The purpose of this study was to assess the mortality and risk factors of complications after pneumonectomy for lung cancer. Between 1996 and 2001, we reviewed and analysed the demographic, clinical, functional, and surgical variables of 168 patients to identify risk factors of postoperative complications by univariate and multivariate analyses with Medlog software system. The mean age was 60+/-10 years, overall mortality and morbidity rates were 4.17% and 41.6%, respectively. All frequencies of respiratory complications were 1.2% for acute respiratory failure, 10.1% for pneumonia, 2.4% for acute pulmonary oedema, 4.17% for bronchopleural fistula, 2.4% for thoracic empyema and 18.5% for left recurrent nerve injuries. Postoperative arrhythmias developed in 46% of our patients. The risk factors for cardiopulmonary morbidity and mortality with univariate analysis were advanced age (P<0.01), preoperative poor performance status (P<0.015), and chronic artery disease (P<0.008). Factors adversely affecting morbidity with multivariate analysis included age (P=0.0001), associated cardiovascular disease (P=0.001), and altered forced expiratory volume in 1 s (P=0.0005). Complications after pneumonectomy are associated with high mortality. Careful attention must be paid to patients with advanced age and heart disease. Chest physiotherapy is paramount to have uneventful outcomes.

Respiratory amyloidosis is a rare disease which refers to localized aberrant extracellular protein deposits within the airways. Tracheobronchial amyloidosis (TBA) refers to the deposition of localized amyloid deposits within the upper airways. Treatments have historically focused on bronchoscopic techniques including debridement, laser ablation, balloon dilation, and stent placement. We present the outcomes after rigid bronchoscopy to remove the amyloid protein causing the airway obstruction in 6 cases of tracheobronchial amyloidosis. This is the first report of primary diffuse tracheobronchial amyloidosis in our department; clinical features, in addition to therapy in the treatment of TBA, are reviewed. This paper shows that, in patients with TBA causing airway obstruction, excellent results can be obtained with rigid bronchoscopy and stenting of the obstructing lesion.

Hydatid disease is a zoonotic infection caused by Echinoccosis granulosus and our country was an endemic area. Osseous localization is uncommon and can be confused with tumor. We present a case of a hydatid cyst with rib involvement in a 57-year-old man presented with thoracic pain and swelling mimicking chest wall tumor. We confirmed diagnosis only by surgical exploration and histopathology exam because radiology is not conclusive. Surgery remains the first choice for treatment in hydatid cyst disease that can remove the parasite radically. However, in osseous localization pre and postoperative course of albendazole for 6 months associated with surgery can help in sterilizing the cyst and reduce the recurrence rate. Hydatid cyst can involve all the thoracic structures; rib localization is rare and needs surgical resection for total eradication.

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