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Biomedical subjects

Gavin M Wright

Publications and source records attributed to Gavin M Wright.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PET imaging for suspected residual tumour or thoracic recurrence of non-small cell lung cancer after pneumonectomy.

F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (PET) was investigated in patients with suspected residual disease or intrathoracic recurrence after pneumonectomy. Patients were identified from a prospective database. Impact of PET on staging and patient management was assessed. Clinical outcome was used to assess appropriateness of management. PET was performed in 17 cases, either post-operatively (n = 8), or later for suspected recurrence (n = 9) in patients with good performance status and without extensive disease on conventional imaging. PET changed treatment in 10 cases (59%). In five patients (29%), PET changed treatment intent (curative versus non-curative) from radical radiotherapy (RT) to palliative RT (n = 1), or observation or supportive care (n = 3), or from palliative to radical RT (n = 1). In a further patient with unexplained pain, PET appropriately showed no evidence of disease. In additional five cases (29%), PET influenced choice of RT dose and the use of concurrent chemotherapy (n = 3) or target volume (n = 2). Patients without tumour or with limited disease on PET had favourable outcomes whereas those with extensive disease suffered early tumour progression. PET was discordant with conventional assessment in >50% of cases. PET may be valuable after pneumonectomy if the patient is being considered for adjuvant or salvage radiotherapy although specificity may be reduced due to post-operative inflammatory changes.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗

Complete resection of non-small-cell lung cancer and oligo-metastatic brain disease.

BACKGROUND: Non-small-cell lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality in Australia. Brain metastases are common, and rapidly fatal if untreated. Optimal management consists of resection and whole brain irradiation. However, there is a paucity of local data documenting survival after such treatment. METHODS: Medical records for all patients who underwent complete resection of non-small-cell lung cancer at one institution between January 1999 and December 2003 were reviewed in order to determine survival after initial surgery. The survival of all patients was compared with patients who underwent resection of synchronous or metachronous brain metastases and whole brain irradiation as part of their lung cancer management. RESULTS: Between 1 January 1999 and 31 December 2003, 170 patients underwent complete resection of non-small-cell lung cancer by a thoracic surgeon. Resection of synchronous or metachronous brain metastases followed by whole brain irradiation was also carried out on 15 of these patients. Complete cerebral resection was achieved in 12 cases. The overall 5-year survival after attempted curative resection of brain metastases and successful complete resection was 60% and 70%, respectively. The survival of patients with both cerebral metastasectomy and lung cancer resection approximated that of the cohort of patients that only required complete resection of their lung cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Control of local disease at each site and long-term survival after lung resection and resection of either synchronous or metachronous brain METASTASIS and whole brain irradiation is readily achievable. We believe this should continue as the standard of care for this presentation.

Adult↗

Hand-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery causes less postoperative pain than limited thoracotomy after cessation of epidural analgesia.

BACKGROUND: Hand-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (HATS) is a novel minimally invasive technique for performing procedures conventionally performed by posterolateral thoracotomy. HATS overcomes a major drawback of thoracoscopic surgery in allowing full manual palpation of the lungs via a subcostal (mini-Kocher's) incision under videoscopic guidance, avoiding a thoracotomy, when the indication is pulmonary metastasectomy with curative intent or resection of undiagnosed lung nodules. It is postulated HATS may produce improved postoperative quality of life outcomes compared to thoracotomy. AIMS: To determine if HATS compared to limited posterolateral thoracotomy causes less postoperative pain after cessation of epidural anaesthesia. METHODS: Fifty-two patients were prospectively randomised to receive a limited thoracotomy (n=26) or HATS (n=26). Pain scores, measured on a visual analogue scale, were recorded during standard nursing observations and after analgesia demands in the 24h after epidural removal. RESULTS: Pain scores were significantly lower after HATS compared to limited thoracotomy (3.8 versus 5.2, p=0.04). There was no difference in postoperative respiratory function. CONCLUSION: HATS results in lower postoperative pain after cessation of epidural analgesia. This form of analgesia may therefore not be required, reducing the management complexity, complications and hospital stay associated with its use. SHORT ABSTRACT: Hand-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (HATS) is a novel technique allowing full manual lung palpation as an adjunct to Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS). Fifty-two patients were prospectively randomised to receive limited thoracotomy or HATS. Pain scores were significantly lower after HATS compared to thoracotomy, indicating epidural analgesia may not be required.

Journal Article↗

Hand-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

Hand-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is a novel minimally invasive approach for performing techniques conventionally performed by posterolateral thoracotomy. Hand-assisted thoracoscopic surgery overcomes one of the major drawbacks of minimally invasive thoracic surgery in allowing full manual palpation of the lungs through a subcostal incision under video guidance, while avoiding a thoracotomy when the indication is pulmonary metastasectomy with curative intent or resection of undiagnosed lung nodules. The technique may result in improved quality of life outcomes compared with a thoracotomy.

Humans↗