Pulmonary lobectomy for cancer: Systematic review and network meta-analysis comparing open, video-assisted thoracic surgery, and robotic approach

Risk factors for enhanced recovery after surgery failure in patients undergoing lung cancer resection with concomitant cardiovascular disease: A single-center retrospective study

Objective

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) has been widely used in patients with lung cancer, and its effectiveness has been confirmed; however, some lung cancers with poor clinical outcomes lead to ERAS failure after radical resection. This study aimed to analyze risk factors associated with ERAS failure after radical resection in patients with lung cancer and concomitant cardiovascular disease.

Methods

In total, 198 patients who underwent ERAS following radical lung cancer surgery for concomitant cardiovascular disease between January 2022 and September 2023 were enrolled in this retrospective study. The patients were categorized into two groups based on the definition of ERAS failure: ERAS success group (n = 152) and ERAS failure group (n = 46). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to investigate the risk factors of ERAS failure.

Results

Univariate analysis showed that gender, tumor location, operation time, estimated blood loss (EBL), suction drainage, and total cholesterol were associated with ERAS failure. Multivariate analysis showed that operation time (odds ratio [OR] = 1.015; P = 0.011) and suction drainage (OR = 3.343; P = 0.008) were independent risk factors for ERAS failure.

Conclusions

Operation time and suction drainage were independent risk factors for ERAS failure after radical resection of combined cardiovascular lung cancer. Therefore, improving surgical efficiency and postoperative chest drain management are important for successful ERAS.

Salivary metabolites as potential predictive biomarkers for lung surgery complications: a retrospective cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

Saliva is often used as a tool for identifying systemic diseases because of the noninvasive nature of its collection. Moreover, salivary metabolites can be potential predictive factors for postoperative survival. We conducted the present study to establish whether salivary metabolites can function as predictive biomarkers for lung surgery complications.

METHODS

Unstimulated salivary samples were collected from 412 patients before lung surgery. Salivary metabolites were analyzed comprehensively by capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry. Clinical data with the discriminatory ability of biomarkers were assessed to predict lung surgery complications using multivariate logistic regression analysis. The primary endpoint was the risk factors for postoperative complications of Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ III.

RESULTS

Postoperative complications of Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ III developed in 36 patients (8.7%). There was no postoperative 30-day mortality. Male sex (odds ratio [OR], 3.852; 95% confidence interval CI 1.455-10.199; p = 0.007) and salivary gamma-butyrobetaine (OR, 0.809; 95% CI 0.694-0.943; p = 0.007) were identified as significant risk factors for postoperative complications of Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ III.

CONCLUSION

Salivary metabolites are potential noninvasive biomarkers for predicting postoperative complications of lung surgery.

Video-Assisted vs Robotic-Assisted Lung Lobectomies for Operating Room Resource Utilization and Patient Outcomes

Importance

With increased use of robots, there is an inadequate understanding of minimally invasive modalities' time costs. This study evaluates the operative durations of robotic-assisted vs video-assisted lung lobectomies.

Objective

To compare resource utilization, specifically operative time, between video-assisted and robotic-assisted thoracoscopic lung lobectomies.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study evaluated patients aged 18 to 90 years who underwent minimally invasive (robotic-assisted or video-assisted) lung lobectomy from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2022, with 90 days' follow-up after surgery. The study included multicenter electronic health record data from 21 hospitals within an integrated health care system in Northern California. Thoracic surgery was regionalized to 4 centers with 14 board-certified general thoracic surgeons.

Exposures

Robotic-assisted or video-assisted lung lobectomy.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was operative duration (cut to close) in minutes. Secondary outcomes were length of stay, 30-day readmission, and 90-day mortality. Comparisons between video-assisted and robotic-assisted lobectomies were generated using the Wilcoxon rank sum test for continuous variables and the χ2 test for categorical variables. The average treatment effects were estimated with augmented inverse probability treatment weighting (AIPTW). Patient and surgeon covariates were adjusted for and included patient demographics, comorbidities, and case complexity (age, sex, race and ethnicity, neighborhood deprivation index, body mass index, Charlson Comorbidity Index score, nonelective hospitalizations, emergency department visits, a validated laboratory derangement score, a validated institutional comorbidity score, a surgeon-designated complexity indicator, and a procedural code count), and a primary surgeon-specific indicator.

Results

The study included 1088 patients (median age, 70.1 years [IQR, 63.3-75.8 years]; 704 [64.7%] female), of whom 446 (41.0%) underwent robotic-assisted and 642 (59.0%) underwent video-assisted lobectomy. The median unadjusted operative duration was 172.0 minutes (IQR, 128.0-226.0 minutes). After AIPTW, there was less than a 10% difference in all covariates between groups, and operative duration was a median 20.6 minutes (95% CI, 12.9-28.2 minutes; P < .001) longer for robotic-assisted compared with video-assisted lobectomies. There was no difference in adjusted secondary patient outcomes, specifically for length of stay (0.3 days; 95% CI, -0.3 to 0.8 days; P = .11) or risk of 30-day readmission (adjusted odds ratio, 1.29; 95% CI, 0.84-1.98; P = .13). The unadjusted 90-day mortality rate (1.3% [n = 14]) was too low for the AIPTW modeling process.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study, there was no difference in patient outcomes between modalities, but operative duration was longer in robotic-assisted compared with video-assisted lung lobectomy. Given that this elevated operative duration is additive when applied systematically, increased consideration of appropriate patient selection for robotic-assisted lung lobectomy is needed to improve resource utilization.

