Is faster better? Impact of operative time on postoperative outcomes after VATS anatomical pulmonary resection

BackgroundVideo-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is now the preferred approach for standard anatomical pulmonary resections. This study evaluates the impact of operative time (OT) on post-operative outcomes after VATS anatomical pulmonary resection for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed all consecutive patients undergoing VATS lobectomy or segmentectomy for NSCLC between November 2010 and December 2019. Postoperative outcomes were compared between short (<150 minutes) and long (≥150 minutes) OT groups. A multivariable analysis was performed to identify predictors of long OT and overall post-operative complications.ResultsA total of 670 patients underwent lobectomy (n=496, 74%) or segmentectomy (n=174, 26%) for NSCLC. Mediastinal lymph node dissection was performed in 621 patients (92.7%). The median OT was 141 minutes (SD: 47 minutes) and 387 patients (57.8%) were operated within 150 minutes. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was given in 25 patients (3.7%). Conversion thoracotomy was realized in 40 patients (6%). Shorter OT was significantly associated with decreased post-operative overall complication rate (30% vs. 41%; P=0.003), shorter median length of drainage (3 vs. 4 days; P<0.001) and shorter median length of hospital stay (6 vs. 7 days; P<0.001). On multivariable analysis, long OT (≥150 minutes) (OR 1.64, P=0.006), ASA score >2 (OR 1.87, P=0.001), FEV₁ <80% (OR 1.47, P=0.046) and DLCO <80% (OR 1.5, P=0.045) were significantly associated with postoperative complications. Two predictors of long OT were identified: neoadjuvant chemotherapy (OR 3.11, P=0.01) and lobectomy (OR 1.5, P=0.032).ConclusionsA prolonged OT is significantly associated with postoperative complications in our collective of patients undergoing VATS anatomical pulmonary resection.     

Severe intraoperative complications during VATS Lobectomy compared with thoracotomy lobectomy for early stage non-small cell lung cancer

Background

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy has been proved to have shorter hospital stay, less perioperative complications and less pain compared with lobectomy by thoracotomy, but severe intraoperative complications during VATS lobectomy is rare reported. We compared intraoperative safety between VATS lobectomy and lobectomy by thoracotomy.

Methods

659 patients with postoperative stage I and IIa non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who underwent lobectomy in China-Japan Friendship Hospital from February 2008 to June 2012 were analyzed retrospectively, in which 277 were performed by thoracotomy, 357 performed by VATS, and 25 performed by VATS converted to open. Outcomes were analyzed to compare the incidence of significant bleeding, with conversion cases were included into VATS group.

Results

Ten severe intraoperative complications were identified in 10 patients (6 in VATS, 4 in open), with no intraoperative deaths. The incidence of severe intraoperative complications was similar between VATS group and thoracotomy group [1.57% (6/382) vs. 1.44% (4/277), P=1.0]. Most severe intraoperative complications were related to the injury of major pulmonary vessels (9/10), and most of these complications occurred during upper lobectomy (8/10). There was no statistically significant difference in blood loss (242.85±220.47 vs. 240.43±144.36, P=0.865), and operative time (198.00±75.24 vs. 208.05±61.97, P=0.061) between the open and VATS groups, respectively, but blood loss and operative time are significant different after elimination of conversion cases (214.34±151.85 vs. 240.43±144.36, P<0.01; 193.24±72.64 vs. 208.05±61.97, P<0.01).

Conclusions

Our preliminary study demonstrated that the incidence of severe intraoperative complication during VATS lobectomy was low and similar to open lobectomy. The severe intraoperative complications during VATS lobectomy are manageable and the surgeons need to take proper caution in performing VATS lobectomy.KEY WORDS : Lung cancer surgery, lobectomy, bleeding, surgery complications     

Predictive value of radiological features on spread through air space in stage cIA lung adenocarcinoma

