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OBJECTIVES The identification of the intersegmental plane during lung segmentectomies remains a practical difficulty, notably with minimally invasive approaches. The intraoperative techniques are based on demarcating either the bronchial or the vascular territories. The goal of this study was to evaluate the use of 3-dimensional reconstructions in understanding the intersegmental plane of segment 6. METHODS Between March and September 2018, Synapse 3-dimensional programme was used to carry out bilateral venous, arterial and bronchial segmentations of segment 6. All computed tomography (CT) scans were contrast-enhanced and of a high resolution (0.6 mm slices). The patients had normal results on respiratory function tests. The volumes obtained from each of the 3 modalities were then compared. The results are presented as mean and standard deviation and as median and interquartile ranges for lung volume measurements. RESULTS During the aforementioned period, 15 high-resolution chest CT scans were selected (8 men and 7 women). The median age was 70 years. In all of the studied segments (N = 30, 15 right S6 and 15 left S6), the segmental volume of the vein was greater than the segmental volumes of the bronchus and the artery. A significant difference was found between the segmental volumes obtained from the 3 modalities (P = 0.001). The segmental volume of the vein was significantly higher than the segmental volume of the bronchus (P CONCLUSIONS Within the limits of this study, the segmental venous volume of S6 was greater than the volumes of the segmental bronchial and arterial volumes. Thus, depending solely on bronchial techniques might lead to leaving a border zone in venous congestion.

OBJECTIVES Only 15% of brain death donors are considered suitable for lung transplantation (LTx). The normothermic ex vivo lung perfusion technique is used to potentially increase the availability of high-risk lung donors. We report our experience of LTx with initially rejected donors after ex vivo lung reconditioning (EVLR). METHODS From April 2011 to May 2013, we performed EVLR for 32 pairs of donor lungs deemed unsuitable for transplantation and rejected by the 11 French lung transplant teams. After EVLR, lungs with acceptable function were transplanted. During the same period, 81 double-lung transplantations (DLTx) were used as controls. RESULTS During EVLR, 31 of 32 donor lungs recovered physiological function with a median PO2/FiO2 ratio increasing from 274 (range 162-404) mmHg to 511 (378-668) mmHg at the end of EVLR (P < 0.0001). Thirty-one DLTx were performed. The incidence of primary graft dysfunction 72 h after LTx was 9.5% in the EVLR group and 8.5% in the control group (P = 1). The median time of extubation, intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay were 1, 9 and 37 days in the EVLR group and 1 (P = 0.17), 6 (P = 0.06) and 28 days (P = 0.09) in the control group, respectively. Thirty-day mortality rates were 3.3% (n = 1) in the EVLR group and 3.7% (n = 3) in the control group (P = 0.69). One-year survival rates were 93% in the EVLR group and 91% in the control group. CONCLUSIONS EVLR is a reliable and repeatable technique that offers a significant increase of available donors. The results of LTx with EVLR lungs are similar to those obtained with conventional donors.

We report our experience of lobar lung transplantations (LLTs) in patients with small thoracic volume.Since 1988, 50 LLTs were done for cystic fibrosis (n=35), fibrosis (n=7), bronchiectasis (n=3), emphysema (n=3) and lymphangiomyomatosis (n=2). There were 44 females and 6 males (mean age 31±13 years, mean size 155±5.5 cm and mean predicted total lung capacity (TLC) 4463±598 ml). Mean ratio between donor and recipient-predicted TLC was 1.65±0.26. Six patients were listed in high emergency, 2 of them on ECMO as a bridge to transplantation. Forty middle/lower right lobe with left lower LLT, four bilateral lower LLT and six split left lung LLT were performed through a clamshell incision (n=12) or a bilateral antero-lateral thoracotomy (n=38), with epidural analgesia in 17 cases. Thirty-two patients were transplanted under circulatory support (CPB n=16, veno-arterial ECMO n=16). In 11 cases, the right venous anastomosis was enlarged by a pericardial cuff. Ischaemic time was 4.4±1.2 h for the first lobe and 6.1±1.3 h for the second.Median mechanical ventilation weaning time was 10.5 (1-136) days. Four patients were extubated in the operating room. Ten patients needed ECMO for primary graft dysfunction. In-hospital mortality was 28% related to sepsis (n=6), PGD (n=3), haemorrhage (n=2), broncho-vascular fistula (n=1), and multiorgan failure (n=2). Eight patients required endoscopic treatments for airway complications. Mean best FEV1 was 72±16% of the theoretical value. The actuarial 3-year and 5-year survival rates were 60 and 46%, respectively.LLTs are a reliable solution and can be performed with satisfactory functional results and survival rates.

Objective: To study the advances in the management of lung-transplanted patients for cystic fibrosis in our centre and their impact on the outcome. Methods: A retrospective study has included 100 patients who underwent lung transplantation for cystic fibrosis between 1 January 1990 and 15 January 2007. There were 78 sequential double-lung transplantations and 22 lobar transplantations. This series has been equally divided in two groups according to the date of transplantation: group I, before September 2003 and, group II, after September 2003. Results: Recipient characteristics were similar in both groups. In group II, donors were older (40 vs 33 years, respectively, P = 0.013), with lower partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2)/fractional inspired oxygen (FiO2) ratios (372 vs 427 mm Hg,P = 0.022). In group II, recipients received, more often, thoracic epidural analgesia (n =3 5 vsn = 13, P < 0.001), the surgical approach was mostly a sternum-sparing bilateral anterior thoracotomy (n =4 2 vsn =9 ,P < 0.001), and lobar transplantations were performed more frequently (n =1 5 vsn =7 ,P = 0.30). Early tracheal extubation was more frequent in group II (P = 0.005). The overall median survival time was 52 months. In the first group, 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates were 75%, 65% and 55%, respectively, whereas in the second group, these survival rates were 88%, 78% and 69%, respectively (P = 0.09). Conclusions: The acceptance of marginal donors and the frequent practice of lobar transplantations allowed an increasing number of lung transplantations for cystic fibrosis over time. Concomitantly, the extensive use of thoracic epidural analgesia has increased the rate of early extubation and contributed to a trend towards a survival improvement. # 2010 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.