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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., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Despite an improvement in surgical abilities, the need for an intraoperative switch from a minimally invasive procedure towards an open surgery (conversion) still remains. To anticipate this risk, the Epithor conversion score (ECS) has been described for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Our objective was to determine if this score, developed for VATS, is applicable in robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS)., Methods: This was a retrospective monocentric study from January 2006 to June 2022, and data were obtained from the EPITHOR database. Patients included were those who underwent anatomic lung resection either by VATS or RATS. The ECS was calculated for all patients studied. Discrimination and calibration of the test were measured by the area under the curve and Hosmer-Lemeshow test., Results: A total of 1685 were included. There were 183/1299 conversions in the VATS group (14.1%) and 27/386 conversions in the RATS group (6.9%). Patients in the RATS group had fewer antiplatelet therapy and peripheral arterial disease. There were more segmentectomies in the VATS group. As for test discrimination, the area under the curve was 0.66 [0.56-0.78] in the RATS group and 0.64 [0.60-0.69] in the VATS group. Regarding the calibration, the Hosmer-Lemeshow test was not significant for both groups but more positive (better calibrated) for the VATS group (P = 0.12) compared to the RATS group (P = 0.08)., Conclusions: The ECS seems applicable for patients operated with RATS, with a correct discrimination but a lower calibration performance for patients operated with VATS. A new score could be developed to specifically anticipate conversion in patients operated on by RATS., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: A lung transplant is the final treatment option for end-stage lung disease. We evaluated the individual risk of 1-year mortality at each stage of the lung transplant process., Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing bilateral lung transplants between January 2014 and December 2019 in 3 French academic centres. Patients were randomly divided into development and validation cohorts. Three multivariable logistic regression models of 1-year mortality were applied (i) at recipient registration, (ii) the graft allocation and (iii) after the operation. The 1-year mortality was predicted for individual patients assigned to 3 risk groups at time points A to C., Results: The study population consisted of 478 patients with a mean (standard deviation) age of 49.0 (14.3) years. The 1-year mortality rate was 23.0%. There were no significant differences in patient characteristics between the development (n = 319) and validation (n = 159) cohorts. The models analysed recipient, donor and intraoperative variables. The discriminatory power (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve) was 0.67 (0.62-0.73), 0.70 (0.63-0.77) and 0.82 (0.77-0.88), respectively, in the development cohort and 0.74 (0.64-0.85), 0.76 (0.66-0.86) and 0.87 (0.79 - 0.95), respectively, in the validation cohort. Survival rates were significantly different among the low- (< 15%), intermediate- (15%-45%) and high-risk (> 45%) groups in both cohorts., Conclusions: Risk prediction models allow estimation of the 1-year mortality risk of individual patients during the lung transplant process. These models may help caregivers identify high-risk patients at times A to C and reduce the risk at subsequent time points., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Our goal was to evaluate the association between the distance of the tumour to the visceral pleura and the rate of local recurrence in patients surgically treated for stage pI lung cancer., Methods: We conducted a single-centre retrospective review of 578 consecutive patients with clinical stage IA lung cancer who underwent a lobectomy or segmentectomy from January 2010 to December 2019. We excluded 107 patients with positive margins, previous lung cancer, neoadjuvant treatment and pathological stage II or higher status or for whom preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans were not available at the time of the study. The distance between the tumour and the closest visceral pleura area (fissure/mediastinum/lateral) was assessed by 2 independent investigators who used preoperative CT scans and multiplanar 3-dimensional reconstructions. An area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine the best threshold for the tumour/pleura distance. Then multivariable survival analyses were used to assess the relationship between local recurrence and this threshold in relation to other variables., Results: Local recurrence occurred in 27/471 patients (5.8%). A cut-off value of 5 mm between the tumour and the pleura was determined statistically. In the multivariable analysis, the local recurrence rate was significantly higher in patients with a tumour-to-pleura distance ≤5 mm compared to patients with a tumour-to-pleura distance >5 mm (8.5% vs 2.7%, hazard ratio 3.36, 95% confidence interval: 1.31-8.59, P = 0.012). Subgroup analyses of patients with pIA and tumour size ≤2 cm identified local recurrences in 4/78 patients treated with segmentectomy (5.1%), with a significantly higher occurrence with tumour-to-pleura distances ≤5 mm (11.4% vs 0%, P = 0.037), and in 16/292 patients treated with lobectomy (5.5%) without significant higher occurrence in tumour-to-pleura distances of ≤5 mm (7.7% vs 3.4%, P = 0.13)., Conclusions: The peripheral location of a lung tumour is associated with a higher rate of local recurrence and should be taken into account during preoperative planning when considering segmental versus lobar resection., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of patients undergoing diagnostic and/or curative surgical pulmonary resections for lung opacities suspected of being localized primary lung cancers without preoperative tissue confirmation., Methods: We performed a single-centre retrospective study of a prospectively implemented institutional database of all patients who underwent pulmonary resection between January 2010 and December 2020. Patients were selected when surgery complied with the Fleischner society guidelines. We performed a multivariable logistic regression to determine the preoperative variables associated with malignancy., Results: Among 1392 patients, 213 (15.3%) had a final diagnosis of benignancy. We quantified futile parenchymal resections in 29 (2.1%) patients defined by an anatomical resection of >2 lung segments for benign lesions that did not modified the clinical management. Compared with patients with malignancies, patients with benignancies were younger (57.5 vs 63.9 years, P < 0.001), had lower preoperative risk profile (thoracoscore 0.4 vs 2.1, P < 0.001), had a higher proportion of wedge resection (50.7% vs 12.2%, P < 0.01) and experienced a lower burden of postoperative complication (Clavien-Dindo IV or V, 0.4% vs 5.6%, P < 0.001). Preoperative independent variables associated with malignancy were (adjusted odd ratio [95% confident interval]) age 1.02 [1.00; 1.04], smoking (year-pack) 1.005 (1.00; 1.01), history of cardiovascular disease 2.06 [1.30; 3.30], history of controlled cancer 2.74 [1.30; 6.88] and clinical N involvement 4.20 [1.11; 37.44]., Conclusions: Futile parenchymal lung resection for suspicious opacities without preoperative tissue diagnosis is rare (2.1%) while surgery for benign lesions represented 15.3% and has a satisfactory safety profile with very low postoperative morbi-mortality., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyse the outcomes of an international cohort of patients affected by Masaoka stage III thymic epithelial tumours with vascular involvement and treated by surgery., Methods: Study design was the observational multicentre retrospective cohort study. Data were extracted from