VATS segmentectomy: past, present, and future

Effectiveness of a Teach-Back Education Program on Perioperative Pain in Patients With Lung Cancer: An Intervention Study Using Behavior Change Wheel

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of a teach-back educational intervention using Behavior Change Wheel (BCW) framework on perioperative pain among patients with lung cancer.

METHODS

A prospective quasi-experimental study was conducted in 88 patients with lung cancer from a tertiary hospital in China. According to the order of admission, they were allocated to either control group or intervention group, with 44 patients in each group. Patients in the control group received routine nursing care, while patients in the intervention group were given a teach-back education program based on BCW framework. The visual analog scale (VAS) was adopted to evaluate patients' pain on the day of surgery (T0), 1 (T1), 2 (T2), and 3 (T3) days after surgery. We also recorded the use of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), the length of hospital stay, and the degree of patients' satisfaction.

RESULTS

Rest pain, pain when coughing, and pain during activity that patients in the intervention group experienced were significantly less severe than those in the control group on T0 and T1. The pain when coughing in the intervention group was also significantly milder on T2 and T3. In addition, the number of self-control time, use duration, and total dose of PCA were significantly lower in the intervention group. Moreover, patients' satisfaction of nursing service was significantly higher in the intervention group.

CONCLUSION

A teach-back education program based on BCW framework was effective in pain management among the perioperative patients with lung cancer. This study demonstrates the application of teach-back method and the BCW in the development of patient education intervention to mitigate perioperative pain.

Impact of indocyanine green on prolonged air leak in minimally invasive segmentectomy

BACKGROUND

Video-assisted thoracoscopic segmentectomies have become the gold standard for the treatment of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer less than two centimeters. The main difficulty is the identification of intersegmental boundary lines which dictate postoperative morbidities.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study to compare the perioperative outcomes of patients who underwent minimally invasive segmentectomy using the traditional deflation-inflation method or the novel indocyanine green (ICG) technique. Using a prospectively maintained database, we performed a retrospective analysis of 197 consecutive anatomical segmentectomies, from 2020 to 2023. Clinical effectiveness, postoperative complications, and histological data were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 73 (37%) patients had the inflation-deflation method and 124 (63%) had the intravenous ICG method. There were no significant differences in chest tube duration, prolonged air leak, postoperative complications, and postoperative hospital stays. Surgical margin width was also similar between the two groups. The multivariable analysis confirmed these results. Lastly, intravenous ICG brought no additional value in complex segmentectomies.

CONCLUSION

This monocentric and retrospective analysis found no added value of the intravenous ICG on the perioperative results of minimally invasive segmentectomies. The place of this novel technique in the surgical armamentarium remains to be defined. Specific indications such as complex segmentectomy or patients with chronic pulmonary disease require further study.

Segmentectomy-oriented anatomical model for enhanced precision surgery of the left upper lobe

Objective

To optimize surgical outcomes and minimize complications in complex segmentectomy of the left upper lobe, we investigated the topographical anatomy of the left upper lobe and developed a segmentectomy-oriented anatomical model.

Methods

A state-of-the-art 3-dimensional computed tomography workstation was used to visualize the intersegmental planes and associated veins to categorize the anatomical patterns influencing surgical procedures during left upper lobe segmentectomy. This included the central vein affecting S1+2 (apicoposterior segment) segmentectomy, the transverse S3 (anterior segment) affecting S3 segmentectomy, and other venous branching patterns in 395 patients who underwent thoracic surgery at our institution.

Results

The central vein was observed in 32% of the patients, necessitating access from the interlobar area after segmental artery and bronchus division. Transverse S3 incidence was 27%, revealing that only one-third of the patients required complete left upper lobe transection between S4 and S3 during S3 segmentectomy. A significant negative correlation was observed between the presence of transverse S3 and the central vein (<10% of patients with the central vein had transverse S3 and vice versa). In 6% of patients, the lingular segmental veins partially or entirely drained into the inferior pulmonary vein, potentially causing excessive or insufficient resection during surgery.

Conclusions

This study offers valuable insights into the topographic anatomy of the left upper lobe and presents a segmentectomy-oriented anatomical model for complex segmentectomies. Our approach enables a more precise and individualized surgical planning for patients undergoing segmentectomy based on their unique anatomy, which could thereby lead to improved patient outcomes.

Identifying the intersegmental plane for segmentectomy using the open insufflation technique

Accurate identification of the intersegmental plane is the key to successful segmentectomy. This case series included 41 patients who underwent uniportal thoracoscopic segmentectomy using the open insufflation method to identify the intersegmental plane for pulmonary nodules. The median age of the patients was 58 (range 35-73) years, and 63.4% were female. Malignant pulmonary nodules accounted for 80.5% of cases and were staged as 0-IA2. Seventeen patients underwent a single subsegmentectomy or single segmentectomy, and 24 underwent combined subsegmentectomy or subsegmentectomy combined with segmentectomy. There was no conversion to multiportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, open surgery, or lobectomy. The median operative time was 84 (range 45-194) min, and the median blood loss was 50 (range 10-150) ml. The median chest tube duration and postoperative hospital stay were 2 (range 1 - 7) days. One (2.4%) developed an air leak for >5 days. No deaths occurred within 30 days after surgery.

Trends in Comprehensive Thoracic Case Experience Among General Surgery Residents in the Modern Integrated Cardiothoracic Residency Era: Review of Twenty Years of Resident Case Logs

BACKGROUND

Thoracic surgery training among general surgery residents in the United States is regulated by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) to ensure exposure to subspecialty fields during residency. Thoracic surgery training has changed over time with the placement of work hour restrictions, the emphasis on minimally invasive surgery, and increased subspecialization of training like integrated six-year cardiothoracic surgery programs. We aim to investigate how these changes over the past twenty years have affected thoracic surgery training among general surgery residents.

METHODS

ACGME general surgery resident case logs from 1999 to 2019 were reviewed. Data included exposure to the thorax via thoracic, cardiac, vascular, pediatric, trauma, and alimentary tract procedures. Cases from the above categories were consolidated to determine the comprehensive experience. Descriptive statistics were performed over four 5-year Eras (Era 1:1999-2004, Era 2: 2004-2009, Era 3: 2009-2014, Era 4: 2014-2019).

RESULTS

Between Era 1 and Era 4, there was an increase in thoracic surgery experience (37.6 ± 1.03 vs 39.3 ± .64; P = .006). The mean total thoracic experience for thoracoscopic, open, and cardiac procedures was 12.89 ± 3.76, 20.09 ± 2.33, and 4.98 ± 1.28, respectively. There was a difference between Era 1 and Era 4 in thoracoscopic (8.78 ± .961 vs 17.18 ± .75; P < .001) and open thoracic experience (22 ± .97 vs 17.06 ± .88; P < .001), and a decrease in thoracic trauma procedures (3.7 ± .06 vs 3.2 ± .32; P = .03).

DISCUSSION

Over twenty years there has been a similar, to slight increase in thoracic surgery exposure among general surgery residents. The changes seen in thoracic surgery training reflect the overall movement of surgery towards minimally invasive surgery.

