European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
-
Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Apr 2005
Malposition of selective cerebral perfusion catheter is not a rare event.
Although malposition of a catheter for selective cerebral perfusion can lead to postoperative neurologic complications, the clinical relevance or even an incidence of this event is not clear because there have been no measures to diagnose it. The purpose of this study is to report the results of intraoperative diagnosis of catheter malposition by means of near-infrared spectroscopy, orbital ultrasound, and transesophageal echocardiography. ⋯ Catheter malposition on the right side is not a rare event during selective cerebral perfusion. The catheter can migrate into the right subclavian artery or common carotid artery. Pressure monitoring cannot reliably detect an occurrence of catheter migration into the right subclavian artery. Combined use of near-infrared spectroscopy, orbital ultrasound, and transesophageal echocardiography can be useful for detecting this event and making an appropriate decision without delay to prevent irreversible brain damage.
-
Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Apr 2005
Does the extent of lymph node dissection influence outcome in patients with stage I non-small-cell lung cancer?
To assess the therapeutic effect of the extent of lymph node dissection performed in patients with a stage pI non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). ⋯ Importance of lymph node dissection affects patients outcome, while it does not enhance the operative mortality. A minimum of 10 lymph nodes assessed, and two mediastinal stations sampled are suggested as possible pragmatic markers of the quality of lymphadenectomy.
-
Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Apr 2005
Immunological and echocardiographic evaluation of decellularized versus cryopreserved allografts during the Ross operation.
Compare the immunological and echocardiographic data of decellularized versus cryopreserved allografts used for RVOT reconstruction during Ross operation. ⋯ Decellularized allografts had normal function up to 18 months and showed important reduction of the immunogenic response when compared to cryopreserved valves.
-
Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Apr 2005
Does a thoracic epidural confer any additional benefit following video-assisted thoracoscopic pleurectomy for primary spontaneous pneumothorax?
Video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) bullectomy and apical pleurectomy has become the preferred procedure for recurrent or complicated primary spontaneous pneumothorax (SPN). Although thoracic epidural analgesia is the gold standard after open thoracic surgical procedures, its use in the management of minimally invasive procedures in this young population has not been extensively studied. ⋯ Thoracic epidural analgesia does not contribute significantly to minimize neither perioperative nor long-term pain after VATS pleurectomy for primary SPN. The additional resource requirement in these patients is not justified.