Francesco Sellitri

Impact of Awake Videothoracoscopic Surgery on Postoperative Lymphocyte Responses

BACKGROUND Surgical stress and general anesthesia can have detrimental effects on postoperative immune function. We sought to comparatively evaluate postoperative lymphocytes response in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) under thoracic epidural or general anesthesia. METHODS Between October 2008 and June 2009, 50 patients with nonmalignant pulmonary conditions were randomized to undergo VATS through either sole epidural anesthesia and spontaneous ventilation (awake group, n = 25) or general anesthesia with one-lung ventilation (control group, n = 25). In both groups, assessment of total lymphocytes count and changes in proportion of lymphocyte subsets including CD19+, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+:CD8+ ratio, and CD16+CD56+ (natural-killer cell) were evaluated by two-way analysis of variance test for repeated measures at baseline and postoperative days 1, 2, and 3. The Mann-Whitney test was performed at each time point only for significant parameters at between-group analysis of variance. RESULTS Comparisons of baseline data showed relatively homogeneous groups. Between-group analysis of variance was significant for proportion of natural-killer cells (p = 0.01). In particular, the control group disclosed a significantly lower median proportion of natural-killer cells as compared with the awake group on postoperative day 1 (5% interquartile range [IQR]: 3% to 8%] vs 12% [IQR: 8% to 14%], p = 0.003) and 2 (7% [IQR: 4% to 10%] vs 11% [IQR: 8% to 21%], p = 0.02). Total lymphocyte count was significantly decreased in the control group only (p < 0.00001). No difference was found between groups in the remaining lymphocyte subsets. CONCLUSIONS In this randomized study, awake VATS resulted in a lesser impact on postoperative lymphocyte responses than procedures performed under general anesthesia, as shown by the significant difference in postoperative proportion of natural-killer cells.

Surgical stress hormones response is reduced after awake videothoracoscopy

This study was undertaken to assess stress hormones response after awake videoassisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Plasma levels of adrenal-corticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and glucose were assessed at baseline, 3 h postoperatively (T1), and on postoperative mornings 2 (T2) and 3 (T3) in 21 patients undergoing awake VATS with epidural anesthesia for non-malignant conditions (n=11) or equivalent procedures performed with general anesthesia. Epinephrine level peaked in both groups at T1, although significant change from baseline values occurred in the control group only [median-Delta: 6 ng/l (IQR: 4-6), P=0.005]. Cortisol level was lower in the study group at T1 (15.5 microg/dl vs. 23.0 microg/dl, P=0.001) and T2 (15.2 microg/dl vs. 19.2 microg/dl, P=0.002). In the control group, peak cortisol level proved not to be related to changes in ACTH (R=0.23, P=0.46). At T2, glucose (137 mg/dl vs. 98 mg/dl, P=0.01) and C-reactive protein (P=0.04) were higher in the control group. No other clinically relevant between-groups differences were found in aspecific acute-response factors. Overall, these preliminary findings suggest attenuated stress response after awake VATS in comparison with equivalent procedure performed under general anesthesia and one-lung ventilation.

Typical and atypical pulmonary carcinoids: our institutional experience

Pulmonary carcinoids are rare malignant neoplasms, accounting for 2-5% of all lung tumors, with an approximate annual incidence of 2.3-2.8 cases per million of the population. We relate our experience of 54 patients (21 male, 33 female, mean age 53+/-15 years) treated between July 1986 and April 2006. All the patients underwent preoperative fibrobronchoscopy: preoperative diagnosis was made in 28 patients (52%). Surgical treatment consisted of: 31 standard lobectomies, 6 pneumonectomies, 5 bilobectomies, 2 sleeve lobectomies, 2 anatomic segmentectomies, 6 wedge resections; two patients were managed with sleeve bronchial procedure of the left main bronchus without lung resection. Fifty-four patients were followed with a mean time of observation of 67 months: 6 (11%) deaths occurred, at a mean period of 49 months after surgery; there were no postoperative deaths. Overall, 5-year survival was 91%, 10 years 83%: 5-year survival was 91% for typical carcoinoids (TC) vs. 88% for atypical (AC), 10 years 91% for TC and 44% for AC (significant value, P=0.0487). Carcinoid tumors are a distinct group of neuroendocrine tumors with a good prognosis in most cases. Surgery currently represents the best treatment with good results at mid- and long-term survival, according to an acceptable risk.

Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Pleura: Surgery and Clinical Course in 18 Cases

Solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura are very rare neoplasms that can sometimes present with malignant features. Between 1984 and 2007, 18 cases were treated in our institution. There were 7 men and 11 women, with a median age of 56 years (range, 33-77 years). All patients underwent surgical treatment. Except for one case with hemangiopericytic features, all tumors were histologically the fibrous type of pleural mesothelioma. Resections were radical and there were no recurrences. There was no perioperative mortality. The outcome was excellent, and all patients have been followed up continuously. Survival rates at 3, 5, and 10 years were calculated as 86.7%, 75%, and 66.7%. One patient died after 18 months (malignant type of solitary fibrous tumor), and 2 died of unrelated disease after 24 and 53 months. Surgery is the treatment of choice, and careful long-term clinical follow-up is required.

Uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery colorectal lung metastasectomy in non-intubated anesthesia

BACKGROUND More than ten years ago we started a program of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lung metastasectomy in non-intubated local anesthesia. In this study we investigated the effectiveness and long term results of this combined surgical-anesthesiological technique. METHODS Between 2005 and 2014, 48 patients (25 men and 23 women) with pulmonary oligometastases from colorectal cancer, at the first episode, underwent VATS metastasectomy under non-intubated local anesthesia. Three patients required intubation for intolerance. In the same period 13 patients scheduled for non-intubated metastasectomy refused awake surgery and were used as a control group. RESULTS The two groups were homogeneous for both demographic and pathological features. Mean number of lesions resected per patient were 1.51 (non-intubated) vs. 1.77 (control), respectively (P=0.1). The oxygenation was significantly lower in the non-intubated group especially at the end of the procedure, but the values inverted from the first postoperative hour. There was no mortality in any groups. The non-intubated group demonstrated a significant shorter overall operating time (P=0.04), better quality of recovery after both 24 (P=0.04) and 48 hours (P=0.04), shorter median hospital stay (P=0.03) and lower estimated costs (P=0.03), even excluding the hospital stay. Major morbidity rate was lower (6% vs. 23%) yet not significant (P=0.1). Both disease free survival and overall survival were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS VATS lung metastasectomy in non-intubated local anesthesia was safely performed in selected patients with oligometastases with significant advantages in overall operative time, hospital stay and economical costs. Morbidity rate was lower yet not significant. Long term results were similar.

Immunological and Inflammatory Impact of Non-Intubated Lung Metastasectomy

Background: We hypothesized that video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lung metastasectomy under non-intubated anesthesia may have a lesser immunological and inflammatory impact than the same procedure under general anesthesia. Methods: Between December 2005 and October 2015, 55 patients with pulmonary oligometastases (at the first episode) successfully underwent VATS metastasectomy under non-intubated anesthesia. Lymphocytes subpopulation and interleukins 6 and 10 were measured at different intervals and matched with a control group composed of 13 patients with similar clinical features who refused non-intubated surgery. Results: The non-intubated group demonstrated a lesser reduction of natural killer lymphocytes at 7 days from the procedure (p = 0.04) compared to control. Furthermore, the group revealed a lesser spillage of interleukin 6 after 1 (p = 0.03), 7 (p = 0.04), and 14 (p = 0.05) days. There was no mortality in any groups. Major morbidity rate was significantly higher in the general anesthesia group 3 (5%) vs. 3 (23%) (p = 0.04). The median hospital stay was 3.0 vs. 3.7 (p = 0.033) days, the estimated costs with the non-intubated procedure was significantly lower, even excluding the hospital stay. Conclusions: VATS lung metastasectomy in non-intubated anesthesia had significantly lesser impact on both immunological and inflammatory response compared to traditional procedure in intubated general anesthesia.

