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PubMed2002

Emergency thoracotomy for blunt thoracic trauma.

OBJECTIVES: The indications for emergency thoracotomy are controversial for blunt trauma. The best results were seen in those patients who were stable enough to undergo thoracotomy in the operating theatre and survived the operation. METHODS: The hospital records of 29 patients who underwent emergency thoracotomy for blunt thoracic trauma were reviewed. RESULTS: Of 964 patients with thoracic trauma, 745 (77.3%) sustained blunt injury and 29 of these patients (3.9%) required emergency thoracotomy. Six patients underwent emergency department thoracotomy for blunt cardiac trauma and only one of them survived (16.7%). Of the 23 patients who had emergency thoracotomy at the operating theatre, 2 died in the early postoperative period due to pulmonary embolism (8.7%) and 21 of them survived (91.3%). CONCLUSION: The results of emergency department thoracotomy in our series were extremely poor compared with the results of other reports, mainly due to rapid deterioration of hemodynamic condition caused by severe cardiac injury. The outcome from emergency thoracotomy in the operating theatre was encouraging, due particularly to the patients' status being stable enough to be transferred to a fully equipped operating theatre. We emphasize the importance of emergency medicine education programmes on rapid diagnosis of traumatic injuries with early intervention, and adequate hemodynamic and respiratory support.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed2003

Thoracotomy for blunt trauma: traditional indications may not apply.

The indications for performing as urgent thoractomy after trauma are based on the criteria used for penetrating injuries. However, few data are available on the use of these indications for patients with blunt injuries. In a retrospective study (June 1996 to July 2001), we compared the indications of urgent thoracotomy after blunt injury and penetrating injury in patients who underwent thoracotomy within 24 hours of hospital admission at our institution. Patients with blunt aortic injuries or emergency department thoracotomies were excluded from evaluation. Fifty-nine patients were identified (37 penetrating injuries, 22 blunt injuries). Blunt trauma victims had a higher mortality rate than penetrating trauma victims (73% vs. 22%). Chest tube output was the indication for nontherapuetic thoracotomy in 5 patients with blunt injuries whereas this occurred in only 1 penetrating injury victim (P = 0.04). All 5 blunt injury patients underwent a prior procedure and were coagulopathic when thoracotomy was performed. In conclusion, thoracotomy following blunt trauma is associated with a high rate of mortality. The rate of nontherapeutic exploration is increased when chest tube output is the indication for thoracotomy after blunt trauma. Since the majority of such patients have multicavitary injuries that require prior operation and are commonly coagulopathic, caution should be exercised when deciding whether to proceed with thoracotomy based solely on chest tube output.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1990

[Results of re-thoracotomy for the management of early postoperative complications after bronchoplastic operations].

We reviewed cases of re-thoracotomy performed for early complications after bronchoplastic procedures. One hundred and sixteen bronchoplasties were performed in our department over 20 years. The diseases for which bronchoplasty was undertaken were lung cancer in 102 patients (87.9%), tuberculous stenosis of the bronchus in eight, esophageal cancer in three, and trauma in three. The most frequent postoperative complication was difficulty of expectoration and atelectasis, which generally improved with conservative treatment. Re-thoracotomy was performed for early postoperative intrathoracic complications on 11 patients. The reasons for re-thoracotomy were bronchial anastomotic dehiscence in five cases, obstruction of bronchial anastomosis in two, atelectasis in two, and occlusion of anastomosis of pulmonary arterial angioplasty in two cases. All except two underwent re-thoracotomy within two weeks of the first operations. The operative procedures performed were completion pneumonectomy in six cases, re-bronchoplasty in three, suture of anastomotic dehiscence in two, patch closure of pericardial defect with aspiration of secretions in the atelectatic lobe in one, and partial decortication with suture closure of the alveolar fistula in one. Pedicled omental wrapping was applied to two patients with re-bronchoplasty and one with completion pneumonectomy. Post-operative complications after re-thoracotomy were anastomotic insufficiency in two cases, bronchopleural fistula in two, and pneumonia in one. Two patients underwent a third thoracotomy. There was no anastomotic dehiscence or bronchopleural fistula in the patients with pedicled omental wrapping. One patient died due to bronchopleural fistula within 30 days of re-thoracotomy. Six patients died of recurrence or pneumonia from 39 days to one year after re-thoracotomy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bronchi↗
PubMed1993

[Spontaneous pneumothorax. A comparison of thoracoscopy and thoracotomy].

