Lobectomy with extended lymph node dissection by video-assisted thoracic surgery for lung cancer

Background: Between September 1992 and September 1996, we performed 88 VATS (video-assisted thoracic surgery) lobectomies and two VATS pneumonectomies. Methods: The indications for surgery were 68 cases of lung cancer, nine cases of bronchiectasis, six cases of tuberculosis, and seven cases of benign lesions. Of the 68 cases of lung cancer, 36 were treated by VATS lobectomy with extended lymph node dissection for clinical stage I lung cancer, making full use of recently developed devices for thoracoscopic surgery, such as roticulating endoscissors, miniretractors, endoclips, and harmonic scalpels. Results: Twenty-four lymph nodes were resected on average (range, 10 to 51) by VATS. This number was comparable to lymph nodes resected in open thoracotomy during the same period. Among the 36 patients who underwent extended lymph node dissection, 20 showed no lymph node metastasis postoperatively (stage I), while 16 had N1 or N2 cancer. All patients with stage I cancer have survived 4 to 36 months (median: 17 months) with no signs of recurrence. Conclusions: This survival of stage I lung cancer after VATS is comparable to that of open thoracotomy. We thus believe that VATS lobectomy with extended lymph node dissection can be an alternative to standard posterolateral thoracotomy for stage I lung cancer. Received: 10 May 1996/Accepted: 19 November 1996     

Video-assisted mediastinal lymph node dissection assessed in an experimental setting

Background: Feasibility, completeness, and morbidity of videoscopic-assisted mediastinal lymph node dissection (VATS MLND) were compared to the standard surgical technique in an experimental study. Methods: Right upper MLND—together with upper lobectomy in half of the cases—was performed in ten large white pigs. Six animals were operated using VATS (group 1), four using conventional open techniques (group 2). After 1 week, the animals were sacrificed and the mediastinum was assessed for remaining lymph nodes. Results: All animals survived without intra- or post-operative complications. There was no significant difference in the operation time between the two groups (3.2±0.8 vs 3.2±0.2 h). The number of mediastinal lymph nodes harvested was 9.5±2.7 in group 1 and 11.5±0.5 in group 2 (n.s.). The post-mortem assessment of the mediastinum showed in two animals of group 1 and in two animals of group 2 that one lymph node was left behind. In addition, in one animal of group 1 four small retrotracheal lymph nodes were found. Conclusions: VATS MLND can be accomplished without morbidity and is as radical as that achieved with conventional surgery in the paratracheal and peribronchial areas in this experimental setting. However, retrotracheal lymph node dissection might not be as complete as achieved by conventional surgery.     

Cost analysis for thoracoscopy: Thoracoscopic wedge resection and lobectomy

We reviewed our experience with video-assisted thoracic surgeyr (VATS) in our most recent 80 patients for the purpose of cost analysis. The costs incurred in the patients undergoing a VATS wedge resection for nodules (n=30) and a VATS lobectomy for lung cancer (n=10) were compared with the costs in similar patients undergoing a wedge resection (n=20) and lobectomy (n=20) using open techniques. The disposable instrument costs were US $1071 higher for a VATS wedge resection; however, the operative time was shorter (0.99h for VATS versus 1.75h for the open procedure). The length of hospital stay was also shorter after a VATS wedge resection (10.4 days for VATS versus 16.8 days for the open procedure), thus resulting in lower total hospital charge in the VATS group. The disposable instrument costs were $3190 higher for a VATS lobectomy, and the operative time was longer (5.56 h for VATS versus 4.25 h for the open procedure). The length of hospital stay was similar in both groups (25.2 days for VATS versus 27.7 days for the open procedure), thus resulting in a higher total hospital charge in the VATS lobectomy group. The cost of a VATS wedge resection for removing peripheral nodules is competitive with that of open techniques, but the cost of a VATS lobectomy is higher than that for an open lobectomy.     

