Thoracoscopic lobectomy: Report on safety, discharge independence, pain, and chemotherapy tolerance

Implementing a Frailty-Specific Postoperative Order Set to Improve Postoperative Outcomes in Frail Adults After Elective Thoracic Surgery

BACKGROUND

Frailty is independently associated with adverse patient outcomes after surgery. The current standards of postoperative care rarely consider frailty status.

LOCAL PROBLEM

There was no standardized protocol to optimize specialized postoperative care for frail patients at an academic medical center.

METHODS

A quasi-experimental pre-/postimplementation study design, using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance implementation framework, was utilized.

INTERVENTIONS

A frailty-specific postoperative order set (FPOS) was developed, including tailored nursing care, activity levels, and nutritional goals.

RESULTS

There were significant improvements in nurse's self-reported familiarity with frailty (P = .003) and FPOS awareness (P < .001). The number of orders for delirium prevention, elimination, nutrition, sleep promotion, and sensory support increased (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Implementing an FPOS showed improvements in nurse frailty knowledge, awareness, and order set utilization.

Resectable non-stage IV nonsmall cell lung cancer: the surgical perspective

Surgery remains an essential element of the multimodality radical treatment of patients with early-stage nonsmall cell lung cancer. In addition, thoracic surgery is one of the key specialties involved in the lung cancer tumour board. The importance of the surgeon in the setting of a multidisciplinary panel is ever-increasing in light of the crucial concept of resectability, which is at the base of patient selection for neoadjuvant/adjuvant treatments within trials and in real-world practice. This review covers some of the topics which are relevant in the daily practice of a thoracic oncological surgeon and should also be known by the nonsurgical members of the tumour board. It covers the following topics: the pre-operative selection of the surgical candidate in terms of fitness in light of the ever-improving nonsurgical treatment alternatives unfit patients may benefit from; the definition of resectability, which is so important to include patients into trials and to select the most appropriate radical treatment; the impact of surgical access and surgical extension with the evolving role of minimally invasive surgery, sublobar resections and parenchymal-sparing sleeve resections to avoid pneumonectomy.

A New Index for the Quantitative Evaluation of Surgical Invasiveness Based on Perioperative Patients' Behavior Patterns: Machine Learning Approach Using Triaxial Acceleration

BACKGROUND

The minimally invasive nature of thoracoscopic surgery is well recognized; however, the absence of a reliable evaluation method remains challenging. We hypothesized that the postoperative recovery speed is closely linked to surgical invasiveness, where recovery signifies the patient's behavior transition back to their preoperative state during the perioperative period.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to determine whether machine learning using triaxial acceleration data can effectively capture perioperative behavior changes and establish a quantitative index for quantifying variations in surgical invasiveness.

METHODS

We trained 7 distinct machine learning models using a publicly available human acceleration data set as supervised data. The 3 top-performing models were selected to predict patient actions, as determined by the Matthews correlation coefficient scores. Two patients who underwent different levels of invasive thoracoscopic surgery were selected as participants. Acceleration data were collected via chest sensors for 8 hours during the preoperative and postoperative hospitalization days. These data were categorized into 4 actions (walking, standing, sitting, and lying down) using the selected models. The actions predicted by the model with intermediate results were adopted as the actions of the participants. The daily appearance probability was calculated for each action. The 2 differences between 2 appearance probabilities (sitting vs standing and lying down vs walking) were calculated using 2 coordinates on the x- and y-axes. A 2D vector composed of coordinate values was defined as the index of behavior pattern (iBP) for the day. All daily iBPs were graphed, and the enclosed area and distance between points were calculated and compared between participants to assess the relationship between changes in the indices and invasiveness.

RESULTS

Patients 1 and 2 underwent lung lobectomy and incisional tumor biopsy, respectively. The selected predictive model was a light-gradient boosting model (mean Matthews correlation coefficient 0.98, SD 0.0027; accuracy: 0.98). The acceleration data yielded 548,466 points for patient 1 and 466,407 points for patient 2. The iBPs of patient 1 were [(0.32, 0.19), (-0.098, 0.46), (-0.15, 0.13), (-0.049, 0.22)] and those of patient 2 were [(0.55, 0.30), (0.77, 0.21), (0.60, 0.25), (0.61, 0.31)]. The enclosed areas were 0.077 and 0.0036 for patients 1 and 2, respectively. Notably, the distances for patient 1 were greater than those for patient 2 ({0.44, 0.46, 0.37, 0.26} vs {0.23, 0.0065, 0.059}; P=.03 [Mann-Whitney U test]).

CONCLUSIONS

The selected machine learning model effectively predicted the actions of the surgical patients with high accuracy. The temporal distribution of action times revealed changes in behavior patterns during the perioperative phase. The proposed index may facilitate the recognition and visualization of perioperative changes in patients and differences in surgical invasiveness.

Sublobar resections for lung cancer: Finally, some answers and some more questions?

The Lung Cancer Study Group Trial, published in 1995, set the tone for lobectomy as the standard of care for early-stage nonsmall cell lung cancer. Twenty-seven years and two randomized trials later, does the thoracic oncology community have clarity regarding the choice type of resection, or more questions?

Effects of Smoking, Obesity, and Pulmonary Function on Home Oxygen Use after Curative Lung Cancer Surgery

RATIONALE

Lung cancer surgical morbidity has been decreasing, increasing attention to quality-of-life measures. A chronic sequela of lung cancer surgery is use of postoperative oxygen at home after discharge. Prospective studies are needed to identify risk predictors for home oxygen(HO2) use after curative lung cancer surgery.

OBJECTIVES

To prospectively assess risk factors for postoperative oxygen use and post-surgical morbidity in patients undergoing curative lung cancer surgery. We hypothesized that obesity, poor pre-operative pulmonary function, and smoking status would contribute to the risk of postoperative oxygen use.

METHODS

Patients undergoing surgery for first primary non-small cell lung cancer at Mount Sinai, from 2016 to 2020. Univariate, multivariable logistic regression analyses and adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were assessed.

RESULTS

Of the 433 patients diagnosed with pathologic stage I non-small cell lung cancer, 63 (14.5%) were discharged with HO2. Using multivariable analyses, body mass index (OR for BMI25-30=4.0, 95% CI:1.6-11.2, p = 0.005 and OR for BMI≥ 30=6.1, 95% CI:2.4-17.5, p<0.001)and pre-operative diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide(DLCO) (OR for DLCO<40=24.9, 95% CI:3.6-234.1, p=0.002 and OR for DLCO 40-59=3.1, 95% CI:1.3-7.2, p=0.008) were significant independent risk factors associated with risk of home oxygen after controlling for other covariates. Although current smoking significantly increased the risk in the univariate analysis, it was no longer significant in the multivariable model.

