The clinical value of a new method of functional lymph node dissection in video-assisted thoracic surgery right non-small cell lung cancer radical resection

Persistent cough after pulmonary resection: Minor issue, major hurdle

Background

Persistent cough is one of the most common complications following pulmonary resection, that impairs patients' quality of life and prolongs recovery time. However, a comprehensive review of persistent cough after pulmonary resection (CAP) has not been performed.

Methods

A literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Embase database was conducted for persistent-CAP up to June 2023. Subsequent qualitative systematic review focused on definition, risk factors, prevention, and treatment of persistent-CAP.

Results

Persistent-CAP stands as a prevalent postoperative complication subsequent to pulmonary resection procedures. with an incidence of 24.4-55.0 %. Although persistent-CAP has a minor impact on survival, this condition is of critical importance because it presents a major hurdle in recovery after surgery. In this review, we proposed a systemic definition for persistent-CAP based on available evidence and our own data. Several assessment tools used to assess severity of persistent-CAP are also introduced. Risk factors associated with persistent-CAP are explored, including surgical approaches, resection extent, surgical site, lymph node dissection, postoperative gastroesophageal acid reflux, tracheal intubation anesthesia, preoperative comorbidity, and sex among others. Surgical and anesthesia preventions targeting risk factors to prevent persistent-CAP are elaborated. A number of studies have shown that a multidisciplinary approach can effectively relieve persistent-CAP.

Conclusions

Although the mechanisms underlying persistent-CAP are still unclear, existing studies demonstrated that persistent-CAP is related to surgical and anesthesia factors. Therefore, in the future, prevention and treatment should be developed based on risk factors to overcome the hurdle of persistent-CAP.

Perioperative comparison of video-assisted thoracic surgery and open lobectomy for pT1-stage non-small cell lung cancer patients in China: a multi-center propensity score-matched analysis

Background

Compared with open surgery, video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has innovated the concept of the minimally invasive approach for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients in past decades. This present study aimed to compare the perioperative and lymph node dissection outcomes between VATS lobectomy and open lobectomy for pathological stage T1 (pT1) NSCLC patients from both surgical and oncologic perspectives.

Methods

This was a retrospective multicenter study. Patients who underwent surgical resection for pT1 NSCLC between January 2014 and September 2017 were retrospectively reviewed from 10 thoracic surgery centers in China. Perioperative and lymph node dissection outcomes of pT1 NSCLC patients who accepted VATS or open lobectomies were compared by propensity score matching (PSM) analysis.

Results

Of the 11,360 patients who underwent surgery for pT1 NSCLC, 7,726 were enrolled based on the selection criteria, including 1,222 cases of open lobectomies and 6,504 cases of VATS lobectomies. PSM resulted in 1,184 cases of open lobectomies and 1,184 cases of VATS lobectomies being well matched by common prognostic variables, including age, sex, and surgical side. VATS lobectomy led to better perioperative outcomes, including less blood loss (133.5±200.1 vs. 233.3±318.4, P<0.001), lower blood transfusion rate (2.4% vs. 6.4%, P<0.001), shorter postoperative hospital stay (8.6±5.7 vs. 10.1±5.1, P<0.001), less chest drainage volume (1,109.5±854.0 vs. 1,324.1±948.8, P<0.001), and less postoperative complications (4.9% vs. 8.2%, P<0.001). However, open lobectomy had better lymph node dissection outcomes than VATS, with increased lymph node dissection numbers (16.1±9.4 vs. 13.7±7.7, P<0.001) and more positive lymph nodes being dissected (1.5±3.9 vs. 1.1±2.5, P=0.002). Compared with VATS, open lobectomy harvested more lymph node stations (5.5±1.9 vs. 5.2±1.8, P=0.001), including more pathological N2 (pN2) lymph node stations (3.4±1.4 vs. 3.1±1.3, P<0.001).

Conclusions

VATS lobectomy was associated with better perioperative outcomes, such as less blood loss, lower blood transfusion rate, shorter postoperative hospital stay, less chest drainage volume and less postoperative complications. Open lobectomy has improved lymph node dissection outcomes, as more lymph nodes and positive lymph nodes were dissected for pT1 NSCLC patients during surgery.