the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons thymic database; additional variables were collected. Inclusion criteria were as follows: stage III (Masaoka-Koga) thymic epithelial tumours; surgery with radical intention; clinical or pathological great vessels involvement; and radiologically suspected or diagnosed intraoperatively. Outcome items were analysed., Results: Sixty-five patients submitted to surgery from 2001 to 2017 fulfilled inclusion criteria. Thymoma and thymic carcinoma patients did not differ for demographics and clinical characteristics. The majority of great vessel treated were superior vena cava or innominate veins (72.3%). Eleven patients (16.9%) had postoperative cardiopulmonary complications; vascular stenosis was observed in 3 patients (4.6%). The multivariable Cox analysis for disease-free survival showed an increased hazard of recurrence for thymic carcinoma (hazard ratio = 3.59; 95% confidence interval: 1.66-7.78, P = 0.001). The 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year overall survival rates were 0.86, 0.84, 0.81, and 0.53, respectively. There was no significant difference in overall survival according to resection status or between thymoma and thimic carcinoma. The univariable Cox regression model did not show an increased hazard of death for myasthenic patients considering all resection status and for patients who received neoadjuvant therapy., Conclusions: We observed that clinical outcomes of patients treated for stage III thymic epithelial tumours with vascular involvement are satisfactory suggesting to increase the confidence in dealing with these complex surgeries. Complete resection should be achieved, even though extensive vascular reconstructions are required., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The reporting of patient safety incidents (PSIs) occurring in minimally invasive thoracic surgery (MITS) is crucial. However, previous reports focused mainly on catastrophic events whereas minor events are often underreported., Methods: All voluntary reports of MITS-related PSIs were retrospectively extracted from the French REX database for 'in-depth analysis'. From 2008 to 2019, we retrospectively analysed and graded events according to the WHO classification of PSIs: near miss events, no harm incidents and harmful incidents. Causes and corrective measures were analysed according to the human-technology-organization triad., Results: Of the 5145 cardiothoracic surgery PSIs declared, 407 were related to MITS. Among them, MITS was performed for primary lung cancer in 317 (78%) and consisted in a lobectomy in 249 (61%) patients. PSIs were: near miss events in 42 (10%) patients, no harm incidents in 81 (20%) patients and harmful incidents in 284 (70%) patients (mild: n = 163, 40%; moderate: n = 78, 19%; severe: n = 36, 9%; and deaths: n = 7, 2%). Human factors represented the most important cause of PSIs with 267/407 (65.6%) cases, including mainly vascular injuries (n = 90; 22%) and non-vascular injuries (n = 43; 11%). Pulmonary arteries were the most affected site with 57/91 cases (62%). In all, there were 7 deaths (2%), 53 patients required second surgery (13%) and 30 required additional lung resection (7%)., Conclusions: The majority of reported MITS -related PSIs were non-catastrophic. Human factors were the main cause of PSIs. Systematic reporting and analysis of these PSIs will allow surgeon and his team to avoid a large proportion of them., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery.)

Objectives: Pulmonary retransplant (ReTx) is considered a controversial procedure. Despite literature reporting outcomes following ReTx, limited data exist in recipients bridged to their ReTx on extracorporeal life support (ECLS). The goal of this study was to investigate the outcomes of recipients bridged to a first-time ReTx by ECLS., Methods: We performed a retrospective multicentre cohort analysis from 10 centres in Europe, Asia and North America. The primary outcome was overall survival. Risk factors were analysed using Cox regression models., Results: ECLS as a bridge to a first-time ReTx was performed in 50 recipients (ECLS-ReTx). During the study period, 210 recipients underwent a first-time ReTx without bridging on ECLS (regular-ReTx) and 4959 recipients had a primary pulmonary transplant (index-Tx). The overall 1-year (55%) and 5-year (29%) survival was significantly worse for the ECLS-ReTx group.Compared to the index-Tx group, the mortality risk was significantly higher after ECLS-ReTx [hazard ratio 2.76 (95% confidence interval 1.94-3.91); P < 0.001] and regular-ReTx [hazard ratio 1.65 (95% confidence interval 1.36-2); P < 0.001].In multivariable analysis, recipient age ≥35 years, time interval <1 year from index-Tx, primary graft dysfunction as transplant indication, venoarterial-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and Zurich donor score ≥4 points were significant risk factors for mortality in ECLS-ReTx recipients., Conclusions: Recipients for ECLS-ReTx should be carefully selected. Risk factors, such as recipient age, intertransplant interval, primary graft dysfunction as transplant indication and type of ECLS should be kept in mind before bridging these patients on ECLS to ReTx., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Resection of thymic tumours including the removal of both the tumour and the thymus gland (thymothymectomy; TT) is the procedure of choice and is recommended in most relevant articles in the literature. Nevertheless, in recent years, some authors have suggested that resection of the tumour (simple thymomectomy; ST) may suffice from an oncological standpoint in patients with early-stage thymoma who do not have myasthenia gravis (MG) (non-MG). The goal of our study was to compare the short- and long-term outcomes of ST versus TT in non-MG early-stage thymomas using the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons thymic database., Methods: A total of 498 non-MG patients with pathological stage I thymoma were included in the study. TT was performed in 466 (93.6%) of 498 patients who had surgery with curative intent; ST was done in 32 (6.4%). The completeness of resection, the rate of complications, the 30-day mortality, the overall recurrence and the freedom from recurrence were compared. We performed crude and propensity score-adjusted comparisons by surgical approach (ST vs TT)., Results: TT showed the same rate of postoperative complications, 30-day mortality and postoperative length of stay as ST. The 5-year overall survival rate was 89% in the TT group and 55% in the ST group. The 5-year freedom from recurrence was 96% in the TT group and 79% in the ST group., Conclusion: Patients with early-stage thymoma without MG who have a TT show significantly better freedom from recurrence than those who have an ST, without an increase in postoperative morbidity rate., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To compare outcomes at 12 months between video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and open thoracotomy (OT) in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using real-world evidence., Methods: We did a nationwide propensity-matched cohort study. We included all patients who had a diagnosis of NSCLC and who benefitted from lobectomy between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2017. We divided this population into 2 groups (VATS and OT) and matched them using propensity scores based on patients' and hospitals' characteristics. Unplanned readmission, mortality, complications, length of stay and hospitalization costs within 12 months of follow-up were compared between the 2 groups., Results: A total of 13 027 patients from 180 hospitals were included, split into 6231 VATS (47.8%) and 6796 OT (52.2%). After propensity score matching (5617 patients in each group), VATS was not associated with a lower risk of unplanned readmission compared with OT [20.7% vs 21.9%, hazard ratio 1.03 (0.95-1.12)] during the 12-months follow-up. Unplanned readmissions at 90 days were mainly due to