ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy of mediastinoscope-assisted transhiatal esophagectomy (MATHE) and functional minimally invasive esophagectomy (FMIE) for esophageal cancer. MethodsPatients who underwent minimally invasive esophagectomy at Jining No.1 Hospital from March 2018 to September 2022 were retrospectively included. The patients were divided into a MATHE group and a FMIE group according to the procedures. The patients were matched via propensity score matching (PSM) with a ratio of 1 : 1 and a caliper value of 0.2. The clinical data of the patients were compared after the matching. ResultsA total of 73 patients were include in the study, including 54 males and 19 females, with an average age of (65.12±7.87) years. There were 37 patients in the MATHE group and 36 patients in the FMIE group. Thirty pairs were successfully matched. Compared with the FMIE group, MATHE group had shorter operation time (P=0.022), lower postoperative 24 h pain score (P=0.031), and less drainage on postoperative 1-3 days (P<0.001). FMIE group had more lymph node dissection (P<0.001), lower incidence of postoperative hoarseness (P=0.038), lower white blood cell and neutrophil counts on postoperative 1 day (P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the bleeding volume, R0 resection, hospital mortality, postoperative hospital stay, anastomotic leak, chylothorax, or pulmonary infection between the two groups (P>0.05). ConclusionCompared with the FMIE, MATHE has shorter operation time, less postoperative pain and drainage, but removes less lymph nodes, which is deficient in oncology. For some special patients such as those with early cancer or extensive pleural adhesions, MATHE may be a suitable surgical method.
ObjectiveTo investigate the associations of preoperative red cell distribution width (RDW) with mortality and morbidity in patients underwent liver transplantation. MethodsThis investigation was a retrospective study, the patients underwent liver transplantation met the inclusion criteria from June 2017 to May 2020 in the West China Hospital of Sichuan University were enrolled. The patients were divided into RDW≤14.5% group and RDW>14.5% group according to the normal RDW critical value (14.5%). The propensity score matching (PSM) was used to adjust the baseline characteristics. The primary outcome was 1-year mortality. The secondary outcomes included 1-year survival, 30-day mortality, incidence of early allograft dysfunction, acute kidney injury, renal replacement therapy, and pulmonary complications, as well as ICU stay and postoperative hospital stay. ResultsA total of 303 patients who met the analysis conditions were included. After PSM, 57 patients in each group were matched. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the baseline data such as the gender, age, body mass index (BMI), initial diagnosis, MELD score, Child-Pugh grade of the recipients, and the gender, age, and BMI of the donors (P>0.05). The 1-year [22.8% (13/57) versus 5.3% (3/57), χ2=7.27, P=0.007] and 30-day [15.8% (9/57) versus 3.5% (2/57), χ2=4.93, P=0.026] mortality of the patients with RDW >14.5% were higher than that of the patients with RDW ≤14.5% . The Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the 1-year survival of the patients with RDW ≤14.5% after liver transplantation was better than that of the patients with RDW >14.5% [hazard ratio=4.75, 95%CI (1.78, 12.67), P=0.007], but there were no significant differences between the two groups in the incidence of early graft dysfunction, acute renal injury, renal replacement therapy, and pulmonary complications, as well as postoperative hospital stay and ICU stay (P>0.05). ConclusionPreliminary results of this study indicate that preoperative RDW of patients underwent allogeneic liver transplantation is associated with1-year mortality, 30-day mortality, and 1-year survival.