Three-Dimensional Imaging-Guided Lung Anatomic Segmentectomy: A Single-Center Preliminary Experiment

Background and objectives: VATS segmentectomy has been proven to be effective in the treatment of stage I NSCLC, but its technical complexity remains one of the most challenging aspects for thoracic surgeons. Furthermore, 3D-CT reconstruction images can help in planning and performing surgical procedures. In this paper, we present our personal experience of 11 VATS anatomical resections performed after accurate pre-operative planning with 3D reconstructions. Materials and methods: A 3D virtual model of the lungs, airways, and vasculature was obtained, starting from a 1.25 mm 3-phase contrast CT scan, and the original images were used for the semi-automatic segmentation of the lung parenchyma, airways, and tumor. Results: Six males and five females were included in this study. The median diameter of the pulmonary lesion at the pre-operative chest CT scan was 20 mm. The surgical indication was confirmed in seven patients: in three cases, a lobectomy, instead of a segmentectomy, was needed due to intraoperative findings of nodal metastasis. Meanwhile, only in one case, we performed a lobectomy because of inadequate surgical resection margins. Skin-to-skin operative average time was 142 (IQR 1-3 105-182.5) min. The median post-operative stay was 6 (IQR 1-3 3.5-7) days. The mean value of the closest surgical margin was 13.7 mm. Conclusion: Image-guided reconstructions are a useful tool for surgeons to perform complex resections in order to spare healthy parenchyma and to ensure disease-free margins. Nevertheless, human skill and surgeon experience still remain fundamental for the final decisions regarding the proper resection to perform.

Changes in pulmonary function in lung cancer patients after segmentectomy or lobectomy: a retrospective, non-intervention, observation study

OBJECTIVES

Pulmonary segmentectomy (SE) became an increasingly popular method for resection of early-stage lung cancer. This study aims to compare the impact of single SE (SSE), multiple SE (MSE) and lobectomy (LE) on postoperative pulmonary function in patients with NSCLC.

METHODS

Medical records of a total of 1284 patients who underwent LE (n = 493), SSE (n = 558) and MSE (n = 233) at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital from January 2013 to October, 2020 were retrospectively analysed. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were performed preoperatively and 12 months after surgery.

RESULTS

SSE was associated with a significantly smaller decline in the PFT values compared to MSE and LE. There was a poor consistency between the observed and expected (O/E) loss of pulmonary function in all study groups (P < 0.05). Both LE and SE resulted in similar O/E ratios of all PFT parameters (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall loss of pulmonary function was much greater after LE than after both SSE and MSE. MSE was associated with higher postoperative pulmonary function decline compared to SSE but was still beneficial over LE. Both LE and SE groups had similar PFT loss per segment (P > 0.05).

Bronchial branching patterns and volumetry in the right upper lobe: impact on segmentectomy planning

OBJECTIVES

The use of segmentectomy is expected to increase. However, understanding of the segmental bronchial branching is limited. Herein, we aimed to investigate bronchial branching pattern complexity and segmental volumetry of the right upper lung lobe to develop an accurate understanding of segmental anatomy and contribute to the advancement of safe and efficient lung segmentectomy.

METHODS

We evaluated chest computed tomography scans of 303 patients and categorized the branching of segmental bronchi (segment 1, apical; segment 2, posterior; and segment 3, anterior) into 4 major types (typical trifurcated, bifurcated non-defective, bifurcated defective and atypical trifurcated) and 11 subtypes. Segmental volumetry was performed to determine the predominant segment in each case (volume difference <5% was considered equal). Branching complexity was evaluated separately for volumetry-predominant and volumetry-non-predominant segments.

RESULTS

Trifurcated non-defective was the most frequent branching type (64.4%), followed by bifurcated non-defective (22.1%), bifurcated defective (8.6%) and trifurcated half-defective (4.0%). In terms of segmental volumetry, most cases had a one-segment-predominant distribution (71%) and only 5% of cases had equal distribution (segment 1 = segment 2 = segment 3). More than half of the cases had a segment 3-predominant distribution (52%). Branching complexity analysis revealed that the volumetry-non-predominant segment was associated with a higher risk of complex branching patterns compared with the volumetry-predominant segment (37% vs 19%, respectively; P < 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Volumetric assessment of the right upper lobe showed a heterogeneous segmental volume distribution. Care should be taken during lung segmentectomy of the volumetry-non-predominant segments because of the high risk associated with complex bronchial branching patterns.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

No. 4840.

Hyperspectral imaging enables the differentiation of differentially inflated and perfused pulmonary tissue: a proof-of-concept study in pulmonary lobectomies for intersegmental plane mapping

OBJECTIVES

The identification of the intersegmental plane is a major interoperative challenges during pulmonary segmentectomies. The objective of this pilot study is to test the feasibility of lung perfusion assessment by Hyperspectral Imaging for identification of the intersegmental plane.

METHODS

A pilot study (clinicaltrials.org: NCT04784884) was conducted in patients with lung cancer. Measuring tissue oxygenation (StO₂; upper tissue perfusion), organ hemoglobin index (OHI), near-infrared index (NIR; deeper tissue perfusion) and tissue water index (TWI), the Hyperspectral Imaging measurements were carried out in inflated (P_vent) and deflated pulmonary lobes (P_nV) as well as in deflated pulmonary lobes with divided circulation (P_nVC) before dissection of the lobar bronchus.

RESULTS

A total of 341 measuring points were evaluated during pulmonary lobectomies. Pulmonary lobes showed a reduced StO2 (P_vent: 84.56% ± 3.92 vs. P_nV: 63.62% ± 11.62 vs. P_nVC: 39.20% ± 23.57; p<0.05) and NIR-perfusion (P_vent: 50.55 ± 5.62 vs. P_nV: 47.55 ± 3.38 vs. P_nVC: 27.60 ± 9.33; p<0.05). There were no differences of OHI and TWI between the three groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study demonstrates that HSI enables differentiation between different ventilated and perfused pulmonary tissue as a precondition for HSI segment mapping.

Anatomical type analysis of right interlobar artery based on chest thin-slice CT scan and three-dimensional reconstruction

PURPOSE

To analyse and summarize branching pattern types of the interlobar portion of right pulmonary arteries (RPA) through chest thin-slice CT scans and three-dimensional reconstruction.

METHODS

A total of 179 patients (58 males and 121 females, with an average age of 53.9 years) at the Thoracic Surgery Department of Ningbo First Hospital were retrospectively included from December 2020 to December 2021. All patients completed preoperative thin-slice CT scans and three-dimensional reconstructions of the chest. The clinical data and branching patterns were collected. Data were analysed using SPSS 21.0.

RESULTS

The branching pattern types of the interlobar portion of RPA were divided into 4 types according to the order and number of branches: Type I (145/179, 81.0%), Asc. A2, MA, A6; Type II (28/179, 15.6%), Asc. A2 deletion, MA, A6; Type III (5/179, 2.8%), Asc. A2, A6, MA; and Type IV (1/179, 0.6%), MA, Asc. A2, A6. Type I was the most common pattern. Furthermore, according to the number of branches of MA and A6, this pattern can be subdivided into 15 subcategories.

CONCLUSION

Chest thin-slice CT scans and 3D reconstructions can provide surgeons with accurate lung anatomy, which helps surgeons perform preoperative planning and complete surgery successfully.

