Objective To compare the mid- and long-term clinical results of mitral valve plasty (MVP) and mitral valve replacement (MVR) in the treatment of functional mitral regurgitation (FMR). Methods Patients with FMR who underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from 2012 to 2021 were collected. The patients who underwent MVP were divided into a MVP group, and those who underwent MVR into a MVR group. The clinical data and mid-term follow-up efficacy of two groups were compared. Results Finally 236 patients were included. There were 100 patients in the MVP group, including 53 males and 47 females, with an average age of (61.80±8.03) years. There were 136 patients in the MVR group, including 72 males and 64 females, with an average age of (61.29±8.97) years. There was no statistical difference in baseline data between the two groups (P＞0.05). There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the extracorporeal circulation time, aortic occlusion time, postoperative hospital and ICU stay, intraoperative blood loss, or hospitalization death (P＞0.05), but the time of mechanical ventilation in the MVP group was significantly shorter than that in the MVR group (P=0.022). The total follow-up rate was 100.0%, the longest follow-up was 10 years, and the average follow-up time was (3.60±2.55) years. There were statistical differences in the left atrial diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter and cardiac function between the two groups compared with those before surgery (P<0.05). The postoperative left ventricular ejection fraction in the MVP group was statistically higher than that before surgery (P=0.002), but there was no statistical difference in the MVR group before and after surgery (P=0.658). The left atrial diameter in the MVP group was reduced compared with the MVR group (P=0.026). The recurrence rate of mitral regurgitation in the MVP group was higher than that in the MVR group, and the difference was statistically significant (10.0% vs. 1.5%, P=0.003). There were 14 deaths in the MVP group and 19 in the MVR group. The cumulative survival rate (P=0.605) and cardiovascular events-free survival rate (P=0.875) were not statistically significant between the two groups by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Conclusion The safety, and mid- and long-term clinical efficacy of MVP in the treatment of FMR patients are better than MVR, and the left atrial and left ventricular diameters are statistically reduced, and cardiac function is statistically improved. However, the surgeon needs to be well aware of the indications for the MVP procedure to reduce the rate of mitral regurgitation recurrence.

With the widespread adoption of low-dose CT screening and the extensive application of high-resolution CT, the detection rate of sub-centimeter lung nodules has significantly increased. How to scientifically manage these nodules while avoiding overtreatment and diagnostic delays has become an important clinical issue. Among them, lung nodules with a consolidation tumor ratio less than 0.25, dominated by ground-glass shadows, are particularly worthy of attention. The therapeutic challenge for this group is how to achieve precise and complete resection of nodules during surgery while maximizing the preservation of the patient&#39;s lung function. The "watershed topography map" is a new technology based on big data and artificial intelligence algorithms. This method uses Dicom data from conventional dose CT scans, combined with microscopic (22-24 levels) capillary network anatomical watershed features, to generate high-precision simulated natural segmentation planes of lung sub-segments through specific textures and forms. This technology forms fluorescent watershed boundaries on the lung surface, which highly fit the actual lung anatomical structure. By analyzing the adjacent relationship between the nodule and the watershed boundary, real-time, visually accurate positioning of the nodule can be achieved. This innovative technology provides a new solution for the intraoperative positioning and resection of lung nodules. This consensus was led by four major domestic societies, jointly with expert teams in related fields, oriented to clinical practical needs, referring to domestic and foreign guidelines and consensus, and finally formed after multiple rounds of consultation, discussion, and voting. The main content covers the theoretical basis of the "watershed topography map" technology, indications, operation procedures, surgical planning details, and postoperative evaluation standards, aiming to provide scientific guidance and exploration directions for clinical peers who are currently or plan to carry out lung nodule resection using the fluorescent microscope watershed analysis method.

