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At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Thoracoscopic drainage and decortication as definitive treatment for empyema thoracis following penetrating chest injury.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to describe our experience with thoracoscopic drainage and decortication as definitive treatment for empyema thoracis following penetrating chest trauma. METHODS: Over a 9-month period, eight patients at two institutions were treated for empyema thoracis that developed following penetrating chest injury. Seven patients sustained gunshot wounds and one a stab wound. All were treated for hemothorax with a closed tube thoracostomy. Associated injuries included six spinal cord injuries, a liver and diaphragmatic injury, a subclavian injury, and a carotid injury. Each patient subsequently developed an empyema. All patients underwent one thoracoscopic drainage and decortication of the empyema. RESULTS: In all patients, complete resolution of the empyema was achieved with the thoracoscopic technique. Chest tubes were removed a median of 8.5 days after the procedure. Median blood loss was 200 mL. The average duration of the operation was 110 minutes. There were two complications, a persistent air leak and a trapped lung, both treated with thoracoscopic intervention. CONCLUSION: Thoracoscopic drainage and decortication offers an alternative to thoracotomy for definitive therapy of empyema thoracis developing after penetrating chest trauma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

A biomechanical comparison of open and thoracoscopic anterior spinal release in a goat model.

STUDY DESIGN: A biomechanical assessment of anterior release and discectomy in the thoracic spine was performed on an animal model using thoracoscopic and open thoracotomy techniques. OBJECTIVES: To compare the relative efficacy of these two techniques of release in achieving increased spinal mobility. BACKGROUND DATA: The clinical use of video-assisted thoracoscopy in the correction of spinal deformity is increasing. The effectiveness of thoracoscopic anterior spinal release with discectomy has not been evaluated biomechanically. METHODS: Anterior release with discectomy was performed on six midthoracic motion segments in five mature goats. The thoracoscopic technique was used for three levels on one side, and an open thoracotomy was used for the alternating three levels of the contralateral side. The duration of surgery for disc excision and the amount of blood loss for each technique were recorded. The intact cranial and caudal motion segments served as controls. The motion segments were individually subjected to nondestructive biomechanical testing. Torsional, sagittal, and coronal bending torques were applied, and the resulting angular displacement was measured. RESULTS: The duration of surgery to remove a disc thoracoscopically decreased as experience was gained by the surgeon. The amount of intraoperative blood loss was comparable using the two methods. There was significantly increased flexibility in the released segments with both techniques, compared with the flexibility in the intact levels for all three loading directions. There was no difference in the motion obtained after release between the two techniques. CONCLUSION: Open and thoracoscopic anterior release and discectomy have been demonstrated, through biomechanical in vitro testing, to increase the flexibility of the spine to a similar extent.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

The success of thoracoscopic anterior fusion in a consecutive series of 112 pediatric spinal deformity cases.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of a single surgeon consecutive series of video-assisted thoracoscopic anterior release and fusion. OBJECTIVES: To examine radiographic fusion rates and standard radiographic parameters of spinal deformity correction, as well as to identify possible complications of thoracoscopic anterior release and fusion in patients with a minimum of 2-year follow-up treated for spinal deformity. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Anterior release and fusion of the thoracic spine is indicated in the treatment of rigid scoliosis and kyphosis, the treatment or prevention of crankshaft growth, and in patients at increased risk for pseudarthrosis. Although early postoperative outcomes of video-assisted thoracoscopic anterior release/fusion exist in the literature, few data are available with follow-up greater than 2 years. METHODS: A retrospective chart and radiograph review of 112 consecutive cases of thoracoscopic anterior release/fusion with open posterior instrumentation/fusion was performed. The diagnosis, indications, perioperative data, as well as early and delayed complications, were evaluated. Deformity correction and intervertebral fusion rates were assessed at latest follow-up (> or =2 years). RESULTS: The diagnoses included 50 patients with neuromuscular deformity, 42 with idiopathic deformity, 10 congenital, and 10 miscellaneous etiologies. The average operative time was 160 +/- 41 minutes to excise and bone graft an average of 7 +/- 2 discs, with an average blood loss of 285 +/- 303 cc. The average hospital stay was 9 +/- 5 days. Fourteen percent of the patients had perioperative respiratory complications that varied from atelectasis to chylothorax. There were no long-term complications associated with the anterior surgery. Scoliosis improved from 80 +/- 12 degrees to 36 +/- 17 degrees, and kyphosis from 88 +/- 15 degrees to 60 +/- 20 degrees at latest evaluation (P < or = 0.001). Evidence of a "solid" anterior arthrodesis (with >50% filling of the disc space) was present radiographically in 75% of the disc spaces with moderate interobserver reliability of the grading system (kappa = 0.49). CONCLUSION: Thoracoscopic anterior release and fusion of the thoracic spine is a safe and effective procedure when combined with posterior instrumentation and fusion. The primary goal of increasing the flexibility of a rigid spine and achieving a solid arthrodesis occurred in the vast majority of cases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2007

