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Thoracoscopic bronchoplasty requires high technique to control stitching during bronchial reconstruction. Improved quality of suturing instrument may contribute to overcome this difficulty of bronchial anastomosis. Recently, a unique and expected articulated instrument for suturing has been launched on endoscopic surgery. We have successfully performed two cases of thoracoscopic sleeve lobectomy using this instrument.

Chemoradiotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer can impair pulmonary function, particularly when it is followed by surgery. This study aimed to document the changes in respiratory function as a result of a perioperative intensive pulmonary rehabilitation program in patients with non-small cell lung cancer who underwent induction chemoradiotherapy.A total of 82 consecutive patients underwent pulmonary resection after undergoing induction chemoradiotherapy. A pulmonary rehabilitation program was started at the same time as the induction chemoradiotherapy. Standard respiratory function tests were performed before and after induction chemoradiotherapy. Treatment-related mortality and the incidence of postoperative respiratory complications were investigated. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyze the differences in spirometric changes.All patients underwent a pulmonary rehabilitation program for an average of 10 weeks. Significant increases were observed in forced vital capacity (+6.4%, P = .0096) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (+10.4%, P.0001). Diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide decreased (-14.0%, P.0001). Patients with respiratory impairment (forced vital capacity80% predicted or forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity70%) showed significant improvements in forced vital capacity (+13.9%, P = .0025) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (+22.5%, P.0001). Significant increases were observed in forced vital capacity (+7.0%, P = .0042) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (+10.8%, P = .0001) in patients with a smoking history. There was no mortality, and postoperative respiratory morbidity was 6.1%.A pulmonary rehabilitation program for patients with non-small cell lung cancer undergoing induction chemoradiotherapy seems to improve respiratory function. It is particularly recommended for smokers and patients with respiratory impairment.

Objectives We investigated a new technique for identifying the lung intersegmental line using infrared thoracoscopy with intravenous injection of indocyanine green. Methods This was an experimental animal study, and target segments were established preoperatively. Six adult beagle dogs underwent thoracotomy. After the corresponding pulmonary artery of the target segment had been ligated, indocyanine green was administered intravenously during infrared thoracoscopy. The lung was separated into 2 areas, white and blue, according to the blood flow on the monitor. We marked the visceral pleura with electrocautery along the transition zone showing a change in color from blue to white. The experimental lung was removed and subjected to pathologic and radiologic analysis. Results After injection of indocyanine green, infrared thoracoscopy showed that the area of normal perfusion changed to blue, whereas the area at which perfusion was absent remained white. The transition zone between colors was distinct, and the blue stain remained visible during the marking procedure. Three-dimensional computed tomographic analysis indicated that the marking separated the target segmental bronchus from the adjacent one. Detailed macroscopic and microscopic study confirmed that the marking corresponded to the intersegmental line. Conclusion By using infrared thoracoscopy with indocyanine green, it is possible to detect the intersegmental line without inflating the lung.

Objective We have previously reported that infrared thoracoscopy was useful in detecting emphysematous lesions in a canine model of lung emphysema. We applied infrared thoracoscopy to determine the feasibility and efficacy of planning bullectomy for patients with spontaneous pneumothorax. Methods A total of 8 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax were included in the study. No procedure-related complications were observed. Infrared thoracoscopy with a single injection of indocyanine green (3.0 mg/kg) was used to detect bullous lesions of the lung during surgical intervention. Partial lung resections of the bullous lesions were performed after image analysis based on color density data obtained by means of infrared thoracoscopy. Results Bullous or emphysematous lesions of the lung were demonstrated in white, whereas normal lung tissue was imaged in blue, under infrared thoracoscopy. We were able to detect small bullous lesions with infrared thoracoscopy because of its clearer visualization compared with thoracoscopy. Quantitative color-density analysis revealed a marked decrease of indocyanine green intensity, which reflected decreased blood flow of bullous lesions. All resected specimens were confirmed as bullous lesions based on microscopic examinations. Conclusion Infrared thoracoscopy–guided lung resection is a safe and useful procedure in detecting small bullous lesions.

BackgroundThe surgeon must use the results of preoperative computed tomography findings and scintigraphic studies to make a subjective decision during lung volume reduction surgery with regard to the best incision line.ObjectivesOur purpose was to develop an objective and real-time method of detecting areas of pulmonary emphysema by using infrared thoracoscopy.MethodsPulmonary emphysema was developed in various lobes of the lung in the dog by injecting porcine pancreatic elastase through the bronchi. One month after the injection, chest computed tomography and lung biopsy were performed. Infrared thoracoscopic study was then performed to reveal the presence of the emphysematous lung tissue. Simultaneously, indocyanine green was injected intravenously, and the time taken for each type of lung tissue to stain blue was measured.ResultsChest computed tomography and histologic examinations revealed pulmonary emphysema-like areas in the porcine pancreatic elastase-injected lung. The computed tomography numbers of the porcine pancreatic elastase-injected lung tissue, normal lung tissue, and the tracheal lumen were −868.8 ± 18.6, −752.2 ± 32.5, and −1013 ± 27.1, respectively. There were significant differences between the porcine pancreatic elastase-injected lung and the normal lung (P < .0001). The time for staining to begin was 10.7 ± 4.8 seconds for normal lung tissue and 25.8 ± 9.4 seconds for the emphysematous tissue; the onset of staining emphysematous lung tissue was significantly delayed (P = .003).ConclusionsWe developed a successful canine model of pulmonary emphysema by injecting porcine pancreatic elastase. Infrared thoracoscopic examination revealed that the staining of emphysematous lung using indocyanine green injection was significantly greater than of normal lung.