This new 1318-nm Nd:YAG laser facilitates complete resection of multiple bilateral centrally located metastases and thus is lobe sparing. Resection of 20 or more metastases is reasonable because long-term survival was significantly better than that observed with incomplete resection.

BLTX with intraoperative and postoperatively prolonged ECMO support provides excellent initial organ function due to optimal controlled reperfusion and non-aggressive ventilation. This results in improved outcome even in advanced forms of PH.

Coverage of the bronchial stump contributes to a low incidence of PBSF. In view of the fact, that this serious complication was completely avoided in the pericardial flap group (used in patients with expected higher risk for PBSF), this particular technique seems to offer the best results.

Background and Objectives: Advantages of a new 1,318 nm Nd:YAG laser based on multiple lung metastasectomies are shown. Study Design/Materials and Methods: Ninety-three percent of 328 patients with metastases (8/patient, range 1-124) had precision laser resections (lobectomy-rate reduced to 7%); this laser delivers 20 kW/cm 2 1,318 nm power densities with 400 mm fibers, and a focussing handpiece. Absorption in water is tenfold higher. Results and Conclusions: Between 1/1996 and 12/2003 in 328 patients (164 males/females, 61 years) 3,267 nodules were removed. Pathologic examination revealed 2,546 metastases (range 3-80 mm) from kidney (n ¼ 112), colorectal (n ¼ 91), and breast cancers (n ¼ 35). In 85% of patients where the complete resection was achieved the 5-year survival was 41%. For remaining 15% (incomplete resection) the 5-year survival was 7%. Five-year survival for patients with 10 (and more) metastases was 28%, for patients with 20 (and more) was 26%. No 30-day mortality was observed. Conclusion: This new laser system facilitates any kind of parenchymal lung resection in lobe-sparing manner and in case of complete resection improves significantly the survival.

The bilateral sequential anterolateral thoracotomy represents a safe and minimal invasive approach for BLTX compared with the clam shell incision. It minimizes the operative trauma, improves postoperative functional recovery and prevents the potential spread of unilateral complications to the other pleural cavity.

A rare case of a giant pulmonary chondromatous hamartoma (15 cm, 1350 g) resected by a new laser system (Nd:YAG, 1318 nm, 40 W) is presented. The laser management of a hamartoma resection--the largest reported to date in the literature--is presented here.

Presentation of the laser resection technique for metastatic lung diseases: a new Nd:YAG 1.318 nm wavelength laser system enables the thoracic surgeon to extend indication and include a larger number of patients for pulmonary metastasectomy. This parenchyma-saving technique allows removal of a significantly higher number of lung nodules in comparison to conventional techniques (stapler, clamp resection). The novel laser system consisted of a high performance Nd:YAG laser emitting the 1318 nm wavelength exclusively up to a power of 40 W, thin flexible quartz fibers (400 μm) with low water content and a four-lens focusing handpiece. Description of laser system, the technique of laser resection, together with an overview of the literature is presented.

Objectives: CD133pos cells are currently evaluated for use in cardiac cell therapy. We hypothesized that they exert their beneficial effects in a paracrine manner and investigated this in a cell culture ischaemia model. Furthermore, we checked whether purified CD133pos cells perform better than non-fractionated mononuclear cells (MNC). Methods: CD133pos cells were isolated from bone marrow MNC and conditioned medium was prepared from CD133pos and non-fractionated MNC. HL-1 cardiomyocytes were subjected to simulated ischaemia in the respective conditioned media or in control medium. After treatment, total remaining cells, apoptotic cells and nuclear shrinking were quantified using an automated imaging system. Furthermore, metabolic activity and phosphorylation of kinases Akt, Erk1/2, GSK3b and transcription factor Stat3 were investigated. Results: After simulated ischaemia, the rate of detached dead cells was lowest in CD133pos conditioned medium (26 ± 6%) and highest in control medium (36 ± 6%). In CD133pos conditioned medium, the fraction of nonapoptotic cells was most enhanced and nuclear shrinking as a consequence of apoptosis was reduced. Cell viability was also highest in CD133pos conditioned medium (109.4 ± 8.8% in relation to control). In both conditioned media, phosphorylation of Akt, Erk1/2, and GSK3b was lower than in control medium. Stat3 phosphorylation was sustained on the level of control. Conclusions: Factors released from purified CD133pos bone marrow cells exhibit more pronounced protective effects on HL-1 cardiomyocytes under simulated ischaemia than from non-fractionated MNC. These effects are not associated with the phosphorylation of cell survival promoting kinases Akt, Erk1/2, GSK3b and transcription factor Stat3. Although the molecular mechanism of cardioprotection by CD133pos cells requires further investigation, our results reinforce the advantage of enriching CD133pos cells for cardiac cell therapy.