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A 72-year-old man diagnosed as having primary lung cancer underwent surgical resection using a totally thoracoscopic approach. The thoracoscopic view revealed an incomplete fissure and severe emphysematous change. Therefore, to avoid postoperative air leakage, we decided not to expose the pulmonary artery at the fissure. The inferior pulmonary vein, lower bronchus, and pulmonary artery branches were divided by staplers in a caudal-to-head direction, and then the interlobar area was divided. Postoperative air leakage was not observed., (© 2014 Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery, Asia Endosurgery Task Force and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.)

Murine double minute 2 (MDM2) is a negative regulator of p53. A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (rs2279744: c.309T>G) in the promoter region of the MDM2 gene has been shown to result in higher levels of MDM2 RNA and protein. Regarding the contribution of c.309T>G in the MDM2 gene to the lung cancer risk, previous studies are conflicting. In order to evaluate the association between c.309T>G and the lung cancer risk, a case-control study was performed. The MDM2 genotypes were determined in 762 lung cancer patients and in 700 cancer-free control subjects using the Smart Amplification Process. Statistical adjustment was performed for gender, age and pack-years of smoking. The distributions of c.309T>G (T/T, T/G, G/G) were 20.1, 49.7, 30.2% in the case group and 21.7, 47.9, 30.4% in the healthy-control group. There were no overall associations between the MDM2 genotypes and the risk of lung cancer [T/G genotype: Adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 1.30; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.88-1.93; and G/G genotype: AOR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.78-1.80]. The subgroup analysis of gender, histology, smoking status and epidermal growth factor receptor mutation status also indicated that there was no association with lung cancer. Additionally, the genotypes did not have an effect on the age at the time of diagnosis of lung cancer (P=0.25). In conclusion, the G allele frequency in the lung cancer cases was 0.551, which was similar to other studies. The results of the present study suggest that the c.309T>G is not significantly associated with lung cancer.

To date, more than 100 reports of several major pulmonary resections through a uniportal approach have been published. However, there have been no reports of uniportal thoracoscopic lobectomy in Japan. We present herein a successful case of uniportal thoracoscopic right lower lobectomy through a 3.5-cm incision for 84- year-old female patient with primary lung cancer (clinical stage I A). Postoperative course was uneventful and she discharged from the hospital on day 5 postoperatively. Pathological diagnosis was primary adenocarcinoma of T1aN0M0, stage I A.

The preoperative diagnosis of intraosseous schwannoma is challenging because of its rarity. We report a resected case of sternal intraosseous schwannnoma mimicking late recurrence of breast cancer.A 60-year-old Japanese woman with a history of breast cancer was diagnosed as having a sternal tumor by chest computed tomography (CT) demonstrating a round, well-defined, low-density nodule measuring 3.3 × 2.8 cm, which was located almost at the center of the sternum and associated with bone lysis and erosion. [18 F]Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET)/CT demonstrated FDG accumulation in the tumor, suggesting malignancy. Therefore, late isolated recurrence of breast cancer was suspected. Surgical resection was performed for both confirmation of the diagnosis and treatment.Pathological examination revealed that the tumor was composed predominantly of spindle-shaped cells arranged in a typical palisading pattern, being compatible with schwannoma. Although the periosteum was intact, the tumor was found to have destroyed the cortex of the sternum and proceeded forward to the bone marrow. Additionally, immunohistochemical staining revealed that the lesion was diffusely and strongly positive for S-100 protein. Thus metastasis from breast cancer was ruled out on the basis of the features revealed by microscopy.

Objectives: Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of pulmonary metastasectomy for postoperative colorectal cancer with hepatic metastasis, and to investigate the role of clinicopathological factors as predictors of outcome., Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing pulmonary metastasectomy for colorectal cancer with (group PH, n = 27) or without (group P, n = 46) a history of hepatic metastasis were included in the study. Clinicopathological variables, including sex, age, site, carcinoembryonic antigen in the primary tumor, disease-free interval, prior hepatic resection, timing of pulmonary metastases, preoperative chemotherapy, type of pulmonary resection, and number, size, and location of pulmonary metastases were retrospectively collected and investigated for prognostic significance., Results: Five-year survival rates were 59.5 and 70.0 % for patients with and without a history of hepatic metastasis, respectively; these values did not differ significantly. Among all investigated prognostic variables, sex and number of pulmonary metastases (1 vs. >1) were the most important factors affecting the outcome after colorectal and pulmonary resection. There was no significant difference in overall survival whether it was calculated from the time of resection of the primary colorectal cancer or of pulmonary metastases., Conclusions: Pulmonary resection is not contraindicated in clinical practice. Significant factors indicating a good prognosis were female sex and the number of pulmonary metastases. Special attention should be paid to comparison of survival among studies.