Objective To compare and analyze the occurrence of acute and chronic pain after subxiphoid and transcostal thoracoscopic extended thymectomy. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed on 150 patients who underwent thoracoscopic extended thymectomy in our hospital from July 2020 to June 2022, among whome 30 patients received subxiphoid video-assisted thoracic surgery, and 120 patients received transcostal video-assisted thoracic surgery. The patients were matched by the propensity score matching method. Postoperative pain was evaluated by numeric rating scale (NRS). The intraoperative conditions and postoperative pain incidence were compared between the two groups. ResultsAfter matching, 60 patients were enrolled, 30 in each group, including 30 males and 30 females with an average age of 50.78±12.13 years. There was no difference in the general clinical data between the two groups (P>0.05), and no perioperative death. There were statistical differences in the intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, postoperative catheter duration, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative pain on 1 d, 2 d, 3 d, 7 d, 3 months and 6 months after the surgery (P<0.05), but there was no statistical difference in the operation time or the postoperative 14 d NRS score (P>0.05). Further univariate and multivariate analyses for postoperative chronic pain showed that surgical method and postoperative 14 d NRS score were risk factors for chronic pain at the 3 months and 6 months after the surgery (P<0.05). Conclusion The subxiphoid thoracoscopic extended thymectomy has advantages over transcostal thoracoscopic surgery in the postoperative acute and chronic pain.
Objective To evaluate the diagnostic yield and safety of two biopsy methods, electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy (ENB) and transthoracic needle biopsy (TTNB), in peripheral pulmonary lesions. To select a low-risk and high-benefit biopsy method based on the clinical characteristics of the lesions and patients. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on inpatients who underwent ENB and/or TTNB for peripheral pulmonary lesions in Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University. Propensity score matching was used to compare the diagnostic yield and safety of the two biopsy methods. Results A total of 126 patients were included in the ENB group, and 104 patients in the TTNB group. After propensity score matching, 83 matched pairs were obtained. The TTNB group exhibited a significantly higher diagnostic yield compared with the ENB group (90.4% vs. 48.2%, P<0.001), but it was also associated with a higher incidence of pneumothorax (1.2% vs. 21.7%, P<0.001). In the ENB group, the diagnostic efficacy was correlated with lesion diameter (P<0.001, OR=0.183, 95%CI 0.071 - 0.470), but there was no statistically significant difference in the diagnostic yield among different lung segments (P>0.05). In the TTNB group, lesion characteristics did not significantly affect the diagnostic yield, but a lesion diameter ≤30 mm (P=0.019, OR=5.359, 95%CI 1.320 - 21.753) and a distance from the pleura ≥20mm (P=0.030, OR=6.399, 95%CI 1.192 - 34.360) increased the risk of pneumothorax. When stratified based on lesion and patient blood characteristics, no significant difference was found in the diagnostic yield between the two groups for characteristics such as left upper lobe (P=0.195), right middle lobe (P=0.333), solid with cavity (P=0.567), or abnormal serum white blood cell count (P=0.077). However, the incidence of pneumothorax in the TTNB group was higher than that in the ENB group. Conclusions The diagnostic yield of ENB is affected by the size of the lesion, while the incidence of pneumothorax in TTNB is influenced by both lesion size and distance from the pleura. In cases with lesions located in the left upper lobe, right middle lobe, solid with cavity, or with abnormal serum white blood cell count, selecting ENB for biopsy is considered preferable to TTNB.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the value of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) in patients with stage ⅢA-N2 non-small cell lung cancer who received complete resection and chemotherapy. MethodsPatients with stage ⅢA-N2 non-small cell lung cancer who received complete resection and chemotherapy were chosen from the SEER Research Plus Database [17 Registries, November 2012 Submission (2000-2019)]. The patients were divided into a PORT group and a non-PORT group according to whether the PORT was used. To balance baseline characteristics between non-PORT and PORT groups, R software was used to conduct a propensity score matching (PSM) with a ratio of 1 : 1 and a matching tolerance of 0.01. Both the Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were conducted to evaluate the value of PORT in terms of overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). ResultsIn