Video-assisted Minithoracotomy Research Articles

Health-related quality of life after minimal-invasive treatment of aortic valve stenosis in the elderly.

Although transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TF-TAVI) offers superior early outcome over open surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in the elderly, a comparison of TF-TAVI with surgery performed through partial upper mini sternotomy (PUMS) hasn't yet been validated. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the clinical outcome and quality of life of patients subjected to TF-TAVI and open surgical aortic valve replacement through partial upper mini sternotomy (PUMS-SAVR). Baseline, procedural and post-treatment data of 197 consecutive patients: 137 TF-TAVI and 60 PUMS-SAVR treated at Philipps University of Marburg, were retrospectively collected. The propensity score method was used to create two groups in a 1:1 fashion. Questionnaire assessment (SF36_LQ) of quality of life of the matched patients was carried out at the ambulant routine control presentation. A competing risk regression model is used to evaluate the impact of the clinical outcome on health-related quality of life (HrQoL). After propensity matching, TF-TAVI remained associated with lower procedural time (136±50 vs. 298±36 min, P<0.01), intensive care unit stay (2.68±2.70 vs. 4.29±2.43 days, P<0.01), transfusion of packed red cell units (0.46±2.05 vs. 1.60±2.00 U, P=0.02) and higher heart block (42.86% vs. 0%, P<0.01) and permanent pacemaker implantation rates (14.29% vs. 0%, P=0.05) compared to PUMS-SAVR. TF-TAVI is associated with less complains, superior HrQoL (excellent 40% and very good 60% vs. very good 100% in PUMS). Partial sternotomy is the main predictor of the inferior HrQoL, with the regression coefficient of -1.11 (95% confidential interval, -1.503 to -0.726; R2=0.324, P<0.0001). Transfusion (P=0.26), paravalvular leakage (0.618), pacemaker implantation (P=0.19) and delirium (P=0.92) did not influence HrQoL after the minimal-invasive treatment of aortic valve stenosis in elderly patients. Although PUMS-SAVR offers better technical outcomes with less permanent pacemaker implantation and less paravalvular leakage than TF-TAVI, it is still associated with more need for transfusion, longer ventilation-and intensive care unit-times, and prolonged hospital stay. In the elderly, PUMS-SAVR achieves inferior quality of life compared to TF-TAVI. Partial sternotomy reveals as the strongest risk factor of perceived health-level post-treatment. It remains to be revealed whether fast-track open heart surgery that maintains a fully intact sternum and allows immediate postoperative extubation-as performed through video-assisted mini-thoracotomy or thoracoscopic robotic procedures with percutaneous cannulation - should be favored against PUMS-SAVR.

Would the width of a metal rib spreader affect postoperative pain in patients who undergo video-assisted mini-thoracotomy (VAMT)?

Hitherto, no study has evaluated postoperative pain in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with video-assisted mini-thoracotomy (VAMT). In this study, we aimed to assess postoperative pain related to the width of the metal rib spreader in patients who underwent lobectomy using VAMT. We retrospectively analysed the data of 94 consecutive patients with NSCLC who underwent lobectomy using VAMT at our institution between March 2019 and May 2022. We divided the patients into groups according to the width ratio of the rib spreader to that of a single intercostal space. Patients with width ratios ≤ 2.5 times were assigned to group A, and those with width ratios > 2.5 times were assigned to group B. Pre-, intra-, and postoperative data were collected and reviewed. We successfully performed VAMT in 94 patients with NSCLC. Forty-five patients were in group A, and 49 were in group B. There were no intraoperative mortalities, although one patient, due to respiratory failure, experienced 30-day mortality. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the blood loss volume, operative time, drainage time, postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, or number of lymph node stations explored and retrieved. The drainage volumes (Day 1-Day 3) were higher in group B than in group A (P < 0.05). The postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores were significantly lower in Group A than in Group B at 12, 24, and 48 h (P < 0.05), although there was no significant difference in the VAS scores between the two groups at 72 h and 1 week postoperatively (P > 0.05). The smaller the width of the metal rib spreader used in surgery, the less pain experienced by the patient and the faster the recovery. Multicentre, randomised, controlled trials should be conducted in the future.