Objective    To analyze a new classification of the left apicoposterior segmental bronchus and summarize its clinical significance. Methods     We accessed the computed tomography imaging data of the inpatients treated in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Henan Provincial People&#39;s Hospital between January and November 2021. We observed and classified the branching pattern of the left apicoposterior segmental bronchus (B1+2) using three-dimensional computed tomography bronchography and angiography (3D-CTBA) technique. And we filtered out the patients who underwent thoracoscopic left apicoposterior segmentectomy and analyzed their clinical data retrospectively to summarize the instructing significance of different bronchial classification in the accurate and safe operation of left apicoposterior segmentectomy. Results     Finally 240 patients were collected, including 131 males and 109 females with a median age of 51.0 (19.0-77.0) years. The anatomical pattern of the left apicoposterior segmental bronchus was divided into four main types based on the branching pattern of the outer subsegmental bronchi (B1+2c): type Ⅰ 10% (24 patients), type Ⅱ 54% (130 patients) , type Ⅲ 17% (40 patients) , type Ⅳ 18% (43 patients) and other variations 1% (3 patients). Thirty-two patients smoothly underwent thoracoscopic left apicoposterior segmentectomy, including 23 patients of type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ receiving LS1+2 resection, the other 9 patients of type Ⅲ and type Ⅳ receiving LS1+2 resection (3 patients), LS1+2c resection (4 patients) and LS1+2(a+b) resection (2 patients). Conclusion     This new classification systematically and concisely elucidates the branching characteristics of the left apicoposterior bronchus. Different branching types are instructive to the left apicoposterior segmentectomy.

Mitral valve replacement is one of the most common heart valve surgeries in China. In recent years, with the increase in degenerative valve diseases, older patients, and the progress of anti-calcification technology of biological valves, the proportion of mitral valve biological valve replacement has been increasing year by year. After the damage of traditional mitral valve biological valves, re-operation of valve replacement with thoracotomy is required. However, the adhesion between the heart and sternum, as well as the damage caused by cardiopulmonary bypass and cardiac arrest, can cause significant trauma to elderly patients and those with multiple organ dysfunction, leading to increased mortality and complication rates. In recent years, interventional valve surgery, especially transcatheter valve-in-valve surgery, has developed rapidly. This procedure can correct the damaged mitral valve function without stopping the heart, but there are still many differences between its technical process and conventional aortic valve replacement surgery. Therefore, organizing and writing multicenter expert recommendations on the technical process of transcatheter valve-in-valve surgery for damaged mitral valve biological valves is of great significance for the training and promotion of this technology.

Objective To investigate the benefits of using a stapler tractor in the treatment of segmental bronchus during lung segmentectomy through detailed video replay analysis of surgical procedures. Methods We collected data from patients who underwent segmentectomy performed by the same surgical team in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, from November 2020 to August 2023. After excluding data that lacked analysis parameters, the remaining patients were divided into four groups based on the methods used for dissociating segmental bronchus: a stapler tractor group (group A), a stapler with bronchial stretching group (group B), a stapler only group (group C), and a silk ligature group (group D). Then, we compared baseline data and videotaped surgical details across all groups. Surgical details included the success rate of one-time segmental bronchus dissociation and severance, the time taken for successful one-time dissociation and severance of the segmental bronchus, the incidence of bleeding during bronchus dissociation, the conversion rate to thoracotomy during surgery, and surgical outcomes such as total operative time, postoperative hospitalization days, postoperative thoracic drainage volume, and pulmonary air leakage rate. Results The study included 325 patients (203 in the group A, 62 in the group B, 29 in the group C, and 31 in the group D). There was no statistically significant difference in baseline data among the four groups. However, significant differences were found in terms of total operation time, postoperative hospitalization days, intraoperative blood loss, segmental bronchial stump length, postoperative air leakage rate, hemorrhage rate during segmental bronchial dissociation, and conversion to thoracotomy rate among the four groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Using a stapler tractor for dissociating segmental bronchus in lung segmentectomy results in shorter operative time, less risk of intraoperative bleeding, and less surgical complications. This study provides valuable evaluation methodologies through the analysis of video replay surgical details, contributing to the improvement of lung segmentectomy quality.

