tran thanh vy

Acute mediastinitis is a life-threatening condition requiring urgent intervention.

This study aims to describe the clinical, laboratory, imaging, and microbiological characteristics, as well as treatment outcomes, of acute mediastinitis cases.

A retrospective, descriptive study was conducted on 32 patients treated at the University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City from February 2016 to April 2024. Data were collected on patient demographics, clinical features, laboratory results, imaging findings, microbiological cultures, and treatment outcomes.

The mean age was 55.7 years, with males comprising 59.4% of cases. Fever and chest pain were the most common symptoms. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently identified organism. Computed tomography (CT) scans typically showed mediastinal air-fluid levels and fat stranding. Surgical interventions included neck drainage and thoracotomy. Complications included severe sepsis, septic shock, and pneumonia, with a mortality rate of 9.4%.

Acute mediastinitis predominantly affects older males and presents significant clinical and diagnostic challenges. Effective multidisciplinary management is crucial for improving patient outcomes. This study provides valuable insights into the characteristics and treatment of acute mediastinitis in a Southeast Asian region.

This study investigated complications and 30-day readmission rates following lobectomy for lung cancer in a pre-enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program setting at the University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, aiming to identify key areas for improvement.

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 99 patients who underwent lobectomy for lung cancer. Data on patient demographics, surgical details, and postoperative outcomes were collected. Complications were categorized using the Clavien-Dindo classification system, and statistical analyses were performed using STATA software.

Among the 99 surveyed patients, 53.5% were male, and 46.5% were female, with the majority being over 60 years old. The postoperative complication rate was 19.2% (30.9% reduction with multimodal pain relief, P = 0.001), and the 30-day readmission rate was 13.1% (19.4% reduction with physical therapy before surgery, P = 0.008). High-risk complication factors included open surgery (42.9%) compared to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) (11.8%) (P = 0.026) and vomiting after surgery (46.7%, P = 0.008).

The findings underscore the necessity of integrating ERAS principles to enhance postoperative care and outcomes in lung cancer surgery. Implementing ERAS protocols could potentially reduce complications and readmissions, improving patient experiences and surgical efficacy. Future research will focus on applying these insights within the ERAS framework to optimize lobectomy outcomes.