No abstract available.

A combined anterolateral and posterior approach with thoracotomy has been recommended as the traditional surgical approach for the tumors of the thoracic spine. Recently, because of the morbidity associated with open thoracotomy, the thoracoscopically assisted surgical technique was introduced successfully in thoracic spinal surgery. Herein, we report a combined surgical technique for giant cell tumor of the thoracic spine (T10) consisting of bilateral thoracoscopic anterior release of the spine followed by a posterior en bloc spondylectomy and reconstruction by orthopedic surgeons. The thoracoscopic spinal surgery is safe and effective alternative for other open thoracotomic procedures in the approach to the anterior thoracic spine, avoiding the disadvantage inherent to thoracotomy.
Giant Cell Tumors ; Orthopedics ; Spine* ; Thoracoscopy ; Thoracotomy

Neurogenic tumors of the brachial plexus region are relatively rare. We report a recent experience of schwannoma of the right brachial plexus in the inferior trunk, which was successfully treated by microsurgical resection. A 38-year- old man presented a dysesthetic pain in the supraclavicular area and the right forearm of C6, 7 dermatome. Rubbery hard mass was palpated in the right supraclavicular area and magnetic resonance imaging showed a well circumscribed, well enhanced ovoid mass with cystic degeneration on the right brachial plexus portion. The patient underwent complete removal of the mass through the anterior cervicothoracic (modified Dartevelle) approach. At the postoperative 3 months, there is no neurologic deficit.
Brachial Plexus* ; Forearm ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neurilemmoma* ; Neurologic Manifestations

BACKGROUND: During organ preservation and reperfusion, both cyclic adenosine monophos-phate(cAMP) and nitric oxide(NO) play a central role in maintaining pulmonary vascular homeostasis. However , both cAMP and NO levels decline markedly during pulmonary ischemia and reperfusion. In this study we prepared a new solution in which a cAMP analog(dibutyryl cAMP, db-cAMP) and a nitric oxide donor (nitroglycerin, NTG) were added to the conventional low potassium dextran(LPD) solution. We investigated the effects of addition of cAMP and/or NO in LPD solution for lung preservation and compared the effectiveness of the solutions. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Rabbit lung grafts(six per group) were studied in an isolated lung perfusion model. The heart-lung blocks were harvested after flushing in situ with only LPD solution(group I, n = 6), plus NTG(group II, n = 6), plus db-cAMP(group III, n = 6), or plus NTG and db-cAMP(group IV, n = 6), and were preserved at 10degreesC for 24 hours. The stored lungs were ventilated with 100% oxygen and reperfused with fresh venous blood at 38degreesC for 30 minutes. We assessed the lung functions and subsequent lung edema. Tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-alpha) and nitrite/nitrate(total NO production) levels were also measured. In addition, we evaluated histologic and ultrastructual changes of the reperfused lungs. RESULT: Although Group IV demonstrated the best lung preservation, the differences were not significant among group II, III and IV. Group Irevealed the worst lung functions and severe pulmonary edema(p<0.05 versus all other groups). Although group II showed better lung preservation than in group III, the differences were not significant. TNF-alpha release was significantly reduced in group IV than in group I after reperfusion(p<0.01). NO levels were significantly increased in groups II and IV than in groups I and III after reperfusion(p<0.001). However , there were no significant differences between groups I and III or between groups II and IV. NO levels decreased gradually in groups I and III(p<0.05). Histologic and ultrastructual studies showed better preservation of the alveolar-capillary barrier in groups II, III and IV than in group I. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrate that both of db-cAMP and NTG had beneficial effects on lung preservation with LPD solution, and there was no difference in the effect of each component. Especially, we expect that combined supplementation of db-cAMP and NTG will preserve better vascular homeostasis and minimize reperfusion inj ury after ischemic cold storage.
Adenosine Monophosphate* ; Adenosine* ; Dextrans* ; Edema ; Flushing ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Lung* ; Nitric Oxide* ; Organ Preservation ; Oxygen ; Perfusion* ; Potassium* ; Reperfusion ; Reperfusion Injury ; Tissue Donors ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Minimally invasive thoracic surgery has been one of the most important surgical advances recently. Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung is a relatively rare anomaly and is clearly associated with various congenital anomalies such as pectus excavatum, cardiac and pulmonary vascular lesions. We have experienced a case that was treated with minimal invasive methods for congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation involving in the right lower lobe and pectus excavatum in a 5-year-old boy. We simultaneously performed thoracoscopic right lower lobectomy and Nuss procedure of pectus excavatum using a substernal steel bar. Therefore, a minimally invasive surgical treatment for this diseases is feasible and cosmetically excellent.
Child, Preschool ; Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation of Lung, Congenital* ; Funnel Chest* ; Humans ; Lung ; Male ; Steel ; Surgical Procedures, Minimally Invasive ; Thoracic Surgery ; Thoracoscopy

