Extended segmentectomy for small lung tumors

To identify the benefits of limited surgery on small-sized lung tumors, the following subjects are discussed: 1) an updated report from a prospective group study (January 1992-December 1994) for extended segmentectomy for small lung tumors (n = 55); 2) a histopathological study of resected adenocarcinoma specimens less than 2 cm in size (n = 94), proposed by Noguchi; and 3) lung function after limited surgery and the quality of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. RESULTS: 1) Among 10 deaths, 4 patients died of their disease including one with local recurrence. The survival rate at 5 years was 91%, not including 6 unrelated deaths. 2) Of 94 patients, twelve with localized bronchioalveolar tumors (type A and B), and 23 of 57 patients with active fibroblastic proliferation (type C), underwent extended segmentectomy. Those 35 patients are all free of disease. The remaining 59 patients had a 70% 5-year survival rate. 3) Forced vital capacity was maintained at 92% of the preoperative level, which was much better than 81% for patients undergoing lobectomy. Card-sized thoracotomy using a thoracoscope was carried out in 92 patients, including 21 patients who underwent segmentectomy, in a series of 175 consecutive lung cancer operations. This approach resulted in less bleeding, the same operating time, and better preservation of vital capacity. CONCLUSIONS: Extended segmentectomy for small lung tumors did not affect the prognosis, and was associated with a better quality of life postoperatively.     

Analysis of lobectomy for small peripheral lung cancer supports extended segmentectomy

We reviewed the records of 53 patients who underwent lobectomy for peripheral non-small cell lung cancer under 2 cm in diameter and established a rationale for segmentectomy with intraoperative lymph nodes dissection (extended segmentectomy). Five patients (9.4%) had intrapulmonary metastases. Nodal status was NO in 34 patients (64.2%), N1 in 7 (13.2%), and N2 in 12 (22.6%). Based on examination of intraoperative frozen sections, 31 patients lacking lymph node metastases and visceral pleural involvement could have been candidates for extended segmentectomy. Twenty-seven had stage I disease on postoperative examination of paraffin-embedded sections. Of the remaining 4 patients, 1 had involvement of intrapulmonary lymph nodes in the segment where the primary lesion originated. Another patient had involvement only at the first mediastinal lymph node level, representing a “skipping metastasis”. The remaining 2 patients had no lymph node involvement, but had intrapulmonary metastases in the same segments as the primary lesion. We conclude that an extended segmentectomy may be as effective as lobectomy for treatment of peripheral non-small cell lung cancer under 2 cm in diameter without evident lymph node involvement.     

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) segmentectomy for small peripheral lung cancer tumors: intermediate results

Background We investigated the feasibility and suitability of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) segmentectomy for curing selected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with this less invasive technique Methods We performed VATS segmentectomy for small (<20 nm) peripherally located tumors and pathologically confirmed lobar lymph node-negative disease by frozen-section examination during surgery. Of the 34 patients who underwent this limited resection, 22 were treated with complete hilar and mediastinal lymph node dissection (intentional group), whereas 12 patients who were deemed to be high risk in their toleration for lobectomy underwent VATS segmentectomy with incomplete hilar and mediastinal lymph node dissection (compromised group). The surgical and clinical parameters were evaluated and compared with those of segmentectomy under standard thoracotomy to evaluate the technical feasibility of VATS segmentectomy. Results We found that VATS segmentectomy could be performed safely with a nil mortality rate and acceptably low morbidity. The mean period of observation was relatively short at 656.7±572.1 and 783.4±535.8 days in the intentional and compromised groups, respectively. At the time of writing, all intentional patients remain alive and free of recurrence. There were two cases of non-cancer-related death in the compromised group. Clinical data indicated that VATS segmentectomy caused the same number or fewer surgical insults compared with segmen-tectomy under standard thoractomy Conclusions The present results are intermediate only; the rate of long-term survival and the advantages of the less invasive procedure still need further investigation. Nevertheless, we believe that VATS segmentectomy with complete lymph node dissection is a reasonable treatment option for selected patients with small peripheral NSCLC.     

