Surgery for pulmonary aspergilloma and pleural aspergillosis

Pulmonary aspergilloma and pleural aspergillosis are a potentially lifethreatening disease resulting from the colonization of lung or pleural cavities by the ubiquitous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. Twenty four patients with pulmonary aspergilloma and five with pleural aspergillosis underwent major thoracic procedures at our hospital between 1976 and 1986. Fourteen of the patients had haemoptysis, in 9 it was recurrent, and in 5 life-threatening. Tuberculosis, pneumonia, and sarcoidosis were the most common preexisting lung lesions. Surgical procedures included 7 pleuropneumonectomies, 18 lobectomies and 4 wedge resections. The postoperative mortality rate was approximately 7% (2 pat.). Based on the pathological examination 4 patients had unexpectedly a bronchial carcinoma in addition to the aspergilloma. Bronchopleural fistula with persistent air space was a serious complication only for patients after pleuropneumonectomy. 23 patients including those with complex aspergilloma and pleural infection had no postoperative complications; in none of the 27 operative survivors were there any recurrent symptoms over a follow-up between one and ten years. Good-risk patients with documented aspergilloma, even asymptomatic, should be resected, because of the danger of exsanginating haemorrhage. For patients with pleural aspergillosis only the aggressive resection can provide effective long term palliation.     

Short- and long-term outcome after lung resection for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis

BACKGROUND: Lung resection for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is controversial. Neutropenia, thrombopenia and poor general condition may increase perioperative morbidity and mortality, and the redeeming benefit is questionable. Therefore we analyzed short- and long-term outcome after lung resection for IPA. METHODS: 41 patients with hematological disease underwent lung resection for suspected IPA: lobectomy (23 patients), wedge-resection (16) and enucleation (2). RESULTS: 4 (10%) patients developed major complications: pleural aspergillosis, bronchial stump insufficiency, severe bleeding, ARDS. 11 (27%) patients showed minor complications: pleural effusion (6), pneumothorax (2), seroma (2) and hematothorax (1). 30-day mortality was 10 % (4 of 41 patients): two died of bacterial septicemia, two of disseminated aspergillosis. One (2%) death was possibly surgery-related. IPA was cleared in 87% of patients, fungal relapse occurred in 4 (10%) patients. Overall survival was 65%, 58% and 40% at 6 months, 12 months and 5 years. CONCLUSION: Lung resection for IPA even in profound cytopenia is feasible with acceptable morbidity and mortality. Fungal infection can be cured in more than 80 % of patients. Long-term outcome can be achieved if the hematological disease is under control.     

外科手术治疗74例肺结核并发肺曲菌球病患者的临床价值

目的 分析外科手术治疗肺结核并发肺曲菌球病的临床价值。方法 搜集2007—2016年在广西壮族自治区龙潭医院行外科手术的74例肺结核并发肺曲菌球病患者,对手术方式、手术治疗转归、并发症、术后随访等临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果 74例患者中,择期手术68例(91.9%),急诊手术6例(8.1%);73例(98.6%)手术顺利,术中因大出血死亡1例;行肺叶切除术54例(73.0%),肺段切除术5例,全肺切除术2例,复合肺切除术9例,肺楔形切除术4例。24例(32.4%)出现术后并发症:术后大出血1例,再次开胸止血治愈;呼吸功能衰竭1例,呼吸机辅助呼吸28d后成功脱机治愈;肺不张5例,4例经纤维支气管镜吸痰后肺膨胀良好,1例纤维支气管镜吸痰无效,继发呼吸功能衰竭后自动放弃治疗出院后死亡;脓胸4例,3例细菌性脓胸经持续引流治愈,1例曲霉菌性脓胸于术后15个月行电视胸腔镜脓胸廓清术时发生肺动脉破溃大出血,改为体外循环下左余肺切除术,但因不能纠正休克而死亡;肺泡胸膜瘘5例,3例经持续胸腔引流,2例行碘伏胸膜固定术加持续胸腔引流后治愈;支气管胸膜瘘1例,给予患者持续的胸腔引流3周后瘘口逐渐闭合治愈;胸部净化残腔7例,未处理。72例患者术后获得随访,1例患者随访期间死亡。最终治愈71例(96.0%),随访1~48个月,平均(11±3)个月,未见肺结核及肺曲菌球病复发。结论 选择合适的患者行外科手术,治愈率高,并发症发生率及死亡率在可以接受的范围之内,绝大多数患者能治愈。     

