Transhiatal versus transthoracic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer continues to represent a formidable challenge for both patients and clinicians. Relative 5-year survival rates for patients have improved over the past three decades, probably linked to a combination of improved surgical outcomes, progress in systemic chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and the increasing acceptance of multimodality treatment. Surgical treatment remains a fundamental component of the treatment of localized esophageal adenocarcinoma. Multiple approaches have been described for esophagectomy, which can be thematically grouped under two major categories: either transthoracic or transhiatal. The main controversy rests on whether a more extended resection through thoracotomy provides superior oncological outcomes as opposed to resection with relatively limited morbidity and mortality through a transhiatal approach. After numerous trials have addressed these issues, neither approach has consistently proven to be superior to the other one, and both can provide excellent short-term results in the hands of experienced surgeons. Moreover, the available literature suggests that experience of the surgeonand hospital in the surgical management of esophageal cancer is an important factor for operative morbidity and mortality rates, which could supersede the type of approach selected. Oncological outcomes appear to be similar after both procedures.

Comparison of survival outcomes between transthoracic and transabdominal surgical approaches in patients with Siewert-Ⅱ/Ⅲesophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma:a single-institution retrospective cohort study

Objective： To compare the survival outcomes of transabdominal （TA） and transthoracic （TT） surgical approaches in patients with Siewert-II/III esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma. Methods： This retrospective study was conducted in patients with Siewert-II/III esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma who underwent either TT or TA operations in the West China Hospital between January 2006 and December 2009. Results： A total of 308 patients （109 in the TT and 199 in the TA groups） were included in this study with a follow-up rate of 87.3%. The median （P25, P75） number of harvested perigastric lymph nodes was 8 （5, 10） in the TT group and 23 （16, 34） in the TA group （P〈0.001）, and the number of positive perigastric lymph nodes was 2 （0, 5） in the TT group and 3 （1, 8） in the TA group （P〈0.004）. The 5-year overall survival （OS） rate was 36% in the TT group and 51% in the TA group （P=0.005）. Subgroup analysis by Siewert classification showed that 5-year OS rates for patients with Siewert II tumors were 38% and 48% in TT and TA groups, respectively （P=0.134）, whereas the 5-year OS rate for patients with Siewert III tumors was significantly lower in the TT group than that in the TA group （33% vs. 53%; P=0.010）. Multivariate analysis indicated that N2 and N3 stages, RI/R2 resection and a TT surgical approach were prognostic factors for poor OS. Conclusions： Improved perigastric lymph node dissection may be the main reason for better survival outcomes observed with a TA gastrectomy approach than with TT gastrectomy for Siewert III tumor patients.

Systemic air embolism after transthoracic lung biopsy: A case report and review of literature

Computed tomography (CT)-guided lung biopsy is a common diagnostic procedure that is associated with various complications, including pneumothorax, hemoptysis and parenchymal hemorrhage. Systemic air embolism is a very rare (0.07%) but potentially lifethreatening complication. We report a fatal case of air embolism to the cerebral and coronary arteries confirmed by head and chest CT, followed by a review of the literature.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening during transthoracic echocardiography:Cardiologist and vascular medicine specialist interpretation

AIM: To study the interobserver variability between a cardiologist and vascular medicine specialist in the screening of the abdominal aorta during transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). METHODS: Consecutive patients, > 55 years of age, underwent abdominal aortic imaging following standard TTE. Two cardiologists and one vascular medicine specialist performed a blinded review of the images. Interobserver agreement of abdominal aortic size was determined by the correlation coefficient and paired t test. Interobserver reliability for each cardiologist was assessed using Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: Ninety patients were studied. The mean age of patients was 72 ± 10 years and 48% were male. The mean aortic diameter was 2.31 ± 0.50 cm and 5 patients (5.5%) had an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The additional time required for the ab-dominal aortic images was 4.4 ± 0.9 min per patient. Interobserver agreement between the 2 cardiologist interpreters and the vascular medicine specialist was excellent (P > 0.05 for all comparisons). On Bland-Altman analysis ofinterobserver reliability, the 95% lower and upper limits for measurement by the cardiologists were 84% and 124% of that of the vascular specialist. CONCLUSION: The assessment of the abdominal aorta during a routine TTE performed by a cardiologist is accurate in comparison to that of a vascular medicine specialist. In selected patients undergoing TTE, the detection rate of AAA is significant. Additional time and effort required to perform imaging of the abdominal aorta after TTE is less than 5 min.