CONCLUSIONS

Obesity and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide were significant as risk factors for oxygen use at home after discharge. These findings allow for identification of patients at risk of being discharged with home oxygen after lung resection surgery.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery versus open thoracotomy in the management of empyema: A comparative study

Introduction:

With a rise in the incidence of thoracic empyema, surgical interventions also have evolved from the traditional open decortication to the current minimally invasive video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). In this study, we determine the feasibility of VATS and also put the superiority of VATS over open thoracotomy (OT) to test.

Subjects and Methods:

Prospective single-centre comparative analysis of clinical outcome in 60 patients undergoing either VATS or OT for thoracic empyema was done between 1^st September, 2014, and 1^st November, 2018. Furthermore, another group of patients, who were converted intraoperatively from VATS to OT, was studied descriptively.

Results:

Nearly 75% of the patients were male with a mean age of 45.16 years. Every second patient had associated tuberculosis (TB), attributed to the endemicity of TB in India. When compared with OT, VATS had a shorter duration of surgery (268.15 vs. 178.33 min), chest tube drainage (11.70 vs. 6.13 days), post-operative hospital stay (13.56 vs. 7.42 days) and time to return to work (26.96 vs. 12.57 days). Post-operative pain and analgesic requirement were also significantly reduced in the VATS group (P < 0.0001). Conversion rate observed was 14.2%, the most common reason being the presence of dense adhesions.

Conclusion:

We conclude that VATS, a minimally invasive procedure with its substantial advantages over thoracotomy and better functional outcome, should be preferred whenever feasible to do so. Also if needed, conversion of VATS to the conventional open procedure, rather than a failure, is a wise surgical judgement.

Recommendations for detection, prioritization, and treatment of thoracic oncology patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: the THOCOoP cooperative group

The world currently faces a pandemic due to SARS-CoV-2. Relevant information has emerged regarding the higher risk of poor outcomes in lung cancer patients. As such, lung cancer patients must be prioritized in terms of prevention, detection and treatment. On May 7th, 45 experts in thoracic cancers from 11 different countries were invited to participate. A core panel of experts regarding thoracic oncology care amidst the pandemic gathered virtually, and a total of 60 initial recommendations were drafted based on available evidence, 2 questions were deleted due to conflicting evidence. By May 16th, 44 experts had agreed to participate, and voted on each of the 58 recommendation using a Delphi panel on a live voting event. Consensus was reached regarding the recommendations (>66 % strongly agree/agree) for 56 questions. Strong consensus (>80 % strongly agree/agree) was reached for 44 questions. Patients with lung cancer represent a particularly vulnerable population during this time. Special care must be taken to maintain treatment while avoiding exposure.

Feasibility analysis for the development of a video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) lobectomy 23-hour recovery pathway

Background

Video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) lobectomy has been demonstrated to offer several benefits over open surgery. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of an ultra-fast-track 23-hour recovery pathway for VATS lobectomy.

Methods

A prospectively maintained institutional database was queried for patients who underwent VATS lobectomy from 2006 to 2016 at the McGill University Health Centre in Montreal, Quebec, and data were supplemented with focused chart review. Patients discharged with a length of stay (LOS) of 23 hours or less were compared with those with an LOS of 2 days or more. Logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of LOS of 23 hours or less.

Results

Two hundred and five patients were included in the study. Perioperative 30-day mortality for our cohort was 0% and the major complication rate was 8.3%. The median LOS was 3 days (interquartile range [IQR] 2-4 d). Thirty-four patients were discharged within 23 hours and none of them required readmission; 171 patients were discharged on postoperative day 2 or later and 9 of them (5.3%) required readmission (p = 0.36). The proportion of patients discharged within 23 hours increased in 2016 compared with previous years (25.8% v. 12.0%, p = 0.05). Patients discharged within 23 hours had shorter chest tube duration (odds ratio [OR] 0.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.09-0.46, p < 0.001), lower clinical stage disease (stages II-III v. stage I OR 0.07, 95% CI 0.01-0.52, p = 0.011), lower pathologic stage lesions (stages II-III v. stage I OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.07-0.91, p = 0.035), fewer surgical complications (OR 0.04, 95% CI 0.01-0.30, p = 0.002) and shorter operative time (surgery duration > 120 min OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.18-0.95, p = 0.04). Our exploratory prediction modelling showed that chest tube duration, clinical stage and surgeon were the most influential predictors of discharge within 23 hours.

Conclusion

The only preoperative factors that predicted shorter LOS in our cohort were clinical stage and surgeon. A significant proportion of patients can be discharged safely by adopting a VATS lobectomy 23-hour enhanced recovery pathway.

Conversion from thoracoscopic to open pneumonectomy is not associated with short- or long-term mortality

BACKGROUND

Thoracoscopic pneumonectomy commonly requires conversion to thoracotomy. We hypothesize that conversion would lead to worse short- and long-term outcomes compared with operations completed thoracoscopically.

METHODS

The National Cancer Database identified patients who underwent a pneumonectomy from 2010 to 2016. Trends in conversion were described using linear regression. Multivariable regression of factors associated with conversion was performed. Short-term outcomes included duration of stay, number of lymph nodes harvested, margin status, readmission, and 90-day mortality. Long-term outcome was evaluated as overall survival.

RESULTS

A total of 8,037 patients underwent a pneumonectomy. The rate of attempted thoracoscopic pneumonectomies increased from 11% to 22% (P < .001) and the rate of conversion decreased from 39% to 33% (P = .011). On multivariable analysis, a greater patient comorbidity index and pathologic nodal-stage 2 disease were associated with an increased rate of conversion. The mean number of lymph nodes evaluated was greater as was the duration of stay in the conversion group, but conversion to open thoracotomy was not associated with positive surgical margins, readmission rate, 90-day mortality, or survival.

CONCLUSION

Thoracoscopic pneumonectomy is performed with increasing frequency and decreasing conversion rate. Conversion is associated with a greater duration of stay but other short- and long-term outcomes are similar. This observation suggests minimal harm in conversion from minimally invasive to open pneumonectomy.

Switching from Thoracoscopic to Robotic Platform for Lobectomy: Report of Learning Curve and Outcome

OBJECTIVE

The optimal minimally invasive surgical management for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is unclear. For experienced video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) surgeons, the increased costs and learning curve are strong barriers for adoption of robotics. We examined the learning curve and outcome of an experienced VATS lobectomy surgeon switching to a robotic platform.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review to identify patients who underwent a robotic or VATS lobectomy for NSCLC from 2016 to 2018. Analysis of patient demographics, perioperative data, pathological upstaging rates, and robotic approach (RA) learning curve was performed.