Pulmonary aspergilloma--radiological observations

The radiological appearances of 49 cases of aspergilloma seen over a period of 6 years among 36,340 hospital admissions are described. All the 49 patients had pulmonary tuberculosis as underlying disease with 6 (12.2%) having bacteriologically active disease. One patient had concomitant allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). Upper zone distribution, large cavity size, moderately thick cavity wall and overlying pleural thickening were some of the prominent features observed. Two cases of multiple (3 each) and 4 of bilateral aspergilloma were seen. Of 57 aspergillomas 47 were round or oval, 7 oblong, 2 polypoidal and 1 lobulated. Positional movement was observed in 30 cases. Spontaneous lysis was seen in one case. Tomography and lordotic view were found to be very useful techniques when postero-anterior films were unrevealing. The radiologic diagnosis of aspergilloma was confirmed by demonstration of serum precipitins against aspergilli in 44 cases.     

Pulmonary infections in patients with rheumatoid arthritis]

We studied 149 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients (mean age 68.0 years; 68 men, 81 women) with pulmonary infections. The mean age at the onset of RA and the duration of RA was 57.2 +/- 15.2 years and 10.9 +/- 11.5 years, respectively. Pulmonary infections included nontuberculous mycobacteriosis in 59 patients (Mycobacterium avium complex infection, 50 cases : Mycobacterium kansasii infection, 4 cases; others, 5 cases), pneumonia in 46 patients, pulmonary tuberculosis in 28 patients, pulmonary aspergillosis in 12 patients, pulmonary cryptococcosis in 5 patients, Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia in 5 patients, lung abscess in 9 patients, exacerbation of bronchiectasis in 7 patients, and empyema in 4 patients. One hundred percent of patients with exacerbation of bronchiectasis, 91.7% of patients with pulmonary aspergillosis, 87% of patients with pneumonia, and 81.4% of patients with nontuberculous mycobacteriosis had underlying lung diseases. The pulmonary infections during therapy with steroids were pulmonary tuberculosis (78.6%), pneumonia (65.2%), and pulmonary aspergillosis (58.3%), while the pulmonary infections during methotrexate treatment were Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (80%), pulmonary cryptococcosis (40%), and pulmonary tuberculosis (28.6%). Pulmonary infections in RA patients who were taking TNFalpha inhibitors included 1 patient each with nontuberculous mycobacteriosis, pneumonia, pulmonary tuberculosis, and Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia. Among the RA patients with lung abscess, malignancy was noted in 55.6%, and diabetes mellitus in 22.2%. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the second-most-common cause of pneumonia and cause of all exacerbations of bronchiectasis. As well as immunosuppressive medications (steroids, methotrexate, TNFalpha inhibitors) and systemic comorbid diseases, underlying lung diseases could be one of the risk factor for pulmonary infections in patients with RA. The dominant risk factor for each pulmonary infection in patients with RA might be different.     

