ObjectiveTo study the clinical results of Mini Maze procedure in atrial fibrillation patients with impaired left ventricular systolic function.MethodsFrom June 2010 to December 2017, 86 atrial fibrillation patients with impaired left ventricular systolic function received Mini Maze procedure including 54 males and 32 females, with an average age of 60.7±5.9 years. Among them, 12 were with paroxysmal, 27 were with persistent and 47 were with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation. The mean atrial fibrillation duration was 6.5±4.8 years. CHA2DS2-VASc score was 2.2±1.1. The mean diameter of left atrium was 46.9±3.8 mm. The mean diameter of left ventricle was 51.7±4.6 mm. The preoperative ejection fraction was 42.2%±4.7%. All patients received Mini Maze procedure after general anesthesia. The ablation included 3 annular ablations and 3 linear ablations. The left atrial appendage was excised by Endo-Gia. Ablation of Marshall ligament and epicardial autonomic ganglions were made by an ablation pen.ResultsEighty-six patients successfully completed the procedure without transition to thoracotomy. There was no death during the perioperative period. Seventy-seven patients (89.5%) maintained sinus rhythm at discharge. Eighty patients were followed up for 27.2±12.1 months and 72 patients maintained sinus rhythm. The overall postoperative left ventricular ejection fraction was 47.1%±6.2%. The ejection fraction of the postoperative sinus rhythm group was 48.2%±5.8%, and the ejection fraction of the non-sinus group was 41.6%±5.8% (P<0.05). Multivariate regression analysis showed a left atrial diameter (HR=1.485, 95%CI 1.157-1.906, P<0.05) and an increase in ejection fraction over 10% (HR=18.800, 95%CI 1.674-189.289, P<0.05) were closely related to postoperative recurrence. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis showed that the recurrence rate of atrial fibrillation was significantly lower in patients with an increase in postoperative ejection fraction over 10% (P<0.05).ConclusionMini Maze procedure is safe and effective in the treatment of atrial fibrillation patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction, which helps to improve left ventricular function to prevent the vicious circle of atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
Objective To investigate the clinical outcomes of subxiphoid video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy for myasthenia gravis. Methods The clinical data of the 85 patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy for myasthenia gravis in Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Huashan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University between January 2014 and July 2016 were studied. Subxiphoid approach video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy (SXVT) and through traditional unilateral approach video-assisted thymectomy (TVAT) were compared. The clinical outcomes of SXVT and TVAT were compared. Results There was no surgical death and no statistical difference between the two groups in drainage time, postoperative volume of drainage, postoperative hospital stay and bleeding volume during operation (P>0.05). However, the acute chest pain after surgery, as well as the postoperative chest pain, and operative time were less in the the SXVT group than that in the TVAT group (P<0.05). Conclusion SXVT for myasthenia gravis is safe and executable. It can alleviate intercostal neuralgia and abnormal chest wall feeling. And it should be considered in the treatment of myasthenia gravis.
ObjectiveTo investigate the safety, feasibility and advantages of subxiphoid uni-portal thoracoscopic thymectomy.MethodsClinical data of 65 patients undergoing subxiphoid uni-portal thoracoscopic thymectomy in our hospital from September 2018 to March 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. They were treated as a subxiphoid surgery group, including 36 males and 29 females, aged 49.5 (29-71) years. The incision with the length of about 3 cm was located approximately 1 cm under the xiphoid process. From January 2016 to December 2017, 65 patients received intercostal uni-portal thoracoscopic thymectomy, who were treated as a control group, including 38 males and 27 females, aged 48.9 (33-67) years. All patients who were clinically diagnosed with thymic tumor before surgery were treated with total thymectomy. After surgery, expectoration and analgesia were used.ResultsThere was no statistically significant difference in general clinical data, lesion size, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative catheterization time, postoperative hospital stay and postoperative pathology between the two groups. All operations were successfully completed, and the patients in both groups recovered uneventfully after surgery. Visual analogue scale scores on the 1st, 3rd, 7th and 30th day after surgery in the subxiphoid surgery group were lower than those in the control group.ConclusionThe subxiphoid uni-portal thoracoscopic approach can achieve total thymectomy with less trauma and faster postoperative recovery.
ObjectiveTo investigate the short-term efficacy and safety of thoracoscopy-assisted epicardial radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) and/or left atrial appendage exclusion (LAAE).MethodsThe clinical data of 12 patients with solitary AF admitted to Beijing Tiantan Hospital from November 2018 to August 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, including 7 males and 5 females, with an average age of 65.2±5.3 years. Of them, 2 had paroxysmal AF, 1 had persistent AF and 9 had permanent AF.ResultsNo patient died during hospitalization, 5 patients underwent radiofrequency ablation for AF and LAAE, and 6 received LAAE alone. The operation time was 293±70 min in radiofrequency ablation for AF+LAAE patients and 71±14 min in LAAE patients. Two patients restored sinus rhythm, two restored after electric cardioversion, and one remained AF in AF+LAAE patients. Postoperatively, 1 patient had pleural effusion and 1 had subcutaneous emphysema. No stroke was observed.ConclusionThoracoscopy-assisted radiofrequency ablation for AF and/or LAAE reduce the risk of procedure, and provide alternative approach to treat AF-associated diseases. However, large sample size studies using prospective cohort designs are required to corroborate the present findings.