Video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy vs. conventional lobectomy via open thoracotomy in patients with clinical stage IA non-small cell lung carcinoma

The aim of this study was to evaluate our personal experience with video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy and compare survival between this procedure and conventional lobectomy via open thoracotomy in patients with clinical stage IA non-small cell lung carcinoma. Between May 1997 and December 2004, 140 patients with clinical stage IA non-small cell lung carcinoma had either VATS lobectomy (VATS group, 84 patients) or standard lobectomy via open thoracotomy (open group, 56 patients) performed in our hospital. We compared overall survival, disease-free survival and recurrence between the two groups. The overall survival rate five years after surgery was 72% in the open group and 82% in the VATS group. There were no significant differences in the overall survival rate between the two groups. The disease-free survival rate five years after surgery was 68% in the open group and 80% in the VATS group. There were no significant differences in the disease-free survival rate between the two groups. Five patients in the open group developed distant recurrence, whereas one patient developed regional recurrence. In the VATS group six patients developed distant recurrence, whereas one patient developed regional recurrence. We consider VATS lobectomy to be one of the therapeutic options in patients with clinical stage IA non-small cell lung carcinoma.     

Video-assisted thoracic surgery for lung cancer

Objective|The objective of this study was to confirm the safety and feasibility of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for primary lung cancer and to compare prognoses with that of conventional procedures, and then to examine whether VATS would supplant a conventional thoracotomy for stage I lung cancer. Methods: From September 1995 through March 2002, 144 patients with primary lung cancer, included 118 patients with postoperative state I, underwent VATS lobectomy. We reviewed the previous cases whether they could be candidates for VATS lobectomy according to present indications. 166 cases were supposed to be candidates for VATS, and 121 cases of postoperative stage I disease were recruited into the “conventional thoracotomy” group. Results: There was no mortality or major complication except one case, and mean follow-up was 31.8 months in VATS. The number of removed lymph nodes was not significantly less than the number by conventional thoractomy (p=0.061). Five-year survival for patients with pathological stage IA adenocarcinoma was 92.4% (n=66) in VATS and 86.9% (n=50) in conventional thoracotomy, and a statistical significance could not be recognized (p=0.980). The length of hospital stay was significantly short in VATS lobectomy (p<0.0001). Conclusions: VATS lobectomy for stage I lung cancer can be performed safely with minimal morbidity, satisfying survival comparable with that of lobectomy through conventional thoractomy. VATS approach is a feasible surgical technique for patients with stage I lung cancer.     

Very long-term outcomes of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for lung cancer

Background  The most critical parameter in the evaluation of the feasibility of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy for lung cancer is long-term outcome. In this study, patients in whom more than 5 years had elapsed since they had undergone VATS lobectomy for lung cancer were identified, and the 5-year survival rate and frequency of recurrence were evaluated as the long-term outcomes; in addition, the frequency of perioperative complications were also evaluated as the short-term outcomes. Methods  The stage, histology, perioperative complications, recurrence, and survival data were carefully reviewed in 198 patients who underwent VATS lobectomy for lung cancer between 1998 and 2002. Results  Median postoperative follow-up period was 72.1 months. Of the 198 patients, 138 and 30 were diagnosed as having p-stage IA and IB disease, respectively, while the remaining 30 patients had more advanced disease. Perioperative complications were observed in 20 patients (10.1%), however, there were no perioperative mortalities. Recurrence was observed in 26 patients (13.1%): of these, 11 patients showed local recurrence, including malignant pleural effusion and mediastinal lymph node recurrence, and 16 patients showed distant metastasis, the lung being the commonest site of metastasis; six patients had both local recurrence and distant metastasis. During the study period, there were 26 deaths (13.1%), of which 17 were due to lung cancer and 9 were due to other causes. The 5-year overall survival rates of the patients with p-stage IA and IB disease were 93.5% and 81.6%, respectively. Conclusion  VATS lobectomy for the treatment of lung cancer is as feasible and safe as open lobectomy in terms of both very long- and short-term outcomes.     

