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Objective: On February 6, 2023, two earthquakes of magnitude 7.8 and 7.6 occurred in Kahramanmaras, affecting south and central Türkiye as well as north and west Syria. The objective of this study is to present the clinical and radiological findings of chest trauma patients in a significant disaster like an earthquake. It aims to contribute to early diagnosis and intervention in multidisciplinary treatment approaches, thereby reducing mortality and morbidity rates. Materials and Methods: This study was a cross-sectional type registry research. A total of 6,500 patients who presented to Kayseri City Hospital due to the earthquake between February 6, 2023 and February 20, 2023 were retrospectively reviewed through medical hospital records. Of these, 150 patients with blunt or penetrating chest trauma were included in the study. Results: Among the 6,500 patients screened, chest trauma was identified in 150 cases. The average age was 45.1 years. Of the patients, 40.0% arrived at the hospital within 0-1 days, while 10.7% arrived after 6 or more days, with the longest duration being 11 days. While 30.7% of patients had no rib fractures, 31.3% had fractures on the right side, 10.7% had bilateral fractures, and 23.3% had 5 or more rib fractures. Complications occurred in 61.3% of cases, 69.3% received medical treatment, and 26.7% underwent tube thoracostomy. The patients' hospital stays ranged from 0 to 162 days, with an average of 18 days and a median of 11.5 days. Conclusion: Türkiye and its surrounding regions are prone to frequent earthquakes, and similar events are expected in the future. A multidisciplinary patient approach, starting from the emergency department, plays a crucial role, with thoracic surgery being an integral part of this approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It was aimed to retrospectively examine the data of patients who underwent catheter thoracostomy to determine their demographic and clinical characteristics and to evaluate the effectiveness of the procedure. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 613 catheter thoracostomy procedures performed at the Health Practice and Research Center between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2017. Results: Five hundred and sixty-seven (92.5%) were unilateral and 46 (7.5%) were bilateral catheter thoracostomy. Three hundred and seventy-seven (61.5%) procedures were performed on male patients and 236 (38.5%) procedures were performed on female patients. The mean age was 68 ± 16 (13-105 years old). The operation indications were 202 (33%) thoracic malignancies, 98 (16%) extrathoracic malignancies, and benign pathologies in 313 (51%) patients. Conclusions: Catheter thoracostomy procedure is being used more and more every day in the treatment of pleural effusions due to patient comfort, ease of application and low cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In this study, our aim is to analyze the etiological causes and treatment methods of patients with secondary spontaneous pneumothorax treated in our hospital. Method: We retrospectively evaluated the data of 152 patients who were treated for Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax between January 2013 - December 2017. All patients diagnosed with SSP were included in the study. The patients were examined in terms of age, gender, current lung disease, smoking, symptoms, imaging findings, localization of pneumothorax, pneumothorax rate, treatment methods, surgical indications, length of hospitalisation and mortality rate. Results: One hundred and twenty eight (84.2%) of 152 patients were men, 24 were women (15.8%) and their mean age was 66 ± 12.4 (45--98). The most common symptoms were dyspnoea in 114 (75%) patients, chest pain in 85 (55.9%) patients and cough in 26 (17.1%) patients. The most common comorbid pathology was Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in 39.5% patients. Tube thoracostomy was performed in 6 (40%) of 15 (9.9%) patients who were monitored with oxygen therapy. While 112 (73.7%) patients were treated with tube thoracostomy only, 36 (32.1%) of them who were inoperable were treated with pleurodesis by tube thoracostomy. Thirty one (20.4%) patients were treated surgically, of which video-assisted thoracoscopic was performed in 17 (54.8%) and thoracotomy in 14 (45.2%). The majority of our surgical indications were prolonged air leak and recurrent pneumothorax. Conclusions: Despite the great advances in surgical techniques in thoracic surgery in recent years, a standard treatment protocol has not been established in the treatment of SSP. While pneumothorax can be treated with only chest tube and/or pleurodesis in most patients, morbidity and mortality may increase with surgical treatment. Therefore, surgical treatment should be avoided as much as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to draw attention to traumatic pulmonary pseudocysts, which are rare cavitary lesions resulting from thoracic trauma, and review the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches and results. METHODS: Between January 2014 and January 2017, 30 patients included in this study who were diagnosed with traumatic pulmonary pseudocysts, from 582 patients who were admitted to our hospital with blunt thoracic trauma. To obtain data from the hospital information management system of patients included in this study, permission was obtained from the medical specialization board and the data were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients with traumatic pulmonary pseudocysts was 40.8 years (range, 7–75 years), and 11 (36.7%) of the patients were under the age of thirty and 19 (63.3%) were over the age of thirty. Twenty-eight (93.3%) patients had lung contusion and among those who had traumatic pulmonary pseudocysts diameter less than 2 cm, in 10 (33.3%) patients, contusion was present. In 27 patients, TPP was seen in thoracic computed tomography and diagnosed in the first 12 hours, but only in 10 of these patients, traumatic pulmonary pseudocysts was seen on chest x-ray. The extrathoracic injury was found in 15 (50%) patients. Twenty-two (73.3%) patients underwent tube thoracostomy. No patient required a thoracotomy. CONCLUSION: Traumatic pneumatoceles are benign lesions and most of them regress with symptomatic treatment and supportive therapy without any specific treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the profiles of the patients aged 80 years and over admitted to the