Factors Associated With Margin Positivity After Lung Resection Surgery

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study is to utilize a representative national sample to investigate the factors associated with margin positivity after attempted surgical resection. Given the changes in surgical approaches to lung cancer for the last 10 years, margin positivity and outcomes between robotic, video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and open surgical resections may vary.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study utilized the National Cancer Database. Patients with non-small-cell lung cancer, 18 or older and who had a surgical lung resection between 2010 and 2019 were included. Demographic data, along with patient-level clinical variables were extracted. Patient-level outcome variables including 30-day, 90-day mortality and readmission rates were analyzed. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression was utilized to assess factors associated with margin positivity.

RESULTS

A total of 226,884 patients were identified. Of the total cohort, 9229 had positive margins (4.2%). Patients with positive margins had statistically significant increased 30-day, 90-day mortality, as well as increased readmission rate. Older age, male sex, patients undergoing an open resection, patients who underwent a wedge resection, higher clinical stage, larger tumor size, squamous and adenosquamous histologies, and higher Charlson-Deyo Comorbidity Index were all associated with having a positive margin after resection.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, there was no difference in margin positivity when comparing robotic and VATS resection, however, open resection had increased rates of margin positivity. Increasing tumor size, clinical stage, squamous and adenosquamous histologies, male sex, and patients undergoing a wedge resection were all associated with increased rates of margin positivity.

Randomized controlled trials in lung cancer surgery: How are we doing?

Objective

Randomized control trials are considered the highest level of evidence, yet the scalability and practicality of implementing randomized control trials in the thoracic surgical oncology space are not well described. The aim of this study is to understand what types of randomized control trials have been conducted in thoracic surgical oncology and ascertain their success rate in completing them as originally planned.

Methods

The ClinicalTrials.gov database was queried in April 2023 to identify registered randomized control trials performed in patients with lung cancer who underwent surgery (by any technique) as part of their treatment.

Results

There were 68 eligible randomized control trials; 33 (48.5%) were intended to examine different perioperative patient management strategies (eg, analgesia, ventilation, drainage) or to examine different intraoperative technical aspects (eg, stapling, number of ports, port placement, ligation). The number of randomized control trials was relatively stable over time until a large increase in randomized control trials starting in 2016. Forty-four of the randomized control trials (64.7%) were open-label studies, 43 (63.2%) were conducted in a single facility, 66 (97.1%) had 2 arms, and the mean number of patients enrolled per randomized control trial was 236 (SD, 187). Of 21 completed randomized control trials (31%), the average time to complete accrual was 1605 days (4.4 years) and average time to complete primary/secondary outcomes and adverse events collection was 2125 days (5.82 years).

Conclusions

Given the immense investment of resources that randomized control trials require, these findings suggest the need to scrutinize future randomized control trial proposals to assess the likelihood of successful completion. Future study is needed to understand the various contributing factors to randomized control trial success or failure.

Outcomes and costs with the introduction of robotic-assisted thoracic surgery in public hospitals

Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) is an effective treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) but the effects of its implementation in university hospital networks has not been described. We analyzed the early clinical outcomes, estimated costs, and revenues associated with three robotic systems implemented in the Paris Public Hospital network. A retrospective study included patients who underwent RATS for NSCLC in 2019 and 2020. Ninety-day morbidity, mortality, hospital costs, and hospital revenues were described. Economic analyses were conducted either from the hospital center or from the French health insurance system perspectives. Cost drivers were tested using univariate and multivariable analyses. Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess uncertainty over in-hospital length of stay (LOS), number of robotic surgeries per year, investment cost, operating room occupancy time, maintenance cost, and commercial discount. The study included 188 patients (65.8 ± 9.3 years; Charlson 4.1 ± 1.4; stage I 76.6%). Median in-hospital LOS was 6 days [5-9.5], 90-day mortality was 1.6%. Mean hospital expenses and revenues were €12,732 ± 4914 and €11,983 ± 5708 per patient, respectively. In multivariable analysis, factors associated with hospital costs were body mass index, DLCO, major complications, and transfer to intensive care unit. Sensitivity analyses showed that in-hospital LOS (€11,802-€15,010) and commercial discounts on the list price (€11,458-€12,732) had an important impact on costs. During the first 2 years following the installation of three robotic systems in Paris Public Hospitals, the clinical outcomes of RATS for NSCLC have been satisfactory. Without commercial discount, hospital expenses would have exceeded hospital revenues.Clinical registration number CNIL, N°2221601, CERC-SFCTCV-2021-07-20-Num17_MOPI_robolution.