ObjectiveTo compare the accuracy and safety of semirigid thoracoscopy and rigid thoracoscopy in the diagnosis of unexplained pleural effusion. MethodsA prospective randomized study was conducted, in which the patients with unexplained pleural effusion were enrolled consecutively from March 2012 to March 2014 in West China Hospital. The age of the patients ranged from 18 to 75 years. After informed consent, the subjects were randomized to a semirigid thoracoscopy group or a rigid thoracoscopy group to be examined. ResultsForty-nine patients were assigned to the semirigid thoracoscopy group, and 48 patients were assigned to the rigid thoracoscopy group. After thoracoscopy procedure, 44 patients were confirmed as malignant diseases, and 48 patients were confirmed as benign diseases. The overall diagnostic accuracy was 93.9% for the semirigid procedure and 95.8% for the rigid procedure. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for malignancy were 96.0% and 100.0% for the semirigid thoracoscopy, and 95.2% and 100.0% for the rigid thoracoscopy, respectively, without statistical significant differences between two groups. All the patients tolerated well with minor complications after two kinds of thoracoscopy. ConclusionsThe diagnostic accuracy of semirigid thoracoscopy and rigid thoracoscopy is comparable in the diagnosis of unexplained pleural diseases. The samples obtained by semirigid thoracoscopy are smaller, but adequate for pathological examination.
Objective To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of da Vinci robot with totally no tube (TNT) versus subxiphoid video-assisted thymectomy surgery (SVATS) in the treatment of thymic tumors. Methods From 2019 to 2021, a retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with thymic tumor resection in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command. All patients underwent total thymectomy and mediastinal fat removal, and they were divided into a TNT group and a SVATS group according to the operation method. The intraoperative blood loss, conversion rate, postoperative visual analogue score (VAS), postoperative hospital stay time and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Results We finally included 435 patiets. There were 168 patients with 83 males and 85 females at an average age of 61.920±9.210 years in the TNT group and 267 patients with 147 males and 120 females at an average age of 61.460±8.119 years in the SVATS group. There was no death or postoperative myasthenic crisis in both groups. There was no statistical difference in postoperative hospital stay (1.540±0.500 d vs. 3.400±0.561 d, P=0.000), intraoperative blood loss (13.450±5.498 mL vs. 108.610±54.462 mL, P=0.000), postoperative 24 h VAS score (4.960±1.757 points vs. 3.600±1.708 points, P=0.000), or postoperative complication rate (3.0% vs. 11.6%, P=0.001).Conclusion TNT is a more efficient, safe, and effective surgical approach for treating thymic tumors, which can shorten hospital stay time and reduce postoperative complications. However, SVATS can minimize postoperative pain.
Objective To investigate the current level of resourcefulness and its impact on work engagement among lung cancer patients who have returned to work after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lung resection. Methods A sample of middle-aged and young lung cancer patients who underwent VATS lung resection at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, between March and September 2023 and had returned to work were selected as the study subjects. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, the Resourcefulness Scale, and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES). Univariate analysis and multiple stepwise regression analysis were used to examine the current status of patients’ resourcefulness upon returning to work and its influence on work engagement. Results A total of 219 patients were included in the study, comprising 60 males and 159 females, with a mean age of (43.18±7.55) years. The patients' score for resourcefulness in returning to work was (107.58±14.42) points, and the total score for work engagement was (64.80±12.72) points. A significant positive correlation was observed between the resourcefulness score and the work engagement score (P<0.001). Multiple stepwise regression analysis revealed that factors such as job nature, average monthly household income, postoperative complications, and individuals' level of resourcefulness all significantly influenced the degree of patients' work engagement (all P<0.05).Conclusion The resourcefulness level and work engagement of patients returning to work after VATS lung resection need to be improved.