thoracic surgery clinic, their reasons for admission, the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches adopted for these patients, and the factors affecting their morbidity and mortality rates. Material and Method: Patient data retrieved from the hospital information management system were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were evaluated in terms of demographic information, reason for hospitalization, clinical findings, concomitant chronic diseases, diagnostic and treatment methods used, intensive care need, total hospitalization duration, and outcome. Results: In the 5-year period between 2013 and 2018, 422 patients aged ≥80 years were hospitalized and treated in the thoracic surgery clinic. The average age of the patients was 84.7 years (80-99 years). Pleural effusion and thoracic trauma were among the most common reasons for admission. The average length of stay in the hospital was 4.4 days. Forty-seven patients were treated in the intensive care unit, and overall 17 patients (4%) were dead. Conclusion: Our population continues to age, which means that we will more frequently encounter patients ≥80 years of age in thoracic surgery in the near future. Our experience with these patients, their profiles, their reasons for admission, and the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches adopted for these patients, and the factors affecting their morbidity and mortality will serve as a guide to the thoracic surgery clinics that will frequently encounter geriatric patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Hydatid cysts may occur in almost every organ and tissue of human the body. Because they can be found in more than one organ/tissue, sometimes many operations may need for them and surgical intervention may be required due to complications that may develop secondary to hydatid cyst surgery albeit few. Method: Data on patient files retrieved from the hospital information management system or archive were analyzed retrospectively. Surgical results of patients operated with the diagnosis of hydatid cyst between 2008 and 2018 in our clinic were discussed retrospectively. Results: Ninety-three operations were performed in 84 patients due to pulmonary hydatid cysts. Fourty-four of them were male (52.4%), 40 were female and their mean age was 44 (5-85) years. Twenty-two (26.2%) patients were asymptomatic and 62 (73.8%) were symptomatic. Hydatid cysts were located in right hemithorax in 45 (53.6%) patients, in left hemithorax in 30 (35.7%) patients and bilaterally in 9 (10.7%) patients. Twenty-six patients (31%) had both pulmonary and hepatic hydatid cysts. Posterolateral thoracotomy and cystotomy-capitonnage were the most common methods (89.3%), 9 patients (10.7%) underwent wedge resection. Four patients developed atelectasis, 2 patients had hydropneumothorax, 4 patients had isolated prolonged air leak, 1 patient developed massive pulmonary embolism, and 1 patient developed Aspergillus infection the quilted cavity. Conclusions: Hydatid cyst disease has still been a serious health concern in Turkey. When the careful and experienced surgeons perform the operations, the postoperative period is usually uneventful and morbidity is extremely low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis X (PLCHx) is a rare interstitial lung disease of unknown aetiology and occurs mostly in young smokers. Lung involvement alone accounts for >85% of the cases; other organs may be involved too (5%-15%). Case report: A 19-year-old boy was presented to the emergency service with sudden-onset, sharp, stabbing chest pain and dyspnoea. The patient had no history of smoking. His medical and family histories were negative for any disease. Thoracic radiography showed increased reticulonodular density with a near-total bilateral pneumothorax at the left and partially at the right. Hence, bilateral tube thoracostomy was performed. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) showed pronounced thin-walled cystic structures smaller than 10 mm and small millimetre-sized nodules in the upper and middle zones. Extrapulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis was excluded based on the radiological and laboratory findings. Based on the clinical and tomography findings, diagnosis of PLCHx was made. Conclusion: Our case highlights that PLCHx should be suspected in non-smokers. Further studies elucidating the aetiology of PLCHx are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydatid disease caused by echinococci is seen endemically in Turkey. Its location in tissues outside of the liver and lung is rare. Most of the mass lesions involving the sternum are malignant. We present a case of hydatid cyst located in the sternum and eroding it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: CT-guided tru-cut biopsy, which is less invasive and cost-effective, is an important diagnostic tool with high accuracy in lesions located peripherally in the lung. In this article, CT-guided tru-cut biopsy experiences of thoracic surgeons are shared., Materials and Methods: CT-guided tru-cut biopsy was performed on 200 patients with suspected lung lesions in the thoracic surgery clinic. Diagnostic rates of biopsies, complications, factors affecting the development of complications, and complication management were examined., Results: The diagnostic rate of the biopsies was 88%. Pneumothorax developed in 19.5% and hemothorax in 1% after the procedure. There was a significant relationship between mass dimensions and total complication rates (p=0.017). The relationship between the distance among the pleura and the mass and the development of complications was significant (p<0.001). The relationship between the number of biopsies and the development of pneumothorax was significant (p=0.011). The relationship between the size of the mass and the development of pneumothorax was significant (p=0.011). In univariate binary logistic regression analysis, a significant correlation was found between the size of the mass and the development of total complications (odds ratio (OR)=0.356 (95% CI: (0.146-0.868), (p=0.023))., Discussion: In the diagnosis of lung lesions, CT-guided tru-cut biopsy is an effective diagnostic tool with high diagnostic power, with its less invasiveness, and lower cost. The increase in the lung parenchyma distance passed with the biopsy needle increased the likelihood of complications most significantly. The size of the mass and the number of biopsies also had significant effects on the development of complications.