pulmonary complications (particularly pleural effusion and pneumonia) and were associated with higher mortality at 12 months (13.4% vs 2.7%, P < 0.0001)., Conclusions: VATS and OT were both associated with high incidence of unplanned readmissions within 12 months, requiring a better identification of prognosticators of unplanned readmissions. Our study highlights the need to improve prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary complications in patients with VATS and OT after discharge. These findings call for improving the dissemination of systematic perioperative care pathway including efficient pulmonary physiotherapy and rehabilitation., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The performance of prediction models tends to deteriorate over time. The purpose of this study was to update the Thoracoscore risk prediction model with recent data from the Epithor nationwide thoracic surgery database., Methods: From January 2016 to December 2017, a total of 56 279 patients were operated on for mediastinal, pleural, chest wall or lung disease. We used 3 recommended methods to update the Thoracoscore prediction model and then proceeded to develop a new risk model. Thirty-day hospital mortality included patients who died within the first 30 days of the operation and those who died later during the same hospital stay., Results: We compared the baseline patient characteristics in the original data used to develop the Thoracoscore prediction model and the validation data. The age distribution was different, with specifically more patients older than 65 years in the validation group. Video-assisted thoracoscopy accounted for 47% of surgeries in the validation group compared but only 18% in the original data. The calibration curve used to update the Thoracoscore confirmed the overfitting of the 3 methods. The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test was significant for the 3 updated models. Some coefficients were overfitted (American Society of Anesthesiologists score, performance status and procedure class) in the validation data. The new risk model has a correct calibration as indicated by the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test, which was non-significant. The C-index was strong for the new risk model (0.84), confirming the ability of the new risk model to differentiate patients with and without the outcome. Internal validation shows no overfitting for the new model., Conclusions: The new Thoracoscore risk model has improved performance and good calibration, making it appropriate for use in current clinical practice., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Health care-associated infections (HAIs) are serious issues following lung cancer surgery, leading to an increased risk of morbidity and hospital cost burden. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact on postoperative outcomes of a preoperative screening and decolonization strategy of nasal carriers for Staphylococcus aureus prior to lung cancer surgery., Methods: We performed a retrospective study comparing 2 cohorts of patients undergoing major lung resection: a control group of patients from the placebo arm of the randomized Clinical Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Chlorhexidine Mouthwashes operated on between July 2012 and April 2015 without any nasopharyngeal screening (N = 224); an experimental group, with preoperative screening for S. aureus of nasal carriers and selective 5-day decolonization in positive carriers using mupirocin ointment between January 2017 and December 2017 (N = 310). The 2 groups were matched according to a propensity score analysis with 1:1 matching. The primary outcome was the rate of postoperative HAIs, and the secondary outcome was the need for postoperative mechanical ventilation after surgery., Results: After matching, 2 similar groups of 108 patients each were obtained. In the experimental group, 26 patients had positive results for nasal carriage, and a significant decrease was observed in the rate of overall postoperative HAIs [control n = 19, 17.6%; experimental group n = 9, 8.3%; P = 0.043; relative risk 0.47 (0.22-1)] and in the rate of postoperative mechanical ventilation [control n = 12, 11.1%; experimental group n = 4, 3.7%; P = 0.038; relative risk 0.33 (0.11-1)]. After logistic regression and multivariable analysis, screening of S. aureus nasal carriers reduced the rate of HAIs [odds ratio (OR) 0.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.11-0.76; P = 0.01] and reduced the risk of the need for postoperative mechanical ventilation (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.05-0.74; P = 0.02). There was no significant statistical difference between the 2 groups regarding the rate of postoperative S. aureus-associated infection (control group n = 6, 5.6%; experimental group n = 2, 1.9%; P = 0.28)., Conclusions: Identification of nasal carriers of S. aureus and selective decontamination using mupirocin appeared to have a beneficial effect on postoperative infectious events after lung resection surgery., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Our goal was to report on the contemporaneous single-centre experience of patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) who had lung resection with curative intent., Methods: Between 2005 and 2018, 31 patients were operated on for SCLC with curative intent. There were 11 women and 20 men whose ages averaged 63 ± 10 years. The clinical diagnosis was incidental in 16 patients (51.6%). All patients were screened with high-resolution computed tomography, positron emission tomography and brain imaging. Eight patients (25.8%) had invasive mediastinal lymph node staging., Results: Preoperative tissue diagnosis was unknown or erroneous in 26 patients (83.9%). Lung resections comprised mainly lobectomies (n = 23; 74.2%). Lymphadenectomies harvested a mean of 16.3 ± 3 lymph nodes, leading to upstaging in 38.7% of the cases. An R0 resection was achieved in 28 patients (90.3%). Pathological analysis disclosed pure small cell histological specimens in 24 patients (77.4%). There were no 90-day deaths. Perioperative platinum-based chemotherapy was performed in 27 patients (87.1%); adjuvant thoracic irradiation, in 7 (50%) of the 14 N+ patients; and prophylactic cranial irradiation, in 8 (29.6%) of the 27 potential candidates. Overall, disease-free and disease-specific survival rates at 5 years were 32.9 ± 10%, 35.2 ± 10% and 44.1 ± 11.3%, respectively., Conclusions: Despite the use of contemporary screening and staging methods, selection of SCLC candidates for surgery remained haphazard, surgery was typically performed in ignorance of the actual histological and adherence to treatment guidelines was inconsistent. Nevertheless, one-third of patients with SCLC who were operated on were cured, even in cases of regional or oligometastatic disease., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Bronchial sleeve resection is an uncommon thoracic surgical procedure. Under specific conditions, patients can be selected to undergo a sleeve resection of the main bronchus with complete parenchymal preservation. The left main bronchus is longer than the contralateral bronchus, therefore left endobronchial tumours can be localized at the proximal end of the bronchus or distally, near the secondary carina. Bronchial anastomosis in these 2 situations requires different approaches. We present the surgical technique of left main bronchus resection with complete preservation of lung parenchyma through a hemi-clamshell incision (proximal tumour) or posterolateral thoracotomy (distal tumour)., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Hiatal hernias (HH) after oesophagectomy are rare, and their surgical management is not well standardized. Our goal was to report on the management of HH after oesophagectomy in high-volume tertiary European French-speaking centres., Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicentre study among 19 European French-speaking departments of upper