Alveolo-pleural fistula remains a serious post-operative complication in lung cancer patients after surgery, which is associated with prolonged hospital stay and higher healthcare costs. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a polyglycol acid (PGA)-sheet known as Neoveil in preventing post-operative air-leak in cases of detected intra-operative air-leak after lung resection. Between 11/2021 and 7/2022, a total of 329 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients were surgically treated in two institutions. Major lung resections were performed in 251 cases. Among them, 44 patients with significant intra-operative air-leak at surgery were treated by reinforcing staple lines with Neoveil (study group). On the other hand, a historical group (selected by propensity score matched analysis) consisting of 44 lung cancer patients with significant intra-operative air leak treated by methods other than the application of sealant patches were considered as the control group. The presence of prolonged air-leak (primary endpoint), pleural drainage duration, hospital stay, and post-operative complication rates were evaluated. The results showed that prolonged air-leak (>5 days after surgery) was not observed in study group, while this event occurred in four patients (9.1%) in the control group. Additionally, a substantial reduction (despite not statistically significant) in the chest tube removal was noted in the study group with respect to the control group (3.5 vs. 4.5, p = 0.189). In addition, a significant decrease in hospital stay (4 vs. 6 days, p = 0.045) and a reduction in post-operative complications (2 vs. 10, p = 0.015) were observed in the study group when compared with the control group. Therefore, in cases associated with intra-operative air-leak after major lung resection, Neoveil was considered a safer and more effective aerostatic tool and represents a viable option during surgical procedures.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate if the efficacy and safety of chest tube placement are influenced by the level of intercostal space insertion (uniportal VATS vs. biportal VATS) or by the type of drain employed (standard vs. smart coaxial drain). Methods: Data on patients who underwent either uniportal or biportal VATS upper lobectomies with lymphadenectomy were prospectively collected in three European centers. The uniportal VATS group with a 28 Fr standard chest tube (U-VATS standard) was compared with the uniportal VATS group with a 28 Fr smart drain (U-VATS smart), and U-VATS smart was also compared with biportal VATS with a 28 Fr smart drain inserted in the VIII intercostal space (Bi-VATS smart). Results: When comparing the U-VATS standard group with the U-VATS smart, a higher fluid output was recorded in the U-VATS smart (p: 0.004) in the III post-operative day (p.o.) and overall (p: 0.027), with a lower 90-day re-admission in the U-VATS smart (p: 0.04). The Bi-VATS smart group compared to U-VATS smart showed a higher fluid output in the I p.o. (p < 0.001), with no difference in total fluid amount or hospitalization. The Bi-VATS smart recorded a lower incidence (p < 0.001) of residual pleural space or effusion (p: 0.004) at chest X-rays prior to drain removal but a higher level of pain and chronic intercostal neuralgia (p: 0.03). Conclusions: Chest tube insertion through the same incision space in uniportal VATS seems to be safe and effective. Smart drains can improve the fluid output in uniportal VATS, as if the drainage were inserted in a lower space (i.e., biportal VATS), but with less discomfort.

Napolitano AG, et al. Ann Surg Treat Res. 2023 Aug;105(2):76-81. https://doi.org/10.4174/astr.2023.105.2.76

Objectives: Residual postoperative pleural space (RPPS) is a common event after pulmonary lobectomy. Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy has been associated with a higher incidence of RPPS. This study aims to evaluate the incidence, the predictors, and potential clinical implications of RPPS following Uniportal VATS lobectomy. Methods: Patients who underwent Uniportal VATS lobectomy, without any previous neoadjuvant treatment, from June 2016 to March 2020, were retrospectively analyzed. RPPS was assessed using the last chest X-Ray prior to discharge and measured by Collins method (%). Results: Among 492 patients who underwent Uniportal VATS lobectomy, 325 (66.1%) developed RPPS. The mean RPPS volume measured by the Collins method was 15.46 ± 8.59% (vs. Collins = 4.2% in no-PRPS). An RPPS > 10.5% of Collins was significantly associated with a higher risk of postoperative air leak (AUC: 0.69, sensitivity: 69%, specificity: 54%, p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis identified the following predictors of RPPS > 10.5%: right-sided surgery (p < 0.001), upper lobectomy (p = 0.01), and prolonged air leak (p = 0.003). Patients with RPPS had a higher risk of only radiologically visible postoperative subcutaneous emphysema on the final chest X-ray (p = 0.041) and were more frequently discharged with a chest tube connected to a Heimlich valve (p < 0.001). Within 90 days post-discharge, 24 (4.9%) patients were readmitted due to increased RPPS (1.4%, requiring drainage in 5 cases [1%]), progression of subcutaneous emphysema (1.6%), and pleural effusion (1.8%, requiring drainage in 6 cases [1.2%]). However, RPPS was not associated with an increased overall risk of postoperative complications (p = 0.31) or 90-day readmission (p = 0.43). Conclusions: RPPS is a common occurrence following Uniportal VATS lobectomy but is not associated with clinically significant complications. The current study findings identified BMI, active smoking, right-sided surgery, and prolonged air leak as significant predictors of RPPS.

Background: Completion lobectomy (CL) following a prior resection in the same lobe may be complicated by severe pleural or hilar adhesions. The role of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (U-VATS) has never been evaluated in this setting. Methods: Data were collected from two Italian centers. Between 2015 and 2022, 122 patients (60 men and 62 women, median age 67.7 ± 8.913) underwent U-VATS CL at least 4 weeks after previous lung surgery. Results: Twenty-eight (22.9%) patients were affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and twenty-five (20.4%) were active smokers. Among the cohort, the initial surgery was performed using U-VATS in 103 (84.4%) patients, triportal-VATS in 8 (6.6%), and thoracotomy in 11 (9.0%). Anatomical segmentectomy was the initial surgery in 46 (37.7%) patients, while hilar lymphadenectomy was performed in 16 (13.1%) cases. CL was performed on 110 (90.2%) patients, segmentectomy on 10 (8.2%), and completion pneumonectomy on 2 (1.6%). Upon reoperation, moderate pleural adhesions were observed in 38 (31.1%) patients, with 2 (1.6%) exhibiting strong adhesions. Moderate hilar adhesions were found in 18 (14.8%) patients and strong adhesions in 11 (9.0%). The median operative time was 203.93 ± 74.4 min. In four (3.3%) patients, PA taping was performed. One patient experienced intraoperative bleeding that did not require conversion to thoracotomy. Conversion to thoracotomy was necessary in three (2.5%) patients. The median postoperative drainage stay and postoperative hospital stay were 5.67 ± 4.44 and 5.52 ± 2.66 days, respectively. Postoperative complications occurred in 34 (27.9%) patients. Thirty-day mortality was null. Histology was the only factor found to negatively influence intraoperative outcomes (p = 0.000). Factors identified as negatively impacting postoperative outcomes at univariate analyses were male sex (p = 0.003), age > 60 years (p = 0.003), COPD (p = 0.014), previous thoracotomy (p = 0.000), previous S2 segmentectomy (p = 0.001), previous S8 segmentectomy (p = 0.008), and interval between operations > 5 weeks (p= 0.005). In multivariate analysis, only COPD confirmed its role as an independent risk factor for postoperative complications (HR: 5.12, 95% CI (1.07–24.50), p = 0.04). Conclusions: U-VATS CL seems feasible and safe after wedge resection and anatomical segmentectomy.

Background: Oesophageal perforation (OP) is a life-threatening condition requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment. Mortality is influenced by several factors, such as aetiology, defect location, comorbidities, age, and delays in treatment. This study reviews patients with OP undergoing surgery, analysing mortality risks and the impact of timing on surgical outcomes. Methods: Medical records of 45 patients surgically treated for OP across three tertiary centers were analysed. Results: Of the 45 patients, 31 were male (68.88%) and 14 were female (31.11%), with a mean age of 66.00 ± 17.75 years. Pre-operative CT was performed in all patients, and 18 (40%) underwent oesophagogastroduodenoscopy. As many as 25 patients (55.55%) presented within 24 h, 10 (22.22%) within 24–72 h, and 10 (22.22%) after 72 h. Symptoms included pain, vomiting, fever, dysphagia, and subcutaneous emphysema. Foreign body ingestion and Boerhaave’s syndrome were the leading causes (33.33% each), followed by caustic ingestion (17.77%) and iatrogenic and traumatic cases. Treatments included primary repair, debridement, oesophagectomy, and oesophagogastrectomy. Primary repair was performed in 22 cases (48.88%), and muscle flaps reinforced 11 of these. Direct repair showed the highest success rate when performed within 24 h. Thirty patients (66.66%) experienced complications, including respiratory failure, oesophagopleural fistula, and sub-stenosis. The hospital stay average was 36.34 ± 35.03 days. Nine patients underwent same-session/two-stage gastroplasty or retrosternal coloplasty for reconstruction, with complications including stenosis and leaks. Six patients (13.33%) died within the first 24 h after surgery, primarily due to severe comorbidities (three (50%) were octogenarians). Conclusions: OP is a life-threatening condition with high mortality. Primary repair is the preferred treatment. Oesophagectomy and gastrectomy are reserved for extensive lesions. Muscle flaps can reinforce sutures in cervical and thoracic perforations. Mortality is mainly influenced by the severity of the patient’s clinical picture and comorbidities, rather than by time and type of treatment.