Experience of tracheo-bronchoplastic surgery for lung cancer

Introduction. Currently, surgical treatment of lung cancer is impossible without the use of tracheobronchoplastic operations, which in advanced specialized clinics take up to 5-10% of all radical operations. Material and methods. We conducted a retrospective study including 21 patients with centrally located lung cancer who underwent 22 tracheobronchoplastic radical operations between 2000 and 2021. The operated patients included 18 men and 3 women aged 42 to 67 years (mean age 54.5 ± 12.5 years). The morphological structure of the tumors was represented by carcinoid (2) and squamous cell carcinoma (19). The pathological process was located in the right lung in 16 patients and in the left lung — in five patients. Comorbid status was present in 20 patients. Standard lateral thoracotomy was used in 18 cases, and video-assisted minithoracotomy — in three cases. Extended lymphodissection up to D2 was performed in all surgeries. Combined surgeries included resection of adjacent organs: pericardium (2), unpaired vein (2), superior vena cava (1), diaphragmatic and vagus nerves (1), pleura (1). Results. The average duration of operations was 242.3 minutes (125-345 minutes), the average blood loss was 283.2 ml (50–1000 ml). Complications developed in 5 (22.7%) patients. Mortality was observed in 2 (9.1%) cases. Conclusion. The use of tracheobronchoplastic operations significantly expands the possibilities of thoracic surgery in treatment of lung cancer both due to technical resectability of the tumor at the transition to the main bronchus and trachea and due to functional operability at low respiratory functions and impossibility to perform pneumonectomy.

An off-pump biatrial mini-maze procedure for treatment of long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation

Abstract Background Surgical treatment has assumed a more prominent role in the therapy of atrial fibrillation (AF) with favorable efficiency and acceptable safety during the last decades. The traditional Cox-Maze procedure and Wolf Mini-Maze procedure focused on left atrial ablation. However, it is ubiquitous that patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (LSPAF) typically suffer from biatrial electrical and structural remodeling. The left atrial procedures are still not enough in patients with LSPAF. Purpose Herein, we aimed to introduce a modified biatrial off-pump ablation procedure based on the Wolf Mini-Maze procedure and to detect the safety and efficacy of the surgery for patients with LSPAF. Methods Between January 2016 and September 2020, 102 patients of LSPAF underwent our modified Mini-Maze procedure using bipolar radiofrequency ablation. Those patients firstly underwent a Mini-Maze procedure using Dallas lesion set, including video-assisted bilateral mini-thoracotomy, left atrial appendage excision, bilateral pulmonary vein isolation, ganglionic plexi evaluation and destruction, left atrial roof connecting lesion, and a linear lesion connecting this roofline to the root of the aorta at the junction of the left coronary and the non-coronary cusp. Secondly, a purse-string suture was performed on the right atrium, and then four ablation lesions were made to the superior vena cava, to the inferior vena cava, to the appendix of the right atrium, and to the tricuspid valve annulus from the purse-string suture point by the bipolar radiofrequency clamp. After the operation, the patients were followed up at an interval of 3, 6, 12 months, and every 1 year after that. Results No mortality No surgical re-exploration for bleeding. No permanent pacemaker implantation. 99 patients were free from LSPAF upon discharge. A follow-up at interval of 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 months showed a success rate free from LSPAF was 95.1% (97/102), 94.4% (85/90), 94.8% (73/77), 91.5% (54/59), 90.3% (28/31) and 100% (9/9), respectively Conclusions The modified biatrial Mini-Maze suggested a safe and feasible procedure. Early follow-up demonstrated an acceptable success rate free from AF. It might have the potential to become another option for clinical treatment of LSPAF. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): General Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China Schematic of the procedure

Minimally invasive mitral valve repair for degenerative etiology: a comparative study

