Operative treatment of the endobronchial tuberculosis with cicatricial bronchiarctia

OBJECTIVE: The experience of surgical treatment in 32 patients with cicatricial brochiarctia by endobronchial tuberculosis was reported. METHOD: The modes of surgical treatment in the series include: sleeve resection was done in 19 cases, lobectomy in 4 cases, pneumonectomy in 7, and left principal bronchial reconstruction in 2 cases. RESULTS: The results were excellent and without operative death. Serious postoperative complication was bronchopleural fistula in one case. The patient was treated by surgical repair of the bronchial stump and buttressed with vascularized pedicle flaps of omentum in the second operation. 2 cases of 32 patients were affected with mild stenosis of bronchial anestomosis after a follow-up of 12 to 18 months. CONCLUSIONS: It was suggested that when the patient developed the endobronchial tuberculosis with cicatricial bronchiarctia, corrective operation should be performed as early as possible, and the sleeve resection should be the first choice.     

Pseudoaneurysm of the left ventricle following repair for ventricular septal perforation

The patient was a 64-year-old man who was treated surgically for an infarct-related ventricular septal perforation. Pseudoaneurysm of the left ventricle was recognized on the 38th postoperative day. Emergency surgery was performed. It seemed that insufficient resection of the infarcted myocardium was performed during the initial surgery to avoid narrowing the ventricular dimension by direct closure of the left ventricle, but this resulted in pseudoaneurysm of the left ventricle. Left ventricular free wall plasty with a patch should be performed during the initial surgery.     

Survival of a patient with postinfarction ventricular septal defect following venoarterial bypass with centrifugal pump and reoperation for residual shunt

A 61-year-old man was hospitalized because of circulatory collapse due to postinfarction ventricular septal defect. As his hemodynamic condition deteriorated despite intraaortic counterpulsation, he underwent patch closure of VSP and patch reconstruction of the anterior left ventricular wall concomitant with coronary artery bypass grafting to the circumflex lesion immediately after admission. Femorofemoral circulatory assist with centrifugal pump was necessitated to wean from cardiopulmonary bypass because of severe left ventricular dysfunction. Circulatory assist was controlled to maintain mixed venous oxygen saturation of more than 70% under mild hypothermia. On the second postoperative day (POD), increased oxygen saturation from right atrium to pulmonary artery developed (Qp/Qs = 2.1). Further surgery was performed on an emergency basis for additional patch closure of VSP. Then he was successfully weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass successfully. The patient was extubated on the 14th POD and was ambulatory when he discharged on the 56th POD. Immediate surgical intervention should be performed for the patient with postinfarction ventricular septal defect when the hemodynamic state deteriorates under intraaortic counterpulsation.     

Bulbocavernous myocutaneous flap: a new technique in repair of recurrent urethrovaginal fistula

This paper describes the case of a recurrent post-partum urethrovaginal fistula. The extent of the vaginal tissues loss and the perilesional scarring made the direct closure of the defect non practicable. After suturing the urethra, the anterior vaginal wall was reconstructed with an island bulbocavernous musculocutaneous flap raised from the left labium majus. Nineteen months after surgery the flap healed well without peri urethral suffusion.     

Treatment of long-standing thoracostoma and bronchopleural fistula without pulmonary resection in high risk patients

A chronic bronchopleural fistula and a fibrotic postthoracotomy space in a patient with poor functional respiratory reserve is a difficult problem. The classic management of bronchopleural cutaneous fistulas has been with further pulmonary resection to healthy bronchus, repair of the bronchus directly, and a thoracoplasty or myoplasty technique to obliterate the cavity. In a high risk patient, further pulmonary resection and thoracoplasty may be contraindicated. Myoplasty techniques alone without control of the fistula have limited success. In the last 4 years, we have treated six patients with right-sided thoracostomas after a primary open drainage procedure for bronchopleural fistula and empyema. The air leak was controlled with inversion of the sinus tract, fibrin glue, and muscle flap cavity obliteration. An average of two muscle flaps per patient were used, including the contralateral latissimus dorsi muscle. An 83 percent success rate has been achieved with this procedure in patients who otherwise would not be considered surgical candidates. Attention to the details described, including direct suture closure of the bronchial sinus, obliteration of the cavity by local muscle flaps, and avoidance of mechanical positive pressure ventilation, will make extended thoracotomy, pulmonary resection, and thoracoplasty unnecessary in these high risk patients.     

