经肋间电视纵隔镜手术的临床应用

目的探讨经肋间电视纵隔镜手术在临床应用中的价值。方法回顾性总结2001年11月至2003年12月126例经肋间电视纵隔镜手术病人的临床资料，其中术前未获得明确病理诊断的恶性胸腔积液8例，经肋间电视纵隔镜手术行胸膜活检，滑石粉胸膜固定术；手汗症病人118例，经肋间电视纵隔镜手术行双侧胸交感神经链切断术。结果本组8例临床诊断恶性胸腔积液病人，术后全部获得明确诊断，滑石粉胸膜固定全部成功；118例行双侧胸交感神经链切断术治疗的手汗症病人，术后手汗症状均完全消失，手掌温度上升1．5℃-3．0℃，温暖而干燥。随访1～6个月无1例复发。无手术死亡和严重并发症。结论对于恶性胸腔积液和手汗症等简单的胸膜、纵隔疾病。经肋间电视纵隔镜可以达到与电视胸腔镜手术相同的诊断和治疗效果，并且更加简便和微创，是一种可供选择的有效手术径路。     

电视纵隔镜在恶性胸腔积液诊治中的应用

目的探讨电视纵隔镜在诊治恶性胸腔积液中的应用价值。方法回顾分析自2003年10月至2004年4月12例恶性胸腔积液患者行电视纵隔镜胸膜活检+滑石粉胸膜固定术治疗的临床资料。结果术后病理诊断腺癌8例,鳞癌4例;肺癌胸膜转移11例,食管癌肺、胸膜转移1例;手术诊断率100%,有效率91.7%(11/12),全组无手术死亡。术后发生低热3例,经处理后退热;胸痛3例,经止痛后缓解。结论电视纵隔镜对恶性胸腔积液的诊断和治疗有良好的临床效果。     

电视纵隔镜在胸腔积液诊治中的应用

目的 探讨电视纵隔镜检查术在胸腔积液诊治的应用价值。方法 侧卧位,腋中线第7肋间做2cm小切口,插入纵隔镜,吸净胸腔积液后进行探查,从镜管内伸入活检钳钳取胸膜组织,恶性胸腔积液撒入滑石粉行胸膜固定。结果 手术时间30～70min,平均42min。32例电视纵隔镜术后确诊：腺癌22例,低分化鳞癌2例,侵袭性胸腺瘤1例,胸膜结核5例,炎症2例。结论 电视纵隔镜可作为病因未明的胸腔积液诊治方法之一。     

电视纵隔镜术诊治胸部疾病76例

目的探讨电视纵隔镜检查在肺癌的术前分期、纵隔肿物、恶性胸腔积液诊治中的应用。方法76例患者中行颈部纵隔镜术38例,胸骨旁纵隔镜术16例,经肋间纵隔镜术22例。结果经纵隔镜检查确诊为腺癌21例,转移性低分化鳞癌18例,结核6例,胸腺鳞状细胞癌5例,非何杰金淋巴瘤5例,肺小细胞癌4例,胸腺瘤3例,纵隔神经母细胞瘤3例,何杰金淋巴瘤2例,胸膜间皮瘤2例,神经鞘瘤1例,胸腺增生1例,原始神经外胚叶肿瘤1例,淋巴结炎症1例,反应性增生1例。2例术前纤维支气管镜病理诊断为左肺下叶鳞癌,经电视纵隔镜检查确诊为右气管旁淋巴结转移。结论电视纵隔镜术不但是肺癌术前病理分期的重要检查方法,还可作为纵隔疾病和恶性胸腔积液诊治的方法之一。     

电视纵隔镜手术128例

目的探讨电视纵隔镜检查术（video-mediastinoscopy，VM）在肺癌术前分期、纵隔肿物诊断和恶性胸腔积液诊治中的价值。方法采用全麻单腔螺纹气管插管，48例行颈部纵隔镜术，33例行胸骨旁纵隔镜检查术，47例行经肋间纵隔镜术。结果125例经电视纵隔镜术后确诊：肺腺癌38例，肺转移性低分化鳞癌33例，结核9例，淋巴结炎症8例，肺小细胞癌7例，胸腺鳞状细胞癌6例，非霍奇金淋巴瘤5例，纵隔神经母细胞瘤4例，胸腺瘤4例，胸膜间皮瘤3例，霍奇金淋巴瘤2例，后纵隔神经鞘瘤2例，结节病1例，胸腺增生1例，类癌1例，中纵隔原始神经外胚叶肿瘤1例。1例电视纵隔镜检查纵隔淋巴结为反应性增生，行左下肺叶切除，病理为鳞癌。2例术前纤维支气管镜病理确诊左下肺鳞癌，电视纵隔镜检查右气管旁淋巴结转移。术中发生气胸1例、出血1例、喉返神经麻痹和切口感染各2例。结论电视纵隔镜术不但是肺癌术前病理分期、纵隔疾病的重要检查方法，而且也是诊治恶性胸腔积液的简便方法。     

