Background: Diaphragm eventration (DE) represents a frequent problem with consecutive major impacts on respiratory function and the quality of life of the patients. The role of diaphragmatic plication (DP) is still underestimated. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy of minimally-invasive surgical diaphragmatic plication for the management of unilateral diaphragmatic eventration, to the best of our knowledge, this is the largest series reported in the literature using a non-resectional technique. Methods: All patients with unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis admitted for diaphragmatic plication (DP) between January 2008 and December 2022 formed the cohort of this retrospective analysis. DP procedure was done to plicate the diaphragm without resection or replacement with synthetic materials. Patients were divided into two groups: Group I included patients who underwent DP through an open thoracotomy, and Group II included patients who underwent DP through video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Data from all patients were collected prospectively and subsequently analyzed retrospectively. Patients’ characteristics, lung function tests, radiological findings, type of surgical procedures, complications, and postoperative follow-up were compared. The primary outcome measure was the postoperative result (deeper position of the paralyzed diaphragm) and improvement of dyspnea. The secondary outcome was lung function values over a long-term follow-up. Results: The study included a total of 134 patients who underwent diaphragmatic plication during the study period. 94 (71.7%) were males, mean age of 64 (SD ± 14.0). Group I (thoracotomy group) consisted of 46 patients (35 male). Group II (VATS-group) consisted of 88 patients (69 male). The majority of patients demonstrated impaired lung functions (n = 126). The mean length of diaphragmatic displacement was 8 cm (SD ± 113.8 cm). The mean duration of the entire procedure, including placement of the epidural catheter (EDC), was longer in group I than in group II (p = 0.016). This was also observed for the mean length of the surgical procedure itself (p = 0.031). Most patients in group I had EDC (n = 38) (p = 0.001). Patients in group I required more medication for pain control (p = 0.022). A lower position of the diaphragm was achieved in all patients (p < 0.001). The length of hospital stay was 7 (SD ± 4.5) days in group I vs. 4.5 (SD ± 3.2) days in group II (p = 0.036). Minor complications occurred in 3% (n = 4) in group I vs. 2% (n = 3) in group II. No mortality was observed in any of the groups. Postoperative follow-up of patients at 6, 12, and 24 months showed a significant increase in forced vital capacity (FVC) up to 25% (SD ± 10%–35%) (p = 0.019), in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) up to 20% (SD ± 12%–38%) in both groups (p = 0.026), also in the diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO) up to 15% (SD ± 10%–20%) was noticed in both groups. Chronic pain symptoms were noted in 13% (n = 6) in group I vs. 2% (n = 2) in group II (p = 0.014). Except for one patient in group II, no recurrence of DE was observed. Conclusions: Diaphragm plication is an effective procedure to reduce debilitating dyspnea and improve lung function in patients suffering from diaphragm eventration. Minimally invasive diaphragmatic plication using VATS procedures is a safe and feasible procedure for the management of unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis. VATS-DP is superior to open procedure in terms of pain management and length of hospital stay, hence, accelerated recovery is more likely. Careful patient selection is crucial to achieving optimal outcomes. Prospective studies are needed to validate these results.

Background: Congenital lobar overinflation (CLOI) is one of the most important causes of infantile respiratory distress (RD). We aim to evaluate our experience in CLOI management emphasizing on clinical features, diagnostic modalities, surgery and outcomes. Methods: This is a retrospective study for all CLOI cases undergoing surgical management at Qena University Hospital. Demographic data, clinical data, radiographic findings, surgery and postoperative follow-up were reviewed. Results: A total of 37 neonates and infants with CLOI were presented to our center between January 2015 and January 2019; their mean age was 111.43 ± 65.19 days and 22 were males. All cases presented with RD; and cyanosis in 19 cases. 15 cases presented with recurrent pneumonia and fever. Diminished breath sounds on the affected side and wheezes were the main clinical findings in 30 and 22 cases respectively. On CXR, emphysema was detected in all cases. A confirmatory CT chest was done for all cases. Left upper lobe was affected in 23 cases, right middle lobe in 7 and right upper lobe in 7 cases. Lobectomy was done in thirty-one cases; their mean age at surgery was 147.58 ± 81.49 days and 19 were males. Postoperative complications were noted in 5 cases and postoperative ventilation was required for 2 of them. No morbidity or mortality was reported. The follow-up duration ranged from 3 months to 1 year and all patients were doing well except one case that lost follow up after 3 months. Conclusion: CLOI is a rare bronchopulmonary malformation that requires a high index of clinical suspicion, especially in persistent and recurrent infantile RD. CT chest is the most useful diagnostic modality. Early management of CLOI improves outcome and avoid life-threatening complications. Surgical management is the treatment of choice in our center without recorded mortality.