Histomorphometric assessment of thoracoscopically assisted anterior release in a porcine model: safety and completeness of disc discectomy with surgeon learning curve.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study using histomorphometric analysis to quantify the percentage of discectomy following thoracoscopic anterior release and fusion in a porcine model. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety and completeness of disc and endplate removal with respect to the learning curve of the surgeon in a porcine thoracoscopic anterior fusion model. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The thoracoscopic approach has been used to perform an anterior release and fusion before an open posterior instrumentation, however, there is concern that the technique may not provide sufficient visualization or exposure to perform safely and completely. METHODS: A total of 32 pigs (160 discs) were assigned to 2 groups (early experience, n = 16; late experience, n = 16), and underwent 5 level thoracoscopic anterior release followed by anterior instrumentation and fusion from T5 to T10. At 4 months after surgery, the spines were harvested, and each discectomy disc was histomorphometrically analyzed to determine the percentage of disc excision and amount of endplate removal. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the percent disc excision between the early (67% +/- 11%) and late groups (69% +/- 10%). Greater than 50% of the disc was excised in 151 of 160 discectomies (94%). Both superior and inferior endplates were resected in 92 of 160 disc levels (57%). The amount of endplate removal had improved over time in both early and late groups (P < 0.0001). The histologic examination revealed no evidence for posterior longitudinal ligament disruption or spinal canal encroachment in any disc. CONCLUSIONS: Video-assisted thoracoscopic discectomy is safe and allows for a significant amount of disc material excision. This study did not demonstrate a learning curve with respect to the amount of disc material excised, but a learning curve was seen for endplate excision.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula: a multi-institutional analysis.

OBJECTIVES: For the past 60 years, successful repair of esophageal atresia (EA) and distal tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) has been performed via a thoracotomy. However, a number of reports have described adverse musculoskeletal sequelae following thoracotomy in infants and young children. Until now, only a few scattered case reports have detailed an individual surgeon's success with thoracoscopic repair of EA/TEF. This multi-institutional review represents the largest experience describing the results with this approach. METHODS: A cohort of international pediatric surgeons from centers that perform advanced laparoscopic and thoracoscopic operations in infants and children retrospectively reviewed their data on primary thoracoscopic repair in 104 newborns with EA/TEF. Newborns with EA without a distal TEF or those with an isolated TEF without EA were excluded. RESULTS: In these 104 patients, the mean age at operation was 1.2 days (+/-1.1), the mean weight was 2.6 kg (+/-0.5), the mean operative time was 129.9 minutes (+/-55.5), the mean days of mechanical ventilation were 3.6 (+/-5.8), and the mean days of total hospitalization were 18.1 (+/-18.6). Twelve (11.5%) infants developed an early leak or stricture at the anastomosis and 33 (31.7%) required esophageal dilatation at least once. Five operations (4.8%) were converted to an open thoracotomy and one was staged due to a long gap between the 2 esophageal segments. Twenty-five newborns (24.0%) later required a laparoscopic fundoplication. A recurrent fistula between the esophagus and trachea developed in 2 infants (1.9%). A number of other operations were required in these patients, including imperforate anus repair in 10 patients (7 high, 3 low), aortopexy (7), laparoscopic duodenal atresia repair (4), and various major cardiac operations (5). Three patients died, one related to the EA/TEF on the 20th postoperative day. CONCLUSIONS: The thoracoscopic repair of EA/TEF represents a natural evolution in the operative correction of this complicated congenital anomaly and can be safely performed by experienced endoscopic surgeons. The results presented are comparable to previous reports of babies undergoing repair through a thoracotomy. Based on the associated musculoskeletal problems following thoracotomy, there will likely be long-term benefits for babies with this anomaly undergoing the thoracoscopic repair.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMed2006

