Contributors
VIRGINIA R. LITLE, MD (Source: Thoracic Surgery Clinics)
Source: Thoracic Surgery Clinics - October 18, 2022 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Source Type: research
Contents
Virginia R. Litle (Source: Thoracic Surgery Clinics)
Source: Thoracic Surgery Clinics - October 18, 2022 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Source Type: research
Forthcoming Issues
Robotic Thoracic Surgery (Source: Thoracic Surgery Clinics)
Source: Thoracic Surgery Clinics - October 18, 2022 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Source Type: research
Surgical Capacity Building in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
This article provides a brief overview of thoracic surgical capacity building for low- and middle-income countries using the Lancet framework of infrastructure, workforce, financing, and information management. The authors highlight the needs, opportunities, and challenges that are relevant for the thoracic surgical community, as it aims to increase care for patients with these conditions globally. (Source: Thoracic Surgery Clinics)
Source: Thoracic Surgery Clinics - August 1, 2022 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Rachel Koch, Abigail M. Felsted, Sargun Virk, Nobhojit Roy, Sudha Jayaraman Source Type: research
Management of Empyema Thoracis in Low-Resource Settings
Most cases of empyema thoracis are sequelae of severe pneumonia, but chest trauma and complications of chest tube insertion as cause are not uncommon in low-resource settings. Diagnosis is usually delayed due to delayed presentation to health care facilities, low index of suspicion among health care professionals, and inability to properly stage the disease with the available diagnostic tools. Early use of antibiotics and appropriate-sized and well-placed chest tube drainage is associated with good outcomes at a decreased cost. Surgical management of empyema thoracis is indicated when chest tube drainage and antibiotic tre...
Source: Thoracic Surgery Clinics - August 1, 2022 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Abebe Bekele, Barnabas Tobi Alayande Source Type: research
Radiology for Thoracic Conditions in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
With a disproportionately high burden of global morbidity and mortality caused by chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), access to radiological services is of critical importance for screening, diagnosis, and treatment guidance. (Source: Thoracic Surgery Clinics)
Source: Thoracic Surgery Clinics - August 1, 2022 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Monica Miranda-Schaeubinger, Abass Noor, Cleverson Alex Leit ão, Hansel J. Otero, Farouk Dako Source Type: research
Development of an Endoscopy Training Partnership in a Developing Country
This article outlines what we have learned from our training partnership in the Pacific Islands Region. (Source: Thoracic Surgery Clinics)
Source: Thoracic Surgery Clinics - August 1, 2022 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Eileen S. Natuzzi, Chris Hair, Elizabeth Ha ’upala Wore, Virginia Litle Source Type: research
Anesthesia for Global General Thoracic Surgery
Anesthesia in low-to-middle income countries (LMICs) is often provided by nonphysician anesthetists. The training and resources for anesthesia in LMICs are limited, and this must be evaluated when starting or expanding a thoracic surgery program in LMICs. The ability to access a patient ’s baseline pulmonary and cardiovascular status is often based on rudimentary studies and a thorough history and physical. Advance studies, such as echocardiograms, cardiovascular stress test, cardiac catherizations, pulmonary function tests, and MRIs, are often not available. Careful assessment o f both preoperative patient selection, in...
Source: Thoracic Surgery Clinics - August 1, 2022 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Janey R. Phelps, Henry Lizi, Bryant A. Murphy Source Type: research
Management of Pulmonary Hydatidosis and Lung Abscess in Low-Resource Settings
In the modern era, infections of the lung are typically managed medically. However, all pulmonary hydatid cysts require surgery with rare exceptions, and bacterial abscesses require surgery if they are complicated, resistant to treatment, and/or large. Surgical treatment of these pulmonary conditions requires clinical knowledge of tests for causative organisms, perioperative antimicrobial therapies, options for surgical management, and postoperative care. (Source: Thoracic Surgery Clinics)
Source: Thoracic Surgery Clinics - August 1, 2022 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Alfredo Sotomayor, Silvia Portilla, Gita N. Mody Source Type: research
Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery for Low- and Middle-Income Countries
The burden of respiratory and upper-gastrointestinal diseases especially affects low- and middle-income countries. Five billion people lack access to safe, timely, and affordable surgical care, including thoracic surgical care. Minimally invasive thoracic surgery (MITS) has been shown to reduce complications, shorten hospital lengths of stay, and minimize health care costs, thereby enabling patients to pay less out-of-pocket and/or limit time away from work and families. Experiences with MITS exist but are limited in low- and middle-income countries; professional societies, academic institutions, policymakers, and industry...