全胸腔镜肺叶切除术治疗临床早期非小细胞肺癌的疗效评价

目的探讨全胸腔镜肺叶切除术治疗临床早期肺癌的安全性和可行性,评价其手术疗效。方法回顾性分析2005年1月至2008年12月复旦大学附属中山医院160例(全胸腔镜手术组,其中男83例,女77例;平均年龄60.8岁)接受全胸腔镜肺叶切除术治疗的临床早期非小细胞肺癌患者的围手术期资料及生存数据,并与同期357例(开放手术组,其中男222例,女135例;平均年龄59.5岁)接受常规开放手术的早期非小细胞肺癌患者数据进行比较。结果全胸腔镜手术组患者中转开胸率为5.0%(8/160)。全胸腔镜组手术时间明显短于开放手术组(113.0 min vs.125.0 min,P=0.039);两组患者术后住院时间差异无统计学意义[(10.3±4.3)d vs.(9.1±4.6)d,P=0.425]。全胸腔镜手术组和开放手术组患者并发症发生率分别为9.4%(15/160)和10.1%(36/357),围术期死亡率为0.6%(1/160)和2.0%(7/357)。两组患者平均淋巴结清扫组数[(2.4±1.5)组vs.(2.4±1.7)组,P=0.743]和平均淋巴结清扫数[(9.8±6.3)枚vs.(10.1±6.4)枚,P=0.626]差异无统计学意义。全胸腔镜手术组总体5年生存率高于开放手术组(81.5%vs.67.8%,P=0.001)。进一步按不同病理分期进行亚组分析显示全胸腔镜手术组5年生存率为pⅠa期86.0%,pⅠb期84.5%,pⅢa期58.8%;开放手术组5年生存率为pⅠa期92.9%,pⅠb期76.4%,pⅢa期25.3%。结论全胸腔镜肺叶切除术治疗临床早期肺癌在技术上安全可行,其淋巴结清扫可达到开放手术的范围,远期疗效优于开放手术,但亟待大样本量的随机对照研究进一步证实。     

Systematic Lymph Node Dissection for Clinically Diagnosed Peripheral Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Less Than 2 cm in Diameter

n = 56) or a lobectomy with radical systematic lymph node dissection group (dissection group, n = 59). Inclusion criteria were based only on preoperative clinical studies. Four tumors were larger than 2 cm postoperatively. One patient had disseminated disease, and two had intrapulmonary metastases discovered at surgery. Two patients had small-cell carcinoma. There were four with pathologic N1 disease and seven with N2 disease in the dissection group and three with N1 and eight with N2 disease in the sampling group. The numbers of local and distant recurrences were two and six, respectively, in the dissection group and two and five in the sampling group. The overall 5-year survival was 81% in the dissection group and 84% in the sampling group. No significant differences in the recurrence rate or survival was seen between the groups. Our results demonstrate that clinically evaluated peripheral non-small-cell carcinomas smaller than 2 cm in diameter do not require radical systematic mediastinal and hilar lymph node dissection.     

Single-stage video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: Right upper lobectomy and left lower lobectomy for synchronous bilateral lung cancers

IntroductionSingle-stage bilateral radical surgery for synchronous bilateral multiple lung cancers (SBMLCs) has strong advantages; however, it is considered highly invasive. We have therefore adopted video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) as a minimally invasive surgical maneuver for bilateral lung resection. Although there have been a few reports concerning bilateral lung resection, the safety and appropriate operative indications remain unclear, especially for bilateral VATS-lobectomy. A case of single-stage bilateral radical lobectomy with a good result is reported.Presentation of caseA 58-year-old man was found to have abnormal opacities in the right upper zone and left lower zone at a health checkup. Double primary bilateral lung cancers was suspected, and surgical resection was considered. Consequently, right upper lobectomy with D2 lymph node dissection and left lower lobectomy with D2 lymph node dissection as radical resection were performed under VATS. The lesions were finally diagnosed to be double primary adenocarcinomas of the right upper lobe (pT1N0M0, stage IA) and left lower lobe (pT1N0M0, stage IA). The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful, and he was discharged on postoperative day 6. The patient is doing well with no evidence of recurrence for 9 years.ConclusionWhile careful consideration of the surgical options is needed, if properly done, bilateral VATS-lobectomy for SBMLC has advantages for selected patients.     

Lymph Node Upstaging for Robotic,Thoracoscopic, and Open Lobectomy for Stage T2-3N0 Lung Cancer