电视胸腔镜手术诊治恶性胸腔积液

目的:探讨电视胸腔镜手术(VATS)诊治恶性胸腔积液的安全性和效果。方法:自2001年6月至2002年6月对7例胸腔病人实施了VATS诊治。均行胸腔活检、滑石粉喷洒胸腔固定术。结果:6例获得明确的病理诊断,4例为癌胸膜转移,2例为恶性间皮细胞瘤。1例未明确诊断,无术后严重并发症和死亡。随访1～8个月,胸腔积液均得到控制,未见复发。结论:电视胸腔镜手术在诊治恶性胸水方面有明显的优点。     

电视胸腔镜诊治胸腔积液的临床体会

目的:探讨电视胸腔镜手术诊治胸腔积液的应用价值。方法:回顾分析2006年3月至2012年8月为152例胸腔积液患者行电视胸腔镜手术的临床资料。双腔气管插管全麻后置入胸腔镜及活检钳,取胸膜组织送病理检查,并根据病理检查结果决定治疗方案。结果:152例患者中肺癌胸膜转移83例,恶性胸膜间皮瘤18例,胸腺瘤3例,恶性肿瘤胸膜转移16例,来源不明的转移肿瘤4例,结核性胸水25例,3例未明确诊断。恶性胸腔积液患者行滑石粉胸膜固定,根据病理类型术后予以规范化抗肿瘤治疗。结核性胸腔积液患者,术后予以正规抗结核治疗。余者均根据病理回报结果进行相应后续治疗。结论:电视胸腔镜手术诊治胸腔积液微创,确诊率高,疗效确切,为进一步治疗疾病提供了有力证据。     

电视纵隔镜术的临床应用和体会

目的探讨电视纵隔镜术在胸外科疾病中的应用体会。方法回顾性分析我科2008年3月至2010年10月开展的64例电视纵隔镜术病例,58例患者行颈部纵隔镜术,5例行胸骨旁纵隔镜术,1例大量胸腔积液患者行胸膜纵隔镜活检术,标本分别送冰冻和石蜡病理检查。结果本组63例患者获得明确病理诊断,1例假阴性病例,准确率为98．4％,无手术死亡发生,1例纵隔淋巴结结核患者切口感染,换药后Ⅱ期缝合治愈,余无严重并发症发生。结论电视纵隔镜术是一项创伤性小、安全性好、准确率高的临床诊治方法。     

电视纵隔镜检查的临床应用

本文综述了电视纵隔镜在临床诊治上的应用,包括:(1)电视纵隔镜的检查方法;(2)电视纵隔镜在胸部疾病的诊断,如肺癌分期及对前、上纵隔占位性病变的诊断;在治疗上已经应用于纵隔占位及食管癌的切除、手汗症的治疗、恶性胸水的诊治及纵隔脓肿的引流等方面;(3)电视纵隔镜检查的并发症.     

电视纵隔镜手术诊治胸部疾病36例

目的探讨电视纵隔镜检查术（video-mediastinoscopy,VM）在肺癌术前分期、纵隔疾病诊断中的价值。方法自2006年2月至2007年4月,我们采用电视纵隔镜对36例拟诊为肺癌、纵隔肿物患者进行检查,33例经颈部行纵隔镜术,采用全身麻醉单腔气管内插管;3例经肋间行纵隔镜术,采用全身麻醉双腔气管内插管。结果除术前纤维支气管镜检查确诊4例外,余30例均经电视纵隔镜术检查后确诊;2例诊断不明或可能误诊,其中1例转院失访,另1例经开胸活检证实为肺大B细胞淋巴瘤。平均手术时间55min,平均出血量40ml,术后无死亡患者,无切口感染;发生并发症2例,1例出血,经止血纱布填压止血;1例喉返神经麻痹,经中医针灸治疗后好转。结论电视纵隔镜术是肺癌术前病理分期、纵隔疾病的重要检查方法,具有诊断准确率高、安全可靠等优点。     

Single access videothoracoscopic biopsy and talc pleurodesis in patients with malignant pleural effusion

Aim-Background

Recurrent pleural effusion is frequently observed in clinical experience and malignancy is one of the most frequent causes. Although it is generally necessary to prevent the recurrence of effusion in patients with disseminated neoplastic disease, in others, a diagnosis is required. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of biopsy and pleurodesis by a single access videothoracoscopic approach.

