Kook Nam Han

Intraoperative pulmonary neoplasm identification using near-infrared fluorescence imaging.

OBJECTIVES Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging provides surgeons with real-time visual information during surgery. The purpose of this pilot trial was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the intraoperative detection of pulmonary neoplasms with NIR fluorescence imaging after low-dose indocyanine green (ICG) injection. METHODS Eleven consecutive patients who were scheduled to undergo resection of pulmonary neoplasms were enrolled in this study. ICG (1 mg/kg) was administered intravenously 1 day before surgery, and the retrieved surgical specimens were examined for fluorescence signalling by using NIR fluorescence imaging system on a back table in the operating room. We analysed the fluorescence intensity, pathology, size, depth from the pleural surface and metabolic activity of the pulmonary neoplasms. RESULTS Fluorescence signalling was detected in all specimens except in one from a patient with primary lung cancer. Two false-positive cases that presented no residual tumour with obstructive pneumonitis, after concurrent chemoradiation therapy for primary lung cancer before the operation, were identified, and their fluorescence intensity was 8.6 ± 0.4. The mean fluorescence intensity of the eight pulmonary tumours was 3.4 ± 1.9, and these tumours did not differ in pathology, size, depth from the pleural surface or metabolic activity. CONCLUSIONS NIR fluorescence imaging could safely identify pulmonary neoplasms after the systemic injection of ICG. In addition, low-dose ICG is sufficient for NIR fluorescence imaging of pulmonary neoplasms. However, because the passive accumulation of ICG could not be used to discriminate tumours with inflammation, tumour-targeted fluorescence should be developed to solve this problem in the future.

Single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic pulmonary segmentectomy: a report on 30 cases†.

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for pulmonary segmentectomy in patients with malignant or benign lung diseases. METHODS Thirty patients (17 women; mean age, 61.7 ± 10.9 years) who underwent a single-port thoracoscopic segmentectomy were consecutively included in this study. A 2- to 4-cm incision was made at the fifth intercostal space on the anterior or posterior axillary line, depending on the tumour location. We investigated the postoperative outcomes according to the size of the incision (2 vs 3-4 cm) or the location of segmentectomy. RESULTS Fifteen primary lung cancers, 5 metastatic lung cancers, 1 pulmonary sarcoma, 7 cases of inflammatory lung disease and 2 benign lung tumours were diagnosed. A 3- to 4-cm incision was used in 16 patients (53.3%), and a 2-cm incision in 14 patients. The most frequent segment removed was the left upper division (9 patients, 30%). A single-port thoracoscopic segmentectomy was completed in all of the patients except one (96.7%). This 1 patient underwent lobectomy instead because the lesion was not found in the initial segment removed. The mean operation time was 159 ± 56 min, and no significant difference in the size of incision was observed (P = 0.651). The right middle and superior segments tended to require shorter operation times (97.1 ± 44.9 min) than the other segments (p < 0.001). One patient died (3.3%) because of septic shock. The chest tube drain was removed 4.6 ± 1.6 days after the operation. CONCLUSIONS This study results suggest that a single-port thoracoscopic surgery might be a feasible option for pulmonary segmentectomy with acceptable postoperative outcomes in the early stages of lung cancer or for benign lung disease.

Pulmonary Function Changes Over 1 Year After Lobectomy in Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to measure the serial changes in pulmonary function over 12 months after lobectomy in subjects with lung cancer and to evaluate the actual recovery of pulmonary function in comparison with the predicted postoperative values. METHODS: Subjects who underwent lobectomy for primary lung cancer were included in this study. In the statistical analysis, we included data from 76 subjects (52 men and 24 women; mean age, 63.4 y) who completed perfusion scintigraphy 1 week before surgery and FEV1 and diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) assessments preoperatively and at 1, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The actual percent-of-predicted FEV1 1 month postoperatively was 77.9% of the preoperative value, which was almost equal to the predicted postoperative value, and significantly increased to 84.3% by 6 months and 84.2% at 12 months. The actual percent-of-predicted DLCO 1 month postoperatively was 81.8% of the preoperative value, which was similar to the predicted postoperative value, and also significantly increased to 91.3% at 6 months and 96.5% at 12 months. However, the actual pulmonary function test results at 1 y in subjects with COPD or in those who underwent thoracotomy or received adjuvant chemotherapy were not different from the predicted postoperative values. CONCLUSIONS: Actual pulmonary function compared with predicted postoperative values improved over time over 1 y after lobectomy. However, this improvement was not observed in subjects with COPD or in those who underwent thoracotomy or received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy.