BackgroundThere is a paucity of data comparing the minimally invasive mitral valve repair (MiMVr) to the conventional approach in patients with degenerative disease. Our objective was to compare the outcomes of MiMVr to the traditional mitral valve repair through median sternotomy in patients with degenerative mitral valve disease. We conducted a retrospective study on 215 patients classified into two groups. Group 1 (n = 80) included those who had mitral valve repair through a right anterolateral video-assisted mini-thoracotomy, and group 2 (n = 135) was approached through a conventional median sternotomy. We compared the preoperative, operative, and postoperative data between groups. Both groups had echocardiographic follow-ups after 6 and 12 months.ResultsThere was no difference in gender distribution between both groups, and patients who had median sternotomy were significantly older (median 37 (Q1-Q3, 29-44) vs. 54 (48-60) years; P < 0.001). Cardiopulmonary bypass (134.5 (130-138.5) vs. 99 (97-104) min; P < 0.001) and ischemic times (99 (95-105.5) vs. 78 (75-81) min; P < 0.001) were significantly shorter in patients who had median sternotomy. Patients with MiMVr had significantly lower blood loss (370 (315-390) vs. 550 (490-600) ml; P < 0.001) and ICU stay (5 (4.5-6) vs. 7 (7-8) days; P < 0.001). There was no difference between both groups regarding re-exploration for bleeding, postoperative stroke, wound infection, renal failure, and mortality. As regards postoperative echocardiography follow-up at 6 and 12 months after the operation, there were no significant changes in the mean mitral valve gradient within each group; however, the mean gradient was lower in the MiMVr group (3 (3-3.5) vs. 4 (3-5) mmHg; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between both groups regarding mitral regurgitation severity during 6 and 12 months follow-up.ConclusionMinimally invasive mitral valve repair in patients with degenerative pathology could be an alternative to conventional mitral valve surgery with comparable short-term and long-term outcomes.

Sleep-related breathing disorders in diaphragmatic pathologies.

The diaphragm is the most significant muscle involved in breathing. There are very few studies and cases evaluating sleep-related breathing disorders in diaphragmatic pathologies. This study compares preoperative and postoperative polysomnography (PSG) and pulmonary function test (PFT) results in diaphragmatic pathologies. The study included 28 patients who underwent video-assisted mini-thoracotomy (VATS) due to diaphragm eventration and paralysis between January 2014 and October 2019. Pulmonary function tests (PFT) and polysomnography (PSG) were performed preoperatively in all patients, and PSG and PFT were repeated 2months after the surgery. Twenty-five of the 28 patients were found to have apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 5 (89%). A significant decrease in the preoperative TST, stage 3, and REM periods was observed. Nineteen of these patients (76%) were supine isolated or supine dominant. There was a marked improvement in AHI and PFT values after the surgery. Only five patients required a PAP device. Doctors should perform PSG in patients with diaphragm pathologies, and these patients should be operated on after considering the comorbidities when OSA is detected.

Спонтанный пневмоторакс: некоторые аспекты этиологии, патогенеза и лечения (обзор литературы)

The review article discusses the prevalence, etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax. The vascular, mechanical, obstructive, infectious, and enzymatic theories of the occurrence of emphysematous lung changes as the main cause of developing spontaneous pneumothorax are described; the role of smoking as the main etiological factor and its influence on the recurrence rate of spontaneous pneumothorax are studied. The issues of choosing primary cure tactic are considered. The effectiveness of conservative treatment, puncture and drainage of the pleural cavity as methods of treatment and pleurodesis for the prevention of recurrences of spontaneous pneumothorax are described. A comparativeassessment of various methods of pleural cavity obliteration is given: chemical pleurodesis (by sterile talc, minocycline, povidone-iodine, 50% glucose solution, autologous blood and its components, autologous adipose tissue, pseudomonas aeruginosa sensitive hemagglutinin, picibanil), apical pleurectomy, pleuroabrasion. The experience of using YAG-ND and CO2 as methods of physical pleurodesis, intraoperative Staple Line Coverage with polyglyconic acid and fibrin gel is described. The necessity of active surgical tactic in the treatment of patients with spontaneous pneumothorax developed on the base of undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia has been substantiated. The advantages, disadvantages, indications and contrindications to different ways of surgical treatment (thoracotomy, video-assisted minithoracotomy, thoracoscopy) are discussed. The strategy for choosing treatment methods depending on the volume of pneumothorax, the severity of bullous changes, the presence of concomitant diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and the value of the Charlson comorbidity index is considered. The expediency of using video-assisted minithoracotomy as the safest and most effective method of surgical treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax has been substantiated. The effectiveness of surgical interventions depending on the timing of their implementation is considered.

