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Objective: Prolonged air leak increases costs and worsens outcomes after pulmonary resection. We aimed to develop a clinical prediction tool for prolonged air leak using pretreatment and intraoperative variables., Methods: Patients who underwent pulmonary resection for lung cancer/nodules (from January 2009 to June 2014) were stratified by prolonged parenchymal air leak (>5 days). Using backward stepwise logistic regression with bootstrap resampling for internal validation, candidate variables were identified and a nomogram risk calculator was developed., Results: A total of 2317 patients underwent pulmonary resection for lung cancer/nodules. Prolonged air leak (8.6%, n = 200) was associated with significantly longer hospital stay (median 10 vs 4 days; P < .001). Final model variables associated with increased risk included low percent forced expiratory volume in 1 second, smoking history, bilobectomy, higher annual surgeon caseload, previous chest surgery, Zubrod score >2, and interaction terms for right-sided thoracotomy and wedge resection by thoracotomy. Wedge resection, higher body mass index, and unmeasured percent forced expiratory volume in 1 second were protective. Derived nomogram discriminatory accuracy was 76% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.72-0.79) and facilitated patient stratification into low-, intermediate- and high-risk groups with monotonic increase in observed prolonged air leaks (2.0%, 8.9%, and 19.2%, respectively; P < .001). Patients at intermediate and high risk were 4.80 times (95% CI, 2.86-8.07) and 11.86 times (95% CI, 7.21-19.52) more likely to have prolonged air leak compared with patients at low risk., Conclusions: Using readily available candidate variables, our nomogram predicts increasing risk of prolonged air leak with good discriminatory ability. Risk stratification can support surgical decision making, and help initiate proactive, patient-specific surgical management., (Copyright © 2016 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: A significant number of patients have recurrent or persistent lung cancer despite complete resection or treatment with definitive chemoradiation. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)/stereotactic body radiation therapy is emerging as an important modality for the treatment of early-stage lung neoplasm; SRS may also offer an alternative treatment option for patients with recurrent lung disease. We evaluated outcomes after treatment with SRS for recurrent lung neoplasm in a large series of patients., Methods: Selected patients with limited recurrent, persistent, or progressive disease after one or more prior treatments for lung cancer were offered SRS. Thoracic surgeons evaluated all patients, placed fiducials when needed, and planned treatment in close collaboration with radiation oncologists and medical physicists. In our early experience, a single fraction of 20 Gy radiation was prescribed and was subsequently increased to 45 to 60 Gy in three to five fractions. The primary endpoint evaluated was overall survival., Results: We treated 100 patients with recurrent lung cancer (median age 72 years) with SRS. The postprocedure 30-day mortality rate was 0%; median follow-up was 51 months (range, 5 to 123). The median overall survival for the entire group was 23 months (95% confidence interval: 19 to 41). The probability of 2-year and 5-year overall survival was 49% (95% confidence interval: 40% to 60%) and 31% (95% confidence interval: 23% to 43%), respectively., Conclusions: Our experience indicates that SRS is safe, and offers an alternative modality for selected patients with recurrent oligometastatic or persistent lung cancer. Thoracic surgeons should actively participate in SRS and continue to evaluate the efficacy of this treatment strategy., (Copyright © 2015 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Sublobar wedge resection is associated with an increased risk of locoregional recurrence (15-20%) compared with lobectomy for early non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We have previously shown that the addition of brachytherapy mesh at the time of sublobar resection might decrease the risk of local recurrence in this setting, equivalent to that of lobectomy [Santos et al. Surgery 2003;134:691-7]. In the current study, we evaluated the impact of brachytherapy mesh implantation after formal anatomic segmentectomy on local recurrence rates in the management of clinical stage I NSCLC., Methods: We undertook a retrospective review of 369 patients undergoing anatomic segmentectomy for clinical stage I NSCLC from 2002 to 2010 with (n = 155) or without (n = 214) the use of I(131) brachytherapy mesh applied over the staple line. The primary end point was local recurrence. Secondary end points included morbidity, mortality, and recurrence-free survival., Results: Patients undergoing brachytherapy mesh implantation were older (71.0 vs 69.0 years, P = .03) and had larger tumors (2.3 cm vs 2.0 cm, P = .001) compared with those treated without mesh. There were no differences noted in sex, histology, or tumor stage. Overall mortality was 1.1% (mesh, 0.6%; no mesh 1.4%). Perioperative morbidity was similar in patients receiving mesh (45.8% vs 37.4%, P = .11). At a mean follow-up of 32.9 months, the overall local recurrence rate was 5.4% (mesh: 6.4% vs no mesh: 4.6%, P = .49). Five-year actuarial freedom from local recurrence was 92% in the mesh group, and 90% in patients undergoing segmentectomy without mesh (P = .24)., Conclusion: It appears that the local recurrence noted with non-anatomic wedge resection is not an equivalent concern when anatomic segmentectomy with adequate margins are obtained. This implies that adjuvant brachytherapy after anatomic segmentectomy is not required for local control, thus avoiding the costs of radiation therapy and its associated potential toxicity. These data also