Staplers versus energy devices for the intersegmental plane separation in thoracoscopic segmentectomy: a comparative study

BACKGROUND

In segmentectomy, in addition to the anatomy of the segmental hilum, the identification and separation of the intersegmental plane is also an important step of the operation. Because of its simplicity and high efficiency, most thoracic surgeons choose the staplers. But the energy devices also have its unique advantages in the separation of the intersegmental plane. This study compared the clinical efficacy of staplers and energy devices in the separation of the intersegmental planes during the uniport thoracoscopic segmentectomy through the clinical data.

METHODS

Clinical data of 89 patients undergoing uniport VATS lung segmentectomy from January 2019 to October 2020 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were analyzed retrospectively. According to the different treatment methods of intersegmental plane, the patients were divided into two groups, 55 in the stapler group and 34 in the energy device group. The clinical data of the two groups were compared and analyzed statistically. And the univariate and multivariate logistic regression were also used to explore the influencing factors of postoperative complications.

RESULTS

Lung segmentectomy was successfully operated in both groups. There were statistically significant differences in operative duration, number of staplers used, surgical expenses and postoperative complications (P < 0.05). In terms of general data, including tumor location, operative hemorrhage, drainage volume on the first postoperative day, total postoperative drainage volume, postoperative chest tube retention duration, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative blood routine indexes, and postoperative pulmonary function indexes after 3 months, no significant differences were observed (P > 0.05). Smoking history (OR 5.08, 95% CI 1.05-24.56, P = 0.043) and intersegmental plane treatment (OR 3.18, 95% CI 1.11-9.14, P = 0.031) were risk factors for postoperative complications. Patients of the energy device group had a higher incidence of postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

In uniport thoracoscopic segmentectomy, the use of energy devices to treat the intersegmental plane will result in longer operative duration and higher postoperative complication rate, but it does not affect postoperative recovery and can help reduce surgical expenses. Both methods are safe and reliable. Clinically, the two methods can be reasonably selected according to the specific situation.

The regularity of anatomical variations of dominant pulmonary segments in the right upper lobe

BACKGROUND

Anatomical variations often pose challenges to pulmonary surgery. Previous studies have mainly described the frequencies of bronchovascular anatomical variations in pulmonary segments, but did not determine the differences between pulmonary segments and the regularity behind these anatomical variations. Here, we attempted to investigate the regularity of bronchovascular anatomical variations in different pulmonary segments.

METHODS

Thin-slice enhanced computed tomography data of 800 cases from our center were included in this study. Digitalized three-dimensional virtual lung segmentation was done, the dominant and inferior lung segments of the right upper lobe were defined, and the regularity of anatomical variations was explored.

RESULTS

The mean volume ratio of the anterior segment of the right upper lobe (39.6 ± 8.6%) was highest, and that of the posterior segment (28.6 ± 7.9%) was lowest. Therefore, the dominant-type segment (DS + SDS) was dominant in the anterior segment, accounting for 74.6% (597/800), and the inferior-type segment (SIS + IS) was dominant in the posterior segment of the right upper lobe, accounting for 71.5% of cases (573/800). During the transformation of dominant and inferior lung segments, the corresponding regularity of anatomical variations could be displayed. For example, with an increase in the volume of the anterior segment of the right upper lobe, the occurrence rate of the bifurcated type of bronchus (B1 + 2, B3), the "central vein type" and the involvement of the trunk inferior and ascending artery in the blood supply of anterior segment gradually increased.

CONCLUSIONS

The existence of dominant segments will increase the diversity of anatomical variations and the complexity of pulmonary segmentectomy.

Retroviral Replicating Vector Toca 511 (Vocimagene Amiretrorepvec) for Prodrug Activator Gene Therapy of Lung Cancer

Therapeutic efficacy of retroviral replicating vector (RRV)-mediated prodrug activator gene therapy has been demonstrated in a variety of tumor models, but clinical investigation of this approach has so far been restricted to glioma and gastrointestinal malignancies. In the present study, we evaluated replication kinetics, transduction efficiency, and therapeutic efficacy of RRV in experimental models of lung cancer. RRV delivering GFP as a reporter gene showed rapid viral replication in a panel of lung cancer cells in vitro, as well as robust intratumoral replication and high levels of tumor transduction in subcutaneous and orthotopic pleural dissemination models of lung cancer in vivo. Toca 511 (vocimagene amiretrorepvec), a clinical-stage RRV encoding optimized yeast cytosine deaminase (yCD) which converts the prodrug 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) to the active drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), showed potent cytotoxicity in lung cancer cells upon exposure to 5-FC prodrug. In vivo, Toca 511 achieved significant tumor growth inhibition following 5-FC treatment in subcutaneous and orthotopic pleural dissemination models of lung cancer in both immunodeficient and immunocompetent hosts, resulting in significantly increased overall survival. This study demonstrates that RRV can serve as highly efficient vehicles for gene delivery to lung cancer, and indicates the translational potential of RRV-mediated prodrug activator gene therapy with Toca 511/5-FC as a novel therapeutic strategy for pulmonary malignancies.

"Separated" precise subsegmentectomy: Single-port thoracoscopic noncombined subsegmentectomy in one lung lobe

BACKGROUND

In clinical practice, combined segmental resection (CSS) can avoid resection of multiple segments to preserve lung function. When two or more distant lung segments or subsegments of the same lobe present with a ground glass opacity (GGO) that meets the indications for sublobar resection, conventional CSS or wedge resection could not remove all the nodules, and lobectomy is performed in most of these patients. For these particular types of nodules, we perform a single lobe noncombined subsegmental resection, or "separated" precise subsegmentectomy, to preserve more lung tissue. This study was designed to initially assess the feasibility and safety of "separated" precise subsegmentectomy.

METHODS

Selected cases of specific GGO were subjected to "separated" precise subsegmentectomy and the results of general clinical data, perioperative operative time, bleeding, length of stay, computed tomography (CT) review, lung function and its dynamic changes were collected and analyzed in these patients.

RESULTS

"Separated" precise subsegmentectomy was performed in 12 patients and successfully completed. The median operation time, bleeding amount, and length of hospital stay were 96 min, 50 ml and 4 days, respectively. There was one case of pulmonary infection and one case of persistent air leakage, no death or pulmonary torsion, bronchopleural fistula and other pulmonary complications occurred. After 3 months, the median percentage of lung function retention was 91.7%, and the CT scan showed that the reserved lung tissue of 12 patients was well inflated and there was no obvious imaging manifestation of atelectasis.

CONCLUSION

"Separated" precise subsegmentectomy is a novel and safe surgical method that provides a more optimized way for patients with specific multiple nodules to preserve lung function. Further prospective large studies are needed to verify this finding.

Three-dimensional computed tomography reconstruction in video-assisted thoracoscopic segmentectomy (DRIVATS): A prospective, multicenter randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

Anatomical segmentectomy has been proven to be a viable surgical treatment for small-size peripheral lung nodules. Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction computed tomography (CT) has been proposed as an effective approach to overcome the challenges of encountering pulmonary anatomical variations when performing segmentectomy. Therefore, to further investigate the usefulness of preoperative 3D reconstruction CT in segmentectomy, we will conduct this prospective, multicenter randomized controlled DRIVATS study to compare the use of 3D reconstruction CT with standard chest CT in video-assisted segmentectomy (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04004494).

