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We present a case of sternoclavicular septic arthritis (SCSA) in a 50-year-old female who presented to the emergency room with abdominal pain and vomiting after a bout of pharyngitis. Subsequent SCSA was diagnosed and treated with antibiotics. Strep pharyngitis could be a risk factor for SCSA in healthy patients, and conservative management may be adequate in treating strep A SCSA, depending on the patient’s risk factors and presentation. Our report reveals the necessity for establishing meaningful measures in staging and management to minimize risks of unnecessary harm.

Robotic surgery has provided an attractive minimally invasive option for esophagectomy. Benefits include magnified 3D visualization, a variety of instruments with 7 degrees of motion that simplify sewing and fine dissection, as well as autonomous control of the operation with the use of 3 robotic arms. We provide a detailed review of how we perform robotic esophagectomies that conclude in the chest. A video demonstrating the crucial steps is provided. Although 3-field robotic assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) is possible when needed, we will focus here on approaches with anastomosis in the chest.

OBJECTIVES The STS Thoracic Surgery Practice and Access Task Force - 2019 Workforce Report noted gender-based differences in the income of cardiothoracic surgeons in the United States. We analysed the 2019 Medicare payment data for thoracic and cardiac surgeons to investigate the gender-based payment gap among cardiothoracic surgeons. METHODS The 2019 Medicare Physician and Other Practitioners by Provider and Services data set merged with the Doctors and Clinicians National Downloadable File was utilized to conduct a cross-sectional analysis of gender differences in Medicare payments, numbers of services, unique billing codes, years in practice, Medicare beneficiary age, regional population density (rural-urban commuting area code) and patient panel complexity (hierarchical condition category) for providers. The providers' self-reported gender (women or men) and provider type (thoracic surgery or cardiac surgery) were binarily set according to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services standards. Independent analyses were performed with thoracic and cardiac surgeons. We also used the 2013 and 2016 Medicare Physician and Other Practitioners by Provider and Services data sets to analyse the trends in adjusted gender-based payment differences across 2013, 2016 and 2019. RESULTS After controlling for the covariates, women thoracic surgeons received $25,183.50 [95% confidence interval (CI) $16,307.60, $34,059.40] less than the mean Medicare payment than men thoracic surgeons. Likewise, women cardiac surgeons received $20,960 [95% confidence interval (CI) $1,014.80, $40,902.80] less than the mean adjusted Medicare payment than their men counterparts. CONCLUSIONS In 2019, women cardiothoracic surgeons received a significantly lower mean Medicare payment than men cardiothoracic surgeons after controlling for the number of services, unique billing codes, the complexity of the patient panel, years in practice and regional population density. The payment gap between women and men exhibited no statistically significant change over 2013, 2016 and 2019. Future studies are warranted to understand the association between gender representation and the pay gap.

Robotic technology is positioned to transform the approach to tracheobronchial surgery. With its magnified 3D view, intuitive controls, wristed-instruments, high-fidelity simulation platforms, and the steady implementation of new technical improvement, the robot is well-suited to manage the careful dissection and delicate handling of the airway in tracheobronchial surgery. This innovative technology has the potential to promote the widespread adoption of minimally invasive techniques for this complex thoracic surgery.

In appropriately selected patients diaphragm plication improves quality of life by alleviating dyspnea and allowing patients to return to their routine activities. Many plication techniques exist, but the optimal surgical approach remains unclear. We report our experience with a minimally invasive radial diaphragm plication technique. It offers 2 distinct advantages: (1) suture placement avoids the phrenic nerve fibers, allowing for potential nerve recovery, and (2) the interrupted radial sutures improve the distribution of tension along the flaccid muscle and may achieve a more durable repair.

