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Biomedical subjects

Noriyoshi Sawabata

Publications and source records attributed to Noriyoshi Sawabata.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Acid regurgitation associated with persistent cough after pulmonary resection: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Following a pulmonary resection, some patients suffer from persistent coughing, which may have a relationship with acid regurgitation. Since few physiological studies have been reported regarding this issue, we conducted the present observational study. METHODS: Persistent cough after pulmonary resection (CAP) was defined as non-productive coughing that occurred after a pulmonary resection in patients with stable chest X-ray results and no postnasal drip syndrome, asthma, or history of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor administration. A 24-hour esophageal pH monitor was used with patients with coughing (n = 13) and patients with no coughing (n = 4) after undergoing a lobectomy, and the relationship between acid regurgitation and CAP was assessed using symptom association probability. RESULTS: Based on the results of pH monitoring conducted within 4 weeks of the operation we divided the patients into 3 groups: Type A had frequent gastroesophageal refluxes (>50 occurrences in 24 hours) and frequent coughing (>30 occurrences in 24 hours), Type B had frequent gastroesophageal refluxes and infrequent coughing, and type C had infrequent gastroesophageal refluxes and infrequent coughing. Type A patients (n = 10) were exclusively those with CAP and the symptom association probability was greater than 95%. Five from that group underwent esophageal pH monitoring more than 1 year after surgery and none showed significant improvements in acid regurgitation. CONCLUSION: There was a relationship seen between acid regurgitation and CAP in some patients shortly after surgery, while acid regurgitation remained unimproved after improvement of coughing in most of those 1 year after surgery.

Journal Article↗

Results of pulmonary resection following neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced (IIIA-IIIB) lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: We performed this study to determine the role and prognostic factors of neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgery for locally advanced non-small cell cancer. METHODS: One hundred patients with clinical stage III non-small cell lung cancer (79 IIIA, 21 IIIB; 78 males, 22 females; average age 60.5 years) received neoadjuvant therapy, of whom 84 received two cycles of platinum chemotherapy combined with an average radiation dose of 41.5Gy, and 16 patients underwent chemotherapy alone. The mean follow-up duration was 80.9 months. Survival rate was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and a Cox proportional hazards model was applied to determine the prognostic factors. RESULTS: The operative procedures included 74 lobectomies, 7 bi-lobectomies, and 19 pneumonectomies. Two patients died within 30 days due to adult respiratory distress syndrome and acute pulmonary embolism, respectively. The overall 5-year survival rate was 39.7% with a median survival time (MST) of 39.6 months. The 5-year survival rate for downstaged (pN1,2) patients was 53.5% while it was 16.3% for patients with residual N2. There was no difference in survival between lobectomy and pneumonectomy (MST 38 months vs 42 months). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that nodal status and tumor size after neoadjuvant therapy were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Neoadjuvant therapy was shown to deliver the optimal effect for surgery for cIIIA/IIIB NSCLC with acceptable mortality. Re-staging to exclude the residual multiple nodal metastasis can lead to the proper patient selection. A pneumonectomy, as a last option, following neoadjuvant therapy did not affect the mortality.

Aged↗

Comparison of surgical results after pneumonectomy and sleeve lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer: trends over time and 20-year institutional experience.

OBJECTIVE: Sleeve lobectomy is a lung-saving procedure for central tumors for which the alternative is pneumonectomy. The purpose of this study was to report the clinical characteristics, operative results, survival, and late outcomes over 20 years in patients who underwent sleeve lobectomy and pneumonectomy at our institution. METHODS: There were 62 patients who underwent sleeve lobectomy (SL group) and 110 who underwent pneumonectomy (PN group). Comparisons of the demographics, morbidity, and survivals between the groups were performed by unpaired t-test, chi(2)-test, and log-rank test. RESULTS: Patients who underwent a pneumonectomy showed a significantly advanced pathological stage, and a larger tumor size than those who received a sleeve lobectomy, whereas there were no significant differences in histology, ratio of combined resection and induction therapy, or total morbidity. There were three in-hospital deaths (4.8%) in the SL group and four (3.6%) in the PN group. Local relapse and distant recurrence incidence were similar between the two groups. The 5-year-survival rates of the SL and PN groups were 54% and 33%, respectively (p<0.0001). However, there were no differences in 5-year survivals in patients with pathological stage I/II (SL, 59% vs PN, 63%) and those who received induction therapy (SL, 22% vs PN, 52%) between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both pneumonectomy and sleeve lobectomy were performed with an acceptable risk of operative mortality and satisfactory 5-year survival rate. The indication of pneumonectomy is aimed to perform a curative resection for locally advanced lung cancer, particularly after induction therapy that is otherwise unresectable, and the selected patients will likely benefit from a complete resection.

