Bill Nelems

Factors affecting cervical anastomotic leak and stricture formation following esophagogastrectomy and gastric tube interposition

Following esophagectomy, restoration of swallowing by gastric tube interposition with cervical esophagogastric anastomosis reduces morbidity and mortality associated with intrathoracic anastomoses at the expense of an increased incidence of both anastomotic leak and stricture formation. A retrospective study of 165 patients with either squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus or gastric cardia undergoing esophagogastrectomy with gastric tube interposition and cervical anastomosis at Vancouver, British Columbia, or London, Ontario, was undertaken. Forced-entry multiple logistic regression analysis of factors believed to influence anastomotic outcome was performed. Anastomotic leak occurred in 17% of patients; statistically significant correlation with low preoperative serum albumin (p = 0.005), running suture technique (p = 0.029), high intraoperative blood loss (p = 0.038), and the occurrence of postoperative delayed gastric emptying (p = 0.045) was found. Anastomotic strictures occurred in 31% of patients; a statistically significant correlation was found with preceding anastomotic leak (p = 0.001) and intraoperative blood loss (p = 0.042). Factors including preoperative radiotherapy and diabetes mellitus were not found to be significant.

Effect of routine fibrin glue use on the duration of air leaks after lobectomy

The effectiveness of fibrin glue as a sealant to reduce postoperative air leaks after pulmonary lobectomy was evaluated in 28 consecutive patients between November 1988 and May 1989. A fibrin glue spray was used in 14 patients, and 14 patients served as controls. Assignment of either group was made before thoracotomy. Nine male and 5 female patients with a mean age of 63.8 years were in the fibrin glue experimental group, and 8 male and 6 female patients with a mean age of 59 years, in the control group. An equal number of complete and incomplete fissures were in each group. All fissures were handled in the same way (stapled). Two milliliters of fibrin glue was applied through a double-syringe delivery system and sprayed on the staple line and any cut surface of the inflated lung just before thoracotomy closure. The fibrin glue-treated group had a mean air leak duration of 2.3 +/- 3.7 days, chest tube drains for 6 +/- 4.1 days, and a postoperative hospitalization of 9.8 +/- 3.1 days. The control group had a mean air leak duration of 3.3 +/- 3.3 days (p = 0.94), chest tube drains for 5.9 +/- 3.9 days (p = 0.95), and a postoperative hospitalization of 11.5 +/- 3.9 days (p = 0.21). We conclude that the routine use of a fixed quantity of fibrin glue is not effective in reducing the duration of air leaks, chest tube drainage, or hospitalization after uncomplicated pulmonary lobectomy.

Glandular neoplasia of the lung. A proposed analogy to colonic tumors

In 62 consecutive resections for adenocarcinoma of the lung, 50 cases (81%) had single adenocarcinomas and 12 (19%) had multiple adenocarcinomas. In seven of these 12 patients, two adenocarcinomas were found. In the other five patients, the specimen contained a dominant adenocarcinoma and several 0.1‐ to 1‐cm nodules of similar histologic appearance. In four of the 50 single tumor patients and one of seven double tumor patients, 1‐ to 2‐mm nodules were found along with adenocarcinomas that we interpreted as being bronchioloalveolar tumors of uncertain malignant potential. An analogy is drawn between these four types of findings and single tumors of the colon, double tumors of the colon, polyposis syndromes, and tubular adenomas of the colon, respectively.

Lingular and Right Middle Lobe Biopsy in the Assessment of Diffuse Lung Disease

It has been said that the lingula and right middle lobe should be avoided for open-lung biopsy because of nonspecific fibrosis and vascular changes. To determine if the diagnostic yields of lingular or right middle lobe biopsy specimens were unsatisfactory, we reviewed the results of open-lung biopsy in 73 adult patients; 26 were immunocompromised and 47, nonimmunocompromised. We found no evidence to suggest that these two sites were inherently inferior. In 20 of the nonimmunocompromised patients, computed tomography was performed prior to biopsy, and demonstrated no particular tendency for greater involvement of the lingula or right middle lobe. We conclude that lingular and right middle lobe biopsy is useful in the diagnosis of parenchymal lung disease and that these sites should not necessarily be avoided. Computed tomographic scanning prior to biopsy is helpful in guiding the surgeon to the appropriate sites from which to obtain biopsy specimens.