BackgroundThere may be equivalent efficacy of the lymph node evaluation for minimally invasive lobectomy compared with open lobectomy for stage I non-small cell lung cancer. We sought to compare the lymph node evaluation for lobectomy by approach for patients with larger tumors who are clinically node negative.MethodsThis retrospective study analyzed 24 257 patients with clinical stage T2-3N0M0 non-small cell lung cancer from the National Cancer Database. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was applied to balance baseline characteristics. The rates of pathologic lymph node upstaging were compared. A Cox multivariable regression model was performed to test the association with overall survival.ResultsAfter IPTW adjustment 20 834 patients were included in the analysis. Of these, 1996 patients underwent robotic lobectomy, 5122 patients underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy, and 13 725 patients underwent open lobectomy from 2010 to 2017. The IPTW-adjusted N1 upstaging rate was similar for robotic (11.79%), thoracoscopic (11.49%), and open (11.85%) lobectomy (P = .274). The adjusted N2 upstaging rates were 5.03%, 5.66%, and 6.15% for robotic, thoracoscopic, and open lobectomy, respectively (P = .274). On IPTW-adjusted multivariable analysis, robotic and thoracoscopic lobectomy were associated with improved survival compared with open lobectomy (P < .001).ConclusionsThere was no significant difference in N1 and N2 lymph node upstaging rates between surgical approaches for patients with clinical stage T2-3N0 non-small cell lung cancer, indicating similarly effective lymph node evaluation. Overall survival after robotic and thoracoscopic lobectomy was significantly better compared with open lobectomy in this patient population with a high propensity for occult nodal disease.     

全胸腔镜肺癌根治术淋巴结清扫的探讨

目的探讨全胸腔镜下肺叶切除治疗临床Ⅰ期非小细胞肺癌淋巴结清扫的安全性和可行性。方法 2006年1月～2008年12月,160例临床Ⅰ期非小细胞肺癌接受全腔镜下肺叶切除术、纵隔淋巴结清扫,采用不撑开肋骨三孔法,并与同期247例接受常规开放手术的Ⅰ期非小细胞肺癌进行比较。结果胸腔镜组淋巴结清扫组数(2.4±1.5)组与开胸组(2.6±1.6)组无显著差异(t=1.262,P=0.208),胸腔镜组清扫淋巴结(9.8±6.2)枚,与开胸组(9.9±5.9)枚无统计学差异(t=-0.160,P=0.873)。开胸组并发症发生率11.7%(29/247)和围手术期死亡率2.8%(7/247)与胸腔镜组并发症发生率9.4%(15/160)和围手术期死亡率0.6%(1/160)无显著差异(χ2=0.564,P=0.453;χ2=1.446,P=0.229)。胸腔镜组生存情况优于开胸组(χ2=5.373,P=0.020)。结论全胸腔镜肺叶切除术治疗临床Ⅰ期非小细胞肺癌在技术上是安全可行的,其淋巴结清扫可达到开放手术的范围,远期疗效不亚于开放手术。     

Long-Term Survival Outcomes of Video-assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) Lobectomy After Transitioning from Open Lobectomy

Background

Open lobectomy continues to be more commonly performed than video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy. We previously described the short-term safety of an approach for transitioning from open lobectomy to VATS. We now assess its long-term safety by evaluating survival results of the initial VATS cases after transition.

Methods

From a prospective database, survival of stage I non–small cell lung cancer was compared between the first 40 VATS lobectomy and the 40 open lobectomy performed just before the transitioning to VATS. All patients underwent staging by positron emission tomographic scan and mediastinoscopy. Survival was estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method and compared by the log-rank test.

Results

Patient and intraoperative characteristics were not different between the two groups, except for operative time, which was longer for VATS (median 132 vs. 150 min, p = 0.023) and tumor size, which was smaller for VATS (median 2 vs. 2.5 cm, p = 0.002). There was no difference in morbidity and mortality. Median follow-up was 118 months for the open group and 81 months for the VATS group. The 5-year disease-free survival for stage IA (90 % open vs. 97 % VATS, p = 0.439) and IB (74 % open vs. 79 % VATS, p = 0.478) were not different. The 5-year overall survival for stage IA (91 % open vs. 97 % VATS, p = 0.152) and IB (55 % open vs. 67 % VATS, p = 0.198) were also not different.

Conclusions

The transition from open to VATS lobectomy is safe with regards to both short-term morbidity and long-term survival. Surgeons currently performing open lobectomy should consider transitioning to the VATS procedure.     