Comparison of single port versus multiport thoracoscopic segmentectomy

BACKGROUNDS Single-port thoracoscopic segmentectomy is a challenging option in the early stages of lung cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) segmentectomy compared to conventional multi-port VATS. METHODS A total of 45 patients underwent pulmonary segmentectomy by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery between March 2006 and October 2015. We analyzed the operative outcomes of segmentectomy by surgical approach (34 single-port versus 11 multi-port). RESULTS Twenty-three primary lung cancers (51.1%), 16 benign lung diseases (35.6%), and 6 secondary lung cancers (13.3%) were diagnosed and included in our study. In 29 malignancy cases (64.4%), the mean tumor size was 1.8±0.7 (range, 1-3.5) cm. Twenty patients (44.4%) underwent preoperative localization with hook-wire and radiocontrast. The most frequent operated segment was the left upper divisional segment (n=9, 30%). There was no significant difference in operation time (P=0.073), the number of dissected lymph nodes (P=0.310), intraoperative events (P=0.412), and the development of prolonged air leak (>5 days) (P=0.610) between the single-port and multi-port VATS segmentectomy groups. There was a reduction in postoperative morbidity (P<0.001) and hospital stay (P=0.029) in the single-port VATS group. CONCLUSIONS Single-port VATS segmentectomy for early lung cancer and benign lung disease, is a safe and feasible option for patients undergoing pulmonary segmentectomy.

Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical (VATS) segmentectomy with preoperative dual localization: right upper lobe wedge resection and left upper lobe upper division segmentectomy

Clinical vignette A 75-year-old male presented with abnormalities upon chest computed tomography (CT) scanning at a routine check. He had a 1.7-cm sized ground glass opacity (GGO) on the posterior segment of the right upper lung (RUL) and a 1.2-cmsized semisolid lung nodule on the left upper lung (LUL). To differentiate synchronous metastasis, sequential CT-guided core biopsy was performed for the GGO lesion on the posterior segment of the RUL and the posterior segment of the LUL. Both lesions were suspected to be adenomatous hyperplasia or non-small cell lung cancer. Adenocarcinoma was detected in situ upon pathologic examination. A positron emission tomography (PET) scan showed no lymph node metastasis or extrathoracic distant metastasis. The LUL semisolid lesion showed mild hypermetabolism, while the RUL pure GGO lesion showed no definite uptake on PET scan. Pulmonary function was as follows: forced vital capacity (FVC), 3.07 L (75%); forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), 2.34 L (88%); carbon monoxide lung diffusion capacity (DLCO), 20.7 mL/mmHg/min (116%). The patient was referred for surgical resection of bilateral synchronous lung lesions. In this case, by employment of the dual localization technique (hook-wire and lipiodol), we performed bilateral uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) resection. Wedge resection was carried out for the GGO lesion on the posterior segment of the RUL and left upper divisional segmentectomy was carried out for the semisolid lesion on

Effect of the Nuss Procedure on the Physical Development of Patients with Pectus Excavatum

