A. Badia

Treatment of complicated pulmonary aspergillomas with cavernostomy and muscle flap: interest of concomitant limited thoracoplasty.

OBJECTIVE Lung resection for complex aspergilloma (CA) carries high morbidity and mortality and remains controversial in high-risk patients. Cavernostomy followed by muscle-flap plombage has been recommended for patients considered unfit for resection, but subsequent muscle-flap atrophy may be a main cause of failure. We reviewed the place of a limited thoracoplasty in association with that procedure. METHODS Five patients complaining of haemoptysis related to CA were denied lung resection because of bilateral lung destruction (n=1), and required completion pneumonectomy (previous lobectomy for cancer followed by adjuvant radiation therapy, n=4). We analysed the data concerning the alternative surgical procedures performed and their immediate and late results. RESULTS The surgery consisted in cavernostomy, removal of the fungus ball, cavity obliteration with the most directly available muscle flaps (rhomboid muscle n=2, trapezius and rhomboid n=2, serratus major and subscapular n=1). A limited thoracoplasty ranging from 2 to 5 portions of rib (mean resected rib portions n=3.4) was performed in addition to this procedure. The postoperative course was uneventful. All patients are still alive (mean follow-up 3 years; range: 1-6 years) and faring well without thoracoplasty-related aftereffect, complication related to muscle-flap disuse atrophy nor recurrence of the disease. CONCLUSION Cavernostomy followed by muscle transposition has been reported to provide encouraging results. Combining a limited thoracoplasty during the same operation is a simple, safe and well-tolerated procedure regularly achieving good results, and thus deserving consideration.

Current indications and results for thoracoplasty and intrathoracic muscle transposition.

OBJECTIVES Thoracoplasty has lost much of its popularity and is being supplanted by space-reduction operations using muscle flaps. Our purpose is to retrospectively study the remaining indications and the evolving modifications of this ancient technique in our current surgical practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS From 1994 to 2008, 35 patients underwent a thoracoplasty procedure in a single thoracic surgery centre for treatment of infectious complications of previous thoracic surgery. The number and length of ribs excised were dictated by the size and location of the thoracic cavity to obliterate. Muscle flaps were used to buttress bronchial fistulas and to fill out residual spaces. We reviewed the immediate and long-term results concerning infection control and procedure tolerance. RESULTS The infectious complications of previous thoracic surgery were related to cancer in 25, tuberculosis in six, oesophageo-pleural fistula in two, ruptured lung abscess and pleural thickening in one each. The thoracoplasty procedure was performed for: (1) post-pneumonectomy empyema, n=20 (bronchial fistula, n=11; open window thoracostomy, n=14; mean number of resected ribs, n=7.5; associated intrathoracic muscle transposition, n=12; postoperative death, n=3); (2) post-lobectomy empyema, n=8 (bronchial fistula n=8; open window thoracostomy n=1; mean number of resected ribs n=3.6; associated intrathoracic muscle transposition n=7; no death); (3) other indications, n=7 (mean number of resected ribs n=4.8; associated intrathoracic muscle transposition n=3; no death). All patients discharged from the hospital except one were cured and did not complain of symptoms of secondary lung function and shoulder impairment. CONCLUSION Although thoracoplasty is rarely indicated nowadays, this does not imply that the procedure should be avoided. Thoracoplasty may be associated with myoplasty, which permits achieving complete space obliteration by combining resection of a few rib segments and limited intrathoracic muscle transposition.

