Reconstruction of pulmonary artery by autologous pericardium or azygous venae for non-small cell lung cancer

Objective To review the clinical experience of reconstruction of pulmonary artery(PA) by a patch of autologus pericardium or azygous venae for non-small cell lung cancer. Methods Between March 1992 and August 2009,62 patients with locally advanced central lung cancer received sleeve resection and reconstruction of PA.

Partial removal of the pulmonary artery in video-assisted thoracic surgery for non-small cell lung cancer

Lobectomy with partial removal of the pulmonary artery in video-assisted thoracic surgery （VATS） currently remains a challenge for thoracic surgeons. We were interested in introducing pulmonary vessel blocking techniques in open thoracic surgery into video-assisted thoracic surgery （VATS） procedures. In this study, we reported a surgical technique simultaneously blocking the pulmonary artery and the pulmonary vein for partial removal of the pulmonary artery under VATS. Seven patients with non-small-cell lung cancer （NSCLC） received lobectomy with partial removal of the pulmonary artery using the technique between December 2007 and March 2012. Briefly, rather than using a small clamp on the distal pulmonary artery to the area of invading cancer, we replaced a vascular clamp with a ribbon and Hem-o-lock clip to block the preserved pulmonary veins so as to prevent back bleeding and yield a better view for surgeons. The mean occlusion time of the pulmonary artery and pulmonary veins were 44.0±10.0 and 41.3±9.7 minutes, respectively. The mean repair time of the pulmonary artery was 25.3±13.7 minutes. No complications occurred. No patients showed abnormal blood flow through the reconstructed vessel. There were no local recurrences on the pulmonary artery. In conclusion, the technique for blocking the pulmonary artery and veins is feasible and safe in VATS and reduces the risk of abrupt intraoperative bleeding and the chance of converting to open thoracotomy, and extends the indications of VATS lobectomy.

Reconstruction of a new pulmonary artery in arterial switch operation

Background:This study was undertaken to evaluate the new method for the reconstruction of the pulmonary artery in arterial switch operation(ASO).Methods:A total of 108 consecutive infants with congenital heart disease were treated with ASO in our department between January 2004 and June 2012.The new pulmonary arterial root was reconstructed with a fresh autologuos pericardium which was clipped pants­like with continuous mattress suture of 6-0 Prolene thread.Patients were reexamined consecutively at 3 and 6 months and 1,2 and 6 years after discharge.The pulmonary arterial blood velocity was measured by continuous Doppler during systole.The pulmonary flow of healthy children of same age was also measured in the control group.Simplified Bernoulli formula was used to calculate the pressure gradient via the pulmonary artery for determining whether there was pulmonary stenosis.Results:In this series,96 infants survived after the surgery and 88 were followed up with a mean peirod of(22±4)months.No pulmonary stenosis was detected with the simplified Bernoulli formula.Conclusion:No pulmonary stenosis was detected with the simplified Bernoulli formula.