The utilization of a biological adhesive for wound treatment: comparison of suture, self-sealing sutureless and cyanoacrylate closure in the tensile strength test

We produced a measurement apparatus for testing the tensile strength of wounds during cataract surgery, and tested the tensile strength of treated wounds including wounds sutured with various methods, non-sutured and wounds treated with various bio-tissue adhesives. METHODS: In cataract surgery on white rabbits eyes, a corneoscleral incision 5 mm in length was made 2.5 mm from the limbus corneae, and entry into the anterior chamber was obtained 0.5 mm to the clear cornea. After treatment for closure, the corneoscleral piece was subjected to the tensile strength test. RESULTS: The tensile strengths just after surgery were (1) 0 gf/mm2 after self-sealing sutureless closure; (2) 114 gf/mm2 after vertical suture closure (one stitch with 10-0 nylon); (3) 125 gf/mm2 after horizontal suture closure (one stitch with 10-0 nylon); (4) 143 gf/mm2 after infinity suture closure (with 10-0 nylon); (5) 112 gf/mm2 after fibrin glue (Beriplast P) application (instilled on the surface of scleral incision); (6) 121 gf/mm2 after fibrin glue application (glued on corneoscleral wound); (7) 131 gf/mm2 after cyanoacrylate closure (instilled on the surface of scleral incision); (8) 139 gf/mm2 after cyanoacrylate closure (glued on corneoscleral wound). The respective strengths at four days after surgery were: (1) 86; (2) 131; (3) 137; (4) 175; (5) 109; (6) 43; (7) 138; and (8) 108 gf/mm2. At 28 days after surgery, the respective strengths were (1) 164; (2) 167; (3) 184; (4) 209; (5) 322; (6) 195; (7) 251; and (8) 175 gf/mm2. CONCLUSION: The use of fibrin glue in treatment of a wound in cataract surgery is beneficial in assisting this treatment.     

Protective coating of cranial nerves with fibrin glue (Tissucol) during cranial base surgery: technical note

OBJECTIVE: Cranial nerve deficit, either transient or permanent, is a common postoperative complication after cranial base surgery. Frequently, this occurs because intracranial nerves are directly involved in the cranial base lesion. However, any cranial nerve adjacent to the lesion can be damaged because of direct or indirect manipulation during surgery, leading to severe morbidity. We describe a new technique in which the adjacent intracranial nerves are protected from surgical trauma by coating the nerves with a biological two-component fibrin glue (Tissucol; Immuno A.G., Vienna, Austria). SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: The technique was performed in patients who underwent cranial base surgery for different types of lesions. After exposure of the operating field, the cranial nerves that were at risk of operative trauma were coated with a thin layer of fibrin glue using a double lumen catheter within a traditional suction device. RESULTS: With the application of fibrin glue, a protective layer of a rubbery consistency is formed around the nerve. No intraoperative complications or adverse effects of the application were noted. Moreover, no surgical injury of the nerves occurred and no or minimal postoperative cranial nerve deficit was noted in the coated nerves. CONCLUSION: Although it is difficult to compare the postoperative cranial nerve deficit in the coated nerves with a control group, we think that this technique is a valuable method to minimize or avoid intraoperative cranial nerve injury during cranial base surgery.     

Identification and voluntary reduction of vancomycin use for perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis during coronary artery bypass graft surgery

A 74-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with the chief complaints of pneumaturia, fecaluria and discharge of feces and urine from vagina. Fistulography on the vaginal side showed the presence of contrast medium both in the sigmoid colon and bladder. Colonoscopy revealed multiple diverticulosis of the sigmoid colon. Under diagnosis of colo-vesico-vaginal fistula due to sigmoid colon diverticulitis, a one-stage operation removing sigmoid colon, uterus-vaginal wall and urinary bladder wall including the fistula and careful reconstruction was performed. Postoperatively, urinary leakage from vagina in large amounts continued due to the recurrence of vesico-vaginal fistula. An attempt to use human fibrin glue in the recurrent fistula was successful, and the patient was asymptomatic at 21 months of follow-up. Colovesical fistula has been reported in about 10-20% of patients undergoing surgery for complicated diverticulitis, but a combined fistula is a rare condition. Furthermore, we recommend the use of human fibrin glue for a recurrent fistula.     