The aim of this study was to investigate the prognosis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma patients following postoperative recurrence, according to epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR ) and Kirsten rat sarcoma 2 viral oncogene homolog ( KRAS ) gene mutation status and recurrence site. In total 58 adenocarcinoma patients with recurrence following surgical resection were retrospectively evaluated between 2002 and 2011. The patients were divided into groups according to the presence or absence of EGFR and KRAS mutations and the clinicopathological characteristics, recurrence sites and postrecurrence survival were compared. EGFR and KRAS mutations were detected in 26 (45%) and 11 patients (19%), respectively. Initial recurrence was distant in 25 (43%), local in 17 (29%) and both distant and local in 16 cases (28%). In EGFR -mutant ( EGFR +) cases, bilateral/contralateral lung recurrence was a frequent finding. EGFR + cases exhibited significantly better outcomes compared to KRAS + and EGFR - KRAS - (wild-type) cases. The 2-year post-recurrence survival rates were 81, 18 and 47% in EGFR +, KRAS + and wild-type cases, respectively. The patients with distant organ recurrence exhibited significantly worse survival compared with those without distant recurrence in wild-type, but not in the EGFR + cases or the entire cohort. Multivariate analysis revealed that EGFR mutations and a number of recurrent lesions were the only statistically significant independent predictors of postrecurrence prognosis. Our results indicated distinct survival differences in recurrent adenocarcinoma patients according to driver mutations. Patients with EGFR -mutated tumors exhibited increased survival, regardless of recurrence at distant sites, whereas patients with KRAS -mutated adenocarcinoma exhibited poor outcome following postoperative recurrence. Therefore, the assessment of driver mutations is essential for predicting postrecurrence survival following surgical resection.

A 67-year-old man, diagnosed as primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma by intraoperative fine-needle aspiration biopsy cytology, underwent right lower lobectomy with radical lymphadenectomy. The pathological stage was Stage IIA (pT1bN1M0, N-reason: 12L positive). After surgery, nodular shadows without intrathoracic lymph node or distant metastasis were demonstrated metachronously three times by follow-up CT. Wedge resection was performed for each of the tumors, and the pathological diagnosis in each case was primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma, Stage IA (T1b), IA (T1a) and IA (T1a), respectively. Five years after the initial pulmonary resection, a follow-up abdominal CT revealed a20-mm nodular shadow. We suspected that this pancreatic tumor might be a primary rather than metastatic one, therefore, pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. Pathological examination revealed adenocarcinoma that was positive for thyroid transcription factor (TTF)-1, allowing a final diagnosis of metastatic pulmonary adenocarcinoma.This case is very rare, because most cases of pancreatic metastasis from lung cancer have already widespread disease at the time of diagnosis.This case illustrates that pancreatic metastasis from pulmonary adenocarcinoma should be borne in mind, even if the pancreatic tumor is a solitary lesion without additional organ metastasis.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to assess the perioperative results of a single-incision approach using multi-DOF forceps for spontaneous pneumothorax, in comparison with the traditional 3-port approach., Methods: Between May 2012 and June 2013, 44 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax underwent SITS, and their clinical characteristics and perioperative results were evaluated. We then compared those who had undergone SITS (SITS group) with those who had undergone traditional 3-port surgery before the study period (3-port group)., Results: The two groups were similar in terms of mean patient age and pneumothorax laterality (p = 0.81, 0.38), but the proportion of male patients was higher in the 3-port group than in the SITS group (p = 0.0026). Operation time in the SITS group (52.4 min) was longer than in the 3-port group (35.9 min, p <0.0001). The duration of postoperative drainage and hospital stay did not differ significantly between the groups (p = 0.19, 0.075). Although 14 of the 56 SITS patients (25%) showed mild adhesion in the pleural cavity, none required conversion to a 3-port approach. The bullous region in two or three lobes was resected in 23 patients (41%)., Conclusions: SITS using multi-DOF forceps is a useful approach for treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax in selected patients.

A 79-year-old female patient was admitted because of profuse bleeding from a skin defect in the anterior chest due to a deep sternal wound infection. Eighteen years earlier, she had undergone irradiation to treat a sternal metastasis from breast cancer. Computed tomography (CT) showed the extravasation of iodinated contrast material from the ascending aorta. The patient underwent an immediate thoracotomy and recovered. This report presents a very rare case of massive bleeding from the thoracic aorta due to a mediastinal infection after irradiation for sternal metastasis from breast cancer.

