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OBJECTIVES To determine safety and survival outcomes associated with lobectomy, segmentectomy and wedge resection for early-stage lung cancer by quiring the French population-based registry EPIdemiology in THORacic surgery (EPITHOR). METHODS Retrospective analysis of 19 452 patients with stage c IA lung carcinoma who underwent lobectomy, segmentectomy or wedge resection between 2016 and 2022 with curative-intent. Main outcome measures were 90-day mortality and 5-year overall survival estimates. Proportional hazards regression and propensity score matching were used to adjust outcomes for key patient, tumour and practice environment factors. RESULTS The treatment distribution was 72.2% for lobectomy, 21.5% for segmentectomy and 6.3% for wedge. Unadjusted 90-day mortality rates were 1.6%, 1.2% and 1.1%, respectively (P  = 0.10). Unadjusted 5-year overall survival estimates were 80%, 78% and 70%, with significant inter-group survival curves differences (P  < 0.0001). Multivariable proportional hazards regression showed that wedge was associated with worse overall survival [adjusted hazard ratio (AHR), 1.23 (95% confidence interval 1.03–1.47); P  = 0.021] compared with lobectomy, while no significant difference was disclosed when comparing segmentectomy to lobectomy (1.08 [0.97–1.20]; P  = 0.162). The three-way propensity score analyses confirmed similar 90-day mortality rate for wedge resection and segmentectomy compared with lobectomy (hazard ratio: 0.43; 95% confidence interval 0.16–1.11; P  = 0.081 and 0.99; 0.48–2.10; P  = 0.998, respectively), but poorer overall survival (1.45; 1.13–1.86; P  = 0.003 and 1.31; 1–1.71; P  = 0.048, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Wedge resection was associated with comparable 90-day mortality but lower overall survival when compared to lobectomy. Overall, all types of sublobar resections may not offer equivalent oncologic effectiveness in real-world settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES Nutritional assessment is not included yet as a major recommendation in lung cancer guidelines. The purpose of this study was thus to assess the influence on surgical outcome of the nutritional status of patients with primary lung cancer undergoing lobectomy. METHODS We queried Epithor, the national clinical database of the French Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, and identified a retrospective cohort of 19 635 patients having undergone lobectomy for a primary lung cancer in the years 2005–11. Their nutritional status was categorized according to the WHO definition: underweight (BMI < 18.5): 857 patients (4.4%), normal (18.5 ≤ BMI < 25): 9391 patients (47.8%), overweight (25 ≤ BMI < 30): 6721 patients (34.2%), obese (BMI ≥ 30): 2666 patients (13.6%). Operative mortality, pulmonary, cardiovascular, infectious and surgical complications rates were collected and analysed for these various BMI groups. RESULTS In the normal-weight category, operative mortality, pulmonary, surgical, cardiovascular and infectious complications rates were 2.7, 14.6, 13.8, 5.5 and 4.1%, respectively. When compared with that of normal BMI patients, adjusted operative mortality was significantly lower in overweight (2.3%; odd ratio (OR): 0.72 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.59–0.89]; P = 0.002) and obese patients (1.9%, OR: 0.54 [95% CI: 0.40–0.74]; P < 0.001), and significantly higher in underweight patients (4.1%, OR: 1.89 [95% CI: 1.30–2.75]; P = 0.001). Underweight patients experienced significantly more pulmonary (21.1%; P < 0.001), surgical (23.2%; P < 0.001) and infectious (5.1%; P = 0.05) complications (P < 0.0001). Among surgical complications, prolonged air leaks (17.6%; P < 0.001) and bronchial stump dehiscence (1.5%; P = 0.001) were significantly more frequent in underweight patients than in normal BMI patients. Obesity was not associated with increased incidence of postoperative complications, except for arrhythmia (5.6%; P < 0.05), deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (1.5%; P = 0.005). Moreover, a statistical protective effect of obesity was observed regarding surgical complications (7.1%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Despite having an increased risk of some postoperative cardiovascular complications, obese patients should undergo surgical standard of care therapy for appropriately stage-specific lung cancer. In underweight patients, in addition to preoperative rehabilitation including a nutritional program, attention should be given to aggressive prophylactic respiratory therapy in the perioperative period, and specific intraoperative actions to prevent prolonged air leaks and bronchial stump dehiscence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) represents a relatively rare and poorly studied entity whose management is not clearly established. The aim of this study was to assess clinico-pathological characteristics, treatment modalities and outcomes of LCNEC. METHODS A retrospective study of patients operated on for LCNEC between 2000 and 2010 was carried out. RESULTS Sixty-three patients (49 men, median age 64 years) with pathologically confirmed LCNEC of the lung were operated on between 2000 and 2010. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was administered in 16 cases. Standard lobectomy, sleeve lobectomy, bilobectomy and pneumonectomy were performed in 63.5%, 9.5%, 1.6% and 15.8% of cases. There were two cases of extended resection. Sublobar resections were performed in four patients. Postoperative mortality was 1.6%. Postoperative staging was IA, IB, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB and IV in 15.9%, 19%, 20.6%, 4.8%, 34.9%, 4.8% and 0% of cases, respectively. Adjuvant treatments were administered in 70% of cases. Overall 5-, and 8- year survival rates were 49.2% (37–61.6%) and 42% (28.8–56.4%), respectively. Multivariate analysis, including age >64 years, cumulative tobacco consumption, size of tumour, pT and pN parameters showed that only age (P = 0.05, RR 2.1 [0.99–4.43]) and pT parameter (P = 0.0078, RR 2.93[1.33–6.46]) were independent predictors of survival. CONCLUSIONS Surgery may achieve satisfactory results in terms of survival, in spite of the similarities of LCNEC with small cell lung cancer. Multimodality management seems necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The described case is of a 15-year-old boy who presented with a persistent hiccup and repeated episodes of left-sided chest pain. At computed tomography scan an exostosis originating from the costo-chondral junction of the left 4th rib was seen. The tip of the exostosis reached the external surface of the pericardium. Removal of a 2 cm rib segment including the implantation basis of the exostosis was achieved by video-assisted thoracic surgery. Symptoms disappeared after surgery. This report shows an exceptional symptom of costal exostosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We report a case of postpneumonectomy syndrome in a 75-year-old man operated on for right lung cancer 18 months previously. The patient had a pre-existing severe thoracic scoliosis. Treatment involved positioning of an expandable silastic prosthesis in the postpneumonectomy cavity. A favorable outcome was observed. We think that a pre-existing scoliosis could be considered as a potentially predisposing factor to the development of the syndrome. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: To study clinical characteristics, surgical treatment modalities, early and long-term outcome of patients with severe ventilatory impairment undergoing lung resection for NSCLC. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of clinical records of all patients with severe chronic ventilatory impairment (FEV1 and/or FVC≤50% of predicted values) operated on for NSCLC in a 21-year period (1983–2003). Results: One hundred and six patients were operated on. Mean FEV1 and FVC were 40% (range 23–50%) and 69% (17–117%), respectively. An obstructive pattern was observed in 87 cases (82%). Extent of maximal exeresis was based on the assessment of predicted post-operative FEV1 (ppoFEV1). Major resections were contraindicated if ppoFEV1 was lower than 30%. Sixteen pneumonectomies, 73 lobectomies and 17 sublobar resections were carried out. Pathologic stages were I, II, IIIA and IIIB in 58, 26, 18 and 4 cases, respectively. Resection was complete in 104 patients. Operative mortality and morbidity were 8.5% (n=9) and 70% (n=74), respectively. Twenty-two patients needed prolonged (>48h) mechanical ventilation. Overall mean ppoFEV1 loss was 9.1% (0–34%). If ppoFEV1 loss was >15%, the morbidity rate was 100%. Mean PaCO2 and ppoFEV1 loss were higher among patients who died (41mmHg versus 37mmHg, P=0.02 and 13.2% versus 8.5%, P=0.025, respectively) as compared with operative survivors. Among patients with PaCO2>39mmHg and ppoFEV1 loss>15% (n=9), mortality rate was 33%. Overall 1-year and 5-year survival rates were 82 and 33%, respectively. Respiratory failure was the cause of late death in 2 patients. Among patients available at follow-up (n=85), respiratory function was considered subjectively improved, stable and worsened in 6 (7%), 62 (73%) and 17 (20%) cases, respectively. Eleven patients needed continuous oxygen therapy. Conclusions: Lung resection should not be denied a priori in patients with severe ventilatory impairment. Evaluation of predicted post-operative function often allows major resections, which are functionally economic, at the price of a high operative morbidity. Operative mortality, long-term survival and respiratory function are acceptable in the absence of a valid therapeutic alternative. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]