ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of different uses of oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for lung cancer resection to provide a reference for the selection, clinical use, and rational utilization of absorbable hemostatic materials. MethodsA retrospective analysis of relevant data from inpatients who underwent VATS for lung cancer resection at a tertiary hospital from July 2019 to January 2020 and from July 2020 to December 2020 was conducted. Patients were divided into two groups based on the use of ORC: 1) combined use group (ORC and collagen sponge) and 2) sole-use group (ORC). Safety, efficacy, and economic outcome indicators were compared between the two groups. ResultsThe main analysis included a total of 904 patients, with 466 in the combined use group and 438 in the sole-use group. Compared to the combined use group, the sole-use group had a significantly longer hospital stay, used fewer hemostatic drugs, had a lower average cost of hemostatic materials, and a lower median total hospitalization cost (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of intraoperative blood loss volume, massive blood loss rate, perioperative transfusion rate, reoperation rate, postoperative 48-hour drainage volume, bloody drainage fluid rate, or postoperative laboratory test indicators. ConclusionThere was no significant difference in the safety or efficacy of VATS for lung cancer resection between the sole use of ORC and the combined use of ORC, but the sole use of ORC was associated with a lower cost of hemostatic materials and a lower total hospitalization cost. The sole use of hemostatic gauze in VATS for lung cancer resection may be a more cost-effective choice.
Objective
To explore the risk factors and short-term clinical effect of conversion to open thoracotomy during thoracoscopic lobectomy for lung cancer patients.
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 423 lung cancer patients who were scheduled for thoracoscopic lobectomy between March 2011 and November 2015.There were 252 males and 171 females at median age of 60 (24-83) years. According to the patients who were and were not converted to thoracotomy, they were divided into a conversion group (378 patients) and a video-assisted thoracic surgery group (a VATS group, 45 patients). Then, clinical data of two groups were compared, and the risk factors and short-term clinical effect of unplanned conversions to thoracotomy were analyzed.
Results
Lymph nodes of hilar or/and interlobar fissure closely adhered to adjacent vessels and bronchi was the most common cause of unexpected conversions to thoracotomy in 15 patients (33.3%), followed by sleeve lobectomy in 11(24.4%) patients, uncontrolled hemorrhage caused by intraoperative vessel injury in 8 patients, tumor invasion or extension in 5 patients, difficulty of exposing bronchi in 3 patients, close adhesion of pleural in 2 patients, incomplete interlobar fissure in 1 patient. Conversion did translate into higher overall postoperative complication rate (P=0.030), longer operation time (P<0.001), more intraoperative blood loss (P<0.001). In the univariable analysis, the type of operation, the anatomical site of lung cancer, the lymph node enlargement of hilar in CT and the low diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) were related to conversion. Logistic regression analysis showed that the independent risk factors for conversion were sleeve lobectomy (OR=5.675, 95%CI 2.310–13.944, P<0.001), the lymph node enlargement of hilar in CT (OR=3.732, 95%CI 1.347–10.341, P=0.011) and DLCO≤5.16 mmol/(min·kPa)(OR=3.665, 95%CI 1.868–7.190, P<0.001).
Conclusions
Conversion to open thoracotomy during video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy for lung cancer does not increase mortality, and it is a measure of reducing the risk of surgery. Therefore, with high-risk patients who may conversion to thoracotomy, the surgeon should be careful selection for VATS candidate. And, if necessary, the decision to convert must be made promptly to reduce short-term adverse outcome.
Abstract： Objective To investigate strategies for prevention，early diagnosis，and prompt treatment for acute pulmonary embolism（PE）after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery（VATS）lobectomy. Methods From January 2007 to November 2010, 1 115 patients with lung cancer underwent VATS lobectomy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College. Among them, 13 patients had acute PE postoperatively, including 6 male patients and 7 female patients with their mean age of 62.3 years（ranging from 42 to 73 years）.All the patients were diagnosed by spiral CT pulmonary artery angiography（SCTPA）, and received anticoagulation therapy with low molecular weight heparin and warfarin. Results The incidence of acute PE after VATS lobectomy was 1.17%（13/1 115）, and the patients with low PE-related early mortality risk accounted for a large proportion（11/13）. There were 12 patients with right-side PE. All the patients’ signs and symptoms were significantly alleviated after administration of anticoagulation therapy. Nine patients received SCTPA review after treatment which showed that their PE had disappeared or been significantly absorbed. No hematological complications including thoracic hemorrhage or wound errhysis occurred after treatment. All surviving patients were followed up for 1 month to 3 months. During follow-up, these patients were alive without PE recurrence. Conclusion SCTPA is the first-choice examination for the diagnosis of acute PE after VATS lobectomy. Prophylaxis against PE and prompt treatment are necessary depending on individual manifestations. VATS lobectomy should be favored as a minimally invasive surgical treatment for patients with lung cancer, for the low incidence of postoperative PE and low PE-related early mortality risk.