Objective: This study investigated the use of a new bipolar sealing device (BSD) in right superior mediastinal lymph node dissection during thoracoscopic surgery., Methods: The study population consisted of 42 consecutive patients undergoing lobectomy with right superior mediastinal lymph node dissection for primary lung cancer. Operative results were compared with those of conventional surgery in 42 background-matched controls. The primary endpoint for the present analysis was the success of right superior mediastinal lymph node dissection during thoracoscopic surgery using a BSD. The secondary endpoints included the duration of the operation, number of dissected lymph nodes, chest drainage volume and duration, postoperative hospital stay, morbidity, and mortality., Results: The BSD was used successfully in 42 patients. No significant difference in duration of lymph node dissection, chest drainage volume, drainage duration, or number of dissected lymph nodes was observed between the study group and the controls. Because of a learning curve, the procedure initially took more than 20 minutes to complete, but surgical time was reduced to approximately 15 minutes after the procedure was performed in 15 patients., Conclusions: Our method is safe and in no way inferior to the conventional procedure. The tendency of the learning curve suggests that a significantly shorter duration of lymph node dissection is possible using this method.

Purpose: Most thoracic surgeons have experienced difficulty dissecting the pulmonary hilus because of scarring. In such potentially dangerous situations, we advocate a method of clamping and severing the pulmonary lobar root structure en masse. The aim of this study was to evaluate en masse lobectomy, particularly considering the constellation of pulmonary vessels and the bronchus., Methods: Twelve patients (median age 70 years) underwent en masse lobectomy. We retrospectively evaluated the surgical procedures and clinical outcomes. Care was taken to consider the remaining vessels and bronchus, which regulate the direction of device placement., Results: Seven patients had inflammatory lung disease, four had primary pulmonary carcinoma, and one had suffered blunt chest trauma. Ten operations were elective and two were emergent. Lobectomy included the right upper lobe in two cases, the right middle lobe in three, the right lower lobe in two, the right middle-lower lobe in two, and the left lower lobe in three. A stapler was used in ten patients, and sutures were applied in three (both were used in one case). Morbidities included a pyothorax and a persistent air leak; both made a recovery. Mortality included one emergency case of acute respiratory distress syndrome. No bronchopleural or bronchovascular fistulas occurred., Conclusions: We believe that the en masse lobectomy is an alternative and necessary technique in critical or unexpected situations, possibly as a last resort. Trauma and severe inflammation may be good indications for en masse lobectomy.

Objectives: Our objective was to evaluate the validity of pulmonary metastasectomy for postoperative colorectal cancer with hepatic metastasis and to investigate the role of clinicopathological factors as predictors of outcome., Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing pulmonary metastasectomy for colorectal cancer with (group PH, n=27) or without (group P, n=46) a history of hepatic metastasis were included in the study. Clinicopathological variables, including sex, age, site, serum carcinoembryonic antigen level of the primary tumor, disease-free interval, prior hepatic resection, timing of pulmonary metastases, preoperative chemotherapy, type of pulmonary resection, and number, size, and location of pulmonary metastases were retrospectively collected and investigated for prognostic significance., Results: The 5-year survivals were 59.5% (PH) and 70.0% (P) with no significant difference. Among all investigated prognostic variables, sex (female vs male) and the number of pulmonary metastases( 1 vs >1) were the most important factors affecting outcome after colorectal resection and pulmonary resection., Conclusions: Pulmonary resection is not contraindicated in clinical practice. The presence of female gender and a single pulmonary metastasis were favorable predictors of survival after complete pulmonary resection for metastatic colorectal cancer.

A 64-year-old male patient complained of a one-month history of bloody sputum. A polypoid tumor was almost obstructing the orifice of the subsegmental bronchus (B8b) of the anterior basal segment of the right lower lobe on bronchoscopy. Biopsy specimens of the tumor surface yielded a diagnosis of undifferentiated carcinoma. Clinical staging was T1aN0M0, stage IA. Surgical resection that comprised a right upper lobectomy with systematic mediastinal and hilar lymph node dissection was performed. Histopathologically, the tumor specimen was compatible with large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the subsegmental bronchus. Pathological staging was T1aN0M0, stage IA. To our knowledge, few cases of central-type LCNEC have been reported in the English literature, and ours is the first report of roentgenological occult LCNEC.