Substernal hand-assisted videothoracoscopic lung metastasectomy: Long term results in a selected patient cohort

Background:  Substernal hand‐assisted thoracoscopy (HATS) has been proposed as a reliable surgical method with which to perform a bilateral lung metastasectomy. Herein, we review our 15‐year experience with this approach for the purpose of understanding the long‐term results in a large study cohort.

Use of Coagulant Spray Glue (Glubran 2®) for Aerostatic Purposes in Pulmonary Parenchyma Resections in Pigs: A Preliminary Study

Background: The aim of our study was to test the aerostatic validity of a cyan-acrylic glue (Glubran 2®), applied by means of a spray catheter, on an experimental pig model. Materials and Methods: 15 young pigs were divided into three study groups of 5 based on surgical techniques: (1) atypical pulmonary resection with mechanical suturing and reinforcement with continuous suturing; (2) resection of the pulmonary parenchyma with a cold scalpel, followed by local application of Glubran 2; (3) atypical pulmonary resection with mechanical suturing followed by application of Glubran 2. Results: The mean aerostasis time was calculated at 3.5 ± 1.26 s. The histopathological analysis did not show any particular differences when comparing the effects of the treatments carried out with Glubran 2 spray glue and the standard treatments. No statistically significant differences were recorded in the short- and medium-term survival of pigs treated with Glubran 2 compared with the respective control groups. Conclusions: The application of Glubran 2 spray on wounds caused by pulmonary resections in pigs proved to have a rapid and effective influence for the purposes of aerostasis without significant differences in air losses and survivals.

Intrathymic ectopic parathyroid adenoma caused primary hyperparathyroidism with vitamin D deficiency several years after bariatric surgery

Up to 25% of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism have ectopic parathyroid adenoma. A 45‐year‐old formerly obese woman underwent extended thymectomy for a parathyroid adenoma located in hyperplastic thymic tissue, associated with primary hyperparathyroidism and severe vitamin D deficiency, but normal bone mineral density. At nine months follow‐up, all laboratory test results were within normal limits and she presented no symptoms and no recurrence of disease. In this case, autonomous growth of a parathyroid adenoma was reasonably secondary to chronic calcium and vitamin D malabsorption, which often occurs after bariatric surgery for pathologic obesity.

Erythrocyte osmotic resistance recovery after lung volume reduction surgery.

OBJECTIVES Alteration of erythrocyte osmotic resistance, with increment of reticulocytes, is common in emphysema. This fragility is probably due to an altered fatty acid membrane composition from lipid peroxidation, a reaction triggered by the disease-related increment of reactive oxidative species. We analysed the effects of lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) on this anomaly compared with respiratory rehabilitation (RR) therapy. METHODS We retrospectively compared 58 male patients with moderate-to-severe emphysema who underwent LVRS with 56 similar patients who underwent standardized RR. Respiratory function parameters, erythrocyte osmotic resistance and antioxidant enzymes levels were evaluated before and 6 months after treatments. RESULTS Significant improvements in respiratory function, exercise capacity, unsaturated fatty acid content (+10.0%, P = 0.035), erythrocyte osmotic resistance (hyperosmolar resistance -21.0%, P = 0.001; hyposmolar resistance -18.0%, P = 0.007) and erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD) +60.0%, P < 0.001; glutathione peroxidase +39.0%, P = 0.004 and glutathione reductase +24.5%, P = 0.008] were observed after surgery. In the RR group, we did not find any significant improvements in osmotic resistance, although respiratory and functional parameters were significantly improved. Correlation analysis in the surgical group showed that the reduction in residual volume (RV) significantly correlated the normalization of hyperosmotic (P = 0.019) and hyposmotic resistances (P = 0.006), the decrease in the absolute number of reticulocytes (P = 0.037) and increase in SOD (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS LVRS improved unsaturated fatty acid content, erythrocyte osmotic resistance and levels of erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes compared with RR. Correlations between erythrocyte osmotic resistance and antioxidant intracellular enzymes with RV suggest that reduction in lung hyperinflation with the elimination of inflammatory emphysematous tissue may explain such improvements after surgery.