A new technique for closure of pericardial defects: pericardial rug weave

BACKGROUND

Pericardial defect that occurs after intrapericardial pneumonectomy can cause many fatal complications, and closing the defect with mesh is a widely used surgical method to prevent these complications.

METHODS

Data of patients who underwent intrapericardial pneumonectomy and pericardial resection in our clinic between October 2010 and June 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups, those who had prolene mesh used to close the pericardial defect and those who underwent the "Rug Weave" technique we proposed as an alternative, and the results were compared.

RESULTS

The study included 23 patients, one of whom was female. All patients underwent surgery due to malignancy. The vast majority of the patients had a diagnosis of squamous cell lung carcinoma (86.9%). Atrium was added to three patients and rib resection was added to one patient during intrapericardial pneumonectomy and pericardial resection. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of average age, gender, and length of hospital stay. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of complications, including atrial fibrillation, which is commonly seen in these patients (p = 0.795). The Rug Weave group had an average defect width of 23.96 cm2 and was found to be advantageous in terms of overall survival compared to the mesh group (p = 0.017).

CONCLUSIONS

The "Rug Weave" technique we proposed for closing pericardial defects after pneumonectomy can be used as a cheaper method safely and effectively that reduces complications as much as the traditional method of using mesh.

Clinical guide to perioperative management for videothoracoscopy lung resection (Section of Cardiac, Vascular and Thoracic Anesthesia, SEDAR; Spanish Society of Thoracic Surgery, SECT; Spanish Society of Physiotherapy)

The introduction of video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) techniques has led to a new approach in thoracic surgery. VATS is performed by inserting a thoracoscope through a small incisions in the chest wall, thus maximizing the preservation of muscle and tissue. Because of its low rate of morbidity and mortality, VATS is currently the technique of choice in most thoracic procedures. Lung resection by VATS reduces prolonged air leaks, arrhythmia, pneumonia, postoperative pain and inflammatory markers. This reduction in postoperative complications shortens hospital length of stay, and is particularly beneficial in high-risk patients with low tolerance to thoracotomy. Compared with conventional thoracotomy, the oncological results of VATS surgery are similar or even superior to those of open surgery. This aim of this multidisciplinary position statement produced by the thoracic surgery working group of the Spanish Society of Anesthesiology and Reanimation (SEDAR), the Spanish Society of Thoracic Surgery (SECT), and the Spanish Association of Physiotherapy (AEF) is to standardize and disseminate a series of perioperative anaesthesia management guidelines for patients undergoing VATS lung resection surgery. Each recommendation is based on an in-depth review of the available literature by the authors. In this document, the care of patients undergoing VATS surgery is organized in sections, starting with the surgical approach, and followed by the three pillars of anaesthesia management: preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative anaesthesia.

Recurrent Cardiac Constriction after Implantation of an Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Surgical Membrane

One of the challenges compounding the complexity of reoperative cardiac surgery is the surgical adhesion, which can be responsible for adverse intraoperative events. Implantation of a substitute neo-pericardium has become a frequently used solution, with currently rising numbers of reoperations. We report the case of a 38-year-old man who developed recurrent delayed cardiac constriction following the implantation of an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene neo-pericardium. Careful preoperative planning is recommended to plan the optimal method of pericardioplasty, taking into account the pros and cons of each available material.

Cardiac Outpouchings: Definitions, Differential Diagnosis, and Therapeutic Approach

Background and Aims

Cardiac outpouchings encounter a series of distinct congenital or acquired entities (i.e. aneurysms, pseudoaneurysms, diverticula, and herniations), whose knowledge is still poorly widespread in clinical practice. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview focusing on definition, differential diagnosis, and prognostic outcomes of cardiac outpouchings, as well as further insights on therapeutic options, in order to assist physicians in the most appropriate decision-making.

Methods

The material reviewed was obtained by the following search engines: MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, Google Scholar, and Clinical Trials databases, from January 1966 until March 2021. We searched for the following keywords (in title and/or abstract): (“cardiac” OR “heart”) AND (“outpouching” OR “outpouch” OR “aneurysm” OR “pseudoaneurysm” OR “false aneurysm” OR “diverticulum” OR “herniation”). Review articles, original articles, case series, and case reports with literature review were included in our search. Data from patients with congenital or acquired cardiac outpouchings, from prenatal to geriatric age range, were investigated.

Results

Out of the 378 papers initially retrieved, 165 duplicates and 84 records in languages other than English were removed. Among the 129 remaining articles, 76 were included in our research material, on the basis of the following inclusion criteria: (a) papers pertaining to the research topic; (b) peer-reviewed articles; (c) using standardized diagnostic criteria; and (d) reporting raw prevalence data. Location, morphologic features, wall motion abnormalities, and tissue characterization were found to have a significant impact in recognition and differential diagnosis of cardiac outpouchings as well as to play a significant role in defining their natural history and prognostic outcomes.