Source: Thoracic Surgery Clinics - August 1, 2022 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Yihan Lin, Dominique Vervoort, Bibhusal Thapa, Ranjan Sapkota, John D. Mitchell Source Type: research
Tracheobronchial Surgery in Emerging Countries
Tracheobronchial surgery is widely performed in emerging countries mainly as a consequence of the high number of airway-related complications and poor management in intensive care units. This has led to great expertise in the surgical management of postintubation tracheal stenosis, and opportunity for advancing scientific knowledge. Nonetheless, tracheal stenosis has a severe impact on a patient ’s quality of life, is a major burden to the health system, and should be prevented. Incorporation of innovative techniques, technologies, and prospective databases should prompt earlier diagnosis and lead to fewer complications....
Source: Thoracic Surgery Clinics - August 1, 2022 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Benoit Jacques Bibas, Paulo Henrique Peitl-Gregorio, Mariana Rodrigues Cremonese, Ricardo Mingarini Terra Source Type: research
Lung Cancer Management in Low and Middle-Income Countries
Lung cancer is an increasing problem in the developing world due to rising trends in smoking, high incidence of air pollution, lack of awareness and screening, delayed presentation, and diagnosis at the advanced stage. Even after diagnosis, there are disparities in access to health care facilities and inequitable distribution of resources and treatment options. In addition, the shortage of trained personnel and infrastructure adds to the challenges faced by patients with lung cancer in these regions. A multi-pronged effort targeting tobacco cessation, health promotion and awareness, capacity building, and value-based care ...
Source: Thoracic Surgery Clinics - August 1, 2022 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Sabita Jiwnani, Prasanth Penumadu, Apurva Ashok, C.S. Pramesh Source Type: research
Pathology for Thoracic Conditions in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Pulmonary disease in low- and middle-income countries is highly diverse and dependent on the population, background epidemiology, environmental exposures, and smoking status. Credible evaluation of lung diseases requires skilled clinicians, imaging infrastructure, microbiology, and pathologic diagnostics, including imaging-guided cytology and biopsy. When these tools are available, improvement in patient outcomes is feasible. Pathologic diagnostics of lung lesions, including histology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular testing, are critical to properly stratify patient risk and determine exact therapies for each patient....
Source: Thoracic Surgery Clinics - August 1, 2022 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Robert Lukande, Lynnette Tumwine Kyokunda, Alemayehu Ginbo Bedada, Dan Milner Source Type: research
Management of Esophageal Cancer Treatment in Resource-Limited Settings
Due to the luminal nature of the disease, esophageal cancer diagnosis and treatment is challenging. Majority of the patients usually present with dysphagia, at which point the disease is often locally advanced. Diagnosis and treatment need a multidisciplinary approach which often involves endoscopy, imaging services, oncology services, surgical services, and critical care services. Surgery is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and care should be domiciled in high-volume centers. Training and mentorship are key to building capacity for esophageal cancer care. (Source: Thoracic Surgery Clinics)
Source: Thoracic Surgery Clinics - August 1, 2022 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Michael Mwachiro, Russell White Source Type: research
Chest Trauma Management in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Trauma is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide and disproportionately affects those in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Globally, two-thirds of injured patients sustain trauma to the thoracic cavity. Further research, capacity building, and increased awareness are needed to limit the high thoracic trauma-associated morbidity and mortality in LMICs. (Source: Thoracic Surgery Clinics)
Source: Thoracic Surgery Clinics - August 1, 2022 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Brittney M. Williams, Gift Mulima, Anthony Charles Source Type: research