BackgroundSpread through air space (STAS) is a risk factor for disease recurrence in patients with stage IA lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) who undergo limited resection. Preoperative prediction of STAS could help intraoperative surgical decision-making in small LUAD patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the predictive value of radiological features on STAS in stage cIA LUAD.MethodsA case-control study was designed through retrospective analysis of the radiological features of patients who underwent curative surgery for LUAD with a clinical tumor size ≤3 cm. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to identify the independent risk factors for STAS. The predicted probability of STAS was calculated by a specific formula. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine a cut-off value with appropriate specificity while maintaining high sensitivity for STAS positivity.ResultsSTAS was frequently observed in acinar predominant (P<0.001), micropapillary predominant (P<0.001) and solid predominant (P<0.001) tumors and was significantly associated with larger pT size (P<0.001), presence of micropapillary component (P<0.001), lymphovascular invasion (LVI) (P<0.001), visceral pleura invasion (VPI) (P<0.001), both N1 and N2 lymph node metastasis (P<0.001) and ALK rearrangement (P<0.001). STAS-positivity was significantly associated with the presence of cavitation (P=0.047), lobulation (P=0.009), air bronchogram (P<0.001), and vascular convergence (P=0.016) and was also associated with greater maximum tumor diameter (P<0.001), maximum solid component diameter (P<0.001), maximum tumor area (P<0.001), consolidation/tumor ratio (CTR) (P<0.001), tumor disappearance ratio (TDR) (P<0.001) and computed tomography (CT) value (P<0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that STAS was associated with air bronchogram (P=0.042), maximum tumor diameter (P=0.015), maximum solid component diameter (P=0.022) and CTR (P<0.001). The ROC curve showed that the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.726 in the model for predicting STAS, with a sensitivity and specificity of 95.2% and 36.8%, respectively.ConclusionsSTAS-positive LUAD was associated with air bronchogram, maximum tumor diameter, maximum solid component diameter and CTR. These radiological features could predict STAS with excellent sensitivity but inferior specificity.     

Self-assisting robot-assisted pulmonary lobectomy has favorable outcome compared to VATS lobectomy

BackgroundOpen and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) pulmonary lobectomy requires a skilled assistant to complete the operation. A potential benefit of a robot is to allow a surgeon to complete the operation autonomously. We sought to determine the safety of performing robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy with self-assistance.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of self-assisting robot-assisted lobectomy. We evaluated the intraoperative and postoperative outcomes. We compared the outcome to the propensity matched group of patients who had VATS lobectomy. We also compared them to published outcomes of robot-assisted lobectomy.Results95 patients underwent self-assisted lobectomies. The median age was 70 years old, predominately female (57%) and white (85%) with 90% of patients undergoing surgery for cancer. The median of estimated blood loss was 25 mL during the operation with no conversions to open thoracotomies. After the operation, 17% of patients had major postoperative complications with a median length of stay of 2 days. At thirty-day follow-up, the readmission rate was 6.5%, with a mortality of 0%. Compared to the propensity matched VATS lobectomy group, there was significantly less conversion to open surgery (n=0, 0% vs. n=10, 12.2%, P=0.002), less intraoperative blood transfusions (n=0, 0% vs. n=6, 7.3%, P=0.03), less any complications (n=20, 24.4% vs. n=41, 50%, P=0.003), and less median length of stay (2 days, IQR 2, 5 days vs. 4 day, IQR 3, 6 days, P<0.001) in the self-assisting robot lobectomy group. Compared to published outcomes of robot-assisted lobectomy, our series had significantly fewer conversions to open (P=0.03), shorter length of stay (P<0.001), more discharges to home (93.7%) without a difference in procedure time (P=0.38), overall complication rates (P=0.16) and mortality (P=0.62).ConclusionsSelf-assistance using the robot technology during pulmonary lobectomy had few technical complications and acceptable morbidity, length of stay, and mortality. This group had favorable outcome compared to VATS lobectomy. The ability to self-assist during pulmonary lobectomy is an additional benefit of the robot technology compared to open and VATS lobectomy.     

Comparison of two preoperative positioning techniques and unpositioning methods in non-intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery

BackgroundUsing the non-intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) approach for small pulmonary nodules (SPNs) can accelerate patients’ postoperative recovery. However, locating the SPNs intraoperatively by palpation can be difficult for thoracic surgeons. The advantages of using different preoperative positioning materials are different, especially for pulmonary-nodule-location-needle (P-N-L-N) and the microcoil. This retrospective study analyzed the advantages of two preoperative positioning techniques for VATS under non-intubation anesthesia.MethodsThe data were collected for a total of 150 patients with pulmonary nodules who underwent non-intubated VATS at the First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province from January 2018 to January 2021. The patients were divided into a preoperative positioning group (including a P-N-L-N group and microcoil group) and an unlocalized group. These included patients were all compliant with surgical guidelines and were suitable for preoperative localization. Their intraoperative and postoperative indicators were compared, and among these indicators, the operative time, number of postoperative drainage days, postoperative total drainage volume, postoperative discharge time was efficacy group and the intraoperative blood loss was safety group.ResultsPreoperative localization helped surgeons to explore nodules faster intraoperatively and remove SPNs precisely under non-intubated VATS. But the advantages of using different preoperative positioning materials are different. Positioning with either microcoil or P-N-L-N resulted in less operation time (P-N-L-N group: 94.90±28.42 min, microcoil group: 112.80±28.6 min, P<0.05), less intraoperative blood loss (P-N-L-N group: 35.80±21.17 mL, microcoil group: 75.00±65.22 mL, P<0.001) and less postoperative thoracic drainage volume (P-N-L-N group: 64.90±181.96 mL, microcoil group: 648.52±708.81 mL, P<0.001). However, the postoperative discharge time (P-N-L-N group: 5.02±1.35 days, microcoil group: 5.40±2.79 days, P=0.38) and postoperative drainage time(P-N-L-N group: 2.58±1.70 days, microcoil group: 3.18±2.49 days, P=0.16) was not statistically significant. Positioning with P-N-L-N seemed to have a better auxiliary effect for non-intubated VATS, suggesting its use can assist surgeons to determine the location of the lesion more accuracy intraoperatively. There was no significant difference in the pathological results among the groups.ConclusionsLocalization of SPNs is beneficial in non-intubated VATS, and the use of P-N-L-N was more effective than the microcoil in reducing operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative total drainage volume, and postoperative discharge time.     

