Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery Wedge Resection Research Articles

Readmission after enhanced recovery video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery wedge resection

BackgroundDespite the implementation of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs, surgical stress continues to influence postoperative rehabilitation, including the period after discharge. However, there is a lack of data available beyond the point of discharge following video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) wedge resection. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate incidence and risk factors for readmissions after ERAS VATS wedge resection.MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed on data from prospectively collected consecutive VATS wedge resections from June 2019 to June 2022. We evaluated main reasons related to wedge resection leading to 90-day readmission, early (occurring within 0–30 days postoperatively) and late readmission (occurring within 31–90 days postoperatively). To identify predictors for these readmissions, we utilized a logistic regression model for both univariable and multivariable analyses.ResultsA total of 850 patients (non-small cell lung cancer 21.5%, metastasis 44.7%, benign 31.9%, and other lung cancers 1.9%) were included for the final analysis. Median length of stay was 1 day (IQR 1–2). During the postoperative 90 days, 86 patients (10.1%) were readmitted mostly due to pneumonia and pneumothorax. Among the cohort, 66 patients (7.8%) had early readmissions primarily due to pneumothorax and pneumonia, while 27 patients (3.2%) experienced late readmissions mainly due to pneumonia, with 7 (0.8%) patients experiencing both early and late readmissions. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that male gender, pulmonary complications, and neurological complications were associated with readmission.ConclusionsReadmission after VATS wedge resection remains significant despite an optimal ERAS program, with pneumonia and pneumothorax as the dominant reasons. Early readmission was primarily associated with pneumothorax and pneumonia, while late readmission correlated mainly with pneumonia.

Efficacy of avoiding chest drains after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery wedge resection: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

IntroductionThe use of routine postoperative chest drains after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) of the lung is a practice based on tradition with the aim of draining fluid and air. However,...

Days alive and out of hospital after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery wedge resection in the era of enhanced recovery.

Days alive and out of hospital is proposed as a valid and patient-centred quality measure for perioperative care. However, no procedure-specific data exist after pulmonary wedge resection. The aim of this study was to assess the first 90 days alive and out of hospital after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery wedge resection in an optimized enhanced recovery programme. A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of consecutive patients undergoing enhanced recovery thoracoscopic wedge resections from January 2021 to June 2022 in a high-volume centre was carried out. All factors leading to hospitalization, readmission, and death were evaluated individually. A logistic regression model was used to evaluate predictors. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis was performed. A total of 433 patients were included (21.7% (n = 94) with non-small cell lung cancer, 47.6% (n = 206) with metastasis, 26.8% (n = 116) with benign nodules, and 3.9% (n = 17) with other lung cancers). The median duration of hospital stay was 1 day. The median of postoperative 30 and 90 days alive and out of hospital was 28 and 88 days respectively. Air leak (112 patients) and pain (96 patients) were the most frequent reasons for reduced days alive and out of hospital from postoperative day 1 to 30, whereas treatment of the original cancer or metastasis (36 patients) was the most frequent reason for reduced days alive and out of hospital from postoperative day 31 to 90. Male sex, reduced lung function, longer dimension of resection margin, pleural adhesions, and non-small cell lung cancer were independent risks, confirmed by a sensitivity analysis. Days alive and out of hospital within 90 days after enhanced recovery thoracoscopic wedge resection was only reduced by a median of 2 days, mainly due to air leak and pain.

The efficacy of three-ball breathing apparatus exercise based on the concept of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients after lung cancer surgery