RESULTS

This study evaluated 167 lobectomies in total, 118 by RA and 49 by VATS. Patient and tumor characteristics were similar. RA had significantly more lymph node harvested (14 versus 10; P = 0.004), more nodal stations sampled (5 versus 4; P < 0.001), and more N1 nodes (8 versus 6; P = 0.010) and N2 nodes (6 versus 4; P = 0.017) resected. With RA, 22 patients were upstaged (18.6%) compared to 5 patients (10.2%) with VATS (P = 0.26). No differences were found in perioperative outcome. Operative time decreased significantly with a learning curve of 20 cases, along with a steady increase in lymph node yield.

CONCLUSIONS

RA can be adopted safely by experienced VATS surgeons. Learning curve is 20 cases, with RA resulting in superior lymph node clearance compared to VATS. The potential improvement in upstaging and oncologic resection for NSCLC may justify the associated investments of robotics even for experienced VATS surgeons.

Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery versus Thoracotomy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Patients undergoing surgery for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are often elderly and have co-morbidity conditions and decreased performance status. Compared with open thoracotomy, video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy is associated with fewer postoperative complications. Despite encouraging results for patients with NSCLC who underwent VATS, the procedure is still not widely accepted, and large retrospective studies have yielded conflicting results.

OBJECTIVES

In video-assisted lobectomy for NSCLC, it has remained controversial whether mediastinal lymphadenectomy can be performed as effectively as an open procedure via thoracotomy. To deal with inherent biases in any non-randomized comparison, we analyzed propensity-matched studies and randomized controlled trials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment outcomes of VATS and open thoracotomy for NSCLC patients.

METHODS

We collected publications on comparison of VATS versus open thoracotomy for NSCLC patients from 2007 to 2017. All trials analyzed the summary Hazard Ratios (HRs) of the endpoints of interest, including perioperative mortality and morbidity, and individual postoperative complications. Revman 5.3 software was used to analyze the combined pooled HRs using fixed- or random-effects models according to heterogeneity.

RESULTS

A systematic literature search was conducted including 15 studies. The results indicated that VATS was associated with lower postoperative morbidity and mortality, and significantly lower rates of prolonged pneumonia, atrial arrhythmias and renal failure.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with lobectomy by thoracotomy, thoracoscopic lobectomy is associated with a lower incidence of major complications, including lower rates of prolonged pneumonia, atrial arrhythmias and renal failure. Lobectomy via VATs may be the preferred strategy for appropriately selected NSCLC patients. The determinants of this advantage should be analyzed to improve the safety and outcomes of other thoracic procedures.

Risk factors for post-operative pulmonary complications in lung cancer patients after video-assisted thoracoscopic lung resection: Results of the German Thorax Registry

OBJECTIVE

Post-operative pulmonary complications (PPCs) represent the most frequent complications after lung surgery. The aim of this study was to identify the modifiable risk factors for PPCs after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in lung cancer patients.

METHODS

Data of this retrospective study were extracted from the German Thorax Registry, an interdisciplinary and multicenter database of the German Society of Anesthesiology and Intensive care medicine and the German Society of Thoracic Surgery. Univariate and multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis of patient-specific and procedural risk factors for PPCs were conducted.

RESULTS

We analyzed 376 patients with lung cancer who underwent VATS bilobectomy (n = 2), lobectomy (n = 258) or segmentectomy (n = 116) in 2016 and 2017. One-hundred fourteen patients (114/376; 30%) developed PPCs. Two patients died within 30 days after surgery. In the univariate analysis, patients of the PPC group showed significantly more often a body mass index (BMI) ≤ 19 kg/m² ; a pre-operative forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁ ) ≤ 60%; a pre-operative arterial oxygen partial pressure (p_a O₂ ) ≤ 60 mm Hg; a higher rate of prolonged duration of surgery (≥2 hours [h]) and a higher frequency of intraoperative blood loss ≥500 mL. The multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed 4 independent risk factors: FEV₁ ≤ 60% (1.9[1.1-3.4] OR [95% CI], P = 0.029); p_a O₂ ≤ 60 mm Hg (4.6[1.7-12.8] OR [95% CI], P = 0.003; duration of surgery ≥2 hours (2.7[1.5-4.7] OR [95% CI], P = 0.001) and intraoperative crystalloids ≥6 mL/kg/h (2.9[1.2-7.5] OR [95% CI], P = 0.023).

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative amount of crystalloid fluids should be kept below 6 mL/kg/h and duration of surgery should be below 2 hours to avoid an increased risk for PPCs.

Current indications and outcomes for thoracoscopic segmentectomy for early stage lung cancer

Management of early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is evolving as the epidemiology of NSCLC has changed due to decreased rates of smoking in the general population, the development of screening programs and advancements in imaging modalities. Surgical technique is also evolving as a result of changes in instrumentation. Segmentectomy for early stage NSCLC has the advantage of preservation of lung function. Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) segmentectomy is a safe option for surgeons already experienced in VATS lobectomy and offers comparable oncological benefit with better quality of life in selected patients. In this article, we will examine the role of segmentectomy and VATS for early stage NSCLC.

National practice trends for the surgical management of lung cancer in the CMS population: an atlas of care

BACKGROUND

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been established as a safe and effective alternative to an open approach for the treatment of early-stage lung cancer. Despite this, differences in utilization across the nation are present. The aims of this study were to: (I) characterize trends in the use of open surgery and VATS for the management of lung cancer across the United States, and (II) describe if particular regions of the country utilize minimally invasive surgery more frequently.

METHODS

We studied all Medicare beneficiaries from the ages of 65 to 99 years with full Part A and B coverage and no HMO coverage for the years of 2006 and 2014 (the most recent year available at the time of this analysis). Beneficiaries with a diagnosis of lung cancer (ICD-9 codes: 162.0 162.2 162.3 162.4 162.5 162.8 162.9) were selected. Rates of thoracoscopic surgery (CPT codes: 32663, 32666, 32667, 32668, 32669, 32670, 32671) and open lung resections (32505, 32506, 32507, 32608, 32440, 32442, 32445, 32480, 32482, 32484, 32486, 32488) were calculated by year and region. Rates in 2006 and 2014 with descriptive statistics and a univariate analysis were performed using Student's t-test and chi-square, as appropriate. A two-sided P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

A total of 24,368,333 and 23,921,059 beneficiaries for the years of 2006 and 2014 were analyzed. A diagnosis of lung cancer was detected in claims of 167,418 patients (0.7%) in 2006 and 167,506 patients in 2014 (0.7%), which was not significantly different (P=0.7). Among these lung cancer patients, a surgical intervention was performed in 17,249 patients (10.3%) during 2006 and 18,603 patients (11.1%) in 2014 (P=0.01). Among those undergoing surgery, a VATS approach was performed in 2,512 patients (15%) during 2006 and 9,578 patients (54%) during 2014 (P=0.001). In 2006, California, New York, and New Jersey performed the most VATS procedures, in comparison to 2014, when New York, Florida, and California performed the highest number of VATS procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

While the prevalence of lung cancer in the United States was unchanged between 2006 and 2014, the use of VATS techniques increased five-fold. Further studies to better understand the adoption or availability of new surgical techniques in lung cancer populations across geographic regions and patient populations are necessary.