微小N2非小细胞肺癌胸腔镜肺叶切除与同期开胸手术对照研究

目的 研究分析临床分期Ⅰ期接受胸腔镜肺叶切除,术中意外发现微小纵隔淋巴结转移(N2)的非小细胞肺癌患者的近、远期预后.方法 回顾性分析2004年1月至2007年12月术前诊断为早期非小细胞肺癌(cT1-2N0M0,Ⅰ期),而术中或术后意外发现微小纵隔淋巴结转移(pT1-2N2M0,Ⅲa期)患者263例的临床资料.全部患者接受肺叶切除术+系统淋巴结清扫根治性治疗.其中接受胸腔镜肺叶切除术63例(腔镜组),男性37例,女性26例,平均年龄(58±11)岁.同期接受开胸肺叶切除术治疗的为200例(开胸组),男性132例,女性68例,平均年龄(59±11)岁.对比上述两组患者的临床特征及近、远期预后.结果 全部263例患者平均生存时间(34.9±1.2)个月,中位生存时间31个月.腔镜组平均生存时间(40.3±2.2)个月,中位生存时间37个月;开胸组平均生存时间(33.1±1.3)个月,中位生存时间29个月.全部患者1、2、3年生存率为92.0%、57.4%、29.3%,腔镜组1、2、3年生存率为92.1%、82.5%、41.3%,开胸组1、2、3年生存率为92.0%、49.5%、25.5%,两组间差异有统计学意义(x2=5.58,P=0.018).结论 VATS肺叶切除治疗微小N2非小细胞肺癌是安全、有效的.患者经过术前严格的评估,手术中出现意料之外的纵隔淋巴结转移,通过系统的淋巴结清扫后没有必要中转开胸完成手术.

Abstract：

Objective To assess early and late outcomes of patients with minimal mediastinal lymph nodes metastasis N2 non-small cell lung cancer disease unexpectedly detected during the operation, who underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy for clinical stage I. Methods This study retrospectively reviewed and analyzed the medical records of 263 patients underwent surgery between January 2004 and December 2007, who were diagnosed as having early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (clinical stage was cT1-2N0M0, stage Ⅰ) before the surgery, but were found to have mini mediastinal lymph nodes metastasis disease (clinical stage was pTI-2N2M0, stage Ⅲa) unexpectedly detected during the operation and after the operation. All patients underwent lobectomy and systematic lymph nodes dissection as radical treatments. Among them, 63 patients underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy,including 37 male patients (58. 7%) with a mean age of (58 ± 11) years old. Two hundred patients underwent open thoracotomy lobectomy, including 132 male patients (66%) with a mean age of (59 ± 11) years old. To compare and analyze clinical features, early and late outcomes of patients in these two groups.Results A total of 263 patients with an average survival time (34. 9 ± 1.2) months (median 31 months),63 cases in VATS lobectomy group with an average survival time (40. 3± 2. 2) months (median 37 months), 200 cases in open pulmonary lobectomy group with an average survival time (33.1 ±1.3)months (median 29 months). The 1 -, 2-, 3-year over survival rate of all the patients was 92.0%, 57.4%,29. 3%. The 1-, 2-, 3-year survival rate of patients in VATS lobectomy group was 92. 1%, 82. 5%,41.3%. The 1,2,3 year survival rate of patients in thoracotomy lobectomy group was 92. 0%, 49. 5%,25.5%. There was significant difference between the two groups in this factor (x2 =5.58, P =0.018).     

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy for typical bronchopulmonary carcinoid tumors

Background: Indications for the use of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy are a controversial matter. This study aims to provide a retrospective evaluation of VATS lobectomy in typical bronchopulmonary carcinoids. Methods: Patient selection criteria for VATS lobectomy were as follows: (a) typical carcinoids with clear diagnosis; (b) centrally located lung tumors not amenable to bronchial resection with bronchoplastic procedures, or tumors located in peripheral lung tissues; (c) no hilar or mediastinal lymph node enlargement; and (d) normal respiratory function. Between January 1995 and December 1999, 12 patients (eight men and four women with a mean age of 57 years) were treated, seven with a peripheral and five with a centrally located tumor. Preoperative examination included chest roentgenograms, computed tomography (CT) of the chest, bronchoscopy, and spirometry; diagnosis was established by direct bronchoscopy in five cases, transbronchial biopsy in two cases, transthoracic biopsy in two cases, and videothorascopic wedge resection in three cases. Eleven VATS lobectomies and one VATS bilobectomy were performed. All patients underwent hilar lymphadenectomy and mediastinal sampling. Results: There were no intraoperative complications. The only postoperative complication, hematothorax (8.3%), required VATS reoperation. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 5.33 days. Pathological examination of the resected specimens confirmed that the procedure was radical in all 12 patients and revealed eight T1N0 and four T2N0. At a mean follow-up of 30 months, no signs of recurrence were recorded. Conclusion: VATS lobectomy in the treatment of selected typical carcinoids, both central and peripheral, seems to yield favorable results and is therefore preferable to thoracotomy since it is less invasive. Received: 21 January 2000/Accepted: 11 May 2000/Online publication: 5 October 2000     