The learning curve of thoracoscopic surgery in a single surgeon and successful implementation of uniportal approach

BackgroundIn some institutions, a recently introduced uniportal approach has replaced the multiportal approach for thoracoscopic major pulmonary resection. This study investigated the effect of this change on the surgical learning curve by examining the perioperative results of a single surgeon.MethodsBetween April 2012 and August 2020, 376 patients with primary lung cancer underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy with ND2a-1/2 lymphadenectomy in the authors’ hospital. Surgery was performed by one of the authors in 189 of these patients, who were thus enrolled in this retrospective study. The surgeries were classified chronologically into five phases and the operative time, rate of intraoperative massive bleeding, and rate of postoperative prolonged air leak (PAL) were then compared. The learning curve (i.e., operative time) was assessed by Spearman’s rank correlation test. The perioperative results achieved with the uniportal and multiportal approaches were also compared before and after the patients were matched for their characteristics based on the propensity score.ResultsThe five phases differed significantly with respect to the operative time and rate of postoperative PAL (P<0.0001, P=0.0061). The correlation between operative time and number of consecutive cases was also significant (r=−0.579, P<0.0001). Superior results in terms of operative time (P<0.0001), duration of postoperative drainage (P<0.0001), and rate of postoperative PAL (P=0.0034) were obtained using a uniportal rather than multiportal approach.ConclusionsThe transition from a multiportal to a uniportal approach did not cause a decline in the learning curve of thoracoscopic lobectomy with ND2a-1/2 lymphadenectomy.     

The safety and feasibility of three-dimension single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for the treatment of early-stage lung cancer

BackgroundVideo-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been widely used in the lung resections. Reports regarding three-dimension (3D) single-port VATS are very limited. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the perioperative outcomes of 3D single-port VATS in a single medical center.MethodsTotally 523 clinical stage I lung cancer patients underwent surgical resection through VATS operation between September 2016 and October 2017 in our single institution were retrospectively collected and 374 were enrolled. The comparison between 3D single-port VATS and conventional VATS (c-VATS), single-port VATS was conducted focusing on intraoperative and postoperative outcomes. Continuous and categorical variables were analyzed through SPSS software.ResultsThe 3D singe-port VATS demonstrated no significant difference neither on the intraoperative outcomes including the operative time and the intraoperative blood loss nor the postoperative outcomes including the length of drainage duration and postoperative complications when against c-VATS and single-port VATS. Besides, 3D singe-port VATS elucidated comparable ability of lymph node dissection with c-VATS in subgroup analysis (P=0.192), both of which were better than single-port VATS group (P<0.001). What’s more, the rate of conversion as well as hospital stays of 3D single-port group were also comparable. In subgroup analysis, 3D singe-port VATS also elucidated its safety and feasibility when dealing with routine thoracic surgeries including lobectomy and segmentectomy.Conclusions3D single-port VATS, integrating the advantages of single-port VATS and three-dimensional vision of 3D VATS, is a safe and feasible technique and is promising for next-generation thoracoscopic surgery.     