Conclusions

Careful recognition of cardiac outpouchings remains a diagnostic challenge in clinical practice. Due to a broad cluster of distinctive and heterogeneous entities, their knowledge and timely recognition play a pivotal role in order to provide the most appropriate clinical management and therapeutic approach.

Recognition and Management of Acute and Late Complications of Pneumonectomy: Clinical Cases and Treatment

Several important complications of pneumonectomy are discussed in a case-based format. Topics include chylothorax, cardiac herniation, postpneumonectomy syndrome, postpneumonectomy pulmonary edema, bronchopleural fistula, and empyema.

Clinical guide to perioperative management for videothoracoscopy lung resection (Section of Cardiac, Vascular and Thoracic Anesthesia, SEDAR; Spanish Society of Thoracic Surgery, SECT; Spanish Society of Physiotherapy)

The introduction of video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) techniques has led to a new approach in thoracic surgery. VATS is performed by inserting a thoracoscope through a small incisions in the chest wall, thus maximizing the preservation of muscle and tissue. Because of its low rate of morbidity and mortality, VATS is currently the technique of choice in most thoracic procedures. Lung resection by VATS reduces prolonged air leaks, arrhythmia, pneumonia, postoperative pain and inflammatory markers. This reduction in postoperative complications shortens hospital length of stay, and is particularly beneficial in high-risk patients with low tolerance to thoracotomy. Compared with conventional thoracotomy, the oncological results of VATS surgery are similar or even superior to those of open surgery. This aim of this multidisciplinary position statement produced by the thoracic surgery working group of the Spanish Society of Anesthesiology and Reanimation (SEDAR), the Spanish Society of Thoracic Surgery (SECT), and the Spanish Association of Physiotherapy (AEF) is to standardize and disseminate a series of perioperative anaesthesia management guidelines for patients undergoing VATS lung resection surgery. Each recommendation is based on an in-depth review of the available literature by the authors. In this document, the care of patients undergoing VATS surgery is organized in sections, starting with the surgical approach, and followed by the three pillars of anaesthesia management: preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative anaesthesia.

Pneumonectomy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths and its incidence continues to increase. Emerging therapies as part of a multimodal approach are making more patients eligible for surgical resection. As more surgeons are treating locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer they find themselves recommending pneumonectomy as the surgical component of the multidisciplinary plan. Performing a pneumonectomy is technically demanding and is associated with many potential perioperative comorbidities. With the proper preparation, experience, and attention to perioperative care, pneumonectomy can be carried out safely with excellent outcomes and a good quality of life.

[Application of vascular repair and reconstruction in surgical treatment of superior vena cava syndrome caused by thoracic tumor]

Objective

To summarize the clinical experience of vascular repair and reconstruction for treating superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) caused by thoracic tumor.

Methods

Between October 2008 and June 2016, 26 patients with thoracic tumor and SVCS were admitted. There were 18 males and 8 females, aged from 27 to 70 years (mean, 45.9 years). Tumor was typed as B1-B3 thymoma in 13 cases, thymic carcinoma in 6 cases, large B-cell lymphoma in 3 cases, T lymphocytic lymphoma in 1 case, malignant teratoma in 1 case, right lung squamous cell carcinoma in 1 case, and carcinoid in 1 case. The tumor diameter ranged from 8 to 15 cm with an average of 10 cm. The patients had different degrees of neck, face, and upper extremity edema, jugular vein distention, and chest wall collateral venous filling. The superior vena cava pressure was 2.45-5.39 kPa. After excision of tumor and invading superior vena cava, 7 patients underwent superior vena cava reconstruction and 19 patients underwent artificial vascular replacement.

Results

There was no perioperative death, and the symptoms of superior vena cava obstruction were eliminated. Postoperative pulmonary infection, respiratory muscle weakness, and right chylothorax occurred in 4 cases, 1 case, and 1 case respectively. Twenty-four patients were followed up 2-92 months (mean, 37 months), and 2 patients failed to be followed up. At 1, 3, and 5 years, the survival rate was 83.3% (20/24), 41.7% (10/24), and 25% (6/24), respectively. In 6 patients with 5-year survival, there were 1 case of type B1 thymoma, 3 cases of type B3 thymoma, and 2 cases of large B-cell lymphoma.

Conclusion

For preoperative evaluation of SVCS caused by resectable thoracic tumors, vascular repair and recons-truction technique can be used to quickly and effectively relieve the clinical symptoms and improve the quality of life.