gastrointestinal and/or thoracic surgery. All patients scheduled or operated on for the repair of an HH after oesophagectomy were collected between 2000 and 2016. Demographics, details of the initial procedure, surgical management and long-term outcome were analysed., Results: Seventy-nine of 6608 (1.2%) patients who had oesophagectomies were included in the study. The postoesophagectomy diagnostic interval of an HH after oesophagectomy was ≤90 days (n = 17; 21%), 13 were emergency cases; between 91 days and 1 year, n = 21 (27%), 13 in emergency; ≥1 year, n = 41 (52%), 17 in emergency. The time to occurrence of HH after oesophagectomy was shorter after laparoscopy (median 308 days; interquartile range 150-693) compared to that after laparotomy (median 562 days, interquartile range 138-1768; P = 0.01). The incidence of HH after oesophagectomy was 0.73% (22/3010) after open surgery and 1.4% (26/1761) after laparoscopy (P = 0.03). Among the 79 patients, 78 were operated on: 35 had laparotomies (45%), 19 had laparoscopies (24%) and 24 (31%) had transthoracic approaches. Among the 43 urgent surgeries, 35 were open (25 laparotomies and 10 transthoracic approaches) and 8 were laparoscopies (conversion rate, 25%). Nine patients required bowel resections. Morbidity occurred in 36 (46%) patients with 1 postoperative death (1.2%). During the follow-up period, recurrent HH after oesophagectomy requiring revisional surgery developed in 8 (6 days-26 months) patients., Conclusions: Surgical management of HH after oesophagectomy could be done by laparoscopy in patients with scheduled surgery but laparotomy or thoracotomy was preferred in urgent situations. The incidence of HH after oesophagectomy is higher and its onset earlier when laparoscopy is used at the initial oesophagectomy., (© The Author(s) 2018. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Large retrospective series have indicated lower rates of cN0 to pN1 nodal upstaging after video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) compared with open resections for Stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The objective of our multicentre study was to investigate whether the presumed lower rate of N1 upstaging after VATS disappears after correction for central tumour location in a multivariable analysis., Methods: Consecutive patients operated for PET-CT based clinical Stage I NSCLC were selected from prospectively managed surgical databases in 11 European centres. Central tumour location was defined as contact with bronchovascular structures on computer tomography and/or visibility on standard bronchoscopy., Results: Eight hundred and ninety-five patients underwent pulmonary resection by VATS (n = 699, 9% conversions) or an open technique (n = 196) in 2014. Incidence of nodal pN1 and pN2 upstaging was 8% and 7% after VATS and 15% and 6% after open surgery, respectively. pN1 was found in 27% of patients with central tumours. Less central tumours were operated on by VATS compared with the open technique (12% vs 28%, P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that only tumour location had a significant impact on N1 upstaging (OR 6.2, confidence interval 3.6-10.8; P < 0.001) and that the effect of surgical technique (VATS versus open surgery) was no longer significant when accounting for tumour location., Conclusions: A quarter of patients with central clinical Stage I NSCLC was upstaged to pN1 at resection. Central tumour location was the only independent factor associated with N1 upstaging, undermining the evidence for lower N1 upstaging after VATS resections. Studies investigating N1 upstaging after VATS compared with open surgery should be interpreted with caution due to possible selection bias, i.e. relatively more central tumours in the open group with a higher chance of N1 upstaging., (© The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNC) is a rare tumour characterized by aggressive biological behaviour and poor prognosis. Due to its rarity and the lack of randomized clinical trials, the best treatment is still under debate. Some recent reports indicate that adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) may have a beneficial effect on survival. Our goal was to evaluate this finding using a large series of patients with neuroendocrine tumours obtained from the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons database., Methods: Data for 400 patients with LCNC operated on in 14 thoracic surgery institutions worldwide between 1992 and 2014 were collected retrospectively. Overall survival was the primary endpoint; we used a multivariable Cox regression model to evaluate which clinical variables may influence patient outcomes; we also focused on the possible prognostic role of adjuvant CT. A propensity score (PS) analysis using the inverse probability of treatment weighting was also carried out., Results: The 3- and 5-year survival rates were 54.1% and 45%, respectively. With the multivariable model, we found that increasing age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status ≥2 and advanced TNM stage were indicators of poor prognosis. Weak evidence of a higher overall survival in patients receiving adjuvant CT (adjusted hazard ratio 0.73; 95% confidence interval: 0.56-0.96, P  = 0.022) was observed., Conclusions: A trend towards benefit from adjuvant CT has been observed in patients with LCNC. Although surgical procedures remain the mainstay of curative options, combination with other treatments (e.g. neoadjuvant CT/radiotherapy) should be evaluated by future studies., (© The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Free tissue transfers are sometimes required in the reconstruction of large full-thickness chest wall defects. To minimize the risk of viscera exposure in case of free flap complications, we describe a two-stage procedure using an anterolateral thigh flap., (© The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Thymectomy may be part of the therapeutic strategy in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) without thymoma. Median sternotomy is still considered as the gold standard, but during the last 15 years, several groups have demonstrated the non-inferiority of cervicotomy with upper sternotomy and minimally invasive techniques. To date, there is no consensus on surgical procedure choice. The aim of our study was to compare the morbidity and mortality of three techniques [cervicotomy with upper sternotomy versus sternotomy versus video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS)/robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS)] from the national database EPITHOR and to analyse French epidemiology., Methods: From the national thoracic surgery database EPITHOR, we have extracted all the details regarding thymectomies performed for non-thymomatous MG. We have divided thymectomy into three groups: A-sternotomy; B-cervicotomy with upper sternotomy; C-VATS/RATS. We investigated the postoperative morbidity and mortality without analysis of the long-term evolution of the disease not available on EPITHOR., Results: From 2005 to 2013, 278 patients were included: 131 (47%) in Group A, 31 (11%) in Group B and 116 (42%) in Group C. The sex ratio F/M was 2.3. The mean age was, respectively, 42 ± 17, 42 ± 16, 35 ± 14 years old (P < 0.01). The number of patients without comorbidities was 63 (48%), 25 (81%) and 78 (65%), respectively (P < 0.01). The operative time was 94 ± 37, 79 ± 42 and 112 ± 59 min, respectively (P < 0.01). The number of patients who presented at least one postoperative complication was 12 (14%), 0 and 3 (9%) (P= 0.03), respectively. The postoperative lengths of stay were 7.7 ± 4.5, 5 ± 1.7 and 4.5 ± 2 days, respectively (P < 0.01). There was no death., Conclusions: In our study, we were unable to prove the superiority of minimally invasive techniques due to the important differences between the groups. However, this study shows us major changes in French surgical procedures during the last decade with an increase in minimally invasive procedures such as VATS and RATS., (© The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Video-assisted thoracoscopic anatomical resections are increasingly used in Europe to manage primary lung cancer. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcome following thoracoscopic versus open lobectomy in case-matched groups of patients from the European Society of Thoracic Surgeon (ESTS) database., Methods: All patients having lobectomy as the primary procedure via thoracoscopy [video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)-L)] or thoracotomy (TH-L) were identified in the ESTS database (January 2007 to December 2013). A propensity score was constructed using several patients' baseline characteristics. The matching using the propensity score was responsible for the minimization of selection bias. A propensity score-matched analysis was performed to compare the incidence of postoperative major complications (according to the ESTS database definitions) and mortality at hospital discharge between the matched groups. After exclusions, 28 771 patients were identified: 26 050 having thoracotomy and 2721 having thoracoscopy. Propensity score yielded two well-matched groups of 2721 patients. Numeric variables were compared by Student's t-tests and categorical variables were compared by McNemar's tests., Results: Compared with TH-L, VATS-L was associated with a lower incidence of total complications [n = 792 (29.1%) vs 863 (31.7%), P = 0.0357], major cardiopulmonary complications [n = 316 (15.9%) vs 435 (19.6%), P = 0.0094], atelectasis requiring bronchoscopy [n = 65 (2.4%) vs 150 (5.5%), P < 0.0001], initial ventilation >48 h [n = 18 (0.7%) vs 38 (1.4%), P = 0.0075] and wound infection [n = 6 (0.2%) vs 17 (0.6%), P = 0.0218]. There was no difference in the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation between the two groups (P = 0.14). Postoperative hospital stay was 2 days shorter in the VATS-L patients (mean: 7.8 vs 9.8 days; P = 0.0003). In terms of outcome at hospital discharge, there were 27 deaths in the VATS-L group (1%) versus 50 in the TH-L group (1.9%, P = 0.0201)., Conclusions: Data from the ESTS database confirmed that lobectomy performed through VATS is associated with a lower incidence of complications compared with thoracotomy., (© The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The incidence rate of prolonged air leak (PAL) after lobectomy, defined as any air leak prolonged beyond 7 days, can be estimated to be in between 6 and 15%. In 2011, the Epithor group elaborated an accurate predictive score for PAL after open lung resections, so-called IPAL (index of prolonged air leak), from a nation-based surgical cohort constituted between 2004 and 2008. Since 2008, video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has become popular in France among the thoracic surgical community, reaching almost 14% of lobectomies performed with this method in 2012. This minimally invasive approach was reported as a means to reduce the duration of chest tube drainage. The aim of our study was thus to validate the IPAL scoring system in patients having received VATS anatomical lung resections., Methods: We collected all anatomical VATS lung resections (lobectomy and segmentectomy) registered in the French national general thoracic surgery database (EPITHOR) between 2009 and 2012. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve estimated the discriminating value of the IPAL score. The slope value described the relation between the predicted and observed incidences of PALs. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test was also used to estimate the quality of adequacy between predicted and observed values., Results: A total of 1233 patients were included: 1037 (84%) lobectomies and 196 (16%) segmentectomies. In 1099 cases (89.1%), the resection was performed for a malignant disease. Ninety-six patients (7.7%) presented with a PAL. The IPAL score provided a satisfactory predictive value with an area under the ROC curve of 0.72 (0.67-0.77). The value of the slope, 1.25 (0.9-1.58), and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test (χ(2) = 11, P = 0.35) showed that predicted and observed values were adequate., Conclusion: The IPAL score is valid for the estimation of the predictive risk of PAL after VATS lung resections. It may thus a priori be used to characterize any surgical population submitted to potential preventive measures., (© The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: In 2012, the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS) created the Lung Neuroendocrine Tumors Working Group (NETs-WG) with the aim to develop scientific knowledge on clinical management of such rare neoplasms. This paper outlines the outcome and prognostic factors of two aggressive NETs: atypical carcinoids (ACs) and large-cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (LCNCs)., Methods: Using the ESTS NETs-WG database, we retrospectively collected data on 261 patients in seven institutions in Europe, between 1994 and 2011. We used a Cox regression model to evaluate variables affecting patient survival and disease-free survival. Univariate and multivariate analysis were also carried out., Results: Five-year overall survival rates for ACs and LCNCs were 77 vs 28% (P < 0.001), respectively. We found that for ACs, age (P < 0.001), tumour size (P = 0.015) and sub-lobar surgical resection (P = 0.005) were independent negative prognostic factors; for LCNCs, only pTNM stage III tumours (P = 0.016) negatively affected outcome in the multivariate analysis. Local recurrences and distant metastases developed in 93 patients and were statistically more frequent in LCNCs (P = 0.02)., Conclusions: The biological aggressiveness of ACs and LCNCs has been demonstrated with this study. Our aim is to confirm these results with enhanced data collection through the ESTS NETs database., (© The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The high mortality rate observed on the regular waiting list (RWL) before lung transplantation (LTx) prompted the French organ transplantation authorities to set up in 2007 a dedicated graft allocation strategy, the so-called 'high-emergency waiting list' (HEWL), for patients with an abrupt worsening of their respiratory function. This study reports on the early results of this new allocation system., Methods: Among 11 active French LTx programmes, 7 were able to provide full outcome data by 31 December 2011. The medical records of 101 patients who were listed on the HEWL from July 2007 to December 2011 were reviewed for an intention-to-treat analysis., Results: Ninety-five patients received LTx within a median waiting time on the HEWL of 4 days (range 1-26), and 6 died before transplantation. Conditions were cystic fibrosis (65.2%), pulmonary fibrosis (24.8%), emphysema (5%) and miscellaneous (5%). The median age of the recipient was 30 years (range 16-66). Patients listed on the HEWL came from the RWL in 48.5% of the cases and were new patients in 51.5%. Forty-nine were placed under invasive ventilation and, in 26 cases, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) prior to transplantation was necessary as a complementary treatment. ECMO for non-intubated patients was performed in 6 cases. Eighty-one bilateral and 14 single LTx were performed, with an overall in-hospital mortality rate of 29.4%. One- and 3-year survival rates were 67.5 and 59%, respectively. Multivariate analysis shows that the use of ECMO prior to transplantation was the sole independent mortality risk factor (hazard ratio = 2.77 [95% CI 1.26-6.11])., Conclusions: The new allocation system aimed at lowering mortality on the RWL, but also offered an access to LTx for new patients with end-stage respiratory failure. The HEWL increased the likelihood of mortality after LTx, but permitted acceptable mid-term survival rates. The high mortality associated with the use of ECMO should be interpreted cautiously., (© The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

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.

