Objective To study the distribution and drugresistance of pathogens isolated from patients who suffered from lower respiratory infections after thoracotomy and provide basis for rational use of antibiotics in clinical practice. Methods A total of 118 patients suffered from lower respiratory infections after thoracotomy in Beijing Lung Cancer Center and the Thoracic Surgery Department of Xuanwu Hospital between January 1,2006 and December 31, 2009. We performed a retrospective study on pathogens from their lower respiratory tract. Of these patients, 89 are male and 29 are female with a mean age of 64.6 years. Sputum specimens were obtained by sterile sputum collectors or bronchofibroscopes, and then were sent to microorganism laboratory immediately. Cytological screening was carried out before specimen inoculation. Bacterial culture, identification and drug sensitivity test were performed with routine methods. Results A total of 201 strains of pathogens from the lower respiratory tract were identified. There were 126(62.7%) strains of gramnegative bacilli, 66(32.8%) strains of grampositive cocci, and 9(4.5%) strains fungi. The four prevalent gramnegative bacilli strains with the highest isolating rate between 2006 and 2009 included 34(27.0%) strains of acinetobacters, 28(22.2%) strains of verdigris Pseudomonas, 19(15.1%) strains of Klebsiellas and 19(15.1%) strains of Escherichia coli. Verdigris Pseudomonas ranked first in isolating rate among prevalent gramnegative bacilli strains from 2006 to 2008, but it was replaced by cinetobacters (9 strains, 40.9%) in 2009. The most prevalent strains of grampositive cocci were staphylococcus aureus (35 strains, 53%) from 2006 to 2009. Gramnegative bacilli were most sensitive to imipenem and no grampositive cocci were resistant to vancomycin. Conclusion Gramnegative bacilli are the most common pathogens in lower respiratory infections after thoracotomy and show extremely high drugresistance rate. Drugresistance monitoring of pathogens should be promoted. It may contribute to rational antimicrobial therapy and effective control of infections.
Clinical scientists have paid more and more attention to the acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS), a severe complication after thoracotomy, for its high mortality rate. Compared with other surgical patients, patients who received thoracotomy often have a worse cardiopulmonary function and are prone to suffering from ARDS. Surgical treatment or injury, massive blood transfusion, respiratory tract infection, improper fluid replacement and ventilation are probable reasons to cause ARDS. Mechanical ventilation is an important treatment for ARDS，but ventilation with lungprotective strategies was proved to be the only therapy which can improve the prognosis of patients with ARDS. At present, thinking highly of and promoting the perioperative management, lessening surgical injury and active prevention are still very important measures to reduce the mortality after thoracotomy. This article is aimed to review the high risk factors of ARDS after thoracotomy as well as its treatment.
Objective To investigate the clinical value of using videoassisted thoracoscopic lobectomy（VATS lobectomy） to treat primary nonsmall cell lung cancer(NSCLC) so that the videoassisted thoracoscopic surgery(VATS) can be better used in clinic. Methods From September 2007 to December 2008, seventysix NSCLC patients were collected. Thirtyseven patients underwent VATS lobectomy(VATS group), 21 male and 16 female with an average age of 60.4 years. Among them 20 underwent videoassisted minithoracotomy lobectomy, and 17 underwent total thoracoscopic lobectomy. Thirtynine patients underwent conventional thoractomy(conventional thoracotomy group), 32 male and 7 female with an average age of 58.7 years. Perioperative clinical and laboratory parameters of the two groups were compared. Results There was no severe complication and perioperative mortality in both groups. There were statistical significances between VATS group and conventional thoracotomy group in incision length (7.6±1.9 cm vs. 28.5±3.6 cm, t=-31.390,P=0.000), postoperative dosage of dolantin(160±125 mg vs.232±101 mg，t=-2.789,P=0.007), postoperative chest tube time(chest tube output＞100ml,4.8±2.5 d vs. 8.1±3.2 d，t=-4.944,P=0.000） and postoperative hospitalization time(12.1±3.0 d vs. 15.7±4.7 d，t=-3.945,P=0.000). There was no statistical significance between two groups in operation time（t=1.732，P=0.087）, intraoperative blood loss（t=-1.645，P=0.105） and the number of lymph node dissection（t=-0.088，P=0.930）. The total hospitalization expenses in VATS group were higher than that in conventional thoracotomy group, but there was no statistical significance（t=1.303，P=0.197）. The serum levels of glucose at 1st day after operation（7.2±1.2 mmol/L vs. 8.4±2.2 mmol/L, t=5.603,P=0.000）and the total count of white blood cell (12.7±3.8×10.9/L vs. 15.1±5.9×10.9/L,t=5.082,P=0.004) in VATS group were significantly lower than that in conventional thoracotomy group. The prealbumin(PA) level in VATS group was significantly higher than that in conventional thoracotomy group（215.0±45.5 mg/L vs.147.3+50.8 mg/L,t=-7.931,P=0.000). Conclusion VATS lobectomy could clean lymph node completely. Its advantages include less postoperative trauma, lower acute phase response, mild pain, rapid recovery, shorter hospitalization time and less economic burden. It could be an operation approach for early NSCLC patients who have been strictly selected.