Thoracoscopic lobectomy is a safe and versatile procedure: experience with 500 consecutive patients.

OBJECTIVE: Advantages of thoracoscopic lobectomy for early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as compared with lobectomy by conventional thoracotomy, include less postoperative pain and shorter length of hospitalization. The outcomes after thoracoscopic lobectomy in patients with more complex pulmonary conditions are analyzed to determine safety, efficacy, and versatility. METHODS: A prospective database of 500 consecutive patients who underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy between June 1999 and January 2006 was queried. Demographic, histopathologic, perioperative, and outcome variables were assessed using standard descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses. RESULTS: Thoracoscopic lobectomy was successfully performed in 492 patients (conversion rate, 1.6%). Pathologic analysis included primary NSCLC in 416 patients (83.2%), centrally located secondary pulmonary malignancy in 37 patients (7.4%), and a variety of benign conditions in 45 patients (9%). Among the 416 patients with NSCLC, pathologic analysis demonstrated stage I in 330 patients (55.3%), stage II in 40 patients (9.6%), and stage III or greater NSCLC in 44 patients (10.6%). The operative and perioperative (30-day) mortality was 0% and 1%, respectively. The overall 2-year survival rate for the entire cohort was 80%, and the 2-year overall survival rates for stage I NSCLC, stage II or greater NSCLC, secondary pulmonary malignancy, and granulomatous disease patients were 85%, 77%, 73%, and 89%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoscopic lobectomy is applicable to a spectrum of malignant and benign pulmonary disease and is associated with a low perioperative morbidity and mortality rate. Survival rates are comparable to those for lobectomy with thoracotomy.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy with a voice-controlled robot: the AESOP system.

The authors attempted to clarify the feasibility and safety of thoracoscopic esophagectomy with a voice-controlled robot, the AESOP system (3000 HR), and further determine whether innovative surgical equipment could allow the performance of complex thoracoscopic esophagectomy. Thoracoscopic surgery with a voice-controlled robot system has already been used in single-surgeon lung resection. Intra-operative and postoperative outcomes were compared between patients receiving hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) with the AESOP system (n = 15) and patients receiving open surgery (n = 30). In the AESOP group, the volume of blood loss was significantly less, but the total operation time was longer than in the open group. There were no significant differences in postoperative outcomes or the incidences of morbidity and mortality between the two groups. The surgeon using the AESOP system could obtain a stable, close-up, and long-lasting operative view. Laparoscopic and thoracoscopic surgery with the AESOP system has the potential to enable a single surgeon to perform a complex surgical procedure like esophagectomy.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1995

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing following bilateral thoracoscopic sympathicolysis in patients with essential hyperhidrosis.