BackgroundPostoperative patients with lung cancer mostly experience different degrees of dyspnea and decreased activity tolerance, and these symptoms all significantly affect postoperative quality of life. The concept of pulmonary rehabilitation applicable to patients with chronic respiratory diseases is also applicable to patients with postoperative lung cancer. The current application of postoperative pulmonary rehabilitation for lung cancer is inconsistent, and reliable guidelines are lacking. The purpose of this study was to further verify the efficacy and feasibility of postoperative pulmonary rehabilitation for lung cancer patients, and to find a suitable local pulmonary rehabilitation program for postoperative patients with lung cancer that is clinically promoted in our department through this study.MethodsWe collected the clinical data of patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) wedge resection or lobectomy. The patients were divided into rehabilitation group (using three-ball breathing apparatus after discharge) and control group (routine follow-up after discharge) according to whether the patients were trained with three-ball breathing apparatus after operation. The detailed method using three-ball apparatus is as follows. To begin with, patients are required to put themselves in a comfortable position. Then, after the three-ball breathing apparatus put on the same plane of their eyes, patients hold the tube in their mouth closely and control their breath slowly. When patients inhale to their largest extent, the balls will rise up accordingly. Then they exhale. The evaluation results of pulmonary function, activity tolerance, anxiety scores and others were collected. All data was gathered at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University. The effects of pulmonary rehabilitation training on wedge resection and lobectomy were compared.ResultsA total of 210 patients were included in this study, including 126 patients with VATS wedge resection and 84 patients with VATS lobectomies. No discrepancy was noticed when FEV1 loss between two groups were compared in the wedge resection patients, and the same results were also shown in patients undergoing lobectomy (12.8% ± 2.0% vs. 12.7% ± 1.9%, P = 0.84, wedge resection; 12.6% ± 2.9% vs. 12.1% ± 1.8%, P = 0.37, lobectomy). The loss of FVC in the control group was greater than that in the rehabilitation group for patients undergoing lobectomy (11.7% ± 5.2%, vs. 17.1% ± 5.6%, P < 0.001, lobectomy). No difference was found in the wedge resection patients between the control and rehabilitation groups (6.6% ± 2.8%, vs. 6.4% ± 3.2%, P = 0.76, lobectomy). Moreover, all patients showed no significant difference in 6MWD regardless of surgical procedure and with or without breathing exercises at T3 (392.6 ± 50.6 m, rehabilitation group vs. 394.0 ± 46.6 m, control group. P = 0.87, wedge resection; 381.3 ± 38.9 m, rehabilitation group vs. 369.1 ± 49.3 m, control group. P = 0.21, lobectomy).ConclusionsFor patients after thoracoscopic pulmonary wedge resection, the use of three-ball apparatus did not significantly improve postoperative pulmonary function and activity tolerance, dyspnea, and anxiety symptoms. In patients after thoracoscopic lobectomy, respiratory trainers were able to improve postoperative lung function but were unable to significantly improve dyspnea and anxiety symptoms. There was a significant benefit for the use of three-ball apparatus in patients after thoracoscopic lobectomy, whereas there was no significant benefit for the use of respiratory trainers after wedge resection.Registry: Medical Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University. Registration number: no. 2022455.

Efficacy of rigid-angle bronchial blockers for uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic tumor resection.

For uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), which is greatly dependent on satisfactory lung collapse without lung compression from another port, few reports have elucidated the intraoperative efficacy of bronchial blockers (BBs). We hypothesized that operation time would be prolonged if BBs required more intraoperative repositioning during surgical manipulation. We compared the operation times of different surgical procedures performed using BBs with double-lumen tubes (DLTs) in uniportal VATS. Patients who underwent intubated uniportal VATS were enrolled retrospectively from March to May 2019. Data on the patient, anesthetic, and surgical factors were collected. Regression analyses were performed to determine the effect of various factors on operation time. 317 patients who underwent uniportal VATS were included. Wedge resection constituted 70.7%, and anatomic resection constituted 29.3% of procedures. BBs were applied for left- and right-side wedge resection (85.6% and 78.7%, respectively) and left- and right-side anatomic resection (74.1% and 56.4%, respectively). The surgical factors significantly affecting operation time were operation procedures (P < .01), number of lymph nodes sampled (P < .001), and size of tumors (P < .01). The efficacy of BBs was comparable to that of DLTs for uniportal VATS wedge resection. With significantly less preference for right-side anatomic resection, the efficacy of DLTs was comparable with that of BBs, which were applied in more than half of right-side uniportal anatomic VATS. We conclude that even in uniportal VATSs, rigid-angled BBs demonstrate comparable efficacy with feasible alternatives.