Pulmonary function after segmentectomy for small peripheral carcinoma of the lung.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to compare the pulmonary function after a segmentectomy with that after a lobectomy for small peripheral carcinoma of the lung. Patients And Methods: Between 1993 and 1996, segmentectomy and lobectomy were performed on 48 and 133 good-risk patients, respectively. Lymph node metastases were detected after the operation in 6 and 24 patients of the segmentectomy and lobectomy groups, respectively. For bias reduction in comparison with a nonrandomized control group, we paired 40 segmentectomy patients with 40 lobectomy patients using nearest available matching method on the estimated propensity score. RESULTS: Twelve months after the operation, the segmentectomy and lobectomy groups had forced vital capacities of 2.67 +/- 0.73 L (mean +/- standard deviation) and 2.57 +/- 0.59 L, which were calculated to be 94.9% +/- 10.6% and 91.0% +/- 13.2% of the preoperative values (P =.14), respectively. The segmentectomy and lobectomy groups had postoperative 1-second forced expiratory volumes of 1.99 +/- 0.63 L and 1.95 +/- 0.49 L, which were calculated to be 93.3% +/- 10.3% and 87.3% +/- 14.0% of the preoperative values, respectively (P =.03). The multiple linear regression analysis showed that the alternative of segmentectomy or lobectomy was not a determinant for postoperative forced vital capacity but did affect postoperative 1-second forced expiratory volume. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary function after a segmentectomy for a good-risk patient is slightly better than that after a lobectomy. However, segmentectomy should be still the surgical procedure for only poor-risk patients because of the difficulty in excluding patients with metastatic lymph nodes from the candidates for the procedure.     

Indication and results of thoracoscopic segmentectomy for small peripheral lung cancer

Since 2008, 46 patients have undergone thoracoscopic segmentectomy without mini-thoracotomy for almost pure ground-glass opacity (GGO) lesion by thin-section computed tomography (CT) finding which was difficult to be performed wedge resection. No patient was converted to both thoracotomy and lobectomy. The operation time ranged from 75 to 240 min (mean, 161 min), and blood loss ranged from 1 to 110 g( mean, 25 g). We used stapler in 29 patients and electrocautery in 17 patients to deviate inter segmental plane. Postoperative complications were seen in 6 patients (13%), major complication was air leakage in 6 patients. There was no in-hospital mortality. Only 1 patient had bone metastasis on 11 months after operation. Thoracoscopic segmentectomy considered to be a safe and feasible procedure for the selected patients with small-sized peripheral lung cancer.     

Non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection along the staple-suture line after segmentectomy for small peripheral lung cancer; report of a case

A 60-year-old non-immunocompromised man who had undergone right upper lobectomy and subsequent left superior segmentectomy for small peripheral lung cancers (stage I well-differentiated adenocarcinomas) 2 years earlier, was referred to us for further investigation of an asymptomatic abnormal shadow observed on a chest radiograph. Chest computed radiography showed air-space consolidation along the staple-suture line associated with the left superior segmentectomy, the abnormality was 4 x 5 x 5 cm. Completion lower lobectomy was performed because transbronchial biopsy did not provide for a definite diagnosis. Pathological examination revealed a large granuloma infected by Mycobacterium intercellulare. The lung parenchyma may be exposed along the staple-suture line and somewhat vulnerable to infection in cases of partial pulmonary resection. We should be aware of this possibility after lesser pulmonary resection for small peripheral lung cancer.     

Thoracoscopic segmentectomy for lung cancer

Lobectomy has long been considered the standard procedure for early-stage lung cancer, and minimally invasive techniques have been demonstrated to be associated with superior outcomes compared with lobectomy by thoracotomy. The use of segmentectomy is under investigation for selected patients with small tumors, and the use of minimally invasive strategies is applicable as well. In this review, we analyzed studies that have compared (1) thoracoscopic segmentectomy versus the open approach, (2) thoracoscopic segmentectomy versus thoracoscopic lobectomy, and (3) thoracoscopic segmentectomy versus thoracoscopic lobectomy versus thoracoscopic wedge resection. When compared with open segmentectomy, preliminarily, thoracoscopic segmentectomy was found to have equivalent oncologic results, with shorter hospital length of stay, reduced rates of morbidity, and lower cost. When compared with thoracoscopic lobectomy, thoracoscopic segmentectomy had equivalent rates of morbidity, recurrence, and survival. Preliminarily, thoracoscopic segmentectomy was found to result in greater preservation of lung function and exercise capacity than the thoracoscopic lobectomy.     

