The effect of thoracoscopy upon the repair of pectus excavatum

Background/aims

The Nuss procedure is the most commonly performed operation to correct pectus excavatum (PE). Thoracoscopic assistance has been anecdotally noted to improve the safety of this operative approach. This study aimed to compare complications and clinical outcomes before and after the introduction of thoracoscopy in a single-center.

Thoracoscopic posterior tracheopexy for tracheomalacia: A minimally invasive technique

Background

Tracheomalacia is the most common congenital abnormality of the trachea. Posterior tracheopexy to alleviate posterior intrusion contributing to dynamic tracheal collapse has been reported using thoracotomy or median sternotomy. Here we describe the minimally invasive operative technique of thoracoscopic posterior tracheopexy with bronchoscopic guidance.

电视胸腔镜肺叶切除术缩短患者术后住院时间

目的：通过患者术后住院时问评价电视胸腔镜行肺叶切除术的微创意义。方法：总结2001．5～2002．5我院通过电视胸腔镜技术所行肺口叶切除术30例。患者年龄6～66岁。良性病变14例，肺癌16例。行单肺叶切除28例，双肺叶切除2例，肺癌病例均行肺门纵隔淋巴结清扫。术中辅助一7～9cm切口作为操作切口。结合内镜器械和常规器械解剖肺门结构及肺裂，推结器结扎肺血管，切割缝合器处理支气管。术毕用0／4可吸收线皮内缝合切口。结果：术中无中转大切口开胸，除1例术后反复出现阵发性室上性心动过速，无其它严重并发症发生。术后患者疼痛轻，多数口服止痛药即可。术后恢复快，最早第三天即户外活动。6例术后5天出院，23例术后7天出院，1例术后9天出院，平均术后住院6天，较本院开胸肺叶切除术后常规9天出院住院时间明显缩短。结论：电视胸腔镜肺叶切除为微创伤手术，术后患者恢复快，疼痛轻，住院时间较普通开胸手术明显缩短。     

VAMT肺切除术51例

目的:探讨电视胸腔镜辅助小切口(VAMT)在各式肺切除术的可行性、适应证和意义。方法:应用VAMT肺切除术治疗肺部良性病变和肺癌51例,采用常规开胸手术器械与内镜器械相结合直视操作行全肺切除、肺叶切除及病变局部切除术。结果:51例VAMT肺切除术顺利完成,平均手术时间80 min,平均住院时间9d,无死亡,术后并发症少。结论:VAMT可有选择地应用于除袖式肺叶切除术以外的多种肺切除术,适合于肺部良性病变、转移性肺癌及部分原发性肺癌病人的手术治疗,适应证广,具有创伤小、疼痛轻、恢复快、切口美观等优点,值得推广。     

全胸腔镜肺叶切除手术操作流程及技巧的优化:北京大学人民医院经验

目的 总结北京大学人民医院全胸腔镜肺叶切除手术的操作流程和技巧的优化改进经验.方法 2006年9月至2010年8月连续开展全胸腔镜肺叶切除手术408例,男214例,女194例,平均年龄58.6岁.实体肿瘤平均最大径30.1 mm.手术采用双腔气管插管全身麻醉,健侧单肺通气.胸腔镜观察口选择第7或8肋间腋后线,长1.5 cm;辅助操作切口选择在肩胛下角线第7或8肋间,长1.5 cm;主操作口选择在第4或第5肋间腋前线,长约4 cm,无需放置开胸器,不牵开肋骨.全部操作过程完全在胸腔镜下完成.术者位于病人前侧,双手分别握持吸引器和电凝钩,在主操作口内进行操作;助手位于病人背侧,使用卵圆钳经辅助操作口帮助牵拉显露.基本操作顺序与传统开胸肺叶切除相同.肺癌病人均清扫纵隔淋巴结:肿瘤位于右侧,清扫2、4、3A、3P、7、8、9、10组淋巴结;左侧清扫3、5、6、7、8、9、10组淋巴结,必要时清扫第4组淋巴结.结果 全组手术顺利,围手术期死亡1例,无严重并发症发生.平均手术时间195 min,平均术中出血249 ml.术后病理良性疾病86例,恶性疾病322例.全组中转开胸35例,中转开胸率8.6%.术后轻微并发症48例,并发症发生率11.8%.术后平均带胸管时间7.9天,术后平均住院天数10.9天.结论 全胸腔镜肺叶切除手术操作难度较高,开展此项手术应具备5个方面条件:(1)较清晰的胸腔镜设备,(2)良好的术野显露,(3)熟练的镜下血管解剖分离技巧,(4)能将血管和支气管置入缝合切开器内,(5)纵隔淋巴结清扫技术.掌握正确的操作流程及一些关键技巧,可以缩短学习曲线.     

两种手术方法治疗特发性脊柱侧凸的效果比较

目的比较经胸腔镜前路微创矫形术与传统前路矫形术治疗特发性脊柱侧凸的临床效果。方法70例特发性脊柱侧凸患者在知情同意情况下,按患者意愿分为A组和B组各35例,A组采用胸腔镜下前路微创矫形术,B组采用传统前路矫形术,比较两组手术时间、并发症、住院时间、患者满意率、总有效率及治疗前后的Cobb角等。结果A组手术时间（225．6±30．8）min、住院时间（2．7±0．8）d均短于B组[（365．4±23．8）min、（4．8±1．2）d]（t=3．26、3．78,均P〈0．05）,A组并发症发生率8．6％明显低于B组的20．0％（X^2=3．45,P〈0．05）,患者满意率（97．1％）及总有效率（97．1％）均高于B组（80．0％、85．75％）（X^2=2．85、3．01,均P〈0．05）,Cobb角（14．2±5．4）。小于B组（23．4±5．6）。（t=2．97,P〈0.05）。结论经胸腔镜前路微创矫形术治疗特发性脊柱侧凸临床效果较传统前路矫形术疗效好、并发症发生率低,值得临床推广应用。     

Thoracoscopic Thoracic Duct Ligation for Persistent Cervical Chyle Leak: Utility of Immediate Pathologic Confirmation

Objective:

Chylous fistulas can occur after neck surgery. Both nonoperative measures and direct fistula ligation may lead to fistula resolution. However, a refractory fistula requires upstream thoracic duct ligation. This can be accomplished minimally invasively. Success depends on lymphatic flow interruption where the duct enters the thorax. We report on the utility of frozen section confirmation in achieving this goal.