Size and extranodal extension of metastatic lymph nodes in lung adenocarcinoma

BackgroundThis study assessed the prognostic significance of metastatic lymph node size (MLNS) and extranodal extension (EN) in patients with node-positive lung adenocarcinoma (ADC).MethodsPrognostic factors influencing survival were analyzed, including age, sex, extent of operation, T- and N-stage, size of tumor, postoperative chemotherapy, presence of EN, and MLNS (>7.0 vs. ≤7.0 mm).ResultsThree hundred seventy-five patients met the inclusion criteria were enrolled (mean age: 59.8±10.5 years). Increasing MLNS was significantly correlated with large tumor size (P=0.015), advanced N status (P<0.001), and presence of EN (P<0.001). In multivariable analysis, large tumor size [hazard ratio (HR) 1.135, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.050 to 1.228, P<0.001], adjuvant chemotherapy (HR 0.582, 95% CI: 0.430 to 0.787, P<0.001), EN (HR 1.454, 95% CI: 1.029 to 2.055, P=0.034), and MLNS greater than 7 mm (HR 1.741, 95% CI: 1.238 to 2.447, P<0.001) were significant prognostic factors for survival. Patients were classified into 3 groups: Group A, MLNS ≤7.0 mm/EN (−); Group B, MLNS ≤7.0 mm/EN (+) or MLNS >7.0 mm/EN (−); and Group C, MLNS >7.0 mm/EN (+). The 5-year overall survival (OS) was 72.2%, 59.0%, and 38.5% in Groups A, B and C, respectively (P<0.001).ConclusionsThe MLNS and presence of EN could provide an important prognostic implication for patients with node-positive lung ADC.     

Comparative study of systematic thoracoscopic lymphadenectomy and conventional thoracotomy in resectable non-small cell lung cancer

Objective

To assess the feasibility and safety of the video-assisted thoracoscopy surgery (VATS) systematic lymph node dissection in resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

The clinical data of patients with NSCLC who underwent VATS or thoracotomy combined with lobectomy and systematic lymphadenectomy from January 2001 to January 2008 were retrospectively analyzed to identify their demographic parameters, number of dissected lymph nodes and postoperative complications.

Results

A total of 5,620 patients were enrolled in this study, with 2,703 in the VATS group, including 1,742 men (64.4%), and 961 women (35.6%), aged 59.5±10.9 years; and 2,917 in the thoracotomy group, including 2,163 men (74.2%), and 754 women (25.8%), aged 58.5±10.4 years. Comparing the VATS with the thoracotomy groups, the mean operative time was 146 vs. 157 min, with a significant difference (P<0.001); and the average blood loss was 162 vs. 267 mL, with a significant difference (P<0.001). Comparing the two groups of patients data, the number of lymph node dissection: 18.03 in the VATS group and 15.07 in the thoracotomy group on average, with a significant difference (P<0.001); postoperative drainage time: 4.5 days in the VATS group and 6.37 days in the thoracotomy group on average, with a significant difference (P<0.001); postoperative hospital stay: 6.5 days in the VATS group and 8.37 days in the thoracotomy group on average, with a significant difference (P<0.001); proportion of postoperative chylothorax: 0.2% (4/2,579) in the VATS group and 0.4% (10/2,799) in the thoracotomy group, without significant difference (P>0.05).

Conclusions

For patients with resectable NSCLC, VATS systematic lymph node dissection is safe and effective with fewer postoperative complications, and significantly faster postoperative recovery compared with traditional open chest surgery.     

Uniportal thoracoscopic pulmonary segmentectomy provides good perioperative results and early postoperative recovery

BackgroundAlthough video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) segmentectomy has become widespread, the advantage of uniportal VATS (U-VATS) segmentectomy over multiportal VATS (M-VATS) remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to verify the safety and usefulness of U-VATS segmentectomy compared with conventional hybrid/multiportal segmentectomy.MethodsHere, we retrospectively reviewed the data from anatomical pulmonary segmentectomy cases in a single institution from March 2010 to March 2021. Patients were divided into the U-VATS and hybrid/multiportal VATS (H/M-VATS) groups. Perioperative results were compared between the groups after matching for patient background characteristics. In addition, cases of complex segmentectomy were selected from each group and compared in terms of perioperative results.ResultsA total of 180 patients underwent pulmonary segmentectomy during the study period at this institution, comprising 57 cases in the U-VATS group and 123 cases in the H/M-VATS group. After matching for age, sex, disease, tumor location, and type of segmentectomy, no significant differences between the groups were seen in blood loss, major intraoperative bleeding, rate of conversion to thoracotomy, postoperative complications, or re-hospitalization within 30 days after discharge. Operation time (141±46 vs. 174±45 min, P<0.001), postoperative drainage duration (1.5±1.2 vs. 2.3±1.8 days, P=0.007), and postoperative hospital stay (3.4±2.0 vs. 4.6±2.5 days, P=0.006) were significantly lower in the U-VATS group. Subgroup analysis of the complex segmentectomy cases also revealed that operation time (146±34 vs. 185±47 min, P<0.001), postoperative drainage duration (1.5±1.3 vs. 2.2±1.2 days, P=0.021), and postoperative hospital stay (3.0±1.4 vs. 4.9±2.1 days, P<0.001) were significantly reduced in the U-VATS group.ConclusionsU-VATS segmentectomy appears as safe and feasible as H/M-VATS segmentectomy. An experienced surgeon can make a smooth transition to U-VATS.     