Background: This study aims to investigate the role of telomerase activity in the risk of primary spontaneous pneumothorax, which is most frequently encountered in the practice of thoracic surgery., Methods: A total of 61 patients (56 males, 5 females; median age: 29.4 years; range, 17 to 43 years) who underwent treatment for primary spontaneous pneumothorax and 19 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (10 males, 9 females; median age: 29.1 years; range, 23 to 43 years) were included in this prospective study between January 2018 - August 2018. Telomerase activity was evaluated with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The correlation between telomerase activity and clinical and demographic parameters was examined., Results: The mean serum telomerase level was 3.4±0.6 ng/mL in the primary spontaneous pneumothorax group and 1.9±0.5 ng/mL in the control group, indicating significantly higher levels in the patient group (p<0.001). There was no significant association between the telomerase levels and presence of blebs and/or bullae on thoracic computed tomography, extent of pneumothorax, laterality (right, left, or bilateral), and pack years of cigarette smoking., Conclusion: Telomerase levels of patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax are significantly higher than healthy individuals. Future genetic studies may ultimately clarify a potential relationship between primary spontaneous pneumothorax and short telomere syndrome., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article., (Copyright © 2021, Turkish Society of Cardiovascular Surgery.)

Objective: In this study, we aimed to draw attention to traumatic pulmonary pseudocysts, which are rare cavitary lesions resulting from thoracic trauma, and review the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches and results., Methods: Between January 2014 and January 2017, 30 patients included in this study who were diagnosed with traumatic pulmonary pseudocysts, from 582 patients who were admitted to our hospital with blunt thoracic trauma. To obtain data from the hospital information management system of patients included in this study, permission was obtained from the medical specialization board and the data were analyzed retrospectively., Results: The mean age of the patients with traumatic pulmonary pseudocysts was 40.8 years (range, 7-75 years), and 11 (36.7%) of the patients were under the age of thirty and 19 (63.3%) were over the age of thirty. Twenty-eight (93.3%) patients had lung contusion and among those who had traumatic pulmonary pseudocysts diameter less than 2 cm, in 10 (33.3%) patients, contusion was present. In 27 patients, TPP was seen in thoracic computed tomography and diagnosed in the first 12 hours, but only in 10 of these patients, traumatic pulmonary pseudocysts was seen on chest x-ray. The extrathoracic injury was found in 15 (50%) patients. Twenty-two (73.3%) patients underwent tube thoracostomy. No patient required a thoracotomy., Conclusion: Traumatic pneumatoceles are benign lesions and most of them regress with symptomatic treatment and supportive therapy without any specific treatment., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: No conflict of interest was declared by the authors., (Copyright: © 2021 by Istanbul Northern Anatolian Association of Public Hospitals.)

Although there are a lot of data on intrathoracic and extrathoracic injuries associated with adult sternal fractures and how to manage them; but there is not much data on diagnosis and treatment protocols, since they are rare in children. If the child patient has a sternal fracture, he/she probably had a high-energy trauma, so it should be carefully examined whether if there is an accompanying intrathoracic or extrathoracic injury. In this study, we aimed to determine the demographic data, accompanying injuries, treatment modalities and results in children who were admitted to the emergency trauma unit of our hospital and diagnosed with sternal fracture.