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SUMMARY Cyclic Cushing's syndrome (CS) due to thymic carcinoid is a rare disorder. We report a case of cyclic CS due to ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting atypical thymic carcinoid tumor and reviewed similar cases published in the literature. Our patient had hypercortisolemia lasting approximately one month, followed by normal cortisol secretion, with relapse one year later. Histopathology revealed an atypical ACTH-positive thymic carcinoid. Ectopic CS can be derived from atypical thymic carcinoids, which can be aggressive tumors with early relapse, suggesting that this type of tumor probably needs aggressive treatment.

Objective: in Latin America, especially Brazil, the use of a robotic platform for thoracic surgery is gradually increasing in recent years. However, despite tuberculosis and inflammatory pulmonary diseases are endemic in our country, there is a lack of studies describing the results of robotic surgical treatment of bronchiectasis. This study aims to evaluate the surgical outcomes of robotic surgery for inflammatory and infective diseases by determining the extent of resection, postoperative complications, operative time, and length of hospital stay. Methods: retrospective study from a database involving patients diagnosed with bronchiectasis and undergoing robotic thoracic surgery at three hospitals in Brazil between January of 2017 and January of 2020. Results: a total of 7 patients were included. The mean age was 47 + 18.3 years (range, 18-70 years). Most patients had non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (n=5), followed by tuberculosis bronchiectasis (n=1) and lung abscess (n=1). The performed surgeries were lobectomy (n=3), anatomic segmentectomy (n=3), and bilobectomy (n=1). The median console time was 147 minutes (range 61-288 min.) and there was no need for conversion to open thoracotomy. There were no major complications. Postoperative complications occurred in one patient and it was a case of constipation with the need for an intestinal lavage. The median for chest tube time and hospital stay, in days, was 1 (range, 1-6 days) and 5 (range, 2-14 days) respectively. Conclusions: robotic thoracic surgery for inflammatory and infective diseases is a feasible and safe procedure, with a low risk of complications and morbidity. RESUMO Objetivo: na América Latina, especialmente no Brasil, a adoção da plataforma robótica para cirurgia torácica está aumentando gradativamente nos últimos anos. No entanto, apesar da tuberculose e doenças pulmonares inflamatórias serem endêmicas em nosso país, faltam estudos que descrevam os resultados do tratamento cirúrgico robótico das bronquiectasias. Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar os resultados cirúrgicos da cirurgia robótica para doenças inflamatórias e infecciosas, determinando a extensão da ressecção, complicações pós-operatórias, tempo operatório e tempo de internação hospitalar. Métodos: estudo retrospectivo a partir de um banco de dados envolvendo pacientes com diagnóstico de bronquiectasia e submetidos à cirurgia torácica robótica em três hospitais brasileiros entre janeiro de 2017 e janeiro de 2020. Resultados: foram incluídos 7 pacientes. A média de idade foi 47 + 18,3 anos (variação, 18-70 anos). A maioria dos pacientes apresentou bronquiectasia não fibrose cística (n=5), seguida de bronquiectasia tuberculosa (n=1) e abscesso pulmonar (n=1). As cirurgias realizadas foram lobectomia (n=3), segmentectomia anatômica (n=3) e bilobectomia (n=1). O tempo médio do console foi de 147 minutos (variação de 61-288 min.) e não houve necessidade de conversão para toracotomia. Complicação pós-operatória ocorreu em um paciente, tratando-se de obstipação com necessidade de lavagem intestinal. A mediana do tempo de drenagem torácica e internação hospitalar, em dias, foi de 1 (variação, 1-6 dias) e 5 (variação, 2-14 dias), respectivamente. Conclusões: a cirurgia torácica robótica para doenças inflamatórias e infecciosas é um procedimento viável e seguro, com baixo risco de complicações e morbidade.

Objective: To describe the morbidity, mortality, and rate of complete resection associated with robotic surgery for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer in Brazil, as well as to report the rates of overall survival and disease-free survival in patients so treated. Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung carcinoma and undergoing resection by robotic surgery at one of six hospitals in Brazil between February of 2015 and July of 2018. Data were collected retrospectively from the electronic medical records. Results: A total of 154 patients were included. The mean age was 65 ± 9.5 years (range, 30-85 years). The main histological diagnosis was adenocarcinoma, which was identified in 128 patients (81.5%), followed by epidermoid carcinoma, identified in 14 (9.0%). Lobectomy was performed in 133 patients (86.3%), and segmentectomy was performed in 21 (13.7%). The mean operative time was 209 ± 80 min. Postoperative complications occurred in 32 patients (20.4%). The main complication was air leak, which occurred in 15 patients (9.5%). The median (interquartile range) values for hospital stay and drainage time were 4 days (3-6 days) and 2 days (2-4 days), respectively. There was one death in the immediate postoperative period (30-day mortality rate, 0.5%). The mean follow-up period was 326 ± 274 days (range, 3-1,110 days). Complete resection was achieved in 97.4% of the cases. Overall mortality was 1.5% (3 deaths), and overall survival was 97.5%. Conclusions: Robotic pulmonary resection proved to be a safe treatment for lung cancer. Longer follow-up periods are required in order to assess long-term survival.

