Penetrating thoracic injuries are critical conditions that significantly influence the clinical outcomes of trauma patients in the emergency department (ED). This study evaluates the prognostic value of the glucose-to-potassium ratio (GPR) in predicting mortality among patients presenting to the ED with isolated penetrating thoracic injuries caused by stabbings. This retrospective cohort study was conducted in the emergency department of a tertiary hospital from January 1, 2021 to January 1, 2023. It includes patients diagnosed with isolated penetrating thoracic injuries resulting from stabbings. A database analysis was performed using patient records documenting demographic information, clinical findings, laboratory results, and outcomes. Among the 88 patients included in the study, categorized into deceased (14.8%, n=13) and survivors (85.2%, n=75), the median glucose level was significantly higher in the deceased group (168 [interquartile range, IQR 145-229 mg/dL]) compared to the survivor group (126 [IQR 111-151 mg/dL]) (p<0.001). Conversely, potassium levels were lower in the deceased group (3.3 [IQR 3.01-3.82] mEq/L) compared to the survivor group (3.87 [IQR 3.5-4.18] mEq/L) (p=0.007). The GPR was higher in the deceased group (51.6 [IQR 42-75.1], p<0.001) than in survivors (32.6 [IQR 29-54.8]). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) for the GPR in predicting mortality was 0.831 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.736-0.903). With a cutoff value of ≥40.23, the sensitivity was 84.62% (95% CI 54.6-98.1), and the specificity was 78.67% (95% CI 67.7-87.3). Our findings indicate that the GPR is a valuable prognostic marker for mortality in patients with stabbing-induced penetrating thoracic injuries presenting to the ED. This highlights its potential utility in early risk stratification within this patient population.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has a high mortality rate, emphasizing the need for reliable preoperative prognostic tools. Recent studies have focused on markers that reflect both inflammatory and nutritional status. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of the hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet (HALP) score in predicting postoperative outcomes in NSCLC patients. This retrospective observational study included patients diagnosed with NSCLC who underwent curative surgery between January 1, 2019, and January 1, 2024. Preoperative HALP scores were calculated from routine blood tests to assess their potential as independent predictors of survival and long-term outcomes. The study cohort comprised 238 patients, divided into 2 groups: survivors (n = 153, 64.3%) and deceased patients (n = 85, 35.7%). The median HALP score was significantly lower in the deceased group (31.2) compared to survivors (52.3; P < .001). Follow-up duration was also significantly shorter in the deceased group (median 22 months) compared to survivors (median 34 months; P < .001). In the Cox univariate analysis, age ≥ 65 years (hazard ratio [HR] 2.02, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.32–3.1, P = .002), positive surgical margins (HR 3.04, 95% CI 1.61–5.76, P = .003), and low HALP scores (HR 5.17, 95% CI 3.33–8.03, P < .001) were significantly associated with decreased survival. However, in the multivariate analysis, positive surgical margins (HR 2.74, 95% CI 1.35–5.56, P = .005) and low HALP scores (HR 5.80, 95% CI 3.6–9.3, P < .001) remained independent predictors of decreased survival, while age ≥ 65 years did not retain significance. These findings suggest that positive surgical margins and low HALP scores are key prognostic factors for survival in NSCLC patients. The HALP score was identified as an independent predictor of postoperative mortality in NSCLC patients. Lower scores were significantly associated with higher mortality, indicating its potential use in both risk assessment and guiding postoperative management.

Background: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the predictive value of the Haller index for recurrence risk in primary spontaneous pneumothorax patients. Methods: Between January 2018 and December 2023, a total of 285 patients (260 males, 25 females; median age: 23 years; range, 17 to 35 years) with primary spontaneous pneumothorax who underwent thoracic computed tomography and followed for at least one year were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups as the non-recurrence group (n=170) and recurrence (n=115) group. The Haller index was calculated from computed tomography scans at presentation and its predictive value for recurrent pneumothorax was estimated. Results: The median age was significantly higher in the non-recurrence group than in the recurrence group (p< 0.001). The median time to recurrence was two (IQR 1-3) months. The diagnostic validity of Haller index for predicting recurrence showed an area under the receiver operating characteristic of 0.824 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.775-0.866) (p< 0.001). The optimal cut-off value of Haller index (>2.4) showed a sensitivity of 70.43% (95% CI: 61.2-78.6) and specificity of 76.47% (95% CI: 69.4-82.6). Conclusion: A high Haller index is associated with increased recurrent pneumothorax risk in primary spontaneous pneumothorax patients. Traditionally used for pectus excavatum severity, incorporating Haller index in the management of these patients may help to identify high-risk patients and guide personalized management strategies.

Thoracic sympathectomy is a widely recognized surgical intervention for treating hyperhidrosis, a condition characterized by excessive sweating that significantly impairs patients' quality of life. Despite its efficacy, this procedure often leads to compensatory sweating (CS), which remains a substantial challenge in patient management. This letter reviews recent studies addressing both the benefits of thoracic sympathectomy and the ongoing efforts to manage CS. Advances such as laser speckle flowgraphy for identifying and targeting sympathetic nerves, comparisons between robotic and video-assisted thoracic sympathectomy, and investigations into different levels of sympathetic chain resection provide new insights into optimizing treatment outcomes. While these developments offer promising strategies for reducing CS and enhancing patient satisfaction, further research is required to establish their long-term effectiveness.

Aims: The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the surgical outcomes of lobectomy and pneumonectomy operations performed due to lung cancer in individuals aged 70 and above, and to analyze the factors influencing these outcomes. Methods: This retrospective study covers lobectomy and pneumonectomy operations performed on 103 lung cancer patients over the age of 70, from January 2018 to December 2021. A dataset was created including patients’ demographic information, smoking status, comorbidities, results of pulmonary function tests and echocardiography, preoperative complete blood count, and serum albumin levels, and these data were analyzed. Results: The average age of the patients was 73.3; 83.5% were male, and 16.5% were female. The complication rate was 47.6%, and the 30-day surgical mortality rate was 8.7%. Patients with a high American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score had higher rates of complications and mortality (p=0.015). Low preoperative serum albumin (p=0.017) and hemoglobin (p=0.026) levels were associated with an increased risk of complications. Postoperative outcomes between Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) and thoracotomy were found to be similar. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that in elderly lung cancer surgery, comorbidities and preoperative nutritional status are decisive factors affecting surgical outcomes. Preoperative albumin and hemoglobin levels emerge as significant indicators in assessing the risk of postoperative complications. VATS and thoracotomy are surgical techniques with similar safety and efficacy profiles.