Surgical procedure of thoracoscopic and video-assisted anatomical segmentectomy for small peripheral lung cancer

Recently, small peripheral lung cancers which is indicated limited resection are frequently found by HRCT or PET. The limited resection for lung cancer includes thoracic and video-assisted anatomical segmentectomy (VATS segmentectomy) and wedge resection of the lung parenchyma. In anatomical segmentectomy, intra-plumonary lymph nodes are dissected, on the other hand, those lymph nodes can not be dissected in wedge resection. Consequently, segmentectomy will be radical procedure for lung cancer compared with wedge resection. Thoracic surgeons are required to perform anatomical segmentectomy for small peripheral lung cancer. The anatomical segmentectomy is not familiar procedure for recent thoracic surgeons. Thoracic surgeons should be skilled in that procedures. This is a review of basic procedures of VATS segmentectomy for lung cancer for young thoracic surgeones.     

Metastatic lung tumors and extended indications for surgery.

From 1973 to 1989, 110 thoracotomies for metastatic lung tumors were done on 85 patients, in our institution. The overall actuarial five-year survival rate was 31%. The five-year survival rate for carcinoma was 40% and for sarcoma was 11% (less than 0.05). A favorable outcome was obtained in the group with primary tumors of the breast, head-neck, and chorion. The outcome for patients with bone and soft tissue tumors was poor. The significant predictors of a better long-term survival for metastatic lung tumors were disease-free interval (DFI) greater than 12 months, tumor size less than or equal to 30 mm in diameter, and tumor doubling time (TDT) greater than 40 days (p less than 0.05). The number of nodules and the laterality of the sites of recurrence did not relate to survival time. Of 22 patients undergoing regional lymph node dissection, seven (32%) had positive nodes. Even in cases of a recurrent pulmonary metastasis, the three-year survival in those with multiple thoracotomies was 16%. We wish to draw attention to the finding that a prolonged survival time can be achieved for patients undergoing regional lymph node dissection or even repeated resections for a recurrent pulmonary metastases.     

Anatomical thoracoscopic segmentectomy for lung cancer

Minimally invasive surgery for lung cancer has seen considerable progress. A segmentectomy is less invasive than a lobectomy as it preserves lung parenchyma. The preservation of pulmonary function can reduce complications. The combination of a thoracoscopic approach with a segmentectomy should be less invasive, and retrospective studies have shown that the thoracoscopic approach is safe and feasible due to the lower postoperative mortality and complication rates as compared to an open thoracotomy. The validity of a segmentectomy for ground-glass-opacity-type lung cancer has been demonstrated, and it has also been evaluated for small, predominantly solid, lung cancers. Two prospective studies of segmentectomy versus lobectomy for ≤2-cm non-small-cell lung cancer are now underway (CALGB 140503 and JCOG0802/WJTOG4607L) and should clarify the role of segmentectomy. Regarding thoracoscopic segmentectomy, few retrospective studies have reported the oncological outcome for lung cancer and there is inadequate evidence regarding the long-term oncological outcome, although the perioperative complication rate and duration of hospital stay seem to be non-inferior to those of an open approach. For preoperative simulation, three-dimensional multidetector computed tomography (3D-CT) is essential for performing an atypical thoracoscopic segmentectomy safely. Preoperative 3D-CT angiography and bronchography (3D-CTAB) enable accurate identification of the venous branches in the affected segment and the intersegmental vein. This review describes the surgical and oncological outcomes, utility of 3D-CTAB, and surgical techniques and procedure used for a thoracoscopic segmentectomy.     