Objectives: The 7th edition of American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system of oesophageal cancer and gastro-oesophageal junction has re-staged positive nodes into N1-3 according to the number of invaded lymph nodes (LNs). However, this new classification does not consider the potential negative impact of the extracapsular breakthrough on survival. This study aims at assessing prognosis according to whether LN involvement is intracapsular (ICLNI) or extracapsular (ECLNI) on disease-free survival (DFS) among the three sub-groups of LN-positive patients., Methods: Four hundred and sixteen consecutive R0 patients who underwent transthoracic oesophagectomy for cancer between 1996 and 2011 were retrospectively re-classified using the latest AJCC TNM classification. Among them, 230 (55%) patients have received a neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Prognostic impact of ICLNI and ECLNI on DFS was assessed according to their new LN status. Multivariate analysis was drawn to determine factors affecting DFS., Results: Among the 416 patients, there were 138 (33%) patients with positive LN: 79 (57%) with ICLNI and 59 (43%) with ECLNI. The proportion of ECLNI was 21 of 73 (28%), 21 of 41 (51%) and 17 of 24 (70%) in N1, N2 and N3 patients, respectively. In N1 patients, median DFS was 48 months in ICLNI and 13 months in ECLNI (P = 0.068). In N2 patients, median DFS was 19 months in ICLNI and 9 months in ECLNI (P = 0.07). In N3 patients, median DFS was not reached in ICLNI and was 6 months in ECLNI (P = 0.002). On multivariate analysis, the ECLNI (P < 0.001, hazard ratio, HR: 2.51) and the post-T stage (P = 0.03, HR: 1.62) were the two independent factors affecting DFS., Conclusions: Based on our limited study population, the existence of an ECLNI seems to have an additive negative impact on DFS, regardless of the pN stage. This suggests that extracapsular breakthrough status should be added to the new TNM staging system. This information has to be validated by further investigations.

Bilateral lung transplantation was performed in a 52-year old man with end-stage Kartagener's syndrome. A postimplantation right lower lobectomy was required for volume reduction and dextrocardia. A bronchial fistula developed with an intractable colonized residual pleural cavity. Closure was obtained successfully with multiple-stage procedures including decortication, muscle flap and an open-window thoracostomy without modification of the immunosuppressive protocol.

Objectives: Recent studies have suggested that postoperative complications could have a potential negative effect on long-term outcome after oesophagectomy for cancer. Because respiratory failures represent the most frequent postoperative complication, we have investigated the prognostic impact of these complications on disease-free survival (DFS)., Methods: From a prospective single-institution database of 405 consecutive patients who underwent transthoracic oesophagectomy for cancer, we retrospectively analysed medical charts of all patients with microscopically complete resection (R0, n = 384 patients). Complications were graded according to the modified Clavien classification. Respiratory complications were defined as atelectasis, pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome in the absence of early surgical complications. Patients with grade 5 (postoperative mortality, n = 43, 11%) were excluded from the analysis. The remaining 341 patients were analysed for estimation of DFS according to the Kaplan-Meier method. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to discriminate predictive factors affecting DFS., Results: According to the modified Clavien classification, postoperative complications rates were grade 0: 147 (44%), grade 1: 7 (2%), grade 2: 56 (16%), grade 3: 69 (20%) and grade 4: 62 (18%). Five-year DFS rates were not significantly different between grade 0 (no complication, 38%, n = 147) and other grades (grade 1, 2, 3 and 4 (64, 45, 56 and 48%, respectively)). Respiratory complications occurred in 107 patients (31%) and the 5-year DFS in this subgroup was 47% compared with 38% observed in grade 0 patients (P = 0.75). Clavien classification and respiratory complications did not come out in the univariate analysis of factors affecting DFS. On logistic regression, only two variables affected DFS: c-N stage and extracapular lymph node involvement., Conclusions: When postoperative mortality is excluded, postoperative complications do not affect DFS in patients with complete resection. This deserves substantial information regarding the prognosis of subgroup of patients in critical situations where incrementing intensive care is debated.

Objective: Malnutrition is common after oesophageal cancer surgery. This study aims to investigate body mass index (BMI) kinetics and the risk factors of malnutrition among 1-year disease-free survivors after radical transthoracic oesophagectomy for cancer., Methods: From a prospective single-institution database, 118 1-year disease-free survivors having undergone a R0 transthoracic oesophagectomy with gastric tubulization between 2000 and 2008 were identified retrospectively. BMI values were collected at the onset of the disease (pre-treatment BMI), at the time of surgery (preoperative BMI), at postoperative 6 months and 1 year after oesophagectomy (1-year BMI). Logistic regression was performed with adjustment for confounders to estimate odds ratios of the factors associated with a 1-year weight loss (WL) of at least 15% of the pre-treatment body weight (BW)., Results: At the onset of the disease, 5 patients (4%) were underweighted (BMI < 8.5 kg/m&sup2;), 65 (55%) were normal (BMI = 18.5-24.9 kg/m&sup2;), 36 (31%) were overweighted (BMI > 25 kg/m&sup2;) and 12 (10%) were obese (BMI > 30 kg/m&sup2;). Mean pre-treatment, preoperative, postoperative 6-month and 1-year BMI values were 24.64 ± 4 kg/m&sup2;, 23.55 ± 3.8 kg/m&sup2;, 21.7 ± 3 kg/m&sup2; and 21.97 ± 4 kg/m&sup2;, respectively. One-year WL ≥ 15% of the pre-treatment BW was present in 29 patients (25%): 18 among the 48 patients (37%) with a pre-treatment BMI ≥ 25 and 11 among the 70 patients (15%) with pre-treatment BMI < 25 (P = 0.006). On logistic regression, initial overweighting was the sole independent prognosticator of 1-year postoperative WL of at least 15% of the pre-treatment BW (P = 0.039; OR: 2.96, [1.06-8.32])., Conclusions: Postoperative malnutrition remains a severe problem after oesophageal cancer resection, even in long-term disease-free survivors. Overweight and obese patients are the segment population most exposed to this postoperative malnutrition, suggesting that such surgery could have substantial bariatric effect. A special vigilance programme on the nutritional status of this sub-group of patients should be the rule.

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SP) is defined as the presence of free air in mediastinal space without any apparent cause. This rare entity is most likely to occur in young males often related to an episode of vomiting, asthma or sustained physical activity. SP usually resolves spontaneously in few days of treatment based on rest and analgesia. Complications are extremely rare. Its recurrence has been poorly reported but seems exceptional. We present a case of recurrent SP occurring in a 21-year-old male with a mental deficiency. The recurrence occurred after a free-interval of 12 months. We proposed a literature review.