Pulmonary function changes after sublobar resection in patients with peripheral non-subpleural nodules

BackgroundIn the treatment of peripheral early-staged lung cancer and benign lesions, segmentectomy and wedge resection are both reliable treatment methods. It is debatable that how much pulmonary function will be lost after different sublobar resection in the treatment of early-staged deep-located peripheral NSCLC (non-small cell lung cancer). The purpose of this study was to explore postoperative pulmonary function changes of sublobar resection in enrolled patients with non-subpleural peripheral nodules.MethodsWe collected clinical data of patients undergoing VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery) segmentectomy or wedge resection for single nodule. These nodules were confirmed as peripheral non-subpleural nodules by preoperative 3D imaging. Patients were divided into two groups according to the operation procedure. Demographic characteristics, pulmonary function, postoperative outcomes, and others were collected. All data was gathered at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University. Outcomes after wedge resection were compared with those after segmentectomy resection.ResultsA total of 88 patients were included in this study, including 46 patients with VATS wedge resection and 42 patients with VATS segmentectomy. No difference was detected when comparing FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 s) loss between these two groups (17.6 ± 2.1%, wedge resection vs. 19.4 ± 5.4%, segmentectomy, P = 0.176). FVC (forced vital capacity) loss (8.7 ± 2.3%, wedge resection vs. 17.1 ± 2.2%, segmentectomy, P < 0.001) and MVV (maximum ventilatory volume) loss (11.5 ± 3.1%, wedge resection vs. 20.6 ± 7.8%, segmentectomy, P < 0.001) in segmentectomy group was significantly higher than those in wedge resection group. Discrepancies were investigated when comparing duration of surgery (70 ± 22 min, wedge resection vs. 111 ± 52 min, segmentectomy, P = 0.0002), postoperative drainage (85 ± 45 mL, wedge resection vs. 287 ± 672 mL, segmentectomy, P = 0.0123), and treatment hospitalization expenses [35148 ± 889CNY, wedge resection vs. 52,502 (38,276–57,772) CNY, segmentectomy, P < 0.0002]. No significant difference was found between air leak time (1.7 ± 0.7 days, wedge resection vs. 2.5 ± 1.7 days, segmentectomy, P = 0.062) and hospitalization time (2.7 ± 0.7 days, wedge resection vs. 3.5 ± 1.7 days, segmentectomy, P = 0.051).ConclusionsFor patients with peripheral non-subpleural nodules, we observed that patients who underwent wedge resection had less lung function loss than those who underwent segmentectomy when their lung function was reviewed at the 6th month after surgery. Patients undergoing wedge resection had partial advantages over patients with segmental resection in terms of hospitalization cost, operation time and postoperative drainage, etc. Wedge resection, as a treatment for peripheral non-subpleural pulmonary nodules, seemed to have more advantages in preserving patients’ pulmonary function.

Comparison of the effectiveness of anchoring needles and coils in localizing multiple nodules in the lung

BackgroundRecently, a new type of pulmonary nodule positioning needle has been adopted clinically. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new type of localization needles compared with coils for the simultaneous localization of multiple pulmonary nodules guided by computed tomography (CT) prior to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).Materials and methodsFrom January 2021 to March 2022, 87 pulmonary nodules from 40 patients were localized using the new localization needle. From January 2020 to December 2020, 68 pulmonary nodules in 31 patients were localized using coils. The relative outcomes were compared.ResultsThe success rate of pulmonary nodule localization in the needle group was 97.7% while that in the coil group was 98.5%. In the needle group, the time needed to locate the first nodule was significantly shorter than in the coil group (10.9 min vs. 17.2 min, P = 0.001). Moreover, the time needed per patient was also significantly shorter for the needle group compared with the coil group (23.7 min vs. 30 min, P = 0.017). The incidence of pneumothorax in the needle group was 25.0% vs. 12.9% in the coil group (P = 0.204). The rate of pulmonary hemorrhage in the needle group was 40.0% vs. 32.3% in the coil group (P = 0.502). The success rate of VATS wedge resection was 100% in both groups.ConclusionBoth disposable pulmonary nodule localization needles and coils are safe and effective for CT-guided localization of multiple pulmonary nodules of the same stage prior to VATS. However, the use of needles is time-saving compared with the use of coils. The coil localization may exhibit better safety than needle localization.

