Journal of Chest Surgery最新文献

Background: With an aging population, the number of patients over 80 undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair is increasing. This study examines factors associated with mortality in these patients.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study involving 66 patients aged >80 who underwent AAA repair between January 2010 and December 2022 was conducted. Baseline characteristics, treatment methods (open surgical repair [OSR] or endovascular aneurysm repair [EVAR]), post-treatment mortality, complications, and reinterventions were analyzed.

Results: The mean age of patients was 82.74±2.64 years, with men comprising 74.2%. The OSR group had significantly younger patients than the EVAR group (81.92 years vs. 83.28 years, p=0.04). Rupture prevalence was significantly higher in the OSR group (27% vs. 7.5%, p=0.03). No significant difference was found in 30-day mortality rates between the OSR and EVAR groups (11.5% vs. 10%, p=0.85). Univariate logistic regression identified emergency surgery (odds ratio [OR], 6.18; p=0.04), post-treatment pneumonia (OR, 7.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-55.70; p=0.05), and vasopressor use (OR, 44.57; p<0.01) as significant factors associated with 30-day mortality. Cox proportional hazard regression revealed age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.19; p=0.02), preoperative bedridden state (HR, 22.24; p<0.01), sacrifice of both internal iliac arteries (HR, 5.26; p=0.04), and postoperative vasopressor use (HR, 30.04; p<0.01) as significant predictors of overall mortality.

Conclusion: In patients aged >80 years, aneurysm rupture and emergency operation significantly increased 30-day mortality following AAA repair. Preoperative bedridden status, management of internal iliac arteries, and postoperative vasopressor use were significant predictors of overall mortality. When determining surgical indications and predicting outcomes, careful attention should be given to factors influencing mortality throughout the entire surgical process.

Background: Several studies have demonstrated that emergency endovascular aneurysm repair (eEVAR) has become the standard treatment for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) compared to open surgical repair (OSR). This study investigated the feasibility of eEVAR in rAAA patients and analyzed the outcomes of OSR.

Methods: At our institution, all patients (n=58) presenting with rAAA underwent OSR. We conducted a retrospective review of surgically treated rAAA patients between February 2006 and March 2021. Patients with impending rupture or isolated iliac aneurysm rupture were excluded.

Results: Anatomic measurements based on preoperative computed tomography indicated that 28 patients (48.3%) could have been candidates for eEVAR. Reasons for unsuitability included: (1) proximal neck length <10 mm (n=21, 51.7%); (2) proximal neck angulation >60° (n=11, 19.0%); (3) iliac artery diameter <5 mm (n=6, 10.3%); and (4) proximal neck diameter >32 mm (n=3, 5.2%). The 30-day mortality rate for OSR was 17.2% (n=10). The 1-year and 5-year survival rates were 53.4%±6.5% and 33.4%±6.3%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that a high preoperative serum lactate level (>5 mmol/L) and the presence of bowel ischemia were significant risk factors for 30-day mortality (odds ratio [OR], 11.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.53-93.08; p<0.018; and OR, 15.28; 95% CI, 1.60-146.18; p<0.018, respectively).

Conclusion: More than half of rAAA patients were not candidates for eEVAR due to various anatomical reasons. OSR demonstrated favorable short- and long-term outcomes and remains a viable standard treatment for rAAA.

Lung transplantation remains the only curative option for patients with end-stage, medically refractory respiratory failure. Traditionally, the clamshell incision has been the primary surgical approach, as it provides extensive access to the mediastinum and bilateral pleural cavities. However, it is also associated with notable drawbacks, such as an increased risk of sternal nonunion and wound complications, which can impede postoperative recovery. This article introduces an alternative approach-double lung transplantation using video-assisted bilateral anterior thoracotomy. We present a detailed step-by-step surgical guide, offer practical tips, and highlight the advantages of this method over the conventional clamshell incision.

Background: Sarcopenia is a progressive skeletal muscle disorder characterized by the loss of muscle mass and function. Computed tomography (CT) scans are a reliable method for diagnosing sarcopenia, as they allow for the measurement of muscle density using Hounsfield units (HU). In this study, we conducted a retrospective investigation into the prevalence of sarcopenia and its impact on postoperative complications in patients who underwent decortication for empyema.

Methods: Between September 2020 and August 2023, we measured the average HU values of the bilateral paravertebral muscles at the T12 thoracic vertebra level using CT. This study included 145 patients who underwent thoracotomy and decortication for empyema at the Thoracic Surgery Clinic of Konya City Hospital. Based on their HU values, patients were categorized into 2 groups: the sarcopenia group (group S) and the control group (group C). Our objectives were to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia in these patients, evaluate its influence on early postoperative complications, and explore its potential role as a risk factor for postoperative complications.

Results: Sarcopenia was identified in 49 (33.7%) of the patients who underwent thoracotomy and decortication for empyema. In group S, the rates of postoperative surgical site infection and pneumonia were significantly higher. Regression analysis revealed that sarcopenia was an independent risk factor for both postoperative pneumonia and surgical site infection. Additionally, the length of stay in the intensive care unit and the hospital was significantly longer in group S than in group C.

Conclusion: In patients who underwent thoracotomy for empyema, sarcopenia independently increases the risk of postoperative pneumonia and surgical site infections.

The evolution of treatment for ischemic heart disease has been driven by advancements in both diagnostic and therapeutic methods, including coronary angiography, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Initially, CABG relied on on-pump techniques using saphenous vein grafts; however, off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) emerged as an alternative to reduce complications associated with cardiopulmonary bypass. Despite potential benefits-such as a reduced risk of stroke, shorter hospital stays, and fewer respiratory and renal complications-OPCAB has seen limited adoption, particularly in Western countries, owing to its technical demands and concerns regarding graft patency and complete revascularization. Large-scale randomized trials have reported mixed results, with outcomes strongly influenced by surgeon experience and patient selection. In contrast, smaller studies by experienced surgeons have demonstrated comparable graft patency and superior outcomes in high-risk patients. Recent meta-analyses underscore the need for total arterial revascularization and no-touch aortic techniques to further optimize OPCAB results, particularly in high-risk populations. Moving forward, OPCAB shows significant promise for patients with severe comorbidities, such as those with calcified aortas or poor ventricular function. Enhanced training programs and hybrid revascularization strategies that integrate minimally invasive CABG with PCI could further expand OPCAB adoption. By leveraging its unique strengths-including reduced postoperative complications and improved outcomes for high-risk patients-OPCAB could play a pivotal role in modern cardiac surgery. To remain competitive with PCI, surgeons must actively prepare for OPCAB by developing expertise in both techniques tailored to the patient's clinical condition.

The incidence of a missing guidewire during the Seldinger technique is low but can occur due to procedural errors. Reported rates vary, ranging from 0.1% to 0.8% in central venous catheterization and other vascular access procedures. We present a rare case of a retained guidewire within a pulmonary bulla following Seldinger-based chest tube insertion in a patient with ventilator-induced pneumothorax. Due to a prolonged air leak, the guidewire was removed, and wedge resection of the affected lung parenchyma, along with talc pleurodesis, was performed via video-assisted thoracoscopy. Closed thoracostomy using the Seldinger technique requires caution in emphysematous patients receiving mechanical ventilation. To facilitate lung deflation and minimize the risk of lung injury during needle and guidewire placement, the endotracheal tube can be temporarily disconnected from the ventilator. Over-insertion of the wire and dilator should be avoided. Supervision and simulation training are crucial to prevent this type of "never event."