Uniportal VATS: the first German experience

Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for the treatment of thoracic emergencies

Background

While video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is well accepted in the management of thoracic emergencies, uniportal VATS has not yet been studied for this indication. This paper reports the results of the treatment of chest trauma patients by uniportal VATS in a single center with extensive experience in uniportal VATS.

Methods

In this prospective study all patients who underwent uniportal VATS for thoracic surgical emergency cases, between 06/2012 and 09/2017, were included and the data were reviewed retrospectively.

Results

Six hundred forty-two uniportal VATS procedures were performed. Among those, 12 emergency cases could be identified. The indication was a hemothorax with active bleeding in all cases and the uniportal VATS approach was carried out after carefully evaluating all clinical factors and risks related to such a special setting. The location, extent and severity of the injuries were diagnosed and treated intraoperatively. The conversion rate was zero. The mean surgical time was 106.25 minutes [63-240], the chest tube was removed after 6.75 days in average (range, 1-25). All patients were transferred to the post anesthesia care unit (PACU) or intensive care unit (ICU) for at least one night (range, 1-25). The mean postoperative hospital stay was 10.67 days [4-26].

Conclusions

In expert hands, uniportal VATS approach seems to be a safe and feasible procedure for both, the diagnostics and management of emergency cases, such as active thoracic bleeding in cardiopulmonary stable patients.

Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic early learning curve for major lung resections in a high volume training center

Background

Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for major lung resections is a novel upcoming approach, with increasing popularity worldwide. However, there is little literature regarding this technique's learning curve. We present our experience of the early learning curve of the uniportal VATS major lung resections in a high volume training centre, whilst analysing the advantages.

Methods

Sixty selected consecutive patients underwent uniportal VATS major lung resections, for early stage disease of NSCLC and benign disease during the learning curve of a single surgeon in a high volume training centre from July to October 2015. The perioperative variables and outcomes were collected prospectively and analysed retrospectively.

Results

The 60 patients undergoing a uniportal VATS approach included 47 lobectomies and 13 segmental resections, among which 56 cases of lung cancer and 4 of benign pulmonary disease were noted. Right upper lobectomy (RUL) was the most common procedure (42%). The mean operation time was 192.3±45.4 minutes, average blood loss was 167.9±94.4 mL. For patients with lung cancer, the total amount of lymph node stations sampled or dissected were 4.2±0.8. Chest drain duration was 2.9±0.9 days and length of hospital stay (LOS) was 4.38±1 days. Prolonged air leak (PAL) was the most common complication in 8.3% of the cases. PAL was the cause of prolonged hospital stay. One case was converted to thoracotomy for major bleeding. There were no deaths 30 days after surgery or readmissions. All cases had a R0 complete cancer resection on histology.

Conclusions

The uniportal VATS lobectomy and segmentectomy early learning curve in a high volume training centre is a safe venture, allowing surgeons to reach an expert level faster and perform more complex resections with a shorter training time.

Uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery Roman experience-a report of the first 16-month Roman experience

Background

The acceptance of uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (U-VATS) for thoracic procedures has been growing worldwide. This study reports one of the widest Italian U-VATS experiences.

Methods

The prospectively collected data of 237 patients underwent a U-VATS procedure, between May 2016 and September 2017, were retrospectively reviewed. A wide range of procedures, like major and minor lung resections, esophageal surgery, pleural and mediastinal one, was performed. The main aim of the study was evaluating general outcomes in terms of safety and effectiveness, and analyzing short-term results of U-VATS approach.

Results

The mean age of population was 59.93±16.03 years. In 208 cases (85.3%) a U-VATS lung resection was performed, in 10 cases (4.1%) an esophagectomy or an esophageal diverticulectomy, in 15 (6.1%) a mediastinal procedure and in 11 (4.5%) a toilette for pleural empyema or removal of pleural lesions. The chest tube duration was 4.24±3.73 days and the postoperative hospital stay was 4.62±4.59 days. The intraoperative and thirty-day mortality were null. Mean level of pain in I postoperative day was 2.30±1.26 on VAS scale and the mean duration was of 1.54±1.21 days. In 93% of cases there was a resolution of pain after chest tube removal. Furthermore, the average level of cosmetic satisfaction was 2.73±0.49 (measured on a 0-3 scale).