Objective To explore the safety and feasibility of spontaneous breathing anesthesia combined with tubeless uniportal thoracoscopy in pulmonary bullae surgery. Methods Totally 112 patients with pulmonary bullae in the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University from March 2015 to May 2017 were enrolled. According to the random number chosen by computer, the patients were randomly divided into two groups: a tubeless group (spontaneous breathing anesthesia combined with tubeless uniportalthoracoscopy) and a control group (uniportal thoracoscopy by general anesthesia with tracheal intubation) . There were 49 males and 7 females with an average age of 25.5±6.5 years in the tubeless group, and 50 males and 6 females with an average age of 23.5±4.5 years in the control group. The difference of the lowest intraoperative arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2), SaO2 at postoperative one hour, operation time, postoperative awakening time, hospital stay, hospitalization cost and postoperative pain score were analyzed. Results There was no significant difference between the two groups in the operation time, the lowest SaO2, SaO2 at one hour after the operation and the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2). The awakening time and duration of postoperative hospital stay in the tubeless group was shorter than those in the control group (P=0.000). The cost of hospitalization in the tubeless group was less than that in the control group (P=0.000). The discomfort caused by urinary tract and visual analogue score (VAS) in the tubeless group were better than those in the control group. Conclusion It is safe and feasible to use spontaneous breathing anesthesia combined with tubeless uniportal thoracoscopy in pulmonary bullae resection.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of video-assisted thoracoscopic sleeve lobectomy in the treatment of central non-small cell lung cancer.MethodsThe clinical data of 105 patients with central non-small cell lung cancer who underwent sleeve lobectomy surgery in the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University and Shanxi Cancer Hospital from December 2014 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, including 83 males and 22 females, with an average age of 57.4 (32.6-77.8) years and weight of 62.5 (52.4-79.1) kg. Thirty-five patients received video-assisted thoracoscopic sleeve lobectomy (a group A), and 70 patients received traditional thoracotomy sleeve lobectomy (a group B). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, number of lymph node dissection, postoperative complication rate, early postoperative mortality, total thoracic drainage volume at 24 hours, time of indwelling chest tube after operation, pain score at 24 hours after operation, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative short-term (1 month, 6 months and 1 year) quality of life score and postoperative 3-year survival rate of two groups were compared.ResultsThere was statistical difference in the operation time (228.1±24.7 min vs. 175.0±23.7 min, P=0.02), postoperative complication rate (28.6% vs. 34.3%, P=0.04), postoperative pain score at 24 h (3.6±3.5 points vs. 5.9±2.0 points, P=0.03) and postoperative indwelling chest tube time (5.0±2.9 d vs. 8.4±2.1 d, P=0.04) between the two groups. There was no statistical difference in the intraoperative blood loss (182.5±36.9 mL vs. 189.8±27.5 mL, P=0.34), number of lymph node dissections (11.1±2.6 vs. 12.3±1.9, P=0.49), early postoperative mortality (2.9% vs. 4.3%, P=0.31), total thoracic drainage volume at 24 h after surgery (346.8±91.1 mL vs. 329.8±101.4 mL, P=0.27), postoperative hospital stay (7.9±4.2 d vs. 8.5±3.4 d, P=0.39) and 3-year postoperative survival rate (68.6% vs. 72.9%, P=0.82) between the two groups.ConclusionVideo-assisted thoracoscopic sleeve lobectomy for the treatment of central non-small cell lung cancer is safe and feasible. Compared with traditional thoracotomy for sleeve lobectomy, fewer postoperative complications occur, body recovers faster and the quality of life is higher within the postoperative 6 months. Besides, the 3-year survival rate can achieve similar oncological prognosis results.
ObjectiveTo explore the efficacy of single-port thoracoscopic anatomical lung segmentectomy in treating Stage IA non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to analyze its impact on the body's stress response and lung function. MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with stageⅠA NSCLC admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, from January 2021 to June 2022. Patients were divided into two groups based on their treatment plans: those who underwent single-port thoracoscopic lobectomy were in the lobe group, and those who underwent single-port thoracoscopic anatomical lung segmentectomy were in the segment group. The surgical-related indicators, complication rates, survival rates of the two groups were compared, as well as the body's stress response indicators before and after surgery [C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), cortisol (Cor), creatine kinase (CK)], prognostic lung function indicators [forced vital capacity (FVC), maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio], and auxiliary tumor markers [carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125), CA724, cyto-keratin 21-1 fragment (CYFRA21-1)]. ResultsEach group included 53 patients, with 29 males and 24 females in the segment group, with an average age of (70.38±3.67) years; and 26 males and 27 females in the lobe group, averaging an age of (71.09±3.80) years. The intraoperative blood loss in the segment group was less than that in the lobe group [(118.41±14.58) mL vs. (130.36±10.61) mL, P＜0.001], and the hospital stay was shorter in the segment group [(7.13±1.14) d vs. (8.52±1.33) d, P＜0.001]. One day and three days post-surgery, the serum levels of CRP, IL-6, Cor, and CK in the segment group were lower those in the lobe group, while the levels of FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio, and MVV were higher (P＜0.05). One month and three months post-surgery, the serum levels of CEA, CA125, CA724, and CYFRA21-1 in the segment group showed no statistically significant difference compared to the lobe group (P＞0.05); the incidence of postoperative complications and survival rates in the segment group were 3.77% and 80.39%, respectively, while they were 7.55% and 76.92% in the lobe group, respectively, with no statistical difference between the two groups (P＞0.05). ConclusionSingle-port thoracoscopic anatomical lung segmentectomy for stage ⅠA NSCLC has significant advantages in reducing intraoperative damage, stabilizing the body's stress response, and has less impact on lung function, which is beneficial for postoperative recovery.