BACKGROUND: Essential hyperhidrosis is characterised by an overactivity of the sympathetic fibres passing through the upper dorsal sympathetic ganglia D2-D3. Anatomical interruption at the D2-D3 level is a highly effective treatment for essential hyperhidrosis but also causes (partial) cardiac denervation and, after surgical sympathicolysis, important impairment of cardiopulmonary exercise function has been observed. The purpose of this study was to compare the results of cardiopulmonary exercise testing between patients with essential hyperhidrosis and a normal control population, and to examine the effects of thoracoscopic D2-D3 sympathicolysis on cardiopulmonary exercise capacity in patients with essential hyperhidrosis. METHODS: maximal, symptom limited incremental exercise tests were performed in 26 patients with severe essential hyperhidrosis one week before and one month after D2-D3 thoracoscopic sympathicolysis, and in 14 age and sex matched healthy volunteers. D2-D3 thoracoscopic sympathicolysis was performed using a simplified one stage bilateral procedure. RESULTS: Palmar hyperhidrosis was relieved in every patient, confirming the D2-D3 denervation. A higher peak heart rate (7%) was seen in the patient group than in the normal subjects, but ll other cardiovascular, metabolic, and respiratory parameters were similar. After D2-D3 thoracoscopic sympathicolysis, heart rate at rest (13%) and at peak exercise (7%) were reduced, together with an increase in oxygen pulse. All other parameters remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Sympathetic overactivity relevant to cardiovascular function in essential hyperhidrosis is evident only during sympathetic stimulation. D2-D3 thoracoscopic sympathicolysis causes a small and asymptomatic reduction in maximal and resting heart rate and is not associated with a decrease in exercise capacity, in contrast with the detrimental effects on exercise capacity of open surgical sympathectomy.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Anaesthesia for three-stage thoracoscopic oesophagectomy: an initial experience.

We report our experience in the anaesthetic management of five patients undergoing three-stage thoracoscopic oesophagectomy. One patient required conversion to open thoracotomy because of extensive pleural adhesions. The other four patients, aged between 68 and 78, were all chronic smokers with mid-oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The duration of thoracoscopic surgery (and obligatory one-lung ventilation) ranged from 2.5 to 4 hours with total surgical time ranging from 7.5 to 9.5 hours. Anaesthetic considerations included the use of one-lung ventilation to provide surgical access, the cardiorespiratory effects of capnothorax, difficulties in assessing surgical blood loss during thoracoscopic dissection, crowding in the operating room with limitation of access to the patient and the risk of intraoperative dislodgement of the endobronchial tube. Postoperative pulmonary complications were not decreased in our patients despite the avoidance of thoracotomy. The thoracoscopic technique might contribute to pulmonary complications because of prolonged thoracoscopic dissection and unintentional pulmonary injuries. The concept of minimally invasive surgery needs further evaluation when the technique is applied in extensive procedures such as oesophagectomy.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The necessity of chest physical therapy for thoracoscopic oesophagectomy.

Radical surgery for thoracic oesophageal cancer is highly invasive and often leads to respiratory complications; thoracoscopic surgery is a less-invasive alternative. We examined the need for chest physical therapy (CPT) after thoracoscopic oesophagectomy. Thirty-six consecutive patients, randomly selected for either thoracotomy or thoracoscopic surgery, were included in a randomized clinical trial and received CPT under the same protocol. During short-term post-operative follow-up, both groups showed a marked reduction in respiratory function and responded to CPT to the same extent, although 2 weeks after surgery some parameters of respiratory function were significantly higher in the thoracoscopy group. Thoracoscopic surgery has been reported to be less invasive than standard thoracotomy, but our results suggest that the procedure is also invasive with respect to respiratory function and that CPT should be performed before and after thoracoscopic surgery.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Thoracoscopic surgery as a routine procedure for spontaneous pneumothorax. Results from 82 patients.

A total of 82 consecutive patients with recurrent or persistent spontaneous pneumothorax were considered for thoracoscopic blebectomy or bullectomy and pleurodesis. The median age was 47 years, and 70% were men. All the patients were successfully treated using a video-assisted thoracoscopic technique. There were no deaths attributable to the procedure. Complications occurred in 6 patients (7.3%). Three patients (4%) with diffuse bullous lung disease had prolonged intubation (9, 11, and 12 days, respectively). Persistent air leaks lasting from 10 to 14 days occurred in 2 patients (3%). One patient had an endoloop slip from the lung parenchyma after a forceful sneeze 2 days after the operation. Air leak subsided after the second operation using a conventional suturing technique. Blebs or bullae were present in 69 patients (83%). These were ablated by endoscopic stapling (37 patients) and through thoracoscopic ligation using an endoloop technique (32 patients). In this group of patients, the median postoperative hospital stay was 5 days. Thirteen patients with air leaks and diffuse bullous lung disease received only talc insufflation thoracoscopically. All of them showed good lung expansion after the operation. There are no recurrences, with a mean follow-up of 22 months. These results suggest that thoracoscopic ablation of blebs or bullae and pleurodesis may be applicable to patients with spontaneous pneumothorax who require surgical intervention.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

