Abdel-Mohsen Hamad

Allograft sternochondral replacement after resection of large sternal chondrosarcoma

Surgical excision with a safety margin is the cornerstone of treatment of malignant sternal tumors. After sternal resection, the primary goals of chest wall reconstruction are to prevent flail chest with ventilatory impairment, protect the underlying mediastinal structures, and avoid chest deformity. Various techniques and several materials have been used over the years for this purpose. This report describes the use of sternal allograft to reconstruct the chest wall after sternal resection.

A quarter of a century experience with sleeve lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE Sleeve lobectomy represents an effective and widely accepted surgical therapy for non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). We sought to review our experience in terms of mortality, early and late morbidity, and long-term survival evaluating the technical progresses overtime. MATERIAL AND METHODS From 1980 to 2005, 199 patients underwent sleeve lobectomy. Pathology revealed 167 (83.9%) squamous carcinomas, 23 (11.6%) adenocarcinomas, 7 (3.5%) large cell and 2 (1%) adenosquamous carcinomas. In 39 (19.6%) patients a vascular procedure was associated. Nineteen (9.5%) patients had preoperative radiotherapy, 14 (7%) preoperative chemotherapy and 10 (5%) chemoradiotherapy. RESULTS Overall postoperative mortality was 4.5% (n=9) and morbidity was 17.9% (n=34). Preoperative radiotherapy was identified as a significant risk factor for perioperative mortality (OR: 5.34, 95% CI: 1.16-24.47; p=0.03) and early anastomotic complications (OR: 3.73, 95% CI: 1.01-13.68; p=0.04). Overall 5-year survival rate was 39.7% and stage-by-stage analysis did not reach a significant survival difference. With growing skills the number of procedures, associated angioplasty and difficult sleeves (such as sleeve bilobectomy) increased. Also in term of mortality, in the last 10 years we had 0.8% of mortality rate. CONCLUSIONS Sleeve lobectomy is a safe and effective therapy for selected patients with NSCLC. Vascular procedures and the use of induction chemotherapy did not increase mortality and morbidity; otherwise, the use of preoperative radiotherapy is not recommended. Overtime trend showed a significant lower mortality in the last period. This emphasises the importance of a learning curve and encourages the performance of this procedure in experienced centres.

Single-staged laryngotracheal resection and reconstruction for benign strictures in adults

Laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) is a challenging problem, and its management is complex. This study evaluated both short- and long-term outcomes following laryngotracheal resection and anastomosis. Between 1994 and 2006, 37 patients underwent surgery for LTS. The cause of stenosis was post-intubation or post-tracheostomy injury in 28 cases and idiopathic in nine. Pearsons technique was used for anterolateral cricotracheal resection (n=23), and Grillos technique of providing a posterior membranous tracheal flap was used in cases of circumferential stenosis (n=14). Since 1998, we have modified the techniques in 21 cases, using a continuous 4/0 polydioxanone suture for the posterior part of the anastomosis. No peri-operative mortality was recorded. Three (8.1%) patients developed major complications (two fistulae and one early stenosis) that required a second surgical look. We had 16 minor complications in 14 (37.8%) patients. The long-term results were excellent to satisfactory in 36 patients (97.3%) and unsatisfactory in one (2.7%). Single-staged laryngotracheal resection is a demanding operation, but can be performed successfully with acceptable morbidity in specialized centers. The continuous suture in the posterior part of the anastomosis simplifies the procedure without causing technique-related complications. In our experience, this procedure guaranteed excellent to satisfactory results in more than 90% of patients.

Titanium plates support for chest wall reconstruction with Gore-Tex dual mesh after sternochondral resection.

We present a case of chest wall reconstruction after sternochondral resection for sternal metastasis of breast origin. We used three transverse titanium plates to stabilise the chest wall and provide support for a polytetrafluoroethylene dual mesh, which was used to cover the chest wall defect. The pectoralis muscles flaps were approximated in the midline to cover the dual mesh.

Tracheal sleeve pneumonectomy for non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) : Short and long-term results in a single institution

OBJECTIVE Bronchogenic carcinoma involving the carina or tracheobronchial angle still presents a challenge due to specific problems related to surgical technique and airway management. We reviewed our experience in carinal resection in terms of mortality, morbidity, and long-term survival. METHODS Between 1982 and 2005, 49 patients underwent carinal resection: a right tracheal sleeve pneumonectomy was performed in 48 patients and a left tracheal sleeve pneumonectomy in 1 patient. Induction therapy was administered to 19 (39.6%) patients. In all cases, the anastomosis was performed with aid of high-frequency jet ventilation. RESULTS Fourteen patients experienced perioperative complications (overall morbidity 28.6%), including 3 who died, for an overall mortality rate of 6.1%. Late empyema occurred in 5 (10.8%) patients. Histology was squamous cell carcinoma in 38 (77.6%) cases, adenocarcinoma in 10 (20.4%), and large-cell carcinoma in 1 (2%). The overall 5- and 10-year survival rates were 27.5 and 12.8%, respectively. Patients without nodal involvement had a significantly better prognosis than N1 and N2 patients (5-year survival: 56, 17, and 0%, respectively; p=0.002), as did patients with squamous histology compared to adenocarcinoma (5-year survival 29.5 and 11%, respectively; p=0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that nodal status was the only independent prognostic factor (p=0.00007). CONCLUSIONS Tracheal sleeve pneumonectomy for bronchogenic carcinoma can be accomplished with acceptable mortality and morbidity, providing good long-term results. Nodal involvement seems to be an exclusion criterion for surgery, as it has a poor prognosis. Meticulous anesthetic management and surgical technique guarantee a better postoperative outcome.

Geometric Reconstruction of the Right Hemi-Trunk After Resection of Giant Chondrosarcoma

We present a case of a giant chondrosarcoma arising from the right anterolateral chest wall and extending to the abdomen. An extensive resection of the right lower chest wall, most of the right hemidiaphragm, and most of the anterior abdominal wall on the right side was carried out. A long titanium plate was used to reconstruct the right costal margin. This plate gave attachment to two polytetrafluoroethylene meshes that were used to cover the abdominal and chest wall defects. The patches were covered with pedicled muscles and omental flaps and subsequently with rotational skin flap.

Repair of a postesophagectomy bronchogastric tube fistula with polyglactin mesh supported with a muscle flap.

A bronchogastric fistula is a very rare complication of transthoracic esophagectomy. We report a case of bronchogastric fistula after transthoracic esophagectomy caused by dehiscence of the staple line in the gastric tube, with subsequent erosion into the right main bronchus. The patient was managed successfully in two surgical stages. First, the bronchial defect was repaired using a polyglactin mesh covered by a serratus anterior muscle flap. Two months later, the esophagogastric continuity was restored with colon interposition.

A word of caution for patients undergoing lung transplantation with associated mitral regurgitation.

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Multiple-running suture technique for bronchial anastomosis in difficult sleeve resection.

We present a simplified technique for bronchial anastomosis in difficult sleeve resection using multiple running sutures. During the last 5 years we used this technique in 11 patients. We recorded no anastomotic-related complications in all of them. We found this technique easier, faster, and effective; we consider it a potential routine bronchial anastomotic technique.

Nodal Recurrence of Pulmonary Carcinoid 30 Years After Primary Resection

We present a case of nodal recurrence of carcinoid tumor in a 48-year-old male patient, 30 years after resection of primary tumor. Octreoscan was used for diagnosis and localization of the mass. Surgical resection was successful and histopathologic examination revealed lymph node infiltrated with atypical carcinoid.