ObjectiveTo explore the early outcomes of the surgical treatment for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) combined with intracardiac abnormities via right vertical infra-axillary thoracotomy (RVIAT).MethodsA total of 7 children with PDA combined with intracardiac defects underwent surgery through RVIAT at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from 2016 to 2018. There were 4 males and 3 females, with an average age of 5.3±4.5 years and weight of 18.0±11.2 kg.ResultsIn all patients, PDA was ligated before the repair of intracardiac abnormities. No patient died in hospital. All patients were followed up, with a mean follow-up time of 18.0±8.0 months. No other complications such as residual shunts, arrhythmias, hemorrhaging or wound infection occurred after operations or during the follow-up period.ConclusionRVIAT is an emerging technique used for the surgical repair of PDA combined with intracardiac defects. It yields satisfying cosmetic results, without increasing postoperative complications or mortality.
ObjectiveTo summarize our experience of right axillary straight mini-thoracotomy for surgical treatment of common congenital heart diseases in infants. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of 369 infants undergoing open heart surgery through right axillary straight mini-thoracotomy in the 153th Central Hospital of People's Liberation Army from April 2009 to April 2013. There were 191 males and 178 females with their mean age of 8.2±3.1 months (range, 3-12 months)and body weight of 7.8±4.5 kg (rang, 4.5-11.2 kg). Surgical procedures included ventricular septal defect (VSD)repair in 290 patients, atrial septal defect (ASD)repair in 16 patients, VSD and ASD repair in 34 patients, VSD repair and mitral valvuloplasty in 4 patients, valvotomy for pulmonary valve stenosis (PVS)in 9 patients, ASD repair and valvotomy for PVS in 6 patients, correction of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection in 4 patients, and correction of partial atrioventricular canal defect in 6 patients. ResultsSix patients (1.6%)died postoperatively. Postoperative complications included right atelectasis in 3 patients, right pneumothorax in 2 patients, pneumonia in 16 patients, incision fat liquefaction in 12 patients, third-degree atrioventricular block in 1 patient, cerebral air embolism in 1 patient, and reexploration for bleeding in 3 patients. A total of 295 patients were followed up for 6 to 12 months after discharge. Residual VSD shunt was found in 4 patients, and mild mitral regurgitation was found in 2 patients. ConclusionClinical outcomes of right axillary straight mini-thoracotomy during open heart surgery are satisfactory for infants with common congenital heart diseases, but strict indications and skillful surgical techniques are needed.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy of paravertebral block (PVB) versus thoracic epidural block (TEB) for post-thoracotomy analgesia. MethodsWe electronically searched databases including The Cochrane Library (Issue 9, 2013), PubMed, EMbase, Springer, CNKI, CBM, VIP and WanFang Data from 1980 to September 2013, to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of PVB versus TEB for post-thoracotomy pain management. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data and assessed the methodological quality of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.2 software. ResultsThirteen RCTs involving 608 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that:the PVB group got higher VAS score at 48 h than the TEB group (WMD=-0.36, 95%CI -0.54 to -0.71), but more patients of the PVB group chosen remedial method to release pain in epidural than in paravertebral. In addition, there were no differences in VAS scores at 6 h and 24 h between two groups. As for the analgesia related complication:compared with the TEB group, the PVB group has lower rate of hypotension (RR=0.18, 95%CI 0.08 to 0.41), urinary retention (RR=0.24, 95%CI 0.11 to 0.54), nausea and vomiting (RR=0.42, 95%CI 0.25 to 0.70). There were no significant differences between two groups in postoperative pulmonary complication (RR=0.52, 95%CI 0.10 to 2.76), postoperative FEV1 level (WMD=2.93, 95%CI -4.52 to 10.38) and duration of hospital stay (WMD=-0.19, 95%CI -0.89 to 0.50). The PVB group had lower risk of chronic pain than that of the TEB group (RD=-0.12, 95%CI -0.23 to -0.01). ConclusionCurrent evidence shows PVB has the similar efficacy as TEB in post-thoracotomy pain management, with lower risk of analgesia related complication and lower risk of post-thoracotomy chronic pain. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high quality and large-scale RCTs are needed to verify the above conclusion.