METHODS

This study began in July 2019 and a total of 190 patients will be accrued from three clinical centers within 4 years. The main inclusion criteria are patients with a single peripheral nodule 0.8-2 cm with at least one of the following requirements: (i) histology of adenocarcinoma in situ; (ii) nodule has ≥50% ground-glass appearance on CT; (iii) radiologic surveillance confirms a long doubling time (≥400 days). Surgical procedures include segmental resection of the lesion and mediastinal lymph node sampling (subsegmental resection or combined subsegmental resection will not be included in this study). The primary endpoint is operative time. The secondary endpoints include incidence of change of surgical plan, intraoperative blood loss, conversion rate, operative accident event, incidence of postoperative complications, postoperative hospital stay, length of hospitalization, duration of chest tube placement, postoperative 30-day mortality, dissection of lymph nodes, overall survival, disease-free survival, preoperative lung function, and postoperative lung function.

DISCUSSION

This multicenter DRIVATS study aims to verify the usefulness of preoperative 3D reconstruction CT compared with standard chest CT in segmentectomy. If successfully completed, this multicenter prospective study will provide a higher level of evidence for the use of 3D reconstruction CT in segmentectomy.

Uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery basal segmentectomy: a single-center retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) basal segmentectomy is technically challenging and requires a deep understanding of the segmental anatomy of the lung. This report describes the uniportal VATS segmentectomy of basal segments using a single-direction approach.

METHODS

A total of 49 patients who underwent uniportal VATS basal segmentectomy between April 2019 and April 2021 were included in this retrospective study. All the surgeries were conducted using a single-direction approach. The resections of segments 7-8 were mainly performed using the interlobar fissure approach, while the resections of segments 9-10 were performed using the inferior pulmonary ligament approach.

RESULTS

A total of 33 patients underwent a single basal segmentectomy and 16 patients underwent combined basal segmentectomy/sub-segmentectomy. The median operative time was 120 min (range, 60-180 min), and the median blood loss was 20 mL (range, 10-100 mL). The median chest tube duration was 2 days (range, 1-5 days), and the median hospital stay after surgery was 4 days (range, 2-15 days). The morbidity rate after surgery was 6.1% (3/49). There were no perioperative deaths. The pathological examinations revealed 3 cases of adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), 33 cases of minimally invasive adenocarcinoma, and 13 cases of lepidic-predominant invasive adenocarcinoma. No recrudescence or mortality was reported during the median follow-up time of 7 months (range, 2-25 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Uniportal VATS basal segmentectomy is a feasible and reliable technique based on our experience. This single-direction method allows the uniportal VATS basal segmentectomy to be performed in an easy manner with the targeted segmental bronchi and vessels exposed from superficial to deep in order of their appearance while avoiding the repeated turnover of the lung.

Fissure-last technique for left upper lobe lung cancer with interlobar invasion: how to do it?

The fissure-last technique is used to minimize postoperative air leak after anatomical lung resection when the interlobar pulmonary artery is inaccessible through the fused fissure. After first dividing the hilar bronchovascular structures, the incomplete fissure is divided using staplers. This technique can be applied for lobectomy combined with segmentectomy in lung cancer with interlobar invasion. We performed this thoracoscopic fissure-last technique in a lung cancer patient in the left upper lobe with invasion to the superior segment (S6) in the left lower lobe.

Minimally Invasive and Sublobar Resections for Lung Cancer

Current guidelines for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) recommend segmentectomy over lobectomy for patients with poor pulmonary reserve or for peripheral nodules less than or equal to 2 cm with adenocarcinoma in situ histology, greater than 50% ground-glass opacity on computed tomography, or radiologic doubling time greater than or equal to 400 days. However, emerging data suggest oncologic equivalence of segmentectomy to lobectomy for less than or equal to 2 cm, peripheral stage IA NSCLC regardless of histologic type or radiographic findings.

Comparison Between Wedge Resection and Lobectomy/Segmentectomy for Early-Stage Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Bayesian Meta-analysis and Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Surgery has become an accepted method for the treatment of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The purpose of this Bayesian meta-analysis was to compare the overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and relapse-free survival (RFS) between wedge resection and lobectomy/segmentectomy for treatment of early-stage NSCLC.

METHODS

Eligible studies were retrieved from Web of Science, PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CNKI, and WanFang up to July 2021 and screened based on established selection criteria. The Bayesian meta-analysis was performed with the combination of the reported survival outcomes of the individual studies using a random-effect model. The OS, DFS, and RFS of the wedge resection group was compared with the lobectomy/segmentectomy group. The hazard ratio (HR) and standard error were extracted or calculated for each study using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

This study was registered with PROSPERO (INPLASY202080090).The pooled OS hazard ratio between segmentectomy and lobectomy was 1.1 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.92-1.4], the pooled HR between lobectomy and wedge resection was 0.71 [95% CI 0.52-0.96], and the pooled HR between segmentectomy and wedge was 0.80 [95% CI 0.56-1.10]. The pooled HR of DFS or RFS was not statistically significant among the three surgical approaches.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with early-stage NSCLC received lobectomy had the lowest hazard ratio of OS than patients received wedge resection, indicating that the overall survival of patients received lobectomy was higher than patients received wedge resection. However, regarding DFS and RFS, the three surgical approaches showed no significant difference.

Incidence and Influencing Factors of Chronic Postthoracotomy Pain in Lung Tumor Patients

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the incidence of chronic postthoracotomy pain (CPTP) in lung tumor patients and to explore the influencing factors of the intensity of CPTP.

METHODS

Lung tumor patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) or thoracotomy were consecutively recruited from October 2016 to December 2017 at Yunnan Cancer Hospital. All the eligible patients were interviewed via telephone at the end of the third month after surgeries to identify the presence of CPTP. The potential influencing factors of CPTP, including pre-, intra-, and postoperative variables, were collected from medical records. A cumulative logit regression model was used to identify the independent influencing factors of the intensity of CPTP.

RESULTS

Three hundred and forty-three patients completed a telephone interview. The estimated overall incidence of CPTP was 67.6% (95% of confidence interval, 95% CI: 62.4%, 72.6%) in lung tumor patients; 70.8% (95% CI: 63.8%, 77.1%) in benign patients and 63.5% (95% CI: 55.2%, 71.3%) in malignant patients; and 78.1% (95% CI: 66.0%, 87.5%) in open chest and 65.2% (95% CI: 59.3%, 70.8%) in VATS. Cumulative logit regression models (intensity order, NRS, 0 ⟶ 1-3 ⟶ 4-) revealed independent influencing factors of CPTP to be patients with diabetes (OR = 0.32; 95% CI: 0.14, 0.76), usage of VATS (OR = 0.47; 95% CI: 027, 0.82), and the amount of intraoperative blood loss (OR = 1.09; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.19).

CONCLUSIONS

A high incidence of CPTP is detected in lung tumor patients following the thoracic operation. Patients with diabetes and using VATS are the independent protective factors of the intensity of CPTP, and the increasing amount of intraoperative blood loss is an independent risk factor of the intensity of CPTP.