Decreased postoperative complications,neuropathic pain and epidural anesthesia-free effect of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic anatomical lung resection: a single-center initial experience of 100 cases

BackgroundWe aimed to analyze perioperative complications, postoperative neuropathic pain, and the necessity of epidural anesthesia in uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (U-VATS) compared to conventional multiportal VATS (M-VATS) for anatomical lung resection.MethodsThis retrospective study included all patients who underwent elective VATS lobectomy and segmentectomy between April 2016 and December 2019. The exclusion criteria were as follows: age ≤19 years, planned thoracotomy, re-operation in thoracic surgery, median sternotomy, robot-assisted thoracic surgery, simultaneous resection of extrathoracic organs, locally invasive lung tumor with bronchoplasty or angioplasty, past or current neuropathic pain, and a large tumor with a minimum diameter ≥5 cm. M-VATS had 4 ports approach. U-VATS port positions were placed by extending the thoracoscope port of M-VATS.ResultsU-VATS patients showed significant differences compared to M-VATS patients: smaller intraoperative bleeding (1 vs. 30 mL; P=0.0010), shorter operative time (141 vs. 183 min; P<0.0001), post-hospitalization (5 vs. 8 days; P=0.0002), fewer complications (23.9% vs. 40.9%; P=0.048), less acute pain, less postoperative neuropathic pain (32.4% vs. 52.1%; P=0.027) and shorter duration of neuropathic pain (30 vs. 60 days; P=0.041). For the postoperative neuropathic pain and pain score until postoperative day 5, there were no differences between the groups with and without epidural anesthesia.ConclusionsAs a single-center initial experience, U-VATS lobectomy and segmentectomy seemed safe and minimally invasive based on not only postoperative neuropathic pain and complications but also time management. U-VATS would provide better pain control, without epidural anesthesia.     

Quantitation and predictors of short-term mortality following extrapleural pneumonectomy,pleurectomy/decortication,and nonoperative management for malignant pleural mesothelioma

BackgroundFor malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), the benefit of resection, as well as the optimal surgical technique, remain controversial. In efforts to better refine patient selection, this retrospective observational cohort study queried the National Cancer Database in an effort to quantify and evaluate predictors of 30- and 90-day mortality between extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) and pleurectomy/decortication (P/D), as well as nonoperative management.MethodsAfter applying selection criteria, cumulative incidences of mortality by treatment paradigm were graphed for the unadjusted and propensity-matched populations, as well as for six a priori age-based intervals (≤60, 61–65, 66–70, 71–75, 76–80, and ≥81 years). The interaction between age and hazard ratio (HR) for mortality between treatment paradigms was also graphed. Cox multivariable analysis ascertained factors independently associated with 30- and 90-day mortality.ResultsOf 10,723 patients, 2,125 (19.8%) received resection (n=438 EPP, n=1,687 P/D) and 8,598 (80.2%) underwent nonoperative management. The unadjusted 30/90-day mortality for EPP, P/D, and all operated cases was 3.0%/8.0%, 5.4%/14.1%, and 4.9%/12.8%, respectively. There were no short-term mortality differences between EPP and P/D following propensity-matching, within each age interval, or between age subgroups on interaction testing (P>0.05 for all). Nonoperative patients had a crude 30- and 90-day mortality of 9.9% and 24.6%, respectively. Several variables were identified as predictors of short-term mortality, notably patient age (HR 1.022, P<0.001), Charlson-Deyo comorbidity index (HR 1.882, P<0.001), receipt of treatment at high-volume centers (HR 0.834, P=0.032) and induction chemotherapy (HR 1.735, P=0.025), among others. The patient (yearly) incremental increase in age conferred 2.0% (30 day) and 2.2% (90 day) increased risk of mortality (P<0.001).ConclusionsQuantitative estimates of age-associated 30- and 90-day mortality of EPP and P/D should be considered when potentially operable patients are counseled regarding the risks and benefits of resection.     

Indocyanine green fluorescence-navigated thoracoscopy versus traditional inflation-deflation approach in precise uniportal segmentectomy: a short-term outcome comparative study

BackgroundUniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) segmentectomy is widely used in the field of thoracic surgery. However, anatomical variations in the bronchi and lung vessels may be critical obstacles during precise pulmonary segmentectomy. Thus, it is necessary to optimize uniportal VATS segmentectomy and to accurately identify the plane between lung segments by precisely transecting the bronchi and blood vessels of the lung segments. The indocyanine green fluorescence (ICGF)-based method has the potential to be a feasible and effective technique to facilitate the uniportal VATS segmentectomy. The present study aims at comparing the short-term outcomes of ICGF versus the traditional inflation-deflation method for uniportal VATS segmentectomy.MethodsThe perioperative clinical data in 200 consecutive patients undergoing uniportal VATS segmentectomy from December 2018 to August 2020 at Shanghai Chest Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. The targeted segment structures were identified and dissected precisely by using ICGF-based (N=100) or the traditional inflation-deflation (N=100) methods. The parameters of intraoperative blood loss and operation time, postoperative drainage volume, air leakage time, drainage tube retention time, length of hospital stay, and complications in the ICGF group were collected. Further, the operation time between the ICGF and the inflation-deflation groups was compared. The data summary and statistical analysis were performed by SPSS 19.0. P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsNo massive hemorrhage, hypoxemia, allergy, conversion to lobectomy, or wedge resection was noted during the surgery. ICGF groups resulted in a shorter operative time (90±11.46 vs. 118±10.59 min, P<0.001). No postoperative complications were observed, e.g., bronchopleural fistula, hemoptysis, or atelectasis. All patients were discharged as routinely scheduled. No disease recurrence or metastasis was found during the follow-ups.ConclusionsOur study indicated that the ICGF-based navigation approach is a simple, effective, and reliable technique that can greatly facilitate the uniportal VATS segmentectomy.     

Effects of 24-hour postoperative intravenous fluid on postoperative outcomes after lobectomy: a retrospective observational study

BackgroundPostoperative fluid management plays a key role in providing adequate tissue perfusion, stabilizing hemodynamics, and reducing morbidities related to hemodynamics. This study evaluated the dose-response relationship between postoperative 24-hour intravenous fluid volume and postoperative outcomes in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy.MethodsA retrospective analysis of adult patients with NSCLC undergoing VATS lobectomy between May 2016 and April 2017 was performed. The primary exposure variable was total intravenous crystalloid infusion in the 24-hour postoperative period. The observation outcomes were postoperative pulmonary complications, acute kidney injury (AKI), in-hospital mortality, readmission within 30 days, prolonged hospital stay, postoperative length of stay, and total hospital care costs. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.ResultsOf the 563 patients, 136 (24.2%) with pulmonary complications were observed. Binary logistics regression showed that, relative to the group with moderate postoperative 24-hour crystalloid infusion, the risk for postoperative pulmonary complications was significantly increased in the restrictive [odds ratio (OR) 1.815, 95% CI: 1.083–3.043; P=0.024] and liberal (OR 2.692, 95% CI: 1.684–4.305; P<0.001) groups.ConclusionsIn patients with NSCLC undergoing VATS lobectomy, both restrictive and liberal 24-hour postoperative crystalloid infusions were related to adverse effects on postoperative outcomes and the optimal volume of 24-hour postoperative intravenous crystalloid infusion was 1,080–<1,410 mL.     

Outcomes and quality of life after Robot-assisted lobectomy/segmentectomy for lung cancer compared to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: both three-port procedures performed by a single surgeon

BackgroundAt present, research comparing robot-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in lobectomy/segmentectomy for lung cancer is insufficient. This paper aimed to compare the safety, short-term efficacy, quality of life (QoL), and delayed complications at 6 weeks postoperatively via a retrospectively controlled study by a single surgeon.MethodsA total of 110 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases from December 2020 to May 2021 were enrolled in this retrospective study, and were divided into RATS and VATS groups (both three-port procedures) according to the patients’ preference. The propensity-score matching method was applied to control the potential differences. The patients were treated with lobectomy/segmentectomy for lung cancer by RATS or VATS, and the safety outcomes were evaluated. The follow-up was initiated after surgery, and the outcome assessments including hospitalization costs, short-term efficacy, pain and QoL, were collected and analyzed.ResultsBoth matched groups achieved a R0 resection rate of 100%. The average operation time of the RATS group was 21 minutes shorter than VATS (P<0.01), and the average hospitalization costs of the RATS group was 17,746 China Yuan higher than VATS (P<0.01). Furthermore, the visual analogue pain scores of the RATS group were lower than those of the VATS group at 1 day and 6 weeks postoperatively (2.53±0.86 vs. 3.88±0.88 and 0.35±0.65 vs. 0.74±0.88, respectively, P<0.05). Moreover, the core QoL scale score for cancer patients in the RATS group were higher than those of the VATS group at 6 weeks postoperatively (98.64±5.73 vs. 93.02±15.21, respectively, P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in the other indicators.ConclusionsDespite its high cost, RATS showed considerable potential for reducing the operation time and improving the QoL of patients. Meanwhile, RATS and VATS exhibited similar perioperative safety and short-term efficacy in lobectomy and segmentectomy.     

