ObjectiveTo analyze the operation outcomes and learning curve of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).MethodsAll consecutive patients who underwent uniportal VATS between November 2018 and December 2020 in Shangjin Branch of West China Hospital of Sichuan University were retrospectively enrolled, including 62 males and 86 females with a mean age of 50.1±13.4 years. Operations included lobectomy, segmentectomy, wedge resection, mediastinal mass resection and hemopneumothorax. Accordingly, patients' clinical features in different phases were collected and compared to determine the outcome difference and learning curve for uniportal VATS.ResultsMedian postoperative hospital stay was 5 days, and the overall complication rate was 8.1% (12/148). There was no 30-day death after surgery or readmissions. Median postoperative pain score was 3. Over time, the operation time, incision length and blood loss were optimized in the uniportal VATS lobectomy, the incision length and blood loss increased in the uniportal VATS segmentectomy, and the postoperative hospital stay decreased in the uniportal VATS wedge resection.ConclusionUniportal VATS is safe and feasible for both standard and complex pulmonary resections. While, no remarkable learning curve for uniportal VATS lobectomy is observed for experienced surgeon.
ObjectiveTo analyze the risk factors for complications after robotic segmentectomy.MethodsClinical data of 207 patients undergoing robot-assisted anatomical segmentectomy in our hospital from June 2015 to July 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, including 69 males and 138 females with a median age of 54.0 years. The relationship between clinicopathological factors and prolonged air leakage, pleural effusion, and pulmonary infection after surgery was analyzed.ResultsAfter robot-assisted segmentectomy, 20 (9.7%) patients developed prolonged air leakage (>5 d), 17 (8.2%) patients developed pleural effusion, and 4 (1.9%) patients developed pulmonary infection. Univariate logistic regression showed that body mass index (BMI, P=0.018), FEV1% (P=0.024), number of N1 lymph nodes resection (P=0.008) were related to prolonged air leakage after robot-assisted segmentectomy. Benign lesion was a risk factor for pleural effusion (P=0.013). The number of lymph node sampling stations was significantly related to the incidence of pulmonary infection (P=0.035). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that the BMI (OR=0.73, P=0.012) and N1 lymph node sampling (OR=1.38, P=0.001) had a negative and positive relationship with prolonged air leakage after robot-assisted segmentectomy, respectively.ConclusionThe incidence of pulmonary complications after robot-assisted segmentectomy is low. The lower BMI and more N1 lymph node sampling is, the greater probability of prolonged air leakage is. Benign lesions and more lymph node sampling stations are risk factors for pleural effusion and lung infection, respectively. Attention should be paid to the prevention and treatment of perioperative complications for patients with such risk factors.
ObjectiveTo compare and analyze the therapeutic effects of robot-assisted lobectomy and segmentectomy for stage ⅠA non-small cell lung cancer with a diameter≤2 cm. MethodsA total of 181 patients with pathologically confirmed stage ⅠA non-small cell lung cancer (diameter≤2 cm) who underwent robot-assisted lobectomy and segmentectomy in our hospital from 2018 to 2021 were included. There were 74 males and 107 females with an average age of 57.50±10.60 years. They were divided into two groups according to the surgical procedure: a segmentectomy group (85 patients) and a lobectomy group (96 patients). ResultsThere was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of clinical data such as age, gender, smoking history, basic disease, pathological type, tumour diameter, operative time, postoperative 24 h drainage volume and overall complications (P>0.05). The intraoperative blood loss (33.88±16.26 mL vs. 39.27±19.48 mL, P=0.046), groups of dissected lymph nodes (4.76±1.19 vs. 5.52±1.46, P=0.000), number of dissected lymph nodes (14.81±7.23 vs. 18.06±7.70, P=0.004) and postoperative 72 h drainage volume (561.65±225.31 mL vs. 649.84±324.34 mL, P=0.037) of patients in the segmentectomy were less than those in the lobectomy group. The chest drainage time (5.49±3.92 d vs. 7.60±4.96 d, P=0.002) and postoperative hospital stay time (7.47±4.16 d vs. 9.67±5.50 d, P=0.003) were shorter than those in the lobectomy group. There was no conversion to thoracotomy or perioperative death in the two groups. The postoperative follow-up rate was 100.0% with a longest follow-up time of 48 months. The 3-year recurrence-free survival rates of the segmentectomy group and lobectomy group were 87.7% and 92.4%, respectively (P=0.465). ConclusionThe da Vinci robot-assisted lobectomy and segmentectomy are safe and feasible surgical procedures for patients with stage ⅠA non-small cell lung cancer (diameter≤2 cm), with a similar 3-year recurrence-free survival rate. The lobectomy group has more lymph nodes dissected, while the segmentectomy group is superior to the lobectomy group in terms of intraoperative blood loss, postoperative 72 h chest drainage volume, chest drainage time and postoperative hospitalization time.