Congenital Heart Diseases Diagnosed on Transthoracic Echocardiography: Perspectives from the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

In a retrospective study of 1224 transthoracic echocardiograms performed between January 2011 and December 2013, we evaluated the spectrum of congenital heart disease (CHD) diagnosed at a tertiary referral centre in Maiduguri, north-eastern Nigeria. Diagnosis of CHD was made in 88 (8.3%) subjects, comprising 23 (26.1%) adults and 65 (73.9%) aged less than 18 years. Forty six (52.3%) of those with CHD were females, while 42 (47.7%) were males. The frequencies of the CHD in decreasing order were: ventricular septal defect 23 (26.1%), tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) 14 (15.9%) and atrial septal defect (ASD) and atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) were 11 (12.5%) each. One of the patients with AVSD had Ellis Van Creveldt syndrome. Six (6.8%) cases of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) were diagnosed in those younger than 18 years, while all the 5 (5.7%) cases of Ebstein’s anomaly were diagnosed in adults. There were 6 (6.8%) cases of Eisenmenger syndrome involving three cases of AVSD, one case of ASD and two cases of Ebstein’s anomaly. Timely definitive cares for these patients are still lacking in Nigeria and many areas of sub-Saharan Africa. We recommend sensitization of all relevant clinicians to actively look for congenital heart defects. Pulse oximetry and postnatal echocardiographic new-born screening which were previously validated should be implemented at secondary and tertiary levels, and efforts should be made towards providing the needed care for patients with CHD.

Comparison of transthoracic and transabdominal surgical approaches for the treatment of adenocarcinoma of the cardia

Background and Objective: Transthoracic and transabdominal approaches are commonly used for the surgical treatment of adenocarcinoma of the cardia. Which approach is better has been controversial for quite a long time. Our study aimed to compare the surgical trauma, range of lymph node dissection, and the prognosis of the transthoracic and transabdominal approaches for the treatment of adenocarcinoma of the cardia. Methods: The medical records of 331 patients with adenocarcinoma of the cardia treated in our hospital between 1994 and 2003 were analyzed. Of the 331 patients, 284 underwent operation via transthoracic approach and 47 via transabdominal approach. Surgery-related status, postoperative complications, range of removed lymph nodes and prognosis of the two groups were compared. Results: There was no significant difference in surgery-related status and postoperative complications between the two groups (P >0.05). The mean number of removed lymph nodes from the thoracic cavity was much higher in transthoracic group than in transabdominal group (P < 0.001), while that from the abdominal cavity was similar in both groups (P = 0.404). The thoracic lymph node metastasis rate was 18.8% in transthoracic group and 13.3% in transabdominal group. The median survival time was 29 months in transthoracic group and 28 months in transabdominal group, and the 5-year survival rates were 34.9% and 40.1% (P= 0.599). Conclusions: For the surgical treatment of adenocarcinoma of the cardia, the surgical trauma of the transthoracic approach is similar with that of transabdominal approach. The transthoracic approach has the advantage in thoracic lymph node dissection. The two approaches have no obvious effect on the prognosis.