total, 2468 patients with stage ⅢA-N2 non-small cell lung cancer were enrolled, including 1078 males and 1390 females with a median age of 65 (58-71) years. There were 1336 patients in the PORT group, and 1132 patients in the non-PORT group. Cox regression analysis showed that PORT was not significantly associated with OS (multivariate analysis: HR=1.051, 95%CI 0.949-1.164, P=0.338) and DSS (multivariate analysis: HR=1.094, 95%CI 0.976-1.225, P=0.123). No statistical difference was found in the OS or DSS between non-PORT group and PORT group after PSM analysis (P＞0.05). ConclusionPORT does not have a survival benefit for patients with stage ⅢA-N2 non-small cell lung cancer who received complete resection and chemotherapy.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness and safety of robotic lobectomy in clinical N0 lung malignant tumor≥3 cm. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 182 patients with lung malignant tumor≥3 cm receiving robotic or thoracoscopic lobectomy at Shanghai Chest Hospital in 2019. The patients were divided into a robotic surgery group (RATS group) and a thoracoscopic surgery group (VATS group). There were 39 males and 38 females with an average age of 60.55±8.59 years in the RATS group, and 51 males and 54 females with an average age of 61.58±9.30 years in the VATS group. A propensity score matching analysis was applied to compare the operative data between the two groups. ResultsA total of 57 patients were included in each group after the propensity score matching analysis. Patients in the RATS group had more groups of N1 lymph node dissected (2.53±0.83 groups vs. 2.07±0.88 groups, P=0.005) in comparison with the VATS group. No statistical difference was found in operation time, blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, number of N1 and N2 lymph nodes dissected, groups of N2 lymph node dissected, lymph node upstage rate or postoperative complications. The hospitalization cost of RATS was higher than that of VATS (P＜0.001). ConclusionIn contrast with thoracoscopic lobectomy, robotic lobectomy has similar operative safety, and a thorough N1 lymphadenectomy in patients with clinical N0 lung malignant tumor≥3 cm.
ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy of varicose great saphenous vein (GSV) treatment alone versus combined treatment with iliac vein compression (IVC) intervention in improving lower extremity symptoms and prognosis among the patients with varicose GSV complicated by IVC. MethodsBased on inclusion and exclusion criteria, the patients with varicose GSV complicated by IVC treated at the Day Service Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from May 2022 to January 2025 were retrospectively enrolled. The patients were assigned into two groups according to the treatment strategies: the varicose GSV treatment alone group (control group) and the combined treatment group for varicose GSV and IVC (observation group). The primary endpoints included the closure rate of the GSV trunk, venous clinical severity score (VCSS), and venous insufficiency epidemiological and economic study quality of life/symptom (VEINES-QOL/Sym) questionnaire score at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. The significance level was set at α=0.05. ResultsA total of 264 patients with left lower extremity varicose GSV complicated by IVC were included. The observation group comprised 32 patients, while the remaining 232 patients underwent 1∶3 propensity score-matching, resulting in 96 matched patients in the control group. The baseline characteristics, including gender, age, and comorbidities, showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups (P>0.05). At 12 months postoperatively, the GSV trunk closure rate was 100% in both groups. Within-group comparisons revealed significant improvements in the VCSS and VEINES-QOL/Sym points at 6 and 12 months as compared with preoperative (on admission) values (P<0.05). Between-group comparisons showed that the observation group had greater improvement in the VEINES-QOL/Sym score at 6 months (P=0.028), but no significant difference in the VCSS (P=0.775); At 12 months, the observation group demonstrated significantly better the VCSS (P<0.001) and VEINES-QOL/Sym points (P<0.001) as compared with the control group. ConclusionsFor patients with left lower extremity GSV varicosities complicated by IVC, both treatment strategies significantly improve symptoms. Results of short-term follow-up (6 months) demonstrate early advantages in quality of life improvement with concurrent IVC intervention, while results of 12-month follow-up indicate superior efficacy in both symptom relief and quality of life enhancement. Therefore, concurrent IVC intervention may provide greater clinical benefits for mid- to long-term prognosis for patients with left lower extremity GSV varicosities complicated by IVC.