Methods

We report a consecutive series of 20 patients (12 men, 8 women, aged 39 to 83 years) who underwent single access videothoracoscopy with pleural biopsy and talc pleurodesis for recurrent pleural effusion. In all cases, indication for the procedure was a recurrent pleural effusion, suspicious for malignancy. Videothoracoscopy was performed under general anaesthesia. For pleurodesis, an average of 8g of sterile talc powder was used. A six-month follow-up was completed for all patients, and efficacy was judged by clinical examination and chest X-ray.

Results

Diagnosis was obtained in all cases. In five cases, the diagnosis was a pleural involvement by breast cancer metastasis, and in four cases, a primary lung cancer was detected. Eight were mesotheliomas and one a parapneumonic collection. In two cases, an unknown-malignancy recurrent pleural effusion was observed. No deaths, talc-induced ARDS or malignant invasion of the scar occurred, but only a postoperative empyema and two subcutaneous emphysemas treated successfully without further operation.

Conclusions

Single access videothoracoscopic pleural biopsy and talc pleurodesis is a safe and effective method for the diagnosis and treatment of malignant pleural effusions.     

Treatment of Malignant Pleural Effusion: A Method Using Tube Thoracostomy and Talc

Our experience with a simple bedside method for controlling recurrent symptomatic malignant pleural effusion is presented. The method consists of intercostal tube thoracostomy, instillation of a suspension of talc, and waterseal suction drainage. Based on our experience, we believe certain criteria should be met before undertaking talc pleurodesis. In properly selected patients the results with tube thoracostomy and talc pleurodesis have been uniformly good in preventing fluid recurrence and return of disabling symptoms. The technique and results are discussed.     

Long-term follow-up of video-assisted talc pleurodesis in malignant recurrent pleural effusions.

OBJECTIVE: Recurrent pleural effusion is a common condition and often presents a challenge for treatment. The aim of this report is to evaluate the long-term follow-up of thoracoscopic management of malignant recurrent pleural effusions. METHODS: From July 1st, 1992 to February 28th, 2001, out of 2311 VATS procedures performed at our Institution, 690 patients (29.85%) underwent videothoracoscopy (VATS) for recurrent pleural effusion. Of these 611 (88.55%) were treated for a malignant pleural effusion. There were 374 male and 237 female, with a mean age of 61.2 years. In all patients VATS was performed under general anaesthesia. The pleural effusion was carefully aspirated; fibrinous adhesions were taken down while dense fibrous adhesions were selectively divided; some limited decortications were also performed. Multiple pleural biopsies were always performed. Pleurodesis was performed with 5 g of sterile purified talc insufflated through a talc atomizer. One chest tube was left in situ for 3-5 days. RESULTS: Operative mortality was 0.81% (five cases). Postoperative complications occurred in 19 cases (3.1%). Specific histologic diagnosis was obtained in all patients. Follow-up was available for 602 patients (98.5%). After a median follow-up of 64 months (range 5-105 months), talc pleurodesis was successful in controlling recurrence of effusion in 92.7% (558 out of 602) of patients. The success rate did not show any statistically significant difference between patients who underwent postoperative adjuvant therapy and patients who did not. In two patients with failure of talc pleurodesis a redo-VATS was performed. CONCLUSIONS: VATS represents the method of choice for both diagnosis and treatment of malignant recurrent pleural effusions. Talc poudrage is safe and effective in obtaining pleurodesis.     

Life expectancy of patients with malignant pleural effusion treated with video-assisted thoracoscopic talc pleurodesis

The aim of the current study was to analyse postoperative complications and survival after video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) talc pleurodesis for malignant pleural effusion. All patients with morphologically proven malignant pleural effusion who underwent VATS talc pleurodesis from November 1995 to November 2002 were included in retrospective analysis. VATS was performed in general anaesthesia and 5 g of asbestos-free talc was insufflated into the pleural cavity. Postoperative pleural drainage was used until fluid output was less than 100 ml/24 h. Ninety-eight patients (28 male and 70 female) with mean age 59.6 (range 18-82) years were included. Thirteen patients had a bilateral pleural effusion. The most common primary cancer sites were lung (30 cases), breast (25) and ovarium (11). Average duration of the operation was 46 (range 10-120) min. Median duration of postoperative drainage was 3 (range 1-20) days and postoperative hospitalisation 7 (range 3-70) days. Twenty-eight patients had postoperative complications (fever in 17 cases). In seven cases pleurodesis was ineffective. Median survival was 8.4 months. Six-, 12- and 24-month survival was 58% (95% CI [0.47-0.67]), 39% [0.29-0.49] and 20% [0.12-0.29], respectively. Survival data after VATS talc pleurodesis advocate use of this invasive treatment method despite the advanced stage of cancer.     