Intrathoracic Lymph Node Metastases From Extrathoracic Carcinoma: The Place for Surgery

BACKGROUND Intrathoracic hilar or mediastinal lymph node metastases (HMLNMs) of extrathoracic carcinomas are infrequent. Their treatment strategy is not established and their prognosis poorly known. We reviewed the place of surgical intervention in their management. METHODS Among 565 patients with mediastinal lymph node enlargement, 37 had a history of extrathoracic carcinoma. The enlargement consisted in HMLNMs in 26 (15 men, 11 women), with a mean age of 57.6 (range 19-78) years. Surgical procedures were reviewed. RESULTS Diagnostic procedures, comprising mediastinoscopy in 9, anterior mediastinotomy in 2, and video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in 4, were performed mainly because of unresectability due to diffuse and bilateral HMLNMs. Cancer location was breast in 6, kidney or prostate in 2 each, and bladder, rectum, testis, melanoma, and larynx in 1 each. Median survival was 21 months. Resection was performed in 11 patients, comprising posterolateral thoracotomy in 6, muscle sparing thoracotomy in 2, and VATS in 3. Seventeen involved LN stations were removed; of these, primary were kidney in 3, testis or thyroid in 2 each, and larynx, nasopharynx, and intestinum in 1 each. Five-year survival was 41.6% (median, 45 months). CONCLUSIONS HMLNMs of extrathoracic carcinoma may be isolated, probably in the context of a particular lymphatic mode of spread. Our experience demonstrates that operation is mainly diagnostic but resection may safely achieve local control of the disease and deserves being advocated in patients with isolated and resectable HMLNMs.

History of multiple previous malignancies should not be a contraindication to the surgical resection of lung cancer.

BACKGROUND Patients with a history of previous malignancy are often encountered in a discussion of surgical resection of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The outcome of patients with 2 or more previous cancers remains unknown. METHODS We performed a retrospective study including all patients undergoing resection for NSCLC from January 1980 to December 2009 at 2 French centers. We then compared the survival of patients without a history of another cancer (group 1), those with a history of a single malignancy (group 2), and those with a history of 2 or more previous malignancies (group 3). RESULTS There were 5,846 patients: 4,603 (78%) in group 1, 1,147 (20%) in group 2, and 96 (2%) in group 3. The proportion of patients included in group 3 increased from 0.3% to 3% over 3 decades. Compared with groups 1 and 2, group 3 was associated with older age, a larger proportion of women, earlier tumor stage, less induction therapy, and fewer pneumonectomies. Despite this, postoperative complications and mortality were similar in groups 2 and 3, and higher than in group 1. Five-year survival rates were 44.6%, 35.1%, and 23.6% in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (p < 0.000001 for comparison between 3 groups; p = 0.18 for comparison between groups 2 and 3). In multivariate analysis, male sex, higher T stage, higher N stage, incomplete resection, and study group were significant predictors of adverse prognosis. CONCLUSIONS Despite earlier diagnosis and acceptable long-term survival, patients operated on for NSCLC after 2 or 3 previous malignancies carried a worse prognosis than did those undergoing operation after 1 malignancy or if there was no previous diagnosis of cancer.

Facteurs pronostiques cliniques et paracliniques dans la chirurgie du cancer du poumon non à petites cellules

INTRODUCTION Lung cancer prognosis is mainly based on the TNM, histology and molecular biology. Our aim was to analyze the prognostic value of certain clinical and paraclinical variables. PATIENTS AND METHODS We studied among 6105 patients operated on, divided during 3 time-periods (1979 to 2010), the following prognostic factors: type of surgery, pTNM, histology, age, sex, smoking history, clinical presentation, and paraclinical variables. RESULTS Postoperative mortality was 4% (243/6105), rate of complications was 23.3% (1424/6105). The 5-year overall survival was 43.2% and 10-year was 27%. Best survival was observed after complete resection (R0) (P<10(-6)), lobectomy (P<10(-6)), lymph node dissection (P=0.0006), early pTNM stages (P<10(-6)), absence of a solid component in adenocarcinoma. Other pejorative factors were: male gender (P=10(-5)), age (P=0.0000002), comorbidity (P=0.016), history of cancer (P<10(-5)), postoperative complications (P=0.0018), FEV lower than 80% (P=0.0000025), time-periods (P<10(-6)). All these factors were confirmed by multivariate analysis, except gender. Smoking was not poor prognostic factor in univariate analysis (P=0.09) but became significant in the multivariate one (P=0.013). CONCLUSION Medical and human factors, and the general physiological state, play an important role in prognosis after surgery. We do not know their exact meaning and, like studies on chemotherapy, they justify special research.