Pedicled Latissimus Dorsi Muscle Flap: Routine Use in High-Risk Thoracic Surgery

Bronchopleural fistula and empyema are serious complications after thoracic surgical procedures, and their prevention is paramount. Herein, we review our experience with routine prophylactic use of the pedicled ipsilateral latissimus dorsi muscle flap. From January 2004 through February 2006, 10 surgically high-risk patients underwent intrathoracic transposition of this muscle flap for reinforcement of bronchial-stump closure or obliteration of empyema cavities. Seven of the patients were chronically immunosuppressed, 5 were severely malnourished (median preoperative serum albumin level, 2.4 g/dL), and 5 had severe underlying obstructive pulmonary disease (median forced expiratory volume in 1 second, 44% of predicted level). Three upper lobectomies and 1 completion pneumonectomy were performed in order to treat massive hemoptysis that was secondary to complex aspergilloma. One patient underwent left pneumonectomy due to ruptured-cavitary primary lung lymphoma. One upper lobectomy was performed because of necrotizing, localized Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection. One patient underwent right upper lobectomy and main-stem bronchoplasty for carcinoma after chemoradiation therapy. In 3 patients, the pedicled latissimus dorsi muscle was used to obliterate chronic empyema cavities and to buttress the closure of underlying bronchopleural fistulas. No operative deaths or recurrent empyemas resulted. Two patients retained peri-flap air that required no surgical intervention.We conclude that the use of transposed pedicled latissimus dorsi muscle flap effectively and reliably prevents clinically overt bronchopleural fistula and recurrent empyema. We advocate its routine use in first-time and selected reoperative thoracotomies in patients who are undergoing high-risk lung resection or reparative procedures.Key words: Bronchial fistula/prevention & control/surgery, empyema, pleural/etiology/prevention & control/surgery, muscle, skeletal/surgery/transplantation, pleural diseases/prevention & control/surgery, pneumonectomy/adverse effects, postoperative complications, reconstructive surgical procedures, risk factors, surgical flaps/methods, thoracic surgical procedures/methods, treatment outcomeBronchopleural fistula (BPF) and empyema are rare but dangerous complications of pulmonary resections. The incidence of postoperative BPF, reported as 1.5% to 28%,^1–4 has been shown in general to relate to the condition''s cause and to the surgical technique and experience of the surgeons.^5–7 The incidence of empyema after pulmonary resections is between 2% and 16%.^8–10 Anatomic lung resections (for example, lobectomy and pneumonectomy) that are performed to treat inflammatory and infectious conditions particularly invite the development of these postoperative complications.Given the high morbidity and mortality rates of postoperative BPF and recurrent empyema, prevention is paramount. The use of transposed extrathoracic muscle flaps to cover bronchial stumps and to eliminate dead space is a well-established management technique.We have routinely used the pedicled latissimus dorsi (PLD) muscle flap as our preferred flap in high-risk thoracic surgery patients who have undergone lobectomy, pneumonectomy, or decortication procedures. Here, we review our experience with this technique in 10 patients, and the clinical outcomes thereof.     

Sleeve resections and bronchoplastic procedures in typical central carcinoid tumours

BACKGROUND: Typical carcinoids are low grade malignant neuroendocrine neoplasms, mostly located centrally in the tracheobronchial tree. The aim of our study was to analyse the long-term survival and surgical treatment outcome in patients submitted to parenchyma-sparing resections for typical central carcinoid tumours. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 70 patients who underwent sleeve resections or bronchoplastic procedures. We performed 21 sleeve lobectomies, 9 sleeve resections of the main bronchus, 25 bronchoplasties associated with lung resections and 15 isolated wedge bronchoplasties. Nine patients (12.8%) had nodal metastases. RESULTS: There was no operative mortality; postoperative complications occurred in one patient (1.4%) who presented an empyema. At long-term follow-up evaluation, we were able to report good results: all patients were alive and nobody manifested recurrence; one patient had a late cicatricial bronchial stenosis, which was treated with laser therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This series of central typical bronchial carcinoids, treated with sleeve or bronchoplastic resection, demonstrated an excellent outcome. Our results suggest that, in experienced and skilled hands, conservative procedures must be considered the treatment of choice for the management of these tumours.     

Predicting outcome after lung resection for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with neutropenia

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To investigate the factors that predict survival after lung resection for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in patients with neutropenia, in order to assist the selection of patients who are most likely to have a successful outcome. DESIGN: Retrospective single-center study. SETTING: University hospital hemato-oncologic isolation unit and division of thoracic surgery. PATIENTS: Forty-one patients with hematologic disease and suspected IPA who underwent lung resection. INTERVENTIONS: Lobectomy (n = 23), wedge resection (n = 16), and enucleation (n = 2). RESULTS: Mortality within 30 days was 10% (4 of 41 patients). Major perioperative complications occurred in 10%. One death was possibly related to surgery (pleural aspergillosis). Of the patients with proven aspergillosis, 87.1% were cleared of infection, but fungal relapse occurred in 10%. Overall survival was 65% at 6 months, 58% at 12 months, and 40% at 5 years after surgery. Baseline characteristics and intraoperative data did not differ significantly between survivors and nonsurvivors at 6 months or 12 months after surgery. Perioperative complications did not significantly influence the outcome. Multivariate analysis of 12-month survival revealed that the variables, progression, or recurrence of the underlying hematologic disease (relative risk [RR], 4.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.51 to 5.77; p < 0.0001), fungal relapse (RR, 5.06; 95% CI, 3.83 to 6.28; p < 0.0001), and to a minor extent the type of the underlying hematologic disease (p < 0.018) were the most important predictors of patient survival. CONCLUSIONS: Lung resection for IPA is feasible with an acceptable operative risk. While at 10%, the perioperative mortality is considerable; the nonsurgical mortality is reported to be between 30% and 90%. Fungal infection is cleared in > 80% of patients. Mid- to long-term survival can be achieved if the underlying hematologic disease is under control. It is not yet possible to define a group of patients with IPA who are most likely to benefit from lung resection.     

