European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
-
Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jan 2005
Comparative StudyMid term course after pediatric right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction: a comparison of homografts, porcine xenografts and Contegras.
Homografts and porcine xenografts are valved conduits for pediatric RVOT reconstruction. They lack availability and durability. The Contegra, a glutaraldehyde fixed bovine jugular vein, was developed as an alternative. In this article, we compare single center results of 190 RVOT conduit implantations. ⋯ After 12 years RVOT reconstruction with 190 valved conduits, Contegras remain our device of choice. At 4 years, they show no subvalvular or valvular reason for explantation or reoperation. Contegras have the advantages of easy handling and availability, and they compare well with homografts regarding freedom from explantation and freedom from reoperation.
-
Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jan 2005
A simple implement [malleable endotracheal tube stylet] to aid positioning of chest drains.
Using a malleable endotracheal tube stylet to shape the chest drain during insertion helps in positioning them in the desired part of the pleural cavity.
-
Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jan 2005
Congenital lung malformations--antenatal and postnatal evaluation and management.
We reviewed our institutional experience with pulmonary resection for congenital bronchopulmonary malformations and analysed the management and outcome of pregnancies with a prenatal diagnosis of congenital lung malformations. Between January 1993 and December 2003, 31 patients underwent evaluation and pulmonary resection for bronchopulmonary malformations. Common clinical presentations were respiratory distress (9), respiratory infections/pneumonias (22), and dyspnoea (9). ⋯ The presence of mass effects is an indication for therapeutic decompression. The risk of pulmonary compression, infection and malignant degeneration makes resection imperative, even in asymptomatic patients. Lobectomy is the procedure of choice, is well tolerated, and leads to excellent outcomes.
-
Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Dec 2004
Long-term outcome of lung transplantation for cystic fibrosis--Danish results.
Over the last decades improvements in medical therapies have delayed the progression of lung disease in cystic fibrosis (CF). However, lung disease is still the most common cause of premature death, and lung transplantation today is the only treatment for end-stage lung disease in patients with CF. We present a retrospective review of the outcome of CF patients transplanted in Denmark since start of the national lung transplantation programme in 1992. ⋯ Lung transplantation is a well-established life-extending treatment for patients with CF and end-stage lung disease. The operative mortality is low and CF patients have a significant early survival benefit after lung transplantation. Satisfying long-term results can be achieved in this young and severely ill group of patients.
-
Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Dec 2004
Resection of chest wall invasion in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
The treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer invading the parietal pleura or chest wall is still debated. It is unsolved whether the depth of chest wall involvement or the type of resection (extrapleural or en bloc) affects long-term survival. ⋯ Survival of patients with lung cancer invading the chest wall or parietal pleura after resection is highly dependent on the completeness of resection and the extent of nodal involvement, but not so much on the depth of chest wall invasion or type of resection.