Akın Eraslan Balci

Foreign body aspiration in children: experience of 1160 cases.

Abstract Hospital records of 1160 children ≤15 years old referred for suspected foreign body aspiration were reviewed. Bronchoscopy under general anaesthesia was performed on all patients. Foreign bodies were successfully removed in 1068 (92%) children. The majority, 885 (76.3%), presented with a definite history of foreign body aspiration. Bronchoscopy was negative in 85 (7.3%) children. Watermelon seeds, found in 414 (38.7%) children, were the most commonly aspirated foreign bodies. Open surgical procedures were required for 21 (1.8%) children. Bronchial rupture related to bronchoscopy occurred in four children, two of whom died post-operatively. The overall mortality rate was 0.8%.

Surgical treatment of post-traumatic tracheobronchial injuries: 14-year experience

OBJECTIVE Tracheobronchial injuries have different clinical pictures and high mortality unless aggressive treatment is used. We reviewed our surgical experience. METHODS The records of 32 patients from 1988 to 2002 were reviewed. Mean age was 22.3 years (range: 4-53). Three patients were female. Prominent symptoms were dyspnea, subcutaneous air and pneumothorax in chest X-rays. Associated injuries were seen in 22 patients (68.7%): most frequently in the lung parenchyma (11 patients) and esophagus (seven patients). Bronchoscopic detection of a rupture of the trachea or bronchus was the main indication for surgery. RESULTS Nineteen injuries (59%) were penetrating and 13 blunt (41%). The most common presenting sign of airway disruption was subcutaneous emphysema (25%) and stridor (22%). Of the 32 patients, 22 underwent bronchoscopic examination. Bronchography was used in three patients admitted during the late period. Surgical morbidity was 19.3%. Seven patients died (21.8%), of whom six had been operated on. In operations performed during the first 2 h of trauma, no mortality occurred. There were associated injuries in 100% of patients that died and in 60% of those that survived. The proportion (100 vs. 24%) and duration (2.8 vs. 11.6 days) of ventilatory support were lower in patients that survived than in those that died. Mean injury severity score of patients that died was 34.7+/-8.8 while it was 24.3+/-8.6 in those that survived. Tracheal stenosis developed in three patients (9.3%). CONCLUSION In civilian life, tracheobronchial injuries occur relatively rarely. Early diagnosis and operative intervention save lives. Associated injury is an important mortality factor.

Open Fixation in Flail Chest: Review of 64 Patients

The strategy for treatment of flail chest remains controversial. Various alternatives were assessed by reviewing the records of 64 patients treated from 1991 through 2000. Patients were classified according to therapeutic approach: group 1 was 27 patients who underwent open fixation of the fractured ribs, group 2 was 19 patients managed by intermittent positive-pressure ventilation, and group 3 was 18 patients managed mainly by synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation. Two patients initially treated by ventilation underwent successful open fixation. In group 1, ventilatory support was required in 21 (77.8%) patients postoperatively, the mean duration of ventilation was 3.1 days, mean hospital stay was 18.3 days, morbidity was 11.1% (3/27), and mortality was 11.1%. In groups 2 and 3, the mean time for stabilization of paradoxical chest wall movement was 6.6 days, and mean duration of ventilation was 7.2 days. Mortality was 27.0% (10/37) in patients treated nonsurgically; 21.0% (4/19) in group 2, and 33.3% (6/18) in group 3. In groups 2 and 3, pain control required epidural analgesia in 13 (35.1%) cases, intercostal nerve blockade in 16 (43.2%), and narcotic or nonnarcotic parenteral analgesia in 8 (21.6%). Open fixation is a successful treatment modality for traumatic flail chest.

