Video-assisted thoracic surgery for primary spontaneous hemopneumothorax.

OBJECTIVE: Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has changed the way we manage a number of thoracic conditions. This study presents near over a decade of experience from our institution on management of spontaneous hemopneumothorax (SHP), with particular reference to the use of VATS. METHODS: Retrospective review between March 1988 and December 2002 with 793 patients treated for spontaneous pneumothorax, 30 (3.8%) patients had SHP. The clinical features, indications for surgery and outcomes are discussed. RESULTS: All 30 SHP patients were male with mean age of 25 years. Signs of significant hypovolemia occurred in 4 patients, 3 required blood transfusion. Mean initial blood drainage from tube thoracostomy was 594 ml. All SHP patients received surgery (5 thoracotomies, 25 VATS). Active bleeding was identified in 16 patients; 12 from torn apical vascular adhesion band and 4 from vascular bleb. Postoperative complications after thoracotomy include 2 chest infections and 1 air leak, while VATS had 1 chest infection and 1 air leak (P=0.022). Mean postoperative hospital stay following VATS was 3.9 days and thoracotomy 7.5 days (P=0.0021). There is no recurrence of pneumothorax or SHP during mean follow-up of 21 months. CONCLUSION: SHP can be life threatening and is a cause for patients presenting with unexplained signs of significant hypovolemia. Surgery in the form of VATS should be considered early in the management of SHP, with potentially less postoperative complications and shorter postoperative hospital stay compared with open thoracotomy.     

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is finding an ever-increasing role in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of thoracic disorders that previously required sternotomy or open thoracotomy. The potential advantages of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery include less postoperative pain, fewer operative complications, shortened hospital stay and reduced costs. The following review examines the surgical and anesthetic considerations of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, with an emphasis on recently published articles.     

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery

We describe our experience with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Twenty-nine patients were operated on with this technique for various anterior thoracic spinal lesions. There were 6 cases of disc herniation with simple resection, 6 with acute thoracic fractures requiring anterior grafting and stabilization, 7 old fractures and malunions treated by corporectomy, grafting and anterior stabilization in 3, 4 with spinal metastases that were resected and stabilized, 3 with a paravertebral spinal tumor (2 schwannomas and 1 chondroblastoma), and 3 osteoid osteomas that were resected with anterior grafting in one case. Indications for these procedures are specified and the technical considerations discussed for each group of pathologies. We had three complications: one conversion to thoracotomy in a case of spinal metastasis, one pleural effusion, and one incomplete resection of a thoracic disc herniation. We emphasize the need for minimally invasive approaches in spinal surgery.     

Video-assisted thoracoscopic treatment for spontaneous pneumothorax as two-day surgery

BACKGROUND: To see whether video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) as 2-day surgery is a safe and cost-effective procedure, we retrospectively compared VATS as 2-day surgery with standard VATS. METHODS: From April 1994 to March 2000, 139 SP patients were operated on: 115 patients were operated on by means of standard VATS and 24 were treated by 2-day surgery. The parameters we compared were the postoperative complications, hospitalization cost, and relapses. RESULTS: Excepting that 2 of those selected for 2-day surgery required another hospitalization, short-term complications were considered to be similar for the two groups. The median economic cost of 2-day surgery was about $5,822 US dollars and was lower than that of standard VATS. The difference in the recurrence rate between the two groups was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that VATS as 2-day surgery is a safe and cost-effective procedure.     

Three cases of emergency video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for spontaneous hemopneumothorax]

We experienced 3 cases of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for spontaneous hemopneumothorax. All the patients had received emergent operations because of massive intrathoracic bleeding. At the operation, a 3 cm-minithoracotomy and 2 trocar ports were fashioned. In the head up position, massive blood clots in the apex in the thoracic cavity was removed by using grasping forceps and the source of bleeding point was detected easily. The bleeding was successfully stopped. It was difficult to remove massive blood clots from trocar port by suction, however it was easy to remove massive blood clots from a 3 cm-minithoracotomy window by using a large grasping forceps. Post operative course was satisfactory and the all patients discharged within 2 weeks after admission. We concluded that the spontaneous hemopneumothorax may be a good indication for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.     