Methods:

Persistent chylous fistulas occurred in 2 patients after left cervical operations. In the first patient, attempted direct fistula ligation and sclerosant application failed. Fasting, parenteral nutrition, and somatostatin-analog provided no benefit. For the second patient, nonoperative treatment was also ineffective. Prior radiation therapy and multiple cervical operations militated against attempted direct fistula ligation. Both patients underwent thoracoscopic thoracic duct interruption.

Results:

In both cases, a duct candidate was identified between the aorta and azygos vein. Frozen section analysis of tissue resected between endoclips verified it as thoracic duct. Fistula resolution ensued promptly in both instances.

Conclusions:

This report lends further credence to the efficacy of minimally invasive thoracic duct ligation in treating postoperative cervical chylous fistulas. Frozen section confirmation of thoracic duct tissue is useful. It allows one facile with thoracoscopy, but less familiar with thoracic duct ligation, to confidently terminate the operation.     

电视胸腔镜辅助小切口行双侧肺减容术治疗重度肺气肿

目的:评价电视胸腔镜辅助小切口行双侧肺减容术治疗重度肺气肿的疗效,并总结围术期的处理经验。方法:回顾分析2006年以来为18例重度肺气肿患者实施肺减容术的临床资料,对比分析手术前后肺功能指标和动脉血氧分压的变化。结果:本组无手术死亡病例,2例合并急性呼吸衰竭。术后随访半年,平均第1秒用力呼气量增加39.2%,用力肺活量增加20.1%,残气量下降26.5%,肺总量下降23.1%,动脉血氧分压平均上升15.1%,与术前相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:电视胸腔镜辅助小切口行双侧肺减容术是经济有效的治疗方法,能明显改善重度肺气肿患者的临床症状和生理状况,增加活动能力。     

Thoracoscopy‐assisted mini‐open surgery for anterior column reconstruction in thoracic spinal tuberculosis

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effects of thoracoscopy‐assisted mini‐open surgery for anterior column reconstruction in thoracic spinal tuberculosis. Methods: Fifty‐eight patients, 35 men and 23 women, aged 39.2 (range, 19–60) years with thoracic spinal tuberculosis with an average kyphotic angle of 29.2° (range, 18°–42°) underwent thoracoscopy‐assisted mini‐open surgeries, including thorough debridement and anterior spinal reconstruction. According to the Frankel Grading system, preoperative neurological function was judged as Grade B in 3 cases, Grade C in 7, Grade D in 28, and Grade E in 20. All patients were followed up for an average of 4.6 years. Outcomes were evaluated retrospectively. Results: Surgery was accomplished successfully in all cases. The average operation time was 230 min (range, 180–320 min), the average intraoperative blood loss 570 ml (range, 350–1200 ml), and the mean drainage duration 3.6 days (3–5 days). Complications occurred in 19 patients (32.8%). Neurological improvement of one to three grades had occurred in 29 patients by final follow‐up. The average correction rate of the kyphotic angle was 36.4%, and no obvious correction loss was detected during follow‐up. No recurrent tuberculosis was found in the group. Conclusions: Thoracoscopy‐assisted mini‐open surgery provides a simple, safe, effective, and practical technology with minimal invasiveness for the treatment of thoracic spinal tuberculosis.     

Mediastinal hyperfunctioning parathyroids: incidence, evolving treatment, and outcome

BACKGROUND: The evaluation and treatment of hyperfunctioning mediastinal parathyroid gland(s) (MPG) is evolving. This study reports our overall experience with MPG in a tertiary referral center. METHODS: A prospective database of 922 patients undergoing parathyroidectomy by 2 surgeons from 1982 to 2005 was reviewed. RESULTS: Thirty-two of 922 (3.5%) patients had MPG. Nine (28%) patients had a prior failed parathyroidectomy. Sestamibi and computed tomography scans were correctly positive in 24/28 (86%) and 6/7 (86%) patients, respectively. MPGs were removed via cervical approach in 22 (69%). Eleven of 22 patients had a focused cervical approach. Nine MPGs required a limited sternotomy (n = 3) or a successful radioguided video-assisted thoracoscopic approach (VATS, n = 4) for removal. Two VATS were converted to a full sternotomy. One patient refused surgery. All patients who required sternotomy/VATS had MPGs caudal to the innominate vein. Twenty-nine of 31 (94%) patients were cured. Two are stable on calcimimetics. One patient has permanent hypoparathyroidism. CONCLUSIONS: Most MPGs can be removed through a cervical approach. Preoperative Sestamibi and computed tomography scans can help the surgeon plan the best initial surgical approach. Those below the innominate vein require a thoracic procedure, preferably a radioguided probe-assisted thoracoscopic resection with intraoperative parathyroid hormone (ioPTH). An alternative to surgical removal is medical treatment.