ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility and safety of improving chest drainage procedure by applying postoperative chest drainage with central venous catheter for uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy in fast track recovery. MethodsBetween July 2016 and March 2018, a total of 150 patients who underwent uniportal VATS lobectomy by the same chief surgeon were recruited. All patients were randomly divided into two groups including a trial group and a control group. In the trial group, there were 44 males and 28 females with an average age of 47±11 years. Central venous catheter and 26F silicone rubber tuber were used and chest tube was removed when drainage volume less than 300 ml/d. Chest X ray was conducted three days after discharge from hospital and the central venous catheter was removed after thoracentesis. In the control group, there were 40 males and 29 females with an average ages of 52±13 years, 26 F silicone rubber tuber and chest tube were removed when drainage volume less than 100 ml/d. The clinical effectiveness was compared between the two groups. ResultsNo statistically significant difference was observed between the trial group and the control group in the date of preoperative general information, the occurrence of postoperative complications and the visual analogue score on Day1 after the operation. However, the visual analogue score, intubation time, post-operative length of stay, the frequency of using tramadol were all significantly shorter or lower in the trial group when compared with the control group (P<0.05). Seven patients of the trial group suffered moderate pleural effusion after intubation, which was significantly more than that of the control group (P<0.05). Six patients recovered after thoracentes through central venous catheter. The average amount of pleural effusions before removing the central venous catheter was 74.8 ml. ConclusionThe use of central venous catheter and 26 F silicone rubber tuber after uniportal VATS lobectomy is safe and feasible for the early removal of chest tube. It is beneficial to fast track recovery.
Objective To investigate the relationship between preoperative mean daily step counts and pulmonary complications after thoracoscopic lobectomy in elderly patients. Methods From 2018 to 2021, the elderly patients with pulmonary complications after thoracoscopic lobectomy were included. A 1∶1 propensity score matching was performed with patients without pulmonary complications. The clinical data were compared between the two groups. ResultsTotally, 100 elderly patients with pulmonary complications were enrolled, including 78 males and 22 females, aged 66.4±4.5 years. And 100 patients without pulmonary complications were matched, including 71 males and 29 females aged 66.2±5.0 years. There was no significant difference in the preoperative data between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared to the patients with pulmonary complications, the ICU stay was shorter (8.1±4.4 h vs. 12.9±7.5 h, P＜0.001), the first out-of-bed activity time was earlier (8.8±4.5 h vs. 11.2±6.1 h, P=0.002), and the tube incubation time was shorter (19.3±9.2 h vs. 22.5±9.4 h, P=0.015) in the patients wihout pulmonary complications. There was no statistical difference in other perioperative data between the two groups (P>0.05). The mean daily step counts in the pulmonary complications group were significantly less than that in the non-pulmonary complications group (4 745.5±2 190.9 steps vs. 6 821.1±2 542.0 steps, P＜0.001). The daily step counts showed an upward trend for three consecutive days in the two groups, but the difference was not significant. Conclusion The decline of preoperative mean daily step counts is related to pulmonary complications after thoracoscopic lobectomy in elderly patients. Recording daily step counts can promote preoperative active exercise training for hospitalized patients.
