Lung Surgery Flashcards
What are 3 indications for median sternotomies? What should be left in place? How is it closed?
- bilateral thoracic exploration
- cranial mediastinal masses - thymoma
- cranial thoracic trachea - stents at inlet
manubrium and xiphoid
closed figure eight polypropylene sutures or orthopedic wire
What portals are used for minimally invasive thoracoscopies?
intercostal and transdiaphragmatic subxiphoid portals
What is the purpose of a transdiaphragmatic approach to thoracic cavity surgery? In what 3 situations is it utilized?
access to thoracic cavity during celiotomies
- thoracic duct ligation
- surgery of the caudal esophagus
- intra-operative CPR/cardiac massage - less painful than splitting ribs and spares lung of trauma
How are rib resections performed?
ribs can be removed or pivoted at costochondral junction —> cranial movement wider
- rarely required, leave periosteum in place
What are some reasons to leave chest tubes in following thoracic surgery?
- allows for monitoring and removal of air and fluid
- provides access to pleura for infusion of local anesthetics
Where are the left and right lung lobes approached upon pulmonary surgery?
LEFT:
- cranial = L 5th ICS
- caudal = L 7th ICS
RIGHT:
- cranial = R 5th ICS
- middle = R 5th ICS
- caudal = R 7th ICS
lateral thoracotomy!
Why aren’t partial lung lobectomies commonly recommended?
risk of air leaking from suture site = pneumothorax
- never used for neoplasia
- blebs, bullae
What access is required for total lung lobectomies?
access to hilus —> 5th-7th ICS even if neoplasia is present in the caudal periphery
- CT or radiographs can help guide approach
What is a pneumonectomy? When is it indicated?
removal of all lobes of one lung, approached by lateral ICS
diffuse disease through multiple lung lobes - neoplasia, abscess, trauma
What is the maximum lung mass that can be acutely removed without being fatal?
50%
What side of the lungs is the safest to be completely removed?
LEFT
- R has more lobes and vasculature
What kind of stapler is used for complete/partial lung lobectomy? How is it used?
thoracoabdominal stapler (TA)
- isolate hilus of affected lobe or affected portion
- staple entire pedicle (vessels and bronchus) or ensure adequate margins for partial lobectomy
- excise lobe distal to staples
What is a major pro and con to using thoracoabdominal staplers for lung lobectomies?
PRO - decreased anesthesia and surgery time
CON - device too large for small patients
How are partial lung lobectomies performed by hand? What can be done with very small and peripheral masses?
- place clamps proximal to the affected portion of the lobe
- suture proximal to clamps: one or two continuous patters
- excise mass and oversew transection site
guillotine suture
How is a complete lung lobectomy performed by hand?
- triple ligate vessels at the hilus
- pre-place horizontal mattress sutures and tie prior to transection
- oversew transected end of bronchus with a continuous pattern
How can the affected lung tissue be handled to avoid contamination? What should be checked for before closing?
isolate with moistened laparotomy sponges
- hemorrhage
- air leakage
How can air leakage be checked for prior to closing?
fill thoracic cavity with saline and look for bubbles during PPV (25-30 cm H2O)
What is the difference between a pulmonary bleb, bullae, and cyst?
BLEB = localized collection of air between internal and external layer of visceral pleura
BULLAE = non-epithelialized cavities produced by disruption of intra-alveolar septae
CYST = closed sacs lined by epithelium filled with fluid or air