Philippe Rinieri

National review of use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as respiratory support in thoracic surgery excluding lung transplantation.

OBJECTIVES Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for respiratory support is increasingly used in intensive care units (ICU), but rarely during thoracic surgical procedures outside the transplantation setting. ECMO can be an alternative to cardiopulmonary bypass for major trachea-bronchial surgery and single-lung procedures without in-field ventilation. Our aim was to evaluate the intraoperative use of ECMO as respiratory support in thoracic surgery: benefits, indications and complications. METHODS This was a multicentre retrospective study (questionnaire) of use of ECMO as respiratory support during the thoracic surgical procedure. Lung transplantation and lung resection for tumour invading the great vessels and/or the left atrium were excluded, because they concern respiratory and circulatory support. RESULTS From March 2009 to September 2012, 17 of the 34 centres in France applied ECMO within veno-venous (VV) (n=20) or veno-arterial (VA) (n=16) indications in 36 patients. Ten VA ECMO were performed with peripheral cannulation and 6 with central cannulation; all VV ECMO were achieved through peripheral cannulation. Group 1 (total respiratory support) was composed of 28 patients without mechanical ventilation, involving 23 tracheo-bronchial and 5 single-lung procedures. Group 2 (partial respiratory support) was made up of 5 patients with respiratory insufficiency. Group 3 was made up of 3 patients who underwent thoracic surgery in a setting of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with preoperative ECMO. Mortality at 30 days in Groups 1, 2 and 3 was 7, 40 and 67%, respectively (P<0.05). In Group 1, ECMO was weaned intraoperatively or within 24 h in 75% of patients. In Group 2, ECMO was weaned in ICU over several days. In Group 1, 2 patients with VA support were converted to VV support for chronic respiratory indications. Bleeding was the major complication with 17% of patients requiring return to theatre for haemostasis. There were two cannulation-related complications (6%). CONCLUSIONS VV or VA ECMO is a satisfactory alternative to in-field ventilation in complex tracheo-bronchial surgery or in single-lung surgery. ECMO should be considered and used in precarious postoperative respiratory conditions. Full respiratory support can be achieved with VV ECMO. Indications for and results of ECMO during surgery in patients with ARDS warrant further careful investigation.

Perioperative outcomes of video- and robot-assisted segmentectomies.

Objective Video-assisted thoracic surgery appears to be technically difficult for segmentectomy. Conversely, robotic surgery could facilitate the performance of segmentectomy. The aim of this study was to compare the early results of video- and robot-assisted segmentectomies. Methods Data were collected prospectively on videothoracoscopy from 2010 and on robotic procedures from 2013. Fifty-one patients who were candidates for minimally invasive segmentectomy were included in the study. Perioperative outcomes of video-assisted and robotic segmentectomies were compared. Results The minimally invasive segmentectomies included 32 video- and 16 robot-assisted procedures; 3 segmentectomies (2 video-assisted and 1 robot-assisted) were converted to lobectomies. Four conversions to thoracotomy were necessary for anatomical reason or arterial injury, with no uncontrolled bleeding in the robotic arm. There were 7 benign or infectious lesions, 9 pre-invasive lesions, 25 lung cancers, and 10 metastatic diseases. Patient characteristics, type of segment, conversion to thoracotomy, conversion to lobectomy, operative time, postoperative complications, chest tube duration, postoperative stay, and histology were similar in the video and robot groups. Estimated blood loss was significantly higher in the video group (100 vs. 50 mL, p = 0.028). Conclusions The morbidity rate of minimally invasive segmentectomy was low. The short-term results of video-assisted and robot-assisted segmentectomies were similar, and more data are required to show any advantages between the two techniques. Long-term oncologic outcomes are necessary to evaluate these new surgical practices.

Long-term outcome of open versus hybrid minimally invasive Ivor Lewis oesophagectomy: a propensity score matched study†

OBJECTIVES: It has been suggested that laparoscopic Ivor Lewis (IL) oesophagectomy reduces postoperative morbidity and mortality rates. However, data related to the long-term outcomes of this hybrid minimally invasive procedure are scarce. METHODS: All of the patients who had an IL oesophagectomy for cancer were extracted from a prospective database. Patients were matched one to one according to the surgical approach (laparoscopy versus laparotomy) and on the basis of a propensity score including eight variables: age, gender, American Society of Anaesthesiologists score, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, surgery (first-line treatment, after neoadjuvant treatment and salvage surgery), histology, location and pathological stage. The first end point was the assessment of the 5-year survival and disease-free survival rates. The secondary end points were R0 resection rate, number of resected lymph nodes (LNs) and patterns of recurrence. RESULTS: Over a 12-year period, 272 IL oesophagectomies were performed. A total of 140 patients were matched in two homogeneous groups: laparotomy (n = 70) and laparoscopy (n = 70). The 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 65% and 48% in laparotomy group and 73% and 51% in the laparoscopy group (P = 0.891; P = 0.912). R0 resection rates were, respectively, 93% vs 97% (P = 0.441). The number and distribution of resected LNs were similar between the groups except at the level of the celiac axis (P < 0.001). Depending on the surgical approach, the patterns of recurrence were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic IL oesophagectomy does not compromise the long-term oncological outcome compared to open IL oesophagectomy. The quality of the operations is similar for both techniques except for the number of resected LNs at the level of the celiac trunk. Further randomized controlled trials are necessary to confirm these results.