Objective To investigate the impact of complete video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy and open lobectomy on perioperative heart rate （HR） and blood oxygen saturation （SO2） of lung cancer patients，and explore whether minimally invasive surgery can enhance postoperative recovery of lung cancer patients. Methods A total of 138 lung cancer patients were chosen from 161 consecutive patients with pulmonary diseases who were admitted to West China Hospital of Sichuan University between September 2010 and December 2011. According to different surgical approach，all the 138 lung cancer patients were divided into routine thoracotomy group （thoracotomy group，70 patients including 53 males and 17 females with their average age of 56.1±9.7 years） and complete video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy group （VATS group，68 patients including 46 males and 22 females with their average age of 53.4±6.5 years）. There was no statistical difference in preoperative clinical characteristics between the 2 groups. Preoperative and postoperative （1st，3rd，7th and 30th day） numeric pain rating scale （NPRS），HR and SO2 were compared between the 2 groups. Results （1） There was no statistical difference in NPRS on the 1st and 3rd postoperative day between the 2 groups （3.83±0.79 vs. 3.93±0.67， 2.88±0.59 vs. 3.03±0.71，P＞0.05），but on the 7th and 30th postoperative day，NPRS of the thoracotomy group was signi- ficantly higher than that of VAST group （1.61±0.33 vs. 1.22±0.12，1.58±0.26 vs. 1.19±0.31，P＜0.05）. （2） Postop- erative sedentary HR of both VATS group and thoracotomy group were significantly higher than preoperative levels ［（84.13±17.21） / minute vs. （73.67±10.32）/minute， （86.13 ±19.67） / minute vs. （72.24±14.21） / minute， P＜0.05］. Postoperative HR of VATS group decreased to preoperative level on the 3rd postoperative day，while postoperative HR of the thoracotomy group decreased to preoperative level on the 7th postoperative day. （3） There was no statistical difference between preoperative and postoperative （all the time points） sedentary SO2 of both VATS group and thoracotomy group （96.34 %±2.11% vs. 97.12%±2.31%，95.33%±4.13% vs. 94.93% ±4.31%，P＞0.05）.（4） The changes of HR and SO2 before and after exercise of VATS group were significantly smaller than those of the thoracotomy group on the 3rd postoperative day ［（11.11±4.81）/minute vs. （18.23±6.17）/minute，3.1%±1.2% vs. 7.4 %±2.7%，P＜0.05］ . Conclusion The impact of complete video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy on cardiopulmonary function is comparatively smaller，which is helpful for postoperative fast-track recovery of lung cancer patients.
ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and surgical approach on postoperative fast track recovery and hospitalization cost of patients undergoing lung cancer resection, and explore clinical pathways and clinical value of fast track recovery. MethodClinical data of 129 consecutive patients undergoing lung cancer resection by one surgical group in West China Hospital from January 2010 to March 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. According to whether the patients had concomitant COPD, all the patients were divided into COPD group including 53 patients (39 males and 14 females) with their average age of 56.31±10.51 years, and non-COPD group including 76 patients (37 males and 39 females) with their average age of 65.92±7.85 years. According to different surgical approaches, all the patients were divided into complete video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) group including 83 patients (44 males and 39 females) with their average age of 61.62±10.80 years, and routine thoracotomy group including 46 patients (32 males and 14 females) with their average age of 62.95±9.97 years. Postoperative morbidity, average hospital stay and hospitalization cost were compared between respective groups. ResultsThere was no statistical difference in postoperative morbidity (53% vs. 40%, P=0.134)or average hospital stay[(7.66±2.95) days vs. (7.36±2.74)days, P=0.539] between COPD group and non-COPD group. Postoperative morbidity (34% vs. 65%, P < 0.001)and average hospital stay[(6.67±2.52)days vs. (8.61±3.01) days, P < 0.001] of VATS group were significantly lower or shorter than those of routine thoracotomy group. Total hospitalization cost (￥44 542.26±11 447.50 yuan vs. ￥23 634.13±6 014.35 yuan, P < 0.001) and material cost (￥37 352.53±11 807.81 yuan vs. ￥12 763.08±7 124.76 yuan, P < 0.001) of VATS group were significantly higher than those of routine thoracotomy group. Average medication cost of VATS group was significantly lower than that of routine thoracotomy group (￥7 473.54±4 523.70 vs. ￥10 176.71±6 371.12, P < 0.001). There was no statistical difference in other cost between VATS group and routine thoracotomy group. ConclusionVATS lobectomy can promote postoperative fast track recovery of lung cancer patients, but also increase material cost of the surgery. COPD history does not influence postoperative fast track recovery or hospitalization cost.