Artificial intelligence assisted display in thoracic surgery: development and possibilities

In this golden age of rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), researchers and surgeons realized that AI could contribute to healthcare in all aspects, especially in surgery. The popularity of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) and the improvement of the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) not only bring opportunities for thoracic surgery but also bring challenges on the way forward. Preoperatively localizing lung nodules precisely, intraoperatively identifying anatomical structures accurately, and avoiding complications requires a visual display of individuals’ specific anatomy for surgical simulation and assistance. With the advance of AI-assisted display technologies, including 3D reconstruction/3D printing, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR), computer tomography (CT) imaging in thoracic surgery has been fully utilized for transforming 2D images to 3D model, which facilitates surgical teaching, planning, and simulation. AI-assisted display based on surgical videos is a new surgical application, which is still in its infancy. Notably, it has potential applications in thoracic surgery education, surgical quality evaluation, intraoperative assistance, and postoperative analysis. In this review, we illustrated the current AI-assisted display applications based on CT in thoracic surgery; focused on the emerging AI applications in thoracic surgery based on surgical videos by reviewing its relevant researches in other surgical fields and anticipate its potential development in thoracic surgery.

Intraoperative margin assessment by wireless signals in thoracoscopic anterior (S3) segmentectomy using a radiofrequency identification marker

Despite the use of near-infrared thoracoscopy with intravenous indocyanine green, intraoperative assessment of the surgical margin for the resection of non-palpable tumors located near the intersegmental plane requires highly advanced surgical skill for the prevention of local recurrence. Because the demarcation line is limited to the pleural surface, to overcome uncertainty in tumor palpation for deeply located small-sized lesions, other supplemental localization techniques have been proposed. Here, we present a novel surgical technique using radiofrequency identification markers for intraoperative assessment of the lateral surgical margin in segmentectomy.

Prognostic role of preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level in part-solid lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Part-solid lung adenocarcinoma appears as a heterogeneous subgroup, and its surgical management is controversial. This study aimed to elucidate whether preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen, a time-honored tumor marker, can be used as a prognostic factor that contributes to its management.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients with clinical-T1a-cN0M0 part-solid adenocarcinoma who underwent surgical resection between January 2011 and December 2015 at two institutions.

RESULTS

Overall, 288 patients were identified. The median age was 69 years with 176 patients (61%) being female. The median follow-up time was 5.6 years. Lymph node metastases were found in 6 (15%) of 41 patients with elevated carcinoembryonic antigen levels, while 10 (4.0%) of 247 patients had normal carcinoembryonic antigen levels (P = 0.016). The 5-year overall survival rates in patients with normal and elevated carcinoembryonic antigen levels were 96.9% and 87.2%, respectively (P = 0.006), and the 5-year relapse-free survival rates were 91.8% and 62.8%, respectively (P < 0.001). The multivariable analysis revealed that preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level was a significant prognostic factor for relapse-free survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.92, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.63-5.25, P < 0.001). Among the patients with elevated carcinoembryonic antigen levels, the 5-year overall survival rates in those undergoing lobar resection and segmentectomy were 87.0% and 88.9%, respectively (P = 0.59), and the 5-year relapse-free survival rates were 61.7% and 66.7%, respectively (P = 0.84).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level appears to be an important predictor of postoperative survival outcomes in early-stage part-solid adenocarcinoma. Further studies are required to optimize management of patients with elevated preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen levels, although segmentectomy appeared acceptable in those patients.

Thoracoscopic segmentectomy and lobectomy assisted by three-dimensional computed-tomography bronchography and angiography for the treatment of primary lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Anatomical segmentectomy has been proposed as a substitution for lobectomy for early-stage lung cancer. However, it requires technical meticulousness due to the complex anatomical variations of segmental vessels and bronchi.

AIM

To assess the safety and feasibility of three-dimensional computed-tomography bronchography and angiography (3D-CTBA) in performing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for lung cancers.

METHODS

In this study, we enrolled 123 patients who consented to undergo thoracoscopic segmentectomy and lobectomy assisted by 3D-CTBA between May 2017 and June 2019. The image data of enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans was reconstructed three-dimensionally by the Mimics software. The results of preoperative 3D-CTBA, in combination with intraoperative navigation, guided the surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 59 women and 64 men were enrolled, of whom 57 (46.3%) underwent segmentectomy and 66 (53.7%) underwent lobectomy. The majority of tumor appearance on CT was part-solid ground-glass nodule (pGGN; 55.3%). The mean duration of chest tube placement was 3.5 ± 1.6 d, and the average length of postoperative hospital stay was 6.8 ± 1.8 d. Surgical complications included one case of pneumonia and four cases of prolonged air leak lasting > 5 d. Notably, there was no intraoperative massive hemorrhage, postoperative intensive-care unit stay, or 30-d mortality. Preoperative 3D-CTBA images can display clearly and vividly the targeted structure and the variations of vessels and bronchi. To reduce the risk of locoregional recurrence, the application of 3D-CTBA with a virtual 3D surgical margin help the VATS surgeon determine accurate distances and positional relations among the tumor, bronchial trees, and the intersegmental vessels. Three-dimensional navigation was performed to confirm the segmental structure, precisely cut off the targeted segment, and avoid intersegmental veins injury.

CONCLUSION

VATS and 3D-CTBA worked in harmony in our study. This combination also provided a new pattern of transition from lesion-directed location of tumors to computer-aided surgery for the management of early lung cancer.

Uniportal Thoracoscopic Single-Direction Basal Subsegmentectomy (Left S10a+ci): Trans-Inferior-Pulmonary-Ligament Approach

Thoracoscopic segmentectomy and subsegmentectomy have been widely accepted for the treatment of peripheral small lung cancers. Thoracoscopic basal subsegmentectomy, especially when performed through a uniportal procedure, is extremely technically challenging, and therefore there are seldom reports of its technical details. In this article, we present a uniportal thoracoscopic left S10a+ci subsegmentectomy following the single-direction strategy through the inferior pulmonary ligament approach.

Research on the application of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic segmental resection of the lung in elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer aged over 65 years

Introduction

The literature regarding the application of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic segmental resection of the lung in patients aged over 65 years with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is sparse. This paper reports 175 cases of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic segmental resection of the lung performed at one center, of which 63 patients were over 65 years old.

Aim

To investigate the safety and feasibility of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic segmental resection of the lung in elderly patients aged over 65 years with NSCLC.

Material and methods

A retrospective analysis of 175 NSCLC patients who underwent uniport video-assisted thoracoscopic segmental resection of the lung in the center from August 2018 to August 2020 was conducted, and based on the age of 65 years, patients were divided into elderly and non-elderly groups. The general data and perioperative indicators of the two groups were compared.

Results

The procedures were completed in all patients without death or conversion to open surgery. In the general data of the two groups of patients, the prevalence of emphysema in the elderly group was significantly higher than that in the non-elderly group (p = 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in surgery time, intraoperative blood loss, thoracic drainage tube retention time, postoperative hospital stay, incision satisfaction, or postoperative complications (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic segmental resection of the lung is feasible and safe in elderly patients with NSCLC aged over 65 years.

