Abstract： Objective To evaluate video-assisted thoracic surgery（VATS）and minimal incision thoracotomy（MIT）lobectomy for early stage non-small cell lung cancer patients and the impact upon postoperative quality of life（QOL）. Methods A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted. From January 1, 2008 to December 10, 2011, the qualified patients with early stage NSCLC were recruited and randomized to VATS group （57 patients）and MIT group（49 patients）, totally 106 patients，57 males and 49 females, aged 57.60 years. The quality of life was assessed using Lung Cancer Symptom Scale （LCSS） before operation and at 1,3,6,9,12 months after operation. Results There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in age, sex, the location of tumor, tumor pathologic stage, pathological types, postoperative complications, tumor size, operative time, operative bleeding and air leak days. There were no symptoms after operation at the VATS group worse than the leve before operation. Five major symptoms, including appetit（1.04±0.71 vs.2.00±0.83, F=6.357，P=0.021）, fatigue （4.55±1.17 vs.10.19±2.10, F=4.721，P=0.043）, dyspnea（2.18±0.86 vs.10.26±2.05, F=10.020，P=0.005）, normal activity（5.16±1.70 vs.17.60±3.17, F=12.319，P=0.002）at the MIT group were deteriorated significantly at 1 month after the operation （P＜0.05）. Conclusion The VATS will lead to better quality of life for the patients with early stage NSCLC after surgery and lead to a smooth postoperative recovery.
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.
Abstract： Objective To investigate strategies for prevention，early diagnosis，and prompt treatment for acute pulmonary embolism（PE）after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery（VATS）lobectomy. Methods From January 2007 to November 2010, 1 115 patients with lung cancer underwent VATS lobectomy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College. Among them, 13 patients had acute PE postoperatively, including 6 male patients and 7 female patients with their mean age of 62.3 years（ranging from 42 to 73 years）.All the patients were diagnosed by spiral CT pulmonary artery angiography（SCTPA）, and received anticoagulation therapy with low molecular weight heparin and warfarin. Results The incidence of acute PE after VATS lobectomy was 1.17%（13/1 115）, and the patients with low PE-related early mortality risk accounted for a large proportion（11/13）. There were 12 patients with right-side PE. All the patients’ signs and symptoms were significantly alleviated after administration of anticoagulation therapy. Nine patients received SCTPA review after treatment which showed that their PE had disappeared or been significantly absorbed. No hematological complications including thoracic hemorrhage or wound errhysis occurred after treatment. All surviving patients were followed up for 1 month to 3 months. During follow-up, these patients were alive without PE recurrence. Conclusion SCTPA is the first-choice examination for the diagnosis of acute PE after VATS lobectomy. Prophylaxis against PE and prompt treatment are necessary depending on individual manifestations. VATS lobectomy should be favored as a minimally invasive surgical treatment for patients with lung cancer, for the low incidence of postoperative PE and low PE-related early mortality risk.
ObjectiveTo compare and analyze clinical effects of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy and systematic lymph node harvests for peripheral non-small cell lung cancer (PNSCLC) patients between single-port (SP) and multi-port (MP) with a propensity-matched analysis. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 324 patients presented with PNSCLC and admitted in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2013 through December 2015. Six-eight patients underwent single-port thoracoscopic lobectomy were as a SP group and 256 patients with multi-port thoracoscopic lobectomy. Another 68 patients were produced by a propensity-matched analysis in these 256 patients, to match with SP group as a MP group. There were 26 males and 42 females at age of 54-62 (59.3±10.3) years in the SP group. There were 32 males and 36 females at age of 50-66 (61.5±9.4) years in the MP group. Perioperative outcomes were compared between the two groups. ResultsAll operations were accomplished successfully, without conversion to thoracotomy. Most postoperative outcomes were similar in intraoperative blood loss (136.3±22.7 ml vs. 142.2±20.3 ml), conversion (4.4% vs. 7.4%), lymph node dissection number (19.9±3.5 vs. 20.0±3.0), station (7.9±2.3 vs. 8.3±2.1), postoperative drainage volume (761.4±182.3 ml vs. 736.9±176.4 ml), chest drainage duration (5.2±1.5 d vs. 5.8±1.8 d), length of hospital stay (5.5±2.0 d vs. 5.0±2.5 d), and postoperative complications (2.9% vs. 7.4%) between the two groups (P > 0.05). There were statistical differences in operation time (138.2±20.3 min vs. 126.4±22.4 min), downtrend of pain scores (P=0.03), and patients' satisfaction level (8.8±1.4 vs. 7.3±2.3, P < 0.05). Concision Single-port thoracoscopic lobectomy is not inferior to multi-port and is a safe and feasible surgical procedure for the management of PNSCLC.