Use of a wound retraction (WR) is useful for lung resection by video-assisted thoracic surgery via a mini-thoracotomy. We have employed a WR for chest wall surgery involving surgical rib fixation in a patient with rib fractures, and obtained successful results in terms of a good surgical view and lack of postoperative wound infection. On the basis of our experience, we consider that a WR is useful even for chest wall surgery.

The differential diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) using radiological features in patients with breast cancer is vital yet difficult. The nature of SPNs, of these patients, as well as the role of surgery in the diagnosis and treatment were evaluated. Thirty consecutive patients, who underwent surgery for an SPN between 2002 and 2011 subsequent to curative surgery for breast cancer were retrospectively evaluated. The overall survival and disease-free survival periods were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The Student's t-test and the χ 2 test were performed to compare percentages and the mean values, respectively. The values were considered statistically significant at P<0.05. Most (93%) SPNs were malignant. The pathological diagnoses in patients with SPNs were primary lung cancer (n=20, 67%), pulmonary metastasis from breast (n=7, 23%) or colon (n=1, 3%) cancers and benign conditions (n=2, 7%). Of the 20 patients with primary lung cancer, 15 (75%) had stage IA tumors (T1aN0M0). The average disease-free interval was significantly longer in patients with primary lung cancer compared to patients with pulmonary metastases from breast cancer (P= 0.031). The five-year survival rates after pulmonary resection for lung metastasis from breast cancer patients and primary lung cancer patients were 100 and 61.1%, respectively. SPNs found in patients with breast cancer were found to have a high probability of malignancy, especially primary lung adenocarcinoma. The early resection of SPNs in patients diagnosed with both primary and metastatic lung cancer led to a good prognosis. The early pathological diagnosis by surgical resection was suggested to be conducted for the early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of SPNs in patients with breast cancer.

We describe the use of the Starfish 2 heart positioning device as an aid to pericardium reconstruction after en bloc resection of mediastinal tumors of the left pericardium by use of median sternotomy with anterolateral thoracotomy. The Starfish device, which is a tool for off-pump coronary artery procedures, allows excellent cardiac positioning and hemodynamic stability during pericardium reconstruction through a median sternotomy with anterolateral thoracotomy., (Copyright © 2012 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Convenient and reliable multiple organ metastasis model systems might contribute to understanding the mechanism(s) of metastasis of lung cancer, which may lead to overcoming metastasis and improvement in the treatment outcome of lung cancer. We isolated a highly metastatic subline, PC14HM, from the human pulmonary adenocarcinoma cell line, PC14, using an in vivo selection method. The expression of 34,580 genes was compared between PC14HM and parental PC14 by cDNA microarray analysis. Among the differentially expressed genes, expression of four genes in human lung cancer tissues and adjacent normal lung tissues were compared using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Although BALB/c nude mice inoculated with parental PC14 cells had few metastases, almost all mice inoculated with PC14HM cells developed metastases in multiple organs, including the lung, bone and adrenal gland, the same progression seen in human lung cancer. cDNA microarray analysis revealed that 981 genes were differentially (more than 3-fold) expressed between the two cell lines. Functional classification revealed that many of those genes were associated with cell growth, cell communication, development and transcription. Expression of three upregulated genes (HRB-2, HS3ST3A1 and RAB7) was higher in human cancer tissue compared to normal lung tissue, while expression of EDG1, which was downregulated, was lower in the cancer tissue compared to the normal lung. These results suggest that the newly established PC14HM cell line may provide a mouse model of widespread metastasis of lung cancer. This model system may provide insights into the key genetic determinants of widespread metastasis of lung cancer.

A postoperative lung cancer patient presented with lymphadenopathy, pleural thickening, and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake on a positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) scan. Lung cancer recurrence was initially suspected, but bilateral submandibular masses with 18F-FDG uptake indicated the possibility of a systemic disease, such as Mikulicz's disease. High serum immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) and IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltration in the submandibular glands led to the diagnosis of IgG4-related disease. After systemic steroid therapy, 18F-FDG uptake decreased in both the submandibular glands and the suspected recurrent lesions.