In the last decade, robotic video-assisted thoracic surgery (R-VATS) has grown significantly and consolidated as an alternative to video-assisted thoracic surgery. The objective of this study is to present the implementation as well as the experience with R-VATS accumulated by 2 Brazilian groups. We also compared the outcomes of procedures performed during the learning curve and after a more mature experience. Retrospective cohort study included all R-VATS procedures performed since April 2015 until April 2018. We describe the process of implantation of robotic surgery, highlighting the peculiarities and difficulties found in a developing country. Moreover, we reported our descriptive results and compared the first 60 patients to the subsequent cases. Two hundred and five patients included 101 females/104 males. Mean age was 61.7 years. There were hundred and sixty-four pulmonary resections, 39 resections of mediastinal lesions, 1 diaphragmatic plication, and 1 resection of a hilar tumor. Median operative times were 205 min for lung resections and 129 min for mediastinal. There was no conversion to VATS or thoracotomy or major intraoperative complications. Median length of stay was 3 days for pulmonary resections and 1 day for mediastinal. Postoperative complications occurred in 35 cases (17.0%)—prolonged air leak was the most common (17 cases). One fatality occurred in an elderly patient with pneumonia and sepsis (0.4%). Comparison of the first 60 patients (learning curve) with subsequent 145 patients (consolidated experience) showed significant differences in surgical and ICU time, both favoring consolidated experience. Our results were comparable to the literature. Robotic thoracic surgery can be safely and successfully implemented in tertiary hospitals in emerging countries provided that all stakeholders are involved and compromised with the implementation process.

to report our initial experience with pulmonary robotic segmentectomy, describing the surgical technique, the preferred positioning of portals, initial results and outcomes.we collected data, from a prospective robotic surgery database, on patients undergoing robotic segmentectomy between January 2017 and December 2018. All patients had lung cancer, primary or secondary, or benign diseases, and were operated on with the Da Vinci system, by the three portals technique plus one utilitarian incision of 3cm. We dissected the hilar structures individually and performed the ligatures of the arterial and venous branches, of the segmental bronchi, as well as a parenchymal transection, with endoscopic staplers. We carried out systematic dissection of mediastinal lymph nodes for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases.forty-nine patients, of whom 33 were women, underwent robotic segmentectomy. The average age was of 68 years. Most patients had NSCLC (n=34), followed by metastatic disease (n=11) and benign disease (n=4). There was no conversion to laparoscopic or open surgery, or to lobectomy. The median total operative time was 160 minutes, and the median console time, 117 minutes. Postoperative complications occurred in nine patients (18.3%), of whom seven (14.2%) had prolonged hospitalization (7 days) due to persistent air fistula (n=4; 8.1%) or abdominal complications (n=2.4%).robotic segmentectomy is a safe and viable procedure, offering a short period of hospitalization and low morbidity.relatar nossa experiência inicial com a segmentectomia robótica, descrevendo a técnica operatória, a colocação preferencial dos portais, os resultados iniciais e desfechos.dados clínicos de pacientes submetidos à segmentectomia robótica, entre janeiro de 2017 e dezembro de 2018, foram obtidos de um banco de dados prospectivo de cirurgia robótica. Todos os pacientes tinham câncer de pulmão, primário ou secundário, ou doenças benignas, e foram operados usando o sistema Da Vinci com a técnica de três portais mais uma incisão utilitária de 3cm. As estruturas hilares foram dissecadas individualmente e as ligaduras dos ramos arteriais e venosos, dos brônquios segmentares, assim como, a transecção do parênquima, realizadas com grampeadores endoscópicos. Dissecção sistemática dos linfonodos mediastinais foi realizada para os casos de câncer de pulmão não de pequenas células (CPNPC).quarenta e nove pacientes, dos quais 33 mulheres, foram submetidos à segmentectomia robótica. A média de idade foi de 68 anos. A maioria dos pacientes tinha CPNPC (n=34), seguido de doença metastática (n=11) e doenças benignas (n=4). Não houve conversão para cirurgia aberta ou vídeo, ou conversão para lobectomia. A mediana do tempo operatório total foi de 160 minutos e do tempo de console foi de 117 minutos. Complicações pós-operatórias ocorreram em nove pacientes (18,3%), dos quais sete (14,2%) tiveram internação prolongada (7 dias) devido à fístula aérea persistente (n=4; 8,1%) ou complicações abdominais (n=2; 4%).a segmentectomia robótica é um procedimento seguro e viável, oferecendo curto período de internação e baixa morbidade.