Association of marital status with cardiovascular outcome in patients with breast cancer

BackgroundThe influences of marital status on cardiovascular death risk in patients with breast cancer remained unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the associations of different marital status with cardiovascular death risk in patients with breast cancer.MethodsA total of 182,666 female breast cancer patients were enrolled in this study from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 2010 to 2014, and was divided into two groups: married (N=107,043) and unmarried (N=75,623). A 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to reduce inter-group bias between the two groups. Competing-risks model was used to assess the associations between different marital status and cardiovascular death risk in patients with breast cancer.ResultsAfter PSM, marital status was an independent predictor for cardiovascular death in patients with breast cancer. Unmarried condition was associated with increased cardiovascular death risk than married condition among breast cancer patients [unadjusted model: hazard ratio (HR) =2.012, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.835–2.208, P<0.001; Model 1: HR =1.958, 95% CI: 1.785–2.148, P<0.001; Model 2: HR =1.954, 95% CI: 1.781–2.144, P<0.001; Model 3: HR =1.920, 95% CI: 1.748–2.107, P<0.001]. With the exception of separated condition (adjusted HR =0.886, 95% CI: 0.474–1.658, P=0.705), further unmarried subgroups analysis showed that the other three unmarried status were associated with increased cardiovascular death risk as follows: single (adjusted HR =1.623, 95% CI: 1.421–1.853, P<0.001), divorced (adjusted HR =1.394, 95% CI: 1.209–1.608, P<0.001), and widowed (adjusted HR =2.460, 95% CI: 2.227–2.717, P<0.001). In particularly, widowed condition showed the highest cardiovascular death risk in all 4 unmarried subgroups.ConclusionsUnmarried condition (e.g., single, divorced and widowed) was associated with elevated cardiovascular death risk compared with their married counterparts in patients with breast cancer, suggesting that more attention and humanistic care should be paid to unmarried breast cancer patients (especially the widowed patients) in the management of female breast cancer patients.     

Futile lobectomies following video-thoracoscopic exploration for indeterminate pulmonary nodules: a retrospective study

BackgroundLung cancer screening is correlated with an increase in detection of small indeterminate pulmonary nodules and these nodules often require operative resection to obtain the diagnosis. In suspected early-stage lung cancer, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has become the preferred option. In this context of minimally invasive surgery, diagnostic wedge resection is sometimes difficult to perform for small deep impalpable nodules. So, our purpose was to determine whether performing VATS for indeterminate pulmonary nodule increases the risk of lobectomy for benign lesions.MethodsA retrospective analysis was carried out in our center from January 2013 to January 2019 on patients who underwent resection for a solitary pulmonary nodule suspicious for cancer. Resection method, frozen section analysis, post-operative outcomes, operative and pathology reports were reviewed.ResultsSix hundred fifty-one patients underwent surgical exploration for a solitary pulmonary nodule. Thirty hundred and forty-five patients underwent VATS and 306 patients underwent thoracotomy. Patients in the VATS group underwent significantly more wedge resections (P=0.012) and diagnosis of lung cancer was significantly more frequent in the thoracotomy group (P<0.001). One hundred and thirty-two patients (38.3%) in the VATS group and 60 patients (19.6%) in the thoracotomy group underwent lobectomy without frozen section analysis of the pulmonary nodule. There was no significant difference in terms of lobectomy performed for a benign lesion between the two groups.ConclusionsVATS was associated with a higher rate of benign lesion resection but was not associated with a higher rate of lobectomies for benign lesion in our study.     

The sST2 level is an independent influencing factor associated with atrial fibrillation in heart failure patients: a case-control study

BackgroundMost heart failure (HF) patients were complicated with atrial fibrillation (AF). Previous study has reported a correlation between soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) and HF. While the association between sST2 and AF in HF patients remains elusive, which will strengthen our understanding of sST2 in HF patients.MethodsIn the study, a case-control study was conducted with 306 HF patients enrolled from June 2019 to June 2020 at Beijing Anzhen Hospital. All the patients were divided into the following two groups, based on whether they AF complications prior to admission: (I) the HF group (patients with HF alone) and the HF-AF group (HF patients complicated with AF). Baseline data and sST2 levels were assessed and compared between the two groups, and the influencing factors associated with AF in HF patients were screened.ResultsThe sST2 level in the HF-AF group was 40.6 (25.9–53.6) ng/mL, which was significantly higher than that in the HF group [23.7 (16.3–35.9) ng/mL] (P<0.001). Correlation analysis showed that sST2 level in the HF-AF group was positively correlated with age (r=0.287, P=0.001), New York Heart Association (NYHA) grade (r=0.470, P<0.0001), left ventricular diameter (LVD) (r=0.311, P=0.001), serum creatinine (r=0.320, P<0.0001), NT-pro-brain natriuretic peptide (r=0.540, P<0.0001), and D-dimer (r=0.322, P<0.0001), and negatively correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (r=−0.259, P=0.004), hemoglobin (r=−0.188, P=0.039), and glomerular filtration rate (r=−0.283, P=0.002). Logistic regression analysis results indicated that history of coronary heart disease [odds ratio (OR): 0.176, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.081–0.380, P<0.0001], LVEF (OR: 0.956, 95% CI: 0.915–0.998, P=0.039), LVD (OR: 1.156, 95% CI: 1.059–1.261, P=0.001), left arterial diameter (OR: 0.761, 95% CI: 0.695–0.833, P<0.0001), and sST2 (OR: 0.942, 95% CI: 0.917–0.967, P<0.0001) were independent influencing factors associated with AF in HF patients.ConclusionsThe sST2 level is an independent influencing factor associated with AF in HF patients, which may favor to optimize the clinical strategies in the management of HF patients complicated with AF.     