Objective To introduce the procedure of thoracic outlet tumors removal through posterior thoracotomy and its efficacy. Methods Ten patients with thoracic outlet tumors underwent surgical treatment via posterior approach from June 2004 to June 2007. Five patients suffered from neurogenic tumors, 4 patients apical lung carcinomas, and 1 patient apicoposterior lung tumor. The skin incision was started superiorly lateral to the transverse process of 6th cervical vertebrae, carried downward a way between the medial border of the scapula and the posterior midline and was extended in a gentle arc below the inferior angle of the scapula to the posterior axillary line. The chest was entered and the tumor is removed through resecting the rib(2nd or 3rd rib) located at the lower edge of the tumor after the scapula had been pushed forward. Results There was no death in this group. Tumors in 9 patients were resected completely. Thoracotomy only was done in another patients as a result of tumor invading neighboring major organs. Shoulder and back pain in 3 of 4 patients was remitted postoperatively. Two patients with “dumbell” neurogenic tumors improved strength of lower limbs. Pain and abdominal wall reflex resumed in one patient and muscle strength of lower limbs increased to 4th grade from 2nd grade in another one. Two patients required thoracentesis because of complicating with pleural effusion. The mean followup period was 18 months (range 336). Seven of 10 patients still lead a normal life. Conclusion Posterior thoracotomy can provide an excellent approach to remove the thoracic outlet tumors safely and completely.
Objective To explore the risk factors and short-term clinical effect of conversion to open thoracotomy during thoracoscopic lobectomy for lung cancer patients. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 423 lung cancer patients who were scheduled for thoracoscopic lobectomy between March 2011 and November 2015.There were 252 males and 171 females at median age of 60 (24-83) years. According to the patients who were and were not converted to thoracotomy, they were divided into a conversion group (378 patients) and a video-assisted thoracic surgery group (a VATS group, 45 patients). Then, clinical data of two groups were compared, and the risk factors and short-term clinical effect of unplanned conversions to thoracotomy were analyzed. Results Lymph nodes of hilar or/and interlobar fissure closely adhered to adjacent vessels and bronchi was the most common cause of unexpected conversions to thoracotomy in 15 patients (33.3%), followed by sleeve lobectomy in 11(24.4%) patients, uncontrolled hemorrhage caused by intraoperative vessel injury in 8 patients, tumor invasion or extension in 5 patients, difficulty of exposing bronchi in 3 patients, close adhesion of pleural in 2 patients, incomplete interlobar fissure in 1 patient. Conversion did translate into higher overall postoperative complication rate (P=0.030), longer operation time (P<0.001), more intraoperative blood loss (P<0.001). In the univariable analysis, the type of operation, the anatomical site of lung cancer, the lymph node enlargement of hilar in CT and the low diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) were related to conversion. Logistic regression analysis showed that the independent risk factors for conversion were sleeve lobectomy (OR=5.675, 95%CI 2.310–13.944, P<0.001), the lymph node enlargement of hilar in CT (OR=3.732, 95%CI 1.347–10.341, P=0.011) and DLCO≤5.16 mmol/(min·kPa)(OR=3.665, 95%CI 1.868–7.190, P<0.001). Conclusions Conversion to open thoracotomy during video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy for lung cancer does not increase mortality, and it is a measure of reducing the risk of surgery. Therefore, with high-risk patients who may conversion to thoracotomy, the surgeon should be careful selection for VATS candidate. And, if necessary, the decision to convert must be made promptly to reduce short-term adverse outcome.
