Transaxillary minithoracotomy in intrathoracic surgery for 316 infants and children

Objective To introduce the technique of intrathoracic surgery performed through vertical transaxillary minithoracotomy Methods From March 1989 to March 2001, 316 patients underwent intrathoracic surgery through a vertical transaxillary minithoracotomy 285 patients suffered from patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), 10 congenital esophageal atresia, 8 congenital pulmonary cysts, 6 congenital emphysema, 1 pulmonary sequestration, 5 mediastinal tumor, and 1 eventration of the diaphragm Results All of the patients were successfully treated under satisfactory exposure No operative mortality and severe postoperative complications occurred Conclusions Intrathoracic surgery performed through a vertical transaxillary minithoracotomy appears to be less invasive, and is a simple, safe, cosmetically acceptable and efficient approach

Anterolateral minithoracotomy versus median sternotomy for mitral valve disease: a meta-analysis

Objective： Mitral valve disease tends to be treated with anterolateral minithoracotomy （ALMT） rather than median stemotomy （MS）, as ALMT uses progressively smaller incisions to promote better cosmetic outcomes. This meta-analysis quantifies the effects of ALMT on surgical parameters and post-operative outcomes compared with MS. Methods： One randomized controlled study and four case-control studies, published in English from January 1996 to January 2013, were identified and evaluated. Results： ALMT showed a significantly longer cardiopulmonary bypass time （P=0.001） and aortic cross-clamp time （P=0.05） compared with MS. However, the benefits of ALMT were evident as demonstrated by a shorter length of hospital stay （P〈0.00001）. According to operative complications, the onset of new arrhythmias following ALMT decreased significantly as compared with MS （P=0.05）; however, the incidence of peri-operative mortality （P=0.62）, re-operation for bleeding （P=0.37）, neurologic events （P=0.77）, myocardial infarction （P=0.84）, gastrointestinal complications （P=0.89）, and renal insufficiency （P=0.67） were similar to these of MS. Long-term follow-up data were also examined, and revealed equivalent survival and freedom from mitral valve events. Conclusions： Current clinical data suggest that ALMT is a safe and effective alternative to the conventional approach and is associated with better short-term outcomes and a trend towards longer survival.

Outcomes of Three Different Minimal Invasive Approaches for Secundum Atrial Septal Defect Closure: A Single Institute Experience

Objective:The aims of this retrospective study were to investigate and evaluate the safety and efficacy of three approaches for closure of secundum atrial septal defect(ASD).Methods:In this study,we reviewed clinical data for transcatheter occlusion(TCO,n=63),transthoracic occlusion(TTO,n=55),and right anterolateral minithoracotomy(RALT,n=60)techniques used for ASD closure.We compared the safety and efficacy of the three approaches.Results:ASD size in the TTO group was similar to that in the RALT group(P=0.645)and significantly larger than that in the TCO group(P<O.OO1).The RALT group had more non-central types of ASD than the TTO and TCO groups(P=O.019 and P<O.OO1).The operative time in the TTO group was shorter than that in the TCO and RALT groups(P<O.OO1 and P<0.001).The ventilation time and intensive care unit duration were shorter in the TTO group than in the RALT group(P<O.OO1 and P<O.OO1).Hospital duration in the TCO group was shorter than that in the TTO and RALT groups(P<O.OO1 and P<O.OO1).There were no residual shunt and mortality in any group in hospital or during follow-up.There was no significant difference in the incidence of total complications among the three groups(P=0.738).Conclusion:TCO,TTO,and RALT can be performed with favorable cosmetic and clinical results for closing ASD.Appropriate patient selection is an important factor for successful closure.These techniques are promising alternatives to standard median sternotomy and merit additional study.

Mini Thoracotomy Approach to Upper Thoracic Spine

Upper thoracic spine lesions are characterized by delayed diagnosis due to nonspecific symptoms and its anterior aspect (T1 - T4) is difficult to be approached surgically. This retrospective clinical study was done to assess the efficacy of mini thoracotomy approach in management of these lesions. We studied 14 cases with upper thoracic spine different pathological lesions at levels (T1 - T4). These lesions were indicated for anterior approach surgery. Radiological assessment included plain X-ray, MRI and CT scan thoracic spine. The anaesthesia was specifically selective intubation and unilateral ventilation. All patients were operated upon through mini inter-costal thoracotomy approach (left sided in 13 patients and right sided in 1patient). Out of 14 patients there were 7 males and 7 females. The age range was 20 - 55 years (mean 38.7 years). Preoperative symptoms included vague nonspecific upper thoracic pain in 11 patients, lower limbs weakness in 6 patients, sphincteric disturbance in 5 patients, upper thoracic kyphotic deformity in 4 patients, severe brachialgia in 3 patients and neck pain in 2 cases. The operative time was ranged from 90 - 210 minutes (mean 152 m). Blood loss ranged from 250 to 750 cc (mean 464 cc). Chest tube drainage was inserted in all patients. There were no intra-operative or post-operative surgically related complications and no patients needed ICU admission. The lesions were neoplasms in 8 patients, traumatic fracture dislocation in 3 cases, tuberculous spondylodiscitis in 2 cases and degenerative disc prolapse in 1 case. All patients improved post-operative as regard their pre-operative complaints except one patient. During the follow up period, no mortality was recorded. In conclusion, mini thoracotomy approach seems to be ideal only for patients with mono- or bi-segmental pathology involving the upper thoracic spine.

Thoracoscopic management for bronchiectasis with non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection

Background Non-tuberculous mycobacteria （NTM） have emerged as important opportunistic pathogens of the human being in recent years. Patients with pre-existing bronchiectasis are susceptible to NTM. However, information about its occurrence among bronchiectatic patients in Shenzhen, China is lacking and its impact on the course of bronchiectasis following surgical intervention is unknown. This preliminary study aimed to investigate the prevalence of NTM in bronchiectasis that required surgery in our center, evaluate the role of intraoperative routine screening for NTM, and summarize our initial experience in thoracoscopic management for bronchiectatic patients with NTM. Methods A retrospective analysis of clinical, microbiological data of our bronchiectatic patients with NTM over 5 years was made and 40 patients with bronchiectasis were studied to determine the role of intraoperative routine screening for NTM. Results The prevalence of NTM in this population of patients with bronchiectasis in our center was 6.7% （7/105）. The diagnostic yield of the 40 intraoperative specimens was 7.5% （3/40）. Of the 7 patients with bronchiectasis and NTM, 3 patients developed postoperative wound infections. All were cured with chemotherapy for 8-12 months along with vigorous surgical debridement. Another patient had a slow growth of mycobacteria involving double lungs and the right thoracic cavity and recovered after chemotherapy for nearly 14 months and tube drainage. The affected tissue was completely resected in the remaining 3 patients with no operative mortality and postoperative morbidity, and routine intraoperative screening for NTM was initiated in these patients. Conclusions NTM is not uncommon in bronchiectatic patients which deserves surgeons＇ utmost attention. Routine intraoperative screening for NTM identified otherwise unsuspected patients has shown favorable outcomes. Thoracoscopic management for bronchiectasis with NTM is technically feasible although its role remains to be defined.