Objective To investigate the indication of carina reconstruction surgery for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer through analyzing the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of these patients.Methods Fifteen patients were involved in this retrospective analysis. One patient underwent carina resection and reconstruction, 6 patients underwent right pneumonectomy plus carina resection and reconstruction, 3 patients underwent right upper lobe and carina resection plus carina reconstruction, and 5 patients underwent left pneumonectomy plus carina resection and carina reconstruction. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival rate, and Logrank test was used to compare the survival difference between groups. Results The mean duration time for operation was 410 min(261.3±81.6min). The number of resected mediastinal lymph nodes was 10.8±3.7. No perioperative death occurred. Two patients complicated with pneumonitis after surgery, both of them recovered through machine supported respiratory combined with antibiotics administering; 1 patient complicated with chylothorax and recovered through noninvasive procedure; 1 patient underwent thoracotomy exploration due to the persistant air leak and cured by suturing the air leaking lung tissue.The median survival time for whole group was 39 months, 3-year and 5-year survival rate were 52.5%，22.5%, respectively. The median survival time for the patients underwent right pneumonectomy was 12 months, compared 40 months with that of other patients. Conclusion Carina reconstruction is necessary for some patients with locally advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer with main bronchus or carina invasion, despite the sophisticated operation procedure and high morbidity rate. While the right pneumonectomy plus carinal reconstruction should be avoided due to the poor prognosis.
As the incidence of lung cancer continues to rise, segmentectomy has emerged as a favored surgical technique for treating selective early-stage non-small cell lung cancer patients, gaining increasing support from thoracic surgery specialists. However, there remains a deficiency in clinical guidance concerning indications and other related aspects for segmentectomy. In April 2023, a collaborative effort among 15 Asia thoracic surgery experts led to the publication of the "Asian expert consensus on segmentectomy in non-small cell lung cancer: A modified Delphi study". This study presents a total of 36 expert consensus agreements across three aspects: patient indications, surgical approaches, lymph node assessment, outlining key principles of them. This paper intends to provide a brief interpretation of these consensuses for the reference of colleagues in clinical practice.
ObjectiveTo increase the advantage and decrease the disadvantage of posterior approach for uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) right upper lobectomy.MethodsData of 97 consecutive patients who received uniportal VATS right upper lobectomy using posterior approach in the semiprone position were retrospectively analyzed from Dec, 2014 to Dec, 2017. There were 41 males and 56 females at age of 26–79 (57.8±10.6) years. The hilar structure was cut from posterior to anterior one by one. The mediastinal lymph nodes were dissected if lung cancer was diagnosed.ResultsNinety three of 97 patients were successfully completed with uniportal VATS right upper lobectomy using posterior approach, 3 of them were completed with posterior approach combined with anterior approach, and 1 of them needed thoracotomy. The mean operative time was 76–192 (127.0±32.0) min. The thoracic drainage time was 2–20 (3.4±2.7) d. The postoperative length of hospital stay was 3–23 (5.4±3.1) d. There were postoperative complications in 7 patients and no postoperative mortality.ConclusionPosterior approach for uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery right upper lobectomy is safe and feasible, which can decrease the fatigue of both the surgeon and the assistant. It also provides with better exposure of posterior mediastinum, less dragging lung, and less interference of the instruments and help keep the clear surgical field. In complicated cases, posterior approach could combine with anterior approach to complete the VATS lobectomy.
Surgery has remained the cornerstone of lung cancer therapy. Sleeve lobectomy, which is featured by not only the maximal resection of tumors but also the maximal preservation of functional lung parenchyma, has been proved to be a valid therapeutic option for the treatment of some centrally located lung cancer . Evidence points toward equivalent oncologic outcomes with improved survival and quality of life after sleeve resections compared with pneumonectomy. However, the postoperative morbidities and the long-term results after sleeve lobectomy remain controversial, especially in relation to nodal involvement and after induction therapy. With the development of technology, minimally invasive procedures have been performed more and more widely.