Perioperative outcomes of thoracoscopic lung resection requiring a long operative time

OBJECTIVES

Difficult thoracoscopic surgery sometimes requires a long operative time. It is unclear whether patients benefit from such thoracoscopic surgeries. We investigated whether thoracoscopic surgery for difficult cases contributed to improvements in perioperative outcomes.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed cases of anatomical lung resection with thoracoscopic surgery, including conversion to thoracotomy, between January 2006 and December 2016 and compared patient demographics and perioperative outcomes of the long (≥360 min) and the normal operative time groups (<360 min).

RESULTS

One hundred and seventy-six patients were in the long operative time group and 655 patients were in the normal operative time group. The long operative time group had more male patients, more progressive clinical stages, bilobectomy or pneumonectomy, conversion to thoracotomy and more blood loss than the normal operative time group. The long operative time group had higher rates of postoperative complications and longer hospital stay (30% vs 16%, P < 0.001 and 9 ± 9 days vs 7 ± 8 days, P < 0.001; respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that in the first half of the operative period, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bilobectomy or pneumonectomy were independent predictive factors for postoperative complications. The long operative time as a factor was close to statistical significance (odds ratio 1.689, P = 0.079) unlike the elective conversion to thoracotomy (odds ratio 0.784, P = 0.667) and emergency conversion to thoracotomy (odds ratio 0.938, P = 0.924).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, when difficult cases are encountered, conversion to thoracotomy should be considered by surgeons if continuation of thoracoscopic surgery increases the operative time.

Lymph node upstaging for non-small cell lung cancer after uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopy

Background

Radical lymph node dissection (LND) plays a major role in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study presents the analysis of the results after uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) lymphadenectomy during anatomical lung resections for NSCLC, focusing on pathological nodal upstaging. Any possible risk factor affecting nodal upstaging was also investigated.

Methods

The prospectively collected clinical data of 136 patients undergone uniportal VATS anatomical lung resections, from June 2012 to September 2017, were reviewed. In particular, all details inherent the clinical and pathological node stage and any possible risk factor affecting nodal upstaging were analyzed.

Results

The patient population consisted of 90 males and 46 females; their mean age was 67.42±10.64 years. The mean number of lymph nodes retrieved during uniportal VATS lymphadenectomy was 20.14±10.73 (7.27±5.90 and 12.60±7.96 in N1 and N2 stations, respectively). The incidence of nodal upstaging was 13.3% (18 cases). In particular there was a N0-1 upstaging in 10 cases (7.4%), a N1-2 upstaging in 3 (2.2%) and a N0-2 in 4 (3%). The ROC analysis showed that the resection of 18 lymph nodes was the best predictor of a general upstaging with an AUC-ROC of 0.595, while the resection of 7 hilar lymph nodes was the best predictor of N1 upstaging (AUC-ROC: 0.554) and 11 mediastinal nodes was the best predictor of N2 upstaging (AUC-ROC: 0.671). The number of positive lymph nodes of stations 5-6 (OR: 2.035, 95% CI: 1.082-3.826, P=0.027) and stations 2-3-4 (OR: 6.198, 95% CI: 1.580-24.321, P=0.009) were confirmed to be the only independent risk factors for N2 upstaging by multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

According to our experience, uniportal VATS allows a safe and effective radical lymphadenectomy, with a satisfactory pathological nodal upstaging, comparable to other minimally invasive techniques.

Predictive factors of postoperative complications in single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic anatomical resection: Two center experience

The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors for adverse events during single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic (SPVATS) anatomical resections.We retrospectively reviewed patients who had undergone SPVATS anatomic resections between January 2014 and February 2017 in Coruña University Hospital's Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery Unit (CHUAC, Spain) and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (CGMH, Taiwan). Four hundred forty-two patients (male: 306, female: 136) were enrolled in this study. Logistic regression analysis was performed on variables for postoperative complications.Postoperative complications with a 30-day mortality occurred in 94 patients (21.3%) and with a 90-day mortality in 3 patients (0.7%) while the major complication rate was 3.9%. Prolonged air leak (PAL > 5 days) was the most common complication and came by postoperative arrhythmia. Logistic regression indicated that pleural symphysis (odds ratio (OR), 1.91; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.14-3.18; P = .014), computed tomography (CT) pulmonary emphysema (OR, 2.63; 95% CI, 1.41-4.76; P = .002), well-developed pulmonary CT fissure line (OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.29-0.84; P = .009), and tumor size (≥3 cm) (OR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.30-3.57; P = .003) were predictors of postoperative complications.Our preliminary results revealed that SPVATS anatomic resection achieves acceptable 30- and 90-day surgery related mortality (0.7%) and major complications rate (3.9%). Prolonged Air leak (PAL > 5 days) was the most common postoperative complication. Pleural symphysis, pulmonary emphysema, well-developed pulmonary CT fissure line and tumor size (≥3 cm) were predictors of adverse events during SPVATS anatomic resection.

Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery Lobectomy Performed Satisfaction and Complications of Patients During Hands-On Training Courses

AIM

It was aimed to concern about the satisfaction and procedural complications of patients during the thoracoscopy exist of hands-on training in this present study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The patients with non-small-cell carcinoma underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy during hands-on training courses at thoracoscopic center in our hospital and collected from January 2009 and December 2014. The rates of satisfaction and complications of patients were compared from hands-on training group and control group. Potential risk factors associated with post-VATS complications of patients and thoracoscopist-related variables were analyzed. There were 54 patients join in six meetings with hands-on thoracoscopy training in our center.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between patients for hands-on training group (n = 54) and control group (n = 54), including sex, age, BMI, smoking, PpoFEV1 and comorbidities. The satisfaction rate and the incidence of complication were similar between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Univariate analyses showed that elder age, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, long operative time, and first-time mentorship were significantly associated with post-VATS complications of patients in hands-on training group. We should pay more attention to the characteristics of patent and the experience of mentor before VATS hands-on training courses.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Continuous Subpleural Bupivacaine After Thoracoscopic Surgery

We sought to evaluate the merit of routine placement of a subpleural tunneled pain catheter delivering local anesthetic as measured by narcotic medication usage and subjective pain score analysis. Eighty-six patients were randomized into the subpleural catheter or intraoperative incision site injection groups in a 1:1 fashion, and underwent thoracoscopic surgery using 2 incisions. All patients had standardized anesthetic delivery and postoperative pain control. Patients' use of pain medication and pain scores was tracked for 7 days postoperatively. There was no significant difference in the 2 groups' usage of narcotics (P = 0.23), acetaminophen (P = 0.23), or nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (P = 0.57) over time from linear mixed model analysis. The subpleural catheter group had significantly higher nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug self-reported usage on postoperative day 4 (P = 0.04), postoperative day 5 (P = 0.05), postoperative day 6 (P = 0.01), and postoperative day 7 (P <0.01). There were no significant differences in average daily pain scores (all P ≥ 0.06). Length of hospital stay and results from 30-day postoperative surveys were not significantly different between the subpleural catheter and the intraoperative incision site injection groups. Our results did not show any objective differences between the subpleural catheter and the intraoperative incision site injection groups to justify routine use of tunneled subpleural catheters. The main limitation of this study is missing self-reported data. The differences noted in daily nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug use in the pain catheter arm may actually suggest slightly worse pain control in those patients, although the clinical significance seems to be minimal.