Operative outcomes and middle-term survival of robotic-assisted lung resection for clinical stage IA lung cancer compared with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery

BACKGROUND

Despite limited published evidence, robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) for anatomic lung resection in early-stage lung cancer continues growing. The aim of this study is to evaluate its safety and oncologic efficacy compared to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).

METHODS

Single-centre retrospective study of all patients with resected clinical stage IA NSCLC who underwent RATS or VATS anatomic lung resection from June 2018 to January 2022. RATS and VATS cases were matched by propensity scoring (PSM) according to age, sex, histology, and type of resection. Short-term outcomes were compared, and the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to evaluate the overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS).

RESULTS

321 patients (94 RATS and 227 VATS cases) were included. After PSM, 94 VATS and 94 RATS cases were compared. Demographics, pulmonary function, and comorbidity were similar in both groups. Overall postoperative morbidity was comparable for RATS and VATS cases (20.2% vs 25.5%, P = 0.385, respectively). Pathological nodal upstaging was similar in both groups (10.6% in RATS and 12.8% in VATS). During the 3.5-year follow-up period (median: 29 months; IQR: 18-39), recurrence rate was 6.4% in RATS group and 18.1% in the VATS group (P = 0.014). OS and DFS were similar in RATS and VATS groups (log rank P = 0.848 and P = 0.117, respectively).

CONCLUSION

RATS can be performed safely in patients with early-stage NSCLC. For clinical stage IA disease, robotic anatomic lung resection offers better oncologic outcomes in terms of recurrence, although there are no differences in OS and DFS compared with VATS.

Effect of da Vinci robot versus thoracoscopic surgery on lung function and oxidative stress levels in NSCLC patients: a propensity score-matched study

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the short-term efficacy, lung function, and oxidative stress levels between the robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery group (VATS) for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study, selecting 248 NSCLC patients who underwent minimally invasive lobectomy at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Gansu Provincial People's Hospital, from August 2019 to February 2023. There were 105 patients in the RATS group and 143 patients in the VATS group. The patients in the two groups were subjected to 1:1 propensity score matching analysis (PSM), and the perioperative indicators were recorded. The levels of oxidative stress factors (superoxide dismutase, SOD; malondialdehyde, MDA) and inflammatory factors were measured 1 day before surgery and 3 days after surgery, respectively. Pulmonary function and patient quality of life were measured at 1 day preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

There are 93 patients in each group after PSM. Compared to the VATS group, the RATS group had shorter operation time, less intraoperative blood loss, greater number and groups of lymph nodes cleared, and shorter postoperative hospital stay. The SOD level in the RATS group was higher and the MDA level was lower than that in the VATS group after surgery. Postoperative inflammatory cytokine levels were less elevated in the RATS group than in the VATS group. At 3 months postoperatively, FVC%, FEV1%, and GQOLI-74 scores were higher in the RATS group than in the VATS group.

CONCLUSION

Compared to VATS lobectomy, RATS lobectomy has the advantages of shorter operative time, lesser bleeding, more lymph node dissection, faster postoperative recovery, and lesser impact on postoperative lung function. It is also capable of reducing the postoperative oxidative stress and inflammatory response, which can improve patients' quality of life.

RoboticAssisted (RATS) versus Video-Assisted (VATS) lobectomy: A monocentric prospective randomized trial

INTRODUCTION

The study aim is to compare Video-Assisted (VATS) and Robotic-Assisted (RATS) lobectomy in the effort to identify advantages and limits of robotic procedures considering the high costs and specific surgeon training.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a monocentric prospective randomized trial in which patients suitable for mini-invasive lobectomy were randomized 1:2 in two groups: Group A, RATS (25 patients), and Group B, VATS (50 patients). The two groups were compared in terms of perioperative and postoperative results with a mean follow up of 37.9 (±10.9) months.

RESULTS

We observed a significant reduction of pleural effusion on day 1 (140 ml vs 214, p = 0.003) and day 2 (186 vs 321, p = 0.001) for group A. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) showed significantly lower pain in the 1st p.o. day in group A (0,92 vs 1,17, p = 0,005). Surgery time in Group B was significantly lower (160 min vs 180, p = 0.036), but had a higher onset of atrial fibrillation and other cardiac arrhythmias (0/25 vs 9/50, p = 0.038). The OS and DFS were similar between the two groups (95.5 % vs 93.1 %, and 95.5 % vs 89.7 %, respectively). Furthermore, no statistical difference in the evaluation of quality of life during follow-up was found.

CONCLUSIONS

The RATS approach, although burdened by higher surgical costs, constitutes a valid alternative to VATS; as it determines a lower inflammatory insult, with a consequent reduction in pleural effusion, less post-operative pain and cardiological comorbidities for the patient, it can potentially determine the shortening in hospitalization. In addition, RATS allows accurate lymph node dissection, which permit to reach results that are not inferior to VATS in terms of long-term outcomes.