Objective: To identify the predictor factors of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction following patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) surgical ligation. Background: PDA is viewed as a noticeable amongst the most widely recognized congenital heart defects in children and its closure is responsible for many hemodynamic changes that require intervention and care. Methods: A retrospective study included fifty children with isolated PDA treated by surgical ligation from June 2015 to June 2018. The LV dimensions and systolic function were assessed by two-dimensional echocardiography pre and post PDA ligation. All cases were followed-up on the first-day, 1 month and 6 months post ligation. Results: The mean age of cases was 15.78 ± 7.58 months and 72% were females. The mean duct size was 4.08 ± 1.25 mm. There was a marked decrease in LVEDd, LA/Ao, EF and FS in the first-day post ligation contrasted with pre ligation values. Moreover, an amazing decline in LVEDd and LA/Ao ratio was observed 1 month post ligation contrasted with the early post ligation status with asynchronous improvement of FS and EF at one and 6 months postoperatively. Conclusion: PDA ligation is associated with a noteworthy LV systolic dysfunction within the first day post ligation; that in a significant number of patients may require anti-failure measures, prolong the hospital stay and necessitate a regular follow up and monitoring of LV function. PDA size, age, preoperative LVEDd and FS can be considered as predictor factors for suspicion of acute decrease in the LV systolic function early post PDA ligation. Trial registration: ClinTrial.Gov NCT04018079.

Background: Symptomatic pericardial effusion (PE) is a common cardiothoracic presentation. It may reflect a wide variety of causes, ranging from infection to malignancy. The optimal management of pericardial effusion is still controversial. The two main interventional procedures agreed in the last decade as the two reasonable options for PE treatment are: surgical (transthoracic or subxiphoid) and video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) pericardial window. In this study we report our experience in VATS pericardial window in the management of massive pericardial effusion. Methods: This prospective study was conducted between May 2013 to December 2015. Patients with massive pericardial effusion with or without tamponade, diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography, and sometimes with chest computed tomography (CT) scan were included. Results: Fifty-three patients with massive PE were included in the study, 33 males and 20 females, aged from 20 to 55 years. The causes of PE were malignancy 15 cases; uremia 5 cases; tuberculosis 8 cases; chronic non specific inflammation 13 cases and idiopathic in 12 cases. The main clinical presentation was dyspnea in the majority of cases (57%), followed by fever (15%), chest pain (8%), and (7.5%) were asymptomatic at time of presentation. 7 cases (13%) were unstable with signs of tamponade. The amount of fluid drained averaged 450 ± 95 ml (from 350 to 600 ml). The mean operative time was 120.45 ± 34.67 min. Lung injury, air leak, transient ventricular arrhythmias, and atelectasis were the main complications. The mean hospital stay was 9 days, and the mean chest tube duration was 4.3 days. There were no perioperative deaths. The Thirty-day mortality was 11%. Recurrence occurred in 3 patients (5.6%). Conclusions: VATS pericardial window is an effective, safe and minimally-invasive technique for PE drainage and taking pericardial, pleural and lung biopsies

Background: In advanced cancer esophagus patients, self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS) are utilized to relieve malignant difficulty in swallowing and improve their quality of the life. Retrospectively, we evaluated the efficacy, feasibility, and outcomes of SEMS in palliation of malignant dysphagia in advanced cancer esophagus and its' complications. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data of 350 patients with malignant dysphagia due to advanced cancer esophagus from December 2012 to April 2017. They were subjected to esophageal stenting with SEMS in our GIT endoscopy unit, General and Cardiothoracic Surgery departments at Qena and Sohag University Hospitals, Egypt. Results: The mean age was 56.34 + 12.44 years ranging from 30 to 85 years, and 264 of them were males. Mean duration of dysphagia was 2.90 months. SEMSs were placed successfully in all cases without major complications; however minor bleeding and retrosternal discomfort were seen. The improvement in the dysphagia score was significant. Conclusions: SEMSs were safe and effective in palliation of malignant dysphagia and improvement of the quality of life in advanced esophageal cancer patients without major complications

CAD represents the commonest cause of myocardial hypoxia. Understanding the pathophysiology of arterial disease with subintimal atheroma and plaque formation has been a breakthrough in modern medicine. An outcome of CABG carries an overall mortality of about 3%; elective primary coronary bypass causes a mortality rate of approximately 1.7%. CABG Complications include renal failure, neurologic injury, heart failure, haemorrhage, respiratory failure, and renal dysfunction. Overall, CABG achieves excellent outcomes regarding anginal relief and resumption of normal activities. In general, completeness and stability of revascularization are superior with surgical revascularization versus percutaneous interventions [1]. this study aimed at assessment of the early postoperative outcome of the first 100 CABG cases grafted in the cardiothoracic surgery department, Qena university hospital. This study was conducted on 100 patients with coronary artery disease. Only 5 patients had single vessel disease and 95 patients had multi-vessel disease two or more, no one had left main disease. There was a great prevalence of DM (55%), hypertension (69%), Dyslipidaemia (55%) and smoking (58%). Operative details show that most of the patients had 3 or more vessels, and we use LIMA to LAD anastomosis in the majority of cases only two cases RIMA has been used, great saphenous vein graft used in anastomosis of remaining diseased vessel. Obviously, most cases underwent elective CABG. An intra-aortic balloon pump was used only in 2%. Septicaemia was a significant complication. The postoperative mortality is shortened in Table 5. After 6 months, 97% of the patients were alive. Institutional results are essential to enable surgeons and interventionists to decide if international data is keeping with local findings or not. However, one limitation of this study is that the data were collected from one centre. However, the likenesses between international data and our results confer confidence in our findings.