Objective Lobectomy is a standard treatment for stage I non–small cell lung cancer, but a significant proportion of patients are considered at high risk for complications, including mortality, after lobectomy and might not be candidates. Identifying who is at risk is important and in evolution. The objective of The American Association for Thoracic Surgery Clinical Practice Standards Committee expert panel was to review important considerations and factors in assessing who is at high risk among patients considered for lobectomy. Methods The American Association for Thoracic Surgery Clinical Practice Standards Committee assembled an expert panel that developed an expert consensus document after systematic review of the literature. The expert panel generated a priori a list of important risk factors in the determination of high risk for lobectomy. A survey was administered, and the expert panel was asked to grade the relative importance of each risk factor. Recommendations were developed using discussion and a modified Delphi method. Results The expert panel survey identified the most important factors in the determination of high risk, which included the need for supplemental oxygen because of severe underlying lung disease, low diffusion capacity, the presence of frailty, and the overall assessment of daily activity and functional status. The panel determined that factors, such as age (as a sole factor), were less important in risk assessment. Conclusions Defining who is at high risk for lobectomy for stage I non–small cell lung cancer is challenging, but remains critical. There was impressive strong consensus on identification of important factors and their hierarchical ranking of perceived risk. The panel identified several key factors that can be incorporated in risk assessment. The factors are evolving and as the population ages, factors such as neurocognitive function and frailty become more important. A minimally invasive approach becomes even more critical in this older population to mitigate risk. The determination of risk is a clinical decision and judgement, which should also take into consideration patient perspectives, values, preferences, and quality of life.

Background: Esophageal thoracic diverticular disease is a rare condition resulting from multiple etiologies. Surgical management is recommended when symptomatic. Traditionally, a thoracoto...

The appropriate implementation of new technology, root cause analysis of "imperfect" outcomes, and the continuous reappraisal of postgraduate training are needed to improve the care of tomorrow's patients. Healthcare delivery remains one of the most expensive sectors in the United States, and the application of new and expensive technology that is necessary for the advancement of this complex specialty must be aligned with providing the best care for our patients. There are a several pathways to innovation: One is partnering with industry and the other is the investigational laboratory. Innovation and the funding thereof come from both the public and private sector. Most new trials that are likely to impact cardiothoracic surgery are industry-sponsored trials to meet the requirements necessary for regulatory approval. Cost considerations are paramount when considering integration of innovative technology and treatments into a clinical cardiothoracic surgical practice. The value of any new innovation is determined by the quality divided by the cost, and lean initiatives maximize this equation. The importance and implications of conflict of interest have been a concern for physicians, particularly when new technology or procedures are incorporated into clinical practice, and full disclosures by medical professionals and others involved are essential. Our societies and associations provide a platform for presentation and peer-reviewed discussion of new procedures, innovations, and trials and provide a venue for the sharing of knowledge on the highest quality patient care through education and research.

Double lumen tube (DLT) intubation is used for lung isolation but is not without disadvantages including increased intubation time, anesthesia expertise, risk of airway trauma, and costs over single lumen tube (SLT) intubation. SLT intubation with CO2 insufflation can be used as an alternative for lung isolation. We reviewed our experience with this technique during thoracoscopic surgery. We performed a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained IRB-approved database from 2009 to 2018. Operations were performed with CO2 insufflation up to 15 mmHg. Indications for surgery, operative details, intraoperative complications, pathology, and postoperative complications were reviewed. We identified 123 patients (70 females [57%]) with a median age of 40 years (range 16–80 years) and a median BMI of 26.2 kg/m2 (range 15–59 kg/m2) that underwent minimally invasive thoracoscopic procedures with this technique. Procedures included: mediastinal mass resection or biopsy (41%), sympathectomy (37%), wedge resection (10%), first rib resection (6%), diaphragm plication (2%), segmentectomy (2%), decortication (2%), pleural biopsy (2%), and pericardial cyst resection (1%). Median operative time was 90 min (range 25–584 min) and median intraoperative blood loss was 10 mL (range 2–200 mL). Intraoperative hemodynamic parameters were obtained at procedure start, 1 h after CO2 insufflation, and at procedure completion: we observed significant changes in heart rate and systolic blood pressure (P = 0.027 and P

Definitive chemoradiation therapy avoids the perioperative and long-term morbidity of esophagectomy and is the standard of care for cervical esophageal cancer. There are significant differences in tumor response to chemoradiation and recurrence patterns between squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. Multimodality therapy for esophageal cancer continues to progress, now with the widespread use of PET scanning and possible active surveillance in patients with complete clinical response to chemoradiation. As drug development and targeted therapy trials continue to expand, our understanding of tumor biology and precision medicine will continue to refine the treatment of esophageal cancer.