Aged↗

Nodular pulmonary amyloidosis.

A 72-year-old woman with a diagnosis of suspected rheumatoid arthritis was admitted with multiple pulmonary nodules in the bilateral lung field. To obtain a diagnosis, a nodule was resected using video-assisted thoracic surgery. Microscopically, amorphous eosinophilic acellular substances were surrounded by inflammatory infiltrates, which were confirmed to be amyloid deposits by congo red staining. Thus, a diagnosis of pulmonary amyloidosis was obtained. The clinical features and diagnostic process are discussed.

Aged↗

Clinicopathologic study of resected, peripheral, small-sized, non-small cell lung cancer tumors of 2 cm or less in diameter: pleural invasion and increase of serum carcinoembryonic antigen level as predictors of nodal involvement.

OBJECTIVE: The number of surgical interventions for small-sized lung cancer has increased with the development of computed tomography. We attempted to identify clinicopathologic characteristics of peripheral, small-sized, non-small cell lung cancer to show the limitation of partial resection or segmentectomy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 143 patients who underwent a complete resection for a peripheral non-small cell lung cancer of 2 cm or less in diameter was performed. The relationships between nodal involvement and other clinical factors were also assessed in patients who underwent a lobectomy plus node dissection. RESULTS: The overall 5-year survival rate was 88.1%. The 5-year survival rate was 100% for patients with a tumor of 1.5 cm or less. Survival for patients with adenocarcinoma histology was significantly better than for those with nonadenocarcinoma histology (P = .03). The 5-year survival rate for patients without lymph node metastases was 91.6%, whereas it was 62.5% for those with nodal involvement (P < .01). Increase of prethoracotomy serum carcinoembryonic antigen level was an independent predictor of a poor prognosis. Lymph node metastasis was significantly increased in those with pleural invasion by the primary lesion and increased serum carcinoembryonic antigen level. Fourteen (16.9%) of 83 patients with a tumor diameter of larger than 1.5 cm had nodal metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Nodal involvement should be considered in patients with non-small cell lung cancer of 2 cm or less in diameter who show pleural invasion or an increased carcinoembryonic antigen level. A lobectomy with node dissection is recommended for patients with a tumor larger than 1.5 cm, suspected pleural invasion, or prethoracotomy carcinoembryonic antigen level increase.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Long-term outcomes after a variety of video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy approaches for clinical stage IA lung cancer: a multi-institutional study.

BACKGROUND: Although video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has been in use for more than a decade, its application to major lung resection for lung cancer is still not widely practiced. The success of a cancer operation is judged by the long-term survival of the treated patients. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to evaluate long-term outcomes associated with various video-assisted lobectomy techniques and conventional surgery in patients with peripheral non-small cell lung cancer less than or equal to 2 cm in diameter (stage IA). METHODS: A multi-institutional, retrospective review was performed in 145 consecutive patients. Patients with clinical stage IA disease, with tumor size less than or equal to 2 cm in diameter, from three institutions underwent a complete VATS (c-VATS, n = 56), an assisted VATS (a-VATS, n = 34), or a conventional open (open, n = 55) approach for pulmonary lobectomy and lymph node dissection. RESULTS: Patients undergoing lobectomy and lymph node dissection with c-VATS had less blood loss, faster recovery, shorter hospitalization, and longer operating times than did patients undergoing the lobectomy with the a-VATS and open approaches. At a mean follow-up of 38.8 months, Kaplan-Meier probabilities of survival at 5 years were as follows: c-VATS, 96.7%; a-VATS, 95.2%; open, 97.2%. There was no significant difference in the rate of recurrence among the 3 different procedures. CONCLUSION: VATS lobectomy, a safe procedure with earlier return to normal activities, can be regarded as an acceptable cancer operation for the patients with peripheral non-small cell lung cancer less than or equal to 2 cm in diameter (clinical stage IA) with the same long-term survivals as open surgery.

Aged↗

Tracheo-arterial fistula in tracheostomy patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

A tracheo-arterial fistula is a serious and life threatening potential complication of a tracheostomy. Since 1984, we experienced nine fatal cases of tracheo-arterial fistula among 60 Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients who underwent a tracheostomy. Representative cases included a patient with lordosis (Case 8), in whom the fistula was located in the brachiocephalic artery close to the trachea, and another with severe scoliosis (Case 9), which caused the aorta to compress the trachea. Such anatomical changes can be the cause of a fistula between the trachea and brachiocephalic artery. The anatomical locations between the trachea and brachiocephalic artery are modified by thoracic deformities in DMD patients, and should be confirmed using computed tomography (CT) prior to a tracheostomy procedure. Further, during such a procedure, the tracheal stoma must be placed in a location clearly away from the arteries, and should be followed by regular post-operative examinations using CT and careful management to avoid a tracheo-arterial fistula.

