The Annals of thoracic surgery
-
The Fontan procedure is the accepted standard for single-ventricle palliation. The goal of this study was to determine short- and midterm outcomes of patients undergoing a Fontan operation at a single institution and to identify contemporary risk factors for acute and chronic failure. ⋯ Contemporary midterm outcomes for Fontan patients are reassuring. Lifelong follow-up is mandatory to determine long-term outcomes and need for additional surgery as patients reach adulthood.
-
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Workforce on Research Development and the STS Research Center currently offer 3 outcomes research platforms using the STS General Thoracic Surgery Database: (1) the traditional Access and Publications Program supports STS-sponsored projects with data analysis conducted at an STS-approved data analytic center, (2) the STS Task Force for Funded Research supports STS investigators pursuing extramural research funding for projects incorporating STS National Database data linked to other data sets such as Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and (3) the Participant User File (PUF) program that provides deidentified patient-level data files from the STS General Thoracic Surgery Database to investigators with approved projects to be analyzed at their institution. This report includes an updated review of each program in addition to an outline of 2019-based articles published or accepted.
-
Comparative Study
Outcomes of Operative and Nonoperative Treatment of Thoracic Empyema: A Population-Based Study.
The optimal management of thoracic empyema remains unclear. This study compared mortality and readmission risk after operative vs nonoperative treatment of thoracic empyema. ⋯ Nonoperative management of thoracic empyema was associated with higher risk of mortality compared with surgical decortication. Early thoracic surgical consultation is recommended.
-
Comparative Study
Long-term Outcomes of Mechanical Vs Biologic Aortic Valve Prosthesis in Patients Older Than 70 Years.
Biologic prostheses are preferred for surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in patients more than 70 years of age in clinical practice. This study investigated differences in long-term outcomes between SAVR-treated patients more than 70 years of age who received mechanical or biologic prosthetic valves. ⋯ Mechanical aortic valve prosthesis is associated with worse long-term survival and increased bleeding after SAVR in patients more than 70 years old. The study results suggest caution when considering mechanical aortic valve prostheses in elderly patients.
-
Comparative Study Clinical Trial Observational Study
Liposomal Bupivacaine Enhances the Pain-Control Benefits of Uniportal Thoracoscopic Lobectomy.
Liposomal bupivacaine field block is gaining popularity as a critical element of enhanced recovery after surgery protocols in thoracic surgery. Uniportal thoracoscopic surgery has been reported to result in less narcotic consumption compared with traditional video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. The objective of this study was to evaluate the postoperative narcotic consumption of patients undergoing uniportal thoracoscopic lobectomy with the use of 0.25% bupivacaine vs patients treated with liposomal bupivacaine. ⋯ The study investigators have previously demonstrated decreased narcotic consumption with the use of uniportal technique over traditional multi-incision thoracoscopic surgery. The use of liposomal bupivacaine for posterior serratus and intercostal field blocks enhanced pain control and decreased narcotic consumption.