Chest roentgenograms after chest tube removal are common practice in postoperative thoracic surgery patients. Whether these roentgenograms change clinical management is debatable. We investigated prevalence and management of post-pull pneumothoraces after lung resection.Patients undergoing minimally invasive wedge resections, segmentectomies, and lobectomies between March 2018 and September 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Baseline factors, operative technique, chest tube management, and outcomes after post-pull chest roentgenograms, and factors associated with post-pull pneumothoraces were analyzed.The study analyzed 200 consecutive patients comprising 117 wedge resections (59%), 24 segmentectomies (12%), and 59 lobectomies (30%). Wedge resections compared with segmentectomy or lobectomy had lower rates of chest tube use, drain duration, air leaks, and need for a clamp trial, with Blake drains most often removed last compared with segmentectomy or lobectomy (all P.001). Post-pull pneumothoraces, which were largely small/tiny/trace (96%), occurred in 110 patients (55%). Five patients experienced symptoms, and no patients required intervention. Resection type was associated with the pneumothorax rate, need for additional imaging, and discharge timing (all P.05). Those with pneumothoraces compared with those without differed in type of resection and chest drain, presence of air leak within 24 hours of removal, need for clamp trial, order of tube removal, and hospital length of stay (all P.05). Multivariable regression showed only clamp trial was associated with post-pull pneumothorax development (odds ratio, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.13-5.45; P = .024).Although routine use of post-pull chest roentgenograms identified a high prevalence of pneumothorax, no intervention was required. Our study demonstrates post-pull imaging may not be indicated in asymptomatic patients without prior air leak or clamp trial.

BACKGROUND Recommendations for intraoperative lymph node evaluation are uniform regardless of whether a primary tumor is clinical T1a or T2a according to TNM 8th edition for stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We quantified nodal disease risk in patients with T1a disease (≤1 cm). METHODS The National Cancer Database was queried for clinical T1a N0 M0 primary NSCLCs ≤1 cm undergoing lobectomy with mediastinal nodal evaluation from 2004-2014. Nodal disease risk was analyzed as a function of demographics and tumor characteristics. RESULTS Among 2157 cases, 6.7% had occult nodal disease: 5.1% occult N1 and 1.6% N2. Adenocarcinoma (7.5%), large cell carcinoma (25%), and poor differentiation (11.8%) or undifferentiated/anaplastic (25.0%) had high rates of combined pN1 and N2 disease (P < .001). In univariable analysis, odds of pathologic N1, N2, or N1/N2 nodal disease with respect to N0 was greatest for large cell carcinoma (ref. adenocarcinoma odds ratio [OR] 4.31, 3.62, 4.12 respectively; all P < .05), and anaplastic grade (OR 10.71, 13.09, 11.55). Bronchoalveolar adenocarcinomas had the lowest odds (OR 0.41, 0.11, 0.32) and squamous cell carcinoma had lower odds for N2 (OR 0.29, all P < .05). In multivariable analysis only bronchoalveolar adenocarcinomas had lower odds of pathologic N2 and N1/N2 disease with respect to N0. Worsening grade remained significant for pathologic N1 and N1/N2 disease (both P < .05). CONCLUSIONS A significant rate (6.7%) of occult nodal disease is present in primary NSCLCs ≤1 cm. Risk increases with certain histology and worsening grade. We recommend mandatory systematic hilar and mediastinal nodal evaluation for T1a NSCLC tumors for accurate staging and adjuvant therapy.

Estimates of disease-free survival in patients with pathologic stage IB to IIIA disease.

We analyzed the association between neoadjuvant chemoradiation in patients undergoing bronchial sleeve resection with the incidence of postoperative pulmonary and airway complications.After instructional review board approval we performed a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of 136 patients who underwent sleeve resection in our institution between January 1998 and December 2016. Administration of neoadjuvant chemoradiation treatment was the studied exposure. Outcomes of interest were rates of postoperative pulmonary and airway complications. Nonparametric testing of demographic, surgical, and pathologic characteristics and morbidity was performed. Logistic regression models evaluated postoperative pulmonary complications and airway complications. Analysis was performed using Stata/IC 15.We analyzed 136 patients (18 underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiation), 77 (57%) of whom had non-small cell lung cancer. Postoperative pulmonary complications were observed in 44 of 136 patients (32%). Incidences of pulmonary complications were higher in the neoadjuvant chemoradiation group compared with the non-neoadjuvant radiation group (15/18 patients [83%] vs 29/118 patients [25%], respectively; P .001). Likewise, rates of pneumonia, atelectasis, respiratory insufficiency, bronchial stenosis, prolonged air leak, bronchopleural fistula, and completion pneumonectomy (2/18 [11%]) were higher in the neoadjuvant chemoradiation group, reaching statistical significance in all cases except bronchial stenosis and prolonged air leak. Only neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy remained significant for postoperative pulmonary and airway complications on logistic regression (both P.05) CONCLUSIONS: Patients who undergo neoadjuvant chemoradiation before sleeve resection are at an increased risk of pulmonary and airway complications.

