ObjectiveTo investigate surgical indications and techniques of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for mediastinal lymph node tuberculosis. MethodsClinical data of 27 patients who underwent VATS for mediastinal lymph node tuberculosis between January 2010 and March 2013 in Wuhan Medical Treatment Center were retrospectively analyzed. There were 16 male and 11 female patients with their age of 18-67 (30.23±10.72) years. ResultsThere was no in-hospital death. Postoperative complications included recurrent laryngeal nerve injury in 1 patient, delayed wound healing in 1 patient and pneumothorax in 1 patient. Postoperatively, all the patients received intensified anti-tubercular treatment, and were engaged in normal physical activities during follow-up of 6 months. ConclusionVATS is safe and reliable for the treatment of mediastinal lymph node tuberculosis, and anti-tubercular treatment is needed before and after the operation.
ObjectiveTo summarize the experience of colon interposition for esophageal replacement. MethodThe clinical data of 108 consecutive patients underwent colon interposition for esophageal replacement in our hospital between January 2005 and March 2013 were reviewed for benign and malignant lesions. Their ages ranged from 2 to 71 years (mean age at 34.3 years). There were 81 males and 27 females. ResultThere was no surgical death. Esophago-colic anastomotic insufficiency occurred in 7 patients. One case of graft necrosis was observed. Injury of recurrent laryngeal nerve occurred in 8 patients, incomplete intestinal obstruction in 2 patients, and wound infection of the abdominal wall in 1 patient, and deep venous thrombosis in 1 patient. In-hospital mortality was 15.7% (17/108). The postoperative follow-up was made for 12 months in 97 patients (91.5%) and all of them were alive. The patients' body weight and appetite improved. ConclusionColon interposition is a valuable alternative with a good long-term function.