The Annals of thoracic surgery
-
The international experience with resection of advanced thoracic malignancies performed with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support is limited. We examined our results to assess the risks and benefits of this approach. ⋯ Based on this experience, we consider VA ECMO support to be a safe alternative to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for advanced general thoracic operations.
-
Anastomotic leak after intrathoracic esophagogastrostomy remains a dreaded complication of esophagectomy. Traditional therapy has most often consisted of reoperative repair or observation and drainage, each prolonging hospitalization and the initiation of oral nutrition. This investigation summarizes our experiences treating these patients using an occlusive, removable esophageal stent. ⋯ Endoluminal esophageal stent placement is a safe and effective method for the treatment of an intrathoracic anastomotic leak after esophagectomy. This treatment resulted in rapid leak occlusion, provided the opportunity for earlier oral nutrition, and avoided the potential morbidity of reoperative repair or esophageal diversion.
-
This study was designed to assess the treatment of patients in whom a second primary lung cancer developed after the resection of primary lung cancer. ⋯ Surgical resection is feasible and effective in the management of second primary lung cancer, and sublobar resection may be adequate. Long-term surveillance of more than 5 years is essential for early detection to increase the chance of resection of a second primary lung cancer.