Piero Zannini

Management of obstructive tracheal disease in children

Fifty-two patients from seven weeks to 15 years of age were treated for congenital (six patients) or acquired (46 patients) tracheal lesions. Twenty underwent tracheal resection and reconstruction: congenital stenosis 3 (5 to 9 yr), postintubation stenosis 9 (11 to 15 yr), TEF 1 (15 yr), posttraumatic 2 (9 to 15 yr) idiopathic 1 (14 yr) and primary tumors 4 (8 to 15 yr). There were two carinal resections. There were two deaths and two postoperative stenoses, one of which was corrected later, giving 17 final good results. Thirty-two patients were treated nonoperatively.

Diagnosis and treatment of traumatic pulmonary pseudocysts.

BACKGROUND Traumatic pulmonary pseudocysts (TPPs) are rare sequelae of blunt chest trauma. We present a retrospective review of TPPs observed in our hospital and discuss the diagnosis, treatment, and complications of these unusual lesions. METHODS Between 1991 and 1999, 11 TPPs were diagnosed in 10 patients. None of the lesions was detectable on the chest radiograph obtained on the day of injury. In contrast, computed tomographic scan of the chest always demonstrated the TPPs. RESULTS In nine cases, spontaneous healing of the lesions was observed. One patient with a large lesion of the left lower lobe developed significant endobronchial bleeding and underwent successful emergency lobectomy. CONCLUSION TPPs are often missed by chest radiography, particularly when it is obtained in the supine position, whereas computed tomographic scan allows the identification of these lesions in all cases. TPPs are self-limiting, benign lesions that usually require no specific therapy. Surgical treatment is indicated in rare instances and only when complications occur.

Surgical treatment of catamenial pneumothorax: a single centre experience

We retrospectively reviewed our experience with catamenial pneumothorax (CP) in terms of treatment and follow-up. From 1993 to 2008, ten women presented at our department with CP. CP was right-sided in all patients: seven presented diaphragmatic defects including one endometriosis, five had apical bulla or blebs that in three patients were the only pathological findings. Surgical approach was thoracoscopic with a muscle-sparing thoracotomy when diaphragmatic defects where present. All patients underwent apical resection and apical pleurectomy associated in seven cases with diaphragmatic plication and chemical pleurodesis. After surgery nine patients underwent hormonal treatment: three were put on estrogen-progesterone complex treatment and six received gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH agonist). Recurrence rate was 40% and it was significantly correlated with estrogen-progesterone treatment (P<0.005). The mean follow-up was 52+/-32 months (range 14-168). At the present time, no recurrence has occurred in all women. Occurrence of CP is often underestimated. At the time of surgery the diaphragm should be carefully inspected for defects and/or endometriosis. Standard pleurodesis may not suffice and we suggest apical resection and apical pleurectomy associated with a diaphragmatic procedure when indicated. Hormonal treatment with GnRH agonist seems to improve the outcome.

Lung resection for cancer in patients with coronary arterial disease: analysis of short-term results

OBJECTIVE Patients with lung cancer may present concomitant coronary arterial disease. Feasibility of lung resection is dependent on the severity of the cardiac impairment since it can increase operative morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to analyze the results of lung resection in patients with coronary arterial disease in terms of operative complications and hospital stay. METHODS Between January 1993 and March 2001, 50 patients with coronary arterial disease underwent lung resection for cancer at our department. Nineteen patients with a curable left-main or multiple-vessel disease first underwent surgical (six patients) or transluminal (13 patients) myocardial revascularization. Twenty-two of the 31 patients who did not require myocardial revascularization presented a medium-high cardiac risk. Univariate analysis determined the impact of coronary disease on operative complications and hospital stay. RESULTS Surgery consisted in 40 lobectomies, three pneumonectomies and seven wedge resections. The overall mortality and morbidity rates were 4% and 28%, respectively. Ten patients (22%) experienced postoperative cardiac complications such as arrhythmia and there was one intraoperative death, three suffered secretion retention and one patient died as a consequence of a stroke. Occurrence of postoperative complications was influenced by age (P=0.02) and the presence of medium-high cardiac risk (P=0.03). Hospital stay was longer for patients who did not have prior myocardial revascularization (11.7+/-4 vs. 8.1+/-3 days) and underwent more extensive pulmonary resection (10.6+/-5 vs. 7.4+/-2 days). CONCLUSIONS Lung resection in patients with coronary arterial disease is justified in selected cases. Previous myocardial revascularization and limited resections can decrease operative complications and hospital stay. Careful preoperative evaluation can identify patients who might benefit from myocardial revascularization prior to surgery.