Abstract： Objective To investigate the effect of singledirection lobectomy plus systematic lymphnode dissection for primary nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the early stage by videoassisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 89 patients who received VATS lobectomy plus systematic lymphnode dissection for earlystage primary NSCLC in the Second People’s Hospital of Chengdu between June 2006 and December 2009. Based on the operative approach, the patients were divided into two groups: VATSminithoracotomy group and singledirection lobectomy VATS group. In the former group, there were 46 patients, including 36 males and 10 females, with an age of 58.76±14.78 years. For patients in this group, minithoracotomy was carried out assisted by VATS. In the latter group, there were 43 patients, including 37 males and 6 females, with an age of 61.34±12.56 years, and singledirection lobectomy VATS was performed for patients in this group. Moreover, 42 patients undergoing routine posterior lateral open thoracotomy were chosen to form the control group (thoracotomy group, included 37 males and 5 females with an age of 56.30±15.59 years). The clinical features, such as operative time, operative blood loss, the number of systematic dissected lymph nodes, postoperative drainage quantity, postoperative complications and visual analogue scale (VAS) of chest pain were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate the early outcomes. Results No operative death occurred in all three groups. There were significant differences among the three groups in the postoperative drainage time (P=0.024), postoperative drainage quantity (P=0.019), operative blood loss (P=0.009), early outofbed activity time (P=0.031), and the incidence of cardiopulmonary complications (P=0.048). Compared with the VATSminithoracotomy group, the singledirection lobectomy VATS group was significantly lower or shorter (Plt;0.05) in postoperative drainage quantity (208.33±50.39 ml vs. 245.98±45.32 ml), operative blood loss (78.79±24.23 ml vs. 112.63±64.32 ml), and the early outofbed activity time (2.31±0.27 d vs. 3.56±0.31 d). The rate of using Dolantin in the control group was significantly higher than the other two groups (P=0.046, 0.007). The change of VAS score among the three groups after operation was also statistically significant (F=5.796, P=0.002). A total of 109 patients (37 in the VATSminithoracotomy group, 37 in the singledirection lobectomy VATS group, and 35 in the control group) were followed up after operation with a period of 2 to 48 months. Twentytwo patients were lost in the followup. There were 10, 9, and 8 deaths during the followup in the three groups respectively, and the median survival time was 40 months, 37 months, and 37 months respectively. There was no significant difference among the three groups in survival time (P=0.848). Conclusion VATS, especially VATS assisted single direction lobectomy and systematic lymphnode dissection for primary NSCLC in the early stage has the same surgical efficacy as the traditional open thoracotomy, and is minimally invasive, which contributes to a quick recovery. Consequently, it is a reliable approach for lung cancer in the early stage.
ObjectiveTo study the correlation between Periostin, interleukin-33 (IL-33), and chronic cough after thoracoscopic lobectomy in patients with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) combined with lung cancer. Methods A total of 102 lung cancer patients at Tianjin Chest Hospital from January 2022 to January 2024 were prospectively enrolled, and they were divided into a chronic cough group and a non chronic cough group based on whether chronic cough occurred after surgery. Serum levels of Periostin and IL-33 were measured on the 1st, 7th, and 14th days post-lobectomy. The Pearson method was employed to analyze the correlation between Periostin and IL-33 levels and the severity of cough. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors influencing the occurrence of chronic cough. Additionally, ROC curve analysis was utilized to assess the potential value of serum Periostin and IL-33 levels in predicting postoperative chronic cough. Results In patients with chronic cough, the peripheral blood Periostin and IL-33 levels measured on days 7 and 14 were significantly higher than those in patients with non-chronic cough, and the interactions between the two groups and at different time points were significant (P<0.001). The degree of cough was positively correlated with the levels of Periostin and IL-33 on days 7 and 14 (P<0.05), but had no significant correlation with the levels on day 1 (P>0.05). In patients with lung cancer, after thoracoscopic lobectomy, Periostin [OR=1.619, 95%CI (1.295, 2.025)] and IL-33 [OR=1.831, 95%CI (1.216, 2.758)] on day 7 and Periostin on day 14 [OR=1.952, 95%CI (1.306, 2.918)] and IL-33 [OR=1.742, 95%CI (1.166, 2.603)] were identified as risk factors for chronic cough. ROC curve analysis showed that the sensitivity of Periostin on day 7 was 69.05%, the specificity was 71.67%, and the AUC was 0.756 [95%CI (0.616, 0.893)]. The sensitivity of Periostin on day 14 increased to 71.43% and the specificity was 76.67%, AUC was 0.762 [95%CI (0.633, 0.898)]. At the same time, the critical value of IL-33 on day 7 was 45.03 pg/mL, the sensitivity and specificity were both 83.33%, the AUC was 0.884 [95%CI (0.789, 0.980)], and the critical value of IL-33 on day 14 was 56.01 pg/mL, the sensitivity was 85.71%, the specificity was 80.00%, and the AUC was 0.899 [95%CI (0.799, 0.999)]. Further regression analysis showed that the sensitivity was 95.24%, the specificity was 95.00%, and the AUC reached 0.993 [95%CI (0.979, 1.000)]. Conclusion Periostin and IL-33 levels, measured at various time points, are abnormally elevated following thoracoscopic lobectomy in patients with combined CABG and lung cancer. These levels significantly correlate with cough severity. Given their predictive potential for chronic cough, these markers are deemed valuable biomarkers.
