Objective To investigate diagnosis and treatment strategies of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis （TB） complicated by Aspergillus infection. Methods Clinical data of 38 patients with pulmonary TB complicated by Aspergillus infection who underwent surgical treatment from January 2008 to December 2010 in Chengdu Infectious Disease Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. There were 23 male patients and 15 female patients with their average age of 37.8 （23-59） years. Preoperatively，all the patients received regular anti-TB treatment for more than 2 weeks，and patients with definite Aspergillus infection received anti-Aspergillus therapy for more than 3 days with consultation of infectious disease physicians. After above treatment，26 patients underwent lobectomy，1 patient underwent right pneumonectomy，and 11 patients underwent left pneumonectomy. All the patients were followed up at the outpatient department after discharge. They were evaluated every 2 weeks in the first 3 months，every 1 month after 3 months，and every 6 months after 1 year. During follow-up，they received acid-fast bacillus smear and sputum culture to check Aspergillus，as well as CT chest scan. Results All the patients successfully received surgical resection of the pulmonary lesion without perioperative death or severe complication. Postoperative pathology examination confirmed pulmonary TB with Aspergillosis infection in all the 38 patients，whose basic diseases included TB cavity in 17 patients，TB-destroyed lung in 12 patients，and post-TB bronchiectasis in 9 patients. All the patients were followed up after discharge for 1.5-4.5 years. During follow-up，they received regular anti-TB therapy for adequate duration in addition to antifungal medications such as voriconazole. None of the 38 patients had recurrence of Aspergillus infection or pulmonary TB. One patient had hemoptysis which was controlled after proper treatment during follow-up. Conclusion Missed diagnosis rate of pulmonary TB complicated by Aspergillus infection is high. Surgical resection of the pulmonary lesion and postoperative medication treatment are the most effective treatment strategies for patients with pulmonary TB complicated by Aspergillus infection.
ObjectiveTo explore the treatment strategies for patients with fever and pulmonary complications after thoracic surgery during COVID-19 epidemic.MethodsThe clinical data of 537 patients who ungerwent selective surgery at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shangjin Branch of West China Hospital between February and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, including 242 (45.1%) males and 295 (54.9%) females aged 53.3±13.4 years. We have established a procedure for the patients with fever and pulmonary complications after thoracic surgery to investigate the cause of the disease and track risk factors.ResultsThe overall postoperative complication rate was 16.4% (88/537), and 1 (0.2%) patient died. Of 537 patients, 179 (33.3%) patients were enrolled in our model according to the inclusion criteria: ratio of males [112 (62.6%) vs. 130 (36.3%), P<0.010], patients with a history of smoking [74 (41.3%) vs. 87 (24.3%), P<0.010], or with esophageal cancer surgery [36 (20.1%) vs. 15 (4.2%)], or with traditional thoracotomy [14 (7.8%) vs. 4 (1.1%)] was higher than that of the other patients. Patients in our process due to fever or pulmonary complications had longer ICU stay and postoperative hospital stay (P=0.010). Logistic regression multivariate analysis showed that gender was an independent risk factor for postoperative fever or pulmonary complications.ConclusionIn low-risk areas of the epidemic, the treatment process is simple and feasible, and the cause traceability and corresponding treatment can basically be completed within 24 hours. At the same time, the treatment process has been running stably for a long time.
Objective To summarize our treatment experience for patients with chest injuries in “4•20” Lushan earthquake. Methods Medical records of 17 patients with chest injuries after 2013 Lushan earthquake who were admittedto the Department of Thoracic Surgery，West China Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. The diagnosis of chest injuries was mainly confirmed by medical history，physical examination，X-ray and CT scan of the chest. Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes were analyzed. Among the 17 patients，there were 14 men and 3 women with their age of 57.3±16.1 years. Results There were 12 patients （70.6%）with crash injury of heavy objects，4 patients （23.5%） with fall injury and 1 patient with road traffic injury. Chest injuries were skin and soft tissue contusion in 17 patients （100%），rib fracturein 15 patients （88.2%） including 1 patient with abnormal respiratory movements，pulmonary contusion in 15 patients （88.2%），hemopneumothorax in 11 patients （64.7%），sternal fracture in 1 patient （5.9%） and bilateral pneumothorax with widespread subcutaneous emphysema in 1 patient （5.9%）. Thirteen patients （76.5%） had concomitant brain，abdominal，orthopedic or nerve injuries. One patient underwent left thoracotomy，clot removal and internal fixation of rib fractures for left coagulated hemothorax and left lower lobe atelectasis. All the 17 patients received timely and effective treatment and there was noin-hospital mortality. Conclusions Mechanisms of earthquake injuries are often complex，and patients often have multipleinjuries. The main types of chest injury are rib fractures and pulmonary contusion. Tube thoracostomy is a simple andeffective treatment strategy for them. Satisfactory pain management and bronchoscopy procedure can effectively help patientswith removal of respiratory secretions and maintenance of airway patency.