Efficacy of ultrasound-guided single-injection erector spinae plane block for thoracoscopic wedge resection: a prospective randomized control trial

BackgroundDespite advances in minimally invasive thoracic surgery, patients remain at risk of adverse pulmonary events with suboptimal postoperative analgesia. Novel methods of regional analgesia are warranted. Our objective was to...

Efficacy and safety of intraoperative cone-beam CT-guided localization of small pulmonary nodules.

OBJECTIVESThis study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intraoperative cone-beam computed tomography-guided video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery wedge resection of impalpable small pulmonary nodules.METHODSThis was a single-centre phase 2 trial conducted between April 2018 and March 2019. Peripheral small pulmonary nodules, defined as either ground-glass opacity-dominant (>50%) nodules measuring ≤3 cm in diameter (ground-glass opacity-dominant type) or nodules measuring ≤2 cm in diameter located deeper than the nodule diameter from the visceral pleura (deep solid type), were eligible for resection using a cone-beam computed tomography-guided thoracoscopic manner. The primary end-point was macroscopic complete resection, and secondary end-points were: nodule extraction rate, operation time, localization time, marking accuracy, microscopic complete resection and safety.RESULTSTwenty-two nodules, in 9 men and 11 women with a mean age of 64.3 years, were visualized and resected. The nodules were located in the right upper, middle and lower lobes in 3, 1 and 5 patients, respectively, and in the left upper and lower lobes in 5 and 8 patients, respectively. Seven nodules were ground-glass opacity-dominant types, and 15 were deep solid types. Cone-beam computed tomography could clearly image all nodules. The mean time for localization was 17.4 min. The mean operation time was 110.7 min. Macroscopic complete resection was accomplished in 21 nodules (95.5%). Microscopic complete resection was achieved in all nodules (100%). Postoperative air leakage and bleeding were observed in 1 patient (5%).CONCLUSIONSCone-beam computed tomography might be a safe and useful guide for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery wedge resection of impalpable peripheral pulmonary nodules.Date and number of IRB approval15 November 2017, 381.Clinical trial registration numberUMIN 000030388.

Chest Tubes Are Painful

A No-Chest-Drain Policy After Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery Wedge Resection in Selected Patients: Our 12-Year ExperienceThe Annals of Thoracic SurgeryPreviewPostoperative pleural drainage omission after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for wedge resections may facilitate faster recovery. This retrospective cohort study presents our 12-year experience with omitting thoracic drainage in patients who underwent a VATS wedge resection, aiming to assess its safety and efficacy. Full-Text PDF

A No-Chest-Drain Policy After Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery Wedge Resection in Selected Patients: Our 12-Year Experience

BackgroundPostoperative pleural drainage omission after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for wedge resections may facilitate faster recovery. This retrospective cohort study presents our 12-year experience with omitting thoracic drainage in patients who underwent a VATS wedge resection, aiming to assess its safety and efficacy. MethodsRecords from consecutive patients who underwent a VATS wedge resection at our hospital between February 2008 and October 2020 were retrospectively reviewed and assessed for eligibility. Patient and surgical characteristics as well as postoperative data were collected and compared between patients who received a chest drain (CD) or received no chest drain (NCD) after surgery. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to determine whether drain placement was associated with complications (primary outcome), and major complications requiring pleural drainage or length of hospital stay (secondary outcomes). ResultsData of 348 patients were analyzed. The drainless group (n = 98) and drain group (n = 237) were significantly different in the following baseline and surgical characteristics: sex, pulmonary function, interstitial lung disease, final pathology, number of wedges, and surgical approach. No significant differences were detected in postoperative complications (NCD 8.2%, CD 14.8%; P = .10), major complications (NCD 5.1%, CD 5.1%; P > .99), or complications requiring pleural drainage (NCD 5.1%, CD 3.8%; P = .56). The drainless group did show a significantly shorter hospitalization (NCD 2 ± 2, CD 3 ± 2 days; P < .001). Multivariable analyses revealed that drain placement was not significantly correlated with postoperative complications. In contrast, prolonged hospitalization was significantly influenced by drain placement. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that a no-chest-drain policy after VATS wedge resections can safely fast-track rehabilitation for selected patients.

