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PubMed2006

Multimodal treatment of osteosarcoma lung metastases.

OBJECTIVE: The diagnostic procedures, role of surgery and multimodal treatment for osteosarcoma pulmonary metastases are examined. METHODS: From January 2000 to June 2005, we observed 35 patients with osteogenic repetitions. Patients were studied by total-body computerised tomography (CT) and by thoracic single-photon emission computerised tomography (SPECT). Preoperative histological diagnosis was obtained by CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy (23 cases) and fibre-optic bronchoscopy (12 cases). RESULTS: Four lower, 6 upper and 2 middle lobectomies were carried out using a thoracotomy approach. Video-assisted thoracoscopy was used in the other 23 patients who underwent 36 wedge resections. CT showed a sensitivity of 86 % and a specificity of 66 %; SPECT had a sensitivity of 80 % and a specificity of 100 %. Twenty-five patients are still living 25 +/- 11 months after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: SPECT was demonstrated to offer a better result in the individualisation of secondary pulmonary nodules after primary osteosarcoma. The excision of all resectable lung metastases, integrated in a multidisciplinary strategy, offers good results in terms of survival.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

[Chylopericardium following pulmonary tuberculosis].

HISTORY: A 22-year old man was admitted with a large pericardial effusion after he had been successfully treated for tuberculosis of the right lung for 6 months. Treatment had been discontinued according to plan 4 months before the current admission. The patient was only mildly symptomatic with exertional dyspnea of 3 weeks duration. Body temperature, pulse rate and blood pressure were within normal limits. The neck veins were not distended. INVESTIGATIONS AND DIAGNOSIS: Laboratory data were unremarkable. The patient underwent thoracoscopy for pericardial drainage. A large chylous effusion was removed. CLINICAL COURSE: Drainage ceased over the following months after the patient had been on a medium-chain triglyceride diet. On follow-up 9 months later, the patient was asymptomatic and without evidence of cardiopulmonary disease. CONCLUSION: We presume (A) that the tuberculous infection had affected the mediastinal lymph nodes and (B) that the fibrous contraction of perinodal tissue caused a temporary obstruction of the thoracic duct at a later stage in the course of the healing process with subsequent reflux of chyle into the pericardial cavity via lymphatic vessels that normally drain the pericardium.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Intraoperative thoracic sonography.

In contrast to its use in other surgical disciplines, intraoperative sonography has so far been of minor importance in thoracic surgery. The technique of intrathoracic, intraoperative, ultrasonic examination was applied in 85 patients with different indications: in 61 patients during thoracoscopy, in 24 patients during open thoracic surgery. 6 patients eventually underwent a combination of both procedures. In order to improve the intrathoracic maneuverability of the sonographic probe we developed an electrically controllable handle for the probe. The examinations showed a high sensitivity of thoracoscopic ultrasonography for localization of intrapulmonary tumors. In addition, ultrasound was applied to assess the operability of central tumors. The sound frequency available so far for intraoperative application allows a safe distinction of non-infiltrating tumors from vascular structures; the reliable identification of an infiltration mostly requires a higher resolution. If our experiences are confirmed by further application of the method, explorative thoracotomies will surely be partly replaced by explorative thoracoscopic interventions. Ultrasonography has also proved to be useful in visualisation of mediastinal lymph-nodes and tumors, with the possibility of assessing their size.

Abscess↗
PubMed1996

Endofinger for tactile localization of pulmonary nodules during thoracoscopic resection.

To localize a deeply situated small pulmonary nodule during thoracoscopic resection, we developed as instrument a so-called "endofinger" for tactile localization of the nodule, and examined its usefulness. An attempt was made in 26 patients, using endofinger palpation under thoracoscopy, to localize twenty-six pulmonary nodules, each of which was less than 20 mm in diameter (mean 12.2 mm) and situated apart from the pleural surface. An endofinger comprises an extended "finger' section connected with a sleeve section. The sleeve section fits with a large contract area over the surgeon's forefinger, effectively lengthening it. The surgeon uses an endofinger in each hand and palpates a pulmonary nodule with the endofinger from two directions simultaneously. Surgeons could feel the hardness of nodules with a high degree of sensitivity. The sense of touch of the endofinger is much better than that of a simple bar, due to the large contact area of the sleeve section with the real finger. With the endofinger palpation 22 of 26 nodules were localized and their margins confirmed. All of 19 nodules larger than 10 mm in size had their locality confirmed by endofinger palpation. Four of 7 nodules smaller than 10 mm in size could not be localized, however. The endofinger is a useful instrument for tactile localization of pulmonary nodules under thoracoscopic surgery, especially for nodules larger than 10 mm. The method is simple, low-cost, time-saving, and has no complications.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Asbestos-induced pleural diseases--thoracoscopic aspects.