Transthoracic En-bloc Esophagectomy

In patients with esophageal carcinoma surgical resection remains the standard of curative treatment. For locally advanced tumors (pT1sm–pT3) transthoracic esophagectomy with extended lym- phadenectomy is the standard surgical procedure since it o?ers a complete removal of the primary tumor and possible lymph node metastases. This surgical resection is appropriate for squamous cell but also adenocarcinoma of the esophagus because both histological entities demonstrate a lymphatic spread to the abdominal compartment and the upper mediastinum. In-hospital mortality rates are between 6% and 9%; anastomotic leakage and pulmonary complications mainly contribute to postoperative morbidity. In terms of 5-year survival the transthoracic procedure o?ers a better prognosis compared to the transhiatal resection.

Laparoscopic vs mini-incision open appendectomy

AIM: To compare laparoscopic vs mini-incision open appendectomy in light of recent data at our centre.METHODS: The data of patients who underwen appendectomy between January 2011 and June 2013 were collected. The data included patients' demographic data, procedure time, length of hospital stay, the need for pain medicine, postoperative visual analog scale o pain, and morbidities. Pregnant women and patients with previous lower abdominal surgery were excluded Patients with surgery converted from laparoscopic appendectomy(LA) to mini-incision open appendectomy(MOA) were excluded. Patients were divided into two groups: LA and MOA done by the same surgeon. The patients were randomized into MOA and LA groups a computer-generated number. The diagnosis of acute appendicitis was made by the surgeon with physica examination, laboratory values, and radiological tests(abdominal ultrasound or computed tomography). Al operations were performed with general anaesthesia The postoperative vision analog scale score was recorded at postoperative hours 1, 6, 12, and 24. Patients were discharged when they tolerated normal food and passed gas and were followed up every week for three weeks as outpatients.RESULTS: Of the 243 patients, 121(49.9%) underwen MOA, while 122(50.1%) had laparoscopic appendectomy There were no significant differences in operation time between the two groups(P = 0.844), whereas the visua analog scale of pain was significantly higher in the open appendectomy group at the 1st hour(P = 0.001), 6th hour(P = 0.001), and 12 th hour(P = 0.027). The need for analgesic medication was significantly higher in the MOA group(P = 0.001). There were no differences between the two groups in terms of morbidity rate(P = 0.599)The rate of total complications was similar between the two groups(6.5% in LA vs 7.4% in OA, P = 0.599). Al wound infections were treated non-surgically. Six ou of seven patients with pelvic abscess were successfully treated with percutaneous drainage; one patient requiredsurgical drainage after a failed percutaneous drainage. There were no differences in the period of hospital stay, operation time, and postoperative complication rate between the two groups. Laparoscopic appendectomy decreases the need for analgesic medications and the visual analog scale of pain.CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic appendectomy should be considered as a standard treatment for acute appendicitis. Mini-incision appendectomy is an alternative for a select group of patients.

Cumulative scores based on plasma D-dimer and serum albumin levels predict survival in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with transthoracic esophagectomy

Background:Recently,studies have shown that plasma D-dimer and serum albumin are prognostic markers for esophageal cancer.The purpose of this study was to evaluate a novel prognostic scoring system—DA score(combination of preoperative plasma D-dimer and serum albumin levels)—and analyze the association between survival of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC) and their Glasgow prognostic score.Methods:In this retrospective study,preoperative biochemical markers and clinicopathologic factors in 260 ESCC patients treated with transthoracic esophagectomy were reviewed.According to receiver operating characteristic analysis,the cutoff values of D-dimer and albumin were defined as 0.5 μg/mL and 43.8 g/L,respectively.Patients with high D-dimer levels(>0.5 μg/mL) and low albumin levels(<43.8 g/L) were assigned a score of 2,those with only one of the two abnormalities were assigned a score of 1,and those with neither of the two abnormalities were assigned a score of 0.Results:ESCC patients with a DA score of 0,l,and 2 numbered 55,116,and 89,respectively.Survival analysis showed that patients with a DA score of 2 had lower overall survival(OS) rates than those with DA scores of 1 and 0(37.1%vs.52.6%and 76.4%,P < 0.001);similar findings were observed for disease-free survival(DFS) rates(32.6%vs.44.8%and67.3%,P < 0.001).In addition,the predictive value of the DA score was also significant in patients with stages l-IIA and stages IIB-IV ESCC.Multivariate Cox regression analyses indicated that hazard ratios(HRs) for predicting OS of patients with DA scores 1 and 2 were 2.25 {P — 0.010) and 3.14(P< 0.001),respectively,compared with those with a DA score of 0,and HRs for predicting DFS of patients with DA scores of 1 and 2 were 1.86(P = 0.023) and 2.68(P < 0.001),respectively,compared with those with a DA scores of 0.Conclusions:Our study suggests that preoperative DA scores are notably associated with postoperative survival of ESCC patients.