ObjectiveTo investigate the changes in pulmonary function after video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and robot-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) segmentectomy.MethodsA total of 59 patients (30 males and 29 females) who underwent segmentectomy in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from July to October 2017 were included. There were 33 patients (18 males and 15 females) in the VATS group and 26 patients (12 males and 14 females) in the RATS group. Lung function tests were performed before surgery, 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery. Intra- and inter-group comparisons of lung function retention values were performed between the two groups of patients to analyze differences in lung function retention after VATS and RATS segmentectomy.ResultsThe forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) in the VATS group and the RATS group were significantly lower than those before surgery (P<0.05), and they increased significantly within 6 months after surgery (P<0.05). The recovery was not obvious after 6 months (P>0.05), and they were still lower than those before surgery. In addition, the retentions of FEV1 and FVC in the VATS group and the RATS group were similar in 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months after operation with no statistical difference(P>0.05). ConclusionPulmonary function decreases significantly in 1 month after minimally invasive segmentectomy, and the recovery is obvious in 6 months after the operation, then the pulmonary function recovery gradually stabilizes 12 months after surgery. FEV1 of the patients in the two groups recovers to 93% and 94%, respectively. There is no statistical difference in pulmonary function retention after VATS and RATS segmentectomy.
Objective To investigate the expression and clinical significance of S100A4 protein in tumorstroma of nonsmall cell lung cancer（NSCLC） to study its correlation with invasion, metastasis and prognosis. Methods Immunohistochemical staining（SP method）for S100A4 protein expression was performed in tissue sections from 130 patients with NSCLC operated and to analyze association of S100A4 protein with clinicopathological parameters in lung cancer and prognosis. Results The total positive expression rates of S100A4 protein in stroma of NSCLC was 72.3%. The positive expression rates of S100A4 protein in stroma of squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma and large cell lung cancer were 84.3%，59.6%，70.0% and 75% respectively.The expression of S100A4 protein was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (χ2=18.91, P=0.000), distant metastasis(χ2=5.51, P=0.019) and TNM stage (χ2=21.54, P=0.000). The 3 years survival rates of patients whose tumourstroma stained positive for S100A4 was lower than that of patients whose tumourstroma stained negative (36.2% vs. 63.9%, P=0.003). Cox’ risk ratio model analysis indicated that age ≤50 years (OR=1.866), lymph node metastasis(OR=1.826), distant metastasis(OR=6.224), lower histology differentiation and undifferentiation (OR=1.793), TNM stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ (OR=2.573) and positive expression of S100A4 protein in stroma of NSCLC(OR=1.776) were significantly independent prognostic factors which affected survival. Conclusion Expression of S100A4 protein in stroma of NSCLC is significantly associated with invasion, metastasis, TNM stage and prognosis. S100A4 protein might become a marker for prediction of tumor progression of disease and clinical therapy.
Objective To determine whether the basal characteristics and survival of young patients undergoing surgical resection of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) differ from those of elderly patients. And, we would discuss the special perioperative management in elderly patients with NSCLC. Methods 178 NSCLC patients who underwent surgery in our hospital between Jan. to Dec. in 2002 were divided into two groups according to age. Young group comprised 89 patients aged 50 years or younger and elderly group comprised 89 patients aged 70 years or older. The patients’ clinical data, operative style,postoperative complications and survival results were reviewed and analysed. Results The proportion of the elderly group squamous cell carcinoma patients was higher than that of the younger group （χ2=9.281,P=0.000.）,but there was no significant difference between the gender, smoking, histology, TNM stage, type of resection, post operation chemotherapy or radiotherapy（χ2≤5.569，Pgt;0.05）. The incidence of the preoperative cardiovascular disease, chronic bronchitis in the elderly group patients were higher than those of younger group（χ2=14.053，P=0.000;χ2=13.044，P=0.000）.The incidence of postoperative complications was significantly higher in elderly group than those of younger group（χ2=12842，P=0.000）. The 1, 3 and 5year survival rates were 71.43％，33.53％ and 27.83％ in elderly group, and 77.78％，46.67％ and 44.07％ in young group, respectively. However, the 1, 3 and 5year survival rates for patients in two groups showed no difference between two groups（Pgt;0.05）. Conclusion The elderly patients have higher operative risk than that of young patients. We should pay more attention to the perioperative management of elderly patients. The elderly patients could get acceptable long term survival rates through surgical treatment. Operation is still the first choice for elderly patients with NSCLC.