Objective To assess the safety and clinical outcomes of segmentectomy in one- or two-staged video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for bilateral lung cancer. MethodsWe retrospectively enrolled 100 patients who underwent VATS segmentectomy for bilateral lung cancer at the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from December 2013 to May 2022. We divided the patients into two groups: a one-stage group (52 patients), including 17 males and 35 females with a mean age of 55.17±11.09 years, and a two-stage group (48 patients), including 16 males and 32 females with a mean age of 59.88±11.48 years. We analyzed multiple intraoperative variables and postoperative outcomes. Results All 100 patients successfully completed bilateral VATS, and at least unilateral lung received anatomical segmentectomy. Patients in the one-stage group were younger (P=0.040), had lower rate of comorbidities (P=0.030), were less likely to have a family history of lung cancer (P=0.018), and had a shorter interval between diagnosis and surgery (P=0.000) compared with patients in the two-stage group. Wedge resection on the opposite side was more common in the one-stage group (P=0.000), while lobectomy was more common in the two-stage group. The time to emerge from anesthesia in the one-stage group was longer than that in the first and second operations of the two-stage group (P=0.000, P=0.002). Duration of surgery and anesthesia were similar between two groups (P>0.05). Total number of lymph node stations for sampling and dissection (P=0.041) and lymph nodes involved (P=0.026) were less in the one-stage group. Intraoperative airway management was similar between two groups (P>0.05). The one-stage group was associated with lower activities of daily living (ADL) scores. Conclusion Segmentectomy is safe in one- or two-staged VATS for bilateral lung cancer, including contralateral sublobectomy and lobectomy. Duration of surgery and perioperative complications are similar between two groups, but the one-stage group is associated with lower ADL scores. On the basis of comprehensive consideration in psychological factors, physical conditions and personal wishes of patients, one-staged sequential bilateral VATS can be the first choice.
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.
Objective To explore the minimal invasiveness and practability of combined video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) with two trocars and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in the treatment of esophageal leiomyoma. Methods Between February 2007 and February 2012, we retrospectively analysed the clinical data of 166 patients who underwent various surgeries for the treatment of esophageal leiomyoma. Among them, 62 received routine thoracotomy (group A), 49 accepted conventional VATS surgery with three trocars (group B), and 55 underwent combined VATS surgery with two trocars and EUS (group C). Then, we summarized the clinical indexes of patients in all the three groups for further comparative analysis. Results There was no significant difference among the three groups in age, gender, and lesion location, origin level and size (P > 0.05). There were significant differences between group A and C in blood loss, surgery time, intraoperative localization, postoperative incision pain, hospitalization expenses, length of hospital stay, fasting time, pulmonary infection, and the complications during the follow-up (P < 0.05). There were significant differences between group C and B in blood loss, surgery time, intraoperative localization, fasting time and pulmonary infection (P < 0.05). Conclusion Combined VATS surgery with two trocars and EUS is safe, minimally invasive, thorough with few complications, which is worthy of clinical promotion.