Late complications of collapse therapy for pulmonary tuberculosis

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Collapse therapy for pulmonary tuberculosis involved placement of various materials to occupy space and keep the lung collapsed. Complications are encountered decades later. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1980 and 1997, we treated 31 patients with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis in whom collapse therapy had been used and who later developed complications related to their treatment. Pyogenic empyema was present in 24 patients, pleural calcifications with bronchopleural fistula was present in 3 patients, pleural calcification with nonresolvable pneumothorax was present in 1 patient, and migration of a foreign body with formation of subcutaneous mass occurred in 3 patients. All patients with empyema were treated with antibiotics and tube drainage of pus. In addition, Lucite balls were extracted in 4 patients, lung decortication was performed in 6 patients, thoracoplasty was performed in 2 patients, and fenestration was performed in 16 patients. Bronchopleural fistulas were closed with sutures and reinforced with intercostal muscle flap in three patients; in one patient with pleural calcification and nonresolvable pneumothorax, tube drainage was attempted. In three patients with subcutaneous mass due to paraffin migration, paraffin was extracted. RESULTS: Pulmonary decortication (six patients) and thoracoplasty (two patients) resulted in elimination of empyema. Extraction of Lucite balls resulted in lung expansion and elimination of empyema in three of four patients; draining sinus remains in one patient. Fenestration resulted in elimination of empyema in 12 of 16 patients, with 3 patients with residual draining sinuses and 1 patient with remaining empyema. All bronchopleural fistulas closed with intercostal muscle flap remained closed. Following extraction of paraffin blocks, infection developed in one patient. During the follow-up period, three patients died, all of unrelated causes. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed complications of collapse therapy for tuberculosis should be treated without delay. Pressure on adjacent structures or their erosion presents danger and mandates immediate extraction; however, there is no need for routine removal of every residual plombe. Further increase in the number of multiple-drug resistant strains may force the return of collapse therapy.     

Ten-year experience with mycetomas in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis

We studied 33 consecutive patients with tuberculous pulmonary cavities complicated by fungus balls to evaluate their treatment. Nineteen had surgical resection for massive or recurrent bleeding or possibility of tumor. One patient died of postpneumonectomy empyema (30-day surgical mortality, 5 percent). Fourteen had no surgery. No patient died of hemoptysis. Respiratory failure contributed most often to death. Hepatic complications and other problems of alcoholism were also prominent. Good results can be obtained by resection in these severely ill patients if care is taken to preserve functioning pulmonary tissue and to avoid complications of alcoholic hepatic disease. Within these constraints, tuberculous cavities complicated by mycetomas should be resected for massive or recurrent hemoptysis.     

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in the treatment of complicated parapneumonic effusions or empyemas: outcome of 234 patients

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To review our experience in treatment of complicated parapneumonic effusion and pleural empyema by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Taiwanese medical centers. PATIENTS: A total of 234 patients (108 women, 126 men; median age, 51 years; range, 0.75 to 84 years) underwent procedures for parapneumonic effusion (145 patients) or pleural empyema (89 patients) between May 1995 and December 2003. All patients had chest radiographs, and 188 patients (80.3%) underwent preoperative CT or sonography. More than 85% (200 patients) received preoperative diagnostic or therapeutic thoracentesis, tube thoracostomy, or fibrinolytics. Indications for VATS included empyema refractory to medical control or peel or multiloculated exudates per CT and chest tapping. INTERVENTIONS: Septal lysis and debridement irrigation through one port (31 patients, 13.2%), decortication and debridement through two or three ports (179 patients, 76.5%), or rib resection or larger utility incision for decortication and drainage (24 patients, 10.3%). RESULTS: Mean +/- SD procedural time was 64.3 +/- 22.5 min (range, 26 to 244 min). Sixteen patients (6.8%) needed further surgery for empyema (9 patients required open drainage or thoracoplasty, and 7 patients needed redecortication or repair of bronchopleural fistula). There were no intraoperative deaths and only eight (3.4%) perioperative deaths (< 30 days), which were mostly unrelated to surgery. Of the 234 patients, 202 patients (86.3%) achieved satisfactory results with VATS treatment. Patients requiring open decortication or repeat procedures (40 patients) had a longer mean duration of preoperative symptoms, longer mean duration of preoperative hospitalization, and a higher ratio of pleural empyema (vs complicated parapneumonic effusion) than patients undergoing simple VATS. CONCLUSIONS: VATS is safe and effective for treatment of complicated parapneumonic effusion and pleural empyema. Earlier intervention with VATS can produce better clinical results. A prospective study should be done to identify optimal timing and settings for VATS treatment for both complicated parapneumonic effusion and pleural empyema.     