The endoscopic morphology of asbestos-induced pleural disease is demonstrated by typical thoracoscopic findings. Among 627 thoracoscopies, lesions induced by exposure to asbestos were found in 9.9% (50 malignant mesotheliomas of the pleura, 10 pleural hyalinoses, 2 asbestos pleurisies). This comparatively high percentage is indicative of the pathogenic relevance of asbestos in the pleuropulmonary region. In addition to describing the diffuse malignant mesotheliomas of the pleura, reference is made in the discussion to the possible occurrence of benign localized fibromatous mesotheliomas that are not clearly related to asbestos exposure.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Thoracoscopic resection of benign schwannoma.

The recent improvement of endoscopic surgical instruments allows new therapeutical application of thoracoscopy. We report a thoracoscopic resection of a benign schwannoma of the 6th intercostal nerve in a 35-year-old patient. The operative technique and extraction of the tumor from the chest is described. Postoperative morbidity was minor. We consider the thoracoscopic resection as first choice of treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Thoracoscopic longitudinal myotomy of the esophagus. Successful alternative treatment for diffuse esophageal spasm].

HISTORY AND ADMISSION FINDINGS: A 55-year-old woman had for 5 years been suffering from severe burning thoracic pain. She had typical risk factors for cardiovascular disease, namely hypertension, chronic smoking, obesity and hypercholesterolaemia. She had been hospitalized several times for suspected myocardial infarction, but coronary heart disease had been excluded by cardiac examination, including angiocardiography. The only contributory admission finding was epigastric pain on pressure. INVESTIGATION: Gastroscopy revealed a non-erosive duodenitis and chronic antral gastritis. The cardia was tightly closed and there were no signs of reflux oesophagitis. Manometry in the oesophagus showed frequent simultaneous contractions and marked increase in pressure amplitude, predominantly in the distal segment, indicating diffuse oesophageal spasms. TREATMENT AND COURSE: Drug treatment with calcium channel blockers gave only brief relief from the thoracic pain. But longitudinal oesophageal myotomy via thoracoscopy brought about complete pain relief, which has now persisted for 3 years. CONCLUSION: Thoracoscopic longitudinal oesophageal myotomy can provide a therapeutic alternative in patients with oesophageal spasms when drug therapy and pneumatic oesophageal dilatation have failed.

Chest Pain↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Thoracoscopic interventions in deformities of the thoracic spine].

AIM OF THE STUDY: We prospectively studied 9 patients with deformities of the thoracic spine who underwent thoracoscopic surgery to critically evaluate the benefits and limitations of thoracoscopy. METHODS: Seven patients with deformities of the thoracic spine (5 scoliosis, 2 kyphosis) underwent a thoracoscopic release and posterior correction and fusion in a single stage. In one case of a crankshaft-phenomenon a thoracoscopic epiphyseodesis und in another case of a posttraumatic kyphosis a thoracoscopic instrumentation and fusion were performed. The average age was 21 years, the follow-up was 18 months with a minimum of 12 months. The perioperative data including complications were collected and a radiographic analysis concerning curve correction was carried out. RESULTS: The scoliotic curves measured preoperatively 84 degrees on average with a Cobb angle of 62 degrees on the traction films and were corrected by 57% to averagely 36 degrees at follow-up. In the two cases of Scheuermann kyphosis a preoperative kyphosis of 94 degrees respectively 82 degrees was corrected to 52 degrees respectively 58 degrees. Between 4 and 5 discs were excised with an average operative time of 160 min and a blood loss of 380 ml. A conversion to open thoracotomy was not necessary in any case. There were no intraoperative neurovascular complications. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoscopic procedures in deformities of the thoracic spine are technically demanding; however, it is a minimally invasive procedure with a reduced approach-related morbidity compared to open thoracotomy. The indications for a thoracoscopic release are rigid kyphosis and scoliosis with rigid curves between 80 and 90 degrees Cobb angle in which an anterior correction and instrumentation alone is not considered.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

[Thoracoscopic and computer tomographic findings in pleural mesotheliomas].

The computer tomographic findings in fifteen patients with histologically confirmed malignant pleural mesotheliomas were analysed. The results were compared with the findings on thoracoscopy and on conventional radiography. On CT, the tumour was not obscured by pleural effusion and the differential diagnosis of masses in the chest wall becomes narrower. Signs of asbestos exposure can be recognised at an early stage. Once the diagnosis has been confirmed histologically, CT demonstrates the tumour clearly. Involvement of the pericardium and mediastinum can be diagnosed with considerable certainty and involvement of the pleura may be assumed if there is an effusion. CT is an advance in the diagnosis of these rare tumours; it aids in arriving at a prognosis and in formulating treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Sympathectomy for complex regional pain syndrome.

