Anthony Picone

Thoracoscopic pneumonectomy: an 11-year experience.

BACKGROUND It is unclear whether thoracoscopic (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery [VATS]) pneumonectomy improves outcomes compared with open approaches. METHODS One hundred seven consecutive pneumonectomies performed at an experienced center from January 2002 to December 2012 were studied retrospectively. Forty cases were open, and 50 successful VATS and 17 conversions were combined (intent-to-treat [ITT] analysis). RESULTS The VATS cohort had more preoperative comorbidities (three vs two, P = .003), women (57% vs 30%, P = .009), and older ages (65 years vs 63 years, P = .07). Although advanced clinical stage was less for VATS (26% vs 50% stage III, P = .035), final pathologic staging was similar (25% vs 38%, P = .77). Pursuing a VATS approach yielded similar complications (two vs two, median, P = .73) with no catastrophic intraoperative events like bleeding. Successful VATS pneumonectomy rates rose from 50%-82% by the second half of the series (P < .001). Completion pneumonectomy cases (13.4% VATS, 7.5% open) had similar outcomes. Having similar initial discomforts as patients undergoing open surgery, more patients undergoing VATS were pain-free at 1 year (53% vs 19%, P = .03). Conversions resulted in longer ICU stays (4 days vs 2 days, P = .01). Advanced clinical stage (III-IV) ITT VATS had longer median overall survival (OS) (42 months vs 13 months, log-rank P = .042). Successful VATS cases with early pathologic stage (0-II) had a median OS of 80 vs 16 months for converted and 28 months for open (log rank = 0.083). CONCLUSIONS Attempting thoracoscopic pneumonectomy at an experienced center appears safe but does not yield the early pain/complication reductions observed for VATS lobectomy. There may be long-term pain/survival advantages for certain stages that warrant further study and refinement of this approach.

Thoracoscopic maneuvers for chest wall resection and reconstruction

OBJECTIVE The aim of this report is to describe technical maneuvers used to complete minimally invasive resections of the chest wall successfully. METHODS Case videos of advanced thoracoscopic chest wall resections performed at a comprehensive cancer center were reviewed, as were published reports. These were analyzed for similarities and also categorized to summarize alternative approaches. RESULTS Limited chest wall resections en bloc with lobectomy can be accomplished with port placement similar to that used for typical thoracoscopic anatomic resections, particularly when the utility incision is close to the region of excision. Generally, chest wall resection precedes lobectomy. Ribs can be transected with Gigli saws, endoscopic shears, or high-speed drills. Division of bone and overlying soft tissue can be planned precisely using thoracoscopic guidance. Isolated primary chest wall masses may require different port position and selective reconstruction using synthetic materials. Patch anchoring can be accomplished by devices that facilitate laparoscopic port site fascial closure. CONCLUSIONS Thoracoscopic chest wall resections have been accomplished safely using tools and maneuvers summarized here. Further outcomes research is necessary to identify the benefits of thoracoscopic chest wall resection over an open approach.

Lung cancer lymph node micrometastasis detection using real-time polymerase chain reaction: Correlation with vascular endothelial growth factor expression

OBJECTIVES Lymph node staging provides critical information in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Lymphangiogenesis may be an important contributor to the pathophysiology of lymphatic metastases. We hypothesized that the presence of lymph node micrometastases positively correlates with vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) A, C, and D as well as VEGF-receptor-3 (lymphangiogenic factors) expression in lymph nodes. METHODS Forty patients with NSCLC underwent preoperative positron emission tomography-computed tomography and mediastinoscopy. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays for messenger RNA expression of epithelial markers (ie, cytokeratin 7; carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 5; and palate, lung, and nasal epithelium carcinoma-associated protein) were performed in selected fluorodeoxyglucose-avid lymph nodes. VEGF-A, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, and VEGF receptor-3 expression levels were measured in primary tumors and lymph nodes. Wilcoxon rank sum test was run for the association between the RT-PCR epithelial marker levels and VEGF expression levels in the lymph nodes. RESULTS RT-PCR for cytokeratin 7; carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 5; or palate, lung, and nasal epithelium carcinoma-associated protein indicated lymph node micrometastatic disease in 19 of 35 patients (54%). There was a high correlation between detection of micrometastases and VEGF-A, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, or VEGF receptor-3 expression levels in lymph nodes. Median follow-up was 12.6 months. CONCLUSIONS RT-PCR analysis of fluorodeoxyglucose-avid lymph nodes results in up-staging a patients cancer. Micrometastases correlate with the expression of VEGF in lymph nodes in patients with NSCLC. This may reflect the role of lymphangiogenesis in promoting metastases.