Protean manifestations of pleural empyema caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in adults

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of pleural empyema caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted at the University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid (Spain). We included all adult patients with pleural empyema caused by S. pneumoniae diagnosed from 1998 to 2004. RESULTS: Eighteen cases of pleural empyema due to S. pneumoniae were analyzed. Fourteen patients had symptoms of respiratory infection, three had other symptoms, and one patient was asymptomatic. One-third of the patients did not have a pneumonia infiltrate visible on chest radiogram. In 46%, bacteremia was detected. All pleural fluids had a high white blood cell count, either with polymorphonuclear or lymphocytic predominance. Drainage with a chest tube was used in 94.4% of cases. Nine patients had a favorable outcome, five had to be admitted to the intensive care unit, and two died within the first week (mortality rate of 11.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Pleural empyema caused by S. pneumoniae has to be considered an aggressive disease that, occasionally, affects young and previously healthy individuals. Clinical manifestations are variable and pleural fluid can be a lymphocytic exudate. It has a noticeable associated morbidity and mortality, which must be kept in mind by clinicians when approaching a patient with a pleural effusion.     

The role of residual tumor resection in the management of nonseminomatous germ cell cancer of testicular origin

Objective?To assess the outcome of patients with testicular nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (TNSGCT) undergoing intrathoracic residual tumor resection (RTR) after previous chemotherapy (CT) at a single institution.Methods?The office records of all patients who underwent intrathoracic RTR for TNSGCT after CT at a single institution from January 2000 through December 2006 were reviewed.Results?There were 124 consecutive patients (age 33.1?±?8.4 years) with residual masses who underwent 189 surgical procedures. Morbidity and mortality rates were 12.7 and 0.5%, respectively. Complete resections could be achieved in 121 patients (97.6%). In the resected lung masses, necrosis was the predominant histology, (44.4 vs. 29% in mediastinal masses p?=?0.018). Mature teratoma was the leading histology in the mediastinum (62.1 vs. 39.5% in lung masses, p?=?0.0006). Fifty-nine out of 124 patients (47.6%) required interventions at both lungs and had discordant histological results in 20.3% (12/59) of the cases. Mean survival was 86.6?±?2.6 months. The overall 5-year-survival and 10-year survival rates were 87 and 85%, respectively. Viable cancer, incomplete resections, age ≥34 years, and major pulmonary resections were associated with inferior survival in a univariate Cox proportional hazards model. In a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model, viable cancer, incomplete resections, and major pulmonary resections remained significant prognostic factors.Conclusions?In selected TNSGCT patients with residual masses, RTR can be performed safely after CT. RTR should be attempted at all sites because of possible discordant histological differentiation. Complete and parenchyma-sparing resections are associated with excellent long-term survival, which can be influenced by the surgeon.     

