for cough was 68.3%, dyspnoea 63.9%, haemoptysis 92.7% and chest pain 55.5%. Respiratory function tests showed improvements in mean FEV1 from 1.34l to 1.45l (P=0.001) and mean FVC from 1.93 to 2.02 l (P=0.035). The Karnofsky performance status increased by 54.6%. Kaplan–Meier median survival time was 12.9 months. Complications were found with 11 patients (7.2%) and there was no operative mortality. Conclusions: Cryotherapy provides effective and rapid control of symptoms caused by tracheobronchial carcinoma and improves quality of life and survival. It is easy to perform, with minimum complications and the majority of patients are discharged the same day.     

High dose rate brachytherapy in the management of lung transplant airway stenosis

BACKGROUND: Airway complications after lung transplantation remain a major cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality. Interventional bronchoscopic management continues to be the main modality in the management of these problems. METHODS: Four patients with airway stenoses after lung transplantation received high dose rate brachytherapy for management of recurrent stenosis. All 4 patients had been treated with various bronchoscopic interventions, including dilation and stenting, electrocautery ablation, and neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser therapy. High dose rate endobronchial brachytherapy was subsequently used in all 4 patients for management of recurrent airway obstruction. The radiation dose for all 4 patients was 3 Gy at a distance of 1 cm from the center of the catheter. RESULTS: All four patients have had routine follow-up after endobronchial brachytherapy treatments. Of the 4 patients, 2 treated with this modality showed a significant response to therapy in that the bronchus remained free of obstruction after treatment; 1 patient had partial improvement, and 1 patient failed to show significant improvement and expired from the sequelae of persistent airway obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Endobronchial brachytherapy can be an effective modality for managing recurrent stenoses caused by hyperplastic granulation tissue at the bronchial anastomosis. The optimal timing and ideal candidate for intraluminal radiation therapy for this problem remains a challenge and warrants further investigation.     

Endoscopic laser therapy in malignant tracheobronchial obstruction using sequential Nd YAG laser and photodynamic therapy

BACKGROUND: Because the survival after treatment of advanced inoperable endo-tracheobronchial carcinoma is so poor, a pilot study was undertaken to evaluate the combined cumulative effect on survival of neodymium yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd YAG) laser followed by photodynamic treatment used endoscopically. METHODS: Seventeen patients who presented between January 1992 and March 1996 with inoperable tracheobronchial lesions causing more than 50% endoluminal obstruction were selected to enter the pilot study. Initially they had bronchoscopic Nd YAG laser treatment to debulk the tumour, and this was followed six weeks later by photodynamic therapy to treat the residual tumour. RESULTS: All patients had symptomatic relief and at least a partial response, and seven had a complete response for 3-6 months. Eight of the 17 (47%) survived for at least two years and 11 (65%) survived for a year or more. The median survival of the 10 patients who had died by the time of writing was 18.5 months (range 5-39), 95% confidence interval (CI) 9.9 to 29.5. CONCLUSIONS: Combined Nd YAG laser and endoscopic photodynamic therapy may be an effective palliative treatment for patients with inoperable endotracheobronchial cancer.


     

Successful resection of endotracheal papillary adenocarcinoma by endoscopic electrosurgery using a new snare: Report of a case

We report herein the rare case of a patient with endotracheal papillary adenocarcinoma of the goblet cell type. The tumor existed in the upper trachea, obstructing 95% of the airway, and prompt palliation was required. Endotracheal polypectomy was successfully performed in this patient using electrosurgery with a new snare designed for the respiratory tract. The procedure took only a few minutes and the dyspnea was relieved promptly without any complications. The alternative techniques for palliation of bronchial stenosis are also discussed.