全腔镜肺叶切除与开胸肺叶切除治疗早期肺癌的初步体会

【摘要】〓目的〓通过两种术式的比较,评价完全胸腔镜下肺叶切除治疗早期肺癌临床疗效。方法〓回顾分析性分析2012年9月至2013年05月我科行全腔镜下肺叶切除35例术前分期为pT1N0-1M0肺癌患者的资料(VATS组),全组病例均采用全腔镜四孔法完成手术。选取同期行常规开胸手术35例术前分期pT1N0-1M0肺癌患者的临床资料作为对照。比较两组之间手术时间,术中出血量,术后拔管时间,淋巴结清扫数目,术后疼痛,术后并发症发生率,术后住院时间等指标。结果〓无围手术期死亡,VATS组1例患者中转开胸。VATS组患者的术中出血量、引流时间、术后疼痛时间以及住院时间均明显低于常规开胸组患者(P<0.05);VATS组的手术时间、淋巴结清扫数与对照组的差异无统计学意义。结论〓全腔镜肺叶切除治疗早期肺癌安全可行,临床疗效满意。     

Lobectomy: Video-Assisted thoracic surgery versus posterolateral thoracotomy

Background:Video-assisted lobectomy has been adopted by many thoracic surgeons, because it is a less invasive approach to small peripheral lung cancers. However, some authors disagree that video-assisted lobectomy is less invasive than traditional thoracotomy and lobectomy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the advantages of video-assisted lobectomy over posterolateral thoracotomy and lobectomy in terms of pain-related morbidity. Methods: A total of 70 patients with clinical T1N0M0 non-small-cell lung carcinomas underwent lobectomy with complete mediastinal lymphadenectomy. Of these 35 underwent posterolateral thoracotomy (between April 1994 and December 1995; open group), and 35 underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) (between January and December 1996; VATS group). Results: Although the operative time was significantly longer in the VATS group (p=0.04), the intraoperative blood loss was significantly less (p=0.03). No significant differences were found for the two groups with respect to the total number of mediastinal lymph nodes dissected or duration of chest tube drainage. Postoperative pain was less severe as determined by the number of doses of analgesics required between postoperative days 0 and 7 (p<0.0001), and the length of postoperative hospitalization was shorter in the VATS group (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Video-assisted lobectomy is associated with decreased postoperative pain and shortened length of postoperative hospitalization, when compared with posterolateral thoracotomy and lobectomy.     

完全电视胸腔镜肺叶切除术治疗早期肺癌的近期疗效评价

目的 探讨完全电视胸腔镜（VATS）肺叶切除术治疗早期肺癌的可行性、安全性及近期疗效。 方法回顾性分析2012年1月至2013年5月济宁市第一人民医院连续138例早期肺癌施行肺叶切除术患者的临床资料,其中完全电视胸腔镜肺叶切除术组 （VATS组） 71例,男39例,女32例 ;年龄 （57.9±10.6） 岁;传统开胸肺叶切除术组 （开胸组） 67例,男36例,女31例;年龄 （60.3±8.2） 岁。比较两组患者手术时间、术中出血量、清扫淋巴结组数及个数、带胸腔引流管时间、术后住院时间、术后第1 d、3 d、30 d疼痛视觉模拟评分 （vision analogue score,VAS）以及术后并发症发生情况。 结果 两组患者均顺利完成手术。VATS组患者术中出血量 ［（147±113） ml vs. （146±91） ml］、清扫淋巴结个数 ［（9.9±3.6） 枚 vs. （10.0±3.6） 枚］ 及组数 ［（3.1±1.3） 组 vs. （3.4±1.3） 组］、术后第1 d、第3 d VAS评分与开胸组差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）;VATS组手术时间 ［（119±27） min vs. （135±29） min］、术后带胸腔引流管时间 ［（3.0±0.9） d vs. （3.8±1.2） d］、术后住院时间 ［（8.0±2.1） d vs. （10.2±5.4） d］、术后第30 d VAS评分 ［（2.6±0.7）分vs. （3.2±1.1） 分］ 及术后并发症发生率均短于或少于开胸组（P＜0.05）。VATS组术后随访59例,开胸组术后随访58例,随访时间2～18个月,两组均无死亡,其中脑转移1例,肝转移1例,骨转移2例。 结论对于早期肺癌的治疗,采用完全胸腔镜肺叶切除术安全可行,它具有创伤小、并发症少,术后恢复快、慢性胸痛轻微等优势。同时能够达到与常规开胸手术相同的规范化淋巴结清扫。     