Mature Teratoma Revealed by an Encysted Pleural Effusion

A 32-year-old patient with no previous history was admitted for chest pain, dyspnea, appetite and weight loss. Chest X-ray revealed an opacity involving the lower two-thirds of the right hemithorax, suggestive of a pleural effusion. Because of the absence of fluid return even after ultrasound-guided thoracentesis, a Chest Computed tomography was required showing a heterogeneous anterior mediastinal mass with soft tissue, fat, fluid and calcifications associated with extensive encysted fluid collection in the right hemithorax. A video-assisted mini-thoracotomy revealed a mediastinal tumor firmly attached to the thymus with a cystic wall lined by squamous epithelium and sebaceous gland composed of respiratory tissue, adipose tissue, cartilage, smooth muscle fibers, and well-differentiated pancreatic tissue. These findings led to the diagnosis of a mature thymic teratoma. The patient was discharged 7 days after surgery, with no recurrence on follow-up.

Катамениальный пневмоторакс как особая форма спонтанного пневмоторакса (обзор литературы)

Spontaneous pneumothorax is a common (more than 12.5% of all urgent conditions in thoracic surgery) life-threatening condition, statistically more commonly found in men with pulmonary emphysema. However, a rare and difficult diagnostic form of spontaneous pneumothorax that develops in more than 73% of women of reproductive age with thoracic endometriosis is spontaneous catamenial pneumothorax. In the prevailing majority of patients, this pneumothorax turns out to be right-sided and recurrent in more than 70% of cases. The “gold standard” for verification of thoracic endometriosis is the visual inspection of the chest organs and biopsy using video-assisted mini-thoracotomy (VATS). The signs of thoracic endometriosis detected intraoperatively include the identification of fenestrations of the diaphragm, endometriosis of the visceral pleura, bullae of various calibers, cicatricial changes in lung parenchyma, etc. There is no consensus on the tactics of patients´ management, however, the primary importance in the treatment of thoracic endometriosis and spontaneous catamenial pneumothorax as its main manifestation should be given to surgical interventions: suturing diaphragm defects, typical (anatomical) or atypical resection of the lungs in different volumes, pleurodesis to prevent the recurrence of pneumothorax, etc. The most effective pleurodesis methods are chemical pleurodesis with sterile talc, the use of YAG-ND and CO2 lasers. Apical pleurectomy is actively used; various materials (fibrin gel, polyglycolic acid, etc.) are being studied as suture-line coverage to create aerostasis. Along with surgical methods, the use of COCs, analogues of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, danazole, progestins, and aromatase inhibitors minimizes the recurrence of spontaneous pneumothorax in patients with thoracic endometriosis.

Contribution of videothoracoscopy in the management of thoracic wounds with diaphragmatic lesions: A single African center experience

Background and aims The management of thoracic wounds induced by sharp objects outside an extreme emergency remains controversial. The means vary from exploratory thoracotomy to simple monitoring. Between these two extremes, videothoracoscopy as a means of exploration plays an important role and helps to avoid unnecessary thoracotomies, thus making it possible to make early diagnosis of diaphragmatic lesions. The aim of this study was to report our experience in videothoracoscopic management of thoracic wounds by penetrating objects. Material and methods From January 2010 to December 2015, 58 patients with an average age 22.5 years with a thoracic stab wound with a stable hemodynamic condition underwent videothoracoscopy. Results Thoracoscopy revealed a diaphragmatic injury in 17 patients, cardiac or pericardial wounds in four and a haemorrhagic pulmonary injury in 1; all were treated at video-assisted mini-thoracotomy. In the other 36 patients, videothoracoscopic exploration did not demonstrate any intra-thoracic lesion and the procedure consisted of aspiration of a residual hemothorax with the installation of a good view-controlled thoracic drainage. Hospital stay was between 48 and 72 h. Conclusion Videothoracoscopy is a safe and effective way to explore the thoracic cavity in patients with chest wounds with suspected diaphragmatic lesions. It avoids thoracotomy especially in hemodynamically stable patients.