RESUMO Objetivo: relatar nossa experiência inicial com a segmentectomia robótica, descrevendo a técnica operatória, a colocação preferencial dos portais, os resultados iniciais e desfechos. Métodos: dados clínicos de pacientes submetidos à segmentectomia robótica, entre janeiro de 2017 e dezembro de 2018, foram obtidos de um banco de dados prospectivo de cirurgia robótica. Todos os pacientes tinham câncer de pulmão, primário ou secundário, ou doenças benignas, e foram operados usando o sistema Da Vinci com a técnica de três portais mais uma incisão utilitária de 3cm. As estruturas hilares foram dissecadas individualmente e as ligaduras dos ramos arteriais e venosos, dos brônquios segmentares, assim como, a transecção do parênquima, realizadas com grampeadores endoscópicos. Dissecção sistemática dos linfonodos mediastinais foi realizada para os casos de câncer de pulmão não de pequenas células (CPNPC). Resultados: quarenta e nove pacientes, dos quais 33 mulheres, foram submetidos à segmentectomia robótica. A média de idade foi de 68 anos. A maioria dos pacientes tinha CPNPC (n=34), seguido de doença metastática (n=11) e doenças benignas (n=4). Não houve conversão para cirurgia aberta ou vídeo, ou conversão para lobectomia. A mediana do tempo operatório total foi de 160 minutos e do tempo de console foi de 117 minutos. Complicações pós-operatórias ocorreram em nove pacientes (18,3%), dos quais sete (14,2%) tiveram internação prolongada (>7 dias) devido à fístula aérea persistente (n=4; 8,1%) ou complicações abdominais (n=2; 4%). Conclusão: a segmentectomia robótica é um procedimento seguro e viável, oferecendo curto período de internação e baixa morbidade. ABSTRACT Objective: to report our initial experience with pulmonary robotic segmentectomy, describing the surgical technique, the preferred positioning of portals, initial results and outcomes. Methods: we collected data, from a prospective robotic surgery database, on patients undergoing robotic segmentectomy between January 2017 and December 2018. All patients had lung cancer, primary or secondary, or benign diseases, and were operated on with the Da Vinci system, by the three portals technique plus one utilitarian incision of 3cm. We dissected the hilar structures individually and performed the ligatures of the arterial and venous branches, of the segmental bronchi, as well as a parenchymal transection, with endoscopic staplers. We carried out systematic dissection of mediastinal lymph nodes for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases. Results: forty-nine patients, of whom 33 were women, underwent robotic segmentectomy. The average age was of 68 years. Most patients had NSCLC (n=34), followed by metastatic disease (n=11) and benign disease (n=4). There was no conversion to laparoscopic or open surgery, or to lobectomy. The median total operative time was 160 minutes, and the median console time, 117 minutes. Postoperative complications occurred in nine patients (18.3%), of whom seven (14.2%) had prolonged hospitalization (>7 days) due to persistent air fistula (n=4; 8.1%) or abdominal complications (n=2.4%). Conclusion: robotic segmentectomy is a safe and viable procedure, offering a short period of hospitalization and low morbidity.

New cases of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), also known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), continue to rise worldwide following the declaration of a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). The current pandemic has completely altered the workflow of health services worldwide. However, even during this critical period, patients with other diseases, like cancer, need to be properly treated. A few reports have shown that mortality due to SARS-CoV-2 is higher in elderly patients and those with other active comorbidities, including cancer. Patients with lung cancer are at risk of pulmonary complications from COVID-19, and as such, the risk/benefit ratio of local and systemic anticancer treatment has to be considered. For each patient, several factors, including age, comorbidities, and immunosuppression, as well as the number of hospital visits for treatment, can influence this risk. The number of cases is rising exponentially in Brazil, and it is important to consider the local characteristics when approaching the pandemic. In this regard, the Brazilian Thoracic Oncology Group has developed recommendations to guide decisions in lung cancer treatment during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Due to the scarcity of relevant data, discussions based on disease stage, evaluation of surgical treatment, radiotherapy techniques, systemic therapy, follow-up, and supportive care were carried out, and specific suggestions issued. All recommendations seek to reduce contagion risk by decreasing the number of medical visits and hospitalization, and in the case of immunosuppression, by adapting treatment schemes when possible. This statement should be adjusted according to the reality of each service, and can be revised as new data become available.

We are living in the best of the times with the explosion of exponential advances in science and technology. In fact, Ray Kurzweil, a renowned North-American scientist, believes that we will experience progress of 20,000 years, scientifically speaking and at today’s rate in the 21st Century (1). Twenty thousand years in one century!!! Can you imagine that? From virtual reality to quantum computing, from artificial intelligence (AI) to solar power roads, from augmented reality to ultra-small health monitors and brain-computer interfaces, among hundreds of others incredible devices and advances.

We report on a 57-year-old patient suffering from advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the left lung, ultimately submitted to intrapericardial left pneumonectomy with hilar and mediastinal lymphadenectomy. Imaging examination showed a left bronchopleural fistula that needed to be occluded. Due to the patient's high surgical risk, endobronchial closure with intracardiac device was performed. The ASD CERA™ device (Lifetech Schenzhen, China) was chosen. The procedure was successful and the patient was discharge from the hospital 5 days thereafter. Endobronchial closure of bronchopleural fistulas with intracardiac devices is feasible and may become an excellent option for those very ill patients.