Anatomic pulmonary resection via video-assisted thoracic surgery: analysis of 117 cases at a referral center in Brazil

Objective:

To describe our experience with video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for anatomic pulmonary resection at a referral center for thoracic surgery in Brazil.

Methods:

All patients who underwent anatomic pulmonary resection by VATS between 2010 and 2015 were included. Clinical and pathological data, as well as postoperative complications, were analyzed.

Results:

A total of 117 pulmonary resections by VATS were performed, of which 98 were lobectomies and 19 were anatomic segmentectomies. The mean age of the patients was 63.6 years (range, 15-86 years). Females predominated (n = 69; 59%). The mean time to chest tube removal was 2.47 days, and the mean length of ICU stay was 1.88 days. The mean length of hospital stay was 4.48 days. Bleeding ≥ 400 mL occurred in 15 patients. Conversion to thoracotomy was required in 4 patients.

Conclusions:

Our results are similar to those published in major international studies, indicating that VATS is an important strategy for pulmonary resection. They also show that VATS can be safely performed with adequate training. This technique should be used more often for the treatment of lung diseases in Brazil.

Subxiphoid uniportal lobectomy

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) surgery has seen an evolution from multiple ports to uniportal and finally subxiphoid uniportal recently. In traditional VATS surgery, the instruments and the thoracoscope enter the thoracic cavity through two to four operating ports on the lateral chest wall, which can cause chronic pain and chest wall numbness. However single-portal VATS surgery could potentially cause similar problems as the port is placed in between the ribs. In March 2015 Liu et al. reported a VATS bilateral pulmonary metastasectomy and right middle lobectomy via a subxiphoid uniportal technique. The advantage of the uniportal subxiphoid approach is the ability to use different size of instruments and freedom of movement as there is no limitation by the ribs. Post-operative pain typically experienced due to bruising of the intercostal nerves is also avoided in this approach. Shanghai Pulmonary hospital has taken VATS surgery to the next level with subxiphoid uniportal VATS (SVATS) lung resection, whereby this method is performed in large volumes of cases. Here we describe our experience of a uniportal subxiphoid VATS right middle lobectomy using the Shanghai technique, the first in the UK. A uniportal sub-xiphoid lobectomy was performed on a 62-year-old lifelong smoker male patient with a histological diagnosis of right middle lobe adenocarcinoma, measuring 1.5 cm and radiological staging of T1aN0M0. We have been performing microlobectomies in our institution (with the utility port placed in the subxiphoid region) which is technically similar to this approach. This is the first subxiphoid uniportal lobectomy performed in the UK. The operation was done successfully and the patient was discharged home 2 days later without any complications.

Impact of Surgeon Volume on Outcomes of Older Stage I Lung Cancer Patients Treated via Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

Surgeon procedure volume influences outcomes of patients undergoing cancer operations. Limited data are available, however, on the volume-outcome relationship for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we used population-based data to evaluate the extent to which surgeon volume is associated with postoperative and long-term oncological outcomes following VATS resection for older patients with early-stage NSCLC. Stage I NSCLC patients >65 years treated with VATS wedge, segmentectomy, or lobectomy between 2000 and 2010 were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry linked to Medicare. Surgeon volume was grouped into tertiles (low, intermediate, and high). Outcomes included perioperative complications, intensive care unit admission, extended length of stay, perioperative (30-day) mortality, and long-term overall and lung cancer-specific survival. We used propensity score methods to compare adjusted survival of patients by surgical volume group. A total of 2295 study patients were identified. Patients treated by high-volume surgeons had decreased intensive care unit admissions (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.41-0.51) and postoperative length of stay (HR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.61-0.92). Adjusted analyses showed that overall (HR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.62-0.87) and lung cancer-specific (HR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.58-0.99) survival was better for patients treated by high-volume surgeons. Elderly stage I NSCLC patients undergoing VATS by high-volume surgeons have reduced postoperative complications and improved survival. Organization of care favoring referrals of VATS candidates to high-volume providers may help improve the outcomes of patients with early-stage lung cancer.

Long term survival with stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) versus thoracoscopic sublobar lung resection in elderly people: national population based study with propensity matched comparative analysis

OBJECTIVES

 To compare cancer specific survival after thoracoscopic sublobar lung resection and stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) for tumors ≤2 cm in size and thoracoscopic resection (sublobar resection or lobectomy) and SABR for tumors ≤5 cm in size.

DESIGN

 National population based retrospective cohort study with propensity matched comparative analysis.

SETTING

 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry linked with Medicare database in the United States.

PARTICIPANTS

 Patients aged ≥66 with lung cancer undergoing SABR or thoracoscopic lobectomy or sublobar resection from 1 Oct 2007 to 31 June 2012 and followed up to 31 December 2013.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

 Cancer specific survival after SABR or thoracoscopic surgery for lung cancer.

RESULTS

 690 (275 (39.9%) SABR and 415 (60.1%) thoracoscopic sublobar lung resection) and 2967 (714 (24.1%) SABR and 2253 (75.9%) thoracoscopic resection) patients were included in primary and secondary analyses. The average age of the entire cohort was 76. Follow-up of the entire cohort ranged from 0 to 6.25 years, with an average of three years. In the primary analysis of patients with tumors sized ≤2 cm, 37 (13.5%) undergoing SABR and 44 (10.6%) undergoing thoracoscopic sublobar resection died from lung cancer, respectively. The cancer specific survival diverged after one year, but in the matched analysis (201 matched patients in each group) there was no significant difference between the groups (SABR v sublobar lung resection mortality: hazard ratio 1.32, 95% confidence interval 0.77 to 2.26; P=0.32). Estimated cancer specific survival at three years after SABR and thoracoscopic sublobar lung resection was 82.6% and 86.4%, respectively. The secondary analysis (643 matched patients in each group) showed that thoracoscopic resection was associated with improved cancer specific survival over SABR in patients with tumors sized ≤5 cm (SABR v resection mortality: hazard ratio 2.10, 1.52 to 2.89; P<0.001). Estimated cancer specific survival at three years was 80.0% and 90.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

 This propensity matched analysis suggests that patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgical resection, particularly for larger tumors, might have improved cancer specific survival compared with patients undergoing SABR. Despite strategies used in study design and propensity matching analysis, there are inherent limitations to this observational analysis related to confounding, similar to most studies in healthcare of non-surgical technologies compared with surgery. As the adoption of SABR for the treatment of early stage operable lung cancer would be a paradigm shift in lung cancer care, it warrants further thorough evaluation before widespread adoption in practice.