Combined laparoscopic and thoracoscopic Ivor Lewis esophagectomy using the transorally inserted anvil-the experience of Fujian Medical University Union Hospital.

Surgical approaches for treating esophageal carcinoma include the transhiatal esophagectomy (THE) and the transthoracic esophagectomy (TTE) with the anastomosis in the thorax or the neck. Compared with THE, TTE can resect more extensive intrathoracic esophageal tumors. Meanwhile, the range of the resected mediastinal lymph nodes with TTE is wider than THE. Performing an intrathoracic esophagogastric anastomosis using MIE techniques can be technically challenging and time-consuming (1,2). Combined laparoscopic with thoracoscopic Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy needs video-assisted mini-thoracotomy and the use of Endo-GIA stapler over and over. Due to the use of OrVil system, the operation of the intrathoracic esophagus anastomosis has become easy, and the operation time has reduced.

Four-arm robotic lung resection versus muscle-sparing mini-thoracotomy: retrospective experience.

Robotic surgery was introduced in the early 2000s but its use remains limited, particularly in thoracic surgery. Here we compare the first consecutive 185 four-arm robotic procedures carried out in our institution vs. muscle-sparing video-assisted mini-thoracotomy (MSMT), our previous minimally invasive approach for anatomical lung resection. One hundred and eighty-five consecutive patients undergoing surgery using the four-arm robotic technique between February 2014 and December 2016 were compared to a control historical series of 136 consecutive patients undergoing surgery by MSMT in the same institution. The same senior surgeon performed all surgical procedures. Comparisons between the two groups were performed using the Chi2 test for qualitative data and the Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney or Student's t-test for quantitative data. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were similar in the two groups. In the robotic group, median (min-max) length of hospital stay (LOS) was significantly shorter (by 2 days) than in the MSMT group {7 days [3-63] vs. 9 days [5-63], respectively; P<0.0001}. The rate of complications was similar in the two groups, but the complications appeared to be less severe in patients undergoing robotic surgery (switch from Clavien-Dindo grade III and IV to grade II) although further studies are required to confirm this due to the large number of missing data. In a senior thoracic surgery practice, the switch from a minimally invasive technique to robotic surgery was safe and beneficial in patients undergoing anatomical lung resection in terms of LOS and possible complication severity.

Sclerosing Pneumocytoma: A Ten-Year Experience at a Western Balkan University Hospital.

Background and objective: Sclerosing pneumocytoma is a rare, benign tumor of the lung that represents a diagnostic challenge due to the diversity of pathohistological findings. The aim of this study was to present a 10-year experience with sclerosing pneumocytoma of a large center for the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary diseases, and to emphasize differential diagnostic dilemmas as a potential source of errors. Material and Methods: This represents a retrospective study of six patients diagnosed and treated with sclerosing pneumocytoma in the 10-year period. The study analyzed various parameters, which are: Sex, age, symptoms, size and localization of the tumor, and its gross and histological features. Results: Sclerosing pneumocytoma was more frequently diagnosed in females (83.34%). The patients ranged in age from 38 to 61. Most of the patients (66.66%) were asymptomatic. Two patients underwent a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, two patients had a video-assisted minithoracotomy, and two patients underwent a thoracotomy in order to remove the tumor. The tumor was localized in the left lower lobe, in the right upper lobe, and in the right lower lobe in 50%, 33.34%, and 16.66% of patients, respectively. The tumor size ranged from 1 to 2.5 cm. A pathohistological examination of all six cases reported that all four major histological patterns were found in tissue sections: solid, papillary, sclerosing, and hemorrhagic. In all six cases, an immunohistochemical analysis showed positive expression of TTF-1 and panCK in surface epithelial cells, and TTF-1 positivity and panCK negativity in round stromal cells. Conclusions: Sclerosing pneumocytoma is a strictly histological diagnosis supported by clinical and radiological findings and corresponding immunohistochemical methods. Lung pathologists should always keep this tumor in mind, since its spectrum of differential diagnosis is wide, and therefore it can be an important diagnostic pitfall.