The aims of this study were to assess the advantages of surgical thoracoscopy versus thoracotomy. Two 16-patient groups (thoracotomy, thoracoscopy) were compared. They were equivalent with regards to technique, age, etiology and lung dystrophy. Patients were called by phone to evaluate the surgical and functional results. The questionnaire was filled out by an independent physician who ignored the surgical technique used. Hospital stay was 7 +/- 2 days for thoracoscopy versus 11.5 +/- 5 days for thoracotomy (p < 0.003). During the J30 to J60 period of time, pain was mild in 94% of thoracoscopy cases and severe or unbearable in 69% of thoracotomy cases (p < 0.002). Mobility of the shoulder was fully recovered in all thoracoscopy patients within the first month versus only 62% of recovery at 3 months in the thoracotomy group (p < 0.0001). Working was possible at 1 +/- 0.8 month in the thoracoscopy group versus 2.6 +/- 0.8 months in the thoracotomy group (p < 0.002). Leisure activities were resumed at 2 +/- 1 month in the thoracoscopy group versus 4 +/- 1 months in the thoracotomy group (p < 0.0005). Only one relapse occurred in the thoracoscopy group. Thoracoscopy prevents the drawbacks of thoracotomy but keeps the same efficiency in the treatment of pneumothorax.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Evaluation of thoracoscopic surgery with mini-thoracotomy for primary lung cancer--as seen from the angle of lymph node dissection].

The extent of thoracoscopic surgery using a mini-thoracotomy for radical lung cancer surgery was investigated with regard to practical applicability. Thirteen patients with lung cancer underwent video-assisted lobectomy or segmentectomy and lymph node dissection through a 6-8 cm mini-thoracotomy. Eleven of thirteen cases were able to undergo video-assisted lobectomy and segmentectomy, but in one patient with strong adhesion and one patient who developed hemorrhage due to pulmonary arterial injury, thoracotomy was extended to 15-20 cm. Ten patients with lung cancer who underwent lobectomy under standard thoracotomy, underwent lymph node dissection under simulated 6-8 cm mini-thoracotomy. These ten cases and five cases who underwent lymph node dissection under 6-8 cm mini-thoracotomy were then switched over to standard thoracotomy to examine the possibility of residual lymph nodes. On the right-side, R2 lymph node dissection was practical, but on the left-side, #3, 3p, 4, 7 lymph node dissections were insufficient or impractical in some cases. The above results suggested that right-sided lobectomy is practical for radical thoracoscopic surgery with a mini-thoracotomy is practical for up to stage II. However, on the left side, the procedure should be confined to stage I.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2004

Hand-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery causes less postoperative pain than limited thoracotomy after cessation of epidural analgesia.