Video-assisted thoracic surgery micro pneumonectomy, a new approach

Background

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) pneumonectomy is normally limited due to the difficulty to remove the whole lung via the utility incision. We present our technique of VATS pneumonectomy, this we call micropneumonectomy.

Methods

A 75-year-old male current smoker with a right hilar mass, invading both upper and lower lobe bronchi to segmental level on CT scan and PET scan, pathology from CT guided biopsy showed squamous cell carcinoma. The patient had a mediastinoscopy just prior to pneumonectomy, primarily to remove station 7 lymph nodes and to mobilize the carina to facilitate the VATS pneumonectomy.

Results

Smooth postoperative course, and patient was fit for discharge two and half days post operatively.

Conclusions

Our technique showed an effective way of doing pneumonectomy via VATS technique, which expands the use of VATS technique into pneumonectomies, with three intercostals incisions smaller than 5 mm, in addition to a single sub-xiphoid incision which can take 12 mm instruments.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy for lung cancer versus thoracotomy: a less decrease in sVEGFR2 level after surgery

BACKGROUND

Angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors play an important role in tumor biology and tumor recurrence after surgical resection. Antiangiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-receptor 1 (sVEGFR1) and sVEGFR2, two soluble form receptor proteins of VEGF, are critical for angiogenesis. VEGF can be sequestered by soluble forms of these receptors, which result in decreasing VEGF amount available to bind to its receptor on vascular endothelial cell surface. This study aimed to investigate the influences of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy and open by thoracotomy for early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) on postoperative circulating sVEGFR1 and sVEGFR2 levels.

METHODS

Forty-eight lung cancer patients underwent lobectomy through either VATS (n=26) or thoracotomy (n=22). Blood samples were collected from all patients preoperatively and postoperatively on days 1, 3 and 7. ELISA analysis was used to determine the plasma levels of sVEGFR1 and sVEGFR2. Data are reported as means and standard deviations, and were assessed with the Wilcoxon signed-Rank test (P<0.05).

RESULTS

For all patients undergoing lobectomy, postoperative sVEGFR1 levels on days 1 and 3 were markedly increased, while postoperative sVEGFR2 levels on days 1 and 3 were significantly decreased. Moreover, VATS group had significantly higher plasma level of sVEGFR2 postoperative in comparison with open thoracotomy (OT) on day 1 (VATS 6,953±1,535 pg/mL; OT 5,874±1,328 pg/mL, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Major pulmonary resection for early stage NSCLC resulted in the increased sVEGFR1 and decreased sVEGFR2 productions. VATS is associated with enhanced anti-angiogenic response with higher circulating sVEGFR2 levels compared with that with OT. Such differences in anti-angiogenic response may have an important effect on cancer biology and recurrence after surgery.

Postoperative Regulatory T-Cells and Natural Killer Cells in Stage I Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer Underwent Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Lobectomy or Thoracotomy

BACKGROUND

Regulatory T-cells (Treg) play key roles in suppressing cell-mediated immunity in cancer patients. Little is known about perioperative Treg fluctuations in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) lobectomy, as a minimal invasive procedure for treating NSCLC, may have relatively less impact on the patient's immune system. This study aimed to observe perioperative dynamics of circulating Treg and natural killer (NK) cell levels in NSCLC patients who underwent major lobectomy by VATS or thoracotomy.

METHODS

Totally, 98 consecutive patients with stage I NSCLC were recruited and assigned into VATS or thoracotomy groups. Peripheral blood samples were taken on 1-day prior to operation, postoperative days (PODs) 1, 3, 7, 30, and 90. Circulating Treg and NK cell counts were assayed by flow cytometry, defined as CD4 + CD25 + CD127 low cells in CD4 + lymphocytes and CD56 + 16 + CD3- cells within CD45 + leukocytes respectively. With SPSS software version 21.0 (SPSS Inc., USA), differences between VATS and thoracotomy groups were determined by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and differences between preoperative baseline and PODs in each group were evaluated by one-way ANOVA Dunnett t-test.

RESULTS

In both groups, postoperative Treg percentages were lower than preoperative status. No statistical difference was found between VATS and thoracotomy groups on PODs 1, 3, 7, and 30. On POD 90, Treg percentage in VATS group was significantly lower than in thoracotomy group (5.26 ± 2.75 vs. 6.99 ± 3.60, P = 0.012). However, a higher level of NK was found on all PODs except on POD 90 in VATS group, comparing to thoracotomy group.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower Treg level on POD 90 and higher NK levels on PODs 1, 3, 7, 30 in VATS group might imply better preserved cell-mediated immune function in NSCLC patients, than those in thoracotomy group.

Nodal Upstaging Is More Common with Thoracotomy than with VATS During Lobectomy for Early-Stage Lung Cancer: An Analysis from the National Cancer Data Base

INTRODUCTION

Questions remain regarding differences in nodal evaluation and upstaging between thoracotomy (open) and video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) approaches to lobectomy for early-stage lung cancer. Potential differences in nodal staging based on operative approach remain the final significant barrier to widespread adoption of VATS lobectomy. The current study examines differences in nodal staging between open and VATS lobectomy.

METHODS

The National Cancer Data Base was queried for patients with clinical stage T2N0M0 or lower lung cancer who underwent lobectomy in 2010-2011. Propensity score matching was performed to compare the rate of nodal upstaging in VATS with that in open approaches. Additional subgroup analysis was performed to assess whether rates of upstaging differed by specific clinical setting.

RESULTS

A total of 16,983 lobectomies were analyzed; 4935 (29.1%) were performed using VATS. Nodal upstaging was more frequent in the open group (12.8% versus 10.3%; p < 0.001). In 4437 matched pairs, nodal upstaging remained more common for open approaches. For a subgroup of patients who had seven lymph or more nodes examined, propensity matching revealed that nodal upstaging remained more common after an open approach than after VATS (14.0% versus 12.1%; p = 0.03). For patients who were treated in an academic/research facility, however, the difference in nodal upstaging between an open and VATS approach was no longer significant (12.2% versus 10.5%, p = 0.08).