Transduodenal Sphincteroplasty: 5–25 Year Follow-up of 89 Patients

Between 1957 and 1977, 95 patients underwent transduodenal pancreatic sphincteroplasty (TPS) for a diagnosis of recurrent pancreatitis. Five to twenty-five year follow-up was obtained for 89 patients (94%) and was analyzed by life-table method. Short-term successful outcome was defined as relief of symptoms (e.g., pain) for one to three years; long-term successful outcome was defined as those patients who remained symptom-free at time of last follow-up. Operative mortality was 4.2% (4 patients). Fifty-six patients (66%) had a successful short-term outcome. Of these, 13 patients had recurrence of symptoms: 7 occurred at 4 years, 5 at 5 years and 1 at 6 years. Preoperative factors associated with poor short-term outcome were previous upper abdominal surgery (X2 = 5.67, p < 0.05) and frequent diarrhea (X2 = 6.18, p < 0.05). Preoperative factors associated with poor long-term outcome were previous upper abdominal surgery (X2 = 7.82, p < 0.01), heavy alcohol intake (X2 = 4.71, p < 0.05), narcotic use (X2 = 5.68, p < 0.05) and frequent diarrhea (X2 = 4.8, p < 0.05). Morphine Prostigmin Test (MPT) was performed preoperatively in 78 patients (82%). A significantly greater proportion of patients with a rise in serum pancreatic enzymes secondary to MPT (MPT+) had a successful long-term outcome compared with those without such a rise (MPT-) (61% v 41%, X2 = 5.13, p < 0.05). Furthermore, of the patients with a successful short-term outcome, 88% with MPT+ remained long-term symptom-free compared to 38.5% with MPT- (X2 = 8.36, p < 0.01). We conclude that TPS can be a successful operation for acute recurrent pancreatitis. Previous upper abdominal operations, signs of more advanced pancreatic disease, preoperative narcotic use and alcohol abuse, were associated with a worse outcome and probably associated with chronic recurrent pancreatitis. Preoperative use of MPT, coupled with accurate clinical history, defined groups with different short- and long-term prognosis after TPS.

Decortication for chronic parapneumonic empyema: Results of a prospective study

ABSTRACTDespite advances in diagnostic methods, surgical techniques, and supportive therapy, chronic parapneumonic empyema is still associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. A prospective study was performed on a consecutive series of patients with chronic parapneumonic empyema to analyze the results of surgical treatment and identify clinical predictors of poor outcome. From 1993 to 2000 a total of 40 patients underwent decortication for chronic parapneumonic empyema. There was no mortality. All 40 patients had definitive resolution of the empyema. Altogether, 34 patients (87.5%) had an uneventful postoperative course, and 5 (12.5%) experienced complications (2 prolonged febrile syndromes, 3 cases of sepsis requiring mechanical respiratory assistance). All complications resolved well with adequate treatment without further consequences. Definitive results of the surgical procedures assessed at the 6-month follow-up examination were good in 21 patients and satisfactory in 19. No unsatisfactory results were observed in any of the patients. Univariate analysis showed that three variables predicted morbidity: co-morbidities (p = 0.039), symptom duration ≥ 60 days (p = 0.009), and duration of preoperative conservative treatment ≥ 30 days (p = 0.006). Multivariate analysis showed that only symptom duration ≥ 60 days (p = 0.041) and duration of conservative treatment ≥ 30 days (p = 0.025) were associated with morbidity. Decortication is a highly effective treatment for chronic parapneumonic empyema and may be performed with low morbidity and mortality. Because prolonged duration of symptoms and conservative treatment increase morbidity, early surgical intervention seems to be the optimal modality for the treatment of chronic parapneumonic empyema.