We describe the successful treatment of pulmonary aspergilloma by limited thoracoplasty used simultaneously with single-stage cavernostomy and a muscle transposition flap. An 80-year-old man with dyspnea on effort and hemoptysis consulted our hospital. Chest computed tomography revealed a thick wall cavity containing a fungus ball surrounded by a crescent of air and diseased lung parenchyma, indicating complex pulmonary aspergilloma (CPA). As curative pulmonary resection was considered too invasive for this patient, limited thoracoplasty with simultaneous single-stage cavernostomy and myoplasty was performed as an alternative treatment. During the operation, transposition flap of the latissimus dorsi muscle was created by preserving the feeding artery. Fungus, in the ball that was removed, proved to be aspergilloma by culture and histopathological examination. On postoperative day 15, the patient was discharged uneventfully, and 4 months after surgery, no relapse of the aspergilloma has been observed.We consider that limited thoracoplasty with simultaneous single-stage cavernostomy and a muscle transposition flap is effective for treatment of high-risk CPA.

The operative indications for rib fracture repair have been a matter of debate. However, several reports have suggested that flail chest, pain on respiration, and chest deformity/defect are potential conditions for rib fracture repair. We describe our experience of rib fixation in a patient with severe chest deformity due to multiple rib fractures. A 70-year-old woman was admitted with right-sided multiple rib fractures (2nd to 7th) and marked chest wall deformity without flailing caused by an automobile accident. Collapse of the chest wall was observed along the middle anterior axillary line. At 11 days after the injury, surgery was performed to repair the chest deformity, as it was considered to pose a risk of restrictive impairment of pulmonary function or chronic intercostal pain in the future. Operative findings revealed marked displacement of the superior 4 ribs, from the 2nd to the 5th, and collapse of the osseous chest wall towards the thoracic cavity. After exposure of the fracture regions, ribs fixations were performed using rib staplers. The total operation time was 90 minutes, and the collapsed portion of the chest wall along the middle anterior axillary line was reconstructed successfully.

We examined the correlation between computed tomography (CT) findings and the incidence of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and KRAS mutations in lung adenocarcinoma. We analyzed the tumors of 136 patients with surgically resected primary lung adenocarcinoma. CT scans were evaluated for the presence of ground grass opacity (GGO), spiculation and the maximum diameter of the tumor was measured. SMart Amplification Process (ver. 2) was used to detect the presence of EGFR and KRAS mutations. EGFR and KRAS mutations were found in 56 (41.1%) and 25 (18.4%) of the 136 cases, respectively. Although no significant association was found between GGO and EGFR mutations (p=0.07), the EGFR mutation occurred more frequently in male patients with GGO than in those without GGO (p=0.04). The KRAS mutation occurred more frequently in patients whose tumor diameter was ≥ 31 mm than in those whose tumor diameter was <30 mm (p=0.003). Evaluation of CT findings may be helpful for determining the presence of EGFR and KRAS mutations, particularly when it is not possible to obtain a tumor specimen.

Background: KRAS and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are thought to play an important role in the carcinogenesis of lung adenocarcinoma. However, clinicopathological findings of KRAS mutated adenocarcinoma cases have not yet been fully clarified. The authors analyzed the relationship between the KRAS mutation and corresponding clinicopathological findings, focusing on nonmucinous and mucinous bronchioloalveolar elements., Methods: EGFR and KRAS mutations were detected in DNA samples extracted from 182 surgically resected tissues of lung adenocarcinomas by the Smart Amplification Process. The relations between gene mutation status and clinicopathological features were analyzed. All adenocarcinoma cases were divided into bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC), adenocarcinoma with bronchioloalveolar features, and adenocarcinoma without BAC components (non-BAC). BAC/adenocarcinoma with bronchioloalveolar features tumors were further assessed for the presence of mucinous features., Results: EGFR and KRAS mutations were found in 76 and 30 cases, respectively. In the KRAS mutant group, BAC/adenocarcinoma with bronchioloalveolar features was found in 22 cases, which included 10 nonmucinous and 12 mucinous tumors. Of 19 cases with mucinous BAC/adenocarcinoma with bronchioloalveolar features, KRAS mutations were detected in 12, but no EGFR mutation was detected. In the KRAS mutant group, BAC/adenocarcinoma with bronchioloalveolar features had significantly earlier pathological stages and more favorable prognoses than did non-BAC. Mucinous BAC/adenocarcinoma with bronchioloalveolar features showed less smoking history than did nonmucinous BAC/adenocarcinoma with bronchioloalveolar features and non-BAC. Furthermore, transversion type KRAS mutations were more common in non-BAC., Conclusions: KRAS mutated adenocarcinomas can be divided into BAC/adenocarcinoma with bronchioloalveolar features and non-BAC types. Non-BAC adenocarcinoma is related to smoking history and has a poor prognosis. BAC/adenocarcinoma with bronchioloalveolar features adenocarcinoma, however, has a more favorable prognosis, and mucinous BAC/adenocarcinoma with bronchioloalveolar features has little relationship to smoking history., (Copyright © 2011 American Cancer Society.)