ObjectiveTo compare the safety and clinical outcomes of isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR)through right anterior minithoracotomy (RAMT)and conventional median sternotomy. MethodsFrom March 2006 to March 2013, 169 patients underwent isolated AVR in Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine. Among them, 42 patients received AVR via RAMT (RAMT group)including 30 males and 12 females with their age of 59.31±8.30 years. And 127 patients received AVR via conventional median sternotomy (conventional surgery group)including 89 males and 38 females with their age of 60.02±5.93 years. There were 75 patients with aortic valve stenosis (AS), 42 patients with aortic regurgitation (AR)and 52 patients with AS+AR. Postoperative outcomes were compared between the 2 groups. ResultsThere was no statistical difference in preoperative clinical characteristics between the 2 groups. All the patients successfully received isolated AVR. 153 patients received mechanical prosthesis and 16 patients received bioprosthetic valves. Fifty-two patients received 21 mm valves, and 117 patients received 23 mm valves. Cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross-clamping time of RAMT group were significantly longer than those of conventional surgery group (P < 0.001). But mechanical ventilation time, length of postoperative ICU stay and hospital stay of RAMT group were significantly shorter than those of conventional surgery group (P < 0.001). Postoperative thoracic drainage, intraoperative and postoperative blood transfusion of RAMT group were significantly less than those of conventional surgery group (P < 0.001). In conventional surgery group, 2 patients underwent reexploration for bleeding and 2 patients had wound infection postoperatively. Two patients died postoperatively, both in conventional surgery group, including 1 patient with low cardiac output syndrome and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, and another patient with prosthetic valve endocarditis secondary to sternal wound infection. ConclusionCompared with conventional median sternotomy, RAMT is safe and efficacious for patients undergoing isolated AVR with minimal surgical injury, better postoperative recovery and cosmetic outcomes.
Objective To investigate the impact of complete video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy and open lobectomy on perioperative heart rate （HR） and blood oxygen saturation （SO2） of lung cancer patients，and explore whether minimally invasive surgery can enhance postoperative recovery of lung cancer patients. Methods A total of 138 lung cancer patients were chosen from 161 consecutive patients with pulmonary diseases who were admitted to West China Hospital of Sichuan University between September 2010 and December 2011. According to different surgical approach，all the 138 lung cancer patients were divided into routine thoracotomy group （thoracotomy group，70 patients including 53 males and 17 females with their average age of 56.1±9.7 years） and complete video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy group （VATS group，68 patients including 46 males and 22 females with their average age of 53.4±6.5 years）. There was no statistical difference in preoperative clinical characteristics between the 2 groups. Preoperative and postoperative （1st，3rd，7th and 30th day） numeric pain rating scale （NPRS），HR and SO2 were compared between the 2 groups. Results （1） There was no statistical difference in NPRS on the 1st and 3rd postoperative day between the 2 groups （3.83±0.79 vs. 3.93±0.67， 2.88±0.59 vs. 3.03±0.71，P＞0.05），but on the 7th and 30th postoperative day，NPRS of the thoracotomy group was signi- ficantly higher than that of VAST group （1.61±0.33 vs. 1.22±0.12，1.58±0.26 vs. 1.19±0.31，P＜0.05）. （2） Postop- erative sedentary HR of both VATS group and thoracotomy group were significantly higher than preoperative levels ［（84.13±17.21） / minute vs. （73.67±10.32）/minute， （86.13 ±19.67） / minute vs. （72.24±14.21） / minute， P＜0.05］. Postoperative HR of VATS group decreased to preoperative level on the 3rd postoperative day，while postoperative HR of the thoracotomy group decreased to preoperative level on the 7th postoperative day. （3） There was no statistical difference between preoperative and postoperative （all the time points） sedentary SO2 of both VATS group and thoracotomy group （96.34 %±2.11% vs. 97.12%±2.31%，95.33%±4.13% vs. 94.93% ±4.31%，P＞0.05）.（4） The changes of HR and SO2 before and after exercise of VATS group were significantly smaller than those of the thoracotomy group on the 3rd postoperative day ［（11.11±4.81）/minute vs. （18.23±6.17）/minute，3.1%±1.2% vs. 7.4 %±2.7%，P＜0.05］ . Conclusion The impact of complete video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy on cardiopulmonary function is comparatively smaller，which is helpful for postoperative fast-track recovery of lung cancer patients.
