A High Preoperative Blood Urea Nitrogen to Serum Albumin Ratio Does Not Predict Worse Outcomes Following the Robotic-Assisted Pulmonary Lobectomy for Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

 The blood urea nitrogen to serum albumin ratio (BAR) is an emerging prognostic parameter of interest. The utility of BAR as a prognostic factor has not been analyzed in lung cancer patients undergoing pulmonary lobectomy. We evaluated the ability of High BAR to predict worse outcomes after robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy (RAPL) for lung cancer.

METHODS

 We retrospectively analyzed 400 patients who underwent RAPL from September 2010 to March 2022 by one surgeon. Patients were stratified by Low BAR (<6.25 mg/g) and High BAR (≥6.25 mg/g). Patients' demographics, tumor characteristics, comorbidities, surgical complications, outcomes, and survival were collected and compared by High and Low BAR groups. The primary outcome of interest was 30-day mortality.

RESULTS

 Receiver operator curves (ROC) confirmed that 6.25 was an optimal threshold for estimating mortality based on Low and High BAR. There were no differences in surgical complications or outcomes between the Low and High BAR groups. The ability of BAR to predict 30-day mortality was evaluated with the area under the curve (AUC) analysis, which showed that higher BAR could not predict mortality (AUC=0.655; 95% CI, 0.435-0.875; p=0.166). Similarly, survival analysis revealed no difference in five-year overall survival between the Low and High BAR groups (p=0.079).

CONCLUSION

 High BAR did not predict worse outcomes after RAPL for lung cancer in our study. Further studies are needed to better determine the prognostic ability of BAR in lower-risk populations.

Association between the Preoperative Standard Uptake Value (SUV) and Survival Outcomes after Robotic-Assisted Segmentectomy for Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

BACKGROUND

Lung-sparing procedures, specifically segmentectomies and wedge resections, have increased over the years to treat early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We investigate here the perioperative and long-term outcomes of patients who underwent robotic-assisted segmentectomy (RAS) at an NCI-designated cancer center and aim to show associations between the preoperative standard update value (SUV) to tumor stage, recurrence patterns, and overall survival.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on 166 consecutive patients who underwent RAS at a single institution from 2010 to 2021. Of this number, 121 robotic-assisted segmentectomies were performed for primary NSCLC, and a total of 101 patients were evaluated with a PET-CT scan. The SUV from the primary tumor was determined from the PET-CT. The clinical, surgical, and pathologic profiles and perioperative outcomes were summarized via descriptive statistics. Numerical variables were described as the median and interquartile range because all numerical variables were not normally distributed as assessed by the Shapiro-Wilk test of normality. Categorical variables were described as the count and proportion. Chi-square or Fisher's exact test was used for association. The main outcomes were overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Kaplan-Meier (KM) curves were constructed to visualize the OS and RFS, which were also stratified according to tumor histology, the pathologic stage, and standard uptake value. A log-rank test for the equality of survival curves was performed to determine significant differences between groups.

RESULTS

The most common postoperative complications were atrial fibrillation (8.8%, 9/102), persistent air leak (7.84%, 8/102), and pneumonia (4.9%, 5/102). The median operative duration was 168.5 min (IQR 59), while the median estimated blood loss was 50 mL (IQR 125). The conversion rate to thoracotomy in this cohort was 3.9% (4/102). Intraoperative complications occurred in 2.9% (3/102). The median hospital length of stay was 3 days (IQR 3). The median chest tube duration was 3 days (IQR 2), but 4.9% (5/102) of patients were sent home with a chest tube. The recurrence for this cohort was 28.4% (29/102). The time to recurrence was 353 days (IQR 504), while the time to mortality was 505 days (IQR 761). The NSCLC patients were divided into the following two groups: low SUV (<5, n = 55) and high SUV (≥5, n = 47). Statistically significant associations were noted between SUV and the tumor histology (p = 0.019), tumor grade (p = 0.002), lymph-vascular invasion (p = 0.029), viscera-pleural invasion (p = 0.008), recurrence (p < 0.001) and the site of recurrence (p = 0.047). KM survival analysis showed significant differences in the curves for OS (log-rank p-value 0.0204) and RFS (log-rank p-value 0.0034) between the SUV groups.

