Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic S8 segmentectomy and S1a subsegmentectomy for synchronous multiple primary lung cancers

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

BACKGROUND

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

METHODS

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

RESULTS

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

CONCLUSIONS

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

Technical aspects and early results of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic complex segmentectomy: a 30 case-series study

Background

With the advantages of better cosmetic incision and faster recovery, uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (UP-VATS) has developed rapidly worldwide in recent decades, and indications for UP-VATS have been further expanded to those for conventional VATS. Complex segmentectomy that makes several or intricate intersegmental planes, with more complex procedures, continues to be difficult in minimally invasive techniques. However, there are few reports on UP-VATS complex segmentectomy. In this report, we describe the perioperative clinical data and operative techniques and present our early results of UP-VATS complex segmentectomy in our hospital.

Methods

The records of a total of 30 patients who underwent UP-VATS complex segmentectomy by a single surgeon between January 2021 and June 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. We defined cases as complex segmentectomy if they required resection of segments 9 and 10, combined segmentectomy, segmentectomy + subsegmentectomy, subsegmentectomy, or combined subsegmentectomy.

Results

The mean age was 52.8 ± 9.9 years old; the mean nodule size was 0.84 ± 0.36 cm; the mean margin width was 2.307 ± 0.309 cm; the median operative time was 229.0 ± 58.06 min; the mean operative hemorrhage was 56.60 ± 17.95 mL; 5.58 ± 1.74 lymph nodes dissected had not metastasized; the mean duration of postoperative chest tube drainage was 4.7 ± 1.4 days; and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 6.5 ± 3.0 days. Although 1 patient experienced a prolonged air leak, the other 29 recovered uneventfully. Another patient failed to reach the 2-cm safe margins and subsequently underwent completion lobectomy.

Conclusions

UP-VATS complex segmentectomy is a safe and effective procedure in the treatment of lung cancers, sparing more pulmonary parenchyma and ensuring safe margins, with the disadvantage being the lengthy operative times during early skill acquisition.

Preoperative non-invasive visual localization of synchronous multiple lung cancers using three-dimensional computed tomography lung reconstruction

BACKGROUND

Synchronous multiple primary lung cancers are becoming more common with increasing use of computed tomography for screening. Intraoperative localization and resection of ill-defined pulmonary ground-glass opacities during thoracoscopic resection is challenging. This study aimed to determine the clinical feasibility of non-invasive visual localization of these nodules by three-dimensional computed tomography lung reconstruction before sublobar resection.

METHODS

Forty-four patients with synchronous multiple primary lung cancers underwent thoracoscopic pulmonary resection at our institution between June 2017 and August 2019. Preadmission computed tomography images were downloaded and reconstructed into a three-dimensional model. Small nodules (< 15 mm) were localized non-invasively by three-dimensional computed tomography lung reconstruction before surgery. Patient demographics, nodule characteristics, procedural details, pathological data, and outcomes were obtained from the medical records.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty-one pulmonary nodules from the 44 patients were scheduled for video-assisted thoracic surgery; 54 (44.6%) were pure ground-glass opacities and 57 (47.1%) were mixed ground-glass opacities. One hundred and seventeen nodules were localized preoperatively. The mean nodule diameter was 7.67 ± 3.87 mm. The mean distance from the nodule to the pleura was 14.84 ± 14.43 mm. All nodules were removed successfully by wedge resection (27 patients), lobectomy (26 patients), or segmentectomy (25 patients). Most lesions (85.1%) were malignant. Paraffin pathology revealed 12 cases of atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (9.92%), 13 of adenocarcinoma in situ (10.74%), 16 of minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (13.22%), and 73 of invasive adenocarcinoma (60.33%).

CONCLUSIONS

Three-dimensional computed tomography lung reconstruction is a feasible and alternative method of visual localization for small lung nodules before sublobar resection in some suitable patients.