Prospective study of the detection and treatment of small tumors of the head of the pancreas

The size of a pancreatic ductal carcinoma is one of the factors that has the greatest impact on the prognosis of the disease. Precise measurement of tumor size in such cases can obviously be achieved only by the pathologist, but, as a result of the increasingly widespread use and refinement of imaging procedures, a fairly accurate preoperative estimate now appears feasible for identifying those lesions which measure ≤2 m in size and which are conventionally defined as “small tumors.” At tomography, 15/72 patients (20.8%) with cancer of the head of the pancreas observed in our department over the period 1991 to 1994 were prospectively identified as having tumors measuring ≤2 cm. Histology subsequently confirmed that the growths measured 2 cm or less in size in only 4 of these patients, thus revealing that the imaging technique tended to underestimate the tumor diameters. If we exclude the mean time elapsing from onset of symptoms to diagnosis, which was found to be significantly shorter in small than in non-small tumors (6.3 vs 34.2 days,P <0.01), no statistically significant differences were observed in any of the clinical and blood chemistry data evaluated (including CA 19-9 values) in patients with small vs non-small tumors who underwent radical resection. Small tumors of the pancreas are still rare and their diagnosis is often incidental (2/4 in this case series) and can only be confirmed by pathology findings. The radiological detection of a small tumor, however, is strongly suggestive of resectability (more than 70% in this series). This should prompt the surgeon to adopt an aggressive approach, even though the topographical location and biological nature of tumors measuring ≤2 cm are known to be capable of substantially undermining their potentially better prognosis.     

Sleeve segmentectomy for non-small cell lung carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: Although sleeve segmentectomy for centrally located lung cancers was originally designed for patients unable to tolerate lobectomy, we have tried it in patients with noncompromised function as well. We evaluated the efficiency of this atypical type of bronchoplasty. METHODS: Of 202 patients for whom we performed bronchoplasty for primary non-small cell lung carcinoma, 16 underwent sleeve segmentectomy. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were classified into 4 groups according to the mode of bronchial reconstruction: type A, anastomosis between the right intermediate or left main and basal segmental bronchi with removal of the superior segment of the lower lobe (S6; n = 7); type B, anastomosis between the left main and lingular bronchi with removal of the upper division of the left upper lobe (S1+2+3; n = 3); type C, anastomosis between the left main and upper division bronchi with removal of the lingular segments (S4+5; n = 4); and type D, others (n = 2). Nine patients had pulmonary function sufficient to tolerate lobectomy. The tumors were completely resected in all patients. Combined performance of pulmonary angioplasty was carried out in 2 patients. Bronchial reconstruction was successful in all patients, with neither bronchial complications nor local recurrences. Ten patients had stage IA disease, and 6 had more advanced disease. All patients were alive, except 1 who died as a result of distant metastasis and 2 who died of noncancerous causes. Overall 3-year and 5-year survivals were 93.3% and 68.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Sleeve segmentectomy, which is technically demanding, should be considered in patients with centrally located and possibly curable early non-small cell lung cancer because the prevalence of small-sized or multiple lung tumors has been increasing and because our findings suggest that this lung-saving operation is safe and useful.     