Surgical Procedures and Perioperative Management for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Complicated with Left Atrial Tumor Thrombus

背景与目的非小细胞肺癌合并左房瘤栓病例在局部晚期肺癌中占有一定比例，积极外科手术能否带来获益，以及具体术式选择均存在争议，是目前外科研究的热点。我们报告了单中心接受手术治疗的非小细胞肺癌合并左房瘤栓病例队列，结合预后分析探究合理的诊疗方法。方法自2006年8月-2017年7月共有11例非小细胞肺癌合并左房瘤栓病例在中日友好医院胸外科确诊并行手术治疗，对其临床资料、治疗选择、病理类型、预后情况进行了回顾性研究。结果11例患者中，男性7例，女性4例，平均年龄57.9岁，6例患者接受术前新辅助放化疗。全部患者手术过程顺利，其中行正中开胸体外循环下手术3例，体外膜肺氧合辅助下后外侧切口入路手术1例，常规后外侧切口入路手术6例，胸腔镜辅助小切口入路手术1例。手术达R0切除9例，R1切除2例。手术用时210 min-380 min，平均292 min，出血量100 mL-1, 600 mL，平均436 mL。全组有1例（9.1%）术后90天内死亡病例，另有4例（36.4%）出现心律失常、脑梗、低氧血症等围术期并发症。术后病理诊断鳞癌6例，腺癌4例，肉瘤样癌1例，病理分期pT4N0M0 7例，pT4N1M0 4例。术后对9例患者行辅助化疗，随访期内对2例患者行放射治疗。全组随访时间2个月-53个月，3年无病生存率30.7%，中位无病生存期31个月，3年总体生存率49.1%，中位总体生存期为33个月。结论对有选择的非小细胞肺癌合并左房瘤栓患者，选择合理术式切除肿瘤病灶和肺静脉、左房内瘤栓，加强围术期管理并配合新辅助/辅助化放疗，可能获得满意的预后。

Periareolar Access for Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery: The Brazilian Technique.

The periareolar access has been the preferred technique used at our institution for minimally invasive cardiac surgery since 2006. The surgical approach consists of video-assisted minithoracotomy in the 4th right intercostal space, through a periareolar incision. Initially, the technique was restricted to minimally invasive mitral valve surgeries but, due to its feasibility and safety, was soon incorporated as an ideal access for other cardiac pathologies such as tricuspid valve disease, atrial septal defect, atrial fibrillation, and pacemaker leads endocarditis. The technique was performed in 214 patients, and it is associated with excellent aesthetic and functional results, with low morbimortality and no reoperations at long-term follow-up. Here, we describe and support the use of periareolar access as a routine surgical technique for correction of several cardiac pathologies, especially in women.

Video-assisted Thoracoscope versus Video-assisted Mini-thoracotomy for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Meta-analysis

