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

Continuation of aspirin perioperatively for lung resection: a propensity matched analysis

PURPOSE

To clarify the safety and effectiveness of continuing aspirin during the perioperative period of lung resection.

METHODS

We analyzed, retrospectively, consecutive patients who underwent lung resection between 2008 and 2017. To investigate the safety of aspirin continuation, patients who continued taking aspirin perioperatively (Group C) were matched to other patients (Group O), using a propensity score, and bleeding outcomes were compared. To assess the effect of aspirin interruption, Group C was matched to a group of patients whose aspirin regimen was interrupted (Group I), and the postoperative complications related to thromboembolism were compared.

RESULTS

Among 3393 patients, 52 continued on aspirin (Group C) perioperatively, whereas 184 had their aspirin discontinued (Group I). Comparing the matched cohorts extracted from Group C and Group O (n = 45), there were no significant differences in bleeding outcomes. Comparing the matched cohorts extracted from Group C and Group I (n = 40), group C had fewer postoperative complications related to thromboembolism (0% vs. 7.5%, p = 0.039).

CONCLUSION

Bleeding complications did not increase by continuing aspirin, but thromboembolic complications increased when the aspirin regimen was interrupted during the perioperative period of lung resection. Thus, in the absence of a prohibitive bleeding risk, the continuation of aspirin during the perioperative period of lung resection appears to be desirable.

[Perioperative Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Pulmonary Resection for Lung Cancer after Coronary Stenting]

背景与目的

肺癌患者合并有冠心病是很常见的一种情况，部分患者既往植入冠脉支架并接受抗血小板治疗。对于带有冠脉支架需要行肺切除手术的肺癌患者，围手术期是否停用抗血小板药物仍然存在争议。本研究通过回顾我院的数据来明确这部分特殊人群的围手术期结局。

方法

回顾性分析了2013年1月-2019年9月冠脉支架术后在北京大学第一医院胸外科行肺切除手术的肺癌患者的临床数据。所有患者术前暂停口服抗血小板药物至少5 d。主要研究终点是院内的心血管并发症和死亡。

结果

本研究共纳入111例患者。支架放置和肺癌手术间隔的时间在1个月-3个月、3个月-12个月、超过12个月的患者分别为6.3%、13.5%和80.2%。亚肺叶切除、肺叶切除、联合肺叶切除、全肺切除以及肺叶袖式切除的患者分别为10.8%、71.2%、9.0%、2.7%和6.3%。总的心血管并发症发生率为11.6%，包括不稳定心绞痛（n=1, 0.9%）、低血压（n=1, 0.9%）、充血性心力衰竭（n=2, 1.8%）和新发心房纤颤（n=10, 9.0%）。本组病例无围手术期死亡，无主要不良心血管事件（major adverse cardiac events, MACE）。

结论

术前暂停口服抗血小板药物是安全的，围手术期未发生MACE和死亡。

Uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery could reduce postoperative thorax drainage for lung cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has undergone significant development in recent years, yet its usefulness and value in the treatment of lung cancer remains controversial. We investigated the effect of uniportal VATS surgery for reducing postoperative thorax drainage in lung cancer patients.

METHODS

The data of primary lung cancer patients who underwent VATS anatomical lung resection at the China National Cancer Center by a single surgeon were retrospectively collected. After propensity score matched analysis, 492 patients (246 uniportal VATS, 246 multiportal VATS) were included in the study. The clinicopathologic and surgery-related features, including drainage volume, were compared. Student's t and chi-square tests were used; all tests were two-sided.

RESULTS

Patients in the two groups had similar demographic and clinicopathological features. Patients who underwent uniportal VATS surgery had significantly lower postoperative thorax drainage (830.0 ± 666.0 mL vs. 1014.5 ± 616.9 mL, P = 0.002) and a comparatively lower rate of unplanned return to the operating room (0 vs. 0.8%; P = 0.156) than multiportal VATS patients. The surgical duration, blood loss, number of lymph nodes dissected, postoperative complications, and length of hospital stay were similar between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Uniportal VATS could reduce postoperative thorax drainage and the risk of unplanned return to the operating room for lung cancer patients. This study included the largest sample by a single surgeon and our results suggest the potential value of uniportal VATS for the faster recovery of lung cancer patients.

Percutaneous pleural drainage in patients taking clopidogrel: real danger or phantom fear?

Despite being categorized as a procedure associated with a low risk of iatrogenic hemorrhage, percutaneous pleural drainage in patients taking the ubiquitous antiplatelet agent clopidogrel is still commonly perceived as a risky proposition. There is mounting evidence, however, in support of the safety of percutaneous needle procedures in persons receiving this medication. Establishing that these pleural interventions can be performed safely without clopidogrel interruption would be of great clinical significance, especially in those taking it for recent cardiac stenting and therefore in danger of stent thrombosis should antiplatelet therapy (APT) be withheld. The purpose of the present review is to summarize the available data from published studies and series of thoracentesis and chest tube insertion in patients exposed to clopidogrel. Also incorporated into this review are relevant investigations from the thoracic surgery and interventional radiology experience, which contribute indirect evidence and help shape the context for interpreting the safety data reported in the pleural literature. At the end, an attempt is made to synthesize the current knowledge on this topic into conclusions for guiding practice.

Laparoscopic surgery in colon cancer patients treated with chronic anti-thrombotic therapy

BACKGROUND

Anti-thrombotic medications are commonly used for the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Laparoscopic resection of colon cancer has generally been accepted with favorable outcomes being reported in randomized control trials. However, the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer patients receiving chronic anti-thrombotic therapy (AT) remain unclear.

METHODS

We identified 951 patients who underwent elective resection for colon cancer between 2009 and 2016 from our database. Patients were classified according to the surgical approach and chronic AT. Clinicopathological factors and surgical outcomes were analyzed between patient groups. Patients' backgrounds were matched using propensity scores in laparoscopic surgery.

RESULTS

Anti-thrombotic drugs were chronically used in 135 patients. Among 714 patients who underwent laparoscopy-assisted surgery, 96 received AT. The laparoscopic approach was superior to open surgery in terms of bleeding, surgical site infections, and hospital stay in patients receiving AT. In laparoscopy-assisted surgery, the AT group patients were older and showed lower hemoglobin and albumin levels than those not receiving AT (non-AT group), and were predominantly male. After propensity score matching, estimated blood loss and operative times were similar between the two groups (93 matched patients). The frequencies of postoperative bleeding (2.2%) and thrombotic complications (0%) in the AT group did not significantly differ from those in the non-AT group (1.1 and 0%, respectively). Moreover, AT did not affect survivals.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic approach appears to be safer and beneficial for colonic cancer patients receiving long-term AT. Bleeding and thrombotic events associated with laparoscopic surgery were not significantly affected by AT.