Dysfonctions et paralysies diaphragmatiques : de la physiopathologie au traitement chirurgical

The clinical presentations of diaphragm dysfunctions vary according to etiologies and unilateral or bilateral diseases. Elevation of the hemidiaphragm from peripheral origins, the most frequent situation, requires a surgical treatment only in case of major functional impact. Complete morphological and functional analyses of the neuromuscular chain and respiratory tests allow the best selection of patients to be operated. The surgical procedure may be proposed only when the diaphragm dysfunction is permanent and irreversible. Diaphragm plication for eventration through a short lateral thoracotomy, or sometimes by videothoracoscopy, is the only procedure for retensioning the hemidiaphragm. This leads to a decompression of intrathoracic organs and a repositioning of abdominal organs without effect on the hemidiaphragm active contraction. Morbidity and mortality rates after diaphragm plication are very low, more due to the patients general condition than to surgery itself. Functional improvements after retensioning for most patients with excellent long-term results validate this procedure for symptomatic patients. In case of bilateral diseases, very few bilateral diaphragm plications have been reported. Some patients with diaphragm paralyses from central origins become permanently dependent on mechanical ventilation whereas their lungs, muscles and nerves are intact. In patients selected by rigorous neuromuscular tests, a phrenic pacing may be proposed to wean them from respirator. Two main indications have been validated: high-level tetraplegia above C3 and congenital alveolar hypoventilation from central origin. After progressive reconditioning of the diaphragm muscles following phrenic pacing at thoracic level, more than 90% of patients can be weaned from respirator within a few weeks. This weaning improves the quality of life with more physiological breathing, restored olfaction, better sleep and better speech. The positive impact of diaphragm stimulation has also been evaluated in other degenerative neurological diseases, particularly the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. For either central or peripheral diaphragm dysfunctions, a successful surgical treatment lies on a strict preoperative selection of patients.

Le traitement chirurgical des éventrations et paralysies diaphragmatiques

Surgical treatment of eventration or paralysis of the diaphragm is symptomatic and non curative, and depends on whether the dysfunction is of peripheral or central origin. Elevation of a hemidiaphragm of peripheral origin, the most frequent situation, needs surgical treatment only in case of major functional effects (effort or positional dyspnoea, cardiac or digestive symptoms, or pain) that persists despite optimal conservative management. Selection of candidates for surgery depends on a thorough morphological and functional investigation of the neuromuscular and respiratory components. Surgical plication of the diaphragm through a lateral thoracotomy or by video-thoracoscopy is a recognized, safe and effective procedure. Its low morbidity and mortality, which are mainly associated with co-morbid factors, and its long-lasting functional benefit of around 100%, show that it is an effective procedure. In the case of bilateral dysfunction, occasional cases of bilateral plication have been reported. Some cases of diaphragmatic paralysis of central causation result in a life of ventilator dependence, even though the peripheral neuromuscular and respiratory systems are intact. In selected cases, following a complete functional investigation, phrenic nerve pacing may be attempted to achieve ventilator weaning. To date, there are two validated indications for this technique: Tetraplegia above C3 and alveolar hypoventilation of central cause. After thoracic implantation, a progressive reconditioning of the diaphragmatic muscle allows weaning from the ventilator in a few weeks in more than 90% of patients. Their quality of life is greatly improved thanks to independence from the ventilator, more physiological respiration, restoration of smell and better speech. Whether the diaphragmatic dysfunction is peripheral or central in origin, the success of surgical treatment depends on rigorous preoperative selection of patients.