Randomized controlled trial of an alternative drainage strategy vs routine chest tube insertion for postoperative pain after thoracoscopic wedge resection

BackgroundThoracoscopic surgery has greatly alleviated the postoperative pain of patients, but postsurgical acute and chronic pain still exists and needs to be addressed. Indwelling drainage tubes are one of the leading causes of postoperative pain after thoracic surgery. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the effects of alternative drainage on acute and chronic pain after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).MethodsNinety-two patients undergoing lung wedge resection were selected and randomly assigned to the conventional chest tube (CT) group and the 7-Fr central venous catheter (VC) group. Next, the numeric rating scale (NRS) and pain DETECT questionnaire were applied to evaluate the level and characteristics of postoperative pain.ResultsNRS scores of the VC group during hospitalization were significantly lower than those of the CT group 6 h after surgery, at postoperative day 1, at postoperative day 2, and at the moment of drainage tube removal. Moreover, the number of postoperative salvage analgesics (such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [(NSAIDs]) and postoperative hospitalization days were notably reduced in the VC group compared with the CT group. However, no significant difference was observed in terms of NRS pain scores between the two groups of patients during the follow-up for chronic pain at 3 months and 6 months.ConclusionIn conclusion, a drainage strategy using a 7-Fr central VC can effectively relieve perioperative pain in selected patients undergoing VATS wedge resection, and this may promote the rapid recovery of such patients after surgery.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03230019. Registered July 23, 2017.

A pilot study of intraoperative intercostal nerve block during uniportal thoracoscopic wedge resection of the lung

BACKGROUND AND AIMS:Uniportal thoracoscopic surgery has been reported to result in alleviating the postoperative pain when compared with traditional video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). However, postoperative pain is still the main concerns associated with thoracic surgeries. The objective of this study is to evaluate the postoperative pain of patients undergoing uniportal VATS, especially wedge resection, with the use of intraoperative intercostal nerve block.METHODS:All consecutive patients undergoing the uniportal VATS wedge resection between January 2019 and March 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. Twenty consecutive patients in Group A underwent the uniportal VATS wedge resection without intraoperative intercostal nerve block. The other 20 consecutive patients in Group B underwent the uniportal VATS wedge resection with intraoperative intercostal nerve block. The numeric pain rating scale (NRS) scores were recorded at 1, 12, and 24 h, postoperatively. The number of opioid consumption was also recorded until the time to chest tube removal.RESULTS:There was no difference between groups with regard to sex, age, chest tube duration, length of stay, operative time, laterality time, and diagnosis. There was a significant difference in postoperative NRS scores at 1 h (P = 0.001) and 12 h (P = 0.022) between the groups. The opioid consumption was significantly in Group B lower than those in Group A (P = 0.025).CONCLUSION:The intraoperative intercostal nerve block with bupivacaine provided immediate postoperative pain relief with reducing the postoperative opioid consumption compared in patients who underwent uniportal VATS, especially wedge resection of the lung.

Pulmonary function changes after uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic anatomical lung resection

Background: Some early staged NSCLC appears as non-subpleural peripheral pulmonary nodules. Thoracic surgeons usually adopt extended wedge resection or segmentectomy to remove these nodules. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been carried out extensively worldwide in lung surgeries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in postoperative pulmonary function changes after undergoing VATS wedge resection and VATS segmentectomy anatomical lung ‏resection. Methods: This retrospective study was carried out on 80 patients scheduled for UVATS sublobar resection lung surgery. Patients were divided equally into two groups according to the surgical procedures, VATS wedge resection group, and VATS segmentectomy group. All patients were subjected to full history taking length of stapler on CT scan, preoperative and postoperative pulmonary function tests include Forced vital capacity (FVC), Forced expiratory volume (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, operation characteristics, postoperative recovery, treatment and hospitalization expenses. Results: FVC loss after segmentectomy was significantly greater than after wedge resection (17.1 ± 1.58%, vs. 7.9 ± 1.59% P &lt; 0.001). Preoperative pulmonary function (FEV1 and FVC) was statistically different between the two groups of patients. Postoperative pulmonary function (FEV1, FVC and FEV1/-FVC) was statistically different between the two groups of patients.