BACKGROUND: Hand-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (HATS) is a novel minimally invasive technique for performing procedures conventionally performed by posterolateral thoracotomy. HATS overcomes a major drawback of thoracoscopic surgery in allowing full manual palpation of the lungs via a subcostal (mini-Kocher's) incision under videoscopic guidance, avoiding a thoracotomy, when the indication is pulmonary metastasectomy with curative intent or resection of undiagnosed lung nodules. It is postulated HATS may produce improved postoperative quality of life outcomes compared to thoracotomy. AIMS: To determine if HATS compared to limited posterolateral thoracotomy causes less postoperative pain after cessation of epidural anaesthesia. METHODS: Fifty-two patients were prospectively randomised to receive a limited thoracotomy (n=26) or HATS (n=26). Pain scores, measured on a visual analogue scale, were recorded during standard nursing observations and after analgesia demands in the 24h after epidural removal. RESULTS: Pain scores were significantly lower after HATS compared to limited thoracotomy (3.8 versus 5.2, p=0.04). There was no difference in postoperative respiratory function. CONCLUSION: HATS results in lower postoperative pain after cessation of epidural analgesia. This form of analgesia may therefore not be required, reducing the management complexity, complications and hospital stay associated with its use. SHORT ABSTRACT: Hand-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (HATS) is a novel technique allowing full manual lung palpation as an adjunct to Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS). Fifty-two patients were prospectively randomised to receive limited thoracotomy or HATS. Pain scores were significantly lower after HATS compared to thoracotomy, indicating epidural analgesia may not be required.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1987

Anterolateral thoracotomy as an alternative to repeat median sternotomy for replacement of the mitral valve.

Median sternotomy is the most common approach for repeat cardiac surgery despite the potential complications of cardiac injury. Right anterolateral thoracotomy has been recommended as an alternative for patients undergoing mitral valve replacement, but data supporting one approach over the other do not exist. To compare these procedures, the records of 43 patients who had had a previous median sternotomy and who underwent mitral valve replacement were reviewed. No statistically significant differences between patients undergoing repeat median sternotomy (33 patients) and those undergoing right anterolateral thoracotomy (10 patients) were demonstrable when compared for age, gender, New York Heart Association Functional Class, other diseased valves, urgency of operation, indication for operation, type of valve removed, type of valve implanted, length of postoperative hospitalization, length of operation, days of ventilatory support, length of intensive care unit stay, and survival (90% for thoracotomy group; 76% for median sternotomy group; p, NS). Significant differences between the two groups, favoring right anterolateral thoracotomy, were apparent when comparisons were made for length of perfusion (means, 94.8 min, thoracotomy group; 121.4 min, sternotomy group; p = .03), incidence of reexploration (0%, thoracotomy group; 13%, sternotomy group; p = .001), and blood transfusion (means, 5.3 units, thoracotomy group; 11.4 units, sternotomy group; p = .003). Right anterolateral thoracotomy is an effective alternative to repeat median sternotomy for replacement of the mitral valve in patients who have had a previous median sternotomy.

Heart Valve Prosthesis↗
PubMed1982

Recovery of cardiovascular function in newborn lambs after thoracotomy.

Knowledge of the quality and speed of recovery after thoracotomy is crucial for studies of the early changes in cardiovascular function in the neonatal period. We studied the early recovery period after thoracotomy with pericardiotomy, but without ventriculotomy, in 21 lambs operated on between 2-24 days after birth. In 15 lambs, we measured resting pH,, PaO2, PaCO2, O2 consumption, cardiac output, heart rate, and aortic and pulmonary arterial pressures, before and after thoracotomy, daily for 1 wk. We found that, except for PaO2 (82 versus 87 torr), all variables returned to normal by the third day after thoracotomy. Four lambs were exposed to hypoxia (FIO2 0.09 for 1 h) before and 3 days after thoracotomy; hypoxia-induced changes were not different at the two different periods. Six other lambs, undergoing thoracotomy within the first 3 days after birth and exposed to hypoxia on the third postoperative day, had hypoxia-induced responses similar to six age-matched nonthoracotomized lambs. These findings indicate recovery of cardiovascular function by 48-72 h after thoracotomy. We believe, therefore, that reliable studies of the circulation in lambs are possible as early as 3-4 days after birth, even if thoracotomy is required for making measurements.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2001

Abbreviated thoracotomy and temporary chest closure: an application of damage control after thoracic trauma.