Objective To investigate the effects of cryoanalgesia for post-thoracotomy pain on the intercostal nerves. Methods Two hundred and eight patients suffering from thoracotomy were divided into three groups, according to different analgesia received respectively. Cryoanalgesia group （n = 80）： cryoanalgesia on the intercostal nerves, intercostals nerves was freezed at -55 ℃ for 90 seconds ; patient controlled analgesia by vein （PCA group, n= 80）： patient controlled analgesia was practiced intravenously, and control group （n = 48）： Dolantin given irregularly intra-muscularly and/or tramadol orally. Severity of pain was graded by visual analogue scale. Forced expiratory volume in one second（FEV1.0） was measured and pulmonary complication after operation was compared. Results There was a statistically significant improvement in postoperative pain scores and an improvement in respiratory function tests for patients in cryoanalgesia group（X2 = 74.93,15.04,P〈0. 05）. FEV1.0 in cryoanalgesia group was significantly higher than that in control group（1. 97±0.27L vs. 1. 39±0. 14 L,P〈0. 05）. Pulmonary complication in cryoanalgesia group after operation was lower than that in control group （6. 25% vs. 31. 25%, P〈0. 05 ）, Conclusion Cryoanalgesia on post-thoracotomy pain is very effective and may improve the respiratory function after operation.
Objective To investigate the causes and prevention of cardiopulmonary complications in elderly patients after thoracotomy. Methods Respiratory and circulatory status were monitored and postoperative complications were documented in 58 elderly patients either aged over 65 years, with major organ dysfunction or underwent highly invasive procedures （experimental group） during July 2001 to Dec. 2003. The results were compared with those from 56 young patients（〈65 years） receiving thoracotomy in the same period （control group）. Results Patients in experimental group had significantly more preoperative cardiopulmonary co-morbidities and poorer spirometry than those in control group （P〈0.05）. Four patients died after operation in experimental group. There were significantly more postoperative complications in experimental group than those in control group [58. 6% （34/58） vs. 17. 9% （10/56）, P=0. 000], especially functional complications [51.7% （30/58） vs. 12.5% （7/56）, P = 0. 000]. The rate of respiratory complications was also significantly higher in the experimental group . Multivariance logistic regression showed that preoperative pulmonary morbidity （OR=5.4） and obesity （OR=4. 9） were independent risk factors for pulmonary complications after thoracotomy in elderly patients. Conclusions Cardiopulmonary co-morbidities commonly seen are responsible for surgical morbidities, especially the functional complications in elderly patients underwent thoracotomy. Respiratory complications are the major causes of death in the elderly after thoracotomy. Pulmonary co-morbidity and obesity are independent risk factors for respiratory complications. Supraventricular tachycardia is the major type of cardiovascular complications after thoracotomy and is predicted by preoperative cardiovascular morbidity. Close monitoring of cardiopulmonary status of the elderly may identify patients at risk in developing functional complications and help improve surgical outcome.
Objective To explore a surgical method for chronic osteomyel itis of sternum after thoracotomy. Methods From January 2006 to February 2009, 11 cases of chronic osteomyelitis after thoracotomy (2 cases of coronary bypass, 6 cases of mitral valve replacement, and 3 cases of ventricular defect repair) were admitted. Of them, there were 6 males and 5females, aged from 6 to 62 years (median 34 years), including 6 cases of simple osteomyelitis of sternum, 2 cases of osteomyelitis of sternum with suppurative infection of mediastinum, and 3 cases osteomyel itis of sternum with costal chondritis. Necrotic sternum were excised and defect was from 4 cm × 3 cm to 7 cm × 4 cm. Greater pectoral muscle flap was designed from 8 cm × 5 cm to 10 cm × 6 cm on one side and was transferred to defect. Negative drainage and sensitive antibiotics were administered after operation. Results Healing by first intention was achieved in 10 patients except 1 patient who had a few discharge at the drainage outlet and whose incision healed 1 week later. The follow up was from 3 to 10 months with an average of 6 months. The formed scars were flat with soft texture in 8 patients and moderately hypertrophy in 3 patients. The wounds healed without pain, relapse or abnormal function of donor upper limb. Conclusion Transplantation of greater pectoral muscle flap is an effective way to repair chronic osteomyelitis of sternum after thoracotomy.