Fungal empyema thoracis: an emerging clinical entity

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To analyze the clinical spectra, pathogenesis, treatment, outcome, and prognostic factors of fungal empyema thoracis. DESIGN: The medical records of patients with positive fungal cultures from pleural effusions were retrospectively analyzed. SETTING: A university-based tertiary care hospital in Taipei, Taiwan. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1990 through December 1997, patients diagnosed with fungal empyema were included in this study. The criteria for diagnosis of fungal empyema thoracis were as follows: (1) isolation of a fungal species from the pleural effusion; (2) significant signs of infection, such as fever (body temperature > 38.3 degrees C) and leukocytosis (white blood cell > 10,000/microL); and (3) isolation of the same mold species from pleural effusion on more than one occasion, or from pleural effusion and other specimens such as blood, sputum, or surgical wounds that showed evidence of tissue invasion. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients with fungal empyema thoracis were included. Their mean age was 54 years (range, 2 weeks to 93 years), and 64% (43 patients) were men. Fifty-seven patients (85%) had various underlying diseases, and 18 (27%) had more than one immunocompromising condition. A total of 73 fungal isolates were recovered from pleural effusion; the most commonly encountered were Candida species (47 isolates, 64%), Torulopsis glabrata (13 isolates, 18%), and Aspergillus species (9 isolates, 12%). Candida albicans (28 isolates) was the most common Candida species, followed by Candida tropicalis (13 isolates). Six patients (9%) had two fungal strains isolated, and 16 (24%) had concomitant bacterial empyema thoracis. Eighteen patients (27%) had concurrent fungemia. Most (56 patients, 84%) cases of fungal empyema thoracis were nosocomial, and many case (43 patients, 64%) were acquired in ICUs. Abdominal disease (20 patients, 30%), especially previous abdominal surgery and GI perforation (12% and 10%, respectively), was the most common cause of fungal empyema thoracis, followed by bronchopulmonary infection (15 patients, 22%) and chest surgery (12 patients, 18%). Forty-nine patients (73%) received systemic antifungal therapy, and 38 (57%) underwent closed drainage therapy. Eleven patients (16%) underwent pleural irrigation with normal saline solution, povidone-iodine solution, or antifungal agents. Six patients (9%) finally received decortication. All patients receiving surgery or pleural irrigation with antifungal agents survived. Despite the aforementioned management, the crude mortality was high (73%). Multivariate analysis showed a significantly increased risk of death in immunocompromised patients (relative risk, 1.58; p < 0.005) and those with respiratory failure (relative risk, 2.31; p < 0.001). Systemic antifungal therapy was associated with a significantly lower risk of death (relative risk, 0.69; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These data imply an increasing incidence of fungal empyema thoracis in recent years and the necessity for aggressive treatment of patients with this disease.     

电视胸腔镜手术治疗Ⅰ-Ⅱ期脓胸的临床应用

目的探讨电视胸腔镜(Video-assisted thoracic surgery,VATS)用于I-II期脓胸手术能否达到早期廓清、剥脱胸膜纤维层的目的,并观察术后肺组织复张及肺功能恢复状态。方法回顾性分析130例接受胸腔镜手术治疗病程小于4周的急性渗出期(Ⅰ期)和纤维素期(Ⅱ期)脓胸病例。结果全组无围手术期死亡;15例术后有肺组织复张不良、出血、持续漏气等并发症,6例需再次手术。114例术后6 mon肺功能测定,第一秒用力呼吸量(Forced expiratory volume in one second,FEV1)实测值占预计值平均为87.7%(69.5%-105.9%),分钟通气量(Minute Ventilation,MV)实测值占预计值平均为84.4%(59.9%-97.9%)。结论VATS治疗早中期脓胸安全、有效,脓胸廓清作用明确,能够清除尚未完全纤维化的增厚纤维层,有利术后肺复张并改善肺功能。     

Chronic Necrotizing Pulmonary Aspergillosis Complicated by Pneumothorax

Abstract. A 61-year-old man presented with left-sided pneumothorax. On the chest computed tomograghy (CT), severe bilateral emphysema and left-sided pleural thickening were seen. His pneumothorax was drained with a chest tube. Because of a persistent air leakage, video-thoracoscopic wedge-resection of the suspected fistula and muscle-sparing minithoracotomy with extensive wedge resections of the left upper lobe were performed. Biopsy specimens showed micronodular mycetomas with septate hyphae highly suggestive of Aspergillus. The fungus destructed the lung tissue without vessel invasion. The patient had not been taking immunosuppressant drugs and had no prior opportunistic infections. Itraconazole was begun, the lung was expanded and the patient recovered. We propose that extensive resection of affected lung tissue in combination with long-term antifungal therapy with itraconazole is a valuable therapeutic option in patients with a complicated course of chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis (CNPA).     