Pleural Dye Marking Using Radial Endobronchial Ultrasound and Virtual Bronchoscopy before Sublobar Pulmonary Resection for Small Peripheral Nodules

Background: Minimally invasive surgery of pulmonary nodules allows suboptimal palpation of the lung compared to open thoracotomy. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess endoscopic pleural dye marking using radial endobronchial ultrasound (r-EBUS) and virtual bronchoscopy to localize small peripheral lung nodules immediately before minimally invasive resection. Methods: The endoscopic procedure was performed without fluoroscopy, under general anesthesia in the operating room immediately before minimally invasive surgery. Then, 1 mL of methylene blue (0.5%) was instilled into the guide sheath, wedged in the subpleural space. Wedge resection or segmentectomy were guided by visualization of the dye on the pleural surface. Contribution of dye marking to the surgical procedure was rated by the surgeon. Results: Twenty-five nodules, including 6 ground glass opacities, were resected in 22 patients by video-assisted thoracoscopic wedge resection (n = 11) or robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (10 segmentectomies and 1 wedge resection). The median greatest diameter of nodules was 8 mm. No conversion to open thoracotomy was needed. The endoscopic procedure added an average 10 min to surgical resection. The dye was visible on the pleural surface in 24 cases. Histological diagnosis and free margin resection were obtained in all cases. Median skin-to-skin operating time was 90 min for robotic segmentectomy and 40 min for video-assisted wedge resection. The same operative precision was considered impossible by the surgeon without dye marking in 21 cases. Conclusions: Dye marking using r-EBUS and virtual bronchoscopy can be easily and safely performed to localize small pulmonary nodules immediately before minimally invasive resection.

Development of a precision multimodal surgical navigation system for lung robotic segmentectomy

Minimally invasive sublobar anatomical resection is becoming more and more popular to manage early lung lesions. Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) is unique in comparison with other minimally invasive techniques. Indeed, RATS is able to better integrate multiple streams of information including advanced imaging techniques, in an immersive experience at the level of the robotic console. Our aim was to describe three-dimensional (3D) imaging throughout the surgical procedure from preoperative planning to intraoperative assistance and complementary investigations such as radial endobronchial ultrasound (R-EBUS) and virtual bronchoscopy for pleural dye marking. All cases were operated using the DaVinci SystemTM. Modelisation was provided by Visible Patient™ (Strasbourg, France). Image integration in the operative field was achieved using the Tile Pro multi display input of the DaVinci console. Our experience was based on 114 robotic segmentectomies performed between January 2012 and October 2017. The clinical value of 3D imaging integration was evaluated in 2014 in a pilot study. Progressively, we have reached the conclusion that the use of such an anatomic model improves the safety and reliability of procedures. The multimodal system including 3D imaging has been used in more than 40 patients so far and demonstrated a perfect operative anatomic accuracy. Currently, we are developing an original virtual reality experience by exploring 3D imaging models at the robotic console level. The act of operating is being transformed and the surgeon now oversees a complex system that improves decision making.

Pleural dye marking using radial endobronchial ultrasound combined with virtual bronchoscopy before minimal invasive sublobar lung resection

Introduction: Surgical resection of pulmonary nodules with minimally invasive techniques is challenging as the procedures have decreased the ability to palpate the lung in comparison with open thoracotomy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of pleural dye marking using radial-EBUS (r-EBUS) combined with virtual bronchoscopy (VB) to help minimally invasive resection of small peripheral lung nodule (SPLN) or ground glass opacities (GGOs). Methods: Both bronchial path to nodule (LungPoint Software®) and sub-pleural methylene blue deposition were performed in the operating room immediately before minimally invasive surgery. A 4 mm fiberscope with a 2mm working channel, 1.4 mm r-EBUS probe and guide sheath were used under general anesthesia without fluoroscopy guidance, in a patient on operating position. One ml of methylene blue was inserted into the guide sheath at the end of the procedure. RESULTS: 15 sublobar nodule resections were performed in 13 patients including 4 GGOs. Median nodule’s greatest diameter was 8 mm (4 to 15 mm, 14 nodules Conclusion: r-EBUS combined with VB allows dye localization of SPLN before minimally invasive resection.

Video-assisted thoracic surgery for left upper lobectomy for complex lesions: how to extend the indication with optimal safety?

Abstract The feasibility of extending the VATS approach to locally advanced NSCLC has been described with good clinical outcome. These complex resections are still technically challenging and patient safety must remain the highest priority. In this article, we describe our routine VATS approach for left upper lobectomy in proximal, locally advanced lesions. Both surgical and anaesthesiology teams are trained during simulation sessions to respond rapidly in case of urgent thoracotomy. Encircling arterial and venous vessels allow control of inadvertent bleeding during difficult dissection. Also, whenever needed the double vessel control technique is a time saver waiting for conversion to thoracotomy.