Application Value of Indocyanine Green in the Localization of Small Pulmonary Nodules in Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

Objective To investigate the application value of indocyanine green(ICG)in the localization of small pulmonary nodules in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery(VATS). Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 45 patients with small nodules(diameter<1 cm)who received preoperative localization with ICG and underwent VATS wedge resection from October 2020 to February 2021.The data for analysis included patients age,nodule diameter,distance from the parietal pleura,nodule density,success rate of localization,time of localization,incidence of complications,and pathological findings. Results The success rate of localization was 100%.The average nodule size was 6.3 mm,and the nodules were(10±11)mm from the parietal pleura.After localization of 59 nodules,13(22.0%)cases were found to have mild pneumothorax,and 4(6.7%)cases were found to have mild hemorrhage.The success rate of operation was 100%,and 43(72.9%)cases were confirmed adenocarcinoma by postoperative pathology. Conclusion ICG has a high success rate and good safety in the localization of small pulmonary nodules in VATS.

Cannabis Use Is Associated With Recurrence After Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax

Purpose: Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is a frequently encountered entity that carries a high rate of recurrence. The current study aims to investigate if cannabis use at time of initial PSP is associated with disease recurrence.Methods: Patients presenting with PSP between 2010 and 2018 at a single institution were identified. Exclusion criteria included secondary pneumothorax, severe chronic lung disease, lung cancer, and lost to follow-up. Patients were compared relative to their cannabis usage with Fisher's exact test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and logistic regression.Results: Overall, 67 patients (53 male) met inclusion criteria with a median body mass index (BMI) of 21.5 kg/m2 (IQR 19.1–25.2) and age of 34 years (IQR 22–53). Initial treatment consisted of chest tube in 42 patients (63%), video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery wedge resection in 19 patients (28%), and observation in 6 patients (9%). Cannabis users (n = 28; 42%) had a higher rate of tobacco use (79 vs. 38%; p = 0.005), lower BMI [21.0 kg/m2 (IQR 18.3–23.1) vs. 22.2 kg/m2 (IQR 19.9–28.6), p = 0.037], and were more likely to require intervention at first presentation compared with non-marijuana users. Cannabis use was associated with PSP recurrence when adjusting for tobacco use, BMI, and height (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.38–18.3, p = 0.014).Conclusion: There is a high rate of cannabis usage in patients presenting with PSP. Cannabis usage is associated with PSP recurrence and eventual need for operative intervention.

Cerebral arterial air embolism with anterior spinal cord syndrome after CT-guided hook-wire localization of Lung mass and pulmonary nodule

Systemic arterial air embolism (SAAE) is a rare but serious complication of CT-guided hook wire localization of pulmonary nodule usually with catastrophic and poor outcome. Hook wire needle localization is done pre-operatively by placing wire around or into the pulmonary nodule to provide the thoracic surgeon accurate location guidance of the target nodule for Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) wedge resection with safety margins. Physicians should be aware of this possible complication during the procedure in order to rescue the patient promptly as it requires rapid diagnosis and management. We describe a 55-year-old male who underwent a CT-guided hook wire needle localization of left upper lobe lung cancer and left lower lobe pulmonary nodule prior to planned VATS wedge resection who developed altered mental status and bilateral lower extremities paralysis after wire placement was completed. His CT head demonstrated small air embolism in the left occipital area, confirming the diagnosis of cerebral air embolism and follow up CT and MRI of the head revealed multiple areas of brain infarction. In addition, he was diagnosed with anterior spinal cord syndrome (ACS), most likely due to anterior spinal artery ischemia from micro air embolism on the basis of clinical findings but with negative ischemic changes on MRI of the spinal cord. His mental status recovered but he remained paraplegic and transferred to inpatient rehabilitation service.