OBJETIVO: Analisar os aspectos clínico-patológicos do carcinoma bronquioloalveolar (CBA) e a sobrevida em uma amostra de pacientes com estadiamento clínico I. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados retrospectivamente 26 pacientes com diagnóstico de CBA e estágio clínico I, , segundo a classificação tumor-node-metastasis (TNM, tumor-linfonodo-metástase),(15)operados no Instituto de Doenças do Tórax da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, entre 1987 e 2007, quanto a variáveis clínico-patológicas e radiológicas, mortalidade e sobrevida. Os dados foram colhidos dos prontuários médicos dos pacientes e analisados estatisticamente. RESULTADOS: Houve predomínio de mulheres (n = 16). A idade média ao diagnóstico foi de 68,5 anos. Houve predomínio de tabagistas (69,2%). As formas de apresentação assintomática (84,6%) e nodular (88,5%) foram as mais comuns. Houve predileção pelos lobos superiores (57,7%). O estágio patológico IB foi o mais comum, seguido pelos estágios IA e IIB (46,2%, 38,4% e 15,4%, respectivamente). Não houve óbitos hospitalares. Quatro pacientes faleceram durante o seguimento pós-operatório, com tempo livre de doença médio de 21,3 meses. A taxa de sobrevida global em cinco anos foi 83%. A probabilidade de sobrevida para os pacientes diagnosticados depois de 1999 tendeu a ser maior do que para aqueles diagnosticados até 1999 (taxa de sobrevida em três anos: 92% vs. 68%; p = 0,07). CONCLUSÕES: Os aspectos clínico-patológicos da amostra estudada foram semelhantes àqueles de estudos anteriores em pacientes com CBA.OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinicopathological aspects of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) and the survival in a sample of patients at clinical stage I. METHODS: A retrospective study involving 26 patients diagnosed with clinical stage I BAC and undergoing surgery at the Thoracic Diseases Institute of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between 1987 and 2007. We analyzed clinicopathological and radiological aspects, as well as mortality and survival. The data, which were collected from the medical charts of the patients, were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Females predominated (n = 16). The mean age at diagnosis was 68.5 years. Most patients were active smokers (69.2%). The most common forms of presentation of BAC were the asymptomatic form (84.6%) and the nodular form (88.5%). Involvement of the upper lobes predominated (57.7%). Stage IB was the most common pathological stage, followed by stages IA and IIB (46.2%, 38.4% and 15.4%, respectively). There was no in-hospital mortality. Four patients died during the postoperative follow-up, with a mean disease-free survival time of 21.3 months. The overall five-year survival rate was 83%. The probability of survival for the patients diagnosed after 1999 showed a trend toward an increase when compared with that for those diagnosed up through 1999 (three-year survival rate: 92% vs. 68%; p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: The clinicopathological aspects of this study sample were similar to those of patients with BAC evaluated in previous studies.

OBJETIVO: Analisar os aspectos clínico-patológicos do carcinoma bronquioloalveolar (CBA) e a sobrevida em uma amostra de pacientes com estadiamento clínico I. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados retrospectivamente 26 pacientes com diagnóstico de CBA e estágio clínico I, , segundo a classificação tumor-node-metastasis (TNM, tumor-linfonodo-metástase),(15)operados no Instituto de Doenças do Tórax da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, entre 1987 e 2007, quanto a variáveis clínico-patológicas e radiológicas, mortalidade e sobrevida. Os dados foram colhidos dos prontuários médicos dos pacientes e analisados estatisticamente. RESULTADOS: Houve predomínio de mulheres (n = 16). A idade média ao diagnóstico foi de 68,5 anos. Houve predomínio de tabagistas (69,2%). As formas de apresentação assintomática (84,6%) e nodular (88,5%) foram as mais comuns. Houve predileção pelos lobos superiores (57,7%). O estágio patológico IB foi o mais comum, seguido pelos estágios IA e IIB (46,2%, 38,4% e 15,4%, respectivamente). Não houve óbitos hospitalares. Quatro pacientes faleceram durante o seguimento pós-operatório, com tempo livre de doença médio de 21,3 meses. A taxa de sobrevida global em cinco anos foi 83%. A probabilidade de sobrevida para os pacientes diagnosticados depois de 1999 tendeu a ser maior do que para aqueles diagnosticados até 1999 (taxa de sobrevida em três anos: 92% vs. 68%; p = 0,07). CONCLUSÕES: Os aspectos clínico-patológicos da amostra estudada foram semelhantes àqueles de estudos anteriores em pacientes com CBA.

Um paciente de 26 anos, portador de volumoso hemangiopericitoma primário de pulmão direito, diagnosticado por biópsia cirúrgica prévia, apresentou parada cardíaca irreversível durante dissecção hilar de pneumectomia direita. O paciente não respondeu às manobras de ressuscitação. A necropsia mostrou obstrução total de valva mitral por êmbolo tumoral. Os autores recomendam, em casos de grandes massas pulmonares com envolvimento hilar, como no caso aqui apresentado, a avaliação pré-operatória com ecocardiografia transesofágica, ressonância magnética nuclear ou angiotomografia. Se for detectada lesão em vasos pulmonares ou cavidades atriais, deve-se programar a cirurgia com circulação extracorpórea, para permitir ressecção da massa intra-vascular ou cardíaca, combinada com a ressecção pulmonar. Os autores recomendam cuidados para reconhecer e tratar este problema, se o diagnóstico pré-operatório não for feito.

Um paciente de 26 anos, portador de volumoso hemangiopericitoma primário de pulmão direito, diagnosticado por biópsia cirúrgica prévia, apresentou parada cardíaca irreversível durante dissecção hilar de pneumectomia direita. O paciente não respondeu às manobras de ressuscitação. A necropsia mostrou obstrução total de valva mitral por êmbolo tumoral. Os autores recomendam, em casos de grandes massas pulmonares com envolvimento hilar, como no caso aqui apresentado, a avaliação pré-operatória com ecocardiografia transesofágica, ressonância magnética nuclear ou angiotomografia. Se for detectada lesão em vasos pulmonares ou cavidades atriais, deve-se programar a cirurgia com circulação extracorpórea, para permitir ressecção da massa intra-vascular ou cardíaca, combinada com a ressecção pulmonar. Os autores recomendam cuidados para reconhecer e tratar este problema, se o diagnóstico pré-operatório não for feito.A 26-year-old patient with a voluminous primary pulmonary hemangiopericytoma in the right lung, diagnosed through previous surgical biopsy, presented irreversible cardiac arrest during the hilar dissection portion of a right pneumonectomy. The patient did not respond to resuscitation efforts. Autopsy showed total obstruction of the mitral valve by a tumor embolism. In cases of large lung masses with hilar involvement, as in the case presented, we recommend preoperative evaluation using transesophageal echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging or angiotomography. If injury to the pulmonary vessels or atrial cavities is detected, surgery with extracorporeal circulation should be arranged in order to allow resection of the intravascular or cardiac mass, together with pulmonary resection. We recommend that care be taken in order to recognize and treat this problem in patients not receiving a preoperative diagnosis.

