Vivostat fibrin sealant significantly reduces post-surgical air leakage and drainage volumes following lobectomy in pulmonary surgery and is suitable for routine use in this procedure.

In a prospective study, 144 patients undergoing thoracotomy were randomized to two groups: In 71 cases cryoanalgesia was applied intraoperatively to the intercostal nerves above and below the incision to relieve postoperative pain, and 73 (control group) received bupivacaine-adrenaline intercostal blockade at the end of the operation. The amount of administered narcotic and mild analgesics, the visual analogue pain scores, the need for further intercostal blockade and the number of postoperative bronchoscopies to clear retained secretion were significantly less in the cryoanalgesia group than in the controls. There were no late nerve complications after cryoanalgesia, which is recommended for routine use in thoracotomy.

A comparative study was made between 753 employees in a U.S. telecommunications company and 655 employees of a Hong Kong telecommunications utility in order to determine whether similarities and differences exist between learning style and job performance. The study revealed a positive relationship between readiness for self‐directed learning as measured by the Self‐Directed Learning Readiness Scale (SDLRS) and job performance in both samples. In general, U.S. respondents scored higher than Hong Kong respondents on the scale.

The function of the mini-drain was satisfactory in the majority of cases, but cases with pleural fluid should be avoided. The recurrences were more due to the severe nature of the pulmonary leak rather than to inadequacy of the drain. The side effects mostly occurred in the first patients, so there was a learning curve. The new system should be tried in all patients presenting with an uncomplicated pneumo-thorax allowing ambulatory treatment. Patients with other diseases complicated by pneumothorax could have the new system in order not to be confined to bed. The new system has no place in patients bedridden due to other severe diseases.