Abstract: Objective To evaluate the safety, feasibility, and clinical outcome of complete video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy for patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 160 consecutive patients(the VATS group, 83 males and 77 females with average age at 60.8 years)with early-stage NSCLC who underwent complete VATS lobectomy between January 2005 andDecember 2008 in Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University,and compared them with 357 patients(the thoracotomy group, 222 males and 135 females with average age at 59.5 years)who underwent open thoracotomy in the same period. Results The conversion rate of the VATS group was 5.0%(8/160). The operation time of the VATS group was significantly shorter than that of the thoracotomy group(113.0 min vs.125.0 min, P=0.039). Length of postoperative hospital stay was not statistically different between the two groups(10.3±4.3 d vs.9.1±4.6 d,P=0.425). The postoperative morbidity of the VATS lobectomy group and the thoracotomy group was 9.4%(15/160)and 10.1% (36/357) respectively,and the postoperative mortality of the two groups was 0.6%(1/160)and 2.0%(7/357)respectively. There was no statistical difference in the mean group of lymph node dissection (2.4±1.5 groups vs.2.4±1.7 groups,P=0.743) and the mean number of lymph node dissection (9.8±6.3 vs.10.1±6.4,P=0.626) between the two groups. The overall 5-year survival rate of the VATS group was significantly higher than that of the thoracotomy group (81.5% vs.67.8%, P=0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that the 5-year survival rate of pⅠa stage, pⅠb stage, and pⅢa stage was 86.0%, 84.5%, and 58.8% respectively in the VATS group, and 92.9%, 76.4%, and 25.3% respectively in the thoracotomy group. Conclusion Complete VATS lobectomy is technically safe and feasible for patients with early-stage NSCLC. The lymph node dissection extension of complete VATS lobectomy is similar to that of open thoracotomy, and long-term outcome of complete VATS lobectomy is superior to that of open thoracotomy. Randomized controlled trials of large sample size are further needed to demonstrate superiority.
Abstract: Objective To summarize the clinical experiences of applying completely videoassisted thoracoscopic lobectomy in pulmonary diseases treatment, and evaluate its safety, indication and efficacy. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 47 patients with pulmonary diseases undergoing completely videoassisted thoracoscopic lobectomy at the First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province between October 2008 and November 2010. Among the patients, there were 35 males and 12 females with their age ranged from 30 to 72 years averaging at 61.5 years. Adenocarcinoma was present in 27 patients, squamous carcinoma in 9 patients, small cell carcinoma in 1 patient, tuberculosis in 3 patients, bronchiectasis in 3 patients, pulmonary inflammatory pseudotumor in 2 patients, hamartoma in 1 patient, and giant bulla in 1 patient. All patients underwent completely videoassisted thoracoscopic lobectomy which was carried out through three miniinvasive incisions without the use of rib spreader. Systemic lymph node dissection was performed for patients with malignancies. Blood loss, operation time, the rate of conversion to thoracotomy, postoperative hospital stay, and complications were observed. Results Completely videoassisted thoracoscopic lobectomy was successfully performed in 44 patients, and the other 3 patients were changed to open thoracotomy due to bleeding in one patient, T3 tumor in one patient and accidentally injured bronchus in one patient. The overall conversion rate was 6.4% (3/47). The mean operation time, blood loss and postoperative hospital stay were respectively 120±45 minutes, 150±80 ml, and 7±2 days. No perioperative death occurred. There were 9 patients of complications including lymphatic fistula, air leak, atrial fibrillation and atelectasis, and they all recovered after conservative treatment. Fortyfour- patients were followed up for -1 to 23 months with 3 patients missing. One-patient had bloody sputum during the followup, but recovered spontaneously later. Brain metastasis occurred to a stage Ⅲa patient with primary lung cancer 9 months after operation, and the patient survived after treatment with gamma knife. No recurrence happened to the other patients and their quality of life was good. Conclusion Completely videoassisted thoracoscopic lobectomy is a safe and feasible surgical procedure for patients with earlystage lung cancer and benign pulmonary lesions which need lobectomy. However, it is necessary to select the patients carefully in the early period of practising.