Transthoracic vs transhiatal surgery for cancer of the esophagogastric junction:A meta-analysis

AIM:To compare the efficacy and safety of the transthoracic and transhiatal approaches for cancer of the esophagogastric junction.METHODS:An electronic and manual search of the literature was conducted in PubMed,EmBase and the Cochrane Library for articles published between March1998 and January 2013.The pooled data included the following parameters:duration of surgical time,blood loss,dissected lymph nodes,hospital stay time,anastomotic leakage,pulmonary complications,cardiovascular complications,30-d hospital mortality,and long-term survival.Sensitivity analysis was performed by excluding single studies.RESULTS:Eight studies including 1155 patients with cancer of the esophagogastric junction,with 639 patients in the transthoracic group and 516 in the transhiatal group,were pooled for this study.There were no significant differences between two groups concerning surgical time,blood loss,anastomotic leakage,or cardiovascular complications.Dissected lymph nodes also showed no significant differences between two groups in randomized controlled trials(RCTs)and nonRCTs.However,we did observe a shorter hospital stay(WMD=1.92,95%CI:1.63-2.22,P<0.00001),lower30-d hospital mortality(OR=3.21,95%CI:1.13-9.12,P=0.03),and decreased pulmonary complications(OR=2.95,95%CI:1.95-4.45,P<0.00001)in the transhiatal group.For overall survival,a potential survival benefit was achieved for typeⅢtumors with the transhiatal approach.CONCLUSION:The transhiatal approach for cancers of the esophagogastric junction,especially typesⅢ,should be recommended,and its long-term outcome benefits should be further evaluated.

Study on linage Acquisition of Transthoracic Echocardiography in Mechanically Ventilated ICU Patients

Objective This study aimed to determine which parameters in transthoracic echocardiography(TTE)are more likely to be affected when applied in a critical care setting with mechanical ventilation.Methods Ninety mechanically ventilated ICU patients were enrolled into the study group.The control group consisted of 90 patients who underwent interventional therapy.All patients had bedside TTE for parametric measurements including the right ventricular size,septal kinetics and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)by eyeballing(visual assessment),the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion(TAPSE),mitral annular plane systolic excursion(MAPSE)by M-mode sonography,the right ventricular outflow tract velocity-time integral(RVOT VTI)and left ventricular outflow tract velocity-time integral(LVOT VTI)by pulse-Doppler,the right ventricular fraction of area change(FAC)and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF Simpson)by endocardium tracing.We compared the differences in the frequency of optimal image acquisition in assessments of these parameters between the two groups,as well as the differences in acquisition rates of parameter measurements in ventilated ICU patients.Results There were significantly fewer patients in the study group than in the control group who had optimal images acquisitions for parameter assessments with M-mode method,pulse Doppler method and endocardiumtracing method(P<0.05);no significant difference was obsered in the number of patients with optimal images for RV eyeballing and LVEF eyeballing between the two groups.In the study group,significantly fewer optimal images were acquired for FAC than forTAPSE(22.2%vs、72.2%,χ2=45.139,P<0.001)and RVOT VTI(22.2%vs.71.1%,χ2=43.214,P<0.001);there were also fewer optimal images acquired for LVEF Simpson than for MAPSE(37.8%ys.84.4%,χ2=41.236,P<0.001)and LVOT VTI(37.8%vs.85.6%,/=43.455,P<0.001).Conclusions Images acquisition of optimal TTE images tend to be difRcult in mechanically ventilated ICU patients,but eyeballing method for functional evaluation could be an alternative method.For quantitative parameters measurements,M-mode based longitudinal function evaluation and pulse Doppler-based VTI were superior to the endocardium-tracing based parameter assessments.

