OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy of thoracoscopic minimally invasive surgery with nickel-titanium shape memory alloy wrap bone plate versus rib periosteal internal fixation in patients with multiple rib fractures (MRF) and flail chest. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 100 patients with MRF and flail chest treated with thoracoscopic minimally invasive surgery and internal fixation with rib fracture preservation between January 2019 and December 2022, including 54 males and 46 females, aged from 20 to 65 years old, with an average age of (38.0±18.0)years old. The duration of the disease ranged from 8 to 21 days. According to the different surgical methods, the patients were divided into control group and study group, with 50 patients in each group. The control group consisted of 23 males and 27 females, with an average age of (38.35±18.05) years old, who underwent rib preservation periosteal internal fixation. In the study group, there were 31 males and 19 females, with an average age of (38.15±17.99) years old, treated with thoracoscopic nickel-titanium shape memory alloy circumferential bone plate. The pulmonary function indices, electrocardiographic monitoring indices, pain severity, levels of inflammatory factors, complications, rehabilitation indices, and therapeutic efficacy were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 6 months. After 3 days of treatment, the heart rate of both groups was (102.43±13.74) beats per minute vs (86.26±8.06) beats per minute, respiratory rate (28.45±3.40) breaths per minute vs (22.05±2.85) breaths per minute, blood oxygen saturation (89.68±3.66)% vs (98.46±4.84)%, rest pain (3.5±0.5) points vs (2.6±0.6) points, movement pain (3.6±0.5) points vs (2.5±0.5) points, and these differences were statistically significant(P<0.05). The levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) (102.30±17.00) pg·ml^-1 vs (85.68±21.20) pg·ml^-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)(33.44±4.85) pg·ml^-1 vs (18.14±4.28) pg·ml^-1 in both groups exhibited an increase post-treatment, while the C-reactive protein (CRP) (75.51±10.54) mg·L^-1 vs (60.75±9.84) mg·L^-1 demonstrated a decrease compared to pre-treatment levels. Furthermore, the study group displayed significantly lower levels than the control group (P<0.05). After 10 days of treatment, the peak expiratory flow rate (3.31±0.52) L·s^-1 vs (5.69±0.74) L·s^-1, forced expiratory volume (1.46±0.29) L vs (2.06±0.38) L, and forced vital capacity (2.68±0.95) L vs (4.26±1.05) L of both groups exhibited significant improvements compared to pre-treatment levels. Moreover, the study group demonstrated significantly higher values than the control group (P<0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications in the study group was significantly lower compared to the control group (6 cases vs 14 cases, P<0.05). Additionally, the duration of bone callus formation(9.50±1.40) days and fracture healing (72.20±8.32) days in the study group was significantly shorter compared to the control group(11.35±2.15) days, (93.70±9.90) days (P<0.001). CONCLUSION Compared with traditional rib-preserving internal fixation, patients with MRF and flail chest treated with minimally invasive internal fixation with thoracoscopic nickel-titanium shape memory alloy surround bone plate have better therapeutic effect, because of less surgical trauma, less pain and inflammatory reaction, fewer postoperative pulmonary complications, faster and better recovery of lung function, and thus promote the recovery of patients.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Rib Fractures/surgery* ; Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Flail Chest/surgery* ; Thoracoscopy/methods* ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods*

The implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols has led to increased interest in nonintubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (NIVATS), especially in patients with compromised pulmonary function. We present a case of a 62-year-old female with stage IIIA breast cancer and pulmonary bronchiectasis who underwent right-sided wedge resection via NIVATS. A two-level thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) at T4 and T6 using 0.4% isobaric bupivacaine with epinephrine was performed, resulting in sensory block from T2 to T7. An intrathoracic vagal block with 0.5% bupivacaine was administered to prevent cough. Sedation was maintained with dexmedetomidine and remifentanil. Surgery lasted 83 minutes with no complications. Postoperatively, pain was minimal (NRS 0–2), the patient mobilized within 6 hours and was discharged the next day. This case highlights the feasibility and safety of TPVB-based NIVATS in a high-risk patient, aligning with ERAS goals of enabling early recovery, avoiding airway instrumentation and minimizing opioid use.

The implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols has led to increased interest in nonintubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (NIVATS), especially in patients with compromised pulmonary function. We present a case of a 62-year-old female with stage IIIA breast cancer and pulmonary bronchiectasis who underwent right-sided wedge resection via NIVATS. A two-level thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) at T4 and T6 using 0.4% isobaric bupivacaine with epinephrine was performed, resulting in sensory block from T2 to T7. An intrathoracic vagal block with 0.5% bupivacaine was administered to prevent cough. Sedation was maintained with dexmedetomidine and remifentanil. Surgery lasted 83 minutes with no complications. Postoperatively, pain was minimal (NRS 0–2), the patient mobilized within 6 hours and was discharged the next day. This case highlights the feasibility and safety of TPVB-based NIVATS in a high-risk patient, aligning with ERAS goals of enabling early recovery, avoiding airway instrumentation and minimizing opioid use.

The implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols has led to increased interest in nonintubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (NIVATS), especially in patients with compromised pulmonary function. We present a case of a 62-year-old female with stage IIIA breast cancer and pulmonary bronchiectasis who underwent right-sided wedge resection via NIVATS. A two-level thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) at T4 and T6 using 0.4% isobaric bupivacaine with epinephrine was performed, resulting in sensory block from T2 to T7. An intrathoracic vagal block with 0.5% bupivacaine was administered to prevent cough. Sedation was maintained with dexmedetomidine and remifentanil. Surgery lasted 83 minutes with no complications. Postoperatively, pain was minimal (NRS 0–2), the patient mobilized within 6 hours and was discharged the next day. This case highlights the feasibility and safety of TPVB-based NIVATS in a high-risk patient, aligning with ERAS goals of enabling early recovery, avoiding airway instrumentation and minimizing opioid use.

Objective: To examine the safety and effectiveness of inflatable video-assisted mediastinoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy (IVMTE). Methods: Totally 269 patients admitted to the Anhui Provincial Hospital of Anhui Medical University who underwent IVMTE (IVMTE group, n=47) or thoracoscopy combined with minimally invasive Mckeown esophageal cancer resection (MIME group, n=222) from September 2017 to December 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 31 males and 16 females in IVMTE group, aged (68.6±7.5) years (range: 54 to 87 years). There were 159 males and 63 females in MIME group, aged (66.8±8.8) years (range: 42 to 93 years). A 1∶1 match was performed on both groups by propensity score matching, with 38 cases in each group. The intraoperative conditions and postoperative complication rates of the two groups were compared by t test, Wilcoxon rank, χ² test, or Fisher exact probability method. Results: Patients in IVMTE group had less intraoperative bleeding ((96.0±39.2) ml vs. (123.8±49.3) ml, t=-2.627, P=0.011), shorter operation time ((239.1±47.3) minutes vs. (264.2±57.2) minutes, t=-2.086, P=0.040), and less drainage 3 days after surgery (85(89) ml vs. 675(573) ml, Z=-7.575, P<0.01) compared with that of MIME group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of drainage tube-belt time, postoperative hospital stay, and lymph node dissection stations and numbers (all P>0.05). The incidence of Clavien-Dindo grade 1 to 2 pulmonary infection (7.9%(3/38) vs. 31.6%(12/38), χ²=6.728, P=0.009), total complications (21.1%(8/38) vs. 47.4%(18/38), χ²=5.846, P=0.016) and total lung complications (13.2%(5/38) vs. 42.1%(16/38), χ²=7.962, P=0.005) in the IVMTE group were significantly lower. Conclusion: Inflatable video-assisted mediastinoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy combined with laparoscopic esophagectomy is safe and feasible, which can reach the same range of oncology as thoracoscopic surgery.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Esophagectomy/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Laparoscopy ; Thoracoscopy ; Lymph Node Excision/methods* ; Esophageal Neoplasms/surgery* ; Postoperative Complications