Background This study sought to evaluate the effect of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) density and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression on the prognosis of esophageal cancer. Methods Banked tissue specimens from 53 patients who underwent esophagectomies for malignancy at a single institution over a 6-year period were stained for cluster of differentiation 3 (CD3), CD8, and PD-L1. Tumors were characterized as staining high or low density for CD3 and CD8, as well as positive or negative for PD-L1. TIL density and PD-L1 expression were analyzed in the context of survival, recurrence, and perioperative characteristics. Results Median follow-up was 823 days, with 92.5% survival and 26.8% recurrence rates. All tumors were adenocarcinomas. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was given in 56.6% of cases, and neoadjuvant radiotherapy was given in 37.7%. High CD3 density was found in 83%, whereas high CD8 density was found in 56.6%. A total of 18.9% of the tumors stained positive for PD-L1. Survival was significantly shorter in Kaplan-Meier analysis for patients with primary tumors staining positive for PD-L1 (log rank: p = 0.05). Multivariable analysis controlling for neoadjuvant therapy, TIL markers, PD-L1, age, and sex found no significant difference in recurrence or survival. Conclusions Positive staining for PD-L1 may be a prognostic marker for decreased survival in esophageal adenocarcinoma. Additional TIL cell types should be investigated for creation of an esophageal cancer Immunoscore. PD-L1 has potential as a therapeutic target.

In the last decade, incorporation of minimally invasive approaches for a vast array of thoracic procedures has improved perioperative patient outcomes, however adequate postoperative pain control for thoracic patients remains a challenge. Inadequate pain control may result in adverse sequelae such as hypoventilation, retained secretions, respiratory failure, decreased mobility, and prolonged hospital stay (1). There is ample evidence in the literature of the effect these adverse events can have on postoperative morbidity and mortality.

PMNGCT is an independent predictor of poor prognosis despite advances in multidisciplinary management. Multidrug chemotherapy followed by aggressive surgical resection remains the mainstay of treatment. Although associated with significant morbidity, an open surgical approach is traditionally used. We describe the first reported case, to our knowledge, of a patient who underwent resection of a PMNGCT via a minimally invasive approach following induction chemotherapy.

We performed a systematic review to determine best practice for the management of patients with chronic or subacute subclavian vein thrombosis. This condition is best managed with surgical excision of the first rib followed by long-term anticoagulation. Interventional techniques aimed at restoring patency are ineffective beyond 2 weeks postthrombosis. Additional therapeutic options should be made based on the severity of symptoms as well as vein status. Patients with milder symptoms are given decompression surgery followed by anticoagulation whereas patients with more severe symptoms are considered for either a jugular vein transposition or saphenous patch based on the vein characteristics.

Objective Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy was introduced over 25 years ago. More recently, the technique has been modified from a multiport video-assisted thoracic surgery (mVATS) to uniportal (uVATS) and robotic (rVATS), with proponents for each approach. Additionally most lobectomies are still performed using an open approach. We sought to provide evidence-based recommendations to help define the optimal surgical approach to lobectomy for early stage non-small cell lung cancer. Methods Systematic review and meta-analysis of articles searched without limits from January 2000 to January 2018 comparing open, mVATS, uVATS, and rVATS using sources Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library were considered for inclusion. Articles were individually scrutinized by ISMICS consensus conference members, and evidence-based statements were created and consensus processes were used to determine the ensuing recommendations. The ACC/AHA Clinical Practice Guideline Recommendation Classification system was used to assess the overall quality of evidence and the strength of recommendations. Results and recommendations One hundred and forty-five studies met the predefined inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Comparisons were analyzed between VATS and open, and between different VATS approaches looking at oncological outcomes (survival, recurrence, lymph node evaluation), safety (adverse events), function (pain, quality of life, pulmonary function), and cost-effectiveness. Fifteen statements addressing these areas achieved consensus. The highest level of evidence suggested that mVATS is preferable to open lobectomy with lower adverse events (36% versus 42%; 88,460 patients) and less pain (IIa recommendation). Our meta-analysis suggested that overall survival was better (IIb) with mVATS compared with open (71.5% versus 66.7% 5-years; 16,200 patients). Different VATS approaches were similar for most outcomes, although uVATS may be associated with less pain and analgesic requirements (IIb). Conclusions This meta-analysis supports the role of VATS lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer. Apart from potentially less pain and analgesic requirement with uVATS, different minimally invasive surgical approaches appear to have similar outcomes.

