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Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery Nov 2017Deep sternal wound complications are uncommon after cardiac surgery. They comprise sternal dehiscence, deep sternal wound infections and mediastinitis, which will be... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Deep sternal wound complications are uncommon after cardiac surgery. They comprise sternal dehiscence, deep sternal wound infections and mediastinitis, which will be treated as varying expressions of a singular pathology for reasons explained in the text.
METHODOLOGY AND REVIEW
This article reviews the definition, prevalence, risk factors, prevention, diagnosis, microbiology and management of deep sternal wound infections and mediastinitis after cardiac surgery. The role of negative pressure wound therapy and initial and delayed surgical management is discussed with special emphasis on plastic techniques with muscle and omental flaps. Recent advances in reconstructive surgery are presented.
CONCLUSIONS
Deep sternal wound complications no longer spell debilitating morbidity and high mortality. Better understanding of risk factors that predispose to deep sternal wound complications and general improvement in theatre protocols for asepsis have dramatically reduced the incidence of deep sternal wound complications. Negative pressure wound therapy and appropriately timed and staged muscle or omental flap reconstruction have transformed the outcomes once these complications occur.
Topics: Cardiac Surgical Procedures; Humans; Mediastinitis; Sternotomy; Sternum; Surgical Flaps; Surgical Wound Infection; Thoracoplasty
PubMed: 29096673
DOI: 10.1186/s13019-017-0656-7 -
Journal of Thoracic Disease Nov 2016Extensive chest wall resection and reconstruction is a challenging procedure that requires a multidisciplinary approach, including input from thoracic surgeons, plastic... (Review)
Review
Extensive chest wall resection and reconstruction is a challenging procedure that requires a multidisciplinary approach, including input from thoracic surgeons, plastic surgeons, neurosurgeons, and radiation oncologists. The primary goals of any chest wall reconstruction is to obliterate dead space, restore chest wall rigidity, preserve pulmonary mechanics, protect intrathoracic organs, provide soft tissue coverage, minimize deformity, and allow patients to receive adjuvant radiotherapy. Successful chest wall reconstruction requires the re-establishment of skeletal stability to prevent chest wall hernias, avoids thoracoplasty-like contraction of the operated side, protects underlying viscera, and maintain a cosmetically-acceptable appearance. After skeletal stability is established, full tissue coverage can be achieved using direct closure, skin grafts, local advancement flaps, pedicled myocutaneous flaps, or free flaps. This review examines the indications for chest wall reconstruction and describes techniques for establishment of chest wall rigidity and soft tissue coverage.
PubMed: 27942408
DOI: 10.21037/jtd.2016.11.07 -
Journal of Thoracic Disease Aug 2016Thoracic surgery in the Philippines followed the development of thoracic surgery in the United States and Europe. With better understanding of the physiology of the open... (Review)
Review
Thoracic surgery in the Philippines followed the development of thoracic surgery in the United States and Europe. With better understanding of the physiology of the open chest and refinements in thoracic anesthetic and surgical approaches, Filipino surgeons began performing thoracoplasties, then lung resections for pulmonary tuberculosis and later for lung cancer in specialty hospitals dealing with pulmonary diseases-first at the Quezon Institute (QI) and presently at the Lung Center of the Philippines although some university and private hospitals made occasional forays into the chest. Esophageal surgery began its early attempts during the post-World War II era at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), a university hospital affiliated with the University of the Philippines. With the introduction of minimally invasive thoracic surgical approaches, Filipino thoracic surgeons have managed to keep up with their Asian counterparts although the problems of financial reimbursement typical of a developing country remain. The need for creative innovative approaches of a focused multidisciplinary team will advance the boundaries of thoracic surgery in the Philippines.
PubMed: 27651936
DOI: 10.21037/jtd.2016.06.56 -
The Journal of Cardiothoracic Trauma 2019Operative treatment of rib fractures in the context of flail chest and respiratory failure is a well-established approach. In-line rib osteosynthesis with plates is the...
Operative treatment of rib fractures in the context of flail chest and respiratory failure is a well-established approach. In-line rib osteosynthesis with plates is the standard treatment sufficient to eliminate flail, achieve sufficient stability, and create chest rigidity to improve the respiratory cycle and maintain reduction. However, bridging large skeletal defects with missing portion of ribs is very challenging, particularly in the absence of suitable anchoring rib fragments. We describe an unusual use of vertical plate rib osteosynthesis in a patient with traumatic flail chest, exacerbated by a prior thoracoplasty and severe osteoporosis.
PubMed: 32318653
DOI: 10.4103/jctt.jctt_10_19 -
World Journal of Clinical Cases Sep 2021Empyema is a severe complication following pneumonectomy that is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Although there are a wide variety of treatment...
