The Annals of thoracic surgery
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The purpose of this study was to perform midterm evaluation of the clinical performance of the Sorin Bicarbon mechanical heart valve prosthesis. ⋯ The Sorin Bicarbon valve is a satisfactory mechanical valve prosthesis with low mortality and morbidity and good functional results.
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Lateral thoracic expansion is a procedure that has been described to enlarge the thoracic cage in patients with Jeune's asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy. The procedure involves separating ribs from their periosteum and plating them together in an expanded fashion with titanium struts. We have speculated that the ribs heal in this situation, despite the absence of surrounding periosteum, and that new rib formation occurs in the liberated periosteum. ⋯ Lateral thoracic expansion creates additional chest wall that is formed of autologous tissue, fully healed, and not ultimately dependent on titanium struts.
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Clinical Trial
Positron emission tomography scanning poorly predicts response to preoperative chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer.
The ability to accurately predict pathologic response to preoperative chemotherapy may have a significant impact on the treatment strategy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The purpose of this study was to examine the accuracy of positron emission tomography (PET) scanning in predicting the pathologic response to preoperative chemotherapy in the primary tumor and draining lymph nodes. ⋯ Positron emission tomography scanning does not reliably predict pathologic response to preoperative chemotherapy in NSCLC in either the primary tumor or the draining lymph nodes.
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The Nuss procedure is a minimally invasive technique using a retrosternal bar to repair pectus excavatum. Although its technical simplicity and cosmetic advantages are remarkable, early applications have been limited to children with symmetrical pectus excavatum. We report a large single-institution experience including technical modifications to correct asymmetric configurations and extend the procedure to adult patients. ⋯ Precise morphologic classification has led to modifications of the Nuss technique that facilitate correction of virtually all varieties of pectus excavatum including patients with asymmetric varieties and adults.