HYPOTHESIS: Abbreviated thoracotomy, a damage-control strategy, improves survival in patients with metabolic exhaustion. DESIGN: Case series report. SETTING: University-based, level I trauma center. PATIENTS: All patients admitted to our trauma center with severe chest trauma in whom an abbreviated thoracotomy was performed between January 1, 1994, and January 1, 1998. INTERVENTIONS: Patients in whom an abbreviated thoracotomy was performed had their life-threatening thoracic injuries treated and had temporary closure of the incision. They were then resuscitated in the intensive care unit (ICU). Definitive care of injuries and formal chest closure were performed when physiological characteristics were normalized. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Survival to discharge and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Of 10 787 patients admitted to the trauma center, 196 required thoracic operations. Eleven of these 196 patients underwent abbreviated thoracotomy; all patients survived to reach the ICU. Four died in the ICU within 24 hours of injury; the remaining 7 patients survived and were discharged. Based on their Trauma and Injury Severity Score, predicted mortality for our 11 patients was 59%; our mortality was 36%. Complications after abbreviated thoracotomy were similar to those seen after standard thoracotomy. CONCLUSIONS: Abbreviated thoracotomy is a useful strategy in the treatment of severe chest trauma. Its use in situations of metabolic exhaustion or planned reexploration may increase patient survival rates by expediting transfer of the patient from the operating room to the ICU, where homeostasis can be restored.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Pulmonary gas exchange and ventilation-perfusion relationships during hypocapnia and thoracotomy in anaesthetized dogs.

The effects of hypocapnia and thoracotomy, both individually and combined, on pulmonary gas exchange and distribution of ventilation-perfusion ratio (Va/Q) were studied in anesthetized and paralyzed mongrel dogs by the six inert gas elimination technique. Normocapnia (PaCO2 35 mmHg) and hypocapnia (PaCO2 20 mmHg) were produced sequentially by varying the inspired CO2 concentration. Thoracotomy was performed at the fourth intercostal space. When ventilation was changed from normocapnia to hypocapnia without thoracotomy, PaO2 decreased from 160 +/- 10 to 147 +/- 11 mmHg and Qs/Qt increased from 0.0 +/- 0.0 to 0.6 +/- 0.7%. However, no change was observed in perfusion distribution following thoracotomy during normocapnia, PaO2 decreased from 160 +/- 10 to 113 +/- 15 mmHg together with a shift of perfusion toward the low Va/Q region. However, no change was observed in Qs/Qt. When ventilation was changed from normocapnia to hypocapnia with thoracotomy, PaO2 decreased from 113 +/- 15 to 98 +/- 12 mmHg and Qs/Qt increased from 0.3 +/- 0.8 to 3.4 +/- 2.0%. After thoracotomy, a shift of perfusion toward the low Va/Q region was observed, which was probably responsible for the decrease in PaO2. The decrease in PaO2 during hypocapnia was due to an increase in the true shunt rather than the development of low Va/Q region. Hypocapnia combined with thoracotomy produced a further reduction of PaO2 and a greater increase in Qs/Qt.

Anesthesia, Intravenous↗
PubMed1994

Comparison and frequency of ventricular arrhythmias after defibrillator implantation by thoracotomy versus nonthoracotomy approaches.

Postoperative exacerbation of ventricular arrhythmias has been reported in some patients treated with thoracotomy implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). This phenomenon, which may be related to epicardial patch electrodes, may be less frequent after nonthoracotomy ICD implantation. In this nonrandomized study, postoperative arrhythmias in thoracotomy approaches (n = 52) were compared with those in nonthoracotomy approaches (n = 59). Preoperatively, all patients were clinically stable receiving an antiarrhythmic regimen chosen by serial drug testing. Nine of 52 patients in the thoracotomy group developed sustained ventricular tachycardia postoperatively while receiving the same antiarrhythmic regimen chosen preoperatively, and 1 patient eventually died. Two additional patients developed frequent and prolonged episodes of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia requiring changes in the antiarrhythmic regimen. In the nonthoracotomy group, only 3 of 59 patients developed sustained ventricular tachycardia and 1 developed frequent nonsustained ventricular tachycardia. Thus, only 4 of 59 patients in the nonthoracotomy group developed clinically significant ventricular arrhythmia during the postoperative period compared with 11 of 52 patients in the thoracotomy group (p < 0.05). Surgical mortality was 6% in the thoracotomy group, and 0% in the nonthoracotomy group. In the remaining clinically stable patients, a marked (sevenfold) increase in asymptomatic ventricular arrhythmias was noted in 15 of 39 patients in the thoracotomy group, and in 3 of 55 patients in the nonthoracotomy group (p < 0.05). Thus, postoperative exacerbation of ventricular arrhythmia, sometimes noted with thoracotomy approaches, is very rare with nonthoracotomy approaches.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Delayed referral and gram-negative organisms increase the conversion thoracotomy rate in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for empyema.