Conclusions

According to our experience, U-VATS seems to be a safe and practicable mini-invasive technique, above all for surgeons who already have thoracoscopy experience or made proper training attending multilevel courses, hands-on conferences and wet-labs.

Learning curve of uniportal video-assisted lobectomy: analysis of 15-month experience in a single center

Background

Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic (U-VATS) lobectomy has been becoming the technique of choice in an increasing number of centers. The aim of our study was to review our experience, evaluating the learning curve of U-VATS for lung lobectomy and outcomes.

Methods

The prospectively collected clinical data of 43 consecutive patients, undergone U-VATS lobectomy from June 2016 to September 2017, were reviewed. The cumulative sum analysis was applied for defining the completion of learning curve (CLC), evaluating the relationship between operative time and the consecutive number of operations.

Results

The mean operative time of Uniportal VATS lobectomy was 179.93±43.41 min. According to the cumulative sum analysis, the CLC was reached after 25 patients. Using the cut-off of 25 patients, the whole populations was divided in group A (first 25 patients of the experience) and group B (the last 18 patients). The mean operative time in group B was significantly shorter than in group A (164.00±24.46 vs. 191.40±50.45 min, respectively, P=0.04). There were no differences in demographic characteristics, number of removed lymph nodes, chest tube duration, and hospital stay among the two groups. The number of conversions was higher in group A (4 vs. 0; P=0.07), as the number of major complications, like reoperations for bleeding (2 vs. 0; P=0.22). There was no postoperative 30-day-related death.

Conclusions

U-VATS lobectomy seems to be a quite safe and feasible procedure, with a steep learning curve and low complication rate, if performed by experienced surgeons after proper training.

Uniportal VATS lobectomies-masterclass in Bratislava

On February 5-6, an event on uniportal VATS approach to pulmonary resections took place in Bratislava. It focused on developing uniportal VATS technique. The two-day event gave opportunity to discuss the topic with masters of thoracic surgery such as Prof. Hasan Batirel and Diego Gonzalez, to train basic skills on simulators developed by Dr. Tomaz Stupnik and to watch live surgery performed by Diego Gonzalez. Two patients underwent uniportal VATS lobectomy. This event was another step to advance miniinvasive major pulmonary procedures.

A glance at the history of uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery

In the history of thoracic surgery, the advent of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) had on effect equivalent to that provoked by a true revolution. VATS successfully allowed minor, major and complex procedures for various lung and mediastinal pathologies with small incision instead of the traditional accesses. These small incisions abolished ugly scars, generated less acute and chronic pain, reduced hospital stay and costs, allowed faster return to normal day life activities. Conventional VATS was initially performed through 3-4 ports and rapidly evolved to uniportal or single portal access [uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (uniVATS)]. First uniportal procedures were published in 2000. In 2010, uniportal technique for lobectomy was described. Focused experimental courses, live surgery events, the internet media favored the rapid diffusion of this technique over the world. Major and complex uniVATS lung resections involving segmentectomy, pneumonectomy, bronchoplasty and vascular reconstruction, redo VATS, en bloc chest wall resections have been accomplished with satisfactory outcomes. Interestingly, different uniportal approaches and techniques are emerging from a number of VATS centers particularly experienced in the mini-invasive thoracic surgery. As confidence grew, in 2014, the first uniVATS left upper lobectomy via the subxiphoid approach was reported. This novel technique is quite challenging but appropriate patient selection as well as availability of dedicated instruments allowed to perform procedures safely. The diffusion of uniVATS paralleled with the development of nonintubated awake anesthesia technique. In 2007 the first nonintubated lobectomy was described. In 2014 the first single port VATS lobectomy in a nonintubated patient with lung cancer of the right middle lobe was accomplished. The nonintubated uniVATS represents an intriguing technique, so that very experienced thoracoscopic surgeons may enroll to surgery elderly and high risk patients. Decreased postoperative pain and hospitalization, faster access to the radio-chemotherapy and diminished inflammatory response are important benefits of the modern approach to the thoracic pathologies. The history of uniVATS documented a constant and irresistible progress. This technique may further provide unthinkable surprises in next future.