Ruptured hydatid cysts of the lung in children: clinical review and results of surgery

BACKGROUND Rupture of a hydatid cyst may cause some unique problems, especially in children. METHODS Sixty-three children with a total of 68 ruptured lung hydatid cysts were operated on between 1980 and 2000. Mean age was 12.3 years (range, 1 to 15 years). Radiographic findings were hydropneumothorax (20.6%) and air-fluid level (19%). Mean follow-up was 19.3 months. RESULTS Transthoracic needle aspiration was responsible for the rupture in 3 children. The interval between cyst rupture and operation was less than 24 hours in 10 patients (15.9%), 1 to 4 days in 36 (57.1%), and more than 4 days in 17 (27%). Resection rate was 22.1%. The most frequent operative method was cystotomy and capitonnage (38%). Morbidity was 25.4% (extended air leak 5, empyema 3, bronchopleural fistula 3, atelectasis 3, pneumonia 2). Mortality was 4.7% (hemoptysis 1, pneumonia and sepsis 1, aspiration of hydatid material 1). Morbidity and mortality seem to be more frequent in late cases. CONCLUSIONS Early surgical intervention with single-lung ventilation and maximum parenchyma preservation are recommended.

Management of multiloculated empyema thoracis in children: thoracotomy versus fibrinolytic treatment

OBJECTIVE Progression of empyema, with the development of fibrinous adhesions and loculations, makes simple drainage difficult or impossible. The appropriate management remains controversial. Intrapleural fibrinolytic treatment to facilitate drainage of loculated empyema instead of open thoracotomy has been advocated recently. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the intrapleural fibrinolytic application. METHODS In our clinic we used urokinase in 28 patients and performed thoracotomy and decortication in another 43. The two groups of patients had similar characteristics. Mean age was 10.2 (range: 3-14 years). All had undergone medical treatment and tube thoracostomy. Empyema severity score (ESS) was measured in all. RESULTS Fibrinolytic treatment, and thoracotomy and decortication had complete response rates of 67.8 and 100%, respectively. Treatment was ineffective in six (21.4%) out of 28 patients who underwent urokinase instillation; they recovered after thoracotomy. In three (10.7%) patients, partial resolution was observed. One patient died of sepsis and pleural hemorrhage. Mean hospital stay after urokinase was 10.7 (range: 6-17) days. In the thoracotomy group, all patients recovered completely. No deaths occurred. Postoperative complications were incisional infection in two patients, atelectasis in one and reoperation after hemorrhage in one. Mean hospital stay after surgery was 9.5 (5-19) days. The ESS of cases operated on was lower postoperatively (0.3 versus 0.8). CONCLUSION Continued conservative therapy risks morbidity and mortality. Thoracotomy-decortication can be used successfully and must remain the preferred method in the treatment of multiloculated pediatric empyema.

Pneumonectomy in children for destroyed lung and the long-term consequences

OBJECTIVES Destroyed lung introduces irreversible changes in lung parenchyma. This condition is uncommon in children. Operative intervention is essential for children in this state. We demonstrate our experience with this condition and report on the respective long-term results. METHOD Seventeen children who underwent pneumonectomy for destroyed lung during a 15-year period were retrospectively analyzed. Long-term results were detected in 13 patients. RESULTS Seventeen children underwent pneumonectomy. Five children were female (29.4%), and 12 children were male (70.5%). The median age of the study group children was 9.1 years (3-16 years). Sputum was the most common presenting symptom (n = 13, 76.4%). Bronchiectasis (n = 11), tuberculosis (n = 4), and necrotizing lung disease (n = 2) were the main underlying conditions. Destroyed lung was detected on the left side in 14 children (82.4%) and on the right side in 3 children (17.6%). Main bronchial stenosis was found in 4 children and mucosal thickening or congestion in 5 children. The median length of hospital stay was 15.5 days. The mortality rate was 11.7% (n = 2), and the morbidity rate was 23.5% (n = 4). Follow-up information was available for 13 patients, and this ranged from 1 year to 12 years (median 5.2 years). The respiratory capacity and scoliosis level of the patients were examined. CONCLUSIONS Although pneumonectomy is considered a difficult procedure in children, its use for destroyed lung resolves complications and improves a patients quality of life. In time, the remaining lung expands to compensate for the loss of the removed lung. Children grew and developed normally after pneumonectomy. Patients tend not to have major skeletal deformation as the result of pneumonectomy in the short term.