CONCLUSIONS

For early-stage lung cancer, nodal upstaging was observed more frequently with thoracotomy than with VATS. However, nodal upstaging appears to be affected by facility type, which may be a surrogate for expertise in minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Safety of thoracoscopic surgery for lung cancer without interruption of anti-platelet agents

BACKGROUND

Perioperative bleeding concerns have led to the general recommendation that antiplatelet agents (APAs) be discontinued 7-10 days preoperatively, but this could increase the risk of perioperative cardiovascular events. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the safety of APA continuation during thoracoscopic surgery for lung cancer.

METHODS

Between January 2009 and February 2015, 164 patients taking APAs underwent curative resection. Comparisons were conducted between two groups: preoperatively interrupted APA administration (group I, n=106) and continued APA administration (group N, n=58).

RESULTS

Group N had a significantly higher revised cardiac risk index (rCRI) (P=0.001). Lobectomy was performed in the majority of patients [95 (89.6%) in group I; 52 (89.7%) in group N]. There were no significant differences in intraoperative outcomes, such as the thoracotomy conversion rate, operating time, intraoperative transfusion, and amount of blood loss during the operation, or postoperative outcomes, such as postoperative bleeding and thrombotic complications, postoperative transfusions, and operative mortality. Within group N, the patients taking aspirin + clopidogrel (n=11) had significantly greater postoperative bleeding (P=0.005), and more postoperative transfusions (P=0.003) and chest tube drainage over a 3-day period (P=0.049) compared with other antiplatelet regimens.

CONCLUSIONS

Continued use of APAs during thoracoscopic surgery for lung cancer could be safely done in patients at high risk of cardiac or thrombotic events. However, in patients administered aspirin + clopidogrel, it may be the best to continue aspirin only because of an increased risk of postoperative bleeding and transfusion requirements.

Operative outcomes of thoracoscopic lobectomy for non-small-cell lung cancer

Aim

We examined the advantages of thoracoscopy over thoracotomy in terms of perioperative outcomes and toleration of adjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods

Between April 2010 and March 2013, 657 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer who underwent lobectomy were classified into thoracoscopy (308 patients) and thoracotomy (349 patients) groups and compared.

Results

The thoracoscopy group had less blood loss compared to the thoracotomy group ( p < 0.001). When limiting the analysis to pathological stage I patients, the results were similar ( p < 0.001). In addition, the difference in blood loss between the 2 groups was greater in patients with severe pleural adhesions. The postoperative morbidity of the thoracoscopy group was significantly less than that of the thoracotomy group (13.3% vs. 21.2%, p < 0.001), and this result was similar when analyzing the pathological stage I patients (12.6% vs. 20.6%, p = 0.001). A higher percentage of the thoracoscopy group received both the full planned course and dose of adjuvant chemotherapy compared to the thoracotomy group (84.2% vs. 65.8%, p = 0.032).

Conclusions

These results indicate that totally thoracoscopic lobectomy is the more beneficial surgical approach with regard to the incidence of postoperative complications and toleration of adjuvant chemotherapy.

Pulmonary Artery Bleeding During Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery: Intraoperative Bleeding and Control

With appropriate planning and operative technique, the risk of pulmonary artery injury and bleeding during video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy can be minimized. However, the risk cannot be completely eliminated; surgeons should always ensure that they are prepared to manage this situation if it occurs. Although pulmonary artery bleeding can potentially lead to intraoperative disasters, appropriate judgment, management, and control via VATS or conversion to thoracotomy can avoid any impact on either short-term or long-term patient outcomes.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic pneumonectomy

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer often requires pneumonectomy. This procedure is challenging and usually performed by thoracotomy, which is traumatic and may involve complications. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy is a recognized procedure that has been accepted by surgeons. There is no standard procedure to perform a pneumonectomy using VATS. The aim of this paper is to share our experiences and to show our technique for performing a pneumonectomy using VATS.

METHODS

A 65-year-old man was admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. A thoracic computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a 56 mm × 45 mm × 40 mm lesion in the left upper lung lobe. Lesions involving the left lower lung lobe were also identified and the subcarinal and hilar lymph nodes were enlarged. A VATS pneumonectomy was performed.

RESULTS

The total surgery time was approximately 90 min, the intraoperative blood loss was 100 mL, the number of resected lymph nodes was 15; and the postoperative hospital stay was 8 days. Follow-up revealed no recurrence or metastasis for 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Video-assisted thoracoscopic pneumonectomy is a safe and effective treatment procedure.

Uniportal video assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy: primary experience from an Eastern center

BACKGROUND

Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy is an emerging technique for the surgical resection of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Besides its wide debates on safety and efficacy throughout the world, there were few report on uniportal VATS from the Eastern countries. In this article, we summarized our primary experience on uniportal VATS lobectomy in an Eastern center.

METHODS

From October 2013 till February 2014, 54 consecutive uniportal VATS lobectomy were performed in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University. Patients' clinical features and operative details were recorded. Post-operatively, the morbidity and mortality were recorded to analyze the safety and efficacy of uniportal VATS lobectomy for NSCLCs.

RESULTS

Among the 54 planned uniportal VATS lobectomy, there was one conversion to mini-thoracotomy due to lymph node sticking. Extra ports were required in two patients. The uniportal VATS lobectomy was achieved in 51 out of 54 patients (94.4%). The average operation duration was 122.2±37.5 min (90-160 min). The average volume of estimated blood loss during the operation was 88.8±47.1 mL (50-200 mL). The mean chest tube duration and hospital stay were 3.2±1.9 days and 4.6±2.0 days, respectively. There was no postoperative mortality in this study. Two patients suffered from prolonged air leakage (5 and 7 days), and one atrial fibrillation was observed in this cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our primary experience, uniportal VATS lobectomy is a safe and effective procedure for the surgical resection of NSCLCs. The surgical refinements and instrumental improvements would facilitate the technique. Further studies based on larger population are required to determine its benefits towards patients with NSCLCs.

Total thoracoscopic posterior basal segmentectomy for primary lung cancer

This report introduces a hilar side approach for posterior basal segmentectomies by the process of specific vision thoracoscopic surgery, which has been used extensively for peripheral small lung cancer by the author. Although it requires a deeper understanding of hilar anatomy and fine control, it is safer and less invasive to the thoracic wall and results in less postoperative pain than the thoracotomy counterpart and as a hilar side approach allows for less deformation. The necessary order of processes involves specific vision, inflation-deflation and blunt dissection from the hilum.

Comparative outcomes of elderly stage I lung cancer patients treated with segmentectomy via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery versus open resection

INTRODUCTION

Video-assisted thorcacic surgery (VATS) is considered an alternative to open lobectomy for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Limited data are available, however, regarding the equivalence of open versus VATS segmental resections, particularly among elderly patients.

METHODS

From the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database we identified 577 stage I NSCLC patients aged more than 65 years treated with VATS or open segmentectomy. We used propensity score methods to control for differences in the baseline characteristics of patients treated with VATS versus open segmentectomy. Outcomes included perioperative complications, need for intensive care unit, extended hospital stay, perioperative mortality, and survival.