An audit of anti-D sensitisation in Yorkshire

We present herein the case of a 59-year-old man in whom a Dumon stent, inserted as treatment for stenosis of the left main bronchus, caused a left bronchopericardial fistula. The patient initially presented with severe dyspnea caused by main bronchial stenosis of unknown origin for which a Dumon stent was inserted at a local hospital. The Dumon stent migrated to the endobronchus through the stenosis of the left main bronchus a few days later, and his dyspnea remained unresolved. He was subsequently referred to our department 6 months later, where a left pneumonectomy under supportive cardiopulmonary bypass through the femoral artery and vein was performed, and a postoperative pathological diagnosis of bronchial leiomyosarcoma was made. For this rare group of malignant tumors, early diagnosis permits complete surgical resection of the mass and offers the best prognosis. Excision of the tumor should be performed under cardiopulmonary bypass through the femoral vessels when a risk of sudden rupture of the pulmonary artery or vein exists for any reason.     

A case of ventricular septal perforation treated surgically with an infarction exclusion technique

We report an 85-year-old woman with postinfarction interventricular septal perforation. She underwent successful emergent surgical treatment by a slightly modified method based on David-Komeda's procedure. Perforation in this case occurred four days after acute myocardial infarction. Preoperative Qp/Qs was 2.58, and pulmonary artery pressure was 34/25 mmHg. The area of infarction was large, and the perforation was the linear type 2.5 cm long near the apex. A probe was not able to pass through the perforation due to its complicated configuration. A double Xenomedica patch was sutured on the left side of the interventricular septum without excising the infarcted area. The suture line was placed on healthy myocardium apart from the infarcted area. The Xenomedica patch was sandwiched between the closure line of the ventriculotomy. Four days after surgery, residual shunt was observed by echocardiogram, but this subsequently disappeared on the 17th postoperative day. The patient was discharged from our hospital on the 57th postoperative day, and is now doing quite well.     

Carinal resection for primary lung cancer--with special attention to a modified double-barrel method

Carinal resection for primary lung cancer was clinically evaluated. Carinal resection was performed in 18 patients, 17 males and one female, with a mean age of 64 years. Nine patients underwent carinal reconstruction and the other 9 sleeve or wedge pneumonectomy. The carinal reconstruction was of the montage type in one patient, the one-stoma type in 2, and the modified double-barrel method in 6. The modified double-barrel method is a technique that we developed by adding bronchial end-to-side anastomosis to the tracheobronchial end-to-end anastomotic site. A pedicled intercostal muscle flap was used for covering the anastomotic site. The postoperative respiratory complications after carinal reconstruction were anastomosis failure in 4 patients (pin-hole in 3) and respiratory failure in 2. However, no anastomosis stricture occurred, and recovery was satisfactory. There were no respiratory complications after pneumonectomy. One patient had renal failure before surgery and died of multiple organ failure 23 days after a montage type carinal reconstruction. The other 17 patients did well and could be discharged from the hospital and the overall mortality rate was 5.6%. No anastomosis stricture occurred in the modified double-barrel method. By carinal reconstruction covering of the anastomotic site is mandatory to prevent fatal postoperative complications.     

Routine broncho-myo-plasty after pneumonectomy]

Bronchopleural fistula is certainly the most important and specific complication following total pneumonectomy. In order to reduce this risk a systematic protection of bronchial suture by means of muscular flap transposition is suggested. The authors report 15 cases of total pneumonectomy for lung cancer at different localization. In all the patients a bronchomuscular plasty was used to protect the bronchial suture. The anterolateral body of latissimus dorsi, when it was possible, was preferred for the following reasons: 1) it makes the suture of the main bronchus greatly resistant; 2) it makes easier the obliteration of the pleural cavity; 3) its transposition is rapid and easy. In only one case a diaphragmatic flap was transposed together with its vascular and nervous system giving rise to a phrenic paralysis. Although few cases are reported, the results are successful and encourage the application of this procedure in future.     