Adolescent↗

Pulmonary lymphangiectasis in an asymptomatic adult.

Pulmonary lymphangiectasis is a rare anomaly in infancy that is characterized by dilatation of pulmonary lymphatic vessels resulting in fetal respiratory distress. Pulmonary lymphangiectasis is considered to occur exclusively in young children and neonates, and very few survive beyond an early age. We herein present an asymptomatic adult case of localized pulmonary lymphangiectasis with multiple nodules. A 27-year-old asymptomatic female presented with multiple nodules on chest computed tomogram images. An exploratory video-assisted thoracoscopy revealed multiple yellowish cysts on the visceral pleura, which were histologically diagnosed as lymphangiectasis. In the present study, the pathogenesis and clinical characteristics are discussed.

Adult↗

Persistent cough following pulmonary resection: observational and empiric study of possible causes.

BACKGROUND: Following thoracic surgery, patients often suffer from persistent coughing. There is speculation regarding the cause. However, since few studies of that following pulmonary resection have been reported, we conducted an observational and empiric study of this issue. METHODS: A cross-sectional assessment of 240 patients who had undergone a pulmonary resection was performed using a questionnaire regarding postsurgical persistent coughing. Further, therapy based on empiric results was given to 20 patients who had undergone a lobectomy and mediastinal lymph node resection for nonsmall cell lung cancer. RESULTS: Seventy patients were surveyed within 1 year following surgery (subchronic phase), of whom 35 (50%) suffered from coughing, as compared to 30 (18%) of 170 whose postoperative time was 1 year or more (p < 0.0001). Presence of lung cancer, mediastinal lymph node resection, and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) symptoms were significant factors in the group of subchronic patients. Of the 20 patients who received empiric therapy, 90% saw their coughing symptoms improve after the course of medication. CONCLUSIONS: In the present patients, mediastinal lymph node resection may have contributed to coughing after the procedure, which tended to improve after 1 year following the operation. Further, a secondary change, such as GER, caused by surgical intervention may also be a contributing factor in the subchronic phase.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗

Current surgical intervention for pulmonary tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Surgery for pulmonary tuberculosis now plays a role in facing the emergence of complicated and multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), and it still remains a challenge for thoracic surgeons. We report on our 16 years of experience with lung resection for pulmonary tuberculosis. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the surgical results of 35 patients (23 males and 12 females: mean age, 47.8 years) who underwent therapeutic surgical resection for pulmonary tuberculosis from 1988 to 2003. RESULTS: Indications for surgery were MDR-TB in 26 patients, hemoptysis in 7, destroyed lung in 1, and drug allergy in 1. Thirty patients (85.7%) had fibrocavitary lesions seen radiologically, and 16 (61.5%) MDR-TB patients showed sputum-positive preoperatively. Operative procedures included 22 lobectomies, 7 pneumonectomies, 5 lobectomy plus segmentectomy procedures, and 1 segmentectomy. There was one operation-related death (2.9%) and 5 major postoperative complications (14.3%). Overall, 32 of 35 (91.4%) patients including 23 of 26 (88.5%) of the MDR-TB patients remained free of TB following surgery. Preoperative comorbidity, Aspergillus coinfection, operation time, transfusion, and male were the factors shown to be predictive of an unfavorable outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery remains a crucial adjunct to medical therapy for the treatment of MDR-TB and medical failure lesions. Treatment success was obtained in cases with MDR-TB with few and incomplete sensitive drugs, and the early morbidity and mortality were acceptable in the current series. Proper selection of the patients and early decision for surgical intervention can achieve a high success rate and the salvage of lung parenchyma in this difficult group of patients.

Adolescent↗

Surgical results for chronic empyema using omental pedicled flap: long-term follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Successful treatment of chronic empyema remains a challenge for thoracic surgeons. Herein, we report our 17 years of experience with the omental pedicled flap procedure for management of chronic empyema secondary to pulmonary tuberculosis. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the surgical results of 23 patients who underwent surgical treatment for chronic empyema using an omental pedicled flap from 1987 to 2003. RESULTS: The subjects were 20 men and 3 women (mean age, 58.1 years) with average % vital capacity (VC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) values of 48.1% and 1.19 L, respectively. Sixteen patients (69.6%) had bronchopleural fistulas and 21 (91.3%) were associated with infection by causative organisms (6 Aspergillus organisms, 4 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, 10 others). An open window thoracostomy preceded in 17 patients (72.9%). Eleven patients were treated using an omental pedicled flap with or without a muscle flap, and 12 were treated using an omental pedicled flap with a partial thoracoplasty. There was 1 operation-related death, and clinical success was achieved in 19 patients (82.6%), in whom pulmonary function did not decrease significantly. During long-term follow-up, 5 patients died of respiratory failure, and their mean postoperative %VC and FEV1 values were 30.1% and 0.76 L, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the use of an omental pedicled flap for chronic empyema was effective even in cases with active infection, and did not compromise pulmonary function. Further, an additional thoracoplasty may completely obliterate the dead space, although indications should be referenced to preoperative pulmonary function.

