Abby White

Energy-Based Ligation of Pulmonary Vessels: A Six-Year Experience With Ultrasonic Shears in Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Lobectomy and Segmentectomy

BACKGROUND Mechanical staplers are widely employed in minimally invasive anatomic lung resections, but have limitations when managing smaller pulmonary arterial and venous branches. Published data is lacking regarding the safety and efficacy of pulmonary vessel ligation using ultrasonic shears. We describe a single-surgeon experience employing ultrasonic shears for the ligation of pulmonary vasculature during lobectomy and segmentectomy, primarily in the setting of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) resection. METHODS A retrospective chart review was conducted for all patients, who underwent anatomic resection, between 2008 and 2014. Charts were divided into 2 groups based on method of ligation (energy based or conventional). Dictated operative reports were reviewed and patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and complications were recorded. RESULTS Ultrasonic shears were used for pulmonary vessel ligation (5 to 6 mm) in 82 of 283 anatomic resections. A total of 118 vessels were ligated with ultrasonic shears. The majority of patients (83%) in the energy-based ligation group underwent VATS resection. There were fewer complications in the energy-based ligation group (26% vs 38%; p = 0.05); however, rates of intraoperative transfusion, prolonged air leak, empyema, and return to the operating room were similar across the 2 groups, and no statistically significant difference was found. There were no postoperative complications directly attributable to ultrasonic vessel ligation. CONCLUSIONS Energy-based ligation of small-diameter pulmonary vessels is a safe and useful adjunct in anatomic VATS resection and a viable alternative to mechanical stapling. Its narrow profile and thin blades make it ideal for ligation of pulmonary vasculature, particularly where the size and necessary clearance of mechanical staplers prohibit safe dissection.

Ivor-Lewis minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer- an excellent operation that improves with experience

Objective Esophagectomy is associated with major morbidity. In this study we sought to assess the learning curve of minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy (MIILE) and to evaluate perioperative outcomes, including anastomotic leak and hospital readmission, as a function of graduated surgeon experience. Methods Data were extracted from the electronic medical records of patients who underwent MIILE, performed by a single surgeon over an 8‐year period (2009‐2017). Primary outcomes were 5‐year overall survival, postoperative complications, and 90‐day readmission rates. Surgeon experience was divided into 4 quartiles, representing graduated experience. Statistical analysis was performed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression, whereas Kaplan–Meier estimators were used to assess survival outcomes. Results A total of 170 patients underwent MIILE and were analyzed after exclusion criteria were applied. Five‐year overall survival was 50.1% (95% confidence interval, 39.7%‐63.2%). Mortality at 90 days was 3.9% (95% confidence interval, 0.8%‐6.9%). Major complications occurred in 25.3% (n = 43) and 25.9% (n = 44) were readmitted to the hospital within 90 days after surgery. Conversion to open surgery, anastomotic leaks, and readmissions decreased over time. Conclusions MIILE can be performed safely and effectively with improving results as the surgeons experience evolves.

Pneumonectomy is safe and effective for non-small cell lung cancer following induction therapy

Background Uncertainty surrounds the safety and efficacy of pneumonectomy in the setting of induction chemoradiation for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We sought to evaluate fifteen years of experience with pneumonectomy with and without induction therapy. Methods Over a 15-year period [1999-2014], data were extracted from medical records of patients undergoing pneumonectomy for NSCLC. Primary outcomes were 5-year overall survival and mortality at 30, 60 and 90 days following operation. Morbidity data was also reviewed. Statistical comparisons were performed using the Chi-Square test. Kaplan-Meier curves were compared using the log rank test. Significance was defined as a P value less than 0.05. Patients with a prior cancer history, bilateral lung nodules and oligometastatic disease at presentation were excluded. Results After exclusion criteria were applied, 240 patients were analyzed and 137 (57%) underwent induction therapy prior to pneumonectomy. Five-year overall survival was 38.5%. Mortality at 90 days was 7.94%. There was no statistically significant difference in perioperative mortality with the addition of induction therapy. In fact, in the subset of patients with N2 disease (n=65), induction therapy was associated with improved 5-year overall survival (10.7% vs. 32.7%, P=0.014). Thirty-five percent of patients with N2 disease exhibited a complete response in the nodal basin following induction therapy; however, this did not confer a statistically significant overall or disease-free survival benefit. Conclusions Pneumonectomy can safely be performed in the setting of induction chemoradiation. In patients with N2 disease, induction therapy may confer a survival benefit when the surgery can be done with limited morbidity and mortality.

Long-Term Management Challenges in Esophageal Atresia.

Opinion statementEsophageal atresia is a rare congenital anomaly, but improved surgical and critical care has resulted in survival rates exceeding 90%. Long-term survival is associated with numerous management challenges including chronic motility disorders, dysphagia, strictures, reflux, esophagitis and attendant complications, tracheomalacia and chronic restrictive lung disease, and recurrent pulmonary infections. No guidelines for adolescents and younger or older adults exist for the treatment and monitoring of this specialized patient population. As such, patients with esophageal atresia can experience life-long sequelae of their disease and are best served by intentional transition to adult care for surveillance and monitoring, specifically for chronic lung disease, reflux, and its complications. This is best accomplished in a multidisciplinary fashion at experienced esophageal and lung centers.

Surgery versus stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer: less is not more

High level evidence from randomized studies comparing surgery to stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) is lacking and available retrospective cohort and case control studies are highly variable in how thoroughly they define and stage lung cancer, in how they determine operability, and in the offered surgical approaches to operable lung cancer (open vs. video-assisted). This makes it difficult to compare best radiotherapy and best surgery approaches to treatment and to be confident in conclusions of equipoise between the two modalities. What has become clear from the controversy surrounding surgery versus SABR for early stage lung cancer is the desire to optimize treatment efficacy while minimizing invasiveness and morbidity. This review highlights the ongoing debate in light of these goals.