Focus assessed transthoracic echocardiography (FATE) to diagnose pleural effusions causing haemodynamic compromise

The clinical assessment of patients with respiratory and circulatory problems can be complex, time consuming and have a high incidence of error. Bedside transthoracic ultrasound (US) is a useful adjunctive test in the evaluation of acutely unstable patients. This case series describes the use of the Focus Assessed Transthoracic Echocardiography (FATE) protocol to diagnose unsuspected pleural collections of fluid and how drainage significantly contributes to the haemodynamic improvement seen in these patients.

Transthoracic echocardiography assists appropriate pulmonary artery catheter placement: An observational study

AIM: To investigate the utility of transthoracic echocardiography in confirming appropriate pulmonary artery catheter(PAC) placement. METHODS: Three commonly used transthoracic echocardiography(TTE) views were used to confirm PAC position in 103 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery- the parasternal short axis right ventricular inflow-outflow view; the subcostal short axis right ventricular inflow-outflow view; and the parasternal short axis ascending aortic view. All PACs were inserted by the managing anesthesiologist under pressure waveform guidance alone, who was blinded to all sonographic information. A sonographer blinded to all pressure waveform information confirmed visualisation of an "empty" PA before PAC insertion, and visualisation of the PAC balloon in the main PA(MPA) or right PA(RPA) after attempts at placement were complete. Agreement, sensitivity and specificity of TTE in confirming appropriate PAC placement was compared against pressure waveformguidance as the "gold standard". The successful view used was compared against patients' anthropomorphic indices, presence of lung hyperinflation, and insertion of PAC during positive pressure ventilation. Agreement between TTE and pressure waveform guidance was analysed using Cohen's Kappa statistic. The relative proportion of total RPA seen by subcostal vs parasternal TTE views was also compared with a further 20 patients' computed tomography(CT) pulmonary angiograms(CTPA), to determine efficacy in detection of distal RPA PAC placement. RESULTS: Appropriate positioning of the PAC balloon, and its to-and-fro movement consistent with a nonwedged state, within the MPA or RPA was confirmed by TTE in 98 of the 103 patients [sensitivity 95%(95%CI: 89%-98%)], and absence of the PAC balloon before insertion correctly established in 100 patients [specificity 97%(92%-99%)]. This was in very good agreement with pressure waveform guidance [Cohen's Kappa 0.92,(0.87-0.98)]. The subcostal view was the best view to visualise the PAC tip when it was placed in the right pulmonary artery(OR 70, P < 0.0001), was more successful in patients with COAD(OR 9.5, P = 0.001), and visualized 61%(vs 44% by parasternal views, P < 0.001) of mean RPA lengths compared with CTPA; however the parasternal views were more successful in patients with higher body mass indexs(OR 0.78 for success with subcostal views, P < 0.001). There was a trend towards insertion during intermittent positive pressure ventilation favoring visualisation by subcostal views(OR 3.9, P = 0.08). The subcostal view visualized a greater length of the RPA than parasternal views(3.9 cm vs 2.9 cm, P < 0.0001). PACs were more often placed in the MPA than RPA(80 vs 18 patients). Three patient's pulmonary arteries were not visible by any TTE view; in a further 2 patients, despite preinsertion visualisation of their pulmonary arteries, the PAC balloon was not visible by any view with TTE where correct placement by pressure waveform was unequivocal.