Objective To investigate the relationship between preoperative mean daily step counts and pulmonary complications after thoracoscopic lobectomy in elderly patients. Methods From 2018 to 2021, the elderly patients with pulmonary complications after thoracoscopic lobectomy were included. A 1∶1 propensity score matching was performed with patients without pulmonary complications. The clinical data were compared between the two groups. ResultsTotally, 100 elderly patients with pulmonary complications were enrolled, including 78 males and 22 females, aged 66.4±4.5 years. And 100 patients without pulmonary complications were matched, including 71 males and 29 females aged 66.2±5.0 years. There was no significant difference in the preoperative data between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared to the patients with pulmonary complications, the ICU stay was shorter (8.1±4.4 h vs. 12.9±7.5 h, P＜0.001), the first out-of-bed activity time was earlier (8.8±4.5 h vs. 11.2±6.1 h, P=0.002), and the tube incubation time was shorter (19.3±9.2 h vs. 22.5±9.4 h, P=0.015) in the patients wihout pulmonary complications. There was no statistical difference in other perioperative data between the two groups (P>0.05). The mean daily step counts in the pulmonary complications group were significantly less than that in the non-pulmonary complications group (4 745.5±2 190.9 steps vs. 6 821.1±2 542.0 steps, P＜0.001). The daily step counts showed an upward trend for three consecutive days in the two groups, but the difference was not significant. Conclusion The decline of preoperative mean daily step counts is related to pulmonary complications after thoracoscopic lobectomy in elderly patients. Recording daily step counts can promote preoperative active exercise training for hospitalized patients.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the correlation between positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) level and postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in patients undergoing thoracoscopic lung surgery. MethodsThe clinical data of patients who underwent elective thoracoscopic lung surgery at West China Hospital of Sichuan University from January 2022 to June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to intraoperative PEEP levels: a PEEP 5 cm H2O group and a PEEP 10 cm H2O group. The incidence of PPCs in the two groups after matching was compared using a nearest neighbor matching method with a ratio of 1∶1, setting the clamp value as 0.02. ResultsA total of 538 patients were screened, and after propensity score-matching, a total of 229 pairs (458 patients) were matched, with an average age of 53.9 years and 69.4% (318/458) females. A total of 118 (25.8%) patients had PPCs during hospitalization after surgery, including 60 (26.2%) patients in the PEEP 5 cm H2O group and 58 (25.3%) patients in the PEEP 10 cm H2O group, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups [OR=0.997, 95%CI (0.495, 1.926), P=0.915]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that PEEP was not an independent risk factor for PPCs [OR=0.920, 95%CI (0.587, 1.441), P=0.715]. ConclusionFor patients undergoing thoracoscopic lung surgery, intraoperative PEEP (5 cm H2O or 10 cm H2O) is not associated with the risk of PPCs during hospitalization after surgery, which needs to be further verified by prospective, large-sample randomized controlled studies.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after dexmedetomidine and diazepam in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted in the patients who underwent CABG in the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from October 2020 to June 2021. By propensity score-matching method, the incidence of POAF after dexmedetomidine and diazepam application in patients undergoing CABG was evaluated. ResultsFinally 207 patients were collected, including 150 males and 57 females, with an average age of 62.02±8.38 years. Among the 207 patients, 53 were treated with dexmedetomidine and 154 with diazepam before operation. There was a statistical difference in the proportion of hypertension patients and smoking patients between the two groups before matching (P<0.05). According to the 1∶1 propensity score-matching method, there were 53 patients in each of the two groups, with no statistical difference between the two groups after matching. After matching, the incidence of POAF in the dexmedetomidine group was lower than that in the diazepam group [9.43% (5/53) vs. 30.19% (16/53), P=0.007]. There was no death in the two groups during hospitalization, and there was no statistical difference in the main adverse events after operation. The ICU stay (21.28±2.69 h vs. 22.80±2.56 h, P=0.004) and mechanical ventilation time (18.53±2.25 h vs. 19.85±2.01 h, P=0.002) in the dexmedetomidine group were shorter. Regression analysis showed that age, smoking and diabetes were related to the increased incidence of POAF (P<0.05), and preoperative use of dexmedetomidine was associated with a reduced incidence of POAF (P=0.002). ConclusionFor patients undergoing CABG, the incidence of POAF with dexmedetomidine before operation is lower than that with diazepam. Preoperative application of dexmedetomidine is the protective factor for POAF, and old age, smoking and diabetes are the risk factors for POAF.