Pleuroscopy in the preoperative staging of bronchial cancer

The use of pleuroscopy or thoracoscopy in preoperative staging and resectability assessment of lung cancer is uncommon. Diagnostic and exploratory thoracoscopy could be helpful in three circumstances: when malignant pleural effusion is suspected with a lung cancer, while all the initial investigations remain negative: (cytology, needle-biopsy); in cases with radiological images (using CTs-can or MRI) of small metastatic pleural masses without effusion: thoracoscopy is performed after creating a pneumothorax; when mediastinal or hilar extension of the tumor and lymph-nodes (especially in the left superior mediastinum) cannot be reached for biopsy by mediastinoscopy or parasternal mediastinotomy. The investigation is performed under general anesthesia using double-lumen selective intubation and lung exclusion. This procedure provides a better view of the pleural space and mediastinal and hilar areas; macroscopic involvement of vital structures, organs or vessels can be easily seen and large biopsy specimens safely taken, without any postoperative morbidity. Talc insufflation for pleurodesis is added in patients with massive pleural effusion. Failures of the method or false-negative biopsies are related to previous pleurodesis, pleural partition, or adhesions. The contribution of CT scan and MRI imaging is mandatory to determine indications and to select the best endoscopic approach.     

Cervical video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery using a flexible endoscope for bilateral thoracoscopy

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has become the standard of care for pleural evaluation, drainage, and pleurodesis. The major limitations to standard VATS techniques include intercostal pain and the unilateral nature of the procedure. We report on a cervical VATS approach for bilateral thoracoscopy, pleural biopsy, and talc pleurodesis using a flexible video endoscope without any intercostal incision. A 64-year old male with peritoneal carcinomatosis was noted to have significant bilateral pleural effusions. A cervical video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (C-VATS) procedure was performed through a 2-cm cervical incision using a sterile flexible gastroscope. Bilateral thoracoscopy, pleural drainage, pleural biopsies, lung biopsy, and talc pleurodesis were performed. No thoracic intercostal incisions were performed. Total operative time was 48 minutes. The procedure was successful and the recovery was uneventful. The patient was discharged 4 days after the procedure. C-VATS is an extremely minimally invasive procedure. It avoids intercostal incisions and allows for bilateral pleural procedures through a single small cervical incision.     

Management of recurrent malignant pleural effusion in the United Kingdom: survey of clinical practice.

Malignant pleural effusions are often symptomatic and tend to recur after simple aspiration. Pleurodesis may prevent recurrence of the effusion; many agents and techniques have been described. A questionnaire was sent to 448 clinicians in the United Kingdom to determine how pleurodesis is performed in practice. There was a 56% overall response, with replies from 101 respiratory physicians, 88 general physicians, 29 thoracic surgeons, and 35 general surgeons. General surgeons saw few cases of malignant pleural effusion and rarely performed pleurodesis. A patient with recurrent malignant pleural effusion would usually be managed with pleurodesis by 76 (76%) respiratory physicians, 26 (30%) general physicians, and 23 (81%) thoracic surgeons; a further 29 (33%) general physicians would refer such patients to another specialist. Most medical pleurodesis were performed by junior staff, whereas consultant thoracic surgeons were more likely to be concerned with the procedure. All the thoracic surgeons used an intercostal tube drain, usually with suction. An intercostal tube drain was used routinely by only 54 (54%) of the respiratory physicians and 28 (32%) general physicians. Thoracic surgeons preferred talc for pleurodesis whereas physicians most commonly used tetracycline. The variety of methods in use supports the need for randomised, controlled studies to determine the most effective technique of pleurodesis.     