背景与目的目前未见对全电视胸腔镜手术与胸腔镜辅助小切口手术治疗非小细胞肺癌临床疗效和安全性的系统评价。在本meta分析中，我们比较两组手术治疗非小细胞肺癌的临床效果。方法系统地检索7个主要的医学期刊数据库：PubMed、Embase、CNKI、VIP、ISI Web of Science、the Cochrane Library和CBM，收集时间涵盖2006年5月-2016年5月的有关完全电视胸腔镜手术与胸腔镜辅助小切口手术治疗非小细胞肺癌的随机对照研究（randomized controlled trials, RCT）。由两名研究者对文献质量独立进行评价并提取相关数据，采用RevMan 5.3软件进行meta分析。结果共纳入13篇RCT，共1, 605例患者。其中完全电视胸腔镜组（video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, VATS）815例，胸腔镜辅助小切口组（video-assisted mini-thoracotomy, VAMT）790例。Meta分析结果显示：全胸腔镜手术与胸腔镜辅助小切口手术治疗非小细胞肺癌相比，手术时间（SMD=13.56, 95%CI: 4.96-22.16）、术中出血量（SMD=-33.68, 95%CI: -45.70--21.66）、胸腔引流管留置时间（SMD=-1.05, 95%CI: -1.48--0.62）、胸腔引流量（SMD=-83.69, 95%CI: -143.33--24.05）、术后疼痛程度（SMD=-1.68, 95%CI: -1.98--1.38）、术后住院时间（SMD=-2.27, 95%CI: -3.23--1.31）、两组淋巴结清扫数目（SMD=-0.48, 95%CI: -0.80--0.17）等方面的差异有统计学意义；而两组术中的并发症发生率（SMD=0.83, 95%CI: 0.54-1.29）、手术死亡率（SMD=0.95, 95%CI: 0.55-1.63）和1年复发率（RR=0.87, 95%CI: 0.34-2.24）差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。结论完全电视胸腔镜手术与胸腔镜辅助小切口切除术相比，治疗非小细胞肺癌的并发症发生率和手术死亡率相当，但二者在淋巴结清扫数目、手术时间、术中出血量、胸腔引流量、胸腔引流管留置时间、术后疼痛程度和术后住院时间等方面有差异。现有的临床资料显示：相比胸腔镜辅助小切口手术，全胸腔镜手术是治疗早期非小细胞肺癌更好的选择。

EARLY OUTCOME OF THORACOSCOPIC MINIMALLY INVASIVE VERSUS CONVENTIONAL MITRAL VALVE SURGERY IN MITRAL VALVE DISEASES

Background: Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery (MIMVS) is fast becoming an established treatment option for the treatment of mitral valve disease internationally. Increased recognition of advantages, of minimizing surgical trauma and its direct impact on reduced postoperative pain, quicker recovery, improved cosmosis and earlier return to work has spurred the minimally invasive cardiac surgical revolution. Objectives: Comparing the postoperative pain, cost, hospital stay, recovery speed and pulmonary function between minimally invasive and conventional mitral surgery. Moreover, assessment of thirty day mortality and early post-operative morbidity in both techniques. Patients and methods: This study was conducted on 50 patients requiring mitral valve surgery classified into 2 equal groups: Group A (Minimally invasive group), who were approached through a right Anterolateral video-assisted minithoracotomy. Group B (Sternotomy group), who were approached through a conventional median sternotomy. Results: There was no statistical difference between the two groups in baseline pre-operative characteristics regarding their age, sex, NYHA class, EF%, LA dimension and spirometric study. There was no operative mortality in both groups. Incision length, ventilation time, blood drainage, blood transfusion, ICU stay, total hospital stay were less in group A. Conclusion: In patients with mitral valve disease, MIMVS can be an alternative to conventional mitral valve surgery with comparable short-term mortality and in-hospital morbidity.

Video-assisted minimally invasive diaphragmatic plication: feasibility of a recognized procedure through an uncharacteristic hybrid approach.

Diaphragmatic plication is an approved surgical procedure for treatment of symptomatic diaphragmatic paralysis and eventration. We aim to define our minimally invasive technique of plication and objectively assess our surgical outcomes of the largest series reported in the literature so far, using pulmonary function tests. Symptomatic patients whom were planned to undergo plication using video-assisted mini-thoracotomy between December 2009 and December 2015 were the cohort of this retrospective study. Single camera port and a utility incision (3-4cm) were used for access. Data of patient demographics with preoperative and postoperative spirometric results were collected for statistical comparison. Procedure (30 left, 7 right) was completed in 37 (27 male, 10 female) patients. One patient was excluded because of insufficient objective postoperative comparison criteria due to previous permanent tracheostomy. Mean length of surgery was 48.8±19.7 (range: 30-70)min. Postoperative overall morbidity was 8.3%, with no mortality. The mean length of hospital stay was 3.1±1.7days. All patients except one (97.3%) were asymptomatic on discharge and on follow-ups. Significant improvement in measurements of forced expiratory volume in 1st second was observed on postoperative measurements (P<0.001), with a mean overall increase of 13% in whole cohort. No recurrence was detected throughout a mean follow-up of 19months. Diaphragmatic plication via video-assisted mini-thoracotomy is an effective and curative surgical procedure which can be performed successfully with low morbidity rates. As it combines the rapidity and economical benefits of open thoracotomy with the advantages of video thoracoscopic procedures such as fast recovery and short postoperative hospital stay, it can be preferred as a safe and effective alternative hybrid method compared to standard open or closed techniques, for symptomatic patients with non-functional hemidiaphragm.