Interpretable machine learning accurately reclassifies lobectomy surgical approaches by cost

BACKGROUND

The volume of robotic lung resection continues to increase despite its higher costs and unproven superiority to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. We evaluated whether machine learning can accurately identify factors influencing cost and reclassify high-cost operative approaches into lower-cost alternatives.

METHODS

The Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Hospital and Physician Compare datasets were queried for patients undergoing open, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and robotic lobectomy. K-means cluster analysis was used to identify robotic clusters based on total cost. Predictive models were built using artificial neural networks, Support Vector Machines, Classification and Regression Trees, and Gradient Boosted Machines algorithms. Models were applied to the high-volume robotic group to determine patients whose cost cluster changed if undergoing a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery approach. A local interpretable model-agnostic explanation approach personalized cost per patient.

RESULTS

Of the 6,618 cases included in the analysis, we identified 4 cost clusters. Application of artificial neural networks to the robotic subgroup identified 1,642 (65%) cases with no re-assignment of cost cluster, 583 (23%) with reduced costs, and 300 (12%) with increased costs if they had undergone video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery approach. The 5 overall highest cost predictors were patient admission from the clinic, diagnosis of metastatic cancer, presence of cancer, urgent hospital admission, and dementia.

CONCLUSION

K-means cluster analysis and machine learning identify a patient population that may undergo video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery or robotic lobectomy without a significant difference in total cost. Local interpretable model-agnostic explanation identifies individual patient factors contributing to cost. Application of this modeling may reliably stratify high-cost patients into lower-cost approaches and provide a rationale for reducing expenditure.

Mortality and failure-to-rescue major complication trends after lung cancer surgery between 2005 and 2020: a nationwide population-based study

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the evolution of quality indicators (30-day mortality and failure-to-rescue) inpatients who underwent lung cancer surgery in France over the past 15 years and to study the potential influencing factors.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study using data from the French hospital database (PMSI).

SETTING

Nationwide population-based study.

PARTICIPANTS

All patients who underwent pulmonary resection for lung cancer in France (2005-2020) were included (N=1 57 566). Characteristics of patients (age, gender, comorbidities), surgery (surgical approach, type of resection, extent of resection) and hospital (type of hospital, hospital volume for pulmonary resections) were retrieved.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

We studied two outcome indicators: 30-day mortality and failure-to-rescue. We used regression-based techniques (including interrupted time-series) to assess the effects of patient and hospital characteristics on 30-day mortality and failure-to-rescue (number of deaths among patients with at least one major postoperative complication within the 30 days after surgery), adjusting for case mix.

RESULTS

The 30-day mortality rate increased from 3.8% in 2005 to 4.9% in 2010 and then decreased to 2.9% in 2020. The failure-to-rescue rate decreased from 12.2% in 2005 to 7.1% in 2020. The pneumonectomy rate decreased significantly over time (18.1% in 2005 to 4.8% in 2020) and had the greatest contribution on the reduction of mortality between two periods (2005-2010/2015-2020). The use of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery or robot-assisted surgery had a great influence on the reduction of mortality (16% of the observed difference in mortality) between the two periods, as did hospital volume.

CONCLUSIONS

The change in surgical practices, particularly the reduction in pneumonectomies, could be one of the main reasons for reduction in postoperative mortality and failure-to-rescue in France since 2011. Hospital volume is another important factor in reducing postoperative mortality. Our study should encourage the use of technological or organisational innovation, such as changes in surgical practice and cancer surgery authorisations, to improve quality of care.

Postoperative Pulmonary Complications in Patients Undergoing Elective Thoracotomy Versus Thoracoscopic Surgeries

Background Postoperative pulmonary complications correlate highly with thoracic surgery compared to other surgeries. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is a minimally invasive surgical approach that provides considerable advantages over major open thoracotomy. Methodology This is a retrospective cohort study. All patients aged 18 years and above of both genders were included in the study. Cases following up outside King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, were excluded from our study. Complications were measured per the records on follow-up day 1, day 7, and day 30. Mortality was measured within 30 days after the surgery. Results A total of 151 patients were included in the study. Age ranged from 18 to 85 years, with males representing 62.3% of the sample, while Saudis represented 59.6%. VATS was performed in 71.5%, while thoracotomy was performed in 28.5%. Of the total, 19.4% had postoperative complications within 30 days in the VATS group, while 23.3% were in the thoracotomy group. No significant differences were found between the rates of complications between the two groups. Additionally, the admission rate to ICU was significantly twice as common in the thoracotomy group (65.1%) compared to the VATS group (33.3%). Besides, the average duration of the chest tube's stay was three to seven days in both groups (62.1% in the VATS group and 70.7% in the thoracotomy group). Lastly, regarding the requirements of opioids, VATS showed more need for opioids (44.4%) compared to thoracotomy (32.6%). Conclusion The rates of postoperative complications were low in both groups, and no significant differences were found between the two procedures. In addition, the VATS group showed significantly higher use of opioids compared to the thoracotomy group. We recommend conducting further studies with larger sample sizes to increase the statistical power of detection.