Anatomic thoracoscopic segmentectomy for early-stage lung cancer

Over the past 20 years, there have been significant advancements in thoracoscopic surgical techniques as well as in lung cancer screening protocols, which have identified greater numbers of smaller lung tumors (<2 cm) that are more frequently operable and curable. These advancements have led to new interest in the thoracoscopic (VATS) approach to segmentectomy. This article will discuss the outcomes and technical considerations associated with VATS segmentectomy.

For which thoracic operation is U-VATS superior?

In this special issue, I review the types of thoracic surgery that uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (U-VATS) is most suited to.

The development of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in São Paulo: from diagnosis to lobectomy

BACKGROUND

The use of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been increasing worldwide. Our main goal was to describe the evolution of uniportal surgery in the biggest private hospital in Latin America that is located in São Paulo, Brazil.

METHODS

This descriptive and retrospective study included patients who underwent uniportal VATS in the thoracic surgical department of Beneficencia Portuguesa Hospital, after being referred to our team to undergo the aforementioned procedure within the period from February 2012 to March 2016. Postoperative management and results were analyzed.

RESULTS

In the thoracic surgical department of Beneficencia Portuguesa Hospital, 454 uniportal VATS surgeries were performed. Of the patients, 287 (65.52%) were male and 151 (34.48%) were female, with a mean age of 57.48±23.4 years. In December 2015, we initiated anatomical pulmonary resections (lobectomies and segmentectomies). In the cases of uniportal lobectomies for lung cancer in the initial staging, lymphadenectomy was performed in all the patients, of whom 59 (87%) had at least seven lymph nodes included in the dissection and confirmed in the pathological anatomy report. Four of the uniportal lobectomy cases were converted to thoracotomy because of bleeding. One patient needed blood transfusion and vasoactive drug administration in the intensive care unit (ICU), and seven patients required pleural procedures (thoracentesis or pigtail catheter) after drainage removal. No operative or perioperative mortality related to the procedure occurred. The main hospital stay was 7.4±4.3 days.

CONCLUSIONS

The uniportal thoracic procedures performed by our surgical team in São Paulo represent a breakthrough in the surgical treatment of thoracic pathologies in Southeast Brazil and can be offered as a safe and first-choice VATS procedure in our institution.

Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, Argentinian experience

The acceptance of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for minor and major thoracic procedures is growing in South America. This study presents the experience with uniportal VATS in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In a retrospective study, 181 patients were operated with uniportal VATS technique between December 2013 and October 2016. Uniportal procedures included minor and major procedures. Uniportal VATS were analyzed en terms of morbidity, mortality, conversion rate, hospital stay. A total of 181 patients were analyzed. 59% were males and 41% females. The mean age was 58.7. The uniportal VATS procedures included pneumothorax 30, interstitial lung 5, complicated pleural effusion 35, pleurectomy biopsy pleurodesis 40, pericardial effusion 10, mediastinal tumor (posterior) 5, wedge resection 30, anatomical segment resection 6, and lobectomy 20. There were 2 conversions in major resection procedures due to technical difficulties. There was 1 revision for postoperative hemothorax. The mean hospital stay was 4.9 days for the whole group. Uniportal VATS is a safe technique in thoracic surgery. Maintains the oncological principles of traditional open procedures. There are lower, few general complications, lower pain level, lower postoperative morbidity and mortality. Reduces surgical trauma, and reduces the postoperative hospital stay.

Uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery: the Middle East experience

BACKGROUND

The application of uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for both minor and major thoracic procedures is gaining widespread use across the globe. Believing its advantages, both in superb surgical results and less morbidity, our center has the privilege to be one of the first centers in the Middle East to introduce this surgical technique into our standard practice. This study presents our initial experience using this technique in 192 procedures and demonstrates the results of postoperative pain level in a sample of 90 patients.

METHODS

In a retrospective study of prospectively collected data, 192 uniportal VATS procedures were analyzed between November 2013 and June 2016. The level of early post-operative pain (postoperative days 1-4) was analyzed in the first 90 cases between November 2013 and March 2015. Uniportal technique was used for a wide array of procedures: blebectomies, pleurectomies, wedge resections, anatomical major lung resections, mediastinal tumors, empyema drainage and decortications.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients was 49.6 years, and 72 patients were females (37%). Thirty-five (18.2%) patients underwent anatomical resections with conversion to thoracotomy in three patients (8%). Six (3%) patients had air leak >4 days. The average chest drain duration was 3.25 days. The average length of stay was 4.2 days. Postoperative pain level was low in the first 4 days following the surgery and 30 days mortality was 0%.

CONCLUSIONS

Uniportal VATS surgery is a safe and established technique with a minimal invasive thoracic surgery. Excellent results with minimal morbidity, short hospital stay and low postoperative pain are amongst its strong points. Thoracic surgeons experienced in thoracic surgical approaches can safely perform uniportal VATS.

Uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery for major lung resections: pitfalls, tips and tricks

Nearly six years since inception, uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has become a growing part of major lung resections and has revolutionized the way thoracic surgeons treat pulmonary lesions. This technique is being touted for various benefits. It ensures direct visualization together with a better exposure of the lung and allows the chance of a digital palpation of the lesion through a small incision. Postoperative pain is reduced due to the involvement of only one intercostal space without rib spreading and muscle disruption. The comfort and aesthetics factors are improved significantly since the oncological principles and radicality of open surgery are restored. As the surgeons gain more experience in uniportal-VATS lobectomy, more complex cases can be managed by this technique. The objectives of this work are to set the basic steps for performing major lung resections (lobectomy, bilobectomy and pneumonectomy) by utilizing uniportal-VATS and to analyze some common pitfalls that thoracic surgeons face when practicing this technique and provide practical tips and tricks on how to avoid.

A propensity matched comparison of effects between video assisted thoracoscopic single-port, two-port and three-port pulmonary resection on lung cancer

BACKGROUND

To summarize our experiences of single-port, two-port vs. three-port VATS pulmonary resection for lung cancer patients.

METHODS

Data of consecutive 1,553 patients who underwent video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) pulmonary resection for lung cancer in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College between November 2014 and January 2016 were prospectively collected and analyzed. A propensity-matched analysis was used to compare the short-term outcomes of lung cancer patients who received VATS single-port, two-port and three-port pulmonary resection.

RESULTS

There were 716 males and 837 females. The mean age was 58.90 years (range, 25-82 years) and the conversion rate was 2.7% (42/1,553) in this cohort. After propensity score matching, there were 207 patients in single-port and two-port group, and 680 patients in three-port group. Propensity-matched analysis demonstrated that there were no significant differences in duration of operation (129 vs. 131 min, P=0.689), intra-operative blood loss (63 vs. 70 mL, P=0.175), number of dissected lymph nodes (12 vs. 13, P=0.074), total hospital expense (﹩9,928 vs. ﹩9,956, P=0.884) and cost of operation (﹩536 vs. ﹩535, P=0.879) between VATS single-port, two-port and conventional three-port pulmonary resection groups. There was no significant difference in the complication rate between two groups (5.3% vs. 4.7%, P=0.220). However, compared with three-port group, patients who underwent single port and two-port experienced shorter postoperative length of stay (6.24 vs. 5.61 d, P=0.033), shorter duration of chest tube (4.92 vs. 4.25 d, P=0.008), and decreased volume of drainage (926 vs. 791 d, P=0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

The short term outcomes between VATS single-port, two-port and conventional three-port groups for the surgical treatment of lung cancer were comparable. However, compared with three-port VATS pulmonary resection, single-port and two-port were associated with shorter postoperative length of stay, shorter duration of chest tube, and decreased volume of drainage.

Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: safety, efficacy and learning curve during the first 250 cases in Quebec, Canada

BACKGROUND

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) using a single incision (uniportal) may result in better pain control, earlier mobilization and shorter hospital stays. Here, we review the safety and efficiency of our initial experience with uniportal VATS and evaluate our learning curve.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of uniportal VATS using a prospectively maintained departmental database and analyzed patients who had undergone a lung anatomic resection separately from patients who underwent other resections. To assess the learning curve, we compared the first 10 months of the study period with the second 10 months.

RESULTS

From January 2014 to August 2015, 250 patients underwent intended uniportal VATS, including 180 lung anatomic resections (72%) and 70 other resections (28%). Lung anatomic resection was successfully completed using uniportal VATS in 153 patients (85%), which comprised all the anatomic segmentectomies (29 patients), 80% (4 of 5) of the pneumonectomies and 82% (120 of 146) of the lobectomies attempted. The majority of lung anatomic resections that required conversion to thoracotomy occurred in the first half of our study period. Seventy patients underwent other uniportal VATS resections. Wedge resections were the most common of these procedures (25 patients, 35.7%). Although 24 of the 70 patients (34%) required the placement of additional ports, none required conversion to thoracotomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Uniportal VATS was safe and feasible for both standard and complex pulmonary resections. However, when used for pulmonary anatomic resections, uniportal VATS entails a steep learning curve.

Overview of uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS): past and present

Single incision video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), better known as uniportal VATS, has taken the world of thoracic surgery by storm over the previous few years. Through advances in techniques and technology, surgeons have been able to perform increasingly complex thoracic procedures utilizing a single small incision, hence avoiding the inherent morbidity of the standard open thoracotomy. This was a natural extension of what most recognize as the standard of care for early stage lung cancer, the VATS lobectomy, generally performed through a three- or four-incision technique. Improved camera optics have allowed the use of smaller cameras, making the uniportal approach technically easier. Improvement in articulating staplers and the development of other roticulator instruments have also aided working through a small single access point. The uniportal technique further brings the operative fulcrum inside the chest cavity, enabling better visualization, and creates working conditions similar to the open thoracotomy. Currently, uniportal VATS is being used for minor thoracic procedures and lung resections up to complex thoracic procedures typically requiring open approaches, such as chest wall resections, pneumonectomy, and bronchoplastic and pulmonary artery sleeve resections. Uniportal VATS is a clear advance in the field of general thoracic surgery and provides but a glimpse into the untold future.

Uniportal lobectomy in Africa: a beginning

Report of the first uniportal wet lab run in South Africa. This included four university centers involving live surgery. Lobectomies as well as other video assisted procedures were performed. The results are the introduction of thorascopic programs in all four centers. The next stage in this program is to extend the outreach to the other centers in the country as well as in the neighboring countries. During 2016 a beginning will be made in Namibia as well as in Botswana.

Why should we prefer the single port access thoracic surgery?

One of the greatest advances in Thoracic Surgery in our generation has been the advent of video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). The more recent advance in VATS is the increasing use of Uniportal surgery. The development of single-port VATS has come a long way, from the beginning, when it was employed for performing simple procedures, to the last years with complex major lung resections. Nowadays, Uniportal VATS is not a Manichean law because there are several steps between open thoracotomy and Uniportal VATS. In thoracic surgery, a skilled surgeon alone cannot sustain new approaches or techniques; it is natural that minimally invasive thoracic surgery continues to evolve, since VATS is a never-ending story and Uniportal VATS is not the end of this history.

Uniportal video assisted thoracic surgery: summary of experience, mini-review and perspectives

The uniportal-video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) technique comprises operations which can be performed with skin incisions ranging from 2 to 8 cm and the manifest result of the introduction of the uniportal lobectomy had made possible to increase rapidly the number of published papers on this subject. Many of the large ensuing literature report incomplete historical information on uniportal VATS, and doubts exist about the indication of uniportal VATS for some thoracic oncologic pathologies. Known limitations have been overcome. On the other hand, the modern thoracic surgical team includes one surgeon, one assistant and a scrub nurse, and it is clear that the new generation of thoracic surgeons need to use the "less" used hand. The new technology which permitted the introduction of the uniportal VATS could influence the future need of thoracic surgeons worldwide.