后腹腔镜下冷冻消融治疗小肾肿瘤的初步报告

目的 探讨后腹腔镜下冷冻消融治疗小肾肿瘤的临床疗效.方法 肾肿瘤患者10例,共11个肿瘤.肿瘤位于左肾3例、右肾6例、双肾1例;肾上极2例、中极6例、下极3例.均经CT或MRI检查证实:肿瘤直径平均2.8(1.5～4.0)cm,远离集合系统,无远处转移.临床分期均为T1aN0M0.实验室检查Hb(137±21)g/L、红细胞沉降率(ESR)(27±12)mm/1 h、SCr(92±41)μmol/L、GFR(42±10)ml/min.均采用后腹腔镜下冷冻消融治疗.术中常规行穿刺病理检查. 结果 10例患者手术均成功,平均手术时间(101±31)min,平均出血量(42±21)ml.未发生腹腔镜手术相关并发症.术后平均住院(4±2)d.术后Hb(129±18)g/L,ESR(31±14)mm/1 h,SCr(95±39)μmol/L,患肾GFR(40±11)ml/min,与术前比较差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).病理检查,11个肿瘤中透明细胞癌8个、乳头状肾细胞癌2个、血管平滑肌脂肪瘤1个.10例平均随访16(6～21)个月.术后第1、3和6个月复查MRI,肿瘤冷冻区域呈梗死、无信号增强、逐渐消散等演变过程.术后6个月肿瘤冷冻区域活检1例阴性.无局部复发或远处转移病例.结论 后腹腔镜下冷冻消融治疗小肾肿瘤安全有效,远期疗效尚需进一步随访观察.     

后腹腔镜下冷冻消融治疗小肾肿瘤的初步报告

Objective To present the technique and short-term results of retroperitoneal laparoscopic renal cryoablation for small renal tumors. Methods Ten selected patients cases with 11 renal tumors were included in present study. There were 3 cases of left renal tumor, 6 cases of right renal tumor and 1 case of bilateral renal tumors. Tumors were located at the upper pole (2), middle (6), or lower pole (3). All tumors were located distant from the collecting system, without evidence of metastatic disease. Mean tumor size was 2. 8 cm (range: 1.5-4.0). All the patients were managed with a double freeze-thaw cycle of retroperitoneal laparoscopic renal cryoablation. The preoperative Hb was (137± 21)g/L, ESR was (27±12)mm/1 h, SCr was (92±41)μmol/L, GFR was (42±10)ml/min.All the patients were taken routine biopsies. Results Cryoablation was technically successful in all 10 patients (11 tumors). The mean time of the operations was (101 ± 31) min, and the mean blood loss was (42±21) ml. None of the cases received blood transfusion post-operation. No operative complication was seen. The postoperative hospital stay was (4±2) d. The postoperative Hb was (129 ±18)g/L,ESR was (31±14)mm/1 h,SCr was (95±39)μmol/L,GFR was (40±11)ml/min. There was no statistic change of Hb, ESR, SCr and ECT-GFR after operations(P＞0. 05). The biopsy results revealed that 8 tumors were renal clear cell carcinomas, and 2 tumors were papillary renal cell carcinomas, and 1 tumor was renal angiomyolipoma. All the patients had a minimum follow-up of 6 months (mean 16, range 6 to 21). Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging at 1, 3, and 6 months identified the punched-out, nonenhancing, spontaneously resorbing, renal cryolesions. Follow-up biopsie of the cryoablated tumor site was negative in the only patient who have undergone the biopsy. No evidence of local or port-site recurrence was found, and no metastatic disease. Conclusions Retroperitoneal laparoscopic renal cryoablation for small renal tumors could be an accurate and effective intervention with a relatively low incidence of complications. Critical long-term data regarding laparoscopic renal cryoablation are awaited.     