Sub-acute disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis in a girl diagnosed by CT guided transthoracic needle biopsy: case report and literature review

Primary tuberculosis often occurs in children with the main types of hilar lymphonode tuberculosis or Ghon complex. When pulmonary tuberculosis aggravates and tubercule bacillus invades pulmonary veins, a disseminated disease may occur clinically. One 8-year-old girl presented with hypodynamia and emaciation. CT indicated the disseminated disease and extensive mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy. But she had negative sputum smears and negative PPD test. The bronchi showed inflammatory change in fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) guided by CT was used as a means for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. The case was rapidly diagnosed as sub-acute disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis with the help of combined CT imagine and histology.

Clinical value of CTS-guided percutaneous transthoracic biopsy in elder patients with lung cancer

目的将在年长的病人为肺的损害的诊断评估指导 CTS 的经皮的经胸廓活体检视的价值。78 个年长的病人的未经触动的数据在 CTS 指导下面与一根春天核心活体检视针经历了经皮的肺的活体检视的方法被分析。所有盒子的诊断被病理和后续证实。结果 95 肺活体检视在 78 种情况和在所有情况中获得的令人满意的织物标本中被执行，成功率是 100% 。为恶性瘤和良性的损害的诊断分别地是 72 和 6。全面精确性率是 100% 。气胸在 5 种情况(6.4%) 和在 10 个病人(12.8%) 看见的咯血中被注意。有一根春天核心活体检视针的结论指导 CTS 的经皮的经胸廓活体检视为在年长的病人的肺的损害精确、安全、快。

Surgical treatment of lower lumbar fracture with mini-incision via retroperitoneal anterior approach

Objective To investigate the clinical effects of surgical treatment of lower lumbar fracture with mini-incision via retroperitoneal anterior approach. Methods The data of 21 cases with serious lower lumbar burst fracture were analyzed retrospectively.

经胸超声心动图监测引导在经皮卵圆孔未闭封堵术中的应用效果

目的 观察经胸超声心动图(TTE)监测引导在经皮卵圆孔未闭(PFO)封堵术中的应用效果。方法 回顾性分析98例PFO患者的资料,患者均行介入封堵术。依据术中引导方式的不同分成X线组(n=50)和TTE组(n=48)。比较2组封堵情况、并发症发生情况、手术指标、右向左分流(RLS)分级情况以及合并偏头痛者的头痛改善情况。结果 98例PFO均成功完成封堵,其中TTE组有2例因术中声窗欠佳,加用经食道超声引导。TTE组手术时间长于X线组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。术后,2组RLS分级及偏头痛者头痛影响测验-6(HIT-6)评分低于术前,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 单纯TTE引导的经皮PFO封堵术对PFO患者RLS、偏头痛的改善效果较好,且能规避X线对医患所造成的辐射损伤。

单纯输送鞘法经胸超声引导封堵卵圆孔未闭的临床疗效

目的探讨单纯输送鞘法行经胸超声引导下经皮卵圆孔封堵手术的临床治疗效果。方法回顾性分析2020年1月至2022年12月于我院行介入封堵手术或单纯输送鞘法经胸超声引导经皮卵圆孔封堵手术的卵圆孔未闭患者临床资料,分别设为介入封堵组(40例)和单纯输送鞘组(39例)。比较2组患者的手术时间、手术并发症发生率及手术成功率;术后超声评价封堵效果;术后随访6个月,评估患者临床症状缓解情况。结果单纯输送鞘组手术成功率(100%)高于介入封堵组(90.0%),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。单纯输送鞘组手术时间长于介入封堵组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。介入封堵组1例患者术中出现少量心包积液;单纯输送鞘组2例患者术中出现血压降低、心率减慢,对症处理后症状消失。2组并发症发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。术后6个月随访,封堵伞位置良好,无残余漏;介入封堵组28例患者头痛、头晕症状消失,8例患者症状明显缓解;单纯输送鞘组30例患者头痛、头晕症状消失,9例患者症状明显缓解。结论单纯输送鞘法经胸超声引导经皮卵圆孔封堵手术安全可行,疗效满意,手术成功率高,无辐射危害,值得临床推广。