CONCLUSION

Robotic-assisted segmentectomy for NSCLC has reasonable perioperative and oncologic outcomes. Furthermore, we demonstrate here the prognostic implication of preoperative SUV to pathologic outcomes, recurrence-free survival, and overall survival.

Effects of preoperative pulmonary function on perioperative outcomes after robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy

INTRODUCTION

Effects of pulmonary function test (PFT) results on perioperative outcomes were investigated after robotic-assisted video-thoracoscopic (RAVT) pulmonary lobectomy.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 706 consecutive patients who underwent RAVT lobectomy by one surgeon over 10.8 years. Preoperative (preop) forced expiratory volume in 1 s as a percent of predicted (FEV1%) was used to group patients as having normal FEV1% (≥80%) versus reduced FEV1% (<80%). Demographics, preop comorbidities, intraoperative (intraop) and postoperative (postop) complications, perioperative outcomes, and median survival time (MST) were compared across patients with normal vs. reduced FEV1% using Chi-Square (X2), Fisher's Exact test, Student's t-test, Kruskal-Wallis test, or Kaplan-Meier analysis respectively, with significance at p ≤ 0.05. Multivariable analysis was performed for perioperative outcomes to investigate the differences across patients in the FEV1% groups.

RESULTS

There were 470 patients with normal FEV1% and 236 patients with reduced FEV1%. The two FEV1% groups did not differ in intraop or postop complication rates, except for higher postop other arrhythmia requiring intervention (p = 0.004), prolonged air leak >5 days (p = 0.002), mucous plug formation (p = 0.009), hypoxia (p < 0.001), and pneumonia (p = 0.002), and total postop complications (p < 0.001) in reduced-FEV1% patients. Reduced FEV1% correlated with increased intraop estimated blood loss (p < 0.0001) and skin-to-skin operative time (p < 0.0001). Median overall survival in patients with normal FEV1% was 93.20 months (95% CI: 76.5-126.0) versus 58.9 months (95% CI: 50.4-68.4) in patients with reduced FEV1% (p = 0.0004).

CONCLUSION

Patients should have PFTs conducted before surgery to determine at-risk patients. However, RAVT pulmonary lobectomy is feasible and safe even in patients with reduced FEV1%.

Changes in Perioperative Outcomes after Robotic-Assisted Pulmonary Lobectomy during the COVID-19 Era

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic presented patients with barriers to receiving healthcare. We sought to determine whether changes in healthcare access and practice during the pandemic affected perioperative outcomes after robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy (RAPL).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 721 consecutive patients who underwent RAPL. With March 1^st, 2020, defining the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we grouped 638 patients as "PreCOVID-19" and 83 patients as "COVID-19-Era" based on surgical date. Demographics, comorbidities, tumor characteristics, intraoperative complications, morbidity, and mortality were analyzed. Variables were compared utilizing Student's t-test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and Chi-square (or Fisher's exact) test, with significance at p ≤ 0.05 . Multivariable generalized linear regression was used to investigate predictors of postoperative complication.

Results

COVID-19-Era patients had significantly higher preoperative FEV1%, lower cumulative smoking history and higher incidences of preoperative atrial fibrillation, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), and bleeding disorders compared to PreCOVID-19 patients. COVID-19-Era patients had lower intraoperative estimated blood loss (EBL), reduced incidence of new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF), but higher incidence of effusion or empyema postoperatively. Overall postoperative complication rates between the groups were similar. Older age, increased EBL, lower preoperative FEV1%, and preoperative COPD are all predictive of an increased risk for postoperative complication.