后腹腔镜下冷冻消融治疗小肾肿瘤的初步报告

Objective To present the technique and short-term results of retroperitoneal laparoscopic renal cryoablation for small renal tumors. Methods Ten selected patients cases with 11 renal tumors were included in present study. There were 3 cases of left renal tumor, 6 cases of right renal tumor and 1 case of bilateral renal tumors. Tumors were located at the upper pole (2), middle (6), or lower pole (3). All tumors were located distant from the collecting system, without evidence of metastatic disease. Mean tumor size was 2. 8 cm (range: 1.5-4.0). All the patients were managed with a double freeze-thaw cycle of retroperitoneal laparoscopic renal cryoablation. The preoperative Hb was (137± 21)g/L, ESR was (27±12)mm/1 h, SCr was (92±41)μmol/L, GFR was (42±10)ml/min.All the patients were taken routine biopsies. Results Cryoablation was technically successful in all 10 patients (11 tumors). The mean time of the operations was (101 ± 31) min, and the mean blood loss was (42±21) ml. None of the cases received blood transfusion post-operation. No operative complication was seen. The postoperative hospital stay was (4±2) d. The postoperative Hb was (129 ±18)g/L,ESR was (31±14)mm/1 h,SCr was (95±39)μmol/L,GFR was (40±11)ml/min. There was no statistic change of Hb, ESR, SCr and ECT-GFR after operations(P＞0. 05). The biopsy results revealed that 8 tumors were renal clear cell carcinomas, and 2 tumors were papillary renal cell carcinomas, and 1 tumor was renal angiomyolipoma. All the patients had a minimum follow-up of 6 months (mean 16, range 6 to 21). Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging at 1, 3, and 6 months identified the punched-out, nonenhancing, spontaneously resorbing, renal cryolesions. Follow-up biopsie of the cryoablated tumor site was negative in the only patient who have undergone the biopsy. No evidence of local or port-site recurrence was found, and no metastatic disease. Conclusions Retroperitoneal laparoscopic renal cryoablation for small renal tumors could be an accurate and effective intervention with a relatively low incidence of complications. Critical long-term data regarding laparoscopic renal cryoablation are awaited.     

National trends in the quality of segmentectomy for lung cancer

ObjectiveSegmentectomy has become an accepted procedure for the treatment of non–small cell lung cancer. Adequate lymph node sampling, sufficient margins, and proper tumor size selection are factors vital for achieving outcomes comparable to lobectomy. Previous studies have demonstrated poor adherence to lymph node sampling guidelines. However, national trends in the quality of segmentectomy and implications on survival are unknown.MethodsThe National Cancer Database was used to identify patients with clinical stage I to IIA non–small cell lung cancer surgically treated between 2004 and 2018. Facility-level trends in extent of resection and segmentectomy odds of adherence to (1) 2014 Commission on Cancer guidelines of sampling 10 or more lymph nodes, (2) negative (R0) resection margins, and (3) tumor size 2 cm or less were determined. Propensity score matching was based on segmentectomy adherence to (4) a composite of all measures, and survival was evaluated with Cox models and Kaplan–Meier survival estimates.ResultsThe study included 249,391 patients with 4.4% (n = 11,006) treated with segmentectomy. The proportion of segmentectomies performed annually increased from 3.3% in 2004 to 6.1% in 2018 (P < .001). Overall, 12.6% (n = 1385) of patients who underwent segmentectomy between 2004 and 2018 were adherent to all measures, and adherence was more likely at academic programs (odds ratio, 1.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.14-2.15) than nonacademic programs (P < .001, reference). Adherence to all measures was associated with improved survival (hazard ratio, 0.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.56-0.79).ConclusionsAs segmentectomy is increasingly established as a valid oncological option for the treatment of non–small cell lung cancer, it is important that quality remains high. This study demonstrates that continued improvement is needed.     

Thoracoscopic segmentectomy for treatment of congenital lung malformations

Purpose

Congenital lung malformations (CLM) predispose patients to recurrent respiratory tract infections and pose a rare risk of malignant transformation. Although pulmonary lobectomy is the most common treatment of a CLM, some advocate segmental resection as a lung preservation strategy. Our study evaluated lung-preserving thoracoscopic segmentectomy as an alternative to lobectomy for CLM resection.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of patients who underwent thoracoscopic segmentectomy for CLM from 2007 to 2010.

Results

Fifteen patients underwent thoracoscopic segmentectomy for CLM. There were five postoperative complications: three asymptomatic pneumothoraces and a small air leak that resolved without intervention. One patient developed a bronchopulmonary fistula requiring thoracoscopic repair. At follow-up, all patients are asymptomatic. One patient has a small amount of residual disease on postoperative computed tomography (CT), and re-resection has been recommended.

Conclusions

Thoracoscopic segmentectomy for CLM is a safe and effective means of lung parenchymal preservation. The approach spares larger airway anatomy and has a complication rate that is comparable with that of thoracoscopic lobectomy. Residual disease can often only be appreciated on postoperative CT scan and may require long-term follow-up or reoperation in rare cases. This lung preservation technique is best suited to smaller lesions.