An alternative technique in the management of bullous emphysema. Thoracoscopic endoloop ligation of bullae.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: With the improvements in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, more older patients and patients with respiratory impairments are undergoing bulla ablation using new and costly technology. We evaluated the cost-effective technique of thoracoscopic endoloop ligation of bullae in patients with bullous emphysema. PATIENTS: From March 1992 through January 1996, 79 advanced age (mean age, 64 years) and oxygen dependency patients underwent thoracoscopic procedure using endoloop ligation for treatment of bullous emphysema. Clinical data were collected from chart review. Only patients with radiographically confirmed diagnosis of bullous emphysema were included in this evaluation. Thoracoscopic endoloop ligation of bulla was carried out under general anesthesia with double-lumen endotracheal tube and single-lung ventilation. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients (82%) exhibited subjective improvement in their symptom status at 3-month follow-up (from grade 2 or 3 to grade 1 or 2) according to the Modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale. The mean duration of chest drainage was 6 days (range, 4 to 16 days). Average hospital stay was 9.5 days (range, 5 to 26 days). There was no postoperative death. A comparison of preoperative and postoperative functional evaluation was available in only 16 patients who showed an increase in FEV1 (from 0.85 to 1.02 L) and a decline in residual volume after operation. Complications include persistent airleak over 10 days in seven patients (8.9%), wound infection in three patients, and localized empyema in two patients. There was no recurrence after a mean follow-up of 21 months. CONCLUSION: These encouraging results have shown that thoracoscopic endoloop ligation of bulla has proved to be a safe, reliable, and cost-effective technique for bullous emphysema. With careful preoperative evaluation and meticulous postoperative care, many patients could be rehabilitated by endoloop litigation of the bullae.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed2006

Systemic inflammatory reaction after thoracoscopic talc poudrage.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have reported fever as a side effect of talc poudrage during thoracoscopic pleurodesis. However, thoracoscopy itself is likely to induce systemic inflammatory reaction, as it is an interventional procedure. The aim of the study was to investigate whether systemic inflammatory response is due to talc poudrage or to thoracoscopy. METHODS: We prospectively studied two groups of patients. The first group (18 patients) underwent thoracoscopic talc poudrage, and the second group (17 patients) underwent only diagnostic thoracoscopy. We measured body temperature, as well as WBC count and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels before the procedure (baseline), and at 24 and 48 h after the procedure. No antiinflammatory medication was permitted to be used before, during, or after the procedure. All patients had a 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: The baseline patient characteristics were similar in both groups. Temperature increased significantly in the thoracoscopic talc poudrage group (overall comparison, p = 0.005) especially at 9, 12, and 24 h after the procedure. Overall, the WBC count (p = 0.004), percentage of neutrophils (p = 0.03), and CRP levels (p < 0.0001) were significantly increased in the group of patients who underwent thoracoscopic talc poudrage. On the contrary, lymphocytes were significantly decreased (overall comparison, p = 0.01) in the thoracoscopic talc poudrage group during the same period. Mild side effects, such as pain during and after thoracoscopy and subcutaneous emphysema, were noted. No severe complication, such as infection or acute respiratory failure, was noted in either group during the hospitalization or during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: According to our results, fever and systemic inflammatory reaction is due to talc poudrage and not to thoracoscopy.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗
PubMed2004

Minimally invasive atrial fibrillation ablation combined with a new technique for thoracoscopic stapling of the left atrial appendage: case report.