O trauma é uma doença que afeta predominantemente os jovens, sendo a principal causa de morte nas primeiras três décadas de vida. O tórax instável é observado em aproximadamente 10% dos casos de trauma de tórax, com mortalidade de 10-15%. O caso clínico apresentado refere-se a uma paciente, vítima de acidente automobilístico, com trauma de tórax, ocasionando hemopneumotórax e fratura de múltiplos arcos costais, dor de difícil controle e deformidade torácica. São discutidas as opções terapêuticas. No presente caso, foi realizada fixação cirúrgica, com bom resultado.

O trauma é uma doença que afeta predominantemente os jovens, sendo a principal causa de morte nas primeiras três décadas de vida. O tórax instável é observado em aproximadamente 10% dos casos de trauma de tórax, com mortalidade de 10-15%. O caso clínico apresentado refere-se a uma paciente, vítima de acidente automobilístico, com trauma de tórax, ocasionando hemopneumotórax e fratura de múltiplos arcos costais, dor de difícil controle e deformidade torácica. São discutidas as opções terapêuticas. No presente caso, foi realizada fixação cirúrgica, com bom resultado.Trauma primarily affects young people and is the leading cause of death in the first three decades of life. Flail chest is observed in approximately 10% of all patients with severe chest trauma, and the mortality rate among such patients is 10-15%. We report herein the case of a car accident victim with chest trauma causing hemopneumothorax and multiple rib fractures, intense pain and deformity of the chest wall. Surgical stabilization was performed, with good results. Therapeutic options are also discussed.

São apresentados dois casos de pacientes com pneumotorax e pneumopericárdio hipertensivo, em pós-operatório de cirurgia cardiotorácica. Ambos tiveram abertura do pericárdio como um dos tempos cirúrgicos da operação inicial e apresentaram sintomas de tamponamento pericárdico como complicação. O tratamento foi uma drenagem pleural nos dois casos, que evoluíram para resolução do processo.Herein, we report two cases of pneumothorax and tension pneumopericardium after cardiothoracic surgery. Both patients underwent pericardiotomy during the primary operation and developed pericardial tamponade as a complication. The treatment was tube thoracostomy, and both patients recovered completely.

The advent of effective antituberculous medication has greatly diminished the role of surgery in the management of tuberculosis (TB). More recently, diseases that are resistant to medical treatment have emerged as a major challenge. Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB) is defined as resistance to two or more drugs, including rifampin and isoniazid. In such cases, high relapse rates with medical therapy alone have been reported and adjuvant surgical resection has been proposed as a therapeutic option in selected patients. Although many studies have shown good results with this surgical strategy, the role of minimally invasive surgery in this scenario has yet to be established. Here we review the indications of surgical resection for MDRTB and the role of minimally invasive surgery for infectious / inflammatory diseases of the lungs.

We analyzed the effects of pneumothorax duration and early or late drainage on lung histology and biological markers associated with inflammation, alveolar fluid clearance, and pulmonary oedema formation. Pneumothorax was induced by injecting air into the thorax of anaesthetized rats, which were randomized according to duration of pneumothorax [5 (PTX5) or 30 (PTX30)min] and further divided to be drained (D) or not (ND). ND rats were euthanized at 5 and 30min. In D groups, pneumothorax was drained and rats breathed spontaneously for 30min. PTX30-ND, compared to PTX5-ND, showed higher alveolar collapse and oedema, type III procollagen, caspase-3, epithelial sodium channel-α, and aquaporin (AQP)-1 mRNA expression, and epithelial and endothelial damage, with reduced cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and AQP-3 expression. PTX5-D, compared to PTX30-D, showed less alveolar hyperinflation, oedema, and alveolar-capillary damage, with reduced interleukin-6, caspase-3, AQP-5, and Na,K-ATPase-α and -β expression, and increased CFTR expression. In conclusion, longer duration pneumothorax exacerbated lung damage, oedema, and inflammation.

Os cistos broncogênicos do mediastino são lesões benignas congênitas, usualmente descobertas na idade adulta. O tratamento cirúrgico clássico, quando indicado, é a ressecção da lesão por toracotomia ou por videotoracoscopia. Descrevemos aqui um caso em que foi realizada a ressecção completa de um cisto broncogênico paratraqueal por mediastinoscopia cervical, com uma breve revisão e discussão da literatura.