Identification of preoperative risk factors associated with prolonged length of stay after lobectomy

Objective

To examine the association between length of stay (LOS) after lobectomy and operative adverse events and define the best predictors and risk factors associated with prolonged LOS after lobectomy.

Methods

Data from patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy in the Thoracic Surgery Department of our center between January 2015 and December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The association between operative adverse events and LOS after lobectomy was explored using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify preoperative risk factors associated with prolonged LOS after lobectomy.

Results

Prolonged LOS after lobectomy was defined as a LOS after lobectomy that is > 3.5 days based on an optimal diagnostic value for operative adverse events (AUC = 0.882). Of the included patients, 20.9% (91/435) exceeded this threshold, of whom 52.7% (48/91) exhibited operative adverse events. The preoperative risk factors associated with prolonged LOS after lobectomy were age≥60 years old (OR = 9.632, 95%CI 1.126-75.66, p = 0.03), being a current smoker (OR = 2.702, 95%CI 1.547-4.72, P < 0.001), an American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) classification of 2 or higher (OR = 1.845, 95%CI 1.06-3.211, P = 0.03), ASA = 3 (OR = 9.133, 95%CI 3.281-25.425, P < 0.001), and Stage IIIA disease (OR = 6.565, 95%CI 2.823-15.271, P < 0.001). Prolonged LOS after lobectomy was significantly associated with the incidence of different operative adverse events, including conversion to thoracotomy, an operative duration of ≥300 min, blood transfusion events, chest tube drainage time, postoperative complications, and postoperative interventions (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The risk of prolonged LOS after lobectomy is higher in patients that are ≥60 years old, current smokers, exhibit an ASA classification of 2 or higher, and have a stage IIIA disease. Early identification of these risk factors can enhance the treatment offered to high-risk patients, thereby reducing the rates of operative adverse events and optimizing resource utilization.

Efficacy and safety of transcutaneous electrical acupoints stimulation for preoperative anxiety in thoracoscopic surgery: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Preoperative anxiety occurs at a very high rate in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Moreover, it will result in poor mental state, more analgesic consumptions, rehabilitation delay and extra hospitalisation costs. Transcutaneous electrical acupoints stimulation (TEAS) is a convenient intervention for pain control and anxiety reduction. Nevertheless, TEAS efficacy of preoperative anxiety in VATS is unknown.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This single-centre randomised sham-controlled trial will be conducted in cardiothoracic surgery department of the Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine in China. A total of 92 eligible participants with pulmonary nodules (size ≥8 mm) who are arranged for VATS will be randomly assigned to a TEAS group and a sham TEAS (STEAS) group in a 1:1 ratio. Daily TEAS/STEAS intervention will be administered starting on 3 days before the VATS and continued once per day for three consecutive days. The primary outcome will be the generalised anxiety disorder scale score change between the day before surgery with the baseline. The secondary outcomes will include serum concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptamine, norepinephrine and gamma-aminobutyric acid, intraoperative anaesthetic consumption, time to postoperative chest tube removal, postoperative pain, and length of postoperative hospital stay. The adverse events will be recorded for safety evaluation. All data in this trial will be analysed by the SPSS V.21.0 statistical software package.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethics approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (approval number: 2021-023). The results of this study will be distributed through peer-reviewed journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04895852.

Lobectomías pulmonares en Colombia: una caracterización demográfica y clínico-patológica

Introducción. La lobectomía pulmonar es uno de los procedimientos más frecuentes en la cirugía torácica en Colombia y a nivel mundial. El objetivo de este estudio fue proporcionar información sobre el comportamiento clínico de los individuos sometidos a este tipo de cirugías. Métodos. Estudio observacional retrospectivo en un Hospital Universitario de Cali, Colombia, que incluyó todos los pacientes sometidos a lobectomía pulmonar, por causas benignas o malignas, entre los años 2010 y 2020. La información se extrajo del registro institucional de cirugía de tórax, obteniendo datos demográficos, clínicos y patológicos. Resultados. Se evaluaron los registros clínicos de 207 individuos. El 55,5 % eran mujeres, la edad promedio fue 58 años y el 41 % tuvieron antecedente de tabaquismo. En el 51,6 % de los casos se diagnosticaron neoplasias, de las cuales el 47,8 % eran primarias de pulmón, siendo el adenocarcinoma el subtipo más común. Las enfermedades benignas no tumorales representaron el 48,3 % de los casos y la causa más frecuente fueron las infecciones, dentro de las que se incluyeron 17 casos de tuberculosis pulmonar. La técnica más frecuente fue la cirugía toracoscópica video asistida (82,6 %). Presentaron un porcentaje de reintervención del 5,8 %, 10,6 % de complicaciones severas y una mortalidad hospitalaria del 4,3 %. Conclusión. La población evaluada muestra una carga alta de comorbilidades y riesgo operatorio elevado; de forma consecuente, al compararla con otras series internacionales, se encontró un porcentaje mayor de complicaciones perioperatorias y mortalidad.

