Risk Factors for Occult Lymph Node Metastasis in Peripheral Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Invasive Component Size 3 cm or Less

Background

In the seventh edition TNM staging system for lung cancer, a high maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) on positron emission tomography was regarded as a risk factor for occult lymph node metastasis in clinical T1N0 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, in the eighth edition TNM classification, tumors are classified according to the size of the invasive component only, and those with invasive component size ≤3 cm are diagnosed as stage T1. The aim of this study was to reassess the risk factors for occult lymph node metastasis under the eighth edition TNM classification for lung cancer.

Methods

From 2010 to 2017, 553 patients with clinical N0 peripheral NSCLC with invasive component size ≤3 cm underwent anatomical lobectomy with systematic lymph node dissection. We analyzed these cases retrospectively to identify risk factors for postoperative nodal upstaging.

Results

Among 553 study patients, 54 (9.8%) had nodal upstaging after surgery. In multivariate analysis adopting the eighth edition TNM classification for lung cancer, serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.113, p = 0.002), invasive component size (HR = 2.398, p = 0.004), visceral pleural invasion (HR = 2.901, p = 0.005), and lymphatic invasion (HR = 9.336, p < 0.001) were significant risk factors for nodal upstaging, but SUVmax was not.

Conclusion

SUVmax is not a predictor of nodal upstaging in clinical N0 peripheral NSCLC with invasive component size ≤3 cm under the eighth edition TNM classification for lung cancer. Significant risk factors of occult lymph node metastasis are serum CEA level, tumor invasive component size, visceral pleural invasion, and lymphatic invasion.

     

Open,Video- and Robot-Assisted Thoracoscopic Lobectomy for Stage II-IIIA Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

BackgroundThis study compares the short- and long-term outcomes of open vs robotic vs video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy for stage II-IIIA non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).MethodsOutcomes of patients with stage II-IIIA NSCLC (excluding T4 tumors) who received open and minimally invasive surgery (MIS) lobectomy in the National Cancer Database from 2010 to 2017 were assessed using propensity score-matched analysis.ResultsA propensity score-matched analysis of 4652 open and 4652 MIS patients demonstrated a decreased median length of stay associated with MIS compared with open lobectomy (5 vs 6 days; P < .001). There were no significant differences in 30-day mortality, 30-day readmission, or overall survival between the open and MIS groups. A propensity score-matched analysis of 1186 VATS and 1186 robotic patients showed that compared with VATS, the robotic approach was associated with no significant differences in 30-day mortality, 30-day readmission, and overall survival. However, the robotic group had a decreased median length of stay compared with VATS (4 vs 5 days; P < .001). The conversion rate was also significantly lower for robotic compared with VATS lobectomy (8.9% vs 15.9%, P < .001).ConclusionsNo significant differences were found in long-term survival between open and MIS lobectomy and between VATS and robotic lobectomy for stage II-IIIA NSCLC. However, the MIS approach was associated with a decreased length of stay compared with the open approach. The robotic approach was associated with decreased length of stay and decreased conversion rate compared with the VATS approach.     

Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Lobectomy Achieves a Satisfactory Long-term Prognosis in Patients with Clinical Stage IA Lung Cancer

We designed a prospective trial to determine the long-term prognosis of video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) lobectomy versus conventional lobectomy for patients with clinical stage IA (T1N0M0) lung cancer. Between January 1993 and June 1994, 100 consecutive patients with clinical stage IA non-small cell lung carcinoma underwent either conventional lobectomy through an open thoracotomy (open group; n= 52) or VATS lobectomy (VATS group; n= 48). Lymph node dissections were performed in a similar manner in both groups. No significant differences were observed in the number of dissected lymph nodes between the 2 groups. Pathologic N1 and N2 disease was found in 3 and 1 patients, respectively, from the open group, and in 2 and 1 patients, respectively, from the VATS group. During the follow-up period, distant metastases and local or regional recurrences developed in 7 and 3 of the open group patients, respectively, and in 2 and 3 of the VATS group patients, respectively. Two and one of the open and VATS group patients developed second primary cancers, respectively. The overall survival rates 5 years after surgery were 85% and 90% in the open and VATS groups, respectively (log-rank test, p= 0.74; generalized Wilcoxon test, p= 0.91). VATS lobectomy with lymph node dissection achieved an excellent 5-year survival, similar to that achieved by the conventional approach.     