Endoscopic fibrin gluing of a pancreatic duct fistula following acute pancreatitis

HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: A 45-year-old patient was admitted because of frequent attacks of upper abdominal pain after food intake. The pain episodes had started shortly after a bout of acute pancreatitis. Physical examination was unremarkable except for mild pain on palpation of the left lower abdomen. INVESTIGATIONS: Amylase and gamma-glutamyl transaminase activities as well as inflammatory parameters were slightly raised. Ultrasonography was suggestive of a circumscribed area of necrosis in the tail of the pancreas, a finding confirmed on endoscopic retrograde injection of contrast medium, which passed into the necrotic cavity via a fistula. TREATMENT AND COURSE: The fistula failed to close during 12 days of conservative treatment (total parenteral nutrition; 2 g ceftizoxim twice daily; 1 ampoule somatostatin daily). In three sittings during 6 days, 1-2 ml fibrin glue injections were made by endoscopy retrogradely into the fistular passage resulting in its complete occlusion without any further complications. CONCLUSION: A previously treatment-resistant pancreatic fistula can be successfully occluded by injection of fibrin glue by retrograde endoscopy, obviating surgical intervention with subsequent reduction in glandular capacity.     

Decrease in contents of pancreatic carboxyl ester lipase, phospholipase A2, and lingual lipase in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes

Fibrin glue has been used as a protective seal in normal and high-risk anastomoses to prevent leakage. The influence of fibrin adhesive on the healing colonic anastomosis in a control and high-risk model was tested. Resection and anastomosis of the left colon was performed in rats. In group Ia an end-to-end anastomosis was constructed with 12 7-O polypropylene sutures; in group Ib the anastomosis was sealed with fibrin adhesive. In group II an incomplete anastomosis was constructed with only 4 sutures at 90 degrees, therefore potentially leaking. In group IIb additional sealing with fibrin glue was performed. On Days 2, 4, and 7 body weight, adhesion formation, anastomotic bursting pressure, and collagen concentration were measured. The results showed increased adhesion formation after fibrin sealing. The anastomotic bursting pressure of incomplete anastomoses showed a significant increase after sealing on Day 2 only; on Day 4 and 7 no differences were found. Sealing of control anastomoses caused lower bursting pressures on Day 4. Collagen concentration is significantly reduced after fibrin sealing of normal anastomoses. We conclude that fibrin sealing of control anastomoses inhibits wound healing. Incomplete anastomoses are temporarily protected by fibrin glue sealing. Finally, fibrin sealing of the colon wound does not prevent adhesion formation.     

A new technique of dural closure--experience with a vicryl mesh

Treatment of postoperative dural CSF leaks following posterior fossa surgery remains a difficult and often perplexing problem. Their management includes either non-operative management or surgical re-exploration. In order to avoid CSF leaks we developed a simple but effective method using a well-cut sheet of a vicryl-poly-p-dioxanone mesh (Ethisorb) covering the whole defect of the craniectomy. This paper presents our technique of dural closure, experiences with and advantages of the vicryl mesh in comparison with conventional procedures using muscle patches in combination with fibrin sealant or fibrin glue alone. Attention is focused upon the frequency of postoperative complications, in particular infection rate and CSF leaks. Furthermore, histomorphological observations after implantation of a vicryl mesh are demonstrated. In conclusion, due to its specific qualities we consider the vicryl mesh as a suitable dural substitute with potential advantages over currently used material.     

Results with collagen fleece coated with fibrin glue (TachoComb). A macroscopical and histological experimental study

Diffuse bleeding from parenchymatous organs at conventional surgery is eliminated with the usual methods coagulation tamponade or styches. We performed experimental series at 9 dogs. After resection of spleen, liver, pancreas and kidney, the bleeding surface was covered by collagen fleece coated with fibrin glue (TachoComb). Postoperatively 7 days, 10 days, 14 days and 28 days we made a relaparotomy. Then the results were analyzed macroscopically and microscopically. In the abdominal cavity neither significant quantity of blood nor greater adhesions were detected. At all cases the fibrin glue was found on place were it was put before. Histologically a perfect wound healing experienced. The fibrin glue (TachoComb) using at diffuse parenchymatous organs' bleeding give a very good results when the wound area is at least 1 cm beyond the immediate wound margin and the fibrin glue is applied onto the wound and pressed on it for 4-5 minutes.     