A 54-year-old asymptomatic man underwent a video-assisted thoracoscopic left pneumonectomy for squamous-cell carcinoma. During the surgery, a complete left pericardial defect was unexpectedly discovered, but no special intervention was made. The preoperative chest CT was reciewed, which showed the heart extended unusually to the left, but the left pericardial defect was not evident. The operation time was 204 min and the patient was discharged from hospital upon recovery 9 days after the surgery. The pathological result indicated moderately differentiated squamous-cell carcinoma (T2N1M0, stage ⅡB), and metastasis was found in the parabronchial lymph nodes (3/5). The patient did not receive chemotherapy after the surgery, and there was no signs of recurrence 6 months after the surgery. Complete pericardial defects usually do not endanger the lives of patients, and if the patient is asymptomatic, pneumonectomy is feasible.
Objective To evaluate the validity of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) pneumonectomy in thoracic diseases treatment. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 34 consecutive patients who underwent VATS pneumonectomy in Xiangya Hospital Central South University between January 2013 and October 2015. There were 26 males and 8 females at age of 35–69 (53.8±7.7) years. Results VATS pneumonectomy was completed successfully in 32 patients (5.8% conversion rate). The average operation time was 182.5±52.4 min. The average blood loss was 217.1±1 834.8 ml. Chest tube drainage flow was 3–11 (6.0±1.7) days and postoperative hospital stay was 5–12 (7.6±1.8) days. Eleven patients got postoperative complications (34.3%), mainly pulmonary infections. The 32 patients were followed up for 10 (1–21) months. Two patients died of lung metastasis 16 or 17 months after the operation. One patient died of sudden cardiac arrest 3 months after operation. Bronchopleural fistula (BPF) happened in one patient after hospital discharge in 2 months. Conclusion VATS is feasible for pneumonectomy. However, further studies and follow-up are needed to verify the benefits of VATS pneumonectomy for lung cancer.
Objective To explore current view and application status of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery （VATS） of thoracic surgeons in some municipal hospitals in China，and provide evidence for further VATS study and training.Methods We conducted a questionnaire study for thoracic surgeons in municipal hospitals who attended the 5th West China Forum on Mini-invasive Thoracic Surgery in 2012. The questionnaire content included general descriptions of the thoracic surgeons，the departments of thoracic surgery where they worked，and VATS application status in their hospitals. A total of 263 surgeons were investigated，and 183 （69.58%） valid questionnaires were collected for descriptive analysis.Results （1） Responders’ view of VATS：There were 89.62% （164/183） responders who believed that the advantages of VATS were mainly mini-invasive and fast postoperative recovery，while its disadvantage was high cost （76.50%，140/183）. There were 71.04% （130/183） responders who thought that VATS lobectomy could provide a higher postoperative quality of life for lung cancer patients，while only 12.57% （23/183） responders thought that the 5-year survival rate of VATS was higher than that of open thoracotomy. There were 60.11% （110/183） responders who believed that VATS was less widely performed in China than America，but VATS level of very few hospitals in China was superior or equal to American level. There were 52.46% （96/183） responders who agreed that VATS could be used for the treatment of locally advanced lung cancer. （2） Training situation of VATS lobectomy for lung cancer：Learning class or short-term training （32.24%，59/183） was the best way to learn VATS lobectomy. Their main learning process was from open thoracotomy to mini- thoracotomy then to VATS （60.66%，111/183）. Single-direction thoracoscopic lobectomy was the most popular VATS technique （54.64%，100/183），and its learning curve was at least 30 cases （26.78%，49/183）. （3） VATS application status：VATS was performed in all the hospitals investigated. Benign thoracic diseases were most commonly chosen by thoracic surgeons who started to perform VATS （81.42%，149/183）. The main initial hurdles of VATS lobectomy for lung cancer included poor operation theater conditions and surgical teamwork （39.34%，72/183） as well as unsatisfactory surgical techniques （36.07%，66/183）. Further improvement of VATS technique （118/183，64.48%） was the developmental trend of VATS. Conclusions Thoracic surgeons in China have reached the consensus on the application of VATS for surgical treatment of thoracic diseases including lung cancer. Single-direction thoracoscopic lobectomy is a widely accepted technique. Further trends of VATS training and development are equipment upgrade and better teamwork.