RESULTS

Overall, 27% of patients underwent VATS. VATS-treated patients had lower rates of postoperative complications (odds ratio [OR]: 0.55, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.37-0.83), intensive care unit admissions (OR: 0.18, 95% CI: 0.12-0.28), and decreased length of stay (OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.21-0.81) after adjusting for propensity scores. Postoperative outcomes were not significantly different across groups after adjusting for surgeon characteristics. Overall (hazard ratio: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.60-1.06) and lung cancer-specific (hazard ratio: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.45-1.12) survival was similar across groups.

CONCLUSIONS

VATS segmentectomy can be safely performed among elderly NSCLC patients and is associated with equivalent postoperative and oncologic outcomes.

Is video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy in benign disease practical and effective?

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to analyze the surgical outcomes of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy for benign pulmonary disease and to propose surgical guidelines based on the retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

From January 2004 to December 2009, all lobectomies performed in a university-based tertiary care hospital were analyzed. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (I) VATS lobectomy for benign disease; (II) thoracotomy conversion cases initially approached by VATS lobectomy. All malignant cases were excluded. Electronic medical records were retrospectively analyzed and patients were divided into two groups: with infection and without infection. The primary outcomes were the thoracotomy conversion rate, length of hospital stay, period of thoracic drainage and complications.

RESULTS

VATS was performed in 163 (42%) of 385 patients who underwent lobectomy for benign disease. There were 68 in the infection group and 95 in the group without infection. VATS lobectomy was successful in 157 (96%) patients while 6 were converted into thoracotomy. The mean operation time and blood loss were 160 minutes and 326 mL. Comparing two groups, operation time and blood loss were not statistically different (P value =0.92, 0.63). Moreover conversion rate, length of hospital stay, period of thoracic drainage and complications (P value =0.67, 0.18, 0.25, and 0.50) were not different.

CONCLUSIONS

VATS lobectomy for benign disease is practical and effective in selected cases regardless of the presence of infection. However, because various technical obstacles may be encountered during the procedure, therefore, careful patient selection is needed.

Long term survival with thoracoscopic versus open lobectomy: propensity matched comparative analysis using SEER-Medicare database

OBJECTIVE

To compare long term survival after minimally invasive lobectomy and thoracotomy lobectomy.

DESIGN

Propensity matched analysis.

SETTING

Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database.

PARTICIPANTS

All patients with lung cancer from 2007 to 2009 undergoing lobectomy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Influence of less invasive thoracoscopic surgery on overall survival, disease-free survival, and cancer specific survival.

RESULTS

From 2007 to 2009, 6008 patients undergoing lobectomy were identified (n=4715 (78%) thoracotomy). The median age of the entire cohort was 74 (interquartile range 70-78) years. The median length of follow-up for entire group was 40 months. In a matched analysis of 1195 patients in each treatment category, no statistical differences in three year overall survival, disease-free survival, or cancer specific survival were found between the groups (overall survival: 70.6% v 68.1%, P=0.55; disease-free survival: 86.2% v 85.4%, P=0.46; cancer specific survival: 92% v 89.5%, P=0.05).

CONCLUSION

This propensity matched analysis showed that patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy had similar overall, cancer specific, and disease-free survival compared with patients undergoing thoracotomy lobectomy. Thoracoscopic techniques do not seem to compromise these measures of outcome after lobectomy.

Contraindications of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical lobectomy and determinants of conversion to open

Since the introduction of anatomic lung resection by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) was introduced 20 years ago, VATS has experienced major advances in both equipment and technique, introducing a technical challenge in the surgical treatment of both benign and malignant lung disease. The demonstrated safety, decreased morbidity, and equivalent efficacy of this minimally invasive technique has led to the acceptance of VATS as a standard surgical modality for early-stage lung cancer and increasing application to more advanced disease. However, only a minority of lobectomies are performed using the VATS technique, likely owing to concern for intraoperative complications. Optimal operative planning, including obtaining baseline pulmonary function tests with diffusion measurements, positron emission tomography and/or computed tomography scans, bronchoscopy, and endobronchial ultrasound or mediastinoscopy, can be used to anticipate and potentially prevent the occurrence of complications. With increasing focus on operative planning, as well as comfort and experience with the VATS technique, the indications for which this technique is used has grown. As such, the absolute contraindications have narrowed to inability to tolerate single lung ventilation, inability to achieve complete resection with lobectomy, T3 or T4 tumors, and N2 or N3 disease. However, as VATS lobectomy has been applied to more advanced stage disease, the rate of conversion to open thoracotomy has increased, particularly early in the surgeon's learning curve. Causes of conversion are generally classified into four categories: intraoperative complications, technical problems, anatomical problems, and oncological conditions. Though it is difficult to anticipate which patients may require conversion, it appears that these patients do not suffer from increased morbidity or mortality as a result of conversion to open thoracotomy. Therefore, with a focus on a safe and complete resection, conversion should be regarded as a means of completing resections in a traditional manner rather than as a surgical failure.

Thoracoscopic approach to lobectomy for lung cancer does not compromise oncologic efficacy

BACKGROUND

We compared survival between video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and thoracotomy approaches to lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer.

METHODS

Overall survival of patients who had lobectomy for any stage non-small cell lung cancer without previous chemotherapy or radiation from 1996 to 2008 was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate Cox analysis. Propensity scoring was used to assess the impact of selection bias.

RESULTS

Overall, 1,087 patients met inclusion criteria (610 VATS, 477 thoracotomy). Median follow-up was not significantly different between VATS and thoracotomy patients overall (53.4 versus 45.4 months, respectively; p=0.06) but was longer for thoracotomy for surviving patients (102.4 versus 67.9 months, p<0.0001). Thoracotomy patients had larger tumors (3.9±2.3 versus 2.8±1.5 cm, p<0.0001), and more often had higher stage cancers (50% [n=237] versus 71% [n=435] stage I, p<0.0001) compared with VATS patients. In multivariate analysis of all patients, thoracotomy approach (hazard ratio [HR] 1.22, p=0.01), increasing age (HR 1.02 per year, p<0.0001), pathologic stage (HR 1.45 per stage, p<0.0001), and male sex (HR 1.35, p=0.0001) predicted worse survival. In a cohort of 560 patients (311 VATS, 249 thoracotomy) who were assembled using propensity scoring and were similar in age, stage, tumor size, and sex, the operative approach did not impact survival (p=0.5), whereas increasing age (HR 1.02 per year, p=0.01), pathologic stage (HR 1.44 per stage, p<0.0001), and male sex (HR 1.29, p=0.01) predicted worse survival.

CONCLUSIONS

The thoracoscopic approach to lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer does not result in worse long-term survival compared with thoracotomy.