ObjectiveTo investigate the optimal treatment scheme for the first primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) in young patients.MethodsThe clinical data of 171 patients with the first PSP were retrospectively analyzed who were treated in Huaihe Hospital of Henan University between November 2011 and October 2017. There were 157 males and 14 females with a median age of 18 years at onset and a median body mass index of 18.51 kg/m2. According to the treatment methods, they were classified into two groups, a conservative treatment group (a non-surgical group, n=86) and a surgical group (n=85). The characteristics including clinical data, efficacy evaluation criteria, complications and recurrence of the two groups were analyzed.ResultsAs a result, 73.68% of the patients suffered PSP in their daily routine. The drainage duration in the non-surgical group was longer than that in the surgical group (4 d vs. 3 d, P=0.008). There was no statistical difference in the success rate of lung re-expansion between the two groups (98.85% vs. 100.00%, P=1.000). The proportion of the surgical group using postoperative analgesic drugs was higher than that in the non-surgical group (48.23% vs. 10.46%, P=0.000). The recurrence rate of the surgical group was lower than that of the non-surgical group (3.53% vs. 46.51%, P=0.000). No relationship between smoking and recurrence of pneumothorax was found in both groups (P=0.301, P=1.000). The success rate of lung re-expansion in the non-surgical group was not statistically different between the 24F subgroup and the 12F subgroup (39/39 vs. 33/34, P=0.458). No advantage of intraoperative pleural fixation was found in the surgical group (P=0.693).ConclusionThoracoscopic surgery is the first choice for the treatment of the first PSP in young patients.
ObjectiveTo explore the application effects of hand-sewn layered anastomosis (HS) and circular stapled anastomosis (CS) in inflatable mediastinal mirror synchronous laparoscopic radical esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. MethodsPatients who underwent inflatable mediastinal mirror synchronous laparoscopic radical esophagectomy for esophageal cancer in Huaihe Hospital of Henan University from 2018 to 2019 were retrospectively included. Patients were divided into a HS group and a CS group according to the anastomosis methods, and propensity score matching was used to match patients at a ratio of 1:1. The baseline clinical characteristics, perioperative indicators, CD4+/CD8+ immune index comparison, pain, various lung function indicators, incidence of short-term and long-term postoperative complications, and quality of life were compared between the two groups. ResultsA total of 153 patients were included, including 108 males and 45 females, with an average age of (61.81±5.18) years. After propensity score matching, 70 patients were included in each group. Compared with the CS group, the operation time was longer in the HS group [(107.10±8.25) min vs. (97.65±6.85) min, P<0.001]; the CD4+/CD8+ level was lower in the HS group 1-3 days after surgery; the pain score was higher, and various lung function indicators (forced expiratory volume in the first second, forced vital capacity, and one-second rate) were lower in the HS group 1-7 days after surgery; within 6 months after surgery, the incidence of anastomosis-related complications (anastomotic stenosis, anastomotic fistula, and gastroesophageal reflux) was lower in the HS group; and the quality of life score was higher in the HS group from 14 days to 6 months after surgery (P<0.05). ConclusionHS can reduce the incidence of postoperative anastomotic fistula, anastomotic stenosis, and gastroesophageal reflux, and improve the short-term quality of life of patients, but it has a longer operation time, more intense short-term postoperative pain, and may affect the early recovery of lung function. HS and CS are complementary, and the appropriate surgical method should be chosen according to the individual situation of the patient to achieve the maximum clinical benefit.
Objective To compare the differences in postoperative pulmonary function and quality of life between synchronous and combined mediastinoscopy with laparoscopic radical resection of esophageal cancer, providing evidence for selecting the optimal surgical approach. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent minimally invasive mediastinoscopic esophagectomy at Huaihe Hospital of Henan University from January 2023 to January 2025. Patients were divided into two groups based on surgical approach: the synchronized laparoscopic inflatable mediastinoscopy (SPIMSLE) group and the inflatable video-assisted mediastinoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy (IVMTE) group. Propensity score matching (1 : 1) was applied to balance baseline characteristics. Perioperative indicators, pulmonary function (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC ratio), postoperative complications, pain levels (NRS score), and quality of life were statistically analyzed. Results A total of 173 patients were enrolled, including 110 males, 63 females with a mean age of (62.5±6.2) years. After matching, each group comprised 80 patients. No significant differences were observed in gender, age, tumor location, or clinical stage (all P>0.05). The SPIMSLE group demonstrated superior outcomes: shorter operative time [(100.32±15.28) vs. (134.53±16.43) min, P<0.001], less intraoperative blood loss [(40.13±12.73) mL vs. (69.45±12.34) mL, P<0.001), and shorter postoperative hospitalization [(10.50±2.00) d vs. (12.50±2.50) d, P<0.001]. At 1-6 months postoperatively, the SPIMSLE group showed faster recovery in pulmonary function (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC ratio, P<0.05), lower complication rates (16.25% vs. 40%, P<0.001), reduced pain (NRS score, P<0.05), and improved quality of life (P<0.05). No significant difference was noted in lymph node dissection (P>0.05). All patients were followed up until June 2025, with no recurrence, metastasis, or mortality among the 160 cases. Conclusion Compared to IVMTE, SPIMSLE offers shorter operative time, reduced blood loss, faster pulmonary recovery, fewer complications, milder pain, and better quality of life, demonstrating significant clinical advantages.