Worse outcomes after conversion of thoracoscopic lobectomy for lung cancer

OBJECTIVESConversion of thoracoscopic lobectomy for lung cancer to thoracotomy can adversely affect short-term outcomes, but the impact on long-term outcomes is unknown. This study aimed to identify the risk factors for conversion and to determine the influence of conversion on the outcomes of lung cancer treatment. Open in a separate windowMETHODSThis retrospective study included 1002 consecutive patients with lung cancer who underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy between 7 June 1999 and 17 July 2018. The groups of patients with and without conversion were compared in terms of possible risk factors and the short- and long-term outcomes. The survival of patients was analysed by the Kaplan–Meier method.RESULTSConversion was done in 105 patients (10.5%). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, the independent risk factors for conversion were pleural adhesions (P < 0.001) and mediastinal lymph node metastases (P < 0.001). Compared with the non-conversion group, the conversion group had longer chest drainage time (4 vs 3 days, P < 0.001) and hospital stay (8 vs 6 days, P < 0.001); more frequent complications (38.1% vs 27.1%, P = 0.018), including red blood cell transfusion (10.5% vs 2%, P < 0.001) and supraventricular arrhythmia (13.3% vs 7.5%, P = 0.037); and lower 5-year survival rate in patients with stage I lung cancer (70% vs 87%, P = 0.014). Conversion did not increase in-hospital mortality.CONCLUSIONSPleural adhesions and lymph node metastases increased the probability of conversion to thoracotomy. Conversion adversely affected the short-term outcomes of thoracoscopic lobectomy. Long-term outcomes of treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer could be worse in patients after conversion, but definitive conclusions cannot be made in this regard because of the absence of control of selection bias.     

Robotic lobectomy in children with severe bronchiectasis: A worthwhile new technology

Background/PurposeLobectomy is required in children affected by non-responsive, symptomatic, localized bronchiectasis, but inflammation makes thoracoscopy challenging. We present the first published series of robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy in children with bronchiectasis.MethodsRetrospective analysis of all consecutive patients who underwent pulmonary lobectomy for severe localized bronchiectasis (2014–2019) via thoracoscopic versus robotic lobectomy. Four 5 mm ports were used for thoracoscopy; a four-arm approach was used for robotic surgery (Da Vinci Surgical Xi System, Intuitive Surgical, California).ResultsEighteen children were operated (robotic resection, n = 7; thoracoscopy, n = 11) with infected congenital pulmonary malformation, primary ciliary dyskinesia, and post-viral infection. There were no conversions to open surgery with robotic surgery, but five with thoracoscopy. Total operative time was significantly longer with robotic versus thoracoscopic surgery (mean 247 ± 50 versus 152 ± 57 min, p = 0.008). There were no significant differences in perioperative complications, length of thoracic drainage, or total length of stay (mean 7 ± 2 versus 8 ± 3 days, respectively). No blood transfusions were required. Two thoracoscopic patients had a type-3 postoperative complication.ConclusionsPediatric robotic lung lobectomy is feasible and safe, with excellent visualization and bi-manual hand-wrist dissection – useful properties in difficult cases of infectious pathologies. However, instrumentation dimensions limit use in smaller thoraxes.     

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.     

Pulmonary lobectomy for cancer: Systematic review and network meta-analysis comparing open,video-assisted thoracic surgery,and robotic approach

BackgroundAlthough minimally invasive lobectomy has gained worldwide interest, there has been debate on perioperative and oncological outcomes. The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes among open lobectomy, video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy, and robotic lobectomy.MethodsPubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were consulted. A fully Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed.ResultsThirty-four studies (183,426 patients) were included; 88,865 (48.4%) underwent open lobectomy, 79,171 (43.2%) video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy, and 15,390 (8.4%) robotic lobectomy. Compared with open lobectomy, video-assisted thoracic surgery, lobectomy and robotic lobectomy had significantly reduced 30-day mortality (risk ratio = 0.53; 95% credible intervals, 0.40–0.66 and risk ratio = 0.51; 95% credible intervals, 0.36–0.71), pulmonary complications (risk ratio = 0.70; 95% credible intervals, 0.51–0.92 and risk ratio = 0.69; 95% credible intervals, 0.51–0.88), and overall complications (risk ratio = 0.77; 95% credible intervals, 0.68–0.85 and risk ratio = 0.79; 95% credible intervals, 0.67–0.91). Compared with video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy, open lobectomy, and robotic lobectomy had a significantly higher total number of harvested lymph nodes (mean difference = 1.46; 95% credible intervals, 0.30, 2.64 and mean difference = 2.18; 95% credible intervals, 0.52–3.92) and lymph nodes stations (mean difference = 0.37; 95% credible intervals, 0.08–0.65 and mean difference = 0.93; 95% credible intervals, 0.47–1.40). Positive resection margin and 5-year overall survival were similar across treatments. Intraoperative blood loss, postoperative transfusion, hospital length of stay, and 30-day readmission were significantly reduced for minimally invasive approaches.ConclusionCompared with open lobectomy, video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy, and robotic lobectomy seem safer with reduced 30-day mortality, pulmonary, and overall complications with equivalent oncologic outcomes and 5-year overall survival. Minimally invasive techniques may improve outcomes and surgeons should be encouraged, when feasible, to adopt video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy, or robotic lobectomy in the treatment of lung cancer.     