BACKGROUND: The role of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in the treatment of pleural empyema was assessed in a consecutive series of 328 patients between 1992 and 2002. An analysis of the predicting factors for conversion thoracotomy in presumed stage II empyema was performed. METHODS: Empyema stage III with pleural thickening and signs of restriction on computer tomography imaging was treated by open decortication, whereas a thoracoscopic debridement was attempted in presumed stage II disease. Conversion thoracotomy was liberally used during thoracoscopy if stage III disease was found at surgery. Predictive factors for conversion thoracotomy were calculated in a multivariate analysis among several variables such as age, sex, time interval between onset of symptoms and surgery, involved microorganisms, and underlying cause of empyema. RESULTS: Of the 328 patients surgically treated for stage II and III empyema, 150 underwent primary open decortication for presumed stage III disease. One hundred seventy-eight patients with presumed stage II empyema underwent a video-assisted thoracoscopic approach. Of these 178 patients, thoracoscopic debridement was successful in 99 of 178 patients (56%), and conversion thoracotomy and open decortication was judged necessary in 79 of 178 patients (44%). The conversion thoracotomy rate was higher in parapneumonic empyema (55%) as compared with posttraumatic (32%) or postoperative (29%) empyema; however, delayed referral (p < 0.0001) and gram-negative microorganisms (p < 0.01) were the only significant predictors for conversion thoracotomy in a multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Video-assisted thoracoscopic debridement offers an elegant, minimally invasive approach in a number of patients with presumed stage II empyema. However, to achieve a high success rate with the video-assisted thoracoscopic approach, early referral of the patients to surgery is required. Conversion thoracotomy should be liberally used in case of chronicity, especially after delayed referral (> 2 weeks) and in the presence of gram-negative organisms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Lobectomy--video-assisted thoracic surgery versus muscle-sparing thoracotomy. A randomized trial.

Video-assisted thoracic surgery has been adopted by some thoracic surgeons as the preferred approach over thoracotomy for many benign and malignant diseases of the chest. However, little concrete evidence exists to support this technique as the superior approach. This randomized study was carried out to define the advantages of video-assisted lobectomy over muscle-sparing thoracotomy and lobectomy. Sixty-one patients with presumed clinical stage I non-small-cell lung cancer were entered into the study. Each patient was randomized to muscle-sparing thoracotomy and lobectomy or video-assisted lobectomy. Six patients were excluded from the study either because final pathologic results revealed nonmalignant disease (3 patients) or because an attempted video-assisted lobectomy was converted to a thoracotomy. This left 30 patients in the thoracotomy group and 25 patients in the video-assisted group. No significant differences existed between the two groups in operating time, intraoperative blood loss, duration of chest tube drainage, or length of hospital stay. Significantly more postoperative complications occurred in the thoracotomy group (p < 0.5), the majority of which were prolonged air leaks. Return to work time was not an issue because the majority of the patients were either retired or not working at the time of the operation. Only three patients had persistent postthoracotomy pain (thoracotomy, n = 2; video-assisted lobectomy, n = 1). We conclude that video-assisted lobectomy was not associated with a significant decrease in duration of chest tube drainage, length of hospital stay, postthoracotomy pain, or, in this group of patients, a faster recovery time and return to work. Video-assisted lobectomy continues to expose the patient to the risk of a major pulmonary resection being done in an essentially closed chest. These results illustrate the need for critical evaluation of video-assisted thoracic surgery before the procedure is accepted as a superior approach based on presumed and thus far unproved advantages.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗
PubMed2002