BACKGROUND
Empyema is a severe complication following pneumonectomy that is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Although there are a wide variety of treatment options, successful management remains challenging when this condition is combined with a large cavity in very thin patients who had previously undergone a posterolateral thoracotomy.
CASE SUMMARY
We reported the case of a thin, 63-year-old man with a progressive pulmonary cyst who underwent left pneumonectomy posterolateral thoracotomy 23 years ago. After an initially uneventful postoperative course, he was readmitted with empyema and a large cavity 21 years after surgery. He was successfully treated with limited thoracoplasty, followed by free vastus lateralis musculocutaneous flap transposition.
CONCLUSION
This case highlights that the treatment mode of limited thoracoplasty and free vastus lateralis musculocutaneous flap transposition is safe and effective for the management of postpneumonectomy empyema with a large cavity in thin patients who had previously undergone a posterolateral thoracotomy.
PubMed: 34621869
DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i27.8114 -
BMC Surgery Dec 2019In high-risk patients with complex pulmonary aspergilloma but unable for lung resection, cavernostomy and thoracoplasty could be performed. This study aimed to evaluate...
BACKGROUND
In high-risk patients with complex pulmonary aspergilloma but unable for lung resection, cavernostomy and thoracoplasty could be performed. This study aimed to evaluate this surgery compared two compressing materials.
METHODS
A total of 63 in high-risk patients who suffered from hemoptysis due to complex pulmonary aspergilloma and underwent cavernostomy and thoracoplasty surgery from November 2011 to September 2018 at Pham Ngoc Thach hospital were evaluated prospectively studied. Patients were allocated to two groups: the table tennis ball group and tissue expander group. We evaluated at the time of before operation, 6 months and 24 months after operation.
RESULTS
Tuberculosis was the most common comorbidity diseases in both groups. Upper lobe occupied almost in location. Hemoptysis symptoms plunged from time to time. Statistically significant Karnofsky score was observed in both groups. Postoperative pulmonary functions (FVC and FEV1) have remained in both groups at all time points. The remarkable results were no deaths related to surgery and low complications both short and long-term. There was no statistical significance between two groups in operative time, blood loss during operation, ICU length-stay time. Four patients died because of co-morbidity in 24 months follow-up.
CONCLUSION
Cavernostomy and thoracoplasty was safe and effective surgery for the treatment of complex pulmonary aspergilloma with hemoptysis in high-risk patients. No mortality related to surgery and low complications were recorded. The was no inferiority when compared two compressing materials .
Topics: Adult; Aged; Female; Hemoptysis; Humans; Length of Stay; Lung; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Pulmonary Aspergillosis; Thoracoplasty; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 31805919
DOI: 10.1186/s12893-019-0650-1 -
Cirugia Y Cirujanos 2023The aim of the study was to present our experience with the vertical musculocutaneous trapezius (VMCT) flap and highlight its utility in the thoracic wall reconstruction...
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to present our experience with the vertical musculocutaneous trapezius (VMCT) flap and highlight its utility in the thoracic wall reconstruction in patients with bronchopleural fistula (BPF).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We present a five case series of patients with long-standing cavities and BPF. The VMCT flap was used, and a direct pathway into the defect was made through a separate posterior thoracotomy shortening the distance between the flap and the defect.
RESULTS
In 80% of the cases, the flap succeeded in solving the fistula and filling the defect, quality of life improved, and the need for oxygen decreased.
CONCLUSIONS
Management of open window thoracostomy is challenging. Debridement, thoracoplasty, and flap coverage are the mainstream of their treatment, but these patients have scarce available muscle. The VMCT flap represents the major non-affected musculocutaneous unit in the thoracic area after lung surgery. Its dermal component offers a rigid matrix to form a seal over the bronchial stump. Its muscular component adds a good amount of vascularized tissue. No functional impairment has been described after its use.
Topics: Humans; Empyema, Pleural; Quality of Life; Superficial Back Muscles; Surgical Flaps; Pleural Diseases; Bronchial Fistula; Pneumonectomy
PubMed: 37844885
DOI: 10.24875/CIRU.22000210 -
Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic... Jun 2021Minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE) is the most popular surgical approach for paediatric patients with pectus excavatum. A substernal stainless still...
OBJECTIVES
Minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE) is the most popular surgical approach for paediatric patients with pectus excavatum. A substernal stainless still bar is inserted and left in place for 3 years and then removed. Our goal was to investigate blood metal levels after MIRPE and to correlate them with surgical details, such as the numbers of bars and stabilizers and the length of time the bar was in place.
METHODS
Blood levels of iron, chromium, manganese, molybdenum and nickel were analysed in 130 teenagers (108 boys and 22 girls) who had MIRPE using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. A total of 62 patients were operated on using MIRPE (study group) and 68 patients were evaluated at implant time (control group). Differences between the numbers of bars implanted and the presence or absence of stabilizers were also considered.