Os cistos broncogênicos do mediastino são lesões benignas congênitas, usualmente descobertas na idade adulta. O tratamento cirúrgico clássico, quando indicado, é a ressecção da lesão por toracotomia ou por videotoracoscopia. Descrevemos aqui um caso em que foi realizada a ressecção completa de um cisto broncogênico paratraqueal por mediastinoscopia cervical, com uma breve revisão e discussão da literatura.Bronchogenic cysts of the mediastinum are benign congenital lesions, usually found in adults. When surgery is indicated, the classical approach is resection of the lesion by thoracotomy or thoracoscopy. Herein, we describe the complete resection of a paratracheal bronchogenic cyst by cervical mediastinoscopy. We also include a brief review and discussion of the literature.

We report on a 57-year-old patient suffering from advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the left lung, ultimately submitted to intrapericardial left pneumonectomy with hilar and mediastinal lymphadenectomy. Imaging examination showed a left bronchopleural fistula that needed to be occluded. Due to the patient's high surgical risk, endobronchial closure with intracardiac device was performed. The ASD CERA™ device (Lifetech Schenzhen, China) was chosen. The procedure was successful and the patient was discharge from the hospital 5 days thereafter. Endobronchial closure of bronchopleural fistulas with intracardiac devices is feasible and may become an excellent option for those very ill patients.

To analyze the clinicopathological aspects of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) and the survival in a sample of patients at clinical stage I.A retrospective study involving 26 patients diagnosed with clinical stage I BAC and undergoing surgery at the Thoracic Diseases Institute of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between 1987 and 2007. We analyzed clinicopathological and radiological aspects, as well as mortality and survival. The data, which were collected from the medical charts of the patients, were statistically analyzed.Females predominated (n = 16). The mean age at diagnosis was 68.5 years. Most patients were active smokers (69.2%). The most common forms of presentation of BAC were the asymptomatic form (84.6%) and the nodular form (88.5%). Involvement of the upper lobes predominated (57.7%). Stage IB was the most common pathological stage, followed by stages IA and IIB (46.2%, 38.4% and 15.4%, respectively). There was no in-hospital mortality. Four patients died during the postoperative follow-up, with a mean disease-free survival time of 21.3 months. The overall five-year survival rate was 83%. The probability of survival for the patients diagnosed after 1999 showed a trend toward an increase when compared with that for those diagnosed up through 1999 (three-year survival rate: 92% vs. 68%; p = 0.07).The clinicopathological aspects of this study sample were similar to those of patients with BAC evaluated in previous studies.

Surgical exclusion of the thoracic esophagus can result in the accumulation of secretions and dilatation of the esophageal remnant, a clinical picture known as esophageal mucocele. Although it is usually asymptomatic, if it increases in size it can produce a variety of compressive symptoms such as coughing, chest pain and respiratory distress. We present two cases of symptomatic mucocele after esophageal exclusion treated successfully with surgical resection. We believe that surgical resection should be considered for symptomatic patients, and that esophageal bypass surgery should be used with caution and indicated mostly in patients with a limited life span or with contraindications for esophagectomy.

It is uncommon to find an iatrogenic foreign body after thoracic surgery. We present a case of migration of a surgical sponge left inadvertently in the mediastinum during a troublesome mediastinoscopy, that migrated into the trachea 6 years later with airway obstruction. The foreign body was extracted through rigid bronchoscopy and the patient had a full recovery.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a influência do diâmetro e do tempo na obstrução da janela pleuro-pericárdica em cães com pericárdio normal. MÉTODO: Trinta e seis cães mestiços foram divididos em seis grupos: 1 a, 1 b,1 c, 2 a, 2 b, 2 c; n=6 por grupo. Nos grupos 1 a , 1 b, 1 c, à janela foi de 2cm de diâmetro e nos grupos 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, foi de 4cm. Os animais foram reoperados respectivamente após 2, 8 e 12 semanas. Na re-operação, avaliou-se o grau de obstrução através de uma escala de aderência pericárdio-epicárdica e a histopatologia das bordas do pericárdio. RESULTADOS: Numa análise global, observou-se 89% de janelas abertas e 11% de janelas totalmente obstruídas. No grupo com 2cm de diâmetro original, na reoperação, encontrou-se um diâmetro maior em 89% dos cães, enquanto que nos cães com janela original de 4cm, isto ocorreu em 61%. Quando comparou-se os resultados nos cães com janelas de diâmetro igual, mas re-operados em diferentes tempos de pós-operatório, não se observou diferença estatisticamente significante. O mesmo ocorreu quando comparou-se os cães com janelas de diâmetro diferente e re-operados em tempos iguais de pós-operatório. O grau de aderência pericárdio-epicárdica, de acordo com a escala de gradação, não foi diferente entre os vários grupos em função do tempo e diâmetro com exceção do grupo com janela de 4cm e re-operado com 8 semanas (Grupo 2b). As alterações histopatológicas não foram estatisticamente significantes entre os grupos. Em nenhum cão observou-se obstrução da janela pleuropericárdica pelo pulmão. CONCLUSÃO: o tempo e o diâmetro da janela pleuropericardica não influenciaram na obstrução da mesma. BACKGROUND: to evaluate the influence of diameter and time on the patency of transthoracic pericardial window in normal pericardium. METHODS: Thirty-six mongrel dogs were divided into 6 groups: 1a, 1b and 1c; 2a, 2b and 2c; n=6 per group. In groups 1a, 1b and 1c the pericardial window diameter was 2cm and in groups 2a, 2b and 2c it was 4cm. Animals were sacrificed 2, 8 and 12 weeks , respectively and we evaluated the patency and histology of the pericardial margins. RESULTS: Eighty-nine per cent of the windows were open and 11% were completely obstructed by pericardial-epicardic adhesions. In the groups with a 2cm-pericardial window, we observed during sacrifice an increase of the original diameter in 89% of the animals. In dogs with a 4cm-pericardial window a greater diameter was observed in 61% of the animals. We did not observe statistical differences comparing animals with the same window diameter but sacrificed at different time points. Likewise, we did not observe differences among dogs with different window diameters but sacrificed at the same time points. The degree of pericardial-epicardic adhesions, according to a graduation score, was not different among the groups when analyzing the influence of time and diameter, except for the group 2b ( 4cm-window diameter and animals sacrificed at 8 weeks). Histopatology was not different among the different groups. We did not observe any lung blockade of the transthoracic pericardial windows. CONCLUSIONS: time and diameter did not influence the patency of the transthoracic pericardial window.