Article originalPneumonectomie pour lésions bénignes : indications et facteurs affectant les suites opératoiresPneumonectomy for benign disease: Indication and factors affecting the postoperative course

Pneumonectomy for benign disease is rare but may generate more postoperative morbimortality than when performed for lung cancer. We questioned this assessment and retrospectively reviewed 1436 pneumonectomies and 54 completions of which 82 and 10 performed for benign disease (5.7% and 18.5%, respectively): left n=65 and right n=27. Indications were: post-tuberculosis destroyed lung (n=37), aspergilloma (n=18), bronchiectasis (n=19), infection (n=5), congenital malformations (n=5), inflammatory pseudotumor (n=3), trauma (n=2), post-radiation (n=2) and mucormycosis (n=1). Pneumonectomy consisted of 48 standard and 44 pleuro-pneumonectomies. Stump coverage by flaps was performed in 66.3% (61/92). Complications occurred in 21.7% (20/92) and postoperative deaths in 7.6% (7/92, of which 5 with fungal infections), which was not different than what was observed in lung cancer. There was no difference in fistula formation and mortality regarding the side, the type of resection and the protective role of stump coverage. Considering patients with fungal infections versus others, mortality was 26.3% (n=5/19) and 2.7% (n=2/74), respectively (P=0.0028). Pneumonectomy for benign disease achieves cure with acceptable mortality and morbidity. However, presence of fungal infection should raise the attention for possibility of increased postoperative risks.

Pneumonectomie pour lésions bénignes : indications et facteurs affectant les suites opératoires

Pneumonectomy for benign disease is rare but may generate more postoperative morbimortality than when performed for lung cancer. We questioned this assessment and retrospectively reviewed 1436 pneumonectomies and 54 completions of which 82 and 10 performed for benign disease (5.7% and 18.5%, respectively): left n=65 and right n=27. Indications were: post-tuberculosis destroyed lung (n=37), aspergilloma (n=18), bronchiectasis (n=19), infection (n=5), congenital malformations (n=5), inflammatory pseudotumor (n=3), trauma (n=2), post-radiation (n=2) and mucormycosis (n=1). Pneumonectomy consisted of 48 standard and 44 pleuro-pneumonectomies. Stump coverage by flaps was performed in 66.3% (61/92). Complications occurred in 21.7% (20/92) and postoperative deaths in 7.6% (7/92, of which 5 with fungal infections), which was not different than what was observed in lung cancer. There was no difference in fistula formation and mortality regarding the side, the type of resection and the protective role of stump coverage. Considering patients with fungal infections versus others, mortality was 26.3% (n=5/19) and 2.7% (n=2/74), respectively (P=0.0028). Pneumonectomy for benign disease achieves cure with acceptable mortality and morbidity. However, presence of fungal infection should raise the attention for possibility of increased postoperative risks.

Chirurgie du cancer bronchique sur poumon unique

INTRODUCTION The diagnosis of a second lung cancer in a patient with a previous medical history of lung cancer is no longer a rarity. Also, it is possible to observe a new location in a patient who underwent pneumonectomy in the past. Surgery remains the best treatment. Our objective was to overview this subject. PATIENTS AND METHODS Among 5611 patients operated in our institution, 186 (3.3%) had metachronous cancer and 17 had previous pneumonectomy (0.7% of pneumonectomies and 0.2% of NSCLC treated in our department). The procedure was diagnostic and therapeutic in 88% of cases (n=15). RESULTS There were 16 males and 1 female, mean age was 62.5-years. All were smokers (11 were former smokers) and 6 had other medical history. Mean FEV was 52% (range 35-95%). Types of resection were 2 lobectomies, 4 segmentectomies, and 11 wedge resections. There were no postoperative deaths, but two complications. Histological subtype of the first and second cancer was the same in 11 patients. All patients were pN0 after second surgery. The long-term survival (median 33 months) was 35.3% at 5-years and 14.1% at 10-years. Two patients treated with pneumonectomy for their first cancer were pN2. Patients who underwent upper right lobectomy for treatment of their second cancer survived longer than 5-years. CONCLUSION Surgical resection for lung cancer on single-lung is associated with acceptable morbidity and mortality. Prolonged survival can be achieved in selected patients.