We reported a 26-year-old male who was diagnosed with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with left ventricular aneurysm. The location of the hypertrophic myocardium and the extent of resection were accurately assessed preoperatively using 3D modeling and printing technology. Myectomy was performed via transapical approach, and the intraoperative exploration was consistent with the description of the preoperative 3D modeling. The patient underwent the surgery successfully without any complications during the hospitalization, and the cardiopulmonary bypass time was 117 min, the aortic cross-clamping time was 57 min, and the hospital stay time was 7 d. The postoperative echocardiography demonstrated left ventricular cavity flow patency. This case provides a reference for the management of patients with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Objective    To determine the clinical efficacy of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for severe aortic regurgitation (AR) combined with severe mitral regurgitation (MR). Methods    The clinical data of 13 patients who underwent TAVR due to severe AR combined with severe MR from March 2018 to September 2021 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed, including 10 males and 3 females with a mean age of 72.54±2.35 years. The echocardiographic findings of all patients were compared preoperatively and postoperatively. Results    Surgeries were performed successfully in all patients without intraoperative death or conversion to sternotomy. The operation time was 118.15±11.42 min, intraoperative blood loss was 100.00 (75.00, 250.00) mL, and the length of hospital stay after surgery was 9.00 (4.50, 11.00) d. The mean follow-up duration was 10.00 (6.50, 38.50) months, during which there were 2 patients with mild to moderate AR, 6 with mild AR, and 5 with no AR; meanwhile, severe MR decreased significantly (P=0.001) even without active intervention, including 4 mild to moderate MR and 9 mild MR patients. Compared to preoperative indexes, the left atrial diameter [46.00 (41.00, 52.50) mm vs. 35.00 (34.00, 41.00) mm, P<0.001], left ventricular end-systolic diameter [45.00 (36.00, 56.00) mm vs. 35.00 (28.00, 39.00) mm, P=0.002] and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (62.62±2.40 mm vs. 51.08±2.49 mm, P<0.001) showed a decreasing trend during the follow-up. Conclusion    In selected patients with severe AR combined with severe MR, TAVR alone improves AR and combined MR at the same time.

An 81-year-old male patient was admitted to Guangdong Provincial People&#39;s Hospital due to chest distress and shortness of breath after activity for half a year. Examination after admission revealed severe aortic insufficiency, tricuspid aortic valve and extremely horizontal aorta with an aortic root angulation of 99°. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons score was 7%. And taking the strong demand of the patient and his family into consideration, we decided to perform transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement after multidisciplinary evaluation. The procedure was successfully performed by means of low deployment land zone and traction of pre-exist Prolene suture. Three-month follow-up confirmed the normal function of aortic prosthetic valve without residual regurgitation. This case provides a reference for the interventional treatment in patients with extremely horizontal aorta.

Objective    To reveal and demonstrate the hotspots and further research directions in screening technology for early lung cancer, and provide references for the future studies. Methods    Researches related to lung cancer screening from 2011 to 2021 in the Web of Science database were included. Biblioshiny, a bibliometrics program based on R language, was used to perform content analysis and visualization of the included literature information. Results    Researches related to lung cancer screening were increasing year by year. Six major cooperation groups were formed between countries. The current research hotspots in the field of early lung cancer screening technology mainly focused on the multi-directional fusion of radiographic imaging, liquid biopsy and artificial intelligence. Conclusion    Low-dose spiral CT screening is still the most important and mainstream method for the screening of early lung cancer at present. The combination and integration of artificial intelligence with various screening methods and the innovation of novel testing and diagnostic equipment are the current research hotspots and the future research trend in this field.

Objective    To determine the clinical efficacy of transapical transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve treatment for patients with deteriorated mitral bioprosthesis after aortic-mitral double valve replacement. Methods    The clinical data of 9 patients who underwent transapical transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve implantation after aortic-mitral double valve replacement due to mitral bioprosthesis deterioration from May 2020 to January 2021 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed, including 4 males and 5 females with a mean age of 72.44±7.57 years. Results    Surgeries were performed successfully in all patients with no conversion to median sternotomy. The mean procedural time was 101.33±48.49 min, the mechanical ventilation time was 23.11±26.54 h, the ICU stay was 1.89±1.05 d and the postoperative hospital stay was 6.11±2.02 d. Residual mild mitral regurgitation was only observed in 1 patient. Only 1 patient needed postoperative blood transfusion. No major complications were observed in all patients. There was no death in postoperative 90 days. Conclusion    For patients with deteriorated mitral bioprosthesis after aortic-mitral double valve replacement, transapical transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve implantation achieves good clinical results and effectively  improves the hemodynamics without increasing the risk of postoperative left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. The surgery is feasible and effective.