In veteran patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer, video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy resulted in better disease control and survival than stereotactic body radiotherapy. Although prior reports suggest that stereotactic body radiotherapy is a suitable alternative to surgery in early-stage lung cancer, a prospective randomized trial is needed. Nevertheless, stereotactic body radiotherapy remains a suitable option for medically inoperable patients.

One hundred seventy transnasal balloon catheter dilation procedures were performed in 35 patients with esophageal strictures to assess the efficacy and safety of the procedure. On the average, five dilations were required per patient. Depending on the cause of the esophageal stricture, success rates for the technique ranged from 67% to 87%, with success defined as the resolution of dysphagia to both fluids and solids. Three complications, all perforations, were seen; one perforation required surgical repair. No procedure-related deaths were identified in this series. Balloon catheter dilation can be safely applied to esophageal strictures from a variety of causes, with a high degree of clinical success.

With the advent of endovascular technology, there is a clinical shift toward increased use of FET to eliminate or facilitate the second surgical stage in treating patients with extensive aortic pathology. The addition of FET to the surgical armamentarium does not seem to pose additional risk (although larger studies are needed), but judicious use is advised nonetheless. A single-piece endoprosthesis for FET instead of a customized one should be considered.

No abstract