ObjectiveTo examine the high-risk factors and prognosis of patients with superior interlobar lymph nodes (11s nodes) metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) located in the right middle or lower lobe.MethodsThe clinical data of 157 patients with NSCLC in the right middle or lower lobe from January 2015 to July 2020 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed, including 98 males and 59 females aged 23-86 (60.01±10.58) years. The patients underwent lobectomy and systemic lymph node dissection along with dissection of 11s nodes. They were divided into a 11s (+) group and a 11s (–) group according to whether the 11s nodes were involved.ResultsThere were 31 patients with invasion in the 11s nodes, and the overall incidence of metastasis was 19.75%, including 13.64% with middle lobe tumors and 20.74% with lower lobe tumors. The 2R+4R nodes involvement was the influencing factor associated with 11s nodes metastasis (P=0.026). The 7th nodes and the inferior mediastinal lymph nodes involvement were high-risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients (P<0.05). The 11s nodes metastasis had nothing to do with the location of the tumor, and it was not an independent factor affecting disease-free survival.ConclusionThe 11s nodes may be a transit for 2R+4R nodes metastasis in the right middle or lower lobe lung cancer, and the 11s nodes should be cleared in the surgical treatment for NSCLC in either the middle or lower lobe of the right lung. The influencing factors for disease-free survival after surgery for lung cancer in the right middle or lower lobe are the metastasis of the subcarinal lymph nodes and the inferior mediastinal lymph nodes.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy and safety of single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) vs. multiple-port VATS in lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).MethodsThe PubMed, EMbase, the Cochrane Library, CBM, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP and Web of Science were searched to collect clinical studies about single- vs. multiple-port VATS for patients with NSCLC from inception to August 2018. The literatures were screened, data were extracted and the risk of bias of included studies was assessed independently by two reviewers. The meta-analysis with the collected data was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software.ResultsEleven studies (4 randomized controlled trials, 1 prospective cohort study and 6 retrospective cohort studies), including 1 574 patients. Among them, 779 patients were in the single-port group, and 795 in the multiple-port group. The results of meta-analysis showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups in the operation time (MD=3.60, 95%CI –8.59 to 15.79, P=0.56), the conversion rate (OR=1.06, 95%CI 0.54 to 2.06, P=0.87), the incidence of postoperative complications (OR=0.76, 95%CI 0.53 to 1.10, P=0.15), postoperative hospitalization time (MD=0.74, 95%CI –1.60 to 0.12, P=0.09), chest tube placement time (MD=0.63, 95%CI –1.28 to 0.02, P=0.06) or harvested lymph nodes (MD=–0.11, 95%CI –0.46 to 0.24, P=0.54). The intraoperative blood loss (MD=–17.12, 95%CI –31.16 to –3.08, P=0.02) was less in the single-port group than that in the multiple-port group. The visual analogue score (VAS) on postoperative first day (MD=–1.30, 95%CI –1.85 to –0.75, P<0.000 01) and on postoperative third day (MD=–0.82, 95%CI –1.00 to –0.65, P<0.000 01) were lower in the single-port group than those in the multiple-port group.ConclusionThe meta-analysis indicates that the efficacy of single-port VATS for NSCLC is equivalent to multiple-port VATS. However the intraoperative blood loss, the VAS scores on postoperative first and third days in the single-port group are better.