More and more relevant research results show that anatomical segmentectomy has the same effect as traditional lobectomy in the surgical treatment of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (diameter<2.0 cm). Segmentectomy is more difficult than lobotomy. Nowadays, with the promotion of personalization medicine and precision medicine, three-dimensional technique has been widely applied in the medical field. It has advantages such as preoperative simulation, intraoperative positioning, intraoperative navigation, clinical teaching and so on. It plays a key role in the discovery of local anatomical variation of pulmonary segment. This paper reviewed the clinical application of three-dimensional technique and briefly described the clinical application value of this technique in segmentectomy.
Objective To summarize the perioperative and long-term outcomes of ground-glass opacity (GGO) dominant early stage lung cancer patients treated by anatomic segmentectomy. Methods We collected clinical data of 756 patients from Western China Lung Cancer Database, who underwent intentional anatomic segmentectomy [tumor size (T) ≤ 2 cm, GGO ≥ 50%] in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University from 2009 to 2018. There were 233 males and 523 females at a median age of 53 (25-83) years including 290 (38.4%) patients of simple segmentectomy and 466 (61.6%) patients of complex segmentectomy. All patients were diagnosed as adenocarcinoma, including 338 (44.7%) patients of minimally invasive adenocarcinoma and 418 (55.3%) patients of invasive adenocarcinoma. Results The median operative time was 115 (38-300) min, the median blood loss was 20 (5-800) mL, 58 (7.7%) patients had postoperative complications and the postoperative stay was 4 (2-24) days. The median follow-up period was 43.0 (30.1-167.9) months. Five-year overall survival rate was 99.5% [95%CI (98.8%, 100.0%)], 5-year recurrence-free survival rate was 98.8% [95%CI (97.5%, 100.0%)], and 5-year lung cancer-specific survival rate was 100.0%. ConclusionAnatomic segmentectomy has favorable perioperative outcomes and excellent prognosis in GGO dominant early stage lung cancer patients.
Objective To assess the clinical value of preoperative localization coupled with computed tomography (CT) three-dimensional reconstruction in pulmonary nodule-centered uniportal thoracoscopic combined subsegmental/segmental resection. Methods The clinical data of 30 patients of combined subsegmental/segmental resection in our hospital from December 2019 to October 2021 were retrospectively collected. There were 19 males and 11 females with the mean age of 56.4 (32.0-71.0) years. The pulmonary nodules were located by CT-guided injection of glue before operation. The three-dimensional reconstruction image and operation planning were carried out by Mimics 21.0 software. ResultsThe operations were all successfully performed, and there was no conversion to open thoracotomy or lobectomy. The mean tumor diameter was 11.6±3.5 mm, the mean distance between the nodule and the visceral pleura was 13.6±5.6 mm, the mean width of the actual cutting edge was 25.0±6.5 mm, the mean operation time was 110.2±23.8 min, the mean number of lymph node dissection stations was 6.5±2.4, the mean amount of intraoperative bleeding was 50.8±20.3 mL, the mean retention time of thoracic catheter was 3.2±1.1 d, and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 4.5±1.7 d. There was 1 patient of subcutaneous emphysema, 1 patient of atrial fibrillation and 1 patient of blood in sputum. Conclusion Preoperative CT-guided injection of medical glue combined with CT three-dimensional reconstruction of pulmonary bronchus and blood vessels is safe and feasible in pulmonary nodule-centered uniportal thoracoscopic combined subsegmental/segmental resection, which ensures the surgical margin and reserves lung tissues.