A 26-year-old patient with a voluminous primary pulmonary hemangiopericytoma in the right lung, diagnosed through previous surgical biopsy, presented irreversible cardiac arrest during the hilar dissection portion of a right pneumonectomy. The patient did not respond to resuscitation efforts. Autopsy showed total obstruction of the mitral valve by a tumor embolism. In cases of large lung masses with hilar involvement, as in the case presented, we recommend preoperative evaluation using transesophageal echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging or angiotomography. If injury to the pulmonary vessels or atrial cavities is detected, surgery with extracorporeal circulation should be arranged in order to allow resection of the intravascular or cardiac mass, together with pulmonary resection. We recommend that care be taken in order to recognize and treat this problem in patients not receiving a preoperative diagnosis.

O pneumotórax, ou a presença de ar livre na cavidade pleural, é uma condição freqüente na prática clínica. As normas de conduta para a abordagem do pneumotórax dependem das condições clinicas do paciente, da magnitude do pneumotórax e da presença ou ausência de doença pulmonar concomitante. Neste capítulo, apresentamos as diretrizes diagnósticas e de conduta para uma abordagem mais racional do pneumotórax.

O pneumotórax, ou a presença de ar livre na cavidade pleural, é uma condição freqüente na prática clínica. As normas de conduta para a abordagem do pneumotórax dependem das condições clinicas do paciente, da magnitude do pneumotórax e da presença ou ausência de doença pulmonar concomitante. Neste capítulo, apresentamos as diretrizes diagnósticas e de conduta para uma abordagem mais racional do pneumotórax.The presence of free air in the pleural space, or pneumothorax, is a frequent condition in the clinical practice. The therapeutic approach of the pneumothorax depends on the clinical conditions of the patient, the magnitude of the disease and the presence or absence of underlying lung disease. In this chapter we emphasize the diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for a rational approach of the pneumothorax.

São apresentados dois casos de pacientes com pneumotorax e pneumopericárdio hipertensivo, em pós-operatório de cirurgia cardiotorácica. Ambos tiveram abertura do pericárdio como um dos tempos cirúrgicos da operação inicial e apresentaram sintomas de tamponamento pericárdico como complicação. O tratamento foi uma drenagem pleural nos dois casos, que evoluíram para resolução do processo. Herein, we report two cases of pneumothorax and tension pneumopericardium after cardiothoracic surgery. Both patients underwent pericardiotomy during the primary operation and developed pericardial tamponade as a complication. The treatment was tube thoracostomy, and both patients recovered completely.

Trauma primarily affects young people and is the leading cause of death in the first three decades of life. Flail chest is observed in approximately 10% of all patients with severe chest trauma, and the mortality rate among such patients is 10-15%. We report herein the case of a car accident victim with chest trauma causing hemopneumothorax and multiple rib fractures, intense pain and deformity of the chest wall. Surgical stabilization was performed, with good results. Therapeutic options are also discussed.

Herein, we report two cases of pneumothorax and tension pneumopericardium after cardiothoracic surgery. Both patients underwent pericardiotomy during the primary operation and developed pericardial tamponade as a complication. The treatment was tube thoracostomy, and both patients recovered completely.

OBJETIVO: Estabelecer uma padronização anatômica da linfadenectomia mediastinal como complementação à cirurgia do câncer de pulmão. MÉTODO: 1 - Foram enviados para vinte e dois cirurgiões torácicos brasileiros, questionários sobre linfadenectomia mediastinal. 2 - Realizou-se extensa revisão bibliográfica sobre a anatomia dos linfáticos do mediastino e descrições das técnicas de dissecação linfática mediastinal. 3 - Procedeu-se à dissecação do mediastino em cinco cadáveres não formolizados. 4 - Estabelecido os limites anatômicos de cada loja linfonodal foram realizadas vinte e sete fotografias de cada uma das referidas lojas antes e após a dissecação. RESULTADOS: Não houve consenso entre os cirurgiões que responderam ao questionário quanto a realização ou não e quanto à forma de realizar a linfadenectomia do mediastino na cirurgia do câncer pulmonar, significando que a técnica merece uma metodização. Movidos por esta necessidade e baseados na análise dos itens 2, 3 e 4 acima relacionados, propusemos uma metodização da linfadenectomia mediastinal de forma objetiva, definindo claramente os limites anatômicos de cada loja ganglionar no mediastino direito e esquerdo e especificando aquelas a serem abordadas de acordo com o sítio primário da lesão no lobo pulmonar. CONCLUSÃO: É possível definir claramente uma metodização técnica de fácil execução da linfadenectomia mediastinal, baseado em critérios anatômicos. BACKGROUND: To establish an easily performing methodization for mediastinal limphadenectomy technique as a complement to lung cancer resection. METHODS: Twenty-two standard questionnaire were sent to several thoracic surgeons from several parts of Brazil. We evaluated the literature about the techniques described for mediastinal limphadenectomy by the following authors: Naruke, Martini, Izibicki and Watanabe. A literature review on the anatomy of mediastinal and pulmonary lymphatics has been carried out. After that, five fresh corpses of adult individuals of both sexes were dissected, and we sougth for a definition of the mediastinal areas and anatomic limits, important for limphadenectomy, as well as an individualization of the several lymph node groupings of each area. RESULTS: From the analysis of twenty-two answers to a standard questionnaire, we may conclude that there is a lack of technical methodization and a diversity of opinions on this issue. An easy performing methodization for mediastinal limphadenectomy technique was proposed. CONCLUSIONS: It's possible to establish an easily performing methodization for mediastinal limphadenectomy technique based in anatomical criteria.