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     

Thoracoscopic mediastinal lymph node dissection for lung cancer

Mediastinal lymph node staging is an important component of the assessment and management of patients with operable non-small cell lung cancer and is necessary to achieve complete resection. During minimally invasive surgery, performance of an equivalent oncologic resection, including adequate lymph node dissection similar in extent to open thoracotomy, is absolutely necessary. We describe our techniques for video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and Robot-assisted VATS (R-VATS) mediastinal lymph node dissection when performing thoracoscopic lobectomy for lung cancer. Between 2008 and 2011, 200 consecutive patients who underwent VATS or R-VATS lobectomies for early stage lung cancer were analyzed. In our series, we removed about 25 lymph nodes per case in both complete VATS and R-VATS. A thorough lymph node dissection in lung cancer is possible with either VATS or R-VATS technique without oncological compromise.     

单向式全胸腔镜肺癌根治术探讨

目的探讨单向式胸腔镜肺叶切除术治疗非小细胞肺癌安全性、有效性和可行性。方法回顾性分析82例非小细胞肺癌患者施行单向式全胸腔镜肺叶切除术的临床资料。结果成功完成单向式全胸腔镜肺癌根治术79例;3例因胸腔镜下难以控制出血,增加10 cm辅助小切口。术中清扫淋巴结数量为7～22枚,手术时间80～210 min,术中出血量50～600 ml。术后胸管引流时间3～8 d,术后住院时间4～9 d10无围手术期死亡,无肺动脉栓塞等严重并发症。结论单向式全胸腔镜肺叶切除术具有创伤小、恢复快、疼痛轻、住院时间短等优点,淋巴结清扫彻底,是一种安全有效的手术方式,是治疗早期肺癌的可靠方法。尤其对初学者易操作、易掌握。     

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.     

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。     

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.     

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.     

Ninety-Day Mortality of Thoracoscopic vs Open Lobectomy: A Large Multicenter Cohort Study

BackgroundStudies have demonstrated a lower incidence of complications after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy compared with thoracotomy, but the data on in-hospital and 90-day mortality are inconclusive. This study analyzed whether surgical approach, VATS or thoracotomy, was related to early mortality of lobectomy in lung cancer and determined the differences between in-hospital and 90-day mortality.MethodsData of all patients with non-small cell lung cancer who underwent lobectomy between January 1, 2007, and July 30, 2018, were retrieved from Polish National Lung Cancer Registry. Included were 31 433 patients who met all study criteria. After propensity score matching, 4946 patients in the VATS group were compared with 4946 patients in the thoracotomy group.ResultsCompared with thoracotomy, VATS lobectomy was related to lower in-hospital (1.5% vs 0.9%, P = .004) and 90-day mortality (3.4% vs 1.8%, P < .001). Mortality at 90 days was twice as high as in-hospital mortality in both the VATS (1.8% vs 0.9%, P < .001) and thoracotomy groups (3.4% vs 1.5%, P < .001). Postoperative complications were less common after VATS compared with thoracotomy (23.6% vs 31.8%, P < .001).ConclusionsVATS lobectomy is associated with lower in-hospital and 90-day mortality compared with thoracotomy and should be recommended for lung cancer treatment, if feasible. Patients should also be closely monitored after discharge from the hospital, because 90-day mortality is significant higher than in-hospital mortality.     

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。     

Robotic-assisted minimally invasive vs. thoracoscopic lung lobectomy: comparison of perioperative results in a learning curve setting

Purpose

Minimally invasive lung lobectomy was introduced in the late 1990s. Since that time, various different approaches have been described. At our institution, two different minimally invasive approaches, a robotic and a conventional thoracoscopic one, were performed for pulmonary lobectomies. This study compares perioperative outcome of the two different techniques in a learning curve setting.