Objective To verify the feasibility and accuracy of the "lung surface intersegmental constant proportion landmarks", developed by our center, in identifying intersegmental planes during pulmonary segmentectomy. MethodsWe prospectively enrolled the patients who planned to receive thoracoscopic segmentectomy in West China Hospital of Sichuan University and The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu from September 2021 to October 2021. We took a relatively objective and feasible method, intravenous injection of indocyanine green, in identifying intersegmental planes as standard control. We intraoperatively judged the consistency between "lung surface intersegmental constant proportion landmarks" and intravenous injection of indocyanine green in identifying intersegmental planes. We discerned main landmarks of intersegmental plane by the constant proportion segment module, which was built based on the "lung surface intersegmental constant proportion landmarks", as well as distinguished the planes with discrepant fluorescence by peripheral intravenous indocyanine green injection. When the distance between the landmarks determined by the "ung surface intersegmental constant proportion landmarks" and the segmental boundaries displayed by indocyanine green fluorescence staining was ≤1 cm, the landmarks were judged to be consistent with the planes with discrepant fluorescence. As long as one of the landmarks was judged to be consistent, the method was considered to be feasible and accurate. Results A total of 21 patients who underwent thoracoscopic segmentectomy were enrolled, with 5 male and 16 female patients. The median age was 55 years, ranging from 34 to 76 years. A total of 11 patients received left-side surgery, while 10 patients received right-side surgery. In the operations of 21 pulmonary segmentectomies, at least one intersegmental landmark determined by the "lung surface intersegmental constant proportion landmarks" was consistent with the intersegmental plane determined by indocyanine green fluorescence staining in each patient. ConclusionThe intersegmental landmarks determined by the "lung surface intersegmental constant proportion landmarks" are consistent with that determined by indocyanine green fluorescence staining. The method of "lung surface intersegmental constant proportion landmarks" is feasible and accurate in identifying intersegmental planes during pulmonary segmentectomy.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of thoracoscopic complex segmentectomy for stageⅠnon-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the perioperative clinical data of patients with stageⅠNSCLC who underwent thoracoscopic complex segmentectomy (n=58) or simple segmentectomy (n=33) between January 2017 and March 2020 in our hospital. There were 36 males and 55 females with a median age of 57 years (range: 50-66 years). The clinical data of the two groups were compared.ResultsThere were no significant differences between the two groups in characteristics including age, sex, weight, comorbidities, preoperative pulmonary function, dominant composition of tumor, tumor histology and size, overall complications, estimated blood loss, prolonged air leakage, length of hospital stay, length of drainage, surgical margin distance or number of dissected lymph nodes. Only the operation time and number of staples for making intersegmental plane were significantly different between the two groups (P<0.05). There was no perioperative death in both groups.ConclusionThoracoscopic complex segmentectomy is a feasible and safe technique for stageⅠNSCLC.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the curative and economic effect of da Vinci robotic lung segmentectomy.
MethodWe retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 13 patients who underwent robotic lung segmentectomy (as a robotic group) and 35 patients who underwent thoracoscopic lung segmentectomy (as a thoracoscopic group) in our hospital between September 2014 and April 2015. There were 4 males and 9 females at age of 43-73 (59.1±8.9) years in the robot group and 17 males and 18 females in the thoracoscopic group at age of 30-79 (59.1+12.0) years. Effects of the two groups were compared.
ResultsPostoperative hospitalization time in the robotic group was shorter than that in the thoracoscopic group (4.4±0.8 d vs. 6.3±2.5 d, P<0.05). But the cost of hospitalization in the robotic group was higher than that in the thoracoscopic group (P<0.05). The surgery indwelling catheter time and incidence of complications in the robotic group were lower than those in the thoracoscopic group with no statistical difference (P=0.053, 0.081).
ConclusionRobotic lung segmentectomy is a safe and feasible operation method. With the further accumulation of clinical experience and decrease of the cost of materials, the robot will play a more important role in the future of minimally invasive thoracic surgery.
ObjectiveTo share the clinical experience of thoracoscopic unidirectional posterolateral basal segmentectomy via inferior pulmonary ligament.MethodsAll the patients were in the healthy lateral position, with endoscopy holes in the 8th intercostal space of the middle axillary line and 2-3 cm operation holes in the 5th intercostal space of the front axillary line. Anatomical segmentectomy of the posterolateral basal vein, bronchus and artery was performed through the inferior pulmonary ligament upward in turn. The clinical data of this group were analyzed retrospectively.ResultsFrom December 2015 to October 2018, 32 patients underwent thoracoscopic unidirectional posterolateral basal segmentectomy, including 8 males and 24 females, aged 13-71 (52.6±13.7) years. All patients successfully completed the operation, including 9 patients of left lower pulmonary posterolateral basal segmentectomy, 23 patients of right lower pulmonary posterolateral basal segmentectomy. The operation time was 80-295 (133.4 ±40.5) minutes, intraoperative bleeding volume was 20-300 (52.6±33.8) mL, drainage time was 2-14 (4.2±2.3) days, hospitalization time was 4-15 (6.9 ±2.4) days. No death occurred during hospitalization. Postoperative complications included atelectasis in 1 patient and persistent pulmonary leakage over 3 days (4 or 6 days respectively) in 2 patients , chylothorax in 1 patient. All of them recovered smoothly after non-operative treatments. Postoperative pathology showed that 29 patients of primary adenocarcinoma or atypical adenomatoid hyperplasia, including 5 patients of adenocarcinoma in situ, 9 patients of micro-invasive adenocarcinoma, 12 patients of invasive adenocarcinoma, 3 patients of atypical adenomatoid hyperplasia. One patient was of intestinal metastatic adenocarcinoma, 1 patient of inflammatory lesion and 1 patient of bronchiectasis. 3-21(9.6±4.6) lymph nodes were resected in the patients with primary pulmonary malignant tumors. And no metastasis was found.ConclusionThe operation of thoracoscopic unidirectional posterolateral basal segmentectomy via inferior pulmonary ligament is easy. There is no need to open intersegmental tissue. It can protect lung tissue better. The operative method is worthy of clinical promotion.