Long term survival of thoracoscopic metastasectomy vs metastasectomy by thoracotomy in patients with a solitary pulmonary lesion.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare long term survival after resection of solitary pulmonary metastasis on CT scan performed by either thoracoscopy or through a standard thoracotomy. METHODS: Patients with a solitary, CT scan confirmed, peripherally located lesion suspected for metastasis, less than 3cm in diameter were included. End points were: postoperative complication rate, disease free and overall survival and location of recurrence in the lung. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients who underwent a thoracoscopic metastasectomy with (n=19) or without (n=16) confirmatory thoracotomy were included in this study. Patients experienced more complications following a thoracotomy (n=5) compared to those who had a thoracoscopy (n=0) (P=0.049). Two patients appeared to have further disease at thoracotomy besides the CT scan identified lesion, and some at thoracoscopy. At definitive histology, seven lesions were benign and eight appeared to be a second primary. Analysis of 20 patients with histological confirmed metastasis demonstrated a 2-year disease free and overall survival rate of 50% and 67% respectively following thoracoscopic metastasectomy (n=8) compared to 42% and 70% respectively following confirmatory thoracotomy (n=12). Recurrence occurred in three of the patients after thoracoscopic metastasectomy and in five patients after thoracotomy. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that thoracoscopic resection of solitary peripherally located metastasis is a safe and potentially curative procedure with a long term outcome that is comparable with that after resection by thoracotomy.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Effects of mid-line thoracotomy on the interaction between mechanical ventilation and cardiac filling during cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Mid-line thoracotomy is a standard approach for cardiac surgery. However, little is known how this surgical approach affects the interaction between the circulation and mechanical ventilation. We studied how mid-line thoracotomy affects cardiac filling volumes and cardiovascular haemodynamics, particularly variations in stroke volume and pulse pressure caused by mechanical ventilation. METHODS: We studied 19 patients during elective coronary artery bypass surgery. Before and after mid-line thoracotomy, we measured arterial pressure, cardiac index (CI) and global end-diastolic volume index (GEDVI) by thermodilution, left ventricular end-diastolic area index (LVEDAI) by transoesophageal echocardiography and the variations in left ventricular stroke volume and pulse pressure during ventilation by arterial pulse contour analysis. RESULTS: After thoracotomy, CI increased from 2.3 (0.4) to 2.9 (0.6) litre min(-1) m(-2), GEDVI increased from 605 (110) to 640 (94) litre min(-1) m(-2), and LVEDAI increased from 9.2 (3.7) to 11.2 (4.1) cm(2) m(-2). All these changes were significant. In contrast, stroke volume variation (SVV) decreased from 10 (3) to 6 (2)% and pulse pressure variation (PPV) decreased from 11 (3) to 5 (3)%. Before thoracotomy, SVV and PPV significantly correlated with GEDVI (both P<0.01). When the chest was open, similar significant correlations of SVV (P<0.001) and PPV (P<0.01) were found with GEDVI. CONCLUSION: Thoracotomy increases cardiac filling and preload. Further, thoracotomy reduces the effect of mechanical ventilation on left ventricular stroke volume. However, also under open chest conditions, SVV and PPV are preload-dependent.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Emergency thoracotomy: survival correlates with physiologic status.