Lung cancer remains the main leading cancer-related cause of death in the world. For early-stage tumor, surgery stands out as the best curative option offering the greatest chance for cure. Despite improvement of per- and postoperative management, surgery continues to carry a high morbidity with a significant mortality. Among postoperative complications, respiratory failures (nosocomial pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome) are currently the most frequent and serious, as well as being the primary cause of hospital death, after a lung resection for cancer. Because infectious etiologies have been highly incriminated in the development of these pulmonary complications, microbial airways colonizations (AWCs) are supposed to be an essential first step in the pathogenesis of these failures occurring in hospitalized and chronically ill individuals. These patients fulfill all the predisposing factors to bronchial colonizations and are particularly exposed to the development of respiratory failures in the postoperative setting, when secretion clearance and cough reflex are impaired. Under immunosuppressive conditions, AWC should act in a manner that increases its ability to stimulate microorganisms and increase the risks of superimposed infections. Few studies have addressed the problem of AWCs in patients submitted for lung cancer surgery. Because of several limitations, especially the lack of exhaustive microbiological studies, the conclusions that can be reached remain inconclusive. This review aims to report the existing literature on this critical and controversial issue, focusing on their specific incidence, their predisposing factors, their correlation with development of respiratory failures, and, in turn, the reliability of the current antibiotic prophylaxis for their prevention., (Copyright © 2010 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Stump dehiscence after pneumonectomy is a cause of morbidity and mortality in patients treated for non-small-cell lung carcinoma. Surgical repair remains the treatment of choice but can be postponed or contraindicated. Bronchoscopic techniques may be an option with curative intent or as a bridge towards definitive surgery. The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy and the outcome of a new customised covered conical self-expandable metallic stent in the management of large bronchopleural fistulas complicating pneumonectomies., Methods: A case series using chart review of non-operable patients presenting with large bronchopleural fistulas (>6mm) post-pneumonectomies as a definitive treatment with curative intent for non-small-cell lung carcinomas and requiring the use of a dedicated conical shaped stent in two tertiary referral centres., Results: Seven patients presenting large post-pneumonectomy fistulas (between 6 and 12 mm) were included. Cessation of the air leak and clinical improvement was achieved in all the patients after stent placement. Stent-related complications (two migrations and one stent rupture) were successfully managed using bronchoscopic techniques in two patients and surgery in one. Mortality, mainly related to overwhelming sepsis, was 57%. Delayed definitive surgery was achieved successfully in three patients (43%)., Conclusions: This case series assesses the short-term clinical efficacy of a new customised covered conical self-expandable metallic stent in the multidisciplinary management of large bronchopleural fistulas complicating pneumonectomies in patients deemed non-operable. Long-term benefits are jeopardised by infectious complications., (Copyright © 2010 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Respiratory complications are the most frequent concern following oesophagectomy. We aimed to assess the postoperative inflammatory response after oesophagectomy and to determine its reliability to predict the occurrence of pulmonary complications., Methods: A total of 97 patients were enrolled in this prospective observational study. All patients underwent a transthoracic oesophagectomy for cancer. From D0 to D3, plasmatic cytokine levels (interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha), short synacthen test (SST), PaO(2)/FiO(2) ratio and clinical factors determining the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) were monitored and compared between patients who experienced pulmonary complications (group I) and those who did not (group II)., Results: The overall in-hospital mortality was 5%. Postoperative pulmonary complications occurred in 33 patients (34%). Sputum retention was the first step of pulmonary complications in 26 patients (occurring at a mean of 2.8+/-1 days after the operation), leading to pneumonia in 22 patients (4.7+/-1 days) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in 10 (6.9+/-3 days). At day 2, group I patients had significantly higher plasmatic levels of IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-alpha than group II patients. PaO(2)/FiO(2) was impaired accordingly (215 vs 348; p=0.006). SST was negative in 38% of group I patients and in 30% of group II patients (p=0.51). SIRS was present in 33% and 6% of group I and group II patients, respectively (p< or =0.01). At multivariate analysis, early occurrence of SIRS was the sole significant predictor of pulmonary complications (p=0.005; odds ratio (OR):11.4, confidence interval (CI): 2-63)., Conclusions: The vast majority of postoperative pulmonary complications after oesophagectomy occur after the 4th postoperative day. The earlier detection (first 48 h) of SIRS, high plasmatic cytokine levels and impairment of PaO(2)/FiO(2) predicts the onset of these complications. This finding suggests that early pharmacological intervention may have a beneficial impact., (Copyright 2009 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Single-lung transplantation (SLTX) in patients with previous contralateral pneumonectomy (PN) is a rarely observed situation. Intrathoracic anatomical changes caused by mediastinal shift may complicate the surgical procedure. We collected observations from different transplantation centres to analyse the technical aspects and results., Patients and Methods: Between July 1990 and September 2008, 14 patients (seven women and seven men) with previous PN underwent SLTX for end-stage pulmonary failure. Patients were categorised in three groups according to lung disease: cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (group 1; n=4), non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (group 2; n=6) and bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (group 3; n=4). We reviewed patients' characteristics according to mediastinal shift, thoracic approach, bypass cannula procedure, perioperative difficulties and immediate and long-term results., Results: Median age was 19.5, 33.5 and 52.5 years in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively; there were nine left and five right cases of SLTX. Surgery was performed by sternotomy (n=4), anterolateral thoracotomy (n=4), clamshell (n=4) or posterolateral thoracotomy (n=2). Cannulas for bypass were inserted into femoral (n=7) or central vessels (n=5) or both (n=2). Mediastinal shift did not complicate surgical procedure but rendered cannulation more difficult with ensuing cardiopulmonary bypass dysfunction (n=3) and early bronchial complications (n=2). In-hospital mortality rate was 29% (4 out of 14 patients), including two deaths due to perioperative difficulties linked to mediastinal shift. Median global survival was 108 months. Median survival was higher in group 2 (108 months vs 1 month in the other groups) and in case of PN during childhood (n=6, median survival 108 months corresponding to one death)., Conclusions: SLTX after PN is associated with high perioperative morbidity and mortality due to mediastinal shift. Best results are observed in patients undergoing PN for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis and during childhood. Anatomical changes induced by PN must be anticipated to adapt the thoracic approach and cardiopulmonary bypass access.

Objective: To report on the experience with radical surgery, with emphasis on the long-term outcome, for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) at a single institution., Methods: From our prospective database over a 17-year period, we reviewed 83 consecutive patients undergoing radical surgery for MPM in a multimodality programme. The long-term overall survival was analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method., Results: A total of 83 patients (65 males, median age: 60 years) underwent an extra-pleural pneumonectomy (EPP) with a curative intent. Epitheliod MPM was the most frequent (82%) cause. A right-sided disease was present in half of the cases (n=42). The International Mesothelioma Interest Group (IMIG) stage of the disease was 2 in 36%, 3 in 45% and 4 in 9% of the cases. Preoperative chemotherapy consisting of a doublet cisplatin-pemetrexed (mean of three cycles) was offered to 10 patients (12%). Postoperative therapies, either chemotherapy or radiotherapy, were given in 25 patients (30%). The 30-day and 90-day mortality rates were 4.8% and 10.8%, respectively. Postoperative complications occurred in 39.8% and were major in 23 patients (27.7%). Re-operation was necessary in 12 cases (14.5%) for one of the following reasons: broncho-pleural fistula (n=4), bleeding (n=3), diaphragmatic patch rupture (n=3), oesophago-pleural fistula (n=1) and empyaema (n=1). The mean hospital stay was 43 days. The median survival was 14.5 months, while the overall 1-, 2- and 5-year survival rates were 62.4%, 32.2% and 14.3%, respectively., Conclusions: These results concur with the published data of the most experienced centre with regards to the mortality and morbidity after EPP for MPM. In line with the biggest series reported in the past, the observed 5-year survival rate of almost 15% is disappointing.