Evaluation of radiological and pathological prognostic factors in surgically-treated patients with bronchoalveolar carcinoma

OBJECTIVE The incidence of adenocarcinoma and bronchoalveolar carcinoma has increased in recent years. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate radiological and pathological factors affecting survival in patients with bronchoalveolar carcinoma (BAC) or BAC associated with adenocarcinoma who underwent surgical treatment. METHODS From May 1988 to September 1999, 49 patients with BAC or BAC and adenocarcinoma underwent surgical treatment. Complete resection was performed in 42 patients. In these patients the impact of the following factors on survival was evaluated: stage, TNM status, radiological and pathological findings (percentage of bronchoalveolar carcinoma in the tumour, presence or absence of sclerosing and mucinous patterns, vascular invasion and lymphocytic infiltration). RESULTS Twenty-nine patients were male and 20 female. Mean age was 63 years. Five-year survival was 54%. Univariate analysis of the patients who underwent complete resection demonstrated a favourable impact on survival in stages Ia and Ib (P = 0.01) and in the absence of nodal involvement (P = 0.02) and mucinous patterns (P = 0.02). Mucinous pattern was also prognostically relevant at multivariate analysis (P = 0.02). In the 27 patients with stage Ia and Ib disease, univariate analysis demonstrated that the absence of mucinous pattern (P = 0.006) and a higher percentage of BAC (P = 0.01) favourably influenced survival. The latter data were also confirmed by multivariate analysis (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION Surgical treatment of early-stage BAC and combined BAC and adenocarcinoma is associated with favourable results. However, the definition of prognostic factors is of utmost importance to improve the results of the treatment. In our series tumours of the mucinous subtype and with a lower percentage of BAC had a worse prognosis.

Montgomery T-tube placement in the treatment of benign tracheal lesions

INTRODUCTION Although surgery remains the gold standard for the treatment of benign tracheal stenosis, airway stenting may be indicated in the event of complex lesions or associated diseases. We retrospectively investigated Montgomery T-tube placement as an alternative or complementary treatment to surgery. METHODS From January 1984 to March 2008, 158 patients were treated for benign tracheal lesions. Eighty-three patients underwent airway resection and reconstruction as the only treatment. Seventy-five other patients with complex lesions or major associated diseases were treated with a T-tube and were retrospectively analysed. Seven of them had undergone unsuccessful treatment with Dumon stents. T-tube placement was the only procedure adopted in 51 patients with a contraindication to surgery (group I), a temporary measure in 15 patients prior to surgery (group II), and in 9 patients (group III) for complications of airway reconstruction, 5 of whom were referred from other institutions. RESULTS Complications after T-tube placement were: stent dislocation in 3 (4%) patients, endoluminal granulomas in 14 (19%), subglottic edema in 3 (4%), and sputum retention in 7 (9%). Treatment of complications (tracheostomy cannula, steroid infiltration, Argon/LASER coagulation, and bronchoscopy) was required in 20 (27%) patients. In group I, the tube was removed in 12 (24%) patients after 35.3 +/- 8.2 months following resolution of the stenosis. In group II, the tubes were maintained in place before surgery for 17.1 +/- 4.8 months. In group III, three stents were removed following tracheal healing after 115.3 +/- 3.7 months. After 5 years the stents were in place in 82%, 7% and 100% of the patients, respectively in groups I, II and III. CONCLUSIONS Montgomery T-tube placement represents a useful option in patients with complex benign tracheal stenosis or associated diseases as an alternative or complementary treatment to surgery, and is effective even when other types of stents are unsuccessful.