Emergency thoracotomy is a standard procedure in the management of cardiac arrest in patients sustaining severe trauma. We examined the records of 463 moribund trauma patients treated at our institution from 1980 to 1990 to refine indications for emergency thoracotomy. Patients underwent thoracotomy either in the emergency department (ED) (n = 424) or in the operating room (OR) (n = 39) as a component of continuing resuscitation after hospital arrival. The survival rate was 13% (61 of 463) overall, 2% (3 of 193) for blunt, 22% (58 of 269) for all penetrating, 8% (10 of 131) for gunshot, 34% (48 of 141) for stab-wound patients, and 54% (21 of 39) for patients who underwent emergency thoracotomy in the OR. Survival correlated with the physiologic status of patients both on initial evaluation in the field by paramedics and on arrival at the ED. Patients with penetrating trauma and in profound shock (BP less than 60 mm Hg) or mild shock (BP 60-90 mm Hg) with subsequent cardiac arrest had survival rates of 64% (27 of 42) and 56% (30 of 54), respectively. None of the patients with absent signs of life, defined as full cardiopulmonary arrest with absent reflexes (n = 215), on initial assessment by paramedics in the field, survived. We conclude that (1) no emergency thoracotomy should be performed if no signs of life are present on the initial prehospital field assessment; (2) emergency thoracotomy is an indicated procedure in most patients sustaining penetrating trauma; (3) blunt traumatic cardiac arrest is a relative contraindication to emergency thoracotomy.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Chronic post-thoracotomy pain: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is common after thoracotomy. The primary goal of this study was to investigate the incidence of chronic post-thoracotomy pain. The secondary goal was to identify possible risk factors associated with the development of chronic post-operative pain. METHODS: We contacted 255 patients who had undergone a classic postero-lateral thoracotomy at our institution in the period between January 2001 and December 2003. All patients received a letter requesting participation; a questionnaire was included with the letter. One week later patients were contacted by telephone to obtain the answers to the questionnaire. RESULTS: We ultimately obtained results from 149 patients (58% of all thoracotomies, 84% of survivors). The overall incidence of chronic post-operative pain was 52% (32% mild, 16% moderate and 3% severe chronic post-operative pain). Patients with chronic post-operative pain reported acute post-operative pain more frequently than those without (85% vs. 62%, P = 0.01), had more severe acute post-operative pain (P = 0.0001), underwent more extensive surgical procedures (P = 0.01), had more constant acute pain (vs. fluctuating pain or pain in attacks) (P = 0.0004) and reported less absence of pain during the first post-operative week (P = 0.0001). There was no significant decrease in chronic pain with time after thoracotomy. CONCLUSION: Our study confirms that chronic post-thoracotomy pain is a common problem. The results from our study suggest that chronic post-thoracotomy pain may be associated with more intensive and extensive nociceptive input due to thoracic surgery.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

CT findings of atrophy of chest wall muscle after thoracotomy: relationship between muscles involved and type of surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Postthoracotomy atrophy of chest wall muscles results from nerve injury during surgery. After encountering patients with different patterns of chest wall muscular atrophy postthoracotomy, we performed this study to determine the relationship between type of thoracotomy and atrophic muscles as seen on CT scans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT scans of 58 patients who had previously undergone unilateral thoracotomy were reviewed. Forty patients had a posterolateral thoracotomy, and 18 had an anterolateral thoracotomy. In two cases, the incision extended posteriorly. Atrophy seen on CT scans was defined as a marked decrease in size or thickness of a muscle compared with the muscle on the other side. RESULTS: Atrophy of the latissimus dorsi muscle and of the inferior portion of the serratus anterior muscle was detected on CT scans in 40 patients. No atrophy was found in 16 patients. The remaining two displayed atrophy only in the serratus anterior muscle. Atrophy of the latissimus dorsi muscle and of the inferior portion of the serratus anterior muscle developed in all patients who had a posterolateral thoracotomy. Atrophy developed in only two of the 18 patients who had an anterolateral thoracotomy, and in these two, the incision had been extended posteriorly. CONCLUSION: A direct correlation was found between type of thoracotomy and site of atrophy of the chest wall muscles seen on CT scans. This finding may account for different CT appearances of the thoracic wall in patients who have had thoracic surgery.

Aged↗