Objective: To examine retrospectively the patients of our department who had a self-expandable totally covered metal stent placed for oesophageal leak., Methods: Patients hospitalised in our department for oesophageal cancer and/or oesophageal perforation between 2004 and 2006. All medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Seventy-two patients underwent oesophageal resection for oesophageal cancer and 16 were managed for oesophageal perforations., Results: Eight out of 72 patients submitted to resection for oesophageal cancer had postoperative leaks, while one patient developed tracheo-oesophageal fistula (TEF) due to prolonged mechanical ventilation. Six of them had stent placement in first intention, whereas two received the procedure after an unsuccessful repeat operation. The mean stent placement time was 18.4 days (SD=15.2 days), whereas the median was 14 days. The leak was managed efficiently by the stent in seven patients, whereas two patients needed repeat operations (one with TEF). The mean stent removal time was 56.8 days (SD=30.5 days) and the median was 40 days. None developed anastomotic stricture. On the other hand, three out of 16 patients with perforation had a stent, two of them for Boerhaave syndrome and one for iatrogenic rupture after bariatric surgery. One of them required the stent 17 days after surgical repair with excellent results, while the other two patients had the stent placed immediately, but still needed thoracotomy to control the leak., Conclusions: Stent placement can prove very useful in the management of post-oesophagectomy anastomotic leaks, but its contribution needs to be evaluated with caution in cases of oesophageal perforations or TEF. Larger series and prospective comparative clinical trials could eventually clarify the role of stents in clinical practice of surgical patients.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical relevance of preoperative airway colonisation in patients undergoing oesophagectomy for cancer after a neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy., Methods: From 1998 to 2005, 117 patients received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for advanced stage oesophageal cancer. Among them, 45 non-randomised patients underwent a bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL group) prior to surgery to assess airways colonisation. The remaining patients (n=72) constituted the control group. The two groups were similar with respect to various clinical or pathological characteristics., Results: Thirteen of the 45 BAL patients (28%) had a preoperative bronchial colonisation by either potentially pathogenic micro-organisms (PPMs) (n=7, 16%) or non-potentially pathogenic micro-organisms (n=6, 13%). Cytomegalovirus (CMV) was cultured from BAL in four patients. Pre-emptive therapy was administrated in seven patients: four antiviral and three antibiotic prophylaxes. Postoperatively, 14 patients (19%) developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in the control group and three (7%) in the BAL group (p=0.064). The cause of ARDS was attributed to CMV pneumonia in six control group patients on the basis of the results of open lung biopsies (n=3) or BAL cultures (n=3) versus none of the BAL group patients (p=0.08). Timing for extubation was shorter in the BAL group (mean 13+/-3 h) as compared with the control group (mean 19.5+/-14 h; p=0.039). In-hospital mortality was not significantly lower in BAL group patients when compared to that of control group patients (8% vs 12.5%)., Conclusions: Airway colonisation by PPMs after neoadjuvant therapy is suggested as a possible cause of postoperative ARDS after oesophagectomy. Pre-emptive treatment of bacterial and viral (CMV) colonisation seems an effective option to prevent postoperative pneumonia.

Objective: T4-disease for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) includes different conditions: mediastinal invasion, neoplastic pleural cytology, and multifocal disease in the same lobe; regarding the last category, no strict criteria allow to differentiate satellite nodules from synchronous multiple primary tumours., Methods: Retrospective study of 56 patients who underwent a complete resection from 1985 to 2006 of a NSCLC graded pT4N0 due to multifocal disease. A small nodule (<1cm) closed to the primary tumour, in a same pulmonary segment with an identical histology was considered as a satellite nodule (pT4sn). Multiple tumours, sized more than 1cm, with an identical histology, located in the same lobe but in different segment were considered as synchronous cancers (pT4sc)., Results: There were 44 males and 12 females: 35 patients were graded T4sn and 21 patients T4sc. The median age was 62.5 years. The two groups were similar for sex, age, tobacco consumption, ASA score, NYHA, Charlson's index, spirometric parameters, cardiovascular comorbidity and history of previous extra-thoracic malignancies. All had a complete anatomic resection with mediastinal lymphadenectomy. Thirty-day mortality rate was 3.6%. Overall 5-year and 10-year survival rates were 48.2% and 29.9%, respectively. There was a non-significant trend for a worse survival in T4sn group patients when compared to that of T4sc group patients: 42.9% vs 52.3% at 5 years, and 25% vs 34.9% at 10 years (p=0.62)., Conclusions: Multifocal T4 stage IIIB disease is a heterogeneous category where overall prognosis is far better than those of other T4 subgroups. Survival rates associated with pT4sn and pT4sc look roughly similar because of the small size of the subgroups usually submitted to comparison in most series. In the present experience, respective survival figures diverge, suggesting different biological behaviours.

Objective: Controversy continues over the optimal extent of lymphadenectomy for the surgical treatment of Adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus., Methods: From 1996 to 2003, 102 transthoracic en-bloc esophagectomy were performed for adenocarcinoma. Based on the 1994 consensus conference of the International Society of Disease of Esophagus, 35 patients underwent standard lymphadenectomy whereas 67 underwent extended lymphadenectomy. Mortality, morbidity and long-term survival were reviewed in each group., Results: Extended lymphadenectomy increased the number of resected lymph nodes and improved the healthy/invaded lymph node ratio. It allowed to detect skip nodal metastasis in 36.4% of the N+ patients. Morbidity was higher following extended lymphadenectomy, with respect to pulmonary complications, and blood transfusions requirement (P=0.04). However, operative mortality was similar in both groups (9 vs. 11%). Overall disease-free survival was 28% at 5 years. Median of survival was higher in N0 than in N+ patients (55 months vs. 20 months; P=0.02). Extended lymphadenectomy was associated with an improving of disease-free survival when compared to standard lymphadenectomy (41 vs. 10% at 5 years; P<0.05), especially in the subgroup of patients with a N0 disease (median of survival 44 months vs. 17 months; P=0.001). Based on multivariable analyses, predictive factors of recurrence affecting disease free-survival were the pT status (P=0.02), standard lymphadenectomy (P=0.05) and extracapsular lymph node involvement (0.04)., Conclusions: These results indicate that extended 2-field lymphadenectomy is an important component of the surgical treatment of patients with adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus. It increases the likelihood of proper staging and affects patient outcome, while it does not enhance the operative mortality. However, extended lymphadenectomy increases non-fatal morbidity, especially the incidence of pulmonary complications and the need for blood transfusion.