We present the case of a 73-year-old man with successful closure of a persistent tracheocutaneous tissue defect that resulted from poor wound healing after a temporary tracheostomy was performed during treatment for drug-induced anaphylactic shock. We repaired the tracheal defect using a cutaneous flap with its cutaneous surface positioned to cover the tracheal lumen. The advantage of our method is that it minimizes the suturing required and results in fewer problems with anastomotic insufficiency. This is a simple, rapid method for treating tracheocutaneous fistulas.

We describe a device that we use to keep many surgical sutures in order during bronchoplasty. This device is torus-shaped with slits at regular intervals radially, which encircles the surgical field. We tuck the suture material into the slits in the suture runner. Traditionally, they are controlled by the use of many mosquito forceps. We believe that this device is useful, and that our method is simpler than the traditional method.

The standard method of bronchoscopic guidance used to identify a bronchial or tracheal tumour during surgery has some disadvantages: (1) it is impossible to identify the incision site in a distal bronchus; (2) bronchoscopy must be performed by a skilled physician; and (3) time and effort are wasted during the operation. We report a new and simple technique to locate endobronchial tumours. Our technique uses a butterfly needle connected to a syringe kept half-full of normal saline solution via an extension tube. The bronchus is punctured using the needle, keeping the syringe under negative pressure. We found that a tumour could be detected through simple observation of the saline solution within the syringe upon bronchial puncture, whereby the tumour is positively detected through the absence of bubble production and ruled out through the production of bubbles. This technique will locate a bronchial or tracheal tumour without bronchoscopy. In addition, it saves time, which benefits the patient., (Copyright © 2010 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

We describe a novel tracheobronchoplasty procedure for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the right upper lung. A 78-year-old male was referred for further investigation of an abnormal shadow on a chest x-ray. A conventional right upper sleeve lobectomy was not applicable because of the invasion of lateral wall of the lower trachea. So, we performed a modified tracheobronchoplasty. This report shows that our cutting design for the trachea and bronchus was reasonable and appropriate for a caliber mismatch, with adaptation and suturing of each edge of the wedge-shaped defect of the trachea.

A 76-year-old man was transferred to our institution with blunt chest trauma after falling off a roof. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed left pneumothorax and pneumopericardium but no displacement of the heart into the hemithorax. These findings suggested traumatic pericardial rupture without cardiac herniation. After chest drainage, a follow-up CT scan demonstrated no pericardial or pleural air. At thoracotomy, we observed that the pericardium was torn and that the heart was exposed. The tear was repaired with direct sutures. This case report highlights the importance of reviewing the initial CT scan., (Copyright © 2010 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Cross-clamping the main pulmonary artery (PA) is a risky, stressful procedure for the general thoracic surgeon performing video-assisted thoracic major pulmonary resection (VATS). However, converting VATS to thoracotomy each time PA clamping is planned is a poor tactic. We present a simpler technique for VATS than the traditional method involving a thoracotomy. In VATS, DeBakey vascular clamps with double angle jaws are inserted through 1-cm access incisions. We clamped the main PA so as to maintain the limited visual field through the working port. Thus, we modified the position of these vascular clamps, which we call 'the outside-field vascular clamping technique'. Our technique should be used for VATS lobectomy to prevent conversion to open thoracotomy when one requires scheduled control of the PA during VATS.

Most studies have shown that thoracic epidural analgesia reduces postoperative pain, but it carries potential risks. Recently, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery has become an established technique that causes minimal postoperative pain. This report shows that thoracic epidural analgesia is not always necessary after video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy. From January to December 2007, 30 consecutive patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy were examined retrospectively. We analyzed the necessity for routine thoracic epidural analgesia. The continuous subcutaneous analgesia catheter for morphine (2 mg in 48 h) was removed from 15 patients on postoperative day 1, and from the other 15 on day 2. We administered loxoprofen sodium hydrate, diclofenac sodium suppository, pentazocine hydrochloride, and mexiletine hydrochloride for postoperative analgesia, as needed. The mean pain score was no more than 1.0. The maximum score was 3.0 on day 0, and 2.0 on day 14; subsequently, no pain score exceeded 2.0. The postoperative hospital stay was 8.7 ± 0.8 days. All patients made uneventful postoperative recoveries. There is no need for thoracic epidural analgesia after every video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy because our patients recovered with no serious complication. Less invasive surgical approaches should require simpler postoperative pain management.