Identification of Novel Subdominant Epitopes on the Carcinoembryonic Antigen Recognized by CD4+ T Cells of Lung Cancer Patients

The carcinoembryonic Ag (CEA) is an attractive target for immunotherapy because of its expression profile and role in tumor progression. To verify the existence of spontaneous anti-CEA CD4+ T cells in lung cancer patients, we first identified CEA sequences forming naturally processed epitopes, and then used the identified epitopes to test their recognition by CD4+ T cells from the patients. We had previously identified CEA177–189/355–367 as an immunodominant epitope recognized by CD4+ T cells in association with several HLA-DR alleles. In this study, we identified four additional subdominant CEA sequences (CEA99–111, CEA425–437, CEA568–582, and CEA666–678), recognized in association with one or more HLA-DR alleles. Peptide-specific CD4+ T cells produced proinflammatory cytokines when challenged with the native protein and CEA-expressing tumor cells, thus demonstrating that the identified CEA sequences contain naturally processed epitopes. However, CEA is expressed in the thymus and belongs to the CD66 family that comprises highly homologous molecules expressed on hemopoietic cells, raising concerns about tolerance interfering with the in vivo development of anti-CEA immunity. We thus tested the spontaneous reactivity to the identified epitopes of peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocytes from eight early-stage lung cancer patients bearing CEA-positive tumors. We found GM-CSF- and IFN-γ- producing CD4+ T cells in two patients. Our data indicate that CD4+ immune responses against CEA develop in neoplastic patients, suggesting that tolerance toward CEA or cross-reactive CD66 homologous molecules might be either not absolute or be overcome in the neoplastic disease.

Preoperative assessment in patients with postintubation tracheal stenosis : Rigid and flexible bronchoscopy versus spiral CT scan with multiplanar reconstructions

BackgroundPostintubation stenosis remains the most frequent indication for tracheal surgery. Rigid bronchoscopy has traditionally been considered the technique of choice for the preoperative diagnostic assessment. However, this technique is not routinely available, and new techniques such as flexible videobronchoscopy and spiral computed tomography (CT) scan with multiplanar reconstructions have been proposed as alternatives to rigid bronchoscopy. The aim of this study was to compare these techniques in the diagnostic assessment of patients with tracheal stenosis submitted to surgical treatment.MethodsTwelve patients who underwent airway resection and reconstruction for postintubation tracheal and laryngotracheal stenosis were preoperatively evaluated with rigid and flexible bronchoscopy and with spiral CT scan with multiplanar reconstructions. The following parameters were examined: involvement of subglottic larynx, length of the stenosis, and associated lesions. The results were compared with the intraoperative findings.ResultsThe accuracy of rigid bronchoscopy, flexible bronchoscopy, and CT scan in the evaluation of the involvement of subglottic larynx was, respectively, 92%, 83%, and 83%. The evaluation of the length of the stenosis was correct in 83%, 92%, and 25% of the patients, respectively, with rigid bronchoscopy, flexible bronchoscopy, and CT scan. A significant correlation was observed between the length of the stenosis measured intraoperatively and preoperatively with rigid (p < 0.001) and flexible bronchoscopy (p < 0.05) but not with CT scan (p = 0.08). The three techniques correctly showed the presence of an associated tracheoesophageal fistula in two patients, but CT scan did not correctly show the exact location of the fistula in relation to the airway. Flexible bronchoscopy was the only effective technique in the assessment of laryngeal function.ConclusionsRigid bronchoscopy remains the procedure of choice in the evaluation of candidates for tracheal resection and reconstruction for postintubation stenosis, and it should be available in centers that perform surgery of the airway. Flexible bronchoscopy and CT scan have to be considered complementary techniques in the evaluation of laryngeal function and during follow-up.