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Background and objective: Limited data exist regarding the adverse events of advanced diagnostic bronchoscopy, with most of the available information derived from retrospective datasets that primarily focus on early complications. Methods: We conducted a 15-month prospective cohort study among consecutive patients undergoing endosonography and/or guided bronchoscopy under general anesthesia. We evaluated the 30-day incidence of severe complications, any complication, unplanned hospital encounters, and deaths. Additionally, we analyzed the time of onset (immediate, within 1 h of the procedure; early, 1 h–24 h; late, 24 h–30 days) and identified risk factors associated with these events. Results: Thirty-day data were available for 697 out of 701 (99.4%) enrolled patients, with 85.6% having suspected malignancy and multiple comorbidities (median Charlson Comorbidity Index (IQR): 4 (2–5)). Severe complications occurred in only 17 (2.4%) patients, but among them, 10 (58.8%) had unplanned hospital encounters and 2 (11.7%) died within 30 days. A significant proportion of procedure-related severe complications (8/17, 47.1%); unplanned hospital encounters (8/11, 72.7%); and the two deaths occurred days or weeks after the procedure. Low-dose attenuation in the biopsy site on computed tomography was independently associated with any complication (OR: 1.87; 95% CI 1.13–3.09); unplanned hospital encounters (OR: 2.17; 95% CI 1.10–4.30); and mortality (OR: 4.19; 95% CI 1.74–10.11). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Surgical site infections after thyroid surgery are mostly superficial and can be well treated. Streptococcal mediastinitis in contrast is a rare but life-threatening complication. Case report: A 57-year-old female patient experienced septic fever, increase of inflammation parameters and erythema 2 days after thyroid surgery for Graves' disease. This process was triggered by a three-compartment infection by group A Streptococcus (GAS) with involvement of the mediastinum. Therapy over 6 weeks including seven wound revisions with the patient under general anesthesia, pathogen-adapted antibiotic treatment and cervical negative pressure treatment managed to control the infection. A total of 21 cases have been published on this phenomenon, 11 of which had a fatal outcome. Conclusion: High fever and surgical site erythema in the early postoperative period after thyroid surgery can be signs of a GAS infection, which might lead to necrotizing, descending, life-threatening mediastinitis. Early diagnosis with support of computed tomography (CT) scans, immediate therapy including wound opening, lavage, intravenous antibiotic treatment with penicillin and clindamycin are vital. If treatment resistance occurs, cervical negative pressure treatment should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With an incidence rate of 0.5-4 % and a mortality of up to 50 %, deep sternal wound infections are a rare but devastating complication after median sternotomy for cardiac surgery. Currently, no standard operating procedures exist. Long-term drainage with continuous lavage or negative pressure wound therapy should be used to condition the wound. After restabilization of the sternum and primary closure, the infection often reoccurs presenting deep cavities with an open, unstable thorax and an uncovered mediastinum. This article gives an overview of the different options for deep sternal wound infections in plastic reconstructive surgery. The key point for successful treatment is still the extent of debridement. Primary coverage with a pedicled flap can be made only if the wound debridement was performed radically enough. In the clinic of the author, in which over 120 patients with deep sternal wound infections were treated in 2.5 years, latissimus dorsi muscle flaps have been established as the gold standard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep sternal infections with sternal osteomyelitis are rare conditions with extensive consequences for the patient. The incidence of complications after median sternotomy is as high as 0.4-8 %. Wound and sternal dehiscence and a septic course with mediastinitis leading to septic shock is a feared complication with a high mortality next to the chronic course of the infection with the clinical correlation of presternal fistulas. An early diagnosis and surgical intervention is decisive to enhance the prognosis of the disease, leading to a significant increase in the survival rate of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic mediastinitis is a rare disorder characterized by the proliferation of fibrous tissue within the mediastinum resulting in compression of mediastinal structures. Objective: This article gives an overview of the treatment options for chronic mediastinitis. Material and methods: A literature search was carried out regarding treatment options for chronic mediastinitis Results and conclusion: Little is known about the pathogenesis of chronic mediastinitis, which has hampered the development of novel therapeutic approaches. There is no convincing evidence for the success of medicinal (antifungal or conventional anti-inflammatory) therapy and it is not recommended. In cases of clinical symptoms procedures for decompression, such as endovascular or endobronchial stents or surgical procedures, such as decompression interventions or extra-anatomic bypasses should be considered. The prognosis for unilateral involvement is better than for bilateral involvement if performed in specialized centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal infections of the mediastinum are rare. There are five forms to be differentiated: (i) hematogenous fungal infection of the mediastinum after fungemia; (ii) postoperative fungal infection after cardiosurgical sternotomy; (iii) as special form of a descending necrotizing fasciitis; (iv) infection of the mediastinum per continuitatem; (v) fungal infection of the posterior mediastinum after esophageal perforation. In the surgical department, University of Schleswig–Holstein, Campus Lübeck, five patients with a fungal mediastinitis were treated during a period of 10 years. Three patients suffered from a descending mediastinitis, one patient from a fungal infection after pseudarthrosis of the sternum (postoperatively after cardiosurgery). The section results of one other patient with pulmonary aspergillosis showed a complete invasion of the mediastinum byAspergillus fumigatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perforations of the oesophagus are characterized by a high mortality rate, varying between 7 and 49%. In the analyzed group of patients between the years 1986 and 2003, the mortality rate of 28% was caused by septic complications such as mediastinitis and pneumonia. Microbiological examinations of samples from different locations and various secretions, detected mycoses in 28% of the patients (n = 16). Compared with the total of mycoses, a higher mortality of 50% was calculated. The invasiveCandidainfection of the oesophagus itself can cause a perforation. In perforations of the oesophagus, simultaneous mycoses arise by fungi invading sterile compartments or by haematogenous and lymphogenous dissemination up to sepsis. Uncomplicated courses do not need antimycotic therapy. At the beginning of the treatment, a microbiological monitoring should be provided, particulary with regard to the intraoperative facts. In relation to the course and the risk factors of the patients, an antimycotic therapy is initiated. Surgical clearing and sufficient drainage of the collateral compartments such as pleural and mediastinal compartments is highly significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]