ObjectiveTo explore clinical outcomes of simutaneous video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for bilateral giant bullae (GB).
MethodsClinical data of 160 GB patients who received surgical treatment in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from March 2011 to April 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. According to GB location and surgical strategies, all the patients were divided into 3 groups. In group A, there were 108 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) and unilateral GB who underwent unilateral GB resection with VATS, including 88 male and 20 female patients with their age of 31.36±16.14 years. In group B, there were 40 patients with SP and bilateral GB who underwent unilateral GB resection in the SP side with VATS, including 36 male and 4 female patients with their age of 37.63±18.84 years. In group C, there were 12 patients with SP and bilateral GB who underwent simultaneous bilateral GB resection with VATS, including 9 male and 3 female patients with their age of 32.58±16.06 years. Postoperative morbidity and SP recurrence rates were analyzed.
ResultsAll the operations were successfully performed, and patients were followed up for 20 months after discharge. In group A, postoperative complications included acute pulmonary edema in 1 patient, pleural adhesion in 11 patients, respiratory failure in 2 patients, and pulmonary air leak in 5 patients. During follow-up, SP recurred in 5 patients including 2 patients with SP recurrence at the same side and 3 patients with SP recurrence at the other side of thorax. In group B, postoperative complications included pleural adhesion in 4 patients, respiratory failure in 1 patient, and pulmonary air leak in 3 patients. During follow-up, SP recurred in 18 patients including 3 patients with SP recurrence at the same side and 15 patients with SP recurrence at the other side of thorax. In group C, postoperative complications included pleural adhesion in 2 patients and pulmonary air leak in 1 patient. During follow-up, SP recurred in 1 patient at the same side of thorax. SP recurrence rates of group A and C were significantly lower than that of group B (P=0.000 and P=0.031 respectively).
ConclusionSimultaneous VATS is safe, efficacious and reliable for the treatment of bilateral GB, and can effectively prevent SP recurrence at the other side of thorax.
ObjectiveTo determine postoperative pain of the robotic technique for the patients with lobectomy.
MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 120 patients with lobectomy between October 2014 and May 2015 in our hospital. The patients are divided into two groups:a robotic group, including 40 patients with 16 males and 24 females at age of 59.7±7.2 years, undergoing robotic lobectomy, and a video-assisted thoraciscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy group (a VATS group) including 80 patients with 29 males and 51 females at age of 61.2±8.9 years, undergoing VATS lobectomy. We used the numerical rating scale (NRS) and verbal rating scale (VRS) to assess the pain level on the first day, the 7th day and the 30th day after the surgery. The pain level of the two groups was compared.
ResultsThe patients in the two groups both felt pain. There were no statistical differences in the scores of VRS and NRS on the first day, the 7th day and the 30th day after the surgery between the two group (P>0.05). The pain score of the patients in the two groups decreased with no statistical difference from the first day to the 30th day after the surgery (P>0.05).
ConclusionThe patients with robotic lobectomy have similar pain level after surgery compared with the patients with VATS lobectomy.
ObjectiveTo increase the advantage and decrease the disadvantage of posterior approach for uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) right upper lobectomy.MethodsData of 97 consecutive patients who received uniportal VATS right upper lobectomy using posterior approach in the semiprone position were retrospectively analyzed from Dec, 2014 to Dec, 2017. There were 41 males and 56 females at age of 26–79 (57.8±10.6) years. The hilar structure was cut from posterior to anterior one by one. The mediastinal lymph nodes were dissected if lung cancer was diagnosed.ResultsNinety three of 97 patients were successfully completed with uniportal VATS right upper lobectomy using posterior approach, 3 of them were completed with posterior approach combined with anterior approach, and 1 of them needed thoracotomy. The mean operative time was 76–192 (127.0±32.0) min. The thoracic drainage time was 2–20 (3.4±2.7) d. The postoperative length of hospital stay was 3–23 (5.4±3.1) d. There were postoperative complications in 7 patients and no postoperative mortality.ConclusionPosterior approach for uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery right upper lobectomy is safe and feasible, which can decrease the fatigue of both the surgeon and the assistant. It also provides with better exposure of posterior mediastinum, less dragging lung, and less interference of the instruments and help keep the clear surgical field. In complicated cases, posterior approach could combine with anterior approach to complete the VATS lobectomy.