Left- and right-sided video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy exhibit similar effects on myasthenia gravis

Background

Unilateral video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) thymectomy features less operative trauma, improved cosmesis, and similar efficiency compared with transsternal (TS) thymectomy for treatment of patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). Unilateral VATS thymectomy can be easily performed from either side of the thorax, because thymus is located in the middle of mediastinum. Nevertheless, the side that provides better outcomes remains controversial. This study presents our experience on treatments for MG and reveals the differences between the unilateral VATS thymectomy performed on each side.

Methods

Eighty-one consecutive patients with MG who underwent TS or VATS thymectomy on either side between January 2003 and December 2012 were enrolled in the study. Clinicopathologic data and surgical outcomes were retrospectively analyzed and compared among different surgical approaches.

Results

TS thymectomy was administered in 50 patients, whereas unilateral VATS approaches were performed on the remaining 31 patients, 15 on the left side and 16 on the right side. The VATS group exhibited a significantly shorter surgery duration (P<0.001), less intraoperative blood loss (P=0.009), shorter postoperative hospital stay (P=0.025), smaller thoracic drainage volume (P=0.033), shorter thoracic drainage duration (P=0.006), and less postoperative complications (P<0.001) compared with the TS group. However, disease remission rates did not significantly differ among the groups (P=0.988). The left-sided group exhibited considerably longer thoracic drainage duration than the right-sided group (P=0.041). Moreover, surgical time (P=0.736), intraoperative blood loss (P=0.281), postoperative hospital stay (P=0.599), thoracic drainage volume (P=0.571), postoperative complications (P=0.742) and therapeutic effect (P=1.000) did not significantly differ among the groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that the ocular type of MG is the only independent factor for clinical remission (P=0.002).

Conclusions

Unilateral VATS thymectomy can reduce surgical risks and shorten hospitalization duration without threatening the therapeutic effect. This technique can be safely and effectively performed by experienced surgeons in either side of the thorax.     

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery segmentectomy by non-intubated or intubated anesthesia: a comparative analysis of short-term outcome

Background

The aim of this study was to reveal the short-term outcomes of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) segmentectomy without tracheal intubation compared with intubated general anesthesia with one-lung ventilation (OLV).

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of our institutional database of consecutive 140 patients undergoing VATS anatomical segmentectomy from July 2011 to June 2015. Among them, 48 patients were treated without tracheal intubation using a combination of thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA), intrathoracic vagal blockade, and sedation (non-intubated group). The other 92 patients were treated with intubated general anesthesia (intubated group). Safety and feasibility was evaluated by comparing the perioperative profiles and short-term outcomes of these two groups.

Results

Two groups had comparable surgical durations, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative chest tube drainage volume, and numbers of dissected lymph nodes (P>0.05). Patients who underwent non-intubated segmentectomy had higher peak end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO₂) during operation (44.81 vs. 33.15 mmHg, P<0.001), less white blood cell changes before and after surgery (△WBC) (6.08×10⁹ vs. 7.75×10⁹, P=0.004), earlier resumption of oral intake (6.76 vs. 17.58 hours, P<0.001), shorter duration of postoperative chest tube drainage (2.25 vs. 3.16 days, P=0.047), less cost of anesthesia (¥5,757.19 vs. ¥7,401.85, P<0.001), and a trend toward shorter postoperative hospital stay (6.04 vs. 7.83 days, P=0.057). One patient (2.1%) in the non-intubated group required conversion to intubated OLV since a significant mediastinal movement. In the intubated group, there was one patient (1.1%) required conversion to thoracotomy due to uncontrolled bleeding. The incidence difference of postoperative complications between groups was not significant (P=0.248). There was no in-hospital death in either group.

Conclusions

Compared with intubated general anesthesia, non-intubated thoracoscopic segmentectomy is a safe, technically feasible and economical alternative with comparable short-term outcomes. Patients underwent non-intubated thoracoscopic segmentectomy could gain a prompt recovery.