How to set-up a program of minimally-invasive surgery for congenital heart defects.

Mid-line sternotomy is the commonest incision for cardiac surgery. Alternative approaches are becoming fashionable in many centres, amidst some reluctance because of learning curves and overall complexity. Our recent experience in starting a new program on minimally invasive pediatric cardiac surgery is presented. The rationale for a stepwise onset and the short-medium term results for a three-year span are displayed. A three-step schedule is planned: First, an experienced surgeon (A) starts performing simple cases. Second, new surgeons (B, C, D, E) are introduced to the minimally invasive techniques according to their own proficiency and skills. Third, the new adopters are enhanced to suggest and develop further minimally invasive approaches. Two quality markers are defined: conversion rate and complications. In part one, surgeon A performs sub-mammary, axillary and lower mini-sternotomy approaches for simple cardiac defects. In part two, surgeons B, C, D and E are customly introduced to such incisions. In part three, new approaches such as upper mini-sternotomy, postero-lateral thoracotomy and video-assisted mini-thoracotomy are introduced after being suggested and developed by surgeons B, C and E, as well as an algorithm to match cardiac conditions and age/weight to a given alternative approach. The conversion rate is one out of 148 patients. Two major complications were recorded, none of them related to our alternative approach. Four minor complications linked to the new incision were registered. The minimally invasive to mid-line sternotomy ratio rose from 20% in the first year to 40% in the third year. Minimally invasive pediatric cardiac surgery is becoming a common procedure worldwide. Our schedule to set up a program proves beneficial. The three-step approach has been successful in our experience, allowing a tailored training for every new surgeon and enhancing the enthusiasm in developing further strategies on their own. Recording conversion-rates and complications stands for quality standards. A twofold increase in minimally invasive procedures was observed in two years. The short-medium term results after three years are excellent.

Is polysomnographic examination necessary for subjects with diaphragm pathologies?

OBJECTIVES:While respiratory distress is accepted as the only indication for diaphragmatic plication surgery, sleep disorders have been underestimated. In this study, we aimed to detect the sleep disorders that accompany diaphragm pathologies. Specifically, the association of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome with diaphragm eventration and diaphragm paralysis was evaluated.METHODS:This study was performed in Süreyyapasa Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital between 2014–2016. All patients had symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (snoring and/or cessation of breath during sleep and/or daytime sleepiness) and underwent diaphragmatic plication via video-assisted mini-thoracotomy. Additionally, all patients underwent pre- and postoperative full-night polysomnography. Pre- and postoperative clinical findings, polysomnography results, Epworth sleepiness scale scores and pulmonary function test results were compared.RESULTS:Twelve patients (7 males) with a mean age of 48 (range, 27-60) years and a mean body mass index of 25 (range, 20-30) kg/m2 were included in the study. Preoperative polysomnography showed obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in 9 of the 12 patients (75%), while 3 of the patients (25%) were regarded as normal. Postoperatively, patient complaints, apnea hypopnea indices, Epworth sleepiness scale scores and pulmonary function test results all demonstrated remarkable improvement.CONCLUSION:All patients suffering from diaphragm pathologies with symptoms should undergo polysomnography, and patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome should be operated on. In this way, long-term comorbidities of sleep disorders may be prevented.