Abstract: Objective To investigate the feasibility of videoassisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) ronchial sleeve lobectomy for lung cancer, and to describe this treatment method. Methods Between December 2010 and April 2011, three patients in our hospital underwent VATS bronchial sleeve lobectomy as treatment for right upper lobe nonsmall cell lung cancer. The patients were one female and two males, aged 61, 65, and 62 years. Surgical incisions were the same as for singledirection VATS right upper lobectomy. The right superior pulmonary vein was firstly transected, followed by the first branch of the pulmonary artery. Then, the lung fissure was transected and the mediastinal lymph nodes, including the subcarinal nodes, were also dissected to achieve sufficient exposure of the right main bronchus. The bronchus was transected via the utility incision, and the anastomosis was accomplished by continuous suture with 30 Prolene stitches. Another 0.5 cm port in the 7th intercostal space at the posterior axillary line was added in the third operation for handling of a pair of forceps to help hold the needle during anastomosis. A sealing test was performed to confirm that there was no leakage after completion of the anastomosis, and the stoma was covered with biological material. Bronchoscopy was performed to clear airway secretions and to confirm that there was no stenosis on postoperative day (POD) 1. Results The lobectomy and lymph node dissection was finished in 5158 minutes (averaging 54.7), and the time needed foranastomosis was 4055 minutes (averaging 45.7). Total blood loss was 55230 ml (averaging 155.0 ml). Number of dissected lymph nodes was 1821 (averaging 19.3). One patient was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the right upper lobe with metastatic hilar lymph node invasive to the right upper lobar bronchus. The other two patients were both diagnosed with centrally located squamous cell carcinoma of the right upper lobe, and all the patients achieved microscopically negative margins. There was no stenosis of the anastomosis stoma, and the postoperative course was uneventful. These patients were discharged on POD 810 (averaging 8.7 days), and they recovered well during the followup period, which lasted 2 to 6 months. [WTHZ]Conclusion [WTBZ]For experienced skillful thoracoscopic surgeons, VATS bronchial sleeve lobectomy is safe and feasible. Making the incisions of a singledirection VATS lobectomy with an additional miniport may be an ideal approach for this procedure.
Objective To investigate the clinical value of using videoassisted thoracoscopic lobectomy(VATS lobectomy) to treat primary nonsmall cell lung cancer(NSCLC) so that the videoassisted thoracoscopic surgery(VATS) can be better used in clinic. Methods From September 2007 to December 2008, seventysix NSCLC patients were collected. Thirtyseven patients underwent VATS lobectomy(VATS group), 21 male and 16 female with an average age of 60.4 years. Among them 20 underwent videoassisted minithoracotomy lobectomy, and 17 underwent total thoracoscopic lobectomy. Thirtynine patients underwent conventional thoractomy(conventional thoracotomy group), 32 male and 7 female with an average age of 58.7 years. Perioperative clinical and laboratory parameters of the two groups were compared. Results There was no severe complication and perioperative mortality in both groups. There were statistical significances between VATS group and conventional thoracotomy group in incision length (7.6±1.9 cm vs. 28.5±3.6 cm, t=-31.390,P=0.000), postoperative dosage of dolantin(160±125 mg vs.232±101 mg,t=-2.789,P=0.007), postoperative chest tube time(chest tube output>100ml,4.8±2.5 d vs. 8.1±3.2 d,t=-4.944,P=0.000) and postoperative hospitalization time(12.1±3.0 d vs. 15.7±4.7 d,t=-3.945,P=0.000). There was no statistical significance between two groups in operation time(t=1.732,P=0.087), intraoperative blood loss(t=-1.645,P=0.105) and the number of lymph node dissection(t=-0.088,P=0.930). The total hospitalization expenses in VATS group were higher than that in conventional thoracotomy group, but there was no statistical significance(t=1.303,P=0.197). The serum levels of glucose at 1st day after operation(7.2±1.2 mmol/L vs. 8.4±2.2 mmol/L, t=5.603,P=0.000)and the total count of white blood cell (12.7±3.8×10.9/L vs. 15.1±5.9×10.9/L,t=5.082,P=0.004) in VATS group were significantly lower than that in conventional thoracotomy group. The prealbumin(PA) level in VATS group was significantly higher than that in conventional thoracotomy group(215.0±45.5 mg/L vs.147.3+50.8 mg/L,t=-7.931,P=0.000). Conclusion VATS lobectomy could clean lymph node completely. Its advantages include less postoperative trauma, lower acute phase response, mild pain, rapid recovery, shorter hospitalization time and less economic burden. It could be an operation approach for early NSCLC patients who have been strictly selected.
