An innovative reconstruction of an enbloc resected composite giant chest and abdominal wall chondrosarcoma with 3D-composite mesh

Chest wall chondrosarcomas, although common, pose unique challenges due to their aggressive nature, rarity of abdominal wall involvement, and propensity for recurrence. We highlight the critical role of meticu…  Read More

Bovine Pericardium Treated with Polyethylene Glycol and Ethanol Versus Pericranium for Duraplasty: A Pilot Study in Supratentorial Neurosurgery

World Neurosurg. 2024 Mar;183:e871-e876. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2024.01.044. Epub 2024 Jan 12.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Watertight closure of dura mater after intracranial surgery can avoid cerebrospinal fluid leakage and central nervous system infection and herniation. When primary closure is not possible, the pericranium is the preferential choice. When it is not available, a dural substitute becomes necessary. Bovine pericardium treated with polyethylene glycol and ethanol is herein tested as a dural substitute.

METHODS: A pilot study comparing bovine pericardium with pericranium in supratentorial neurosurgery was performed.

RESULTS: Twenty patients were initially allocated into a bovine pericardium group (group 1) or a pericranium group (group 2). Three patients from group 1 and 2 from group 2 had a loss of follow-up, being excluded. In the remaining 15 patients, epidemiological analysis demonstrated a male:female ratio of 3:4 and 4:4 for groups 1 and 2. Ages varied from 28 to 68 (Mean = 49.6) in group 1 and 40-80 (Mean = 61.2) in group 2, with a mean difference of 11.68 years (P = 0.09). Two cases of surgical site infection and 1 of hydrocephalus were observed. Although the calculated relative risk for complications was higher in group 1 (Relative Risk = 1.08), Fisher exact test demonstrated no statistically significant difference between groups (P = 1.00). Procedure mean time was 23 minutes and 11 seconds in group 1 versus 27 minutes and 55 seconds in group 2 (P = 0.47). Mean graft area was 13.17 and 6.23 cm2 in groups 1 and 2 (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS: Bovine pericardium treated with polyethylene glycol and ethanol was comparable to pericranium as a dural substitute. More studies are encouraged to certify our findings.

PMID:38218446 | DOI:10.1016/j.wneu.2024.01.044

Operative treatment of pulmonary primitive neuroectodermal tumor: a case report and literature review

Pulmonary primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET), a member of the Ewing sarcoma family of tumors, is a rare malignancy that is associated with a grim prognosis. To date, fewer than 30 cases of pulmonary PNET h…  Read More

Mid-term results following pulmonary artery patch augmentation in congenital heart disease

Transl Pediatr. 2023 Nov 28;12(11):1992-2000. doi: 10.21037/tp-23-382. Epub 2023 Nov 24.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Treatment of pulmonary artery (PA) stenosis in congenital heart disease is associated with adverse outcomes. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to compare outcomes after surgical patch augmentation of PA stenosis in patients with biventricular congenital heart disease using different patch materials.

METHODS: We identified all patients from our institutional congenital heart disease database who underwent patch augmentation for PA stenosis on the main pulmonary artery (MPA) or PA branches between 2012 and 2018. Patch materials used were glutaraldehyde fixated autologous pericardium (AP), expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), equine pericardium (EP), and bovine pericardium (BP). The primary study endpoint was the composite of catheter-based re-intervention or re-operation to relieve recurrent stenosis at the site of prior implanted patch material.

RESULTS: A total of 156 patients (median age, 5 months, range, 0-85 months; median weight, 6.2 kg, range, 2.8-15.0 kg) underwent patch augmentation using 163 patches (ePTFE =99, 61%; EP =34, 21%; AP =25, 15%; BP =5, 3%). Overall, 131 (84%) patients underwent patch augmentation at the MPA, and 25 (16%) patients underwent patch augmentation at one or both PA branches. Over a mean follow-up period of 4±2 years, 30 patients (19%) reached the study endpoint. Freedom from primary endpoint was 92%±3% for the MPA and 25%±9% for PA branches at 5 years, respectively (P<0.001). Comparison of patch materials revealed similar re-intervention rates between ePTFE, AP, and EP. In contrast, outcomes were significantly decreased following the usage of BP when compared to other materials (ePTFE vs. BP, P=0.01; EP vs. BP, P=0.005). In the multivariable analysis, lower weight at index operation, patch augmentation of PA branches, and usage of BP were independently associated with re-intervention.

CONCLUSIONS: Patch augmentation of the MPA was associated with acceptable outcomes, while patch augmentation of PA branch stenosis remained independently associated with re-intervention. None of the used patch materials demonstrated superiority; however, BP had a higher rate of re-interventions.

PMID:38130592 | PMC:PMC10730962 | DOI:10.21037/tp-23-382

Simultaneous Identification of Unroofed Coronary Sinus Atrial Septal Defect and Atrial Septal Defect Secundum Using Cardiac Computed Tomography Angiography

Cureus. 2024 Jan 19;16(1):e52575. doi: 10.7759/cureus.52575. eCollection 2024 Jan.

ABSTRACT

Unroofed coronary sinus (UCS) represents a rare subtype of atrial septal defect (ASD), an adult congenital heart disease characterized by communication between the systemic and pulmonary circulations at the atrial level. This case report presents the unique occurrence of a large, unrepaired ASD secundum and an incidentally identified UCS type II in a 25-year-old female during a cardiac murmur assessment. The diagnosis of ASD secundum was initially made using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and was later confirmed with a transesophageal echocardiogram. The identification of the UCS was achieved through the utilization of cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA). Ultimately, the patient underwent a successful reroofing procedure using a bovine pericardial patch.

PMID:38370993 | PMC:PMC10874617 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.52575