BACKGROUND: With the easier and earlier recognition of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a reappraisal of its therapy, particularly the role and timing of sympathectomy, is warranted. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over a 9-year period, 42 patients with CRPS type II of the upper extremity were referred for sympathectomy. Patients were categorized according to the duration of the symptoms (group I, <3 months; group II, >3 months). All patients underwent initial medical treatment; stellate ganglion blocks were performed when symptoms persisted beyond 6 weeks. Patients were referred for thoracoscopic sympathectomy on persistence of the pain syndrome. A visual linear analogue scale was used to evaluate outcome of sympathectomy. RESULTS: Thoracoscopic dorsal sympathectomy was successfully undertaken in 32 patients. In the remaining 10 patients, thoracoscopy was not technically feasible and open sympathectomy was performed. There was an overall improvement in all 42 patients undergoing sympathectomy (P <.001, Wilcoxon signed rank test). The outcome in group I was significantly better than in group II (P <.003, Mann-Whitney U test). The diagnosis of sympathetically mediated pain with stellate blockade did not correlate with clinical outcome. Patients undergoing thoracoscopic sympathectomy had a better outcome than those undergoing open sympathectomy. There were no complications, and the hospital stay was shorter in the thoracoscopic group. CONCLUSION: Early recognition of CRPS and prompt recourse to surgical sympathectomy is a useful option in the management of CRPS.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Progelatinase B/matrix metalloproteinase-9 proenzyme as a marker of pleural inflammation.

Previous analyses of pleural effusions of different origin revealed high levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 proenzyme (proMMP-9), predominantly in parainfectious exudates. To confirm the etiological association with inflammation and to explore time course of release of proMMP-9 under conditions of a local inflammatory reaction, the authors estimated proMMP-9 in pleural fluids of patients undergoing therapeutic talc pleurodesis (n = 20) and explorative thoracoscopy (n = 4), before, and at different time intervals after the intervention. The authors also compared proMMP-9 values with proinflammatory markers, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and leukocyte count. As revealed through scanning substrate electrophoresis, proMMP-9 levels increased within the first hours a!nd culminated 16 to 48 hours after intervention, amounting to 1.5- to 102 -fold of initial concentration (mean = 14.8 -fold). MMP-9 proenzyme values significantly correlated with the levels of proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 (r =.79, n = 47, p <.01) and with neutrophil counts (r =.75, n = 45, p <.01). In conclusion, the results present proMMP-9 as a novel early indicator of acute host-response in pleural space that complements traditional proinflammatory markers and might be useful in monitoring pleural inflammatory processes.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Thoracoscopic sympathectomy: the U.S. experience.

OBJECTIVE: 48 patients underwent TSSYM. Charts of patients undergoing thoracoscopy were reviewed to assess the safety and efficacy of thoracoscopic sympathectomy (TSSYM). DESIGN: A retrospective review was undertaken at four United States medical centers. RESULTS: TSSYM was performed for reflex sympathetic dystrophy in 27 patients, hyperhydrosis palmaris in 15 patients, and Raynaud's upper extremity ischemia and splanchnic pain in 2 patients each. Anesthesia with one lung ventilation was used. 2.9 ports were used per patient and 0.8 chest tubes were placed per patient. All patients underwent resection of the sympathetic chain, usually with a clip along the bottom of the resected chain. Laser, electro-ablation and electroresection were not used by any of the surgeons in his series. The mean length of hospital stay was 1.8 days. CONCLUSIONS: TSSYM is a safe and effective technique for treatment of a variety of thoracic disorders.

Endoscopy↗
PubMed1998

Thoracoscopic bleb resection selectively combined with pleurectomy for complicated spontaneous pneumothorax.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short and long term results of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for complicated pneumothorax. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: General hospital, Linz, Austria. SUBJECTS: 76 consecutive patients with complicated pneumothorax. INTERVENTIONS: 57 patients with primary and 19 with secondary spontaneous pneumothorax underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Depending on the findings at thoracoscopy, patients were allocated to have stapled bleb resection (n=29), multiple bleb resection combined with apical pleurectomy (n=40), or apical segmental resection combined with apical pleurectomy (no visible disease on the lung surface, n=7). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Efficacy, morbidity, mortality, and late recurrence rate. RESULTS: No conversions to open thoracotomy were necessary and early lung reexpansion was achieved in all but one patient (99%). There was one postoperative death (1%) and morbidity was 7%, including one persistent air leak and one early recurrence, both of which required thoracotomy. All postoperative complications developed in patients with spontaneous pneumothorax secondary to diffuse bullous emphysema. At a median follow up of 34 months there were 4 ipsilateral pneumothorax recurrences (5%), two of which developed after bleb resection combined with pleurectomy and two after bleb resection alone. CONCLUSION: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was safe and effective for the treatment of complicated spontaneous pneumothorax. It is our procedure of choice for complicated primary spontaneous pneumothorax and is a valuable alternative to open thoracotomy for patients with secondary spontaneous pneumothorax.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Transthoracic oesophagomyotomy in the treatment of achalasia--a 15-year experience.