Objective To analyze the safety of surgical treatment and optimal surgical procedure for lung cancer patients with prior history of lung resection. Methods The medical records of 69 lung cancer patients with history of lung resection was retrospectively collected. There were 53 males and 16 females with a median age of 68 years ranging from 45 to 80 years. The risk factors for postoperative complications were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and logistic regression analysis. By comparing the data between the lobectomy and sublobectomy groups, the best surgical procedure was chosen. Results The 90-day mortality rate was 4.3%. Postoperative complication rate was 24.6%. Results of one-way ANOVA showed that blood loss during operation (P=0.020), tumor size (P=0.007), smoking (P=0.028) and FEV1%pre (P=0.018) were associated with increased major postoperative complications. Logistic regression analysis showed that FEV1%pre<77.0% (OR=0.935, 95%CI 0.888 to 0.984, P=0.010) and tumor size≥2 cm (OR=4.288, 95%CI 1.375 to 13.373, P=0.012) were independent risk factors for major postoperative complications. Lobectomy and sublobectomy groups had similar postoperative mortality and complication rate (P=0.063). Conclusion Surgical resection for selected lung cancer patients with history of lung resection is safe with low postoperative mortality and complication rate. Lobectomy with lymph node resection is the first choice if cardiopulmonary function permits. Pneumonectomy is not recommended.
Objective To summarize our initial experience in robot-assisted lobectomy for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods A total of 20 NSCLC patients underwent robot-assisted pulmonary lobectomy in General Hospital of Shenyang Military Command from March to September 2012. There were 13 males and 7 females, and their age was 43-80 (60.40±8.07) years. Single-direction thoracoscopic lobectomy technique was used,and systemic mediastinal and hilar lymph node dissection was routinely performed during the operation. There were 4 right upper lobectomies,7 right lower lobectomies,1 right middle lobectomy,7 left lower lobectomies,and 1 left upper lobectomy. Results Postoperative pathological examination showed adenocarcinoma in 12 patients,squamous cell carcinoma in 5 patients,adenosquamous carcinoma in 2 patients,and mucoepidermoid carcinoma in 1 patient. One patient undergoing left upper lobectomy had intraoperative pulmonary artery bleeding of 500 ml,who was healed by pulmonary artery repair via an accessory small incision and blood transfusion of 400 ml. All the other 19 patients successfully underwent robot-assisted lobectomy with their mean intraoperative blood loss of 60.00±42.95 (10-200) ml, and no blood transfusion was needed for them. All the patients were successfully extubated after operation, and none of the patients had severe postoperative complication. The mean thoracic drainage time was 9.35±3.48 (3-15) days. All the patients were discharged uneventfully and followed up for 2-9 (6.01±2.09) months without recurrence or metastasis. Conclusions Robot-assisted pulmonary lobectomy using Da Vinci S Surgical System is safe and feasible,and especially advantageous for lymph node dissection. It can be used for the treatment of early stage NSCLC.
Objective To investigate the application and techni ques of endoscop ic linear stapling device in complete video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy, a n d to improve the safety and quality of the operation. Methods From September 2006 to January 2008,sixty consecutive complete video-assisted thoracoscopic lo b ectomies were performed. The patients include 30 men and 30 women with average a ge of 59.8 years old. Eight patients suffered from benign lung lesions, and 52 p atients suffered from primary lung cancers or other pulmonary malignancy. The op erations were performed under general anesthesia with doublelumen intubation a nd complete thoracoscopy.The procedures include 12 right upper lobectomies, 10 right middle lobectomies, 14 right lower lobectomies, 8 left upper lobectomies a nd 16 left lower lobectomies. All arteries, veins, bronchus involved were manag ed with endoscopic linear stapling devices. Results All the pr ocedures were successful with one conversion case(1.67%) due to tense lymph no des adhesion, no severe complications, as active bleeding, continuous air leak, foreign body reac tion or operation related death occured. Endoscopic linear stapling devices were used for stapling in 381 different procedures with average of 6.35 per case, am ong which 124 (2.06 per case)were for pulmonary arteries, 66(1.10 per case) for pulmonary veins, 60 for lobar bronchus and 131 for interlobar fissures.A period of 11.3 months (2-18 months) follow-up of all patients shows no dela yed bleeding, bronchialpleural fistula, pyothorax or pneumonia. Concl usion The application of endoscopic linear stapling device is one of th e major difficulty in complete video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy. Careful manipulation under some specific principles is the key for the security of the operation.