Bronchogenic cysts (BCs) are relatively common congenital anomalies in the mediastinum. Most of the patients with BC can be managed both safely and effectively by minimally invasive methods. Selected patients with a BC in a favorable location can have the cyst partially or completely excised by mediastinoscopic techniques. Herein we report on a case of a left lower paratracheal bronchogenic cyst that was completely resected by a video-assisted mediastinoscopic technique, and we discuss the technical aspects of this procedure.
Bronchogenic Cyst ; Humans ; Mediastinal Diseases ; Mediastinoscopy ; Mediastinum

Unilateral reexpansion pulmonary edema(RPE) is generally considered a rare complication, occurring when a chronically atelectatic lung is rapidly reexpanded by tube thoracostomy or thoracentesis. It can also take place when the lung collapse is of short duration or when the lung is reexpanded without intrapleural suction. We experienced a case of RPE following surgical resection in mediastinal thymic cyst. A 26 year old female patient suffered from long-standing atelectasis of the right lung due to a huge mediastinal cyst that was misrecognized as tuberculous pleural effusion. Empyema developed after iatrogenic rupture of mediastinal cyst by pig-tailed tube thoracostomy. We successfully managed the ruptured mediastinal thymic cyst, empyema and postoperatively developed RPE following reexpansion of the collapsed lung. The patient was treated with drugs and mechanical ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure for RPE. The remainder of her hospital course was uneventful.
Adult ; Empyema ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; Mediastinal Cyst* ; Mediastinal Neoplasms ; Pleural Effusion ; Positive-Pressure Respiration ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; Pulmonary Edema* ; Respiration, Artificial ; Rupture ; Suction ; Thoracostomy

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To introduce an endoscopic anterior release and posterior total spondylectomy, and the evaluation of its clinical efficacy. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: A total spondylectomy was introduced for the treatment of primary and metastatic tumors of the spine, with many authors having reported favorable clinical results with its use. Endoscopic surgery has been used for various spinal disorders, including disc diseases or scoliosis, and has been widely used as it offers a minimally invasive technique, with a small surgical incision and very few complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three primary spinal tumor cases were reviewed. The first case was a patient with a Ewing's sarcoma of the sacrum; the second was a giant cell tumor of the sacrum and the last was a giant cell tumor of the T10 vertebra. An endoscopic anterior release was initially performed, including the ligation and release of blood vessels, and soft tissue release, using laparoscopies for the 2 sacral tumors and a thoracoscopy for the thoracic tumor. The total spondylectomy were performed via a posterior approach. In two cases, the one with the Ewing's sarcoma of sacrum and the other with the giant cell tumor of the T10 vertebra, the reconstructions were performed using strut allografts and instrumentations. The average follow-up period was 19 months. RESULTS: Intraoperatively, the endoscopic anterior release made it possible to successful finish the anterior releases, with minimal incisions and blood losses. It also allowed a safer and faster posterior total spondylectomy, without significant complication. At the last follow-up, all patients had favorable clinical results, with no local recurrence in any case or fusions in the two cases that had to undergo reconstruction. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic anterior release and a posterior total spondylectomy was a favorable surgical procedure for primary tumors of spine. It made possible the safe and efficient finish the anterior release and posterior total excision of the affected vertebrae, using small incisions and with no complications.
Allografts ; Blood Vessels ; Follow-Up Studies ; Giant Cell Tumors ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Ligation ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Sacrum ; Sarcoma, Ewing ; Scoliosis ; Spine* ; Thoracoscopy

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To introduce an endoscopic anterior release and posterior total spondylectomy, and the evaluation of its clinical efficacy. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: A total spondylectomy was introduced for the treatment of primary and metastatic tumors of the spine, with many authors having reported favorable clinical results with its use. Endoscopic surgery has been used for various spinal disorders, including disc diseases or scoliosis, and has been widely used as it offers a minimally invasive technique, with a small surgical incision and very few complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three primary spinal tumor cases were reviewed. The first case was a patient with a Ewing's sarcoma of the sacrum; the second was a giant cell tumor of the sacrum and the last was a giant cell tumor of the T10 vertebra. An endoscopic anterior release was initially performed, including the ligation and release of blood vessels, and soft tissue release, using laparoscopies for the 2 sacral tumors and a thoracoscopy for the thoracic tumor. The total spondylectomy were performed via a posterior approach. In two cases, the one with the Ewing's sarcoma of sacrum and the other with the giant cell tumor of the T10 vertebra, the reconstructions were performed using strut allografts and instrumentations. The average follow-up period was 19 months. RESULTS: Intraoperatively, the endoscopic anterior release made it possible to successful finish the anterior releases, with minimal incisions and blood losses. It also allowed a safer and faster posterior total spondylectomy, without significant complication. At the last follow-up, all patients had favorable clinical results, with no local recurrence in any case or fusions in the two cases that had to undergo reconstruction. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic anterior release and a posterior total spondylectomy was a favorable surgical procedure for primary tumors of spine. It made possible the safe and efficient finish the anterior release and posterior total excision of the affected vertebrae, using small incisions and with no complications.
Allografts ; Blood Vessels ; Follow-Up Studies ; Giant Cell Tumors ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Ligation ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Sacrum ; Sarcoma, Ewing ; Scoliosis ; Spine* ; Thoracoscopy

No abstract available.
Lung*