S.S. Razi

Timely Airway Stenting Improves Survival in Patients With Malignant Central Airway Obstruction

BACKGROUND The survival of patients with malignant central airway obstruction is very limited. Although airway stenting results in significant palliation of symptoms, data regarding improved survival after stenting for advanced thoracic cancer with central airway obstruction are lacking. METHODS Fifty patients received a total of 72 airway stents for malignant central airway obstruction over a two-year period at a single institution. The Medical Research Council (MRC) dyspnea scale and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status were used to divide patients into a poor performance group (MRC = 5, ECOG = 4) and an intermediate performance group (MRC ≤ 4, ECOG ≤ 3). The SPSS version 16.0 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL) and Microsoft Excel (Microsoft, Redmond, WA) were used to analyze the data. Survival curves were constructed using the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis method and a log-rank test was used to compare the survival distributions among different groups. RESULTS Successful patency of the airway was achieved in all patients with no procedure-related mortality. Stenting resulted in significant improvement in MRC and ECOG performance scores (p < 0.01). Significantly improved survival was observed only in patients in the intermediate performance group compared with patients in the poor performance group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Airway stenting resulted in significant palliation of symptoms in both groups as evaluated by MRC dyspnea scale and ECOG performance status. Compared with historic controls, a significant survival advantage was seen only in the intermediate performance group. We postulate that timely stenting of the airway, before the morbid complications of malignant central airway obstruction have set in, results in improved survival.

Dietary Flaxseed Protects Against Lung Ischemia Reperfusion Injury Via Inhibition of Apoptosis and Inflammation in a Murine Model

BACKGROUND The hallmark of lung ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the resultant oxidant stress has been implicated in apoptotic cell death as well as subsequent development of inflammation. Dietary flaxseed (FS) is a rich source of naturally occurring antioxidants and has been shown to reduce lung IRI in mice. However, the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of FS in IRI remain to be determined. METHODS We used a mouse model of IRI with 60 min of ischemia followed by 180 min of reperfusion and evaluated the anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects of 10% FS dietary supplementation. RESULTS Mice fed 10% FS undergoing lung IRI had significantly lower levels of caspases and decreased apoptotic activity compared with mice fed 0% FS. Lung homogenates and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis demonstrated significantly reduced inflammatory infiltrate in mice fed with 10% FS diet. Additionally, 10% FS treated mice showed significantly increased expression of antioxidant enzymes and decreased markers of lung injury. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that dietary FS is protective against lung IRI in a clinically relevant murine model, and this protective effect may in part be mediated by the inhibition of apoptosis and inflammation.

The effect of metallic tracheal stents on radiation dose in the airway and surrounding tissues.

BACKGROUND Metallic airway stents are often used in the management of central airway malignancies. The presence of a metallic foreign body may affect radiation dose in tissue. We studied the effect of a metallic airway stent on radiation dose delivery in a phantom and an in vivo porcine model. METHODS A metallic tracheal stent was fitted onto a support in a water phantom. Point dosimeters were positioned in the phantom around the support and the stent. Irradiation was then performed on a linear accelerator with and without the stent. Metallic tracheal stents were deployed in the trachea of three pigs. Dosimeters were implanted in the tissues near (Group 1) and away (Group 2) from the stent. The pigs were then irradiated, and the dose perturbation factor was calculated by comparing the actual dose detected by the dosimeters versus the planned dose. RESULTS The difference in the dose detected by the dosimeters and the planned dose ranged from 1.8% to 6.1% for the phantom with the stent and 0%-5.3% for the phantom without the stent. These values were largely within the manufacturers specified error of 5%. No significant difference was observed in the dose perturbation factor for Group 1 and Group 2 dosimeters (0.836 ± 0.058 versus 0.877 ± 0.088, P = 0.220) in all the three pigs. CONCLUSIONS Metallic airway stents do not significantly affect radiation dose in the airway and surrounding tissues in a phantom and porcine model. Radiation treatment planning systems can account for the presence of the stent. External beam radiation can be delivered without concern for significant dose perturbation.

Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery for the placement of an adjustable gastric band: a large cohort comparison

BACKGROUND Laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) surgery has been shown to be a well-tolerated alternative for the placement of an adjustable gastric band. To date, only small series have suggested that this approach may provide potential clinical benefits over standard multiport laparoscopy. The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of patients undergoing LESS adjustable gastric banding (LESS-AGB) and a cohort of patients undergoing standard multiport laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). METHODS A total of 206 patients underwent placement of an adjustable gastric band. Of these, 106 patients underwent LESS-AGB and were compared with a demographically similar cohort of 100 patients who underwent standard LAGB. Data collected included operative time, parenteral and oral narcotic consumption, duration of patient controlled analgesia (PCA) device, subjective pain scores using the 0-10 numeric pain intensity scale, and length of stay. Unpaired t test was used for analysis. RESULTS Compared with multiport LAGB patients, LESS-AGB patients reported significantly less pain at the first postoperative hour (P = .012), twelfth postoperative hour (P = .017), and twenty-fourth postoperative hour (P = .012), and consumed fewer oral analgesic tablets (P = .012). Operative times were significantly longer in the LESS-AGB group (P = .029). No significant differences were seen in duration of PCA, parenteral narcotic consumption, or length of stay. One LESS-AGB case required conversion to multiport laparoscopy. Complication rates were similar between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION LESS-AGB is associated with less pain and less oral analgesic consumption than multiport LAGB. Given these clinical advantages and superior cosmetic results, laparoendoscopic single-site surgery may be an attractive alternative approach for patients considering LAGB.