CT-guided hook-wire localization of pulmonary nodules in children prior to atypical resection by thoracoscopy: Practical aspects

In the multidisciplinary treatment of pediatric oncologic patients, multiple imaging tests, biopsies, and resections are required for diagnosis, initial staging, and posterior restaging. In these patients, pulmonary nodules are not always metastases, so the correct diagnosis of these lesions affects their treatment and the patient's survival. Percutaneous localization of pulmonary nodules is key for two reasons: it enables the surgeon to resect the smallest amount of lung tissue possible and it guarantees that the nodule will be included in the resected specimen. Without percutaneous localization, it can be impossible to accomplish these two objectives in patients with very small nodules that are separated from the pleural surface and therefore impossible to see by thoracoscopy. This article reviews the technique for hook-wire localization of pulmonary nodules and the keys to ensuring the best results.

Analysis of anatomical variations of the lingular artery of the left upper lobe using 3D computed tomography angiography and bronchography

Background

Thoracic surgeons must be familiar with the anatomy of the pulmonary artery during segmentectomy and segmentectomy. But pulmonary arteries have numerous variations and aberrant branching patterns. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the anatomical variations and frequencies of the lingular artery of the left upper lobe (LUL) using 3D computed tomography angiography and bronchography (3D-CTAB).

Methods

We retrospectively studied 166 patients having undergone lobectomy or segmentectomy from January to December 2020 at Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital's Department of Thoracic Surgery. All patients underwent 3D reconstruction using 3D-CTAB before surgery.

Results

The lingular segment was supplied by 1 artery in 45.18% of cases, 2 arteries in 46.39% of cases, and 3 arteries in 8.43% of cases. The branching patterns of the lingular artery included 119 (71.68%) cases with interlobar origin, 35 (21.08%) cases with interlobar and mediastinal origin, and 13 (7.83%) cases with mediastinal origin. The interlobar lingular artery include superior lingular artery (A4) and inferior lingular artery (A5). The interlobar lingular artery type was A4a, A4b, A5 in 7.23% of cases; A4 and A4b+5 in 3.01% of cases; and A4b and A4a+5 in 4.82% of cases. The mediastinal lingular artery was divided into the following 5 types: 'A4', 'A4b', 'A4b+5', 'A4b+5a', and 'A4+5'. The most common type was A4 (12.05%, 20/166) in 166 patients. The interlobar lingular artery had the following 5 patterns of variation: 'A4+5', 'A4, A5', 'A4a, A4b, A5', 'A4a, A4b+5', and 'A4b, A4a+5'. The single interlobar lingular artery (A4+5) was the most common type in 38.55% of cases. In 24.10% of cases, A5 came from A8 or A8+9. Besides In 8.43% of cases, the origin of A5 was close to A8 or A8+9.

Conclusions

We identified the left various lingular artery branching patterns with 3D-CTAB in patients and defined the frequency of anatomic variations. 3D-CTAB is useful for finding these variations.

Electrocautery vs. Stapler in Comparing Safety for Segmentectomy of Lung Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Background: Electrocautery and staplers are regarded as the two most common surgical instruments for dissecting the intersegmental plane in segmentectomy. We performed a meta-analysis to compare electrocautery and staplers in terms of their safety and effects.

Methods: A systematic search strategy was performed using PubMed, and the retrieval time was up to April 1, 2020. Odds ratio (OR) and mean differences (MDs) with 95% CI were applied to determine the effectiveness of dichotomous or continuous variables, respectively.

Results: Six studies including 385 patients were included. The electrocautery had a higher incidence rate of postoperative complication [OR= 1.92, 95% CI (1.12, 3.28), P = 0.02)] and air leak [OR: 3.91, 95% CI (1.64, 9.35), P = 0.002)]. No significant difference was found in the comparison of surgery time, blood loss, and duration of tube days or hospitality days.

Conclusions: Our study indicated that patients under segmentectomy were associated with better safety by using stapler than electrocautery in the reduction of postoperative complications.

The Role of Surgery in Lung Cancer Treatment: Present Indications and Future Perspectives-State of the Art

Non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) are different today, due to the increased use of screening programs and of innovative systemic therapies, leading to the diagnosis of earlier and pre-invasive tumors, and of more advanced and controlled metastatic tumors. Surgery for NSCLC remains the cornerstone treatment when it can be performed. The role of surgery and surgeons has also evolved because surgeons not only perform the initial curative lung cancer resection but they also accompany and follow-up patients from pre-operative rehabilitation, to treatment for recurrences. Surgery is personalized, according to cancer characteristics, including cancer extensions, from pre-invasive and local tumors to locally advanced, metastatic disease, or residual disease after medical treatment, anticipating recurrences, and patients' characteristics. Surgical management is constantly evolving to offer the best oncologic resection adapted to each NSCLC stage. Today, NSCLC can be considered as a chronic disease and surgery is a valuable tool for the diagnosis and treatment of recurrences, and in palliative conditions to relieve dyspnea and improve patients' comfort.

Evaluation of Intraoperative Near-Infrared Fluorescence Visualization of the Lung Tumor Margin With Indocyanine Green Inhalation

Importance

Identification of the tumor margin during surgery is important for precise minimal resection of lung tumors. Intravenous injection of indocyanine green (ICG) has several limitations when used for intraoperative visualization of lung cancer.

Objectives

To describe a technique for intraoperative visualization of lung tumor margin using ICG inhalation and evaluate the clinical applicability of the technique in mouse and rabbit lung tumor models as well as lung specimens of patients with lung tumors.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In lung tumor models of both mice and rabbits, the distribution of inhaled ICG in the lung tumor margin was investigated in vivo and ex vivo using a near-infrared imaging system. Lung tumor margin detection via inhalation of ICG was evaluated by comparing the results obtained with those of the intravenous injection method (n = 32, each time point for 4 mice). Based on preclinical data, use of ICG inhalation to help detect the tumor margin in patients with lung cancer was also evaluated (n = 6). This diagnostic study was conducted from May 31, 2017, to March 30, 2019.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The use of tumor margin detection by inhaled ICG was evaluated by comparing the inhaled formulation with intravenous administration of ICG.

Results

From 10 minutes after inhalation of ICG to 24 hours, the distribution of ICG in the lungs was significantly higher than that in other organs (signal to noise ratio in the lungs: 39 486.4; interquartile range [IQR], 36 983.74-43 592.5). Ex vivo and histologic analysis showed that, in both lung tumor models, inhaled ICG was observed throughout the healthy lung tissue but was rarely found in tumor tissue. The difference in the fluorescent signal between healthy and tumor lung tissues was associated with the mechanical airway obstruction caused by the tumor and with alveolar macrophage uptake of the inhaled ICG in healthy tissues. Inhalation at a 20-fold lower dose of ICG had a 2-fold higher efficiency for tumor margin detection than did the intravenous injection (2.9; IQR, 2.7-3.2; P < .001).

Conclusions and Relevance

The results of this study suggest that lung-specific inhalation delivery of ICG is feasible and may be useful for the intraoperative visualization of lung tumor margin in clinical practice.

