Takashi Nakayama

Qualitative Analysis of Preoperative High-Resolution Computed Tomography: Risk Factors for Pulmonary Complications After Major Lung Resection.

BACKGROUND Postoperative pulmonary complications after major lung resection are strongly associated with mortality. Qualitative findings of emphysema, bronchiectasis, and bronchial wall thickening on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) are indicators of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and may serve as risk factors for pulmonary complications. METHODS The subjects were 347 consecutive patients who underwent single lobectomy for pulmonary malignancy from May 2010 to December 2014. Correlations of pulmonary complications with preoperative clinical factors and HRCT findings were retrospectively examined using multivariate logistic regression analysis to compare the predictive ability for pulmonary complications using clinical variables that were reported to be risk factors. RESULTS Patients who had pulmonary complications were more frequently male (p < 0.001), with a greater smoking history (p < 0.001), lower rate of steroid use (p < 0.001), more frequent emphysema on HRCT (p < 0.001), more frequent bronchiectasis on HRCT (p = 0.002), more frequent bronchial wall thickening on HRCT (p < 0.001), and higher rate of extended resection (p = 0.006). In multivariate analysis, HRCT findings (odds ratio [OR] 12.01, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.582 to 25.83, p < 0.001) and extended resection (OR 7.726, 95% CI: 1.678 to 35.57, p = 0.009) were independent risk factors for pulmonary complications. After matching of risk factors between patients with and without pulmonary complication, emphysema (OR 3.394, 95% CI: 1.781 to 6.469, p < 0.001) and bronchial wall thickening (OR 6.250, 95% CI: 2.414 to 16.18, p < 0.001) were independently associated with pulmonary complications in the model with better performance. CONCLUSIONS Qualitative findings on HRCT are independent risk factors for pulmonary complications after lobectomy. Preoperative HRCT may be useful to predict pulmonary complications.

Predictors of long-term compensatory response of pulmonary function following major lung resection for non-small cell lung cancer.

Long‐term pulmonary function which might include compensatory response (CR) significantly influences quality of life of long‐term survivor after major lung resection. We investigated long‐term pulmonary function after major lung resection.

Therapeutic potential of recombinant thrombomodulin for lung injury after pneumonectomy via inhibition of high-mobility group box 1 in mice.

BACKGROUND Surgical acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is an extremely critical condition which may occur after major lung resection. Despite advances in minimally invasive surgical procedures and progress in the therapeutic management of this disease, prognosis remains poor. In this study, we investigated the contribution of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in a surgical ARDS model and evaluated the possible therapeutic effect of recombinant thrombomodulin (rTM) for the treatment of surgical ARDS. METHODS C57BL/6J mice underwent left pneumonectomy. rTM was injected at 12 hours before surgery, followed by 12 hours for 3 days after surgery. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was administered at 2 hours after surgery. We conducted a histologic analysis and measured HMGB1, IL-6, IL-1&bgr;, and TNF-&agr; in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid on day 3 after pneumonectomy. Data were compared between the treatment groups. RESULTS On histologic analysis, left pneumonectomy followed by LPS administration induced both severe inflammatory cellular infiltration and alveolar wall congestion with hemorrhage. rTM administration rescued these histologic changes. The level of HMGB1, IL-6, IL-1&bgr;, and TNF-&agr; in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was significantly increased by LPS administration after pneumonectomy and significantly decreased by rTM administration with LPS and pneumonectomy (p < 0.001). Also, LPS alone showed no statistical differences in HMGB1 or proinflammatory cytokine level compared with pneumonectomy (PNX) group. In addition, the survival outcome was also improved by rTM administration. CONCLUSIONS LPS administration after left pneumonectomy could induce the severe lung injury. PNX and LPS have similar contribution to this model and may play a synergistic role in this process. rTM may have the potential therapeutic effect for surgical ARDS via suppression of HMGB1 and the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines induced by the administration of LPS after left pneumonectomy.

Immunological effect of local ablation combined with immunotherapy on solid malignancies

Recent comprehensive investigations clarified that immune microenvironment surrounding tumor cells are deeply involved in tumor progression, metastasis, and response to treatment. Furthermore, several immunotherapeutic trials have achieved successful results, and the immunotherapeutic agents are available in clinical practice. To enhance their demonstrated efficacy, combination of immunotherapy and ablation has begun to emerge. Local ablations have considerable advantages as an alternative therapeutic option, especially its minimal invasiveness. In addition, local ablations have shown immune-regulatory effect in preclinical and clinical studies. Although the corresponding mechanisms are still unclear, the local ablations combined with immunotherapy have been suggested in the treatment of several solid malignancies. This article aims to review the published data on the immune-regulatory effects of local ablations including stereotactic body radiotherapy, cryoablation, radiofrequency ablation, and high-intensity-focused ultrasound. We also discuss the value of local ablations combined with immunotherapy. Local ablations have the potential to improve future patient outcomes; however, the effectiveness and safety of local ablations combined with immunotherapy should be further investigated.

Impact of pregabalin on early phase post-thoracotomy pain compared with epidural analgesia

Background The purpose of this randomized study was to compare the effects of pregabalin with epidural analgesia on early phase post-thoracotomy pain. Methods This study was conducted on 90 adult patients who underwent thoracotomy. Patients were randomly divided into two groups, an epidural analgesia group, where 45 patients received 0.2% ropivacaine hydrochloride and fentanyl through a thoracic epidural catheter, and a pregabalin group, where 45 patients received 75 mg pregabalin orally twice daily. Both groups were also administered orally with celecoxib along with each treatment. Numerical rating scale (NRS) and sleep interference rate (SIR) were evaluated on the first day, third day, and fifth day after surgery. Anesthetic induction time, operation time, recovery time, the use of additional analgesic drugs and adverse effects were also examined. Results NRS and SIR were significantly lower in the pregabalin group at all time points (P<0.05). The number of patients requiring additional analgesic drugs within 24 hours after surgery showed no difference between the two groups; however, the number was significantly decreased in the pregabalin group after post-operative day 1 (P<0.001). Adverse effects including pneumonia, dysuria, constipation and nausea were identified among many patients in the epidural analgesia group (P<0.05). Operation time and recovery time were the same for both groups, while the epidural analgesia group showed a significantly longer anesthetic induction time (P<0.001). Conclusions Pregabalin is considered to be a safe and effective treatment method which is an alternative to epidural analgesia for acute post-thoracotomy pain.

Atraumatic tension hemothorax associated with ruptured aneurysm of intercostal artery–azygous fistula: a case report

Atraumatic tension hemothorax is extremely rare. We report a case of 62-year-old woman presented with obstructive and hypovolemic shock status by tension hemothorax due to ruptured aneurysm of congenital intercostal artery–azygous fistula. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography and aortography revealed an aberrant 12th intercostal artery flowing into the aneurysm with a fistula draining into the azygous vein and the rupture of aneurysm. Our experience indicates that the rupture of congenital arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) of systemic circulation in the thoracic cavity might cause not only hypovolemic shock but also atraumatic tension hemothorax. Surgery following preoperative endovascular embolization offers a feasible treatment strategy for ruptured aneurysms associated with AVFs.