BACKGROUND: Surgical therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF) is becoming increasingly popular in the concomitant setting. Minimally invasive techniques are being developed for management of the patient with stand-alone AF. We report on our first case of a patient undergoing thoracoscopic microwave epicardial AF ablation combined with the incorporation of a new device for left atrial appendage (LAA) exclusion. METHODS: The patient is a 62-year-old man with a 10-year history of drug-resistant paroxysmal AF. He had failed multiple electrical cardioversions, as well as a percutaneous attempt at left and right superior pulmonary vein (PV) isolation. On October 8, 2003, he was admitted to undergo an off-pump thoracoscopic epicardial microwave ablation. While the patient was under general anesthesia, 3 thoracoscopic access ports were created in the right chest. The pericardium was widely opened. Red rubber catheters were positioned in the transverse and oblique sinuses. The 2 catheters were retrieved on the left side and tied together, forming a guide to the Flex 10 microwave ablation probe (Guidant Corporation, Fremont, CA, USA). The Flex 10 sheath was positioned to encircle all 4 pulmonary veins. The position of the ablation catheter was confirmed visually to be behind the LAA. Sequential ablation was then performed in the segments of the Flex 10 to create a continuous ablation line around the PVs. A connecting lesion to the base of the LAA was then performed. The LAA was then stapled using the SurgASSIST computer-mediated thoracoscopic stapling system (Power Medical Intervention, New Hope, PA, USA). RESULTS: The procedure was uneventful and lasted for a total of 2.5 hours. The patient was discharged home on postoperative day 2 in rate-controlled AF. He was successfully electrically cardioverted to normal sinus rhythm (NSR). At latest follow-up he remained in NSR and continued to take dofetilide (Tikosyn). CONCLUSION: Thoracoscopic epicardial microwave ablation of AF is a technically feasible procedure with minimal risk. The computer deployment and motion controlled stapling system that we used in this case has the potential to become a safe and reliable alternative to conventional stapling instruments.

Atrial Fibrillation↗
PubMed1993

Localization of peripheral pulmonary nodules for thoracoscopic excision: value of CT-guided wire placement.

OBJECTIVE: One of the indications for the rapidly expanding use of thoracoscopic surgery as an alternative to thoracotomy is the excision of peripheral lung nodules. Nodules judged too small or too far from the pleural surface to be seen or palpated during thoracoscopy must be localized beforehand. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of percutaneous placement of spring hookwires to localize such nodules before video-assisted thoracoscopy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Under CT guidance, 17 nodules in 14 patients were preoperatively localized with the Kopans breast lesion localization system. Three patients who had solitary nodules had thoracoscopic resections for diagnosis because a previous transthoracic needle or transbronchial biopsy had been unsuccessful. Four patients who had lesions less than 8 mm in diameter had thoracoscopic biopsies because transthoracic fine-needle aspiration biopsy was not likely to be diagnostic. Seven patients, who had a total of 10 nodules, had therapeutic wedge resections of either limited metastases or a second bronchogenic carcinoma. Mean nodule diameter was 10 mm (range, 3-20 mm). The mean distance from nodule to costal pleura was 9 mm (range, 0-25 mm). At the end of the procedure, wire placement was confirmed by CT scanning. After thoracoscopy, the surgeons were questioned about the stability and utility of each hookwire localization. RESULTS: In all 17 procedures, a hookwire was placed successfully. In one case, the wire dislodged before thoracoscopy (after a 6-hr preoperative delay and severe bending of the wire during induction of anesthesia). In 16 of the 17 resections, the surgeon thought that thoracoscopic identification of the lesion would not have been possible without hookwire localization. Only one localization, across a major fissure, required placement of a second wire to localize a nodule. Wire-related complications included two instances of serious pain, five cases of clinically insignificant pneumothorax, and one large pneumothorax requiring drainage before a second nodule in the same lung was localized. CT scanning showed presumed local pulmonary hemorrhage in six cases without hemoptysis or hemothorax. CONCLUSION: CT-guided hookwire localization is easily and safely performed and permits thoracoscopic resection of lung nodules, which might otherwise be impossible.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Safety and efficacy of a technique for thoracoscopically guided pulmonary wedge resection in horses.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of thoracoscopically guided pulmonary wedge resection in horses. ANIMALS: 10 horses (5 control horses and 5 horses affected with recurrent airway obstruction [ie, heaves]). PROCEDURE: Each horse underwent a thoracoscopically guided pulmonary wedge resection. Before, during, and after surgery, heart rate, respiratory rate, arterial blood gases, and systemic and pulmonary arterial pressures were measured. Physical examination, CBC, and thoracic radiography and ultrasonography were performed 24 hours before and 2 and 48 hours after surgery. Pulmonary specimens were assessed by histologic examination. A second thoracoscopic procedure 14 days later was used to evaluate the resection site. RESULTS: The technique provided excellent specimens for histologic evaluation of the lung. Heart and respiratory rates decreased significantly after horses were administered sedatives. A significant transient decrease in Pao2 was detected immediately after pulmonary wedge resection, but we did not detect significant effects on arterial pH, Paco2, or mean arterial and pulmonary arterial pressures. All horses except 1 were clinically normal after thoracoscopic surgery; that horse developed hemothorax attributable to iatrogenic injury to the diaphragm. The second thoracoscopy revealed minimal inflammation, and there were no adhesions. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Thoracoscopically guided pulmonary wedge resection provides a minimally invasive method for use in obtaining specimens of lung tissues from healthy horses and those with lung disease. This technique may be useful for the diagnosis of diseases of the lungs and thoracic cavity.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Thoracoscopic lung biopsy for diffuse infiltrative lung disease.