Predictors of mortality within three months in the patients with malignant pleural effusion

BACKGROUND Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) has a limited life expectancy (3-12 months). We investigated the predictors of the early mortality (EM) within three months. METHODS The patients were retrospectively grouped according to the death within three months (Group I) and survival more than three months (Group II). Demographical, clinical, and biochemical parameters in the fluid were analysed to determine their effects on the EM. The 30-day response rate of talc pleurodesis was investigated. RESULTS The study included 85 patients (Group I/Group II=40/45). The patients in Group I died within a median of 28 days. Twenty-six patients in Group II died in a median of 205, but 19 were still alive (median 200 days). The median survival was longer in renal cell, colorectal, breast, liver, ovarian and oropharynx carcinoma, and mesothelioma. Sixty-two patients (63%) underwent talc pleurodesis, which prevented the fluid reaccumulation (p=0.04). The significant factors of the EM in the univariate analysis were the presence of high-risk tumors (lung, stomach, soft tissue, bladder, esophagus, prostate, cervix, and lymphoma), the low Karnofsky performance score (KPS) (p<0.0001), the low pH value of the fluid (p=0.05), and the low concentration of glucose (p=0.01), total protein (p<0.0001), and albumin (p<0.0001) in the fluid. According to the multivariate analysis high-risk tumors (p=0.03), a lower KPS (p<0.001), and glucose value (p=0.04) were the predictors of the EM. CONCLUSION Talc pleurodesis prevents the fluid reaccumulation. High-risk tumors, a poor performance status, and lower pleural fluid glucose concentration are predictors of the EM within three months in the patients with a MPE.

Surgical treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome: effect and results of surgery

BACKGROUND Because of the difficulty in diagnosis and different treatment options, debate on thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) has continued. Our aim is to report our surgical experience. METHODS Forty-seven patients with thoracic outlet syndrome were operated on between 1985 and 2000. Mean age was 37.9 years (range, 17 to 58 years); female/male ratio was 41/6. The most frequent symptom was paresthesia (72.3%). Seventeen patients (36%) had bilateral symptoms. Of all, 89.3% (42 cases) were neurologic thoracic outlet syndrome, and 10.7% (five cases) were vascular. Lower plexus (C8-T1/ulnar nerve) compression was present in 36 patients and upper plexus (C5-C7/median nerve) compression in 6 patients. Doppler ultrasonography in 11 patients, angiography in 8, and lymph node scintigraphy in 1 patient were also performed. Main operative indications were persistence of symptoms after conservative therapy and reduced (< 60 m/s) ulnar nerve conduction velocity. RESULTS Fifty-five operations were performed on the 47 patients. First (59.6%) and cervical costae (21.3%) resections were the most frequent operations. Mean ulnar nerve conduction velocity was 54.8 m/s (range, 43 to 68 m/s) preoperatively and 69.4 m/s (range, 47 to 70 m/s) postoperatively (p < 0.05). The morbidity rate was 17% (8 of 47). No difference was observed between transaxillary and supraclavicular incisions. No brachial plexus injuries occurred. The most frequent cause of morbidity was incisional pain. Two reoperations were performed for recurrences. Follow-up was 4.6 years, and 75% of lower plexus and 50% of upper plexus compressions remained asymptomatic. Severe and long-term pain occurred in 1 patient. CONCLUSIONS Surgical decompression for thoracic outlet syndrome is efficient and dependable, but results deteriorate over time.