Humans ; Thoracoscopy ; Spine/surgery* ; Neoplasms ; Thoracic Vertebrae/surgery*

Objective: We aimed to explore the feasibility of a single-port thoracoscopy- assisted five-step laparoscopic procedure via transabdominal diaphragmatic(TD) approach(abbreviated as five-step maneuver) for No.111 lymphadenectomy in patients with Siewert type II esophageal gastric junction adenocarcinoma (AEG). Methods: This was a descriptive case series study. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) age 18-80 years; (2) diagnosis of Siewert type II AEG; (3) clinical tumor stage cT2-4aNanyM0; (4) meeting indications of the transthoracic single-port assisted laparoscopic five-step procedure incorporating lower mediastinal lymph node dissection via a TD approach; (5) Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) 0-1; and (6) American Society of Anesthesiologists classification I, II, or III. The exclusion criteria included previous esophageal or gastric surgery, other cancers within the previous 5 years, pregnancy or lactation, and serious medical conditions. We retrospectively collected and analyzed the clinical data of 17 patients (age [mean ± SD], [63.6±11.9] years; and 12 men) who met the inclusion criteria in the Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine from January 2022 to September 2022. No.111 lymphadenectomy was performed using five-step maneuver as follows: superior to the diaphragm, starting caudad to the pericardium, along the direction of the cardio-phrenic angle and ending at the upper part of the cardio-phrenic angle, right to the right pleura and left to the fibrous pericardium , completely exposing the cardio-phrenic angle. The primary outcome includes the numbers of harvested and of positive No.111 lymph nodes. Results: Seventeen patients (3 proximal gastrectomy and 14 total gastrectomy) had undergone the five-step maneuver including lower mediastinal lymphadenectomy without conversion to laparotomy or thoracotomy and all had achieved R0 resection with no perioperative deaths. The total operative time was (268.2±32.9) minutes, and the lower mediastinal lymph node dissection time was (34.0±6.0) minutes. The median estimated blood loss was 50 (20-350) ml. A median of 7 (2-17) mediastinal lymph nodes and 2(0-6) No. 111 lymph nodes were harvested. No. 111 lymph node metastasis was identified in 1 patient. The time to first flatus occurred 3 (2-4) days postoperatively and thoracic drainage was used for 7 (4-15) days. The median postoperative hospital stay was 9 (6-16) days. One patient had a chylous fistula that resolved with conservative treatment. No serious complications occurred in any patient. Conclusion: The single-port thoracoscopy-assisted five-step laparoscopic procedure via a TD approach can facilitate No. 111 lymphadenectomy with few complications.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Diaphragm/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Feasibility Studies ; Esophagogastric Junction/surgery* ; Lymph Node Excision/methods* ; Stomach Neoplasms/pathology* ; Laparoscopy/methods* ; Gastrectomy/methods* ; Esophageal Neoplasms/pathology* ; Adenocarcinoma/pathology* ; Thoracoscopy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of inverse ratio ventilation (IRV) combined with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in infants undergoing thoracoscopic surgery with single lung ventilation (OLV) for lung cystadenomas. METHODS: A total of 66 infants undergoing thoracoscopic surgery with OLV for lung cystadenomas in our hospital from February, 2018 to February, 2019 were randomized into conventional ventilation groups (group N, =33) and inverse ventilation group (group R, =33). Hemodynamics and respiratory parameters of the infants were recorded and arterial blood gas analysis was performed at 15 min after two lung ventilation (TLV) (T), OLV30 min (T), OLV60 min (T), and 15 min after recovery of TLV (T). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected before and after surgery to detect the expression level of advanced glycation end product receptor (RAGE). RESULTS: Sixty-three infants were finally included in this study. At T and T, Cdyn, PaO and OI in group R were significantly higher ( < 0.05) and Ppeak, PaCO and PA-aO were significantly lower than those in group N ( < 0.05). There was no significant difference in HR or MAP between the two groups at T and T ( > 0.05). The level of RAGE significantly increased after the surgery in both groups ( < 0.05), and was significantly lower in R group than in N group ( < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In infants undergoing thoracoscopic surgery with OLV for pulmonary cystadenoma, appropriate IRV combined with PEEP does not affect hemodynamic stability and can increases pulmonary compliance, reduce the peak pressure, and improve oxygenation to provide pulmonary protection.
Cystadenoma ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Lung ; surgery ; One-Lung Ventilation ; Positive-Pressure Respiration ; Thoracoscopy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of inverse ratio ventilation (IRV) combined with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in infants undergoing thoracoscopic surgery with single lung ventilation (OLV) for lung cystadenomas. METHODS: A total of 66 infants undergoing thoracoscopic surgery with OLV for lung cystadenomas in our hospital from February, 2018 to February, 2019 were randomized into conventional ventilation groups (group N, =33) and inverse ventilation group (group R, =33). Hemodynamics and respiratory parameters of the infants were recorded and arterial blood gas analysis was performed at 15 min after two lung ventilation (TLV) (T), OLV30 min (T), OLV60 min (T), and 15 min after recovery of TLV (T). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected before and after surgery to detect the expression level of advanced glycation end product receptor (RAGE). RESULTS: Sixty-three infants were finally included in this study. At T and T, Cdyn, PaO and OI in group R were significantly higher ( < 0.05) and Ppeak, PaCO and PA-aO were significantly lower than those in group N ( < 0.05). There was no significant difference in HR or MAP between the two groups at T and T ( > 0.05). The level of RAGE significantly increased after the surgery in both groups ( < 0.05), and was significantly lower in R group than in N group ( < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In infants undergoing thoracoscopic surgery with OLV for pulmonary cystadenoma, appropriate IRV combined with PEEP does not affect hemodynamic stability and can increases pulmonary compliance, reduce the peak pressure, and improve oxygenation to provide pulmonary protection.
Cystadenoma ; therapy ; Humans ; Infant ; Lung ; One-Lung Ventilation ; Positive-Pressure Respiration ; Thoracoscopy

The ongoing pandemic of COVID-19 has presented multiple challenges to global healthcare services, dictating changes in almost every aspect of daily medical practice. Performing aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) in the field of interventional pulmonology can lead to profound formation of aerosols, leading to a high risk of infection among healthcare workers (HCWs). We share our experiences on performing AGPs in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic by focusing on changes in AGP practices. In a pandemic, HCWs ought to adapt to the ever-changing situation and use available resources to provide the best possible healthcare to patients, ensure safety of staff, and continue medical education of future pulmonologists.
Aerosols ; Bronchoscopy/trends* ; COVID-19/transmission* ; COVID-19 Testing ; Humans ; Infection Control/trends* ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional/prevention & control* ; Malaysia ; Practice Patterns, Physicians'/trends* ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Thoracoscopy/trends*