Yojiro Yutaka

A Novel Surgical Approach to Refractory Hepatic Hydrothorax

Hepatic hydrothorax is defined as the presence of a pleural effusion in a patient with liver cirrhosis in the absence of cardiopulmonary disease, and it is a devastating complication impairing quality of life in the end stage of liver disease. The management of the effusion is challenging, and chest tube drainage can sometimes cause more serious complications by removing massive amounts of protein-rich fluid. Though the most plausible mechanism is the influx of ascites to the pleural cavity through a small diaphragmatic defect, the defect often cannot be found. Hepatic hydrothorax could be controlled by repairing an invisible defect of the diaphragm. With pneumoperitoneum after intraperitoneal administration of indocyanine green, the defect, clearly dyed green, appeared on the diaphragm. This novel combination technique could be useful for ensuring the surgical repair of an invisible diaphragmatic defect.

Development of a novel tissue-engineered nitinol frame artificial trachea with native-like physical characteristics

Background Tracheal reconstruction is complicated by the short length to which a trachea can be resected. We previously developed a biocompatible polypropylene frame artificial trachea, but it lacked the strength and flexibility of the native trachea. In contrast, nitinol may provide these physical characteristics. We developed a novel nitinol frame artificial trachea and examined its biocompatibility and safety in canine models. Methods We constructed several nitinol frame prototypes and selected the frame that most closely reproduced the strength of the native canine trachea. This frame was used to create a collagen‐coated artificial trachea that was implanted into 5 adult beagle dogs. The artificial trachea was first implanted into the pedicled omentum and placed in the abdomen. Three weeks later, the omentum‐wrapped artificial trachea was moved into the thoracic cavity. The thoracic trachea was then partially resected and reconstructed using the artificial trachea. Follow‐up bronchoscopic evaluation was performed, and the artificial trachea was histologically examined after the dogs were sacrificed. Results Stenosis at the anastomosis sites was not observed in any dog. Survival for 18 months or longer was confirmed in all dogs but 1, which died after 9 months due to reasons unrelated to the artificial trachea. Histological examination confirmed respiratory epithelial regeneration on the artificial tracheas luminal surface. Severe foreign body reaction was not detected around the nitinol frame. Conclusions The novel nitinol artificial trachea reproduced the physical characteristics of the native trachea. We have confirmed cell engraftment, good biocompatibility, and survival of 18 months or longer for this artificial trachea in canine models.

Perifollicular fibromas associated with Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome.

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Three-dimensional Navigation for Thoracoscopic Sublobar Resection Using a Novel Wireless Marking System

We developed a novel localization technique for small intrapulmonary lesions using radiofrequency identification (RFID) technology. Micro-RFID markers with nickel-titanium coils were designed to be placed from subsegmental bronchi to the peripheral parenchyma. In this preclinical study, thoracoscopic subsegmentectomy of a canine pseudotumor model was performed to demonstrate the feasibility and three-dimensional positional accuracy of the system. To recover subcentimeter pseudotumors, markers were bronchoscopically placed to determine the resection line: (1) next to the pseudotumor; (2) in the responsible subsegmental bronchi as the central margin; and (3) on the intersubsegmental plane as the lateral margin. Specific marker positions were located by wireless communication using a wand-shaped probe with a 30-mm communication range, with the distance to the marker indicated by gradual changes in sound pitch. Thirty-four markers were placed for 10 pseudotumors (14.6 mm from the pleura) in 10 canines. Three markers were placed at a mean distance of 5.5 mm from the pseudotumors, and 11 central and 20 lateral markers were placed at mean distances of 17.2 and 20.7 mm from the pseudotumors, respectively. Central markers (20.5 mm from the pleura) were detected within 16.0 seconds in 2.9-mm-diameter bronchi. All resection stumps were within 5.4 mm (range 2-8 mm) from each marker, and pseudotumors were removed with adequate surgical margins toward the central (11.5 mm; range 7-16 mm) and lateral (12.4 mm; range 9-17 mm) directions. RFID wireless markers provided precise three-dimensional positional information and are a potential viable alternative to conventional markers.

Tension pneumothorax with empyema from gastric ulcer perforation

A 77-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a 2-day history of dyspnoea that had started suddenly. Chest x-ray showed a left hydropneumothorax under tension with mediastinal shift (figure 1); blood analyses revealed a high inflammatory reaction. Chest drainage improved symptoms initially with re-expansion of the collapsed lung and a yellowish purulent effusion discharged from the chest drain with little or no air leakage under continuous suction. Biochemical test results of the fluid included: lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) 1522 IU/l, glucose 2 mg/dl and protein 5.7 g/dl. Figure 1 Chest x-ray showing a left hydropneumothorax under tension with …

Local anaesthetic thoracoscopy for intractable pneumothorax in a high-risk patient

The management of high-operative-risk patients with a pneumothorax is complicated. The case of a 79-year old man with an intractable secondary pneumothorax, who had taken oral steroids to control asthma, is presented. Since the patient could not tolerate general anaesthesia because of poor cardiac function, thoracoscopic surgery was performed under local anaesthesia. A successful lung fistula closure was achieved and the continuous air leakage disappeared immediately after the surgery.

