Wen-Bin Wu

The COX-2 rs20417 polymorphism and risk of coronary artery disease: evidence from 17,621 subjects.

BACKGROUND The Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) rs20417 polymorphism has been implicated in coronary artery disease (CAD) risk, but individually published studies have shown inconsistent results. The aim of this study was to clarify the effects of COX-2 rs20417 polymorphism on CAD risk. METHODS A systematic literature search up to October 27, 2013 was carried out in PubMed, EMBASE, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases, and the references of retrieved articles were screened. Crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were analysed for co-dominant model (CC vs. GG), additive model (C vs. G), dominant model (CC+GC vs. GG), and recessive model (CC vs. GG+GC) to assess the association using fixed- or random-effect model. RESULTS We identified nine articles (10 case-control studies) that included 3,439 cases and 14,182 controls for the present meta-analysis. Significant association between COX-2 rs20417 polymorphism and risk of CAD was observed in co-dominant model (OR=0.64, 95% CI=0.43-0.95, p=0.026) and recessive model (OR=0.77, 95% CI=0.61-0.97, p=0.025). Moreover, in the subgroup analysis stratified by ethnicity, significant associations were observed in Asians (OR=0.28, 95% CI=0.13-0.61, p=0.001 for CC vs. GC+GG; OR=0.24, 95% CI=0.11-0.51, p<0.001 for CC vs. GG) but not in Caucasians. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that COX-2 rs20417 polymorphism may contribute to CAD development, especially in Asians.

A long-term survivor with esophageal melanoma and pulmonary metastasis after single-stage esophagectomy and lobectomy: Case report and literature review

Rationale: The optimal therapeutic regimen for primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus (PMME) need to be further elucidated. Besides, the efficacy of surgery for PMME with remote metastasis is uncertain for its rarity. Patient concerns: Herein a previously healthy patient was admitted for dysphagia and fatigue, without significant weight loss. Diagnoses: The pathological and molecular tests revealed his diagnosis of BRAF-mutant, advanced PMME with localized pulmonary metastasis. Interventions: Single-stage Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy and lobectomy were performed successfully, followed by 4 cycles of conventional chemotherapy, and concurrent high-dose interferon lasting for 1 year. Outcomes: The patient survived without logo-regional recurrence or remote metastasis during the follow up of two and a half years up to now. Lessons: Timely resection of localized primary and metastatic lesions might deliver a chance to obtain better prognosis for selected PMME patients; however, high-quality trials with longer follow-up are needed.

Esophageal cancer revealing a tracheal diverticulum

Tracheal diverticulum is a benign entity characterized by single or multiple invaginations of the tracheal wall, and is rarely encountered in clinical practice but frequently in postmortem examination as an incidental finding. Its combination with esophageal cancer is extremely rare. In this case report, we present a patient with these two lesions and analyze their correlation.

Single-stage nonintubated uniportal thoracoscopic resection of synchronous bilateral pulmonary nodules after coil labeling: A case report and literature review

Rationale: Preoperative localization of small pulmonary nodules is essential for precise resection, besides, the optimal treatment for pulmonary nodules is controversial and the prognosis without surgery is uncertain. Patient concerns: Herein we present a patient with compromised pulmonary function harboring synchronous triple ground-glass nodules located separately in different pulmonary lobes. Diagnoses: The pathological diagnosis of the nodules were chronic inflammation, inflammatory pseudotumor and atypical adenomatous hyperplasia, respectively. Interventions: The patient underwent single-stage, non-intubated thoracoscopic pulmonary wedge resection after computed tomography-guided coil labeling of the nodules. Outcomes: The postoperative recovery was encouragingly fast without obvious complications. Lessons: Non-intubated thoracoscopic pulmonary wedge resection is feasible for patients with compromised lung function, meanwhile, preoperative coil labeling of small nodules is reliable.