Technical Advances in Segmentectomy for Lung Cancer: A Minimally Invasive Strategy for Deep, Small, and Impalpable Tumors

With the increased detection of early-stage lung cancer and the technical advancement of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in the field of thoracic surgery, lung segmentectomy using MIS, including video- and robot-assisted thoracic surgery, has been widely adopted. However, lung segmentectomy can be technically challenging for thoracic surgeons due to (1) complex segmental and subsegmental anatomy with frequent anomalies, and (2) difficulty in localizing deep, small, and impalpable tumors, leading to difficulty in obtaining adequate margins. In this review, we summarize the published evidence and discuss key issues related to MIS segmentectomy, focusing on preoperative planning/simulation and intraoperative tumor localization. We also demonstrate two of our techniques: (1) three-dimensional computed tomography (3DCT)-based resection planning using a novel 3DCT processing software, and (2) tumor localization using a novel radiofrequency identification technology.

Should resection extent be decided by total lesion size or solid component size in ground glass opacity-containing lung adenocarcinomas?

BACKGROUND

Indication for sublobar resections in early-stage lung adenocarcinomas has been controversial. The purpose of this study was to find appropriate selection criteria for sublobar resections in ground glass opacity (GGO)-containing early-stage lung adenocarcinomas.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied 985 consecutive patients with clinical stage IA, peripheral GGO-containing lung adenocarcinomas ≤3 cm in size. According to their radiological appearance, they were divided into a pure GGO group and a part-solid nodule (PSN) group. The PSN group was further divided into a GGO-predominant subgroup and a solid-predominant subgroup. Propensity-score matching (PSM) was conducted first in PSNs with similar total lesion size and then in those with similar solid component size to eliminate potential confounders. Histological characteristics and prognosis were compared between matched patients to investigate the prognostic value of total lesion size and solid component size. Then solid component size was chosen as the selection criterion to compare the prognosis of patients receiving lobectomy or sublobar resections.

RESULTS

Comparing to PSNs, pure GGO lesions had significantly more favorable histological characteristics and prognosis, with 100% 5-year overall survival (OS), even though 33.3% of patients with pure GGO lesions >20 mm in total lesion size received sublobar resections. For 157 pairs of PSNs with similar total lesion size but different solid component size after the first PSM, the solid-predominant subgroup had significantly worse histological characteristics and prognosis than the GGO-predominant subgroup. After the second PSM, histological characteristics and prognosis were comparable between 73 pairs of PSNs with similar solid component size but different total lesion size. Multivariable analysis showed that solid component size, rather than total lesion size or consolidation-to-tumor ratio (CTR), was an independent prognostic factor. For PSNs containing solid component size ≤2 cm, relapse-free survival (RFS) was similar after sublobar resections or lobectomy (95.0% vs. 93.6%, P=0.592). The results remained similar for PSNs of total lesion size >2 cm but solid component size ≤2 cm (88.9% vs. 90.0%, P=0.893).

CONCLUSIONS

Solid component size better predicts histological characteristics and prognosis than total lesion size in early-stage GGO-containing lung adenocarcinomas. Instead of total lesion size, solid component size ≤2 cm may be a more appropriate selection criterion for sublobar resections in such patients.

[Expert Consensus for Thermal Ablation of Pulmonary Subsolid Nodules (2021 Edition)]

局部热消融技术在肺部结节治疗领域正处在起步与发展阶段，为了肺结节热消融治疗的临床实践和规范发展，由“中国医师协会肿瘤消融治疗技术专家组”“中国医师协会介入医师分会肿瘤消融专业委员会”“中国抗癌协会肿瘤消融治疗专业委员会”“中国临床肿瘤学会消融专家委员会”组织多学科国内有关专家，讨论制定了“热消融治疗肺部亚实性结节专家共识（2021年版）”。主要内容包括：①肺部亚实性结节的临床评估；②热消融治疗肺部亚实性结节技术操作规程、适应证、禁忌证、疗效评价和相关并发症；③存在的问题和未来发展方向。

Review of Approaches to Developing Intersegmental Plane during Segmentectomy

In recent years, with the popularity of computed tomography (CT) scanning, early lung cancer has been found in a large number of patients, and segmentectomy has been widely used in clinical practice. The development of intersegmental plane is the most critical step in segmentectomy. At present, there are many methods to identify the intersegmental plane. Also, dissection of the intersegmental plane has been a challenge for thoracic surgeons for decades because of the complicated anatomic variations. This study focuses on the safety and efficacy of relevant methods in both identification and dissection of the intersegmental plane in segmentectomy.

Three-dimensional image reconstruction based on improved U-net network for anatomy of pulmonary segmentectomy

Pulmonary segmentectomy is one of the advanced techniques in thoracic surgery, but it is difficult to understand and master because of its complex anatomical structure. The purpose of this study is to explore the application effect of three-dimensional (3D) image reconstruction based on an improved U-net network in the anatomy of thoracic surgery. In this study, a total of 40 standardization training residents of thoracic surgery in our hospital were randomly divided into two groups. The control group was taught by conventional thin-slice CT images, while the observation group was taught by 3D image reconstruction based on the improved U-net network. After the training process was completed, the teaching effect was compared between these two groups. Using the improved U-net network model, 3D reconstruction of pulmonary segments can be realized quickly. Compared with the control group, the individual and total objective scores in the observation group were higher. The satisfaction of learning interest, content understanding, clinical thinking mode, and understanding of operation process in the observation group was higher than that of the control group. From the results, we concluded that the 3D image reconstruction technology based on the improved U-net network could help students master the anatomical structure of pulmonary segments and improve their learning interest and clinical thinking ability.

Clinical significance of intrapulmonary lymph node dissection in pathological stage IA non-small cell lung cancer: A propensity score matching analysis

Background

This study aimed to investigate the prognostic impact of intrapulmonary lymph node (ILN, stations 13–14) dissection on disease‐free survival (DFS) in stage IA non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients in order to facilitate a more suitable determination of surgical strategies for early‐stage cases.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 416 patients with pathological stage IA NSCLC from February 2016 to November 2019. The patients were divided into a group with ILN dissection (ILN^D+ group) and a group without ILN dissection (ILN^D‐ group). DFS was compared using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared statistically using the log‐rank test before and after propensity score matching (PSM). Subgroup analysis of DFS stratified based on tumor size was also calculated.

Results

Both before and after PSM, the four‐year DFS of the ILN^D+ group was greatly increased compared to that of ILN^D‐ group (90.1% vs. 79.7%, p = 0.003; 95.5% vs. 80.6%, p = 0.003, respectively) and multivariable cox regression analysis revealed ILN dissection was an independent factor favoring DFS in stage IA NSCLC (p = 0.016 and p = 0.015, respectively). Subgroup analysis revealed the four‐year DFS was comparable between the ILN ^D+ and ILN^D‐ groups with regard to tumor size ≤1.5 cm (90.6% vs. 92.7%, p = 0.715). However, the ILN ^D+ group was found to have a better oncological outcome compared with the ILN^D‐ group with regard to tumor size >1.5 cm (90.0% vs. 73.8%, p = 0.003).

Conclusions

The prognostic impact of ILN dissection on patients with stage IA NSCLC appears to be significantly influenced by tumor size, and this should be taken into account when choosing the most appropriate therapeutic modality.

VATS right posterior segmentectomy with anomalous bronchi and pulmonary vessels: a case report and literature review

Background

Anatomic variation may increase the difficulty and risk of anatomic segmentectomy. The preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography bronchography and angiography (3D-CTBA) can provide a detailed model of the segmental structure, and contribute to precise and safe segmentectomy.