Fig. 1. Composite picture of spinal MRI scan showing 8 lateral thoracic meningoceles (white arrows), 5 in the upper and 3 in the lower paravertebral area. Meningocele should be included in differential diagnosis of posterior mediastinal cysts. There are some reports of ruptured meningoceles in the literature. This patient was not admitted to hospital, the lesion was seen in a routine chest Xray, confirmed with CT and diagnosed by MRI and she is being followed up for 3 years. * Corresponding author. Address: Rua Barao do Lucena 48, Suite 03, 22260-020 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. Tel.: +55 21 33221545; fax: +55 21 33221545. E-mail addresses: haddad@ufrj.br, rhaddad@globo.com.

1010-7940/$ — see front matter # 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.ejcts.2005.11.031 nectomy), he experienced irreversible cardiac arrest. Autopsy showed obstruction of mitral valve by tumor embolus (hemangiopericytoma)coming fromtherightPA(Fig.2AandB). A26-year-oldpatientpresentedwithshortnessofbreathand right thoracic mass (Fig. 1). Bronchoscopy did not show tumor. At operation, after sectioning the pulmonary artery (pneumo

The objective of this study was to describe the results of anatomic pulmonary resections performed by video-assisted thoracoscopy in Brazil.Thoracic surgeons (members of the Brazilian Society of Thoracic Surgery) were invited, via e-mail, to participate in the study. Eighteen surgeons participated in the project by providing us with retrospective databases containing information related to anatomic pulmonary resections performed by video-assisted thoracoscopy. Demographic, surgical, and postoperative data were collected with a standardized instrument, after which they were compiled and analyzed.The surgeons provided data related to a collective total of 786 patients (mean number of resections per surgeon, 43.6). However, 137 patients were excluded because some data were missing. Therefore, the study sample comprised 649 patients. The mean age of the patients was 61.7 years. Of the 649 patients, 295 (45.5%) were male. The majority-521 (89.8%)-had undergone surgery for neoplasia, which was most often classified as stage IA. The median duration of pleural drainage was 3 days, and the median hospital stay was 4 days. Of the 649 procedures evaluated, 598 (91.2%) were lobectomies. Conversion to thoracotomy was necessary in 30 cases (4.6%). Postoperative complications occurred in 124 patients (19.1%), the most common complications being pneumonia, prolonged air leaks, and atelectasis. The 30-day mortality rate was 2.0%, advanced age and diabetes being found to be predictors of mortality.Our analysis of this representative sample of patients undergoing pulmonary resection by video-assisted thoracoscopy in Brazil showed that the procedure is practicable and safe, as well as being comparable to those performed in other countries.O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever os resultados de ressecções pulmonares anatômicas por videotoracoscopia no Brasil.Cirurgiões torácicos (membros da Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia Torácica) foram convidados, por correio eletrônico, a participar do estudo. Dezoito cirurgiões participaram do projeto enviando seus bancos de dados retrospectivos referentes a ressecções anatômicas de pulmão por videotoracoscopia. Dados demográficos, cirúrgicos e pós-operatórios foram coletados em um instrumento padronizado e posteriormente compilados e analisados.Dados referentes a 786 pacientes foram encaminhados (média de 43,6 ressecções por cirurgião), sendo 137 excluídos por informações incompletas. Logo, 649 pacientes constituíram nossa população estudada. A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 61,7 anos, 295 eram homens (45,5%), e a maioria - 521 (89,8%) - foi submetida à cirurgia por neoplasia, mais frequentemente classificada como estádio IA. A mediana do tempo de drenagem pleural foi de 3 dias, e a do tempo de internação, 4 dias. Dos 649 procedimentos realizados, 598 (91,2%) foram lobectomias. A taxa de conversão para toracotomia foi de 4,6% (30 casos). Complicações pós-operatórias ocorreram em 124 pacientes (19,1%), sendo pneumonia, escape aéreo prolongado e atelectasia as mais frequentes. A mortalidade em 30 dias foi de 2,0%, tendo como preditores idade avançada e diabetes.A casuística brasileira mostra que as ressecções pulmonares por cirurgia torácica videoassistida são factíveis e seguras, além de comparáveis àquelas de registros internacionais.