Objective
To investigate the security and feasibility of silk ligating for pulmonary artery in video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy, and to summarize the clinical skills.
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 68 patients underwent the video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy from April 2013 to March 2015. There were 49 males and 19 females with the mean age of 59.6±10.3 years, ranging from 38 to 76 years. We divided the patients into an ECR60W cut-up group (31 patients) and a silk ligation group (37 patients). There were 22 males and 9 females patients with the average age of 59.3±9.9 years with ECR60W. There were 27 males and 10 females patients with the average age of 59.9±10.5 years with silk ligation. We observed the effect of hemostasis, and analyzed the amount of bleeding loss during operation, postoperative suction drainage and the cost of operation material between the two groups.
Results
There were 4 patients out of 68 converted to the open lobectomy, and all of them used ECR60W. The application of silk ligation for pulmo-nary artery could effectively control bleeding loss and avoid massive amount of bleeding due to the vascular tear in opera-tions. Furthermore, the application can reduce the rate of severe complications such as massive bleeding resulting from postoperative silk ligation slippage. There was a statistical difference between the two groups on the cost of operation mate-rials (P < 0.01).
Conclusions
Silk ligation for pulmonary artery in video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy is simple and prac-tical to apply. Compared with the ECR60W, it can significantly reduce the cost of operation material. It's worth to popularize in clinic.
ObjectiveTo determine if comfort level was associated with chest tube size(16F or 28F) among lung cancer patients with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy.
MethodsWe performed VATS lobectomy for 163 patients with lung cancer in our hospital between February and May 2014. There were 70 males 93 females. The patients were allocated into two groups including a 28F group and a 16F group. There were 75 patients at age of 53.18±14.73 years with insertion of one chest drain of 28F in the 28F group. And there were 88 patients at age of 56.62±12.62 years with insertion of one chest drain of 16F in the 16F group. Heart rate and variation of pulse, breathing rate and variation of breathing rate, pain scores, comfort level, and activities daily living (ADL) of the two groups were compared.
ResultsThere was no significant difference in the patient characteristics and operation data between the two groups. There were statistical differences in variation of heart rates on the 1st day, 2nd day, and 3rd day after operation between the 16Fgroup and the 28F group (9.67±3.33 times/min vs.18.54±5.33 times/min, P=0.037; 7.89±2.88 times/min vs. 19.01±4.67 times/min, P=0.045; 7.67±3.01 times/min vs. 20.88±5.34 times/min, P=0.021). The percentage patients of mild pain in the 16F group (77.65%) was higher than that in the 28F group (49.78%, P=0.023) with a statistical difference. The independent ambulation and comfort level in the 16F group(67.05%, 67.05%) were significant higher than those in the 28F group (45.78%,55.11%, P=0.023, P=0.026).
ConclusionOur findings suggest that drainage via a small-bore chest tube provides meaningful postoperative comfort level in the patients with VATS lobectomy.
ObjectiveTo compare the clinical efficacy of video-assisted thoracoscopy and thoracotomy for the treatment of encapsulated tuberculous pleurisy.
MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 99 patients who had underwent surgery for encapsulated tuberculous pleurisy within 3 months of disease onset in our hospital from January through December 2013. Based on the surgical mode, patients were assigned to a video-assisted thoracoscopy group, including 49 patients (35 males and 14 females, a mean age of 26.78±9.36 years), to receive video-assisted thoracoscopic pleurectomy; or a thoracotomy group, including 50 patients (31 males and 19 females, a mean age of 31.84±11.08 years), to receive conventional thoracotomic pleurectomy. The first 43 patients in the video-assisted thoracoscopy group received thoracic catheter drainage, with the drainage volume of 659.08±969.29 ml; the first 48 patients in the thoracotomy group received thoracic catheter drainage, with the drainage volume of 919.03±129.97 ml. The clinical effects were compared between the two groups.
ResultsAll the patients in the video-assisted thoracoscopy group completed thoracoscopy without conversion to thoracotomy. The surgery duration and postoperative intubation time were shorter in the video-assisted thoracoscopy group than those in the thoracotomy group (surgery duration:103.00±53.04 min vs. 127.06±51.60 min, P<0.01; postoperative intubation time 3.02±0.83 d vs. 3.94±1.25 d, P<0.01). At the end of 6 months of follow-up, the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1>) was 2.83±0.64 L in the thoracos-copy group and 2.25±0.64 L in the thoracotomy group (P<0.01); forced vital capacity (FVC) was 3.02±0.72 L in the thora-coscopy group and 2.57±0