Esophageal foreign bodies under cricopharyngeal level in children: an analysis of 1116 cases

Esophageal foreign bodies (FBs) in children are a commonly seen complaint that can cause severe morbidity. Different methods are used for their extraction. We reviewed our cases and described direct extraction technique. The specifications of 1116 children with esophageal FBs between 1990 and 2000 were evaluated. All FB cases were considered emergencies and intervention was performed in the operating theater. Patients with coins were only sedated and relaxed while the FB was removed under direct vision by McGill forceps. Other FBs were removed under general anesthesia by rigid esophagoscope. There were 1035 coins in 1007 patients and 112 other FBs in 109 children. Mean age was 4.2 years, ranging from 1 month to 15 years. Immediate interventions were performed in 16 (1.4%) patients. Reasons included respiratory distress from pressure in eight (five coins, three toy pieces), increased rupture risk after 4 days in three (all coins) and esophageal rupture in five patients. Four (0.3%) perforations occurred during intervention; two (0.02%, 2/1116) arose from coin extraction, and another two (1.8%, 2/109) were caused by esophagoscopic removal. The success rate for esophagoscopic removal was 95.4% (105/109). Three (0.2%) of 1116 patients underwent surgery to remove FBs. All were esophagoscopy patients, thus the surgery ratio for esophagoscopic removal was 2.7% (3/109). If an FB is diagnosed quickly and removed few problems arise. Esophageal coins can be successfully extracted under direct vision.

The effect of aprotinin on ischemia-reperfusion injury in an in situ normothermic ischemic lung model

OBJECTIVES In the context of the physiopathology of damage due to ischemic preservation and reperfusion injury following preservation, we aimed to demonstrate the positive effects of the addition of aprotinin, a serine protease inhibitor, to low potassium dextran (LPD), used as a single-flush solution in normothermic ischemic animal models, on lung protection and the prevention of reperfusion injury. METHODS In the study, 21 New Zealand white rabbits were used as experimental subjects. The subjects were ventilated with the assistance of a manual mechanical ventilator at 30 breaths/min and 10 ml/kg tidal volume. Lung protection solution was supplied to the pulmonary artery via a catheter. After applying the solution, ischemia was carried out for 120 min. At the end of this period, reperfusion was carried out for 90 min. The subjects were divided into three groups of seven subjects each. In the control group, pulmonary perfusion solution was not employed, whereas in the second group LPD was employed, and in the third group LPD and aprotinin (LPD+A) were perfused. Blood gas analysis, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid examination, tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) level analysis and morphological examinations were performed. RESULTS The LPD+A group showed the significantly highest levels of oxygenation at the 15th and 60th minutes of reperfusion (297+/-76.7 and 327+/-97.4 mmHg) in comparison to the LPD (157+/-20.6 and 170+/-53.6 mmHg) and control (64+/-8.4 and 59+/-7.2 mmHg) groups (P<0.001). The LPD+A group showed the significantly lowest levels of alveolar-arterial oxygen difference at the 60th minute of reperfusion (389+/-15 mmHg) in comparison to the LPD (478+/-19 mmHg) and control (542+/-23) groups (P<0.001). The BAL fluid neutrophil percentage was significantly lower in the LPD+A group (22+/-2.4%) compared to the LPD (31+/-6.1%) and control (38+/-2.4%) groups. MDA levels were significantly lower in the LPD+A group (119.8+/-5.3 nmol MDA/g) when compared to the LPD (145.06+/-9.5 nmol MDA/g) and control (147.3+/-3.9 nmol MDA/g) groups (P<0.05). Morphological examinations revealed pathological lesions and alveolar hemorrhaging in all samples, with the LPD+A group having statistically more significant levels than the LPD and control groups (P<0.005). The LPD+A group had a significantly lower percentage of pathological lesions and alveolar hemorrhage grade values than the LPD and control groups (P<0.005). CONCLUSIONS It was observed that the addition of aprotinin to LPD solution as a pulmonary flush solution in an in situ normothermic ischemic lung model prevents reperfusion injury by means of various mechanisms and also protects the morphological, functional and biochemical integrity of the lung. In our view, therefore, the addition of aprotinin to lung protection solution will provide positive results in lung transplantation protocols.