Impact of the Number of Lymph Nodes Examined on the Survival of Patients with Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Undergoing Sublobar Resection

Objectives: Early stage lung cancer is being detected at a higher frequency with the implementation of screening programs. At the same time, medically complex patients with multiple comorbidities are presenting for surgery, with a concomitant rise in rates of sublobar resection. We sought to examine the effect of sampling lymph nodes on the outcomes of patients who undergo sublobar resection for small (<2 cm) stage I non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: All patients in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database from 2004 to 2013 with small (<2 cm) stage I NSCLC who underwent sublobar resection (wedge/segmentectomy) and no other cancer history were included. The association of the number of lymph nodes examined (LNE; categories none, 1‐3, 4‐6, 7‐9, >9) with the overall survival as well as disease‐specific survival were examined using univariate as well as multivariate analyses while controlling for covariates such as age, size (<1 cm, >1 cm), grade, histology (adenocarcinoma vs others), and extent of resection (wedge/segmentectomy). Results: Data from 3916 eligible patients were analyzed. Seven hundred fifteen patients (18.3%) had segmentectomy. No lymph nodes were examined in 49% and 23% of wedge resection and segmentectomy patients, respectively. Among all eligible patients, 1132 (29%), 474 (12%), 228 (6%), and 328 (8%) patients had 1 to 3, 4 to 6, 7 to 9 and >9 LNE, respectively. Univariate analyses showed significant associations between overall and disease‐specific survivals with age, grade, histology, sex, extent of surgery, and LNE. The association between the number of LNE and survival remained significant even after adjusting for significant covariates including extent of sublobar resection (hazard ratio for groups with LNE 1‐3, 4‐6, 7‐9, and >9 compared with 0 LNE were 0.79, 0.77, 0.68, and 0.45 for overall survival; P < .001) and 0.85, 0.77, 0.71, and 0.44 for disease‐specific survival (P < .05), respectively. In multivariate modeling, LNE was retained as a significant variable and extent of resection was not. In patients in whom at least 1 lymph node was examined, extent of resection was not predictive of outcome. Conclusions: Many patients having sublobar resection for early stage NSCLC in the United States do not have a single lymph node removed for pathologic examination. The number of LNE is associated with improved survival, presumably due to avoidance of mis‐staging. This association seems greater than the association with extent of resection (segmentectomy vs wedge resection). Appropriate lymph node examination remains an important part of resection for lung cancer even if the resection is sublobar.

Convex probe endobronchial ultrasound placement of fiducial markers for central lung nodule (with video)

Kassem Harris1,2, Jorge Gomez3, Samjot Singh Dhillon1,2, Abdul Hamid Alraiyes1, Anthony Picone4 1Department of Medicine, Interventional Pulmonary Section, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, 2Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Departments of 3Radiation Oncology and 4Thoracic Surgery, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York, USA

Sarcopenia is a predictor of outcomes after lobectomy

Background As screening for lung cancer rises, an increase in the diagnosis of early stage lung cancers is expected. Lobectomy remains the standard treatment, but there are alternatives, consideration of which requires an estimation of the risk of surgery. Sarcopenia, irrespective of body mass index, confers a worse prognosis in many groups of patients including those undergoing surgery. Here we examine the association of muscle mass with outcomes for patients undergoing lobectomy. Methods Consecutive patients undergoing lobectomy were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative computed tomography scans were reviewed, and cross-sectional area of the erector spinae muscles and pectoralis muscles was determined and normalized for height. Univariate and multivariate analyses were then done to examine for an association of muscle mass with morbidity and short- and long-term mortality. Results During the study period, there were 299 lobectomies, 278 of which were done by video assisted thoracoscopic surgery. The average age of the patients was 67.5±10.6 years. Overall complication rate was 52.2%, pneumonia rate was 8.7%, and the 30-day mortality rate was 1.3%. Mean height adjusted-erector spinae muscle cross-sectional area was 10.6±2.6 cm2/m2, and mean height adjusted-pectoralis muscle cross sectional area was 13.3±3.8 cm2/m2. The height adjusted cross sectional areas of the erector spinae and pectoralis muscles were not associated with overall complication rate, rate of pneumonia, readmission, or intensive care unit length of stay. The height adjusted-erector spinae muscle cross sectional area was inversely correlated with 30-day mortality risk, odds ratio 0.77 (95% CI, 0.60-0.98, P=0.036). Mean length of stay was 7.0 days (95% CI, 5.5-8.4 days). Multivariate analysis demonstrated a significant inverse association of the height adjusted-erector spinae muscle cross sectional area with length of stay (P=0.019). Conclusions The height adjusted-erector spinae muscle cross sectional area was significantly associated with 30-day mortality and length of stay in the hospital. Measurement of muscle mass on preoperative computed tomography imaging may have a role to help predict risk of morbidity and mortality prior to lobectomy.