RESULTS
Significant increases in the levels of abnormal chromium were found in patients in the study group compared with the controls (P = 0.02). When we compared the group of patients with 2 or more bars with the group with 1 bar, the percentage of patients with a value above the threshold increased by 29 (P = 0.05). A significant increase in chromium levels was observed in patients with stabilizers (P = 0.03). Above-threshold levels of molybdenum were found in 5.1% of patients in the control group, but the number was not statistically significant (P = 0.09).
CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrated that stainless steel devices used in MIRPE can elevate blood metal levels in paediatric patients. Moreover, we demonstrated that the use of metal stabilizers is associated with higher metal levels, probably due to increased dispersion.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Female; Funnel Chest; Humans; Male; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; Prostheses and Implants; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Retrospective Studies; Thoracoplasty
PubMed: 33686408
DOI: 10.1093/icvts/ivab052 -
Surgical Case Reports Aug 2021Patients with severe motor and intellectual disabilities often suffer from tracheal stenosis due to chest deformation and brachiocephalic artery compression, which...
BACKGROUND
Patients with severe motor and intellectual disabilities often suffer from tracheal stenosis due to chest deformation and brachiocephalic artery compression, which sometimes leads to serious complications, such as dying spell and tracheobrachiocephalic artery fistula. We herein described our experience of performing a novel and simple thoracoplastic procedure combined with brachiocephalic artery transection in two patients with severe chest deformation and tracheal stenosis.
CASE PRESENTATION
The patients were a 12-year-old female with cerebral palsy due to periventricular leukomalacia and a 21-year-old male with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis stage IV in the Jabbour classification following a laryngotracheal separation. Both patients showed severe chest deformation and symptoms of airway stenosis resulting in dying spells. The sternum was laterally transected between the manubrium and the sternal body, and a manubriotomy was performed longitudinally, ending with an inverse T-shaped sternotomy. Since the clavicle and the first rib remained attached to the halves of the divided manubrium, the sternum was allowed to be left open, resulting in improvement of the mediastinal narrowing and tracheal stenosis. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) showed that the distance between the halves of the manubrium was maintained at 10-11 mm, and that the mediastinal narrowing in both patients improved; the sternocervical spine distance increased from 20 mm to 22 and 13 mm to 16 mm, respectively. The patients' tracheal stenosis below the sternal end of the clavicle and the manubrium and respiratory symptoms improved, and the patients are currently at home in a stable condition with no chest fragility and no upper limb movement disorder 1 year after surgery.
CONCLUSIONS
Our observations suggested that the inverse T-shaped sternotomy combined with brachiocephalic artery transection may relieve symptoms of tracheal stenosis due to severe chest deformation in patients with severe motor and intellectual disabilities.
PubMed: 34436697
DOI: 10.1186/s40792-021-01275-8 -
Asian Journal of Surgery Jul 2018Empyema thoracis (ET) is one of the common thoracic diseases frequently found in developing countries. In the past, only a few studies have analyzed recurrent ET, and...
BACKGROUND
Empyema thoracis (ET) is one of the common thoracic diseases frequently found in developing countries. In the past, only a few studies have analyzed recurrent ET, and none had clearly identified the prognostic factors for recurrence. The aim of this study is to identify the prognostic factors of recurrent ET in Northern Thailand.
METHODS
A retrospective cohort study was conducted. All patients diagnosed with Stage II and III ET at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital (a tertiary-care hospital in northern Thailand) between January 1, 2007 and November 31, 2012 were enrolled in this study. All clinical data were extracted from the medical recording system. The primary outcome was recurrent disease. Multivariable Cox's proportion hazard model was used to identify the independent prognostic factors for recurrence.
RESULTS
There were 382 patients enrolled in this study, and 34 patients (8.9%) had recurrent disease. The most common gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens found were Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii, respectively. Three independent prognostic factors for recurrent disease were nonsepsis status prior to the surgery [hazard ratio (HR) = 12.3; 95% confidence interval (CI), 4.25-35.43], nonperforming decortication (HR = 5.4; 95% CI, 1.82-15.92), and persistent pleural spaces (HR = 4.1; 95% CI, 1.93-8.68).
CONCLUSIONS
Clinical characteristics, surgical procedure, and persistent pleural spaces were independent prognostic factors for ET recurrence in this study. Decortication and early thoracoplasty in patients who had persistent pleural space should be considered. Large cohort studies are warranted to support these findings.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Child; Empyema, Pleural; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prognosis; Proportional Hazards Models; Recurrence; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Thailand; Young Adult
PubMed: 28372933
DOI: 10.1016/j.asjsur.2017.02.009