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for spontaneous pneumothorax--a 7-year learning experience

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of increasing experience of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) on clinical efficacy and surgical practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study of 180 consecutive operations in 173 patients who underwent VATS for SP by a single surgeon during a 7 year period. RESULTS: 118 patients, mean age 32.1 years (range 13-63 years), were treated for primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) while 55 patients, mean age 65.9 years (range 28-92 years), were treated for secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP). All patients had VAT parietal pleurectomy combined in 162 (90%) patients with stapled bullectomy. At a current median experience of 2.0 years (range 0.4-6.8 years), 12 (6.6%) patients required reoperation for treatment failures within 12 months of surgery--9 patients within 30 days of VATS and 3 for late recurrent pneumothorax. Two patients (both with SSP) died within 30 days of surgery. When compared with PSP, VATS in SSP is characterized by an elderly, male predominance, a longer postoperative stay, a higher mortality rate and a lower rate of late recurrence. With increasing experience of the technique, there has been a significant decrease in treatment failures. In the treatment of PSP, both operating time and postoperative stay have decreased significantly with experience whilst the use of staple cartridges per patient has increased significantly with experience in both PSP and SSP. CONCLUSION: There is a demonstrable 'learning curve' effect on the clinical efficacy and surgical practice of video assisted thoracoscopic surgery for spontaneous pneumothorax.     

电视胸腔镜治疗气胸血气胸30例

目的 探讨电视腔镜在气胸、血气胸治疗中的应用价值。方法 回顾分析采用电视胸腔镜治疗气胸、血气胸30例临床资料。结果 30例电视胸腔镜手术均获成功。仅有l例术中并发复张性肺水肿,抢救转危为安,无手术死亡。平均手术时间89分钟,平均住院时间为5．8天,全部痊愈出院。结论采用电视腔镜手术治疗气胸、血气胸安全、有效、微创。术中采用钛夹间断夹闭法操作方便、经济;高度警惕术中出现复张性肺水肿并发症。     

Efficacy of uniportal video assisted thoracoscopic surgery in management of primary spontaneous hemopneumothorax

IntroductionPrimary spontaneous hemopneumothorax (PSHP) is an accumulation of blood and air in the pleural space without trauma or obvious etiology. It is a rare surgical emergency and may lead to hypovolemic shock if not treated. Early and fast recognition will improve patient outcomes.Presentation of the caseWe present a case of PSHP in a young male utilizing the uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) through the same incisional site of the thoracostomy tube. The patient made an uneventful recovery.DiscussionVATS has become the first line and the gold standard surgical management of most thoracic surgeries. In case of PSHP, some thoracic surgeons still skeptical about the minimal invasive approach in such emergency. Applying the concept of uniportal technique, which can be used for diagnostic as well as major therapeutic purposes. There is vast literature that support the notion that it reduces postoperative pain and paresthesia and lead to fast patient recovery.ConclusionAs demonstrated in our case, uniportal VATS is safe and effective in the management of PSHP.     

婴幼儿电视胸腔镜手术

目的：探讨电视胸腔镜手术（ＶＡＴＳ）在婴幼儿胸部疾病诊断和治疗中的价值,方法：对１０例平均年龄１．８岁,平均体重９．７kg的婴幼儿施行了ＶＡＴＳ,包括脓胸清除４例,纵隔肿瘤摘除,先天性肺囊肿切除和先天性膈疝修补各２例,占同期ＶＡＴＳ总数的３．１％。结果：全组平均手术时间６８min.平均留置胸管２．０d,术后平均住院７．５d,其中１例膈疝术后第１０d ld 因左肺发育不良,左肺不张死于呼吸衰竭,结论：婴幼儿ＶＡＴＳ安全,可行,发展前明良好。     

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for primary spontaneous pneumothorax: clinicopathological correlation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the identifiable pulmonary abnormalities during thoracoscopy with the histological findings in patients requiring surgical intervention for recurrent or persistent primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) and correlate these with the postoperative events. METHODS: From January 1999 to December 2002, 94 consecutive patients underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic wedge excision and apical pleurectomy for PSP. Vanderschueren's classification was used for macroscopic staging and histological observation for microscopic features. Clinical data of these patients and the outcome of surgery were described. RESULTS: All patients were successfully treated using video-assisted thoracoscopic technique. Recurrent pneumothorax was the most frequent indication for surgery, occurring in 60 cases. The method of management was stapling of an identified bleb or apex of the upper lobe and apical pleurectomy. In 67 cases (71%), clear bullae were found in types III and IV. In 15 cases (16%), type II pleuropulmonary adhesions were identified and in 12 (13%) cases thoracoscopy failed to reveal any abnormality (type I). The actual site of air leakage could be located during thoracoscopy in 24 (26%) patients. Histologically, 74 patients had subpleural bullae/blebs formation and 20 had emphysema without bullae. Fifty-three patients had cellular infiltration and 82 had pleural fibrosis. In the microscopic examination, the actual site of air leakage could be located at the site of subpleural blebs or bullae in 15 patients and elsewhere at the lung surface in five other patients. Postoperative prolonged air leak occurred in 4 out of 12 patients in type I and in two of the remaining patients, p=0.001. Mean follow-up is 48 months (range, 30-60 months) for all patients. Pneumothorax recurred in three patients (3.1%). Two patients from type I (16.6%) and one patient from the other types (1.2%) had recurrence (p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Video-assisted thoracoscopic stapling of an identified bleb or apex of the upper lobe and apical pleurectomy represents the standard treatment for the majority of recurrent or persistent PSP. Most patients with surgically treated PSP have subpleural blebs or bullae or isolated emphysema. In type I cases, simple apical excision and apical pleurectomy are not sufficient and perhaps additional talc poudrage might be indicated.     