Background: High-fidelity simulation using patient-specific three-dimensional (3D) models may be effective in facilitating pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (PCICU) provider training for clinical management of congenital cardiac surgery patients. Methods: The 3D-printed heart models were rendered from preoperative cross-sectional cardiac imaging for 10 patients undergoing congenital cardiac surgery. Immediately following surgical repair, a congenital cardiac surgeon and an intensive care physician conducted a simulation training session regarding postoperative care utilizing the patient-specific 3D model for the PCICU team. After the simulation, Likert-type 0 to 10 scale questionnaire assessed participant perception of impact of the training session. Results: Seventy clinicians participated in training sessions, including 22 physicians, 38 nurses, and 10 ancillary care providers. Average response to whether 3D models were more helpful than standard hand off was 8.4 of 10. Questions regarding enhancement of understanding and clinical ability received average responses of 9.0 or greater, and 90% of participants scored 8 of 10 or higher. Nurses scored significantly higher than other clinicians on self-reported familiarity with the surgery (7.1 vs 5.8; P = .04), clinical management ability (8.6 vs 7.7; P = .02), and ability enhancement (9.5 vs 8.7; P = .02). Compared to physicians, nurses and ancillary providers were more likely to consider 3D models more helpful than standard hand off (8.7 vs 7.7; P = .05). Higher case complexity predicted greater enhancement of understanding of surgery ( P = .04). Conclusion: The 3D heart models can be used to enhance congenital cardiac critical care via simulation training of multidisciplinary intensive care teams. Benefit may be dependent on provider type and case complexity.

Thoracic duct (TD) injuries can carry significant morbidity and mortality to patients. When medical and percutaneous interventions are unsuccessful at cure, open surgical ligation is often necessary but limited by poor visualization of the TD and all the morbidities associated with thoracotomy. We describe here a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) approach to TD ligation that offers the benefits of minimally invasive surgery in addition to improved visualization to optimize success rates.

As surgical outcomes and survival of patients with cancer improves, in particular patients with head and neck cancer would often develop multiple primaries. The limitations of radiation for repeated local therapy leave radical surgery as the only local option for some of these patients. Given the complexity of the issues at hand, these patients should be evaluated by a multidisciplinary team with expertise in otolaryngology, radiation oncology, medical oncology, and thoracic surgery. Mediastinal tracheostomy is rarely used, but it can be a useful tool in the management of these complex patients. When esophagectomy is performed in combination with pharyngolaryngectomy, a minimally invasive transhiatal approach can be used. Transhiatal esophageal mobilization is technically feasible with laparoscopy, and it obviates the need for thoracic incisions and patient repositioning in this already complex morbid procedure. Additionally, for cervical esophageal tumors, neither margins nor completeness of lymphadenectomy are sacrificed. We describe several critical steps of mediastinal tracheostomy and minimally invasive transhiatal esophagectomy for the management of these complex patients.

To describe and assess the techniques of spontaneous-ventilation video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (SV-VATS) for tracheal/carinal resections and compare the outcomes with the conventional thoracoscopic intubated method.From May 2015 to November 2016, some 18 consecutive patients with malignant or benign diseases invading distal trachea and carina who met the criteria for SV were treated by SV-VATS resection. To evaluate the feasibility of this novel technique, they were compared with a control group consisting of 14 consecutive patients with the same diseases who underwent VATS resection using intubated general anesthesia from October 2014 to April 2015. Data were collected with a median follow-up of 10.2 months 75 (range: 1-27).The SV-VATS group consisted of 4 carinal resections and 14 tracheal resections. In the control group, 2 patients underwent carinal resection and 12 underwent tracheal resection. Median operative time was shorter in the SV-VATS group compared with the intubated group (162.5 minutes vs 260 minutes), as was the median time for tracheal end-to-end anastomosis (22.5 minutes vs 45 minutes) and carinal reconstruction (40 minutes vs 86 minutes). The lowest oxygen saturation during the procedure was 94.2% ± 4.9% in SV-VATS group and 93.9% ± 4.5% in the control group. The peak carbon dioxide level at the end of expiration was greater in the SV-VATS group (47.7 ± 4.2 mm Hg vs 39.1 ± 5.7 mm Hg). No conversion to tracheal intubation was needed in the SV-VATS group. Postoperative complications occurred in 6 patients in the SV-VATS group and 9 in the control group. Patients who underwent SV-VATS had a trend toward shorter postoperative hospital stays (11.5 ± 4.3 days vs 13.2 ± 6.3 days). One recurrence (SV-VATS group) and 2 deaths (one in each group) were observed during follow-up.SV-VATS is a feasible procedure in tracheal and carinal resection and reconstruction in highly selected patients. It can be a valid alternative to conventional intubated VATS for airway surgery.