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer

Since 1990s, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy has become a standard procedure for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. However, VATS lobectomies are less common, and no randomized controlled trial of VATS versus conventional open lobectomy for early-stage lung cancer has been performed in Japan. Furthermore, VATS lobectomy procedures are not standardized in Japan, and may vary by institution or by practitioner, which complicates their evaluation. Although VATS procedures (such as pneumonectomy, bronchoplasty, and chest wall resection) have been reportedly performed for patients with advanced disease, whether VATS could be a standard modality for advanced lung cancer is unclear from an oncological perspective. Until recently, VATS lobectomies commonly used three or four ports to conduct systemic lymph node dissection; however, VATS lobectomies with reduced port have been recently reported. This article reviews current trends in VATS lobectomy procedures.     

Indications for conversion of thoracoscopic to open thoracotomy in video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy

Backgroud: The study aims to discuss indications for conversion to thoracotomy in completely thoracoscopic lobectomy. Methods: From September 2006 to April 2010, 306 patients (164 men, 142 women, median age 58.1 years, range 15 to 86 years) underwent completely thoracoscopic lobectomy. There were 223 cases of primary lung cancer, 11 other malignant diseases and 72 cases of benign disease. The steps of the thoracoscopic procedures are almost identical to those of traditional open lobectomy, which requires standard mediastinal lymph node dissection for primary lung cancer patients. When conversion to an open procedure is necessary, such as in the presence of lymph node adhesions or metastases and bleeding, operative incisions are extended 12–15 cm towards lower angle of the scapula, retractors are used to separate the ribs, and the procedure is completely under direct visualization. Results: All procedures were performed without significant complications or intraoperative deaths. The average surgical duration was 195 min, and average blood loss was 256 mL with no blood transfusions required. The average chest tube drainage duration was 7.45 days. The average post‐operative hospital stay was 10.34 days. There were 27 cases (8.8%) of conversion to open thoracotomy, for the reasons of interference by lymph nodes (n= 18), bleeding (n= 4), inflammatory adhesions of arteries (n= 3) and large size tumours (n= 2). Conclusion: Adhesions or lymph node metastases and bleeding were the most important causes of conversion to thoracotomy in completely thoracoscopic lobectomy. Large tumours, fused fissures and dense pleural adhesions can always be managed thoracoscopically.     

全胸腔镜肺叶切除术治疗周围型肺癌的临床分析

目的探讨全胸腔镜肺叶切除术在治疗周围型肺癌患者中的应用。方法回顾性分析2009年7月至2011年12月安徽医科大学附属省立医院应用全胸腔镜肺叶切除术治疗90例周围型肺癌患者的临床资料,其中男55例,女35例;年龄33～79(62.5±11.5)岁。观察术中淋巴结清扫组数、手术时间、术中出血量、术后胸腔引流时间、术后住院时间、并发症发生率和疼痛评分。结果围术期无死亡。手术时间(135.0±32.5)min,术中出血量(230.0±80.4)ml,术后胸腔引流时间(4.8±2.1)d,术后第3 d疼痛评分(5.3±1.2)分。共清扫淋巴结520组,1 568枚,5.8组/例、17.4枚/例;淋巴结有转移71组,阳性率13.7%(71/520)。术后发生声音嘶哑2例;乳糜胸3例,经相应的治疗均治愈。随访90例,随访时间1～24个月,随访期间因肿瘤转移死亡4例;其余生存患者生活质量良好。结论对周围型肺癌患者采用全胸腔镜肺叶切除术治疗,具有创伤小、恢复快和疼痛轻等优点。手术安全性、根治性与开胸手术相似,可作为治疗周围型肺癌患者的手术方式。