Objective To explore the advantages of postoperative chest drainage with 16F urinary catheter for video- assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy. Methods Data of 102 patients (October to December 2015) who under- went VATS lobectomy of lung disease with insertion of catheter (16 F urinary catheter or 28 F chest tube) were analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups including a 16F group (49 patients, with 16 F urinary catheter) and a 18F group (53 patients, with 18F chest drainage tube).The following post-operative data were evaluated: primary healing of tube inci- sion, chest X ray abnormalities (pneumothorax, pleural effusion, subcutaneous emphysema, and hematoma), drainage time, re-insert the drainage tube, and wound healing at the site of insertion. Results Both groups were similar in age, gender, co-morbidity and pathological evaluation of resected specimens. After adjustment, no statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in pulmonary complications (30.6% vs. 28.3%, P=0.102), subcutaneous emphysema (60.0% vs. 6.7%, P=0.011), required intervention (2.0% vs. 5.7%, P=0.048). The average total drainage volume in the 16F group (587.3±323.7 ml) was less than that of the 28 F group (824.1±444.3 ml, P=0.000). The rate of primary healing at the site of insertion in the 16 F group (100.0%) was higher than that in the 28F group (58.5%, P=0.014). A significant difference was found in the drainage time and post-operative length of stay between the two groups (54.2±28.6 h vs. 95.6±65.5 h，4.2±1.4 d vs. 6.5±3.0 d). Conclusion Since 16F urinary catheter has advantage in fast track rehabilitation and low risk of pulmonary complications, the use of 16F urinary catheter is appropriate after VATS pulmonary lobectomy.
ObjectiveTo determine if comfort level was associated with chest tube size(16F or 28F) among lung cancer patients with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy. MethodsWe performed VATS lobectomy for 163 patients with lung cancer in our hospital between February and May 2014. There were 70 males 93 females. The patients were allocated into two groups including a 28F group and a 16F group. There were 75 patients at age of 53.18±14.73 years with insertion of one chest drain of 28F in the 28F group. And there were 88 patients at age of 56.62±12.62 years with insertion of one chest drain of 16F in the 16F group. Heart rate and variation of pulse, breathing rate and variation of breathing rate, pain scores, comfort level, and activities daily living (ADL) of the two groups were compared. ResultsThere was no significant difference in the patient characteristics and operation data between the two groups. There were statistical differences in variation of heart rates on the 1st day, 2nd day, and 3rd day after operation between the 16Fgroup and the 28F group (9.67±3.33 times/min vs.18.54±5.33 times/min, P=0.037; 7.89±2.88 times/min vs. 19.01±4.67 times/min, P=0.045; 7.67±3.01 times/min vs. 20.88±5.34 times/min, P=0.021). The percentage patients of mild pain in the 16F group (77.65%) was higher than that in the 28F group (49.78%, P=0.023) with a statistical difference. The independent ambulation and comfort level in the 16F group(67.05%, 67.05%) were significant higher than those in the 28F group (45.78%,55.11%, P=0.023, P=0.026). ConclusionOur findings suggest that drainage via a small-bore chest tube provides meaningful postoperative comfort level in the patients with VATS lobectomy.