Approaches and outcomes of Robotic-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (RATS) for lung cancer: a narrative review

Robotic-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (RATS) is considered one of the main issues of present thoracic surgery. RATS is a minimally invasive surgical technique allowing enhanced view, accurate and complex movements, and high ergonomics for the surgeon. Despite these advantages, its application in lung procedures has been limited, mainly by its costs. Since now many different approaches have been proposed and the experience in RATS for lungs ranges from wedge resection to pneumonectomy and is mainly related to lung cancer. The present narrative review explores main approaches and outcomes of RATS lobectomy for lung cancer. A non-systematic review of literature was conducted using the PubMed search engine. An overview of lung robotic surgery is given, and main approaches of robotic lobectomy for lung cancer are exposed. Initial experiences of biportal and uniportal RATS are also described. So far, retrospective analysis reported satisfactory robotic operative outcomes, and comparison with VATS might suggest a more accurate lymphadenectomy. Some Authors might even suggest better perioperative outcomes too. From an oncological standpoint, no definitive prospective study has yet been published but several retrospective analyses report oncological outcomes comparable to those of VATS and open surgery. Literature suggests that RATS for lung procedures is safe and effective and should be considered as a valid additional surgical option.

Complications of Robotic Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery Compared to Open Thoracotomy for Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

(1) Background: Conventional open thoracotomy has been the accepted surgical treatment for resectable non-small cell lung cancer. However, newer, minimally invasive approaches, such as robotic surgery, have demonstrated similar safety and efficacy with potentially superior peri-operative outcomes. The present study aimed to quantitatively assess these outcomes through a meta-analysis. (2) Methods: A systematic review was performed using electronic databases to identify all of the relevant studies that compared robotic surgery with open thoracotomy for non-small cell lung cancer. Pooled data on the peri-operative outcomes were then meta-analyzed. (3) Results: Twenty-two studies involving 12,061 patients who underwent robotic lung resection and 92,411 patients who underwent open thoracotomy were included for analysis. Mortality rates and length of hospital stay were significantly lower in patients who underwent robotic resection. Compared to open thoracotomy, robotic surgery was also associated with significantly lower rates of overall complications, including atrial arrhythmia, post-operative blood transfusions, pneumonia and atelectasis. However, the operative times were significantly longer with robotic lung resection. (4) Conclusions: The present meta-analysis demonstrated superior post-operative morbidity and mortality outcomes with robotic lung resection compared to open thoracotomy for non-small cell lung cancer.

Effects of enhanced recovery after surgery plus pulmonary rehabilitation on complications after video-assisted lung cancer surgery: a multicentre randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer surgery is associated with a high incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). We evaluated whether enhanced recovery after surgery plus pulmonary rehabilitation was superior over enhanced recovery after surgery alone in reducing the incidence of postoperative PPCs and length of hospital stay.

METHODS

In this pragmatic multicentre, randomised controlled, parallel-group clinical trial, eligible patients scheduled for video-assisted lung cancer surgery were randomly assigned (1:1) to either a newly developed programme that integrated preoperative and postoperative pulmonary rehabilitation components into a generic thoracic enhanced recovery after surgery pathway, or routine thoracic enhanced recovery after surgery. Primary outcome was the overall occurrence of PPCs within 2 weeks after surgery. Secondary outcomes were the occurrence of specific complications, time to removal of chest drain, and length of hospital stay (LOS).

RESULTS

Of 428 patients scheduled for lung cancer surgery, 374 were randomised with 187 allocated to the experimental programme and 187 to control. Incidence of PPCs at 14 Days was 18.7% (35/187) in the experimental group and 33.2% (62/187) in the control group (intention-to-treat, unadjusted HR 0.524, 95% CI 0.347 to 0.792, p=0.002). Particularly, significant risk reduction was observed regarding pleural effusion, pneumonia and atelectasis. Time to removal of chest drain and LOS were not significantly reduced in the experimental group.

CONCLUSIONS

Adding pulmonary rehabilitation to enhanced recovery after surgery appears to be effective in reducing the incidence of PPCs, but not LOS. Standard integration of pulmonary rehabilitation into thoracic enhanced recovery after surgery is a promising approach to PPC prophylaxis.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR1900024646.

Long-Term Survival Following Minimally Invasive Lung Cancer Surgery: Comparing Robotic-Assisted and Video-Assisted Surgery

Simple Summary

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) are known to be safe and efficient surgical procedures to treat lung cancer. Both VATS and RATS allow anatomical resection associated with radical lymph node dissection. However, RATS, unlike VATS, allows the thoracic surgeon to mimic an open approach and to perform lung resection. We hypothesized that the technical advantages of RATS, compared with VATS, would allow more precise resection, with “better lymph node dissection” which could increase survival compared to VATS. Nevertheless, VATS, and RATS nodal up-staging are still debated, with conflicting results and in our study, as well as in the medical literature, RATS failed to show its superiority over VATS in resectable non-small cell lung cancer.