A case of pulmonary aspergillosis complicated with perforated empyema--indication of thoracoplasty, cavernoplasty and extraperiosteal detachment

We reported one case of pulmonary aspergillosis secondary to pulmonary tuberculosis, which perforated to the pleural space and was complicated with chronic empyema. We performed thoracoplasty, cavernoplasty and extraperiosteal detachment. The type and indications of cavernoplasty we use are also described.     

Liver resection: 10-year experience from a single institution

BACKGROUND: Liver resection constitutes the main treatment of most liver primary neoplasms and selected cases of metastatic tumors. However, this procedure is associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. AIM: To analyze our experience with liver resections over a period of 10 years to determine the morbidity, mortality and risk factors of hepatectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records of patients who underwent liver resection from January 1994 to March 2003. RESULTS: Eighty-three (41 women and 42 men) patients underwent liver resection during the study period, with a mean age of 52.7 years (range 13-82 years). Metastatic colorectal carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma were the main indications for hepatic resection, with 36 and 19 patients, respectively. Extended and major resections were performed in 20.4% and 40.9% of the patients, respectively. Blood transfusion was needed in 38.5% of the operations. Overall morbidity was 44.5%. Life-threatening complications occurred in 22.8% of cases and the most common were pneumonia, hepatic failure, intraabdominal collection and intraabdominal bleeding. Among minor complications (30%), the most common were biliary leakage and pleural effusion. Size of the tumor and blood transfusion were associated with major complications (P = 0.0185 and P = 0.0141, respectively). Operative mortality was 8.4% and risk factors related to mortality were increased age and use of vascular exclusion (P = 0.0395 and P = 0.0404, respectively). Median hospital stay was 6.7 days. CONCLUSION: Liver resections can be performed with low mortality and acceptable morbidity rates. Blood transfusion may be reduced by employing meticulous technique and, whenever indicated, vascular exclusion.     

Decortication of the lung

From 1972 to 1982, 161 patients underwent pleural decortication because of pleural callosity with or without empyemic residual cavities. Indications were: Sanitation of infection sites and improvement of respiratory function. Of the patients, 73.3% had non-specific and 22.4% tubercular empyema. Postoperative complications included 8.7% wound infections and 1.2% recurring empyema. Operative mortality was 1.2%. To estimate pulmonary function, the preoperative values of blood gas analysis, vital capacity, forced expiratory volume and maximal voluntary ventilation were assessed and compared with those obtained early postoperatively and after one year in 75 patients. The average values of these measurements showed no significant improvement in postoperative pulmonary function. A relatively slight improvement (mean 13.8%) showed only in those patients who had a preoperative reduction of vital capacity of more than 40%. The indication for decortication to improve pulmonary function alone is questionable. As a rule it is based upon 2 factors--both elimination of infectious foci and improving function.     

Long-term outcome after intestinal resection for Crohn's disease

OBJECTIVE: To assess the need for intestinal repeat resection for recurrence of Crohn's disease in patients observed for more than 20 years after the first resection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data were gathered retrospectively from the medical records of 53 (28 F) consecutive patients with Crohn's disease from May 1954 to December 2002. Median age at first intestinal resection was 24.5 (range 13-65) years, and median observation time thereafter was 26.5 (20.1-48.6) years. Disease location and behaviour were defined according to the Vienna classification. RESULTS: The 53 patients had an average 2.7 and a median 2 intestinal resections. Out of 144 intestinal resections (77.1%) 111 were performed during the first three operations; no alterations in distribution of ileal, ileocolic and colic resections were found. From the first to the third operation there was an increase in penetrating disease from 15% to 39% (p=0.046) concomitant with a decrease in stricturing disease from 72% to 44% (p=0.048) of the patients. There was also a corresponding decrease in ileocolic disease from 45% to 5% (p=0.003) and a tendency towards an increase in ileal disease from 38% to 67%. One patient died (1.8%) from rectosigmoid perforation after the third resectional operation. Six patients needed reoperation (11.3%) for ileus, anastomotic bleeding, rectosigmoidal perforation and abdominal pain. Thirty-four patients (64.2%) needed intestinal repeat resection (median 8.3 years) during 25.3 years after the first repeat resection. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates a diminution of Crohn's disease activity with time, as demonstrated by no need for intestinal repeat resection more than 25 years after the first resection.