suggest that proper anatomic segmentectomy alone may be associated with local recurrence rates similar to those of anatomic lobectomy in the setting of clinical stage I NSCLC., (Copyright © 2014 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Anatomic segmentectomy may achieve results comparable to lobectomy for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. The 7th edition of the AJCC Cancer Staging Handbook stratified the previous T1 tumor designation into T1a and T1b subsets, which still define stage 1A node-negative non-small cell lung cancer. We are left to hypothesize whether this classification may aid in directing the extent of surgical resection. We retrospectively reviewed our anatomic segmentectomy and lobectomy management of stage 1A non-small cell lung cancer to determine differences in survival and local recurrence rates based on the new stratification., Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 429 patients undergoing resection of pathologically confirmed stage 1A non-small cell lung cancer via lobectomy or anatomic segmentectomy. Primary outcome variables included mortality, recurrence, and survival. Recurrence-free and cancer-specific survivals were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method., Results: Patients undergoing segmentectomy were older than patients undergoing lobectomy (mean age 69.2 vs 66.8 years, P < .006). The mean preoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second was significantly lower in the segmentectomy group than in the lobectomy group (71.8% vs 81.1%, P = .02). Mortality was similar after segmentectomy (1.1%) and lobectomy (1.2%). There was no difference in mortality, recurrence rates (14.0% vs 14.7%, P = 1.00), or 5-year cancer-specific survival (T1a: 90% vs 91%, P = .984; T1b: 82% vs 78%, P = .892) when comparing segmentectomy and lobectomy for pathologic stage 1A non-small cell lung cancer, when stratified by T stage., Conclusions: Anatomic segmentectomy may achieve equivalent recurrence and survival compared with lobectomy for patients with stage 1A non-small cell lung cancer. Prospective studies will be necessary to delineate the potential merits of anatomic segmentectomy in this setting., (Copyright © 2012 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: With an increase in the performance of laparoscopic antireflux procedures, more patients with a failed primary antireflux operation are being referred to thoracic surgeons for complex redo procedures. The objective of this study was to evaluate our results of redo antireflux surgery., Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of patients who underwent redo surgery for failed fundoplication. The primary endpoint was failure of the redo operation; other endpoints included gastroesophageal reflux disease-health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after redo fundoplication., Results: A total of 275 patients (median age, 52 years; range, 17 to 88 years; men 82, women 193) underwent redo antireflux surgery. The most common pattern of failure of the initial operation was transmediastinal migration-recurrent hernia in 177 patients (64%). Redo surgery included Nissen fundoplication in 200 (73%), Collis gastroplasty in 119 (43%), and partial fundoplication in 41 (15%). There was no perioperative mortality. At a median follow-up of 39.6 months, 31 patients (11.2%) had a failure of the redo surgery, requiring reoperation. The two-year estimated probability of freedom from failure was 93% (95% confidence interval 89% to 96%). The HRQOL scores, available for 186 patients, were excellent to satisfactory in 85.5%, and poor in 14.5%., Conclusions: Redo antireflux surgery can be performed safely in experienced centers with outcomes that are similar to published open results. Complete takedown and reestablishment of the normal anatomy, recognition of a short esophagus, and proper placement of the wrap are essential components of the procedure. Thoracic surgeons with significant laparoscopic and open esophageal surgical experience can perform minimally invasive, complex redo esophageal antireflux procedures safely with good results., (Copyright © 2011 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The minimally invasive, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical (VATS) approach to resection of the thymus is frequently practiced for benign disease; however, a VATS approach for thymoma remains controversial. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of VATS thymectomy for the treatment of early-stage thymoma and to compare the outcomes with those after open resection., Methods: A retrospective review of 40 patients who underwent surgical resection of early-stage thymoma during a 12-year period was conducted. Data on patient characteristics, morbidity, recurrence, and survival were collected. The primary endpoint studied was overall survival., Results: Of the 40 patients, 14 underwent thymectomy for stage I and 26 for stage II thymoma; 19 were men and 21 were women (median age, 64 years; range, 35-86 years). Open thymectomy was performed in 22 patients, and VATS was performed in 18. The operative mortality rate was 0%. The tumor stage and number of patients undergoing adjuvant radiotherapy were comparable in both surgical groups. The median length of hospital stay was shorter in the VATS group (3 days) than in the open group (5 days) (P = .0001). The median follow-up was 36 months. No significant differences were found in the estimated recurrence-free and overall 5-year survival rates (83%-100%) between the 2 groups., Conclusions: VATS of early-stage thymoma appears safe and feasible and was associated with a shorter hospital stay. The oncologic outcomes were comparable in the open and VATS groups during intermediate-term follow-up. Additional follow-up is required to evaluate the long-term results of thoracoscopic thymectomy for early-stage thymoma., (Copyright © 2011. Published by Mosby, Inc.)