In the May 24 th , 2018 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine , Patrick Forde and colleagues published a pilot study which examined the safety and feasibility of immune therapy to block programmed death 1 (PD-1) proteins by administering neo-adjuvant PD-1 Inhibitor in the setting of resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (1). In addition to demonstrating a lack of serious adverse events or surgical delay, they were also able to reveal a major pathologic response in tumor burden and provide greater insight into the dynamics of any anti-tumor immune response.

Background A minimally invasive intragastric approach to the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) allows resection of intramural disease while avoiding disruption of the lower esophageal sphincter and vagus nerves. Few surgeons use this approach; thus little is known regarding its indications, feasibility, technical aspects, complication profile, and long-term outcomes. This study reviewed the experience with this technique. Methods A retrospective review was performed of a prospectively maintained, Institutional Review Board–approved database covering the period from January 1, 2005 to August 1, 2017. Indications, operative details, postoperative complications, and outcomes were assessed. Results There were 12 patients identified. The mean age of these patients was 51.9 years. The indications for resection included 10 symptomatic leiomyomas, one gastrointestinal stromal tumor, and three cancers of the GEJ. Mean and median length of stay were 4.9 and 2.5 days, respectively. There were two postoperative esophageal leaks managed with laparoscopic repair. Of the 3 patients with cancer, 2 underwent an R0 resection, whereas 1 patient underwent an R1 resection. There were no other complications or recurrences. Mean follow-up was 6.0 years (range, 0.5 to 12.6 years); no patients had stricture or symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux on long term follow-up. Conclusions Resection of selected intramural GEJ disorders through a minimally invasive transgastric approach can be performed safely with acceptable morbidity and good long-term results. The approach allows preservation of the lower esophageal sphincter and vagus nerves, a potential advantage compared with other surgical alternatives to resection in this region.

Background Sympathetic interruption offers excellent control of hyperhidrosis and facial blushing (FB), but some patients have side effects prompting a wish to reverse the procedure. Reversal when the chain has been cut is challenging, whereas reversal when the chain has been clipped is straightforward. The peripheral nerves regenerate; however, little is known about the regeneration of the sympathetic chain after clip removal. We reviewed our results with reversal of sympathetic interruption through removal of clips. Methods An institutional review board–approved retrospective review of patients treated for hyperhidrosis and FB from November 2004 to March 2014 was performed. We analyzed those patients undergoing sympathetic interruption with clips (N = 82). Results Eight patients (10%) requested and underwent reversal of the procedure between 12 days and 5.8 years (median = 73.5 days) after the initial procedure. Compensatory sweating was the most frequent complaint (n = 6), and excessive palmar dryness was second (n = 3), the latter occurring in patients without primary palmar hyperhidrosis. The interval between clip removal and follow-up ranged from 2 days to 4.5 years (median = 141 days). Five of 8 patients thus far have had their symptoms reversed through removal of clips (Table 1). Conclusions The percentage of patients requesting reversal of sympathectomy is significant and appears to most commonly result from compensatory sweating (CS); however, excessive palmar dryness also occurs in those without primary palmar hyperhidrosis. It appears that the best results with reversal are obtained when the clips are removed early after placement. We counsel our patients that ideally clips should be removed within 2 weeks for reversal.

Although the Lung Cancer Study Group published worse outcomes in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer who underwent sublobar resection, these data are fairly old and not reflective of the current patient population or surgical techniques. With the change in lung cancer pathology over these past few decades, our increased understanding of lung cancer and the era of screening for lung cancer, video-assisted thorascopic segmentectomy will likely play a greater role in the management of our patients.