Abstract

Background: Nowadays, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) are known to be safe and efficient surgical procedures to treat early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We assessed whether RATS increased disease-free survival (DFS) compared with VATS for lobectomy and segmentectomy. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients treated for resectable NSCLC performed by RATS or VATS, in our tertiary care center from 2012 to 2019. Patients’ data were prospectively recorded and reviewed in the French EPITHOR database. Primary outcomes were 5-year DFS for lobectomy and 3-year DFS for segmentectomy, compared by propensity-score adjusted difference of Kaplan–Meier estimates. Results: Among 844 lung resections, 436 VATS and 234 RATS lobectomies and 46 VATS and 128 RATS segmentectomies were performed. For lobectomy, the adjusted 5-year DFS was 60.9% (95% confidence interval (CI) 52.9–68.8%) for VATS and 52.7% (95%CI 41.7–63.7%) for RATS, with a difference estimated at −8.3% (−22.2–+4.9%, p = 0.24). For segmentectomy, the adjusted 3-year DFS was 84.6% (95%CI 69.8–99.0%) for VATS and 72.9% (95%CI 50.6–92.4%) for RATS, with a difference estimated at −11.7% (−38.7–+7.8%, p = 0.21). Conclusions: RATS failed to show its superiority over VATS for resectable NSCLC.

Updated Evaluation of Robotic- and Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Lobectomy or Segmentectomy for Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objectives

Robot-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) and video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) are the two principal minimally invasive surgical approaches for patients with lung cancer. This study aimed at comparing the long-term and short-term outcomes of RATS and VATS for lung cancer.

Methods

A comprehensive search for studies that compared RATS versus VATS for lung cancer published until November 31, 2021, was conducted. Data on perioperative outcomes and oncologic outcomes were subjected to meta-analysis. PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE were searched based on a defined search strategy to identify eligible studies before November 2021.

Results

Twenty-six studies comparing 45,733 patients (14,271 and 31,462 patients who underwent RATS and VATS, respectively) were included. The present meta-analysis showed that there were no significant differences in operative time, any complications, tumor size, chest drain duration, R0 resection rate, lymph station, 5-year overall survival, and recurrence rate. However, compared with the VATS group, the RATS group had less blood loss, a lower conversion rate to open, a shorter length of hospital stay, more lymph node dissection, and better 5-year disease-free survival.

Conclusions

RATS is a safe and feasible alternative to VATS for patients with lung cancer.

Healthcare Resource Utilization After Surgical Treatment of Cancer: Value of Minimally Invasive Surgery

Background

As the US healthcare system moves towards value-based care, hospitals have increased efforts to improve quality and reduce unnecessary resource use. Surgery is one of the most resource-intensive areas of healthcare and we aim to compare health resource utilization between open and minimally invasive cancer procedures.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed cancer patients who underwent colon resection, rectal resection, lobectomy, or radical nephrectomy within the Premier hospital database between 2014 and 2019. Study outcomes included length of stay (LOS), discharge status, reoperation, and 30-day readmission. The open surgical approach was compared to minimally invasive approach (MIS), with subgroup analysis of laparoscopic/video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (LAP/VATS) and robotic (RS) approaches, using inverse probability of treatment weighting.

Results

MIS patients had shorter LOS compared to open approach: − 1.87 days for lobectomy, − 1.34 days for colon resection, − 0.47 days for rectal resection, and − 1.21 days for radical nephrectomy (all p < .001). All MIS procedures except for rectal resection are associated with higher discharge to home rates and lower reoperation and readmission rates. Within MIS, robotic approach was further associated with shorter LOS than LAP/VATS: − 0.13 days for lobectomy, − 0.28 days for colon resection, − 0.67 days for rectal resection, and − 0.33 days for radical nephrectomy (all p < .05) and with equivalent readmission rates.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrate a significant shorter LOS, higher discharge to home rate, and lower rates of reoperation and readmission for MIS as compared to open procedures in patients with lung, kidney, and colorectal cancer. Patients who underwent robotic procedures had further reductions in LOS compare to laparoscopic/video-assisted thoracoscopic approach, while the reductions in LOS did not lead to increased rates of readmission.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00464-022-09189-8.

The effects of paravertebral blockade usage on pulmonary complications, atrial fibrillation and length of hospital stay following thoracoscopic lung cancer surgery

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Although combined thoracic paravertebral blockade (TPVB)-general anesthesia (GA) could improve pain control compared to GA alone after thoracoscopic lung cancer surgery, it has not been established whether this improvement in pain control could reduce associated adverse outcomes. Thus, this study aimed to explore the association between TPVB usage and adverse outcomes after thoracoscopic lung cancer surgery.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study from a prospective database.

SETTING

A high-volume thoracic center in China.

PATIENTS

13966 consecutive patients who received thoracoscopic lung cancer surgery from January 2016 to December 2018 in Shanghai Chest Hospital were enrolled.

MEASUREMENTS

With a 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) analysis, adverse outcomes between GA alone and GA-TPVB were investigated. Multivariate and multiple linear regression analysis were used to identify factors and calculate odds radio (OR) for adverse outcomes.