Abstract: Objective To investigate the role of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in treatment of benign pulmonary disease, in order to promo te the mini-invasive way of operation. Methods From May 2001 to M ay 2006, 128 patients with benign pulmonary diseases were treated by VATS. The diseases included 17 kinds of different lesions, such as tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, inflammatory pseudotumor, giant bullae of lung, hamartoma,lymphangiomyomatosis, etc. 53 cases had definite diagnosis before operation, the others had final diagnosis by pathology. Limited resection were performed in 66 cases, single lobectomy in 56 cases, bilobectomy in 2 cases, and concomitant bilateral lobectomy in 4 cases. Limited resections were carried out by pure thoracoscopic procedure with three ports, lobectomies were carried out by video-assisted minithoracotomy with 7-10cm incision. Results For lim ited resect ion, the average operat ive durat ion w as 110m in (30-180m in) , blood loss was 60m l (10-300m l) , none had intraoperative blood transfusion needed. Conversion to minithoracotomy occurred in 2 patients. Postoperative bleeding happened in one case, which was controlled by medicine. Average length of stay was 6. 5 days. For lobectomy, the average operation time was 145 min (80-260min) , blood loss was 190ml (50-500m l) , no intraoperative blood tansfusion needed. Conversion to tranditional thoracotomy occurred in 3 patients, pneumonia occurred in 2 patients, delayed healing of mini-incision occurred in 2 patients. One diaphragmat ic hernia and one active bleeding after operat ion underwent second thoracotomy. Average length of postoperative stay was 7. 4 days (4-13d). For bilateral lobectomies, the average operative duration was 330min (270-415m in) , postoperative length of hospital stay was 10.7days (8-16d). No perioperative death occurred. Conclusion VATS for benign pulmonary disease is miniinvasive and safe, the pat ients recover quickly. It could be the choice of operation for selected patients in equipped center.
Abstract: Objective To investigate the value of videoassisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in the treatment of myasthenia gravis (MG) by comparing the early clinical outcomes of extensive thymectomy of VATS and median sternotomy. Methods 195 patients who received extended thymectomy for MG from July 1998 to May 2007 in our department were divided into two groups by operative approach, 83 patients in the VATS group (from April 2002 to May 2007) and 112 patients in the full median sternotomy group(from July 1998 to May 2007). The clinical features, such as operative time, operative blood loss, postoperative drainage, the incidence of crisis, duration of crisis (time of mechanical ventilation), were retrospectively analysed by independent samples t test or chisquare test to evaluate the early outcomes.Results The postoperative drainage in the VATS group was more than that in the median sternotomy group (164.65±38.19ml vs. 98.26±26.84ml, P=0.023), and the operative blood loss in the VATS group was less than that in the median sternotomy group（53.24±11.69ml vs. 97.37±24.61ml,P=0.036）. The incidence of crisis in the VATS group was 4.82%（4/83），which was less than that in the median sternotymy group ［13.39%(15/112), P=0.046,OR=3.054］. And the persistence time of mechanical ventilation for post-operative crisis in the VATS group was much shorter than that in median sternotomy group （75.33±39.31h vs. 189.20±89.74h, P=0.012）. Conclusion VATS extended thymectomy for myasthenia gravis is safe and less invasive. It can decrease the incidence of crisis and the time of mechanical ventilation of crisis, as well as decreasing operative blood loss.