Thoracoscopic palliative treatment of malignant pleural effusions

Background The aim of this study was to analyze the results of pleurodesis for malignant pleural effusion performed by surgeons. Patients and methods A series of 273 patients with malignant pleural effusion underwent thoracoscopy with the aim of performing a palliative pleurodesis. There were 94 males (34.4%) and 175 females (64.1%), ranging in age from 15 to 94 years (mean age: 60.6 years). The effusion was on the right side in 136 patients (49.8%), on the left side in 110 (40.3%), and bilateral in 27 (9.9%). Thoracoscopy was performed under general anaesthesia in all patients. Pleural biopsy was performed in two thirds of the patients (70.7%). Pleurodesis was produced by instillation of 5g of sterile asbestos-free talc; the chest tube was left in place a minimum of 3 days. It was removed when fluid drainage was less than 200 ml/24 h. Patients were usually discharged the day after chest tube removal. Results There was no intraoperative mortality. Two patients (0.7%) had intraoperative complications; 17 (6.2%) underwent a bilateral pleurodesis, and 10 (3.7%) had a pericardiopleural window. In 32 patients (11.7%) no pleurodesis was done, either because the lung did not properly re-expand (5.2%), or because of suspected infection, e.g., false membranes (1.9%), or because of multiple adhesions (4.6%). Finally, only 241 patients (88.3%) had a talc poudrage at the time of thoracoscopy. Duration of postoperative pleural drainage ranged between 1 and 11 days (mean: 3.64 days). The postoperative hospital stay ranged from 2 to 21 days (mean: 7.1 days). Pleural empyema occurred in 4 patients (1.5%) and was lethal in one patient. The mean follow-up period was 8.39 (7.2 months, and 172 patients had regular follow up. In this group, there were 24 recurrences (14%), 12 of which were treated by repeat pleurodesis. The results were very good in 133 patients (77.3%), acceptable in 35 patients (20.3%), and there was a failure in 4 patients (2.4%). Conclusions Results of surgical thoracoscopy for malignant pleural effusion are good, with low morbidity. However, in debilitated patients, bedside talc slurry may be preferable. Presented at the 13th Congress of the EAES (European Association for Endoscopic Surgery), Venice, June 2005.     

Treatment of malignant pleural effusion by pleurodesis with talc

In some types of cancer (breast, lung) a malignant pleural effusion may be present during the evolution of the neoplastic disease in more than 50% of cases. The main therapeutic option for palliative purposes in these cases is chemical pleurodesis with talc. The aims of this study were to report on our experience with the use of pleurodesis with talc in the treatment of patients affected by malignant pleural effusions and to analyse the results in the short and mean term. Over the period from January 1998 to December 1999, 16 patients were included in the study. The causes of the pleural effusion were a pleural mesothelioma in 1 patient and pleural metastases in 15 patients (from lung and breast cancers in 62%). We treated 14 of these patients with talc poudrage and 2 patients with talc slurry. The talc was applied under video-assisted thorascopic management in 15 patients, while in 1 patient the talc was injected via the thoracic drainage tube. Two patients died within the first month as a result of progression of the neoplastic disease and one patient was withdrawn from the study owing to failure to collaborate. Of the other 13 patients, 11 (84%) had a total or partial response to the pleurodesis; in 9 of these patients (69.2%) the response remained stable until death, while in 2 patients the pleural effusion reappeared after 3 and 5 months, respectively. Failure of the pleurodesis occurred in 2/13 patients owing to reappearance of the pleural effusion within the first month.     

Thoracoscopic Talc Pleurodesis for the Treatment of Spontaneous Pneumothorax

Background: During the Belgian Surgical Week in May 2004 some controversy existed on the optimal treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax. Doubts raised about the safety of talc in performing pleurodesis because of reported complications.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of thoracoscopic pleurodesis with talc was performed. Patients operated for spontaneous pneumothorax were analysed focusing on complications and freedom of recurrence. A literature search was performed on complications from the use of talc to treat pleural disease. Results: From September 1999 till August 2004 forty-one patients had a thoracoscopic pleurodesis with talc. In 21 patients this was performed for recurrent malignant pleural effusion and in 20 for spontaneous pneumothorax. In 5 of these 20 patients we faced a secondary spontaneous pneumothorax. In seven patients an apical pulmonary wedge resection of bullae was performed. No intra-operative or serious postoperative complications were seen in these patients. All drains were removed after 4 to 6 days. No episodes of respiratory insufficiency occurred. No recurrence was encountered during a mean follow-up of 22.7 months.

Conclusion: Thoracoscopic talc pleurodesis for spontaneous pneumothorax was effective and safe in our experience. In the literature no convincing evidence against the use of talc to treat pleural disease was found. Although some cases of ARDS are attributed to the pleural administration of talc, the incidence of complications after talc poudrage appears to be low.