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Open in new tab Download slide Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES Computed tomography (CT)-guided localization of multiple ipsilateral pulmonary nodules remains challenging. Hybrid operating rooms equipped with cone-beam CT and laser navigation systems have the potential for improving clinical workflows and patient outcomes. METHODS Patients with multiple ipsilateral pulmonary nodules requiring localization were divided according to the localization method [preoperative CT-guided (POCT group) localization versus intraoperative CT-guided (IOCT group) localization]. The 2 groups were compared in terms of procedural efficacy, safety and radiation exposure. RESULTS Patients in the IOCT (n  = 12) and POCT (n  = 42) groups did not differ in terms of demographic and tumour characteristics. Moreover, the success and complication rates were similar. Notably, the IOCT approach allowed multiple nodules to be almost simultaneously localized—resulting in a shorter procedural time [mean difference (MD) −15.83 min, 95% confidence interval (CI) −7.97 to −23.69 min] and lower radiation exposure (MD −15.59 mSv, 95% CI −7.76 to −23.42 mSv) compared with the POCT approach. However, the total time under general anaesthesia was significantly longer in the IOCT group (MD 34.96 min, 95% CI 1.48–68.42 min), despite a similar operating time. The excess time under anaesthesia in the IOCT group can be attributed not only to the procedure per se but also to a longer surgical preparation time (MD 21.63 min, 95% CI 10.07–33.19 min). CONCLUSIONS Compared with the POCT approach, IOCT-guided localization performed in a hybrid operating room is associated with a shorter procedural time and less radiation exposure, albeit at the expense of an increased time under general anaesthesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

View large Download slide View large Download slide OBJECTIVES With the increasing availability of hybrid operating rooms, single-stage tumour localization and removal under intraoperative computed tomography (CT) guidance is gaining popularity. The objective of this study was to describe the learning curve for this procedure. METHODS Over a 15-month period, a single team of thoracic surgeons without experience in intraoperative CT-guided lung tumour localization performed a total of 91 procedures in 89 patients. All these procedures were conducted in a hybrid operating room equipped with cone-beam CT and a laser navigation system. The learning curve was analysed using the cumulative sum method (target success rate 90%), whereas the moving average was used as an indicator of localization time. RESULTS The mean lung tumour size on preoperative CT images was 7.81 mm, whereas their mean distance from the pleural surface was 10.16 mm. The localization time (mean 21.19 min) was inversely associated with the surgeon's experience (Pearson's r  = −0.6601; P  < 0.001). The moving average analysis revealed that localization time stabilized after 32 procedures. There were 6 failures; of these, 2 occurred during lesion localization (as a result of needle puncture-related pneumothorax) and 4 during surgery (caused either by wire dislodgement or dye spillage). The cumulative sum analysis revealed that proficiency was achieved after 38 procedures. The mean localization time and success rates before and after procedure 38 were 32.13 min vs 13.34 min (P  < 0.001) and 86.8% vs 98.1% (P  = 0.078), respectively. CONCLUSIONS The procedural time and success rates of intraoperative CT-guided lung tumour localization were optimized after 38 consecutive procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lung transplantation patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have high mortality. However, the impact of the Omicron variant in lung transplantation patients is unclear. This study focuses on lung transplant patients diagnosed with COVID-19 during the Omicron wave, and investigate the clinical presentations, outcomes and pulmonary function., Methods: In this single-center retrospective study, we enrolled lung transplantation patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from January 2022 to December 2022. Demographic, laboratory and pulmonary function data were recorded. Pre-COVID-19 pulmonary function data were obtained from the closest routine test, and post-COVID-19 tests were arranged after release from isolation., Results: Of the 22 enrolled patients, four were admitted to general wards for treatment and observation, and two needed oxygen support. All of the patients recovered from COVID-19. There were no significant decreases in forced vital capacity (FVC) (2.3 ± 0.6 vs. 2.2 ± 0.8 L, p = 0.363) and forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) (2.0 ± 0.6 vs. 1.9 ± 0.8 L, p = 0.269) after COVID-19 infection. Daily prednisolone dose and serum tacrolimus levels were significantly correlated to the duration of positive COVID-19 test and change in FEV1. Patients who did not receive a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccination had a significantly longer positive test duration (9.1 ± 4.1 vs. 26.6 ± 24.4 days, p = 0.05), and greater decrease in FEV1 (23.6 ± 137.3 vs. -331.8 ± 537.8 L, p = 0.040)., Conclusions: In this study, lung transplant patients infected with COVID-19 during the Omicron wave had low rate of severe disease and mortality. Immunosuppressive medications and COVID-19 vaccination were correlated with viral clearance and pulmonary function after COVID-19 infection., (Copyright © 2024 Formosan Medical Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Some esophageal cancer patients may be reluctant to accept the scheduled resection after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) because of its potential negative impact on quality of life as a result of high morbidity. This study was performed to investigate the survival outcomes of these patients. Between 2000 and 2012, we identified 190 patients with resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) who did not proceed to surgery following nCRT. Subjects who had a clinical complete response (cCR) and were medically fit for surgery were deemed eligible. Survival rates, recurrence patterns, and risk factors for recurrence served as the main outcome measures. The study cohort consisted of 73 patients (67 males and 6 females; mean age: 61.3 years). The 5-year overall survival was 39.6% (median survival time: 46.77 months). Cancer recurrences were observed in 44 patients (60.2%), with locoregional recurrence (LR) being the most common failure pattern (n = 35). Endoscopic findings after nCRT were the most important independent predictor of LR identified in multivariate analysis. Compared with the 'normal findings' subgroup, the odds ratios for LR in cCR patients who refused surgery were 4.774 (P = 0.026) and 2.844 (P = 0.16) in the 'scar' and 'other findings' subgroups, respectively. Patients with 'normal findings' had the lowest rate of LR (22.2%), with no recurrences occurring within the first 6 months. Sixty percent of ESCC patients who achieve cCR following nCRT but refuse esophagectomy develop disease recurrence, with LR being the most common pattern. Post-nCRT endoscopic findings may serve as a predictor for LR., (© 2016 International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus.)