Use of cardiopulmonary bypass in lung cancer surgery: focus on extended pulmonary resections for T4 non-small cell lung cancer

The use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in lung cancer surgery has become more prevalent and accepted over time. The original concerns of CPB induced pulmonary failure, tumor dissemination and immunocompromise remain unresolved up to today. The initial experience with combined cardiac and lung cancer resection procedures utilizing CPB may have laid the foundation for its use in the treatment of local regionally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This chapter will focus on the use of CPB in the surgical resection of stage T4 NSCLC. A literature review demonstrates a published improved late survival in this setting with reasonable operative morality and complications. The surgical approach for involvement of specific anatomic structures including the carina, aorta, pulmonary veins/left atrium, right sided major veins/right atrium and main pulmonary arteries will be discussed. The specific situation of iatrogenically created “pseudo” T4 stage when NSCLC may invade a previously placed left internal mammary artery (LIMA) graft will also be presented. Finally, we will briefly discuss two other situations. That includes first the use of CPB when combined cardiac procedures and pulmonary resection are planned. Second we will address the use of CPB in the emergent setting of NSCLC resection.

Detection of an Embolized Central Venous Catheter Fragment with Endobronchial Ultrasound.

An 84‐year‐old woman underwent Convex‐probe Endobronchial Ultrasound (CP‐EBUS) for 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose avid subcarinal lymphadenopathy on Positron Emission Tomogram (PET) scan. Endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration of the subcarinal lymph node revealed squamous cell lung carcinoma. A small hyperechoic rounded density was noted inside the lumen of the azygous vein. Based on chest computed tomography findings and her clinical history, this was felt to be a broken fragment of a peripherally inserted central catheter, which was placed for intravenous antibiotics, a few months prior to this presentation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first ever CP‐EBUS description of a broken fragment of central venous catheter.

Transcervical Extended Mediastinal Lymphadenectomy: Experience From a North American Cancer Center

BACKGROUND Accurate staging of the mediastinum is a critical element of therapeutic decision making in non-small cell lung cancer. We sought to determine the utility of transcervical extended mediastinal lymphadenectomy (TEMLA) in staging non-small cell lung cancer for large central tumors and after induction therapy. METHODS A retrospective record review was performed of all patients who underwent TEMLA at our institution from 2010 to 2015. Clinical stage as assessed by positron emission tomography integrated with computed tomography (PET-CT), stage as assessed by TEMLA, final pathologic stage, lymph node yield, and clinical characteristics of tumors were assessed along with TEMLA-related perioperative morbidity. Accuracy of staging by TEMLA for restaging the mediastinum after neoadjuvant therapy was compared with that of PET-CT. RESULTS Of 164 patients who underwent TEMLA, 157 (95.7%) were completed successfully. Combined surgical resection along with TEMLA was performed in 138 of these patients, with 131 (94.2%) undergoing a video-assisted thoracoscopic resection. The recurrent laryngeal nerve injury rate was 6.7%. TEMLA was performed in 118 of 164 patients for restaging after neoadjuvant therapy, and 101 of these patients were also restaged by PET-CT. Based on TEMLA, 7 patients did not go on to have resection. Of the 101 patients who did have a resection, TEMLA was more accurate than PET-CT in staging the mediastinum (95% vs 73%, p < 0.0001). However, the pneumonia rate in this subgroup of patients was 13%. CONCLUSIONS TEMLA is a safe procedure and superior to PET-CT for restaging of the mediastinum after neoadjuvant therapy for non-small cell lung cancer. However, this increased accuracy comes with a high postoperative pneumonia rate.

Rare airway tumors: an update on current diagnostic and management strategies

Primary tracheobronchial neoplasms represent approximately 0.1% of all pulmonary tumors (1). They have been a topic of interest for many decades due to the challenge in their diagnosis and management. Many of tracheobronchial tumors are found incidentally. They are sometimes misdiagnosed as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.