Preoperative computed tomography-guided coil localization of sub-centimeter lung nodules.

IntroductionLung nodules (LNs) are often identified in at-risk patients via low-dose computed tomography (CT) approaches. Sub-centimeter (≤ 1 cm) LNs (SCLNs) are particularly difficult for surgeons and pathologists to accurately treat and diagnose.AimTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of preoperative CT-guided coil localization for SCLNs.Material and methodsBetween January 2015 and December 2019, consecutive patients at our hospital with SCLNs underwent CT-guided coil localization followed by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). We then assessed rates of technical success corresponding to the localization and VATS-guided wedge resection procedures and measured rates of localization-related complications.ResultsIn total, 52 patients were analyzed in this study, with 66 total SCLNs being localized with one coil each. CT-guided coil localization achieved a 93.9% (62/66) technical success rate, and a mean duration of 15.2 ±4.5 minutes. Following coil localization, 6 (11.5%) patients experienced pneumothorax and 4 (7.7%) patients suffered hemoptysis, with 1 patient requiring the insertion of a chest tube to alleviate pneumothorax. VATS-guided wedge resection was associated with a 100% technical success rate, and no patients needed to undergo conversion to thoracotomy. One-stage VATS-guided wedge resection was conducted in the 12 patients with multiple SCLNs. The mean VATS duration was 128.9 ±66.7 minutes, and mean blood loss associated with this procedure was 83.0 ±67.7 ml.ConclusionsPreoperative CT-guided coil localization can safely and effectively achieve high rates of success when conducting the diagnostic VATS wedge resection of SCLNs.

First clinical application of radiofrequency identification (RFID) marking system-Precise localization of a small lung nodule.

ObjectivesPrecise small lung nodule resection is challenging in minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgery. Various methods that help surgeons to locate the target nodule have been devised; however, the ideal way that satisfies the demand has not yet been realized. We have developed and applied a novel marking system to localize small lung nodules for the first time in humans.MethodsA radiofrequency identification tag (1.8 mm in diameter and 7 mm in length) that can communicate with a wand-shaped antenna (10 mm in diameter) from the distance of 3 cm was prepared. The tag was delivered adjacent to a 7-mm subsolid nodule in the right lower lobe of a patient under cone beam computed tomography guidance and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery wedge resection was subsequently performed.ResultsThe delivery of the tag was smooth, and the tag was almost immediately detected by the antenna. Wedge resection was successfully performed with the guiding signal from the tag.ConclusionsWe have so far demonstrated that this technology could be applicable for small lung nodule detection in preclinical studies. In this first clinical experience, this system proved to provide accurate positional information of small lung nodules with depth.

Early removal of chest tubes leads to better short-term outcome after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lung resection.

Currently, some studies have shown that early removal of a chest tube after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy is safe and can shorten the length of hospital stay. The purpose of our study was to retrospectively analyze the association between early chest tube removal and hospital stay in patients who have undergone lobectomy. This retrospective analysis included patients undergoing different types of lung resections including lobectomy and wedge resection. Consecutive patients who underwent VATS lobectomy or wedge resection (March 2018 to April 2019) for lung tumor were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the drainage time: those in whom the chest tube was removed within 48 hours and the traditional management group. All 931 patients were included. After propensity score matching (PSM). There are no statistically significant differences between the two groups. Compared with the traditional management group, the hospital stay in the early removal group was significantly shorter (5.05±2.27 vs. 7.17±3.03; P<0.001). Regarding complications, compared with the traditional management group, the rates of both lung infection and no complication in the early removal group were less (0.2% vs. 2.3%, 93.0% vs. 91.1%; P=0.005), and the necessity of re-operation was also less (0% vs. 1.2%; P<0.001). Regarding both pleural effusion and thoracentesis, a slight increase in the patient number was observed in the early removal group compared with the traditional management group (4.7% vs. 4.0%, 1.2% vs. 0.9%; P=0.005). Compared with the traditional management group, early removal of the chest tube after VATS lobectomy and wedge resection is safe and feasible, and could decrease morbidity and postoperative complications, importantly, resulting in a shorter hospital stay.