Thoracoscopic lung biopsy is becoming the procedure of first choice for the diagnosis of many localized and diffuse lung diseases. We have performed thoracoscopic lung biopsy for 17 patients with diffuse infiltrative lung disease, in Kurume University Hospital. There were 13 females and 4 males with a mean age of 48 years (range: 19-71 years). Thoracoscopic surgical biopsy was performed in the right lung in 12 and in the left lung in 5. Adequate lung tissue from each case was obtained for pathological examination. The mean surgical biopsy time was 49 min (range: 25-72 min) and bleeding was negligible. The mean duration for chest tube drainage was 2.6 days. No postoperative complication such as prolonged air leakage occurred. A specific diagnosis from the biopsy was achieved in 13 (76.4%) of the 17 cases. In only 6 (35.2%) of the 17 cases, the pathological diagnosis was the same as that from the thoracoscopic biopsy. In these 6 cases, the same diagnosis was obtained only in those with idiopathic interstitial pneumonitis or diffuse panbronchitis. Thoracoscopic lung biopsy was safe and useful for diagnosis for diffuse infiltrative lung disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Multilevel anterior thoracic discectomies and anterior interbody fusion by using a microsurgical thoracoscopic approach. Case report.

A video-assisted thoracoscopic microsurgical approach was performed to treat a myelopathic patient with a severe kyphotic deformity caused by chronic nonunion of compression fractures of T7-9 vertebrae. The kyphotic deformity was treated by combined operative procedures. First, an anterior release was performed using a thoracoscopic technique, sectioning the anterior longitudinal ligament and performing multilevel thoracic discectomies. Next, a posterior reduction and internal fixation of the deformity was achieved using hook-rod instrumentation. Finally, bone graft harvested during the posterior approach was used for interbody fusion via a thoracoscopic approach. Microsurgical thoracoscopic techniques potentially can be used in a variety of spinal surgeries. Compared to transthoracic and posterolateral approaches, this technique presents distinct advantages to treatment of anterior spinal pathology. The small incisions made into the intercostal spaces without retracting the ribs may reduce postoperative pain, shorten the length of hospitalization, and allow early return to activity. The operative techniques used in this case are described in detail. This report demonstrates that thoracoscopic discectomies and interbody fusion are technically feasible and can be effectively performed with acceptable results.

Journal Article↗