A rare case of Merkel cell carcinoma presenting as a giant intra-thoracic mass: A case report and review of the literature

Rationale: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive neuroendocrine-derived cutaneous cancer. Ectopic or single metastatic MCC located in thorax is extremely rare; meanwhile, its definite management has not been elucidated yet. Patient concerns: A 64-year-old female patient with a giant mass located in her left thorax was presented for stuffy pain of left chest for 6 months and fever for half a month. She underwent radical resection of vulvar MCC 10 years ago. Diagnoses: Computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsy of the intrathoracic mass revealed a diagnosis of MCC, without synchronous urogenital lesions on pelvic CT images. Interventions: This bulky tumor was completely resected via thoracotomy, along with the adjacent pulmonary lobe, pericardium, pleura, and diaphragm. Outcomes: The patient survived without local-regional recurrence or distant metastasis during the follow-up of 1 year up to now. Lessons: Ectopic or single metastatic MCC should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intrathoracic tumors, especially in patients with a history of MCC. Besides, a timely surgery combined with chemotherapy is effective for this disease.

Thoracoscopic resection of bulky thymoma assisted with artificial pneumothorax: A report of 19 consecutive cases

The aim of the present study was to examine the feasibility and efficacy of thoracoscopic radical resection of large retrosternal thymoma using artificial pneumothorax. A retrospective analysis was performed on 19 patients with bulky thymoma who underwent thoracoscopic resection using artificial pneumothorax by CO2 insufflation. The operations were performed with unilateral or bilateral thoracic incisions via single lumen endotracheal intubation and two-lung ventilation. This approach provided excellent exposure of the thoracic cavity and reliable control of the neuro-vascular structures in the anterior mediastinum, which was of vital importance for the extended resection of malignant thymoma. The operation time was 140.0±51.4 min without conversion to thoracotomy or sternotomy. The pathological diagnosis was confirmed by immunohistochemistry, including 5 cases of thymus lipomyoma, 1 case of thymus hyperplasia, 1 case of thymus cyst, 2 cases of type AB thymoma, 4 cases of type B1 thymoma, 4 cases of type B3 thymoma, and 2 cases of thymic carcinoma. Furthermore, there were no complications such as recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, phrenic nerve injury, pulmonary infection or atelectasis, with a hospital stay of 5.0±3.0 days. In conclusion, the thoracoscopic resection of thymoma using artificial pneumothorax is a preferable approach, that may be considered for patients with bulky retrosternal tumors.

Non-intubated laparoscopic repair of giant Morgagni’s hernia for a young man

An asymptomatic patient was admitted as his chest photograph and computed tomography scans showed a giant Morgagnis hernia (MH). And it was repaired by laparoscopic approach under epidural anesthesia without endotracheal intubation. The hernia content of omentum was repositioned back into the abdominal cavity, and the diaphragmatic defect was repaired with composite mesh. Which indicated that non-intubated laparoscopic mesh repair via epidural anesthesia is reliable and satisfactory for MH.

Staged bilateral single-port thoracoscopic lung volume reduction surgery: A report of 11 cases

The aim of the present study was to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of staged bilateral single-port thoracoscopic lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary emphysema (COPE). Eleven male patients with a mean age of 60.27±12.11 years with bilateral COPE and bullae were admitted to the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xuzhou Central Hospital from January 2013 to June 2014. The patients underwent staged bilateral single-port thoracoscopic LVRS. The hyperinflated bullae were resected using endoscopic staplers (Endo-GIA), followed by continuous suture and biological glue for reinforcement of the margin. In addition, pulmonary function, blood gas assay, 6-min walk distance (6MWD) and life quality evaluated by a short form 36-item health survey questionnaire (SF-36) were recorded before and after LVRS, respectively. All the patients survived after surgery. The chest tube drainage time was 9.09±1.31 days and postoperative hospital stay was 15.73±2.75 days, with 5 cases of persistent air leakage and 7 cases of pulmonary infection which were finally cured. The patients were followed up for 3 to 12 months, and the pulmonary function, partial pressure of oxygen (pO2), 6MWD and life quality after unilateral or bilateral LVRS were improved compared to these parameters before surgery. However, there was no significant difference between unilateral and bilateral LVRS in terms of life quality. In conclusion, staged bilateral single-port thoracoscopic LVRS may improve the short-term life quality of patients with COPE.