Aged↗

Long-term pulmonary function after lobectomy for primary lung cancer.

The aim of this study was to investigate the factors affecting long-term postoperative pulmonary function with a view to increasing the application of combined resection, bronchoplasty, and induction therapy. Results in 80 patients who underwent lobectomy for primary lung cancer were analyzed. Predicted postoperative pulmonary function was calculated using the formula: postoperative predicted function=preoperative function x[1-(b-n)/(42-n)], where n and b are the numbers of obstructed segments and total segments, respectively, in the resected lobe. Spirometry was performed serially on the preoperative day, and at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months postoperatively. The difference between the predicted postoperative pulmonary function and the function measured at 12 months postoperatively was calculated, and clinical and therapeutic variables were analyzed. Univariate analysis revealed that the difference in vital capacity was significantly related to surgical approach, bronchoplasty, and induction therapy, while the difference in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) correlated with surgical approach and induction therapy. Multiple regression analysis showed induction therapy to be the sole factor related to the differences in both vital capacity and FEV1. Lung resection after induction therapy may cause an additional loss of pulmonary function in the late phase.

Aged↗

Postoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels in patients with pathologic stage IA nonsmall cell lung carcinoma: subnormal levels as an indicator of favorable prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Elevated serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels are sometimes attributable to the production of CEA by malignant cells, and in turn, the antigen itself can enhance the metastatic potential of malignant cells. The authors speculated that low serum CEA levels might be indicative of relatively low levels of malignant cells and a low probability of disease recurrence. This hypothesis led them to investigate whether low CEA levels in serum represented a useful prognostic factor for patients with pathologic Stage IA nonsmall cell lung carcinoma. METHODS: Between 1993 and 2001, 724 patients underwent surgery for NSCLC at Toneyama National Hospital (Toyonaka, Japan). Of these patients, the 242 who were diagnosed with pathologic Stage IA disease were included in the current study. Smoking behavior, gender, age, tumor diameter, disease histology, and preoperative and postoperative serum CEA levels were chosen as study variables, with the cutoff level between subnormal and normal serum CEA levels set at 2.5 ng/mL and the cutoff level between normal and high serum CEA levels set at 5.0 ng/mL. Prognostic indicators were evaluated using a Cox hazard model. In addition, survival probabilities were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and differences in survival were assessed by log-lank analysis. RESULTS: Subnormal postoperative serum CEA levels were found to be an independent prognostic indicator (hazard ratio, 2.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-4.7; P = 0.03 for comparison with patients who had normal CEA levels) on multivariate analysis. Furthermore, the 5-year survival rate was 87% for patients with subnormal postoperative CEA levels (n = 146), compared with 75% for patients with normal postoperative CEA levels (n = 80) and 53% for patients with high postoperative CEA levels (n = 16) (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with pathologic Stage IA NSCLC, those who had an extremely favorable prognosis were distinguished by their subnormal postoperative serum CEA levels.

Adult↗

Pulmonary benign metastasizing leiomyoma from the uterus in a postmenopausal woman: report of a case.

We report a case of pulmonary benign metastasizing leiomyoma (BML) from the uterus in a 77-year-old woman. The patient presented for investigation of multiple pulmonary nodules on a routine chest roentgenogram. Because a preoperative diagnosis could not be made, the largest tumor, 3.5 cm in diameter, was resected from the right lower lobe, and histological examination confirmed BML. She had undergone hysterectomy with oophorectomy for uterine leiomyomas 12 years earlier, at the age of 65. The microscopic findings of the lung tumor were similar to those of the uterine leiomyoma, and both lesions were histologically benign. Although this disease is considered to be hormone-dependent, metastasis was found in this elderly postmenopausal woman whose tumor was negative for estrogen receptor.

Aged↗

Thymic carcinoma with a large cystic lesion.

A 59-year-old man presented with a large anterior mediastinal mass. A computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging showed a well-circumscribed cystic mass, 12 cm in size adjacent to the heart border and superior vena cava (SVC). A CT guided needle biopsy was performed, and instead of detecting malignant tissues but finding that gray muddy fluid was suctioned, suggesting cystic teratoma. At surgery, the tumor was confirmed advanced thymic carcinoma with pleural dissemination, then the tumor was extirpated with resection of SVC, followed by 2 cycles of chemotherapy. Histologically, the cystic wall was lined with malignant cells. We herein present a diagnostic pitfall case of thymic carcinoma having a large cystic component with which rare association should be recognized.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