Objective To evaluate whether surgical intervention can be performed in initial onset of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) patients and whether pleural abrasion should be performed regularly in PSP treatment. Methods The clinical data of 326 PSP patients undergoing bullectomy or bullectomy combined with pleural abrasion (BLPA) between January 2008 and December 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 267 males and 59 females, with a mean age of 24 years ranging from 20 to 31 years. Results The initial onset of PSP was in 229 patients, and recurrent PSP in 115 patients. Ten patients had postoperative PSP recurrence after a mean follow-up of 47 months ranging from 1 to 95 months. For the patients with initial onset of PSP, the recurrence rate was 3.1% (7/229), and that in patients with recurrent PSP was 2.6% (3/115, P=0.82). Compared with the bullectomy group (5.8%, 7/120), recurrence rate in the BLPA group was lower (1.3%, 3/224, P=0.02). There were no mortalities or significant complications in both groups. There was significant difference in body mass index (P=0.04), intraoperative adhesion (P<0.05), operation duration (P<0.01), number of bullae (P<0.01), and bullae location (P<0.01) between bullectomy and BLPA groups. Postoperative drainage (P<0.01), air leak (P=0.01) and extubation duration (P<0.01) were significantly lower in the bullectomy group. Total cost was significantly higher in the BLPA group (P<0.01). Conclusion Surgical intervention could provide satisfactory outcomes for PSP patients. Compared with bullectomy, BLPA has much lower recurrence rate, but with more drainage, longer drainage duration and higher cost.
Objective To formulate an evidence-based treatment plan for a patient with malignant pleural mesothelioma.Methods Based on an adequate assessment of the patient’s condition and using the principle of PICO, we searched The Cochrane Library (Issue 1, 2007), PubMed (1996 to February 2007) and EMbase (1974 to February 2007) to identify the best available clinical evidence. Results Five randomized controlled trials, 4 systematic reviews and 1 health economic evaluation were included. According to the current evidence, as well as the patient’s clinical condition and preference, 5 cycles of raltitrexed plus cisplatin were given to the patient along with thoracic drainage and other symptomatic treatment. And the follow-up after 4 months indicated that this treatment plan was appropriate for the patient. Conclusion Evidence-based approaches helped us to prepare the most appropriate chemotherapy plan for this patient and will help improve the therapeutic results for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.
ObjectiveTo explore the safety and efficacy of the treatment of peripheral bronchopleural fistula with customized silicone plug through bronchoscope. MethodsA total of 19 patients with BPF admitted to Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital from July 2017 to May 2023 were included. Detailed medical records of the patients were collected, including etiology, fistula location, treatment methods, complications, and effective rates, to assess the safety and efficacy of customized silicone plug occlusion. ResultsThe average age of the 19 patients was 61.58 years (range from 42～84 years). The fistulas were located at the right upper lobe in 8 cases, the right middle lobe in 2 cases, the right lower lobe in 2 cases, the left upper lobe in 2 cases, and the left lower lobe in 5 cases. Causes included 9 cases after pneumonectomy, 6 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax, 1 case post Microwave Ablation Therapy for lung nodule, 1 case of advanced lung cancer under radiotherapy and chemotherapy, 1 case of candidal pneumonia, and 1 case of pulmonary tuberculosis. 15 patients were successfully occluded for the first time, 1 case failed to place the plug, and 3 cases had silicone plug dislodgement within 1 week after the procedure, with a short-term effective rate of 73.68% (14 cases). A total of 40 customized silicone plugs were placed, with an average of (2.10±0.74), and the mean diameter of the plugs used was 6.4 mm, with a range of 3 to 9 mm. Fifteen patients were recruited for long-term follow-up, with a median follow-up time of 15 months (range from 1.5 to 53 months). One patient developed a new fistula on the 45th day, who was treated with a combined small Y-type single bullet-covered stent for occlusion. One patient died of severe pneumonia 3 months postoperatively, and one died of type II respiratory failure at the 30th month, both deaths were unrelated to the interventional procedure. The long-term effective rate was 68.42% (13 cases). ConclusionPlacing customized silicone plugs through bronchoscopy can rapidly and effectively occlude peripheral BPF, with satisfactory long-term outcome.