ObjectiveTo evaluated the effect of the video-assisted thoracoscope surgery(VATS) for non-small cell lung cancer. MethodsWe searched EMbase, PubMed, OVID, Springer Link, Cochrane Library, CNKI, CBMdisc, and VIP to collect randomized controlled trials(RCTs) of VATS versus thoracotomy for non-small cell lung cancer. Each database was searched from establishment to October 2014. Two reviewers independently assessed the quality of the included studies and extracted relevant data, using RevMan5.3 meta-analysis software. ResultsWe finally identified 10 RCTs involving 1 529 patients. There were 453 patients in the VATS group and 1 076 patients in the thoracotomy group. The results of meta-analysis showed that there was no statistical difference in the number of lymph node dissection(P=0.41), operation time(P=0.14), operation bleeding volume(P=0.14), chest tube placement time(P=0.53), operation mortality(P=0.72), and the overall survival rate(P=0.39). While there were statistical differences in thoracic drainage(P=0.04), post-operation hospital stay(P=0.01), and postoperative complications(P=0.0001). ConclusionVATS is safe and effective in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.
ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of total thoracoscopy (VATS) lobectomy and the thoracotomy for the treatment of benign lung disease. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 70 patients with benign lung diseases in the First People's Hospital of Qujing between January 2012 and September 2013. According to the surgical way, the patients were divided into two groups including a total VATS group involved in 35 patients with 25 males and 10 females, aged 18 to 71 years, mean age of 41.3±6.4 years and a thoracotomy group involved in 35 patients with 26 males and 9 females, aged 19 to 72 years, mean age of 42.4±5.6 years. Then we compared the efficacy of the two groups. ResultsThere was no statistical difference (P > 0.05) in operative time and postoperative survival rate comparison. While in the total VATS group, the total thoracoscopic incision length, bleeding volume or pain time, postoperative day time of analgesia, thoracic drainage volume, postoperative drainage tube pulling time and hospitalization time were all lower than those in the thoracotomy group with statistical differeces (P < 0.05). ConclusionThe thoracoscopic lobectomy for treatment of benign pulmonary lesions is superior to the conventional thoracotomy with much less bleeding and pain, more faster postoperative recovery and less impact on the patient's body. It's suitable for clinical application in normal hospital.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the clinical effects and safety of thoracoscopy operation and thoracotomy for spontaneous pneumothorax. MethodsWe searched PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library (Issue 10, 2013), Web of Knowledge, CNKI, CBM, WanFang Data and VIP up to October 2013. Randomized controlled trials involving treatment outcomes of spontaneous pneumothorax using thoracoscopy compared with thoracotomy were included. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and assessed the methodological quality of the included studies. Then RevMan 5.2 software was used for meta-analysis. ResultsA total of 7 studies involving 481 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that the operative time in the thoracoscopy goup was significantly longer than that in the thoracotomy group (MD=13.57, 95%CI 3.58 to 23.56, P=0.008). But there was no significant difference in recurrence rates (RR=3.16, 95%CI 0.84 to 11.94, P=0.09), total postoperative complications (RR=1.33, 95%CI 0.46 to 3.88, P=0.46), postoperative chest drainage time (MD=-0.00, 95%CI-0.64 to-0.63, P=0.99), and hospitalization time (MD=0.09, 95%CI-0.21 to 0.40, P=0.55). ConclusionCompared with thoracotomy, thoracoscopy does not increase recurrence rates, postoperative complications, chest drainage time or hospitalization time, but it could prolong operation time in a certain extent.
Objective To systematically review the effectiveness of thoracoscopy surgery and thoracotomy for thymoma. Methods Databases including PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2016), Web of Science, CBM, WanFang Data and CNKI were searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies about thoracoscopy surgery versus thoracotomy for thymoma from inception to April 2016. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Then meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. Results A total of 5 RCTs and 8 cohort studies involving 1 093 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that, compared with thoracotomy, the thoracoscopy surgery could shorten operative time (MD= –22.2, 95%CI –32.92 to –12.52, P < 0.000 01), duration of ICU stay (MD= –0.76, 95%CI –0.21 to –0.30, P < 0.000 01), duration of hospital stay (MD= –3.71, 95%CI –4.47 to –2.96, P < 0.000 01) and duration of pleural drainage (MD= –1.80, 95%CI –2.42 to –1.18, P < 0.000 01), reduce volume of intraoperative blood loss (MD= –43.27, 95%CI –50.94 to –35.60, P < 0.000 01), and decrease the incidence of postoperative complications (OR=0.19, 95%CI 0.11 to 0.34, P < 0.000 01), but there was no significant difference in recurrence rate between two groups (OR=0.81, 95%CI 0.31 to 2.11, P=0.67). Conclusions Current evidence shows that, compared with thoracotomy, the thoracoscopy surgery for thymoma has shorter operative time, duration of ICU stay, duration of hospital stay, and duration of pleural drainage, as well as less blood loss and postoperative complications. Due to the limited quality of included studies, more high-quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.