ABSTRACT Purpose of review Coronary artery bypass grafting, revascularization by percutaneous coronary intervention, and heart valve surgery are crucial therapeutic interventions for patients with various cardiovascular diseases. The objective of this literature review was to present the main evidence and practical aspects of the perioperative management of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and heart valve surgery. Recent findings Despite advancements in surgical and anesthetic techniques, coronary artery bypass grafting and heart valve surgery present significant risks for perioperative complications […]

Category: Robotic Technology in Thoracic Diseases Introduction: Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) is well-established for the treatment of mediastinal tumors. Oncological results are comparable to invasive techniques, albeit providing fewer complications and less postoperative pain.(,) We present our initial experience with the subxiphoid technique. Methods: This retrospective case series includes patients submitted to RATS subxiphoid thymectomy. Demographic, perioperative, and postoperative data were gathered, analyzed, and reported with descriptive statistics. Results: Case 1: A 48-year-old woman, ex-smoker, with a history of colon […]

Category: Thoracic Surgery Introduction: Acute Lung Injury (ALI) and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) are critical pulmonary conditions characterized by the sudden onset (<7 days) of severe hypoxemia and bilateral lung infiltrates.(,) The study investigates the occurrence of Acute Lung Injury (ALI) and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) following surgical resections, focusing on clinical manifestations, risk factors, and outcomes. Methods: A retrospective analysis of eight cases of ALI post-surgical resection between 2020 and 2023 was conducted. Data on patient demographics, […]

Category: Thoracic Surgery Introduction: Currently, surgical resection is considered the best treatment available for early-stage lung cancer. In recent decades, minimally invasive procedures have revolutionized thoracic surgery, expanding the benefited patient population by reducing morbidity and mortality rates, incidence of complications, length of hospital stay and postoperative pain.() However, lung resections remain associated with significant morbidity and mortality, with national studies indicating a complication rate of 21.8% and an in-hospital mortality rate of 1.8% for video- assisted surgeries.() Concomitantly, various […]

ABSTRACT Objective To compare the chest tube drainage by the same thoracotomy intercostal space with the traditional approach in patients undergoing muscle-sparing thoracotomy. Methods We evaluated 40 patients aged ≥18 years who underwent elective muscle sparing thoracotomies. Patients were divided into two groups of 20 patients. One group underwent thoracic drainage by the same intercostal space of thoracotomy and the other by traditional chest drainage approach. Results The mean length of hospital stay for the intercostal drainage group in the […]

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the difference in transepidermal water loss in patients diagnosed with hyperhidrosis and healthy subjects, in an air-conditioned environment. Methods Twenty patients diagnosed with hyperhidrosis and 20 healthy subjects were subjected to quantitative assessment using a closed-chamber device, in six previously established sites. Results The measurements showed different transepidermal water loss values for healthy subjects and patients with hyperhidrosis, especially in the hands and feet. In the Control Group, the median for the hands was 46.4g/m2/hour (p25: […]

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate inflammatory reaction, fibrosis and neovascularization in dural repairs in Wistar rats using four techniques: simple suture, bovine collagen membrane, silicon mesh and silicon mesh with suture. Methods Thirty Wistar rats were randomized in five groups: the first was the control group, submitted to dural tear only. The others underwent durotomy and simple suture, bovine collagen membrane, silicon mesh and silicon mesh with suture. Animals were euthanized and the spine was submitted to histological evaluation with a […]

OBJECTIVE: Cardiac surgeries are sometimes followed by significant blood loss, and blood transfusions may be necessary. However, indiscriminant use of blood components can result in detrimental effects for the patient. We evaluated the short-term effects of implementation of a protocol for the rational use of blood products in the perioperative period of cardiac surgery. METHODS: Between April and June 2011, an institutional protocol was implemented in a private hospital specializing in cardiology to encourage rational use of blood products, with […]