PURPOSE This study assessed physical development of patients with pectus excavatum and evaluated the effect of the Nuss procedure on physical development. METHODS A total of 146 patients underwent the Nuss procedure; of these, at the time of the study, the bar had been removed from 123 patients (84.9%; male 93, female 30) who were eligible for participation in this study. Heights and body weights of patients were measured prior to surgery and immediately before bar removal. Chest computed tomography (CT) was performed preoperatively and immediately before bar removal. The associations between physical development and chest CT indices were evaluated. RESULTS The height standard deviation score (SDS) was - 0.66 ± 2.23 preoperatively and 0.04 ± 1.34 immediately before bar removal (p <0.01). The weight SDS was - 0.02 ± 2.59 preoperatively; it increased significantly to 0.56 ± 1.56 immediately before bar removal (p <0.01). The Haller index (3.85 ± 1.18 to 2.99 ± 0.54; p <0.01) and asymmetric index (9.75 ± 6.63 to 7.01 ± 4.77; p <0.01) also showed improvements. CONCLUSIONS The Nuss procedure may contribute positively to the physical development of patients with pectus excavatum.

Transthoracic single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy

Single-port thoracoscopic surgery has been widely applied in the treatment of thoracic diseases including mediastinal tumors. We present our technique and experience of transthoracic single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy. In this case, we performed single-port thoracoscopic thymectomy through a unilateral transthoracic approach. We approached through the fifth intercostal space in the mid-axillary line and applied a wound retractor with the multi-hole port device. Conventional and endoscopic devices were used without collision of devices through the port. Transthoracic single-port thoracoscopic thymectomy appears to be a safe and promising technique with port-accessible devices and instruments. A future study of the long-term oncologic outcomes may require more time and more patients to be evaluated to refine the advantages of this procedure.

The feasibility of electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopic localization with fluorescence and radiocontrast dyes for videoassisted thoracoscopic surgery resection

Recently, some groups have reported the utilization of electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy (ENB) for localization of pulmonary lesion. Its application for intraoperative visual localization with dyes to determine the target area has been increasing. In this paper, we reviewed the feasibility of ENB utilization for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) or robotic sublobar resection as a localization tool, and its future application in minimally invasive thoracic surgery.

Imaging techniques for minimally invasive thoracic surgery- Korea University Guro Hospital experiences

In this paper, we described our clinical experiences with respect to image-guided thoracic surgery, including procedures involving percutaneous injection of fluorescent dye, radiotracers, and hook wires, guided by preoperative computed tomography (CT); and transbronchial injection of fluorescent dye by using electromagnetic navigational bronchoscope technology. Our recent experience with the intravenous systemic injection of fluorescent dye for the intraoperative detection of pulmonary lesions and intersegmental planes are also described in this review.

Application of a three-dimensional video system in the training for uniportal thoracoscopic surgery

Background Three-dimensional (3D) video systems offer better depth perception and are associated with improved performance during endoscopic or robotic surgery. We compared the impact of a 3D video system with a two-dimensional (2D) video system on a simulation program for uniportal thoracoscopic surgery. Methods We launched an endoscopic simulation program for uniportal surgery using a 3D high-definition video system for training surgeons and medical students. This program included three basic surgical skills: (I) peg transfer, (II) passing a needle through a 3-mm hole, and (III) suturing on a tailor-made skin model. We evaluated the impact of 3D vision during simulation for uniportal surgery in each task. Overall, 113 trainees (85 surgeons in training and 28 medical students) who had not experienced a 3D video system were registered in the program. The three surgical simulation skills were evaluated under 2D and 3D video systems. Results The 3D video system allowed for shorter procedural times [92 participants (80.0%) in task 1, 102 (86.4%) in task 2, and 88 (74.6%) in task 3] and improved performance. Moreover, 65 s in task 1, 145 s in task 2, and 32 s in task 3 were shortened using the 3D video system. Post-simulation survey revealed improved depth perception (n=71, 60.2%) and handling of instruments on the uniportal surgical module (n=39, 33.1%) as advantages of the 3D video system during simulation. Sixty (50.8%) trainees were not negatively affected by the use of the 3D glasses; however, 53 (44.9%) felt eye discomfort during simulation. Conclusions We concluded that the 3D video system has potential advantages, such as improved procedure time and handling of instruments, during basic simulation of uniportal surgery for surgical trainees.