We advocate a technique using a small silastic flexible drain for air leaks after pulmonary resection. Patients undergoing lung resection by video-assisted thoracic surgery were enrolled in this study. The 331 patients consisted of 227 men and 104 women, with a median age of 58 years. The surgical procedures were lobectomy in 145, wedge resection in 177, and segmentectomy in 9. At the end of the operation, a 19F silastic drain under a pressure of -7 cm H(2)O was inserted. When no air leak was observed, we removed the drain on postoperative day 1. When an air leak was observed, the suction mode was changed to a water seal. The mean duration of chest tube drainage was 1.9 days. The chest tube was removed on postoperative day 1 in 243 (73.4%) patients. Postoperative complications, other than prolonged air leak, occurred in 5 (1.5%) patients. The drain was not effective in 4 (1.2%) patients, and it was replaced with a conventional rigid drain. Management of air leaks using silastic flexible drains is safe and effective after wedge resection. Care should be taken in cases of lobectomy and segmentectomy when a large air leak is anticipated.

Digit-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (DATS) is a novel, minimally invasive approach for achieving a superior mediastinal mass, by allowing the surgeon's finger to pass into the superior mediastinum through a suprasternal route. In this study a DATS procedure for a bronchogenic cyst in the superior mediastinum was performed. The procedure worked well for dissecting the tissue around the mass, and thus reduced the effort required to perform the operation. In the current study DATS was found to be superior to the standard technique.

Background: Thymidylate synthase (TS) expression has been reported in various tumors, including non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), but not in high-grade neuroendocrine (HGNE) carcinoma of the lung., Methods: We measured TS expression in surgically resected pulmonary tumors, comparing HGNE carcinomas of the lung (13 large-cell neuroendocrine carcinomas, 8 small-cell lung carcinomas) with squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the lung using laser-capture microdissection for tissue isolation, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and immunohistochemistry. We also measured TS mRNA expression in small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and NSCLC cell lines using real-time PCR., Results: At both mRNA and protein levels, TS expression was significantly higher in squamous cell carcinoma compared to adenocarcinoma. Moreover, TS expression was significantly higher in HGNE carcinomas of the lung compared to squamous cell carcinoma. A significant correlation was found between mRNA and protein expression. TS mRNA expression in SCLC cell lines was significantly higher than in NSCLC cell lines., Conclusions: TS expression was higher in HGNE carcinomas of the lung than in squamous cell carcinoma, which was higher than in adenocarcinoma. This information may be useful in predicting the effects of TS-inhibiting agents in patients with NSCLC and HGNE carcinomas of the lung., ((c) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

A 61-year-old man was transferred to our institution because of blunt chest trauma after accidentally falling. A chest roentgenogram (CXR) and computed tomography (CT) revealed bilateral hemopneumothorax and fractures of multiple left ribs, the pelvis, and the left femur. On the second day in hospital, the patient suddenly complained of dyspnea. Emergency CXR and CT revealed elevation of the left diaphragm, suggestive of a traumatic diaphragmatic hernia; emergency surgery was performed. We confirmed rupture of the diaphragm and pericardium with cardiac herniation: the pleural pericardium and diaphragm were torn individually, and the heart and abdominal organs had herniated into the pleural cavity. They were repaired, and there were no cardiopulmonary complications during or after the operation. Pericardiodiaphragmatic rupture with cardiac herniation after multiple blunt traumas is rare. We describe the successful treatment of a diaphragmatic and pericardial rupture with cardiac herniation, with special reference to pericardial injuries.