Oesophageal achalasia was treated with modified Heller's oesophagomyotomy in 51 patients (19 males, 32 females) via thoracotomy in 47 cases and thoracoscopy in 4 cases. A Belsey Mark IV antireflux procedure was added to transthoracic oesophagomyotomy in two cases, because of extended cardiomyotomy. There were no hospital deaths. The overall improvement rate was 93.5%, with excellent results in 80.6%. Postoperative follow-up averaged 7.4 years. In all four cases of thoracoscopic oesophagomyotomy, simultaneous oesophagoscopy was performed to facilitate the procedure. One patient required repeat surgery 2 months later because of inadequate myotomy. Thirty-one patients, including three with severe gastro-oesophageal reflux, received long-term medication. Barrett's oesophagus developed in two of the 31 patients (6.5%) 4.7 and 7.6 years, respectively, after myotomy and squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed in a 44-year-old woman 2.2 years postoperatively. The study suggests that transthoracic oesophagomyotomy without antireflux procedure can provide excellent long-term relief of dysphagia in oesophageal achalasia and carries a low risk of serious postoperative complications.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Thoracoscopic resection of unusual symptomatic pericardial cysts.

Pericardial cysts are mediastinal tumors that usually have a benign course. Diagnostic and therapeutic thoracoscopy are warranted for suspect mediastinal masses, unsuccessful nondiagnostic less invasive procedures, and symptomatic unusually located pericardial cysts. We report a case of thoracoscopic resection of symptomatic pericardial cysts.

Humans↗
PubMed1997

The application of minimal access procedures in infants, children, and young adults with pediatric malignancies.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we sought analysis of minimal access procedures in pediatric and young adult oncology patients. METHODS: Between 1990 and 1997, 84 patients underwent 93 minimal access procedures. Clinical, pathological, and operative details were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 32 females and 52 males with a median age of 14 years (range 3 months to 31 years). The median body weight was 50 kg (range 6-94 kg). There were 47 thoracoscopic procedures and 46 laparoscopic procedures. Laparoscopic procedures included liver biopsy (21), diagnostic tumor biopsy (13), lymph node biopsy (4), cholecystectomy (4), oophoropexy (3), and kidney biopsy (1). Median hospital stay was 2 days (range 1-14 days). Six patients had their procedure converted to an open procedure (13%). Thoracoscopic procedures included diagnostic lung biopsy (22), mediastinal mass biopsy or resection (4), pleural biopsy (5), and pleurodesis (4). Eleven were converted to open thoracotomy (23%). Median hospital stay was 4 days (range 2-35 days). There were two complications after laparoscopy (4%) and three disease-related deaths. There were six complications after thoracoscopy (13%), and three disease-related deaths. Adequate tissue was obtained in all biopsy procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Children with cancer require operations for diagnosis and staging. Minimal access procedures are safe and effective and allow adjuvant therapy to begin earlier.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Use of minimally invasive surgery in staging esophageal cancer.

Noninvasive staging of esophageal cancer (EC) is often inaccurate, and this fact has compromised clinical trials of treatment for EC. Prognostic evaluation might allocate chemotherapy and radiation more appropriately. Thoracoscopy and laparoscopy has recently shown promising results, and molecular analysis of the recovered tissue may further improve staging accuracy.

Endosonography↗
PubMed2006

Pediatric thoracoscopic training in an experimental pleural empyema rabbit model.

BACKGROUND: Thoracoscopy has proved to be effective in the treatment of stage 2 (fibrinopurulent) empyema, but this technique requires different abilities from those needed in open surgery. The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of an experimental empyema in rabbits as a thoracoscopic training model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty New Zealand rabbits were anesthetized with acepromazine and ketamine. A Veress needle was introduced into the pleural space, and a turpentine and saline solution were injected. Twenty-four hours later, 1016 colony-forming units of Escherichia coli and 1 g of agar in 1 mL of saline solution were injected. The rabbits were operated on 96 hours after bacterial injection by 30 pediatric surgeons attending a hands-on pediatric laparoscopic course. The contralateral lung was selectively intubated and three ports were placed to perform an empyema debridement. The surgeons evaluated the model using subjective criteria from an evaluation form. RESULTS: One animal died (5%) and 2 (10%) did not form empyema. The other 17 rabbits (85%) presented with a fibrinopurulent empyema. All usual surgical steps could be performed. As regards the surgeons' opinion of the model, 23 (76.7%) considered it very good while 7 (23.3%) thought it was good. Twenty-three (76.7%) answered that the empyema stage was correct for thoracoscopic treatment. CONCLUSION: As reflected by our experience and the survey completed by the 30 pediatric surgeons, this empyema model in rabbits is very useful for thoracoscopic training.

Animals↗