RESULTS

The rate of TPVB usage was 14.8% (2070 out of 13,966). TPVB combined with GA was associated with lower rates of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) (30.4% vs 33.5%, P = 0.005) and postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) (2.1% vs 2.9%, P = 0.041), and shorter length of hospital stay (LOS) (Median [IQR]; 5[4-5] vs 5[4-6]) days, P < 0.001) compared to GA alone. After a 1:1 PSM analysis, we investigated adverse outcomes in 2640 (1320 pairs) patients with or without TPVB usage, and this association remained existed, namely, the rates of PPCs (29.8% vs 34.2%, P = 0.014) and POAF (2.2% vs 3.6%, P = 0.028) were lower and LOS was shorter (5[4-5] vs 5[4-6] days, P < 0.001) in the GA-TPVB group. In multivariate analysis, the combination of GA plus TPVB was independent predictor for PPCs (OR = 0.879, 95%CI, 0.793-0.974, P = 0.014) and POAF (OR = 0.714, 95%CI, 0.516-0.988, P = 0.042), respectively. However, in multiple linear analysis, lower rates of PPCs and POAF associated with TPVB usage, rather than TPVB usage, were responsible for the reduced LOS.

CONCLUSIONS

The usage of TPVB may be a feasible and adjustable approach to reduce the rates of PPCs and POAF and associated LOS in thoracoscopic lung cancer surgery.

Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Robotic-assisted Lobectomy for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

Robot-assisted thoracic surgery has emerged as an alternative to video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for treating patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The objective of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of robotic-assisted lobectomy (RAL) compared to VATS and open lobectomy for adults with NSCLC.

METHODS

A decision analysis model was employed to compare the cost-effectiveness of RAL, VATS, and open lobectomy with 1-year time horizon from both healthcare and societal perspectives. Healthcare costs (2020$) and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were compared between the approaches. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated in terms of cost per QALY gained. Sensitivity analyses were performed to identify variables driving cost-effectiveness across several willingness-to-pay (WTP) thresholds.

RESULTS

Open thoracotomy was not cost-effective compared to both RAL and VATS lobectomy. From the healthcare sector perspective, RAL was $394.97 more expensive per case than VATS resulting in an ICER of $180,755.10 per QALY. From the societal perspective, RAL was $247.77 more expensive per case than VATS, resulting in an ICER of $113,388.80 per QALY. RAL becomes cost-effective with marginally lower robotic instrument costs, shorter operating room times, lower conversion rates, shorter lengths of stay, higher hospital volumes, and improved quality of life. RAL is also cost-effective if surgeons can increase the proportion of minimally invasive lobectomies using robotic technology.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to VATS, RAL is not cost-effective for lung cancer lobectomy at lower WTP thresholds. However, several factors may drive RAL to emerge as the more cost-effective approach for minimally invasive lung cancer resection.

The Role of Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery in Pediatric Oncology: Single-Center Experience and Review of the Literature

Aim: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been widely used in the last decades. Nevertheless, the pros and cons of thoracoscopy vs. open surgery in pediatric oncology are still under debate. In literature, VATS has been applied for both diagnostic and ablative surgery to treat neurogenic tumors, thymic neoplasms, lung tumors and metastases, germ cell tumors, lymphoproliferative diseases, and other rare tumors. Recent reviews described excellent outcomes in pediatric oncology as well as in the treatment of adult lung cancer, with a significantly higher rate of mortality and complication in thoracotomy compared to VATS. We reviewed our experience on thoracoscopy in pediatric malignancy and compared it to the literature. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective cohort-study of pediatric oncological patients who underwent VATS at our institution from 2007 to 2020, and a review of the recent literature on the topic. Results: A total of 43 procedures were performed on 38 oncological patients (18 males, 20 females). Median age was years 7.72 (0.35-18.6). Diagnosis: 10 neurogenic tumors, nine hematological diseases, five metastases, four lypoblastomas, three thymic pathologies, three germ cell tumors, two pleuropneumoblastomas, two myofibroblastic tumors, one myoepithelial carcinoma, one liposarcoma, and three suspected oncological mass. In three cases, a 3D model was elaborated to better plan the surgical approach. Diagnostic biopsies were 22 (51.1%), and ablative surgeries, 21 (48.9%). One neurogenic tumor was resected with the Da Vinci Robot. Median operative time was 120 min (30-420). A drain was left in place in 20 (46.5%) for a median of 4 days. Median length of hospitalization was 5 days (1-18). One case (2.3%) was converted (intraoperative bleeding). There were three post-operative complications (7.0%): one pneumonia, one pleural effusion, and one diaphragmatic paralysis (need for plication). Results were compared to recent literature, and morbidity and conversion rate were comparable to reviewed publications. Conclusion: VATS represents a valuable tool for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in pediatric oncology. Nonetheless, it is a challenging technique that should be performed by expert surgeons on oncological and mini-invasive surgery. Three-dimensional reconstruction can optimize the pre-operative planning and guarantee a safer and more targeted treatment. Finally, the advent of robotics-assisted surgery represents a new challenge that may further implement the advantages of VATS.