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Objectives: Minimally invasive surgery simulation is an integral part of surgical education and skills acquisition. Our goal was to present a new video-assisted thoracic surgery simulation model based on the human corpse as an alternative to animal models., Methods: Selective cannulation of the cadaver heart was used to fill the pulmonary vessels with a gel to improve the visibility and tactile feedback of the vessels and to simulate any bleeding complications. During surgical simulation, the tutor fills out a questionnaire designed to evaluate the duration of the procedure, the correct completion of the surgical steps and the occurrence of complications. At the end of the simulation session, in order to compare the simulation to clinical practice, all the participants were asked to answer 5 questions using a scale from 1 to 10., Results: We have performed 2 hands-on sessions using 2 human corpses for each session. Each surgeon performed 1 lobectomy using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) first as the operator and at least 1 lobectomy as an assistant. The median operative time was 83 min in favour of surgeons who had previously performed more than 30 video-assisted lobectomies (P = 0.03). All the surgeons were able to complete all the steps of the procedure; surgeons who had performed fewer than 10 lobectomies required more support by the tutors than the other surgeons. The median total score was 40.5 (interquartile range 39-44.8)., Conclusions: We believe that this model includes most of the features necessary to validate a surgical simulator and allows realistic training for performing a VATS lobectomy. This model could be an effective alternative to anaesthetized animals for VATS lobectomy training and simulation., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is one of the most common thoracic diseases affecting adolescents and young adults. Despite the high incidence of PSP and the availability of several international guidelines for its diagnosis and treatment, a significant behavioural heterogeneity can be found among those management recommendations. A working group of the Italian Society of Thoracic Surgery summarized the best evidence available on PSP management with the methodological tool of a systematic review assessing the quality of previously published guidelines with the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II. Concerning PSP physiopathology, the literature seems to be equally divided between those who support the hypothesis of a direct correlation between changes in atmospheric pressure and temperature and the incidence of PSP, so it is not currently possible to confirm or reject this theory with reasonable certainty. Regarding the choice between conservative treatment and chest drainage in the first episode, there is no evidence on whether one option is superior to the other. Video-assisted thoracic surgery represents the most common and preferred surgical approach. A primary surgical approach to patients with their first PSP seems to guarantee a lower recurrence rate than that of a primary approach consisting of a chest drainage positioning; conversely, the percentage of futile surgical interventions that would entail this aggressive attitude must be carefully evaluated. Surgical pleurodesis is recommended and frequently performed to limit recurrences; talc poudrage offers efficient pleurodesis, but a considerable number of surgeons are concerned about administering this inert material to young patients., Clinical Trial Registration Number: International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO): CRD42018084247., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Alveolar air leaks represent a challenging problem in thoracic surgery, leading to increased patient morbidity and prolonged hospitalization. Several methods have been used, but no ideal technique exists yet. We investigated the lung-sealing capacity of an experimental kit for laser tissue welding., Methods: The kit is composed of a semiconductor laser system applied on a protein substrate associated with a chromophore that increases absorption. In vitro tests on porcine lung tissue were done to define ideal laser parameters (power 100 Å, frequency 50 Hz, pulse duration 400 µs) and protein substrate dilution (50%). For in vivo tests, through a left thoracotomy, 14 pigs received two different lung damages: a linear incision and a circular incision. Protein substrate applied on damaged areas was treated with laser to obtain a layer that reconstituted the integrity of the visceral pleura. Air leaks were intraoperatively evaluated by water submersion test with an airway pressure of 20 cmH2O. Animals were sacrificed at postoperative days 0 and 7 to study early and late pathological features., Results: After applying laser treatment, no air leaks were seen in all proofs except in 2 cases in which a second application was required. At time 0, pathological damage mostly consisted of superficial alveolar necrotic tissue covered by protein membrane. At time 7, a complete recovery of lung lesions by fibrous scar with slight inflammatory reaction of adjacent lung tissue was seen., Conclusions: This experimental study demonstrated the effectiveness of laser tissue welding applied to seal air leaks after lung surgery. Further studies are needed to verify acceptability for human application.

An anomalous pulmonary vein anatomy could represent a challenge for the thoracic surgeon. In these cases, the incidence of complications during lung surgery is increased, especially the need to perform a pneumonectomy due to a wrong section of the vascular elements. All attempts to reduce this risk must be undertaken, including techniques to restore normal venous drainage. We present a case of re-anastomosis of the posterior segmental vein of the right upper lobe draining into the lower pulmonary vein during a right lower bilobectomy for lung cancer.

A best evidence topic was constructed according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether the presence of extended criteria donors influences the early and long-term results in patients referred for lung transplantation. Of the 30 papers found using a report search, 14 presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date, country of publication, study type, group studied, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are given. In total, we recorded 10 retrospective studies that considered all the donor criteria for comparing marginal donors (MDs) and standard donors. On the one hand, six of them showed no difference between the two groups in terms of early and long-term results. On the other hand, four studies demonstrated a negative impact of MDs on various early outcomes (mortality, primary graft dysfunction, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of stay in intensive care unit), whereas no significant negative influence on survival has ever been described when screening MD results. More precisely, when analysing the role of individual factors of marginality, as done in two of the 14 studies, a significant negative impact was observed for a low level of PaO(2) at the time of harvesting, positive bronchoscopy and smoking history. More specifically, the first two criteria have been validated by several authors, both in multicentre and cohort studies. Finally, the importance of avoiding the donation of the lung from an MD to a high-risk recipient emerged, whereas the association with single or bilateral transplants remains more controversial. Hence, current evidence suggests that there are no contraindications-given the absence of negative impact on survival-for the use of MDs for the transplant of a proposed standard receiver. However, given the low level of evidence of published studies, caution is necessary in order to avoid organ shortage, despite these encouraging results.