Lobectomy: Open



Lobectomy: Open


Awad El-Ashry

Robert J. Cerfolio






PATIENT HISTORY AND PHYSICAL FINDINGS



  • Growing nodules in a smoker


  • Chronic cough and/or hemoptysis


  • Dyspnea


  • Age older than 50 years


  • History of smoking


  • Family or personal history of cancer


  • Lymphadenopathy


  • Horner’s syndrome


IMAGING AND OTHER DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES



  • Chest x-ray: Plain films may show a pulmonary nodule and are also useful to evaluate for chronic lung conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Historically, the pattern of calcification of the nodule has been used to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions. However, this is not sensitive, as up to 20% of malignant nodules had benign appearance. Serial x-rays may be required to follow the lesion.


  • Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan: A solitary pulmonary nodule is most likely benign; however, high index of suspicion should prompt further investigation to rule out the possibility of malignancy. Typically, malignant nodules enhance more than 20 Hounsfield units (HU), whereas benign nodules are usually less than 15. CT is useful to identify the location (central vs. peripheral), size, characteristics, single versus multiple, presence or absence of direct
    extension to mediastinal structures and/or chest wall, and presence or absence of suspicious LNs and their location.


  • Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: The PET scan is less sensitive, however, more specific than CT in identifying malignant lesions. A lesion with standard uptake value (SUV) of 4.6 is associated with 96% likelihood of malignancy. An uptake of 0 to 2.5 is associated with 25% likelihood of malignancy. For staging purposes, PET scan helps identify the presence or absence of PET avid lymphatic and/or systemic metastasis.


  • Mediastinoscopy for LN biopsy and staging


  • Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) for LN status and biopsy of suspicious LNs


  • Navigational bronchoscopy


  • Pulmonary function test: with focus on forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO). These measures help predict the postresection pulmonary function.


  • Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) biopsy if the diagnosis is still in doubt


  • Brain and/or spine CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should be considered to identify possible metastasis, especially if the patient has neurologic symptoms. It was found that up to 18% of NSCLC has brain metastasis at presentation, with 10% asymptomatic.


SURGICAL MANAGEMENT—PULMONARY LOBECTOMY


Positioning and Preoperative Planning



  • Position the patient supine.


  • Intubate with a double lumen endotracheal tube.


  • Perform complete bronchoscopy and confirm position of the double lumen tube for single-lung ventilation.


  • Place a Foley catheter.


  • After intubation, place the patient in full lateral decubitus position, the operated side exposed.


  • Arms in swimmer’s position to display the axilla


  • Shoulder higher than hip


  • Legs are positioned with the bottom leg bent and pillow in between to stabilize patient’s lateral position.


  • Break table (kidney bend/flex) and use additional reverse Trendlenburg to position the patient’s lateral chest wall almost parallel to the floor and the legs are angled toward the floor.


  • Pad pressure points and bony prominences; appropriately secure body position.


  • A body warmer to prevent patient hypothermia can be applied.


  • Curvilinear posterolateral incision at the 5th intercostal space is made starting midway between the medial edge of scapula and spine ending at the anterior axillary line, passing at a point two fingerbreadths below the scapular tip.


  • We spare the rib as well as the serratus anterior muscle during dissection.


  • Inject local anesthetic directly into the 5th and 6th intercostals nerve roots.


  • Apply rib spreader retractor with gradual retraction.


  • First inspect the pleural space and explore to ensure there are no metastatic lesions on the diaphragm or the parietal or visceral pleura.


  • The hilum is identified after the lung is retracted posteriorly and inferiorly. The dissection is carried down between the hilar structures and the phrenic nerve.


  • Sweep phrenic nerve gently down to remove the station 10R LN, avoiding the small phrenic vein that goes to the large station 10R LN that is routinely found in this area.


  • Divide the inferior pulmonary ligament up to the level of the inferior pulmonary vein (IPV). Resect the LNs encountered in this area (stations 8 and 9) and clean the esophagus and vagus nerve of hilar tissue (FIG 3).

NOTE: It is important to place the patients flank exactly over the breaking point (flex or kidney break) of the table. We use the break table/flex function to maximize rib separation.






FIG 3 • The inferior pulmonary ligament exposed by retracting the lung superiorly.

Jul 24, 2016 | Posted by in GENERAL | Comments Off on Lobectomy: Open

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