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the lung appears to be a set of heterogeneous disorders. Histologically, three subtypes of pulmonary IPTs have been delineated. Among these, plasma cell granuloma (PCG) is characterized by prominent lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, and PCG has been added to the list of differential diagnostic problems of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) type lymphoma. To investigate the presence or absence of monoclonal B-cell proliferation, we analyzed the immunohistological and genotypic findings in three cases of pulmonary PCGs. Histologically, the three lesions were characterized by severe infiltration of mature plasma cells, plasmacytoid cells, and small lymphocytes intermixed. Scattered Russell bodies (intracytoplasmic inclusions) were present in all three cases, but there were no Dutcher bodies (intranuclear inclusions) or centrocyte-like cells. Immunohistochemical studies of light chain determinants demonstrated the polytypic nature of B-cells. There was no CD5(+), CD43(+) or cyclin D1(+) B-lymphocytes in any of the three lesions. There were no lymphoepithelial lesions detected within any of the three lesions even by immunostaining for cytokeratin. However, polymerase chain assay for immunoglobulin heavy chain gene demonstrated a clonal band in one of the three cases. It currently remains unclear whether this one case, demonstrating IgH gene rearrangement in our series, could be a sign of the prelymphomatous stage (e.g. incipient MALT type lymphoma) or merely represents an exaggeration of normal B-cell clonal response., (Copyright 2009 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma arising in the thymus is extremely rare and little is known regarding its clinicopathological features. This study examined the clinicopathological features of nine cases of thymic MALT lymphoma. Most patients had autoimmune disease or hyperglobulinemia, and they also had cysts in the tumors. Both increased serum autoantibody levels and polyclonal serum immunoglobulin levels remained essentially unchanged after total thymectomy in all patients. Thymic MALT lymphoma needs to be included in the differential diagnosis in Asian patients with a cystic thymic mass accompanied by autoimmune disease or hyperglobulinemia.

Objective: : A pulmonary segmentectomy is requires the identification of the segmental planes, making it technically more difficult than a lobectomy. Therefore, we present a new method that uses a butterfly needle to distinguish the intersegmental plane under video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)., Methods: : From May 2005 to August 2008, 15 patients underwent anatomic segmentectomy using VATS. In this approach, a working port 4 to 7 cm in length was made in the fifth intercostal space. Additional 1.2-cm thoracic ports were made in the seventh intercostal space on the anterior axillary line and the ninth intercostal space on the posterior axillary line. Each segment was selectively isolated, and the targeted bronchovascular pedicle was divided. For the segmentectomy, the lung was deflated, and the pulmonary artery and vein to the involved segment were divided. The segmental bronchus was divided using a stapling device. Using a butterfly needle, oxygen/air (1-2 L) was used to inflate the involved segment, and the involved segment was severed and removed using electrocautery or a stapling device. The raw surface was covered with an absorbable sealing material such as polyglycolic acid to prevent air leaks., Results: : Using this method, apical segment of the right upper lobe (S1), apical posterior segment of the left upper lobe (S1 + 2), upper division, and posterior segment of the right upper lobe (S2), superior segment of the right or left lower lobe (S6), and basal segmentectomies could be performed with VATS. However, the technique did not work in one patient with severe emphysematous changes, because the plane was not readily identifiable., Conclusions: : Butterfly-needle video-assisted segmentectomy is a useful technique. Selective segmental inflation allows the intersegmental plane to be identified completely under the surgeon's control, eliminating the need for an anesthesiologist to pass a bronchoscope or insufflate the lung in a particular manner.

In the lung cancer case described here, we resected the right upper lobe, right middle lobe, and superior segment of the right lower lobe with concomitant resection of the pulmonary artery and bronchoplastic and pulmonary arterial reconstruction. The basal segmental bronchus was anastomosed to the right main stem bronchus using a novel, specific technique: The tumor was extirpated with division of the upper and middle lobe bronchus and the superior segmental bronchus. Parts of the middle bronchus and superior segmental bronchus on the distal side were used to expand their orifice. The cut end of the pulmonary artery was sutured, reversing the long and short axes, to shorten and adjust the pulmonary artery.

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is now commonly used to treat malignant tumors of the lung. Generally, there are 2 styles of VATS: one uses only the view in a monitor and the other makes use of direct vision through an access port. Since both are minimally invasive, the difference is a matter of the surgeon's preference, and it is likely to have no effect on the patient. In all cases, we seek to minimize the destruction and deformation of the thoracic wall while maintaining the quality of the surgical procedure. We consider VATS to be a standard procedure. Many studies have compared the results of VATS and thoracotomy, but it is unlikely that thoracotomy will suddenly replace VATS. Usually, the standard surgical procedure changes gradually. If the surgeon encounters unexpected circumstances, he or she could change the surgical approach. We think that the border between thoracoscopic surgery and thoracotomy is blurred. Between 1998 and 2008, we operated on 395 patients with primary lung cancer. Of these, 207 cases with stage I underwent a lobectomy with lymph node dissection. There were no differences in survival, according to surgical approach. Although we have not always adopted VATS for advanced lung cancer, we are using a similar approach to perform any kind of bronchoplasty, pneumonectomy, or extensive resection for lung cancer more effectively. It is a step forward to be able to perform surgery using advanced techniques but, ultimately, it is not the technique that is of primary importance, it is the benefit the patient receives.