Case presentation

This is a case of anomalous bronchi and pulmonary vessels in the right upper posterior segment (RS²). Under the guidance of 3D-CTBA, anatomic RS² segmentectomy was performed accurately and safely. The postoperative condition was uneventful.

Conclusions

This rare case highlights the importance of 3D-CTBA to guild accurate segmentectomy with anatomic variation.

Positron Emission Tomography in Segmentectomy for cT1N0M0 Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

This study was aimed to examine the significance of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in predicting prognosis after segmentectomy in lung cancer.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study, including 227 patients with cT1N0M0 nonsmall cell lung cancer who underwent positron emission tomography followed by segmentectomy between 2012 and 2019. Significance of tumor histology, T-stage, tumor size, and standardized uptake value on positron emission tomography in relation to recurrence-free survival were examined using Cox's proportional hazard analysis. Median follow-up period was 56 months (range: 1-95 months).

RESULTS

Tumor stages were Tis in 25 patients, T1mi/T1a in 51, T1b in 98, and T1c in 53. Twenty-six patients (11%) experienced recurrences, including local (n = 8) and distant (n = 18). Multivariate analysis showed that the significant variables for recurrence-free survival were T-stage and standardized uptake value (p = 0.002 and 0.015, respectively), whereas tumor histology and tumor size were not significant (p = 0.28 and 0.44, respectively). When tumor size was divided into ≤2 cm and >2 cm for analysis, it was not significant again (p = 0.49), whereas standardized uptake value remained significant (p = 0.008). While standardized uptake value of tumors with recurrences was significantly higher than those without (4.9-2.8 and 2.6-2.5, respectively, p < 0.001), there was no significant difference between local and distant recurrences (p = 0.32). Cut-off value of standardized uptake value for recurrences was 3.2. Five-year recurrence-free survival rates in tumors with standardized uptake value <3.2 and ≥3.2 were 86 and 65%, respectively (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Positron emission tomography could predict the prognosis after segmentectomy better than tumor size.

Detection of circulatory disturbance after pulmonary vein division during a living donor lobectomy

Indocyanine green (ICG) is widely used during thoracic surgery to enhance visualization, allowing assessment of the intersegmental plane based on intrapulmonary blood flow (Travis et al. in Ann Thorac Surg 108(2):363-369, 2019; Seshiru et al. in Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 66(2):81-90, 2018). Using ICG to detect blood flow disruption after lung resection, however, has not been addressed. We therefore report a case in which the left lingular pulmonary vein was incidentally divided during left lower lobectomy in a living-lung donor. Intraoperative ICG-enhanced near-infrared fluoroscopic imaging to assess intrapulmonary blood flow detected the problem. We thus avoided potential postoperative residual lung complications in this patient.

Segmentectomy Guided by 3-Dimensional Images Reconstructed From Nonenhanced Computed Tomographic Data

Three-dimensional (3D) imaging is an essential tool for performing an accurate segmentectomy. However, data acquired from contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) are considered necessary when reconstructing 3D pulmonary vascular images. Therefore, 3D images are currently unavailable for patients who cannot undergo contrast-enhanced CT scans due to patient-related issues such as anaphylaxis to the contrast agent, among others. We present here our experience with atypical segmentectomies guided by 3D images reconstructed from nonenhanced CT data.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of thoracoscopic versus thoracotomy sleeve lobectomy

Background

Operative safety and oncologic adequacy of thoracoscopic sleeve lobectomy remain controversial. As such, the purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate evidence comparing thoracoscopy and thoracotomy in sleeve lobectomy for centrally located non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

Electronic searches of PubMed and Web of Science databases were undertaken from inception to March 2020. Comparative studies about thoracoscopic and thoracotomy sleeve lobectomy, with evaluation for perioperative outcomes and oncological results were identified. The following outcomes were measured in this meta-analysis: operating time, blood loss, numbers of lymph node, postoperative hospital stay, chest drainage time, postoperative complication rate, mortality, overall survival (OS). The standardized difference (SMD), relative risk (RR) and hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were pooled using Stata software.

Results

Six studies generating 281 thoracoscopy and 369 thoracotomy cases were finally included. There was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss, number of resected lymph nodes, chest drainage time, postoperative complication rate and mortality between two groups. However, thoracoscopic sleeve lobectomy was associated with longer operation time (SMD 0.59, 95% CI: 0.14 to 1.03, P=0.010). And shorter postoperative hospital stays (SMD −0.24, 95% CI: −0.51 to 0.03, P=0.078) were observed in the thoracoscopy group with marginal significance. Furthermore, sleeve lobectomy via thoracoscopy could achieve comparable OS compared to that via thoracotomy (HR 0.69, 95% CI: 0.38 to 1.00; P<0.001). In addition, there were no evident publication bias in all observational outcomes.

Conclusions

Current evidence suggests that thoracoscopic sleeve lobectomy is a safe and efficient surgical procedure for centrally located NSCLC, with comparable perioperative outcomes and equivalent oncological results compared to thoracotomy sleeve lobectomy.

[Advances in Identification of Intersegmental Plane during Pulmonary Segmentectomy]

With the popularity of computed tomography (CT) scan in recent years, early stage lung cancer has been discovered in large numbers of patients and pulmonary segmentectomy has been widely used clinically. Identification of the intersegmental plane is one of the key steps in pulmonary segmentectomy, and current methods for identifying the intersegmental plane are numerous and have their own advantages and disadvantages. We will review relevant methods to help the clinical practice.
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Right upper lobe segmentectomy guided by simplified anatomic models

Background

To standardize the technical strategy for right upper lobe (RUL) segmentectomy, we previously developed simplified 3-dimensional (3D) anatomic models that classify the RUL anatomy into 14 patterns according to the branching pattern of bronchi and veins. We aimed to study the surgical outcome of RUL segmentectomy guided by these simplified anatomic models.

Methods

Patients were classified into the anatomic models, and the approach to the intersegmental veins was selected accordingly. The intersegmental vein and corresponding intersegmental plane were as follows: V¹b (the apicoanterior plane), V²a (the apicoposterior plane), and V²c (the posteroanterior plane). Clinicopathologic characteristics and short- and long-term outcomes were analyzed retrospectively.

Results

Thirty-four consecutive patients who underwent thoracoscopic RUL segmentectomy guided by simplified anatomic models between January 2016 and December 2019 at Gunma University were analyzed. All the patients were classified into a model: anterior + central Iab type (47%), anterior + central Ib type (41%), anterior II type (12%), or central III type (0%). The standard approaches to intersegmental veins were an anterior approach for V¹b, a posterobronchial approach for V²a, and an interlobar approach for V²c. The approach to intersegmental or intrasegmental veins was modified according to the anatomic model in 4 cases (12%). The median operative time, blood loss, and hospital stay were 222 minutes, 19 grams, and 7 days, respectively. Prolonged air leakage was observed in 1 patient.

Conclusions

Segmentectomy guided by simplified anatomic models promotes anatomic classification, development of a standardized approach for segmental vein identification, and acceptable outcomes, which can facilitate the implementation of RUL segmentectomy.