Methods

Between 2001 and 2008, 26 patients underwent lung lobectomy with a robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) technique. In 2009, the minimally invasive approach was changed to a conventional video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) technique. Perioperative results of the first 26 VATS patients were compared to the results of the robotic group.

Results

There were significantly more patients with clinical stage >IB in the VATS group than in the robotic-assisted group (23.1 vs. 0 %). Otherwise, demographic data were equal between the groups. Operative time was significantly longer in the robotic group (215 vs. 183 min, p?=?0.0362). Median difference between preoperative hemoglobin levels and levels on postoperative day 1 was higher in the RATS group, suggesting a higher blood loss. No difference was found in conversion rate, acute phase protein levels (C-reactive protein), chest drain duration, postoperative morbidity and mortality, and length of hospital stay. Procedural costs were higher for the robotic approach (difference, 770.55?€, i.e., 44.4 %).

Conclusions

Shorter operative times, a lower drop of postoperative hemoglobin levels indicating less blood loss, and lower procedural costs suggest a benefit of the VATS approach over the robotic approach for minimally invasive lung lobectomy.     

完全胸腔镜单向式肺叶切除术在非小细胞肺癌切除中的优越性

目的探讨完全胸腔镜单向式肺叶切除＋淋巴结清扫术在Ⅰ、Ⅱ期非小细胞肺癌切除中的优越性。 方法选取2013年1月—2018年6月在成都市第六人民医院心胸外科诊治的Ⅰ、Ⅱ期非小细胞肺癌患者58例，均采用手术切除治疗。接受常规胸肺叶切除术＋淋巴结清扫术治疗者设为对照组(n＝29)，接受完全胸腔镜单向式肺叶切除＋淋巴结清扫术治疗者设为研究组(n＝29)，比较两组患者的手术指标、疼痛评分、炎症因子水平。 结果研究组患者的切口长度、手术时间、术后住院时间均短于对照组(t＝54.707，t＝11.934，t＝7.574，均P<0.001)，术中出血量少于对照组(t＝24.746，P<0.001)；研究组患者的镇痛药物使用率低于对照组(6.9% vs 27.6%，χ²＝4.350，P＝0.037)，术后12、24、48 h的疼痛VAS评分也低于对照组(t＝8.134，t＝19.039，t＝20.872；均P<0.001)；研究组术后第1、3、7天的C反应蛋白水平均低于对照组(t＝17.307，t＝19.405，t＝16.112，均P<0.001)。 结论完全胸腔镜单向式肺叶切除联合淋巴结清扫术在Ⅰ、Ⅱ期非小细胞肺癌手术切除治疗中具有"微创"等优越性，可减轻患者术后疼痛感，并降低机体炎症水平，适宜推广。     

Bilateral approach for thoracoscopic esophagectomy with lymph node dissection in the dorsal area of the thoracic aorta in patients with esophageal cancer: A report of two cases

IntroductionThe incidence of lymph node metastasis in the dorsal area of the thoracic aorta (DTA) is relatively low in patients with esophageal cancer. It is difficult to approach the DTA using surgical procedures, such as an open thoracotomy and thoracoscopy in the left decubitus position.Case presentationCase 1: A 70-year-old man with esophageal cancer underwent thoracoscopic esophagectomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection via a right thoracoscopic approach, followed by lymphadenectomy in the DTA via left thoracoscopy in the prone position. Microscopic findings revealed two metastatic lymph nodes in the DTA. The definitive diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, and the pathological stage was T2N3M0 (Union for International Cancer Control [UICC], 7th edition). The patient showed lung metastasis 8 months after the surgery. Case 2: A 72-year-old man with esophageal cancer underwent esophagectomy via a bilateral approach in the prone position, using a similar procedure as in case 1. The definitive diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, and the pathological stage was T3N2M0. The patient showed a metastatic mediastinal lymph node 4 months after the surgery.ConclusionBilateral thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the prone position can be safely performed, and it might be an alternative curative surgery for esophageal cancer. However, both our cases showed metastasis in the early postoperative period. The long-term outcome and significance of dissection of lymph nodes in the DTA in patients with esophageal cancer remains controversial. Further studies are required to establish the indications and efficacy of this therapeutic approach.     

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.