Completion right lower lobectomy for recurrence after left pneumonectomy for metastases

Resection of pulmonary recurrences on the residual lung after pneumonectomy for metastases is exceptional. A 37-year-old woman was submitted to left extended pleuro-pneumonectomy after left leg amputation for fibrosarcoma. At 43 months later, a wedge resection on the right lower lobe was performed followed 32 months later by a further wedge resection in the same lobe. A completion right lower lobectomy for a new recurrence was performed 17 months after the last pulmonary resection. The patient did not develop postoperative complications. She is still alive and free of disease 10 years and 9 months after pneumonectomy and 36 months after completion lobectomy on the residual lung. In highly selected patients, aggressive surgery for metastases on the residual lung can be successfully performed and it can improve survival.     

Coronary artery fistula with left atrial myxoma: report of a case

A 64-year-old male was referred for surgical treatment of left atrial myxoma. Preoperative coronary angiography revealed coronary artery fistula from the left anterior descending artery and the circumflex artery draining into the main pulmonary artery. Operative treatment was performed including resection of the myxoma, patch closure of the atrial septal defect, and closure of the fistula with pledgeted mattress sutures from within the main pulmonary artery on cardiopulmonary bypass. His postoperative course was uneventful, and disappearance of the left atrial myxoma and the coronary artery fistula was ascertained by echocardiography and coronary angiography.     

Endoscopic treatment of recurrent tracheo-oesophageal fistulae: long-term results

Recurrent tracheo-oesophageal fistula (RTOF) occurs in 5%-15% of patients following oesophageal atresia repair. Re-thoracotomy is technically challenging and associated with significant morbidity, including a re-fistulation rate of 10%-22%. Endoscopic occlusion of the RTOF with tissue adhesives (fibrin glue, Histoacryl) is reported to be safe and highly effective. However, long-term results of such therapy are absent from the literature. A postal survey of 13 institutions reporting the use of such treatment regimes for RTOF in the literature between 1974 and 1995 was performed, and data collected concerning the long-term outcomes of their reported patients. Eleven institutions responded to the request for data, providing 22 patients (age range 1 month to 12 years) for review. All had undergone initially successful RTOF closure by endoscopic methods and had been followed up for a median of 107 months (range 3-264 months). There was no morbidity or mortality directly related to the procedure. Overall, only 55% of these endoscopically treated fistulas remained closed long-term. Fistula recurrence invariably occurred within 12 months of successful therapy (median 46 days, range 9-335). Most patients required multiple endoscopic procedures to achieve successful RTOF closure (median 2.0, range 1-4 attempts), although significantly fewer attempts were required with fibrin glue therapy. Surgical re-exploration remains the treatment of choice in the fit child. Endoscopic therapy offers a safe and elegant alternative to high-risk surgery in the sick child, although repeated treatments may be required for successful RTOF closure.     

Alpha-adrenergic receptors in human myometrium: changes during pregnancy

In order to investigate the effect of fibrin glueing on the treatment or prevention of air leakages, 114 patients undergoing pulmonary resections and pneumonectomies were studied in two treatment groups: surgery alone (59 patients) or analogous surgical treatment followed by the application of fibrin glue (55 patients). The patients were randomly assigned to treatment groups within two strata: pulmonary resections (63 patients) and pneumonectomies (51 patients). Intraoperatively, 81% of the patients undergoing pulmonary resection who suffered from air leakages after conventional suturing showed improved results of the airway-tolerance-pressure test after the application of fibrin glue (one-sided P value < 0.01; 95% confidence interval: 58-95%). Treatment with fibrin glue reduced the incidence of postoperative leakages significantly from 66% in the control group to 39% in the treatment group (one-sided P-value < 0.02; estimated risk reduction 41%; 95% confidence interval 2-65%). An additional reduction of the duration of post-operative air leakages by the treatment with fibrin glue could not be shown. In terms of minor response criteria, slight trends for an advantage of treatment with fibrin glue could be observed for the duration of stay in hospital and the number of patients with complications. There were no obvious trends concerning fever, intraoperative and postoperative intubation times, the amount of secretion from thoracic tubes and the general condition of the patients. No adverse drug event related to fibrin glueing was observed.