Objective To compare the clinical effects of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) via the left anterior small thoracotomy (LAST) versus lower-end sternal splitting (LESS) approach in the treatment of coronary heart disease. Methods The patients who underwent LAST CABG in Tianjin Chest Hospital from October 2015 to December 2020 were allocated to an observation group (LAST group), and the patients who underwent LESS CABG at the same period were allocated to a LESS group. Propensity score matching method was applied with a ratio of 1∶1. The baseline data, perioperative data and grafts data were compared between the two groups after matching. Results Before matching, there were 110 patients in the LAST group, and 206 patients in the LESS group. After matching, there were 110 patients in each group. In the LAST group, there were 83 males and 27 females with an average age of 60.6±8.3 years. In the LESS group, there were 80 males and 30 females with an average age of 61.0±9.6 years. There was no statistical difference in baseline data between the two groups after matching (P>0.05). The hospital stay time (t=2.255, P=0.025) and ventilator using time (t=−2.229, P=0.027) in the LAST group were significantly shorter than those in the LESS group. There were no statistical differences between the two groups in the postoperative hospital stay time, ICU stay time, postoperative left ventricular ejection fraction, postoperative left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, average number of grafts, secondary intubation, secondary thoracotomy, postoperative wound infection, sternal complications, postoperative atrial fibrillation, postoperative pulmonary infection or main adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (P>0.05). There was no statistical difference in the distribution of target vessels in the anterior descending branch, diagonal branch or posterior descending branch between the two groups (P>0.05). The grafts of the LAST group were significantly more than those of the LESS group in the area of obtuse marginal branch and posterior ventricular branch, and the grafts of the LESS group were significantly more than those of the LAST group in the area of right coronary artery (P<0.05). Postoperative computerized tomography angiography indicated that 1 patient in the LAST group had obtuse marginal branch vein bridge vessel occlusion, and the bridge vessels in the other patients were unobstructed. Conclusion Minimally invasive CABG via both LAST and LESS approaches is safe and effective. LAST approach can achieve complete revascularization for multi-vessel lesions, and it is safe and reliable, with the advantages of less trauma and aesthetic appearance. However, it requires a certain learning curve of surgical techniques and certain surgical indications.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of video-assisted thoracoscopic sleeve lobectomy in the treatment of central non-small cell lung cancer.MethodsThe clinical data of 105 patients with central non-small cell lung cancer who underwent sleeve lobectomy surgery in the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University and Shanxi Cancer Hospital from December 2014 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, including 83 males and 22 females, with an average age of 57.4 (32.6-77.8) years and weight of 62.5 (52.4-79.1) kg. Thirty-five patients received video-assisted thoracoscopic sleeve lobectomy (a group A), and 70 patients received traditional thoracotomy sleeve lobectomy (a group B). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, number of lymph node dissection, postoperative complication rate, early postoperative mortality, total thoracic drainage volume at 24 hours, time of indwelling chest tube after operation, pain score at 24 hours after operation, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative short-term (1 month, 6 months and 1 year) quality of life score and postoperative 3-year survival rate of two groups were compared.ResultsThere was statistical difference in the operation time (228.1±24.7 min vs. 175.0±23.7 min, P=0.02), postoperative complication rate (28.6% vs. 34.3%, P=0.04), postoperative pain score at 24 h (3.6±3.5 points vs. 5.9±2.0 points, P=0.03) and postoperative indwelling chest tube time (5.0±2.9 d vs. 8.4±2.1 d, P=0.04) between the two groups. There was no statistical difference in the intraoperative blood loss (182.5±36.9 mL vs. 189.8±27.5 mL, P=0.34), number of lymph node dissections (11.1±2.6 vs. 12.3±1.9, P=0.49), early postoperative mortality (2.9% vs. 4.3%, P=0.31), total thoracic drainage volume at 24 h after surgery (346.8±91.1 mL vs. 329.8±101.4 mL, P=0.27), postoperative hospital stay (7.9±4.2 d vs. 8.5±3.4 d, P=0.39) and 3-year postoperative survival rate (68.6% vs. 72.9%, P=0.82) between the two groups.ConclusionVideo-assisted thoracoscopic sleeve lobectomy for the treatment of central non-small cell lung cancer is safe and feasible. Compared with traditional thoracotomy for sleeve lobectomy, fewer postoperative complications occur, body recovers faster and the quality of life is higher within the postoperative 6 months. Besides, the 3-year survival rate can achieve similar oncological prognosis results.
We reported a case of a six-year-old boy diagnosed of single ventricle, pulmonary atresia and interrupted inferior vena cava. After modified Blalock-Taussig shunt and bidirectional Glenn procedure, he received the Fontan procedure. The Fontan procedure was done through a unilateral thoracotomy, using an autologous pericardial conduit to connect hepatic vein and azygos vein. The result of short-term follow-up was satisfactory.