Background: Kyphoscoliosis is seen in approximately 1.4-15% of the octogenarian population of the US. We hypothesized that patients with kyphoscoliosis are affected with a reduced intra-abdominal volume and progressive laxity of the diaphragmatic hiatal sling musculature leading to an increased risk of hiatal hernia formation and progression over time., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical history and roentgenographic data of 320 paraesophageal hernia patients from 2003 to 2007. The prevalence of kyphoscoliosis among this patient cohort and the outcomes of surgical management were compared to paraesophageal hernia patients without kyphoscoliosis., Results: Ninety-three of the 320 patients (29.1%) were found to have significant K/S (mean age 74; 83% female). Laparoscopic repair of paraesophageal hernia with fundoplication was performed in 91% of these patients. There was one death (1.1%; aspiration pneumonia) and 17.2% major postoperative morbidity. Mean length of hospital stay was 8 days (median = 4; range 2-71). Prolonged stays were related mainly to marginal pulmonary status. Kyphoscoliosis was associated with increased peri-operative pulmonary morbidity (16.1%) compared to patients without kyphoscoliosis (7.0%, p = 0.02)., Conclusion: Kyphoscoliosis may contribute to the development and progression of paraesophageal hernias. Surgeons approaching paraesophageal hernia repair should be aware of the increased pulmonary morbidity and the postoperative care required in managing these patients.

Objectives: Mechanical stapling devices have been established as the mainstay of therapy in the selective isolation and division of bronchial and vascular structures during anatomic lung resection. Few data are available regarding the application of energy-based tissue fusion technology during anatomic lung resection. In the present study, we evaluated the use of energy-based instruments for the division of the pulmonary arterial and venous branches during anatomic lung resection., Methods: Anatomic lung resection (segmentectomy or lobectomy) was performed using energy-based coagulative fusion technology. A low-profile jaw can be used to facilitate dissection in both open and video-assisted thoracic surgery cases, applying a seal 6 mm wide by 22 mm in length. Two energy applications were applied to the arterial and venous branches before vessel division., Results: The bipolar tissue fusion system was used in 211 patients between 2008 and 2010 (104 lobectomies and 107 anatomic segmentectomies). Initially, we used a device with a smaller, curved jaw (n = 12), producing a 3.3- to 4.7-cm seal. No arterial dehiscences and 2 partial venous dehiscences that were recognized and controlled intraoperatively occurred. For the remaining cases, we used a new device with a larger jaw that applied a seal 6 mm wide by 22 mm in length. No arterial or venous dehiscences (vessel size range, 0.4-1.2 cm) occurred., Conclusions: The bipolar tissue fusion system provided safe and reliable control of pulmonary arterial and venous branches during anatomic lung resection. The use of energy-based tissue fusion technology represents a reasonable alternative to mechanical stapling devices during anatomic lung resection., (Copyright © 2010 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States. Surgical resection with a lobectomy is the standard treatment for stage I non-small cell lung cancer. With an aging population, however, there are a significant number of patients who have other comorbidities that preclude surgical resection. Image-guided radiofrequency ablation is a new emerging modality of treatment which may be applicable in this high-risk group of patients. In this article, we review the principles of radiofrequency ablation, the common devices in use, the results of ablate and resect studies, future directions, and the results of treatment for stage I non-small cell lung neoplasm., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Recent data from prospective multimodality trials have documented an unacceptable early mortality with pneumonectomy after induction chemotherapy. This finding has raised skepticism toward pneumonectomy as a surgical option for patients with regionally advanced nonsmall-cell lung cancer. In the current study, perioperative outcomes after pneumonectomy with or without neoadjuvant therapy are compared to determine the impact of induction therapy on perioperative mortality in this setting. Variables associated with increased perioperative risk are identified., Methods: A review of 315 nonsmall-cell lung cancer patients (196 male [62%]) undergoing pneumonectomy over a 15-year period was undertaken. Patients were well matched for clinical variables other than receiving induction chemotherapy. Complications and operative mortality were analyzed for associations with laterality and induction chemotherapy., Results: Median age was 64 years, (range, 25 to 82). Age was predictive of mortality in 13 of 86 patients (15%) more than 70 years old, compared with 16 of 229 patients (7%) less than 70 years old (hazard ratio = 1.77, p = 0.046). Overall operative mortality was 9.2% (29 of 315). There were 115 left-sided (37%) and 200 right-sided (63%) pneumonectomies. Sixty-eight patients (22% [left = 31, right = 37]) received induction chemotherapy. Surgery alone was performed in 247 patients. Mortality among patients undergoing induction chemotherapy was 21% (odds ratio = 4.01; p = 0.0007). After induction chemotherapy, postoperative bronchopleural fistula associated with respiratory failure was predictive of operative mortality (hazard ratio = 148, p = 0.0001). Left-side pneumonectomy did appear to a have a greater incidence of postoperative arrhythmia., Conclusions: Morbidity and mortality after pneumonectomy is substantial. Patients greater than 70 years old appear to be at increased risk. Induction chemotherapy also increases the risk of operative mortality after pneumonectomy. Patients should be advised of this increased operative risk, and the multidisciplinary team must consider this when pneumonectomy appears necessary after induction therapy for locally advanced nonsmall-cell lung cancer.