Prognostic impact of preoperative comorbidities in geriatric patients with early-stage lung cancer: Significance of sublobar resection as a compromise procedure

OBJECTIVES In high-risk operable geriatric patients undergoing palliative sublobar resection (SR), noncancerous comorbidities may contribute to unfavorable outcomes. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the perioperative safety and long-term survival of palliative SR in this patient population. MATERIALS AND METHODS We reviewed 232 patients (141 male, 91 female) aged ≥75 years who underwent surgical resection of clinical stage I lung cancer from 2006 to 2014. The patients were divided into two groups, lobectomy and SR, and preoperative comprehensive comorbidities were assessed using the Adult Comorbidity Evaluation 27 (ACE-27) and compared between the two groups. The operative safety was compared using the Clavien-Dindo classification. Survival rates were calculated with a Kaplan-Meier model under propensity score matching, and prognostic factors were analyzed using a Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS Lobectomy was performed in 156 patients and SR in 76 (segmentectomy, n = 50; wedge resection, n = 26). Age (p = 0.0137), tumor size on computed tomography (p < 0.0001), central tumor location (p = 0.0008), and high ACE-27 scores (p = 0.0202) were significantly associated with selection of SR. No mortality occurred, and the incidence of Grade 3b or greater postoperative complications in lobectomy and SR was 5.1% and 5.3%, respectively. According to the analysis of propensity score-matched patients (n = 57, tumor size = 23 mm, and consolidation/tumor ratio = 83%), the 5-year survival rate in lobectomy and SR was 81.1% and 73.5%, respectively (p = 0.4374). The ACE-27 score was a more significant prognostic factor than the type of surgical procedure, as well as consolidation/tumor ratio and nodal metastatic status. CONCLUSIONS The severity of preoperative comorbidities is a significant prognostic factor, and SR as a compromise surgical procedure may provide promising short- and long-term outcomes in selected geriatric patients with clinical stage I lung cancer.

A novel suction-based lung-stabilizing device for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical procedures

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has become more commonly used in recent years. To provide a sufficient field of view during these procedures, surgeons must manipulate the lung using conventional devices such as cotton-tipped medical applicators and graspers. However, medical applicators are unable to pull on the target lung lobes, and graspers can damage the lung tissue. We developed a novel suction-based lung-stabilizing silicon device to easily and safely manipulate the lung in order to provide an optimal view during VATS procedures. Here, we describe the use of this device to successfully perform VATS lobectomy in a clinical setting.

Diagnostic yield of electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy: results of initial 35 cases in a Japanese institute

Background Electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy (ENB) is a new bronchoscopic technique for navigational transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) that guides the sheath to the target lesion in real time. Herein, we report our experience with this navigational system, its diagnostic yields, and associated complications. Methods A single-center, single-operator retrospective chart review was performed. We included 35 consecutive patients who underwent ENB with superDimensionTM (Medtronic, MN, USA) for the diagnosis of pulmonary lesions from February 2016 to May 2017 in Kyoto University Hospital. The size of the target lesion varied from 8 to 25 mm (median, 15.28±5.48 mm). All ENB procedures were performed under conscious sedation using 2 to 10 mg midazolam and 1 to 10 mg morphine hydrochloride. No fluoroscopic guide was employed except in three cases. Results A total of 25 patients were diagnosed via ENB, yielding a diagnostic rate of 71.4% (25/35). The average lesion size of the diagnosed group was 16.44±5.44 mm (range, 8-25 mm). Eighteen cases were diagnosed as primary lung cancer, 3 were metastatic lung cancer, and 4 were inflammatory diseases. The average lesion size of the 10 undiagnosed cases was 12.40±5.21 mm (range, 8-24 mm). The lesion size of the undiagnosed group was significantly smaller than that of the diagnosed group (P=0.02). The average time required for the procedure was 16.78±9.57 minutes (range, 3-46 minutes), independent of the diagnosis, the lesion size, and the tumor location. We encountered one pneumothorax which required chest drainage and one hemopneumothorax which required non-elective thoracotomy and wedge resection. One patient developed high fever over 38 °C for one day following the procedure. Conclusions In our initial series of 35 cases, ENB-guided TBLB showed an acceptable diagnostic yield.

Development of a socket-type rib coaptation device made of poly- L-lactide fibers: feasibility study in a canine model

Background Costal coaptation pins made of poly-L-lactide (PLA) are clinically available for fixing surgically divided ribs. However, the clinical results of such rib fixation have not been completely satisfactory. We aimed to develop a new rib coaptation socket system and explore its clinical applicability. Methods We surgically divided three consecutive ribs of each beagle dog, and rib coaptation sockets were implanted to stabilize each rib. Fifteen 3-dimensional (3D)-printed and 30 PLA fiber knitted sockets were implanted in five and ten dogs, respectively, to stabilize the artificially divided ribs. Mechanical analysis of the sockets and radiographical examination of costal fixation were performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the newly developed socket system for rib stabilization. Results All 15 ribs with 3D-printed sockets had displaced 1 month after the operation. Three ribs in one dog with implanted PLA fiber knitted sockets were displaced radiographically after 1 month, and the grade of displacement remained unchanged after 6 months. The remaining 27 ribs fixed with PLA fiber knitted sockets did not show any displacement. Conclusions The PLA fiber knitted rib coaptation socket system was sufficiently durable for the stabilization of divided ribs with biocompatibility. This promising finding can be applied for clinical stabilization of divided ribs.