Left main bronchial-esophageal fistula: A complication of bronchial artery embolization

Left bronchial-esophageal fistula is a rare complication of bronchial artery embolization. A case is presented with pathologic correlation. The pathophysiology of this complication is discussed as well as recommendations on how it may possibly be avoided.

Esophagogastrectomy and the variant left hepatic artery

A variant left hepatic artery occurs at a rate of approximately 10%. In standard esophagogastrectomy and some proximal gastric operations this variant artery is sacrificed, which has led to reported fatalities secondary to hepatic necrosis. We report our method of esophagogastrectomy in the presence of an aberrant left hepatic artery.

Penetrating Injury of the Torso with Impalement of the Thoracic Aorta: Preoperative Value of the Computed Tomographic Scan

A patient survived thoracoabdominal penetrating injury with impalement of the descending thoracic aorta from a crossbow bolt. The precise extent and nature of the injury were determined preoperatively by computed tomography. The injury to the aorta had not been suspected clinically before the computed tomographic scan.

Mediastinal lymph node necrosis: a newly recognized complication of mediastinoscopy.

Eight cases of partial mediastinal lymph node necrosis identified at thoracotomy two to 17 days after cervical mediastinoscopy are described. In 6 cases, the involved nodes were grossly abnormal at operation, requiring frozen section interpretation. In the first 2 patients, the areas of nodal infarction were misinterpreted as necrotic tumor. Permanent sections from all 8 patients showed no evidence of tumor in the infarcted nodes. Factors predisposing to nodal infarction included right-sided tumor, central tumor, and large mediastinoscopic biopsy specimens. In all instances, the infarcted nodes were subcarinal and/or main bronchial. In 2 patients, left recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy occurred after mediastinoscopy. Necrosis in distal nodal areas should be recognized as a complication of thorough mediastinoscopic sampling, presumably due to interruption of arteries supplying these nodes. Awareness of this phenomenon by surgeons and pathologists may avert falsely positive gross or microscopic diagnoses of metastatic malignancy at thoracotomy.

Lung Volume Reduction Surgery following Single-Lung Transplantation

Although single-lung transplantation is an established therapy for respiratory failure secondary to emphysema, hyperinflation of the native lung with concomitant compression of the transplanted lung is emerging as a cause of morbidity. In non-transplant emphysematous patients with hyperinflated lungs, pneumectomy was found to improve pulmonary function and quality of life. We report our experience on 5 single-lung transplant recipients with emphysema who underwent lung volume reduction surgery (pneumectomy, bullectomy, or anatomic resection) following transplantation. There were no perioperative deaths. Three patients underwent lung volume reduction because of a progressive symptomatic decline in pulmonary function that was thought to be secondary to hyperinflation of the native lung. Two of these patients had a sustained improvement in lung function and functional status over several years. Two other patients underwent lung volume reduction for removal of suspicious pulmonary nodules in the native lung. Both patients had a subsequent improvement in forced expiratory volume in one second. In our experience, lung volume reduction surgery after single-lung transplantation in emphysematous patients was a safe means of providing long-term improvement in pulmonary function.

Palliative care principles for thoracic surgery.

Palliative care medicine is embedded within thoracic surgery due to its heavy oncological bias. Many thoracic procedures are entirely palliative in nature, designed to alleviate symptoms and to relieve suffering. At a global level, access to palliative care services is dismal, necessitating awareness and advocacy. Early identification of palliative needs improves patient quality and reduces cost.