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in the prone position

STUDY DESIGN: Review of 27 consecutive patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in the prone position for anterior release and discectomy. OBJECTIVES: To convey the benefits and safety of this new technique for treating spinal deformities through VATS. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: All reports using VATS for spinal deformities describe the patient in the lateral position. This is the first study to demonstrate the benefits and safety of the prone position. METHODS: The patient is positioned prone, prepared, and draped allowing room for lateral portals on the convexity of the curve. Traditionally, a double-lumen endotracheal tube is used to deflate the ipsilateral lung. Prone positioning eliminates this need, because gravity aids in retraction of the lung. RESULTS: All procedures were successfully performed using the VATS technique with the patient prone. After the anterior release and discectomy, posterior instrumentation (n = 27), costoplasty (n = 16), and fusion (n = 27) were performed. The time (n = 20) and blood loss (n = 16) for the anterior approach averaged 129 +/- 35 minutes and 221 +/- 231 mL, respectively. The mean number of disks resected was 3.3 +/- 0.7 (range, 2-5). CONCLUSION: The prone position is both safe and effective for VATS when treating spinal deformity. The current results confirm that there is no need to insert a double-lumen tube, there is gravity-assisted correction of kyphosis when the patient is prone, and significant operative time is saved with the elimination of repositioning and redraping before the posterior procedure. Surgical times and blood loss compare very favorably with those reported for VATS in the lateral position.     

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in managing tuberculous spondylitis

The literature includes no studies on the use of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in the management of tuberculous spondylitis, and its role in the management of tuberculosis involving the thoracic spine remains unclear. The authors experience with 10 consecutive patients (six women, four men) who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for the treatment of spinal tuberculosis involving levels from T5 to T11, from January 1996 to December 1997, was analyzed. Using the extended manipulating channel method (2.5-3.5 cm portal incisions), video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was performed with a three-portal technique (seven patients) or a modified two-portal minithoracotomy technique that required a small incision for the thoracoscope and a larger incision, measuring 5 to 6 cm, for the procedures in three patients. All the patients were studied prospectively. The followup ranged from 17 to 42 months (mean, 24 months). Postoperative complications included one lung atelectasis. Pleural adhesions, owing to local inflammation or paravertebral abscess, were seen in four patients and one patient with severe pleurodesis needed an open technique for treatment. Postoperative air leaks were seen in four (40%) of 10 patients but all were transient. The average neurologic recovery was 1.1 grades on the Frankel's scale. The data from this series of patients with tuberculous spondylitis show that video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery has diagnostic and therapeutic roles in the management of tuberculous spondylitis. Technically, a combination of thoracoscopy and conventional spinal instruments to perform video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery through the extended manipulating channels, which were placed slightly more posterior than usual, was effective and safe.     

胸腔镜手术治疗创伤性血胸

目的探讨电视胸腔镜在创伤性血胸中的应用. 方法 2000年3月～2004年3月,电视胸腔镜手术治疗创伤性中等量以上血胸60例,其中伴休克征象12例,合并肝脾损伤6例.单侧胸腔镜手术48例,除3例心脏损伤辅助小切口行心脏修补术外,均在镜下手术;双侧胸腔镜手术6例;胸腔镜和腹腔镜联合手术6例. 结果手术时间45～175 min,平均105 min.术后住院7～13 d,平均11 d,无并发症发生. 结论电视胸腔镜手术治疗创伤性血胸手术时间短,恢复快,是一种安全、有效、微创的方法.     

食管良性疾病的胸腔镜手术

目的：探讨食管良性疾病的胸腔镜治疗技术在我国的实用性和安全性。方法：在4个胸腔镜套管切口下分别为29例食管良性疾病病人施行手术治疗，其中食管平滑肌瘤摘除术15例，贲门失弛缓症肌层切开术6例，食管结核病灶清除术，食管憩室切除术和食管裂孔疝 修补术各2例，食管囊肿切除和取异物术各1例，结果：无手术死亡及严重手术并发症，有3例病人中转开胸手术，其中2例因食管粘膜撕裂，1例因胸膜致密粘连，平均手术时间为95min，术后平均住院日为6d。结论：食管良性疾病的胸腔镜手术创伤小，恢复快，手术瘢痕小，这种安全，效果可靠的新术式应取代常规开胸手术。