Pulmonary metastasectomy for colorectal cancer represents a key component in modern oncological surgery, balancing precision resection with systemic disease management. Despite ongoing debate initiated by randomized trials, the surgical removal of lung metastases continues to offer significant survival benefits in well-selected patients. This review synthesizes the evolving landscape of pulmonary metastasectomy, integrating classical prognostic indicators, such as the disease-free interval (DFI) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels, with emerging molecular insights including KRAS and BRAF mutations. The relationship between surgical radicality, systemic therapies, and personalized genetic profiling is redefining patient selection and optimizing outcomes. By dissecting recent evidence and ongoing controversies, we clarify the complex decision-making required to navigate this complex clinical terrain. Ultimately, the synergy of multidisciplinary care and precision surgery holds the promise of durable disease control and extended survival in colorectal cancer patients with lung metastases.
13 February 2023 in Radiation Protection Dosimetry
Patients who undergo endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) may require prolonged radiation exposure affected by several factors. The objectives of this study were to document fluoroscopy time (FT) during EVAR and identify possible factors that influence it. A retrospective analysis of a 180 patients’ database with abdominal infrarenal aortic aneurysms submitted to EVAR during a 7-y period was performed. The FT is evaluated regarding risk factors and comorbidities, graft type and patient-related, clinical and technical parameters. FT’s median (interquartile range) was 1011 (698–1500) s. Excluder and C3 Excluder were associated with significantly lower FT values when compared with other grafts. Hypertension, dyslipidemia, age ≥ 70 y, maximum aneurysm diameter ≥ 6 cm and procedure duration ≥2 h resulted in higher FT values. A significantly lower FT was found for the operations performed in the 7th y of the study’s period compared with the previous 6 y, mainly because of the use of Excluder or C3 Excluder grafts. However, these grafts did not show any significant difference in FT values during the 7 y. A significant correlation between FT with age and procedure duration was found. Nevertheless, procedure duration is a poor FT predictor in linear and logistic regressions, although is significantly correlated with FT. Dyslipidemia, procedure duration and graft type are independent predictors of FT larger than the median, whereas only the procedure duration is a predictor for FT larger than the 75th percentile value. The identified factors regarding radiation protection issues should be considered when contemplating abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, however, without compromising the procedure’s efficacy. Further work is necessary to identify more potential anatomical, clinical and technical factors affecting procedures’ complexity and FT and patient radiation dose during EVAR interventions.
Background: Cardiothoracic surgery is among the most technologically advanced and resource-intensive medical specialties, placing it at the intersection of rapid digital innovation and growing demands for environmental sustainability. Addressing these parallel pressures requires integrated strategies that reconcile clinical excellence with ecological responsibility. Methods: This narrative review synthesizes PubMed-indexed literature published over the past two decades, supplemented by relevant policy documents and guidelines. The review examines digital transformation and sustainability initiatives in cardiothoracic surgery through the lens of the twin transformation framework, which conceptualizes digitalization and sustainability as interdependent and mutually reinforcing processes. Results: Key domains of digital transformation include artificial intelligence and big data-driven decision-making, robotic and minimally invasive surgical techniques, digital twins and simulation-based training, telemedicine and remote monitoring, and interoperable electronic health records. Sustainability-related themes encompass the substantial environmental burden of operating rooms, green surgical practices, sustainable procurement, and hospital-level decarbonization strategies. Emerging evidence suggests that aligning digital technologies with sustainability objectives can improve clinical outcomes, enhance operational efficiency, and reduce environmental impact. However, current evidence is largely derived from pilot studies and single-center experiences. Conclusions: Twin transformation offers a coherent and forward-looking framework for the future evolution of cardiothoracic surgery, demonstrating that digital innovation and sustainability can be synergistic rather than competing goals. While significant challenges remain—including high implementation costs, limited long-term data, and fragmented regulatory frameworks—integrating digital health technologies with sustainable practices represents a promising pathway toward high-quality, efficient, and environmentally responsible cardiothoracic care.
Background: Common femoral artery aneurysms are rare and are usually associated with aneurysms at other sites, mainly the aorta, iliac, popliteal, superficial femoral, and profunda femoral artery. This combination poses the challenge of synchronous repair for clinically relevant aneurysms. Although endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair is the main type of treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms nowadays, this is not true for common femoral aneurysms, where open repair remains the gold standard. These two distinct operations could be combined in a one-stage procedure when aortoiliac and common femoral aneurysms present simultaneously. This approach potentially saves time and costs, without increasing complications. Methods: A retrospective search was conducted in the Vascular Surgery Department database of a tertiary referral center for vascular surgery, covering procedures from January 2005 to May 2025. Patients were included if they had undergone simultaneous endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair and open repair of a common femoral artery aneurysm. Clinical records, operative details, imaging studies, and follow-up data were reviewed. We additionally provide a literature review regarding this approach. This review additionally incorporates the current knowledge regarding the treatment of common femoral artery aneurysms. Results: Out of 668 endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair procedures, three patients (0.45%) were identified. These three patients were among five patients who were treated for true common femoral artery aneurysm by open repair in the same time interval. All of the patients are currently in good condition without late complications. One patient, who had not performed any follow-up imaging, was diagnosed with large aneurysms at other sites, 10 years later. Conclusions: The combined one-stage endovascular abdominal aortic repair and open repair of a common femoral artery aneurysm by interposition grafting is technically a simple approach that led to satisfactory outcomes.
31 March 2022 in Vascular Specialist International
Spyros I. Papadoulas, Theoni Theodoropoulou, Natasa Kouri, Andreas Tsimpoukis, Panagiotis Kitrou, Evangelos Papachristou, Konstantinos G. Moulakakis, and Stavros K. Kakkos. Vasc Specialist Int 2022;38:. https://doi.org/10.5758/vsi.220006