Conclusions

COVID-19-Era patients having lower EBL and less new-onset POAF, despite greater incidences of multiple preoperative comorbidities, demonstrates that RAPL is safe during the COVID-19 era. Risk factors for development of postoperative effusion should be determined to minimize risk of empyema in COVID-19-Era patients. Age, preoperative FEV1%, COPD, and EBL should all be considered when planning for complication risk.

Distance of Residence From the Cancer Center Influences Perioperative Outcomes After Robotic-Assisted Pulmonary Lobectomy?

Introduction

Increased distance of residence from the hospital has been previously associated with worse postoperative outcomes, especially increased hospital length of stay (LOS) after elective surgery in the USA as well as after pulmonary lobectomy in Japan. We sought to determine if the distance from our cancer center affects postoperative outcomes after robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 449 patients who underwent robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy by one surgeon for known or suspected lung cancer. Two patients were excluded due to incomplete data. Each patient’s residential ZIP code was used to determine the distance of their primary residence from our cancer center. Group 1 consisted of patients living less than 120 miles away while Group 2 consisted of patients living more than 120 miles away. Demographic factors, preoperative comorbidities, the incidence of postoperative complications, chest tube duration, and hospital LOS were compared by the Pearson chi-square or Kruskal-Wallis tests, and Kaplan-Meier survival was compared by Cox regression. Statistical significance was established as p≤0.05.

Results

Group 1 was found to have a higher mean body mass index (BMI) (28.3 kg/m²) than Group 2 (27.0 kg/m²; p=.031). Group 1 also tended to have a higher rate of preoperative hypertension (HTN; 59%) than Group 2 (47%; p=.018). No other preoperative comorbidities were significant. Median hospital LOS was found to differ between Group 1 (4 days) and Group 2 (5 days; p=.048). Postoperative complication rates did not differ between Group 1 (35%) and Group 2 (40%; p=.370). Median chest tube durations for Group 1 (4 days) vs. Group 2 (4 days) did not differ (p=.093). Five-year overall survival (OS) did not differ between the two groups (p=.550).

Conclusions

Longer distance from patient residence to our cancer center was associated with higher BMI, higher rates of preoperative HTN, and longer LOS. Postoperative complication rates, chest tube duration, and five-year OS were not significantly affected by distance. These results supported similar results in a Japanese study that indicated distance extends the LOS, regardless of the type of transportation used by patients. Further research analyzing the effects of socioeconomic status and insurance coverage on perioperative outcomes should be conducted to identify subpopulations in the USA that suffer disparities in access to and delivery of healthcare.

Effect of Socio-Economic Status on Perioperative Outcomes After Robotic-Assisted Pulmonary Lobectomy

Background: Lower socioeconomic status (SES) has been correlated with poor survival rates and surgical outcomes following lung cancer resection. This study sought to determine whether this disparity exists perioperatively in lung cancer patients following robotic-assisted video-thoracoscopic pulmonary lobectomy. 

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 447 consecutive patients who underwent robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy by one surgeon for known or suspected lung cancer. Ten patients were excluded due to incomplete data. We used median income by residential ZIP code as a surrogate for SES status and grouped patients based on whether ZIP-based median income was less than (Group 1) or greater than (Group 2) 300% of the federal poverty income level. The effects of SES status groups on incidence of postoperative complications, chest tube duration, hospital length of stay (LOS), and in-hospital mortality were evaluated by the logistic regression model and Inverse Gaussian regression model, respectively.

Results: Without adjustment, Group 1 tended to have a higher rate of postoperative complications, with 54% of patients experiencing complications compared to 34% of patients in Group 2 (p=0.007). Median chest tube duration and hospital LOS were also significantly longer in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p=0.034). In multivariable logistical regression analysis, while controlling for covariates and considering effect modifications, lower SES was significantly and positively associated with postoperative complications (odds ratio (OR)=1.98, p=0.039). Preoperative chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was also a positive and significant predictor of postoperative complications (OR=1.89, p=0.017), chest tube duration (p=0.020), and LOS (p=0.010).

Conclusions: Lower median income is associated with a greater number of postoperative complications following pulmonary resection for lung cancer when controlling for covariates.

Effect of Lowest Postoperative Pre-albumin on Outcomes after Robotic-Assisted Pulmonary Lobectomy

Objective:

Lower pre-albumin levels have been associated with increased rates of post-surgical complications, prolonged hospital length of stay (LOS), and death. This study aims to investigate the effect of postoperative pre-albumin levels on perioperative and long-term outcomes following robotic-assisted video thoracoscopic (RAVT) pulmonary lobectomy.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed 459 consecutive patients who underwent RAVT pulmonary lobectomy by one surgeon for known or suspected lung cancer. The lowest pre-albumin values during the postoperative hospital stay were recorded. Twenty-three patients with no pre-albumin levels available were excluded from analysis. Patients were grouped as having normal (≥ 15 mg/dL) versus low (< 15mg/dL) pre-albumin. Outcomes and demographics were compared between groups using Pearson χ², Student’s t, or Kruskal-Wallis tests. Univariate and multivariate generalized linear regression, logistic regression, or Cox proportional hazard ratio models were used to assess the association between outcomes and variables of interest. Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed to estimate and depict survival probabilities for each group.

Results:

Our study population comprised 436 patients. Lowest postoperative pre-albumin below 15 mg/dL was associated with more postoperative complications (44.2% vs 24.9%, p < 0.001), longer chest tube duration (6.9 vs 4.6 days, p = 0.001), and longer LOS (7.0 vs. 4.4 days, p < 0.001). In survival analysis, lowest perioperative pre-albumin levels were found to correlate with decreased 1 year (p = 0.012), 3-year (p = 0.001), and 5-year survival (p = 0.001).

Conclusion:

Lower pre-albumin levels postoperatively are associated with more postoperative complications, longer chest tube duration and LOS, and decreased overall survival following robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy.

Effect of insurance type on perioperative outcomes after robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy for lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Insurance type has been reported to be an independent predictor of overall survival in lung cancer patients. We studied the effect of insurance type on patient outcomes after minimally invasive pulmonary lobectomy for lung cancer.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 433 consecutive patients who underwent robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy by one surgeon during an 80-month period. Perioperative outcomes and intraoperative and postoperative complications were noted. Disposition at discharge after surgery (favorable, eg, transfer to home with self-care or with home health nursing and/or physical therapy, versus unfavorable, eg, long-term acute care or rehabilitation facility, hospice, or death) and 5-year overall survival (5-years OS) were also recorded. We used Pearson χ², analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Kruskal-Wallis test to compare variables and Cox regression for survival analysis.

RESULTS

There were 107 patients (mean age 57.5 years) with private insurance, 118 (mean age 70.3 years) with public insurance (Medicare or Medicaid), 196 (mean age 71.8 year; P < .001) with combination insurance plans (Medicare plus a privately supplied supplemental), and 12 patients with no insurance (excluded owing to low sample size). There were more current smokers in the public insurance group, more former smokers in the combination insurance group, and more nonsmokers in the private insurance group (P = .03). There were more comorbidities in the public and combination insurance groups versus the private insurance group, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (P = .003), hypertension (P = .01), and hyperlipidemia (P < .001). The groups had no differences in tumor size or pathologic stage. There were higher numbers of intraoperative conversions to open lobectomy in the private and public insurance groups versus the combination insurance group (P = .001). Also, the private and combination insurance groups had more cases of favorable disposition at discharge after surgery compared with the public insurance group (P < .001). Multivariable regression analyses identified private insurance type as an independent predictor of favorable disposition at discharge (public versus private plan; odds ratio, 0.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.22-0.85, P = .02) and 5-year OS (combination versus private plan; hazard ratio, 2.68; 95% CI, 1.26-5.67, P = .01; public versus private plan; HR, 2.84; 95% CI, 1.37-5.89; P = .01).

CONCLUSION

Although public or combination insurance type was associated with greater risk of all-cause mortality, and public insurance type was associated with less favorable disposition at discharge after surgery and overall conversion to open lobectomy, insurance type was not associated with increased intraoperative complications, hospital duration of stay, or in-hospital mortality after minimally invasive robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy.

Effect of Obesity on Perioperative Outcomes After Robotic-Assisted Pulmonary Lobectomy

OBJECTIVE

We investigated whether higher body mass index (BMI) affects perioperative and postoperative outcomes after robotic-assisted video-thoracoscopic pulmonary lobectomy.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied all patients who underwent robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy by one surgeon between September 2010 and January 2015. Patients were grouped according to the World Health Organization's definition of obesity, with "obese" being defined as BMI >30.0 kg/m². Perioperative outcomes, including intraoperative estimated blood loss (EBL) and postoperative complication rates, were compared.

RESULTS

Over 53 months, 287 patients underwent robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy, with 7 patients categorized as "underweight," 94 patients categorized as "normal weight," 106 patients categorized as "overweight," and 80 patients categorized as "obese." Because of the relatively low sample size, "underweight" patients were excluded from this study, leaving a total cohort of 280 patients. There was no significant difference in intraoperative complication rates, conversion rates, perioperative outcomes, or postoperative complication rates among the 3 groups, except for lower risk of prolonged air leaks ≥7 days and higher risk of pneumonia in patients with obesity.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with obesity do not have increased risk of intraoperative or postoperative complications, except for pneumonia, compared with "normal weight" and "overweight" patients. Robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy is safe and effective for patients with high BMI.

Effect of advanced age on peri-operative outcomes after robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy: Retrospective analysis of 287 consecutive cases

OBJECTIVES

We investigated whether advanced age affects peri-operative outcomes after robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent robotic-assisted lobectomy by one surgeon over a 5-year period. Rates of postoperative complications were compared according to age group. Other outcomes, such as intraoperative complications, hospital length of stay (LOS), and in-hospital mortality, were also compared.

RESULTS

A total of 287 patients were included (mean age 67.1yr). Group A had 65 patients of advanced age≥75yr (range 75-87yr; 37 men, 28 women); Group B had 222 patients aged <75yr (range 29-74yr; 95 men, 127 women). Group A had 10/65 (15.4%) patients with robotic-related intraoperative complications, compared to 10/222 (4.5%) for Group B (p=0.002), with the most frequent intraoperative complications being bleeding from a pulmonary vessel (10.8% vs. 4.5%, p=0.06), bronchial injury (3.1% vs. 0.9%, p=0.18), and injury to the phrenic or recurrent laryngeal nerve (1.5% vs. 0.4%, p=0.33). There were 28/65 (43.1%) patients in Group A with postoperative complications compared to 76/222 (34.2%) in Group B (p=0.19). While operative times were similar (p=0.42), Group A had longer median hospital LOS of 6±0.9days compared to 4±0.3days for Group B (p=0.02).

CONCLUSION

While younger patients have lower risk of robotic-related intraoperative complications and shorter hospital LOS, elderly patients do not have increased overall or emergent conversion rates to open lobectomy, overall postoperative complications rates, or in-house mortality compared to younger patients. Thus, robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy is feasible and relatively safe for patients of advanced age.

Effect of gender on perioperative outcomes after robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy

BACKGROUND

Female gender has been associated with worse outcomes after cardiovascular surgery and critical illness. We investigated the effect of gender on perioperative outcomes following robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 282 consecutive patients who underwent robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy by one surgeon over 53 months. Perioperative outcomes and clinically significant intraoperative and postoperative complications, including respiratory and cardiovascular events, were noted. Chi-Square (χ²), Fisher's exact test, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Student's t-test, and Kruskal-Wallis or Mood's median test were used to compare variables, with significance at P≤0.05.

RESULTS

There were 128 men (mean age, 68.8 yr) and 154 women (mean age, 65.9 yr; P=0.02). Women had higher preoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second as percent of predicted (FEV1%; P=0.001). There were more former smokers in the male cohort (P=0.03) and more nonsmokers in the female cohort (P<0.001). Women had smaller tumors (3.0±0.1 vs. 3.5±0.2 cm, P=0.04), lower estimated blood loss (EBL) (150±34 vs. 250±44 mL, P<0.001), and shorter operative time (168±6 vs. 196±7 min, P=0.01). Rates of intraoperative complications (7.1% vs. 8.6%, P=0.65) and of conversion to open lobectomy (7.8% vs. 8.6%; P=0.81) were similar between genders. Postoperative complications were fewer in women (27.9% vs. 44.5%; P=0.004), the most common of which, in both women and men, were prolonged air leak for ≥7 days (13.0% vs. 22.7%, P=0.03), atrial fibrillation (7.1% vs. 14.8%, P=0.04), and pneumonia (7.8% vs. 10.2%, P=0.49). Hospital length of stay (LOS) (4±0.3 vs. 5±0.5 days) was also shorter for women (P=0.02). Despite the higher postoperative complication rate in men, in-hospital mortality did not differ between genders (P=0.23). Multivariable analyses did not identify female gender as an independent predictor of post-operative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Female gender was associated with rates of intraoperative complications and of conversion to open lobectomy as low as those for men, but with better perioperative outcomes, lower risk of intraoperative bleeding, and fewer postoperative complications. Thus, robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy is feasible and safe for women.

Comparison of pulmonary function tests and perioperative outcomes after robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy vs segmentectomy

BACKGROUND

Lobectomy is standard treatment for early-stage lung cancer, but sublobar resection remains debated. We compared outcomes after robotic-assisted video-assisted thoracoscopic (R-VATS) segmentectomy vs lobectomy.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed data from 251 consecutive patients who underwent R-VATS lobectomy (n = 208) or segmentectomy (n = 43) by a single surgeon over 36 months. Pulmonary function tests and perioperative outcomes were compared using Chi-squared test, unpaired Student t test, or Kruskal-Wallis test, with significance at P ≤ .05.

RESULTS

Intraoperative complications were not significantly different, but median operative times were longer for R-VATS segmentectomies (P < .01). Postoperative complications were not significantly different, except for increased rates of pneumothorax after chest tube removal (P = .032) and of effusions or empyema (P = .011) after R-VATS segmentectomies. Predicted changes for forced expiratory volume in 1 second and diffusion constant of the lung for carbon monoxide are significantly less after R-VATS segmentectomy (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

R-VATS segmentectomy should be considered as an alternative to lobectomy for conserving lung function in respiratory-compromised lung cancer patients, although oncologic efficacy remains undetermined.

Upstaging and survival after robotic-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Mediastinal involvement in resected non-small-cell lung cancer mandates adjuvant therapy and affects survival. This study investigated lymph node dissection efficacy, lymph node metastasis detection, and survival after robotic-assisted lobectomy for non-small-cell lung cancer.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent robotic-assisted lobectomy for non-small-cell lung cancer. Survival was assessed through chart reviews, Social Security Death Registry, and national obituary searches. Kaplan-Meier survival curves by clinical and pathologic stage were compared by log-rank and Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

In 249 patients (mean age, 67.8 ± 0.6 years), mean individual mediastinal lymph nodes retrieved was 7.7 ± 0.3 lymph nodes, with mean of 13.9 ± 0.4 N1+ mediastinal lymph nodes. There were 159 (63.9%) clinical stage I versus 134 (53.8%) pathologic stage I patients, with 67 (26.9%) patients upstaged (20 cN0 to pN1; 17 cN0 to pN2; 4 cN1 to pN2) and 37 (14.9%) downstaged. One-year and 3-year survival rates, respectively, changed between clinical stage I (clinical stage I, 91% and 70%; clinical stage II, 80% and 64%; clinical stage III, 78% and 57%; clinical stage IV, 71% and 45%) and pathologic stage (pathologic stage I, 92% and 75%; clinical stage II, 83% and 73%; pathologic stage III, 75% and 44%; and pathologic stage IV, 67% and 0%).

CONCLUSION

Mediastinal lymph node dissection during robotic-assisted lobectomy adequately assesses lymph node stations and detects occult lymph node metastasis. Stage-specific survival is affected by upstaging.

Surgical outcomes associated with postoperative atrial fibrillation after robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy: retrospective review of 208 consecutive cases

BACKGROUND

In this study, we sought to investigate the effect of post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after robotic-assisted video-thoracoscopic pulmonary lobectomy on comorbid postoperative complications, chest tube duration, and hospital length of stay (LOS).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected data from 208 consecutive patients who underwent robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy by one surgeon for known or suspected lung cancer. Postoperatively, 39 (18.8%) of these patients experienced POAF during their hospital stay. The occurrence of postoperative complications other than POAF, chest tube duration, and hospital LOS were analyzed in patients with POAF and without POAF. Statistical significance (P≤0.05) was determined by unpaired Student's t-test or by Chi-square test.

RESULTS

Of patients with POAF, 46% also had other concurrent postoperative complications, while only 31% of patients without POAF experienced complications. The average number of postoperative complications experienced by patients with POAF was significantly higher than that experienced by those without POAF (0.9 vs. 0.4, P<0.05). Median chest tube duration in POAF patients (6 days) was significantly higher than in patients without POAF (4 days). A similar result was also seen with hospital LOS, with the median hospital LOS of 8 days in POAF patients being significantly longer than in those without POAF, whose median hospital LOS was 4 days. No other significant difference was detected between the two groups of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated the association between the incidence of POAF and a more complicated hospital course. Further studies are needed to determine whether confounders were involved in this association.

Perioperative outcomes and lymph node assessment after induction therapy in patients with clinical N1 or N2 non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Induction therapy has been shown to benefit patients with resectable stage-2 or stage-3 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We aimed to determine if induction chemotherapy (CTx) with or without radiation therapy (± RT) for NSCLC with clinical lymph node (LN) involvement (cN1 or cN2) affects LN dissection or perioperative outcomes during robotic-assisted video thoracoscopic (RAVTS) lobectomy.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent RAVTS lobectomy for NSCLC over 45 months. We assessed clinical LN status by CT scan, PET scan, endobronchial ultrasound, and/or mediastinoscopy. We grouped patients with cN1 or cN2 as: "no induction therapy", "induction CTx alone" (ICTx), or "induction CTx + RT" (ICTx + RT). Intraoperative estimated blood loss (EBL), operative times, tumor size, LN status, and restaging were noted.

RESULTS

Of 256 NSCLC patients who had lobectomy, there were 52 cN1 or cN2 patients, of whom 39 patients had "no induction", 7 had ICTx, and 6 had ICTx + RT. Higher rates of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury, tracheal/bronchial injury, and pulmonary embolism were observed with ICTx ± RT (P=0.02, 0.04, and 0.02, respectively). Total number of complications was not significantly different, nor were perioperative outcomes, such as EBL, operative time, and in-hospital mortality. Fewer N2 LN stations were assessed after ICTx ± RT (3.7±0.2 vs. 4.2±0.2 stations; P=0.04), but total number of LNs reported were not significantly different (13.0±2.3 vs. 16.2±1.0 LNs, P=0.22). Of "no induction" patients, 15.4% were upstaged pathologically; no patients were upstaged after induction therapy. While 30.8% of ICTx ± RT patients were downstaged, 38.5% of "no induction" patients were also downstaged on final pathology.

CONCLUSIONS

Induction CTx ± RT for cN1 or cN2 NSCLC patients did not affect EBL, operative times, or in-house mortality after RAVTS lobectomy. Patients undergoing RAVTS lobectomy after ICTx+ RT may be at greater risk for RLN injury, tracheal/bronchial injury, and pulmonary embolism. Fewer N2 LN stations, but not numbers of LNs, are assessed after ICTx ± RT. Induction therapy does not lead to increased downstaging.

Efficacy of lymph node dissection during robotic-assisted lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer: retrospective review of 159 consecutive cases

BACKGROUND

We investigated whether robotic-assisted surgery improves mediastinal lymph node dissection (MLND).

METHODS

We analyzed patients (pts) who underwent robotic-assisted video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (R-VATS) lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) over 36 months. Perioperative outcomes, tumor histology, numbers, locations, and status of all lymph nodes (LNs), and TNM (tumor, nodal, and metastasis) stage changes were analyzed.

RESULTS

One hundred fifty-nine pts had mean tumor size 3.3±0.2 cm, most commonly being adenocarcinoma. Assessment of ≥3 N2 stations occurred in 156 (98.1%) pts, with 141 (88.7%) pts having >3 N2 stations reported. Mean total N1 + N2 stations assessed was 5.6±0.1 stations, including mean 4.1±0.1 N2 stations assessed. Mean N2 LNs reported was 7.2±0.3 LNs, and mean total N1 + N2 LNs reported was 13.4±0.4 LNs. There were 118 (74.2%) clinical stage-I pts versus 96 (60.4%) pathologic stage-I pts. Overall, 48 (30.2%) pts were upstaged, including 13 pts with cN0-pN1, 13 pts with cN0-pN2, 4 pts with cN1-pN2, and 18 pts with changes in T.

CONCLUSIONS

R-VATS lobectomy is safe and results in perioperative outcomes comparable to those reported for conventional VATS. R-VATS MLND is effective at detecting occult metastatic disease during lobectomy for NSCLC.

Extensive plastic bronchitis: etiology of a rare condition

We present the case of a 55-year-old man who developed extensive occlusive bronchial casts after trachea-esophageal (TE) fistula repair. The bronchial casts were treated by bronchoscopic extraction, high dose steroids, antibiotics, and antifungals. Despite this multi-modality treatment, the rapid formation of these occlusive bronchial casts was very aggressive and could not be controlled even with a series of five rigid bronchoscopic extractions within a 48-hour period. The patient quickly deteriorated and succumbed to the inflammatory state. The multiple factors that might have led to the patient's bronchial cast formation are discussed.

Effect of small body habitus on peri-operative outcomes after robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy: retrospective analysis of 208 consecutive cases

BACKGROUND

Patients with smaller body surface area (BSA) have smaller pleural cavities, which limit visualization and instrument mobility during video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). We investigated the effects of BSA on outcomes with robotic-assisted VATS lobectomy.

METHODS

We analyzed 208 consecutive patients who underwent robotic-assisted lobectomy over 34 months. Patients were separated into group A (BSA ≤1.65 m(2)) and group B (BSA >1.65 m(2)). Operative times, estimated blood loss (EBL), conversions to thoracotomy, complications, hospital length of stay (LOS), and in-hospital mortality were compared.

RESULTS

Group A had 40 patients (BSA 1.25-1.65 m(2)), and group B had 168 patients (BSA 1.66-2.86 m(2)). Median skin-to-skin operative times [± standard error of the mean (SEM)] were 169±16 min for group A and 176±6 min for group B (P=0.34). Group A had median EBL of 150±96 mL compared to 200±24 mL for group B (P=0.37). Overall conversion rate to thoracotomy was 8/40 (20.0%) in group A versus 12/168 (7.1%) in group B (P=0.03); while emergent conversion for bleeding was 2/40 (5.0%) in group A versus 5/168 (3.0%) in group B (P=0.62). Postoperative complications occurred in 12/40 (30.0%) in group A, compared to 66/168 (39.3%) in group B (P=0.28). Patients from both groups had median hospital LOS of 5 days (P=0.68) and had similar in-hospital mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with BSA ≤1.65 m(2) have similar perioperative outcomes and complication risks as patients with larger BSA. Patients with BSA ≤1.65 m(2) have a higher overall conversion rate to thoracotomy, but similar conversion rate for bleeding as patients with larger BSA. Robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy is feasible and safe in patients with small body habitus.