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Bronchiectasis is a chronic pulmonary disease characterized by permanent enlargement of the bronchi and bronchioles. Anatomic resection of the affected lung part is still the most valid treatment option in localized disease. Despite the promising results of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in patients with early-stage lung cancer, VATS is still controversial in bronchiectasis. In this study, we aim to present our surgical experience in patients with bronchiectasis by comparing the results of VATS and thoracotomy groups. We reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent anatomic lung resection via VATS and thoracotomy for the treatment of bronchiectasis between January 2009 and December 2019. Between January 2009 and December 2019, 50 patients with bronchiectasis were surgically treated in our department. Among them, 20 patients underwent attempted VATS lung resection, and 30 patients underwent thoracotomy. There was no difference in the intraoperative and postoperative complications, but postoperative pain scores were lower in the VATS group. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is a safe and feasible technique in the surgical treatment of bronchiectasis.

The term aspergillosis describes the disease caused by Aspergillus species. The most common pathogen in this genus is Aspergillus fumigatus. Anatomic pulmonary resection is the preferred treatment modality in most of cases especially the presence of the localized disease, but sometimes patients complicate by prolonged air leakage, pleural space problems, and infection of this residual space. We reported a patient who undergone left upper lobectomy because of aspergilloma in the left upper lobe. After the operation, the patient’s condition became complicated because of expansion failure of the lung and space problems. After the period of conservative treatment, urgent re-operation was needed because of acute hemorrhage from the chest tube. Hemorrhage was controlled, but disseminated pleural aspergillosis and infection in the pulmonary arterial stump were seen in the thoracic cavity. Completion pneumonectomy and pleural decortication were applied, and the antifungal therapy was arranged. With this report, we aim to evaluate the relation between disseminated pleural aspergillosis and inflammatory erosion of pulmonary arterial stump. It is also important to consider possibility of dissemination of the Aspergillus infection especially in patients with expansion failure after lung resection.

Tracheobronchial rupture is an uncommon but potentially serious complication of endotracheal intubation. In this study, the diagnosis and treatment strategies of a specific group of ruptures caused by double-lumen tube intubation are herein presented. The medical records of 18 patients diagnosed and treated for tracheobronchial rupture after undergoing double-lumen tube intubation between January 1999 and October 2010 are analyzed retrospectively. In all cases, the ruptures occurred in the membranous portion. The average length of laceration was 2.44 ± 1.78 cm. The most common site of rupture was in the lower third of the trachea (n = 7, 39 %) or the left mainstem bronchus (n = 7, 39 %). One patient was diagnosed before incision using fiberoptic bronchoscopy, and 17 patients were diagnosed using direct vision of the rupture intraoperatively. All patients were treated successfully with surgery. There were no morbidities or mortalities recorded in relation to tracheobronchial rupture. Thoracic surgeons must be alerted to the possibility for tracheobronchial rupture in patients intubated with double-lumen tubes, a procedure commonly used in thoracic surgery. Immediate repair must be performed for any laceration diagnosed intraoperatively.

The term ‘pneumothorax’ was first coined by Itard and then Laennec in 1803 and 1819, respectively, and refers to air in the pleural cavity [1]. Primary spontaneous pneumothorax usually occurs in young healthy male population. Most common pathology is the rupture of an apical subpleural bleb [2]. Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax is associated with primary lung pathology, and the most common cause is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [2]. Pneumothorax is rare during pregnancy [3]. The suitable birth method and the management are also challenging. In this study, we present the largest series reported to date of the management of pneumothorax in pregnancy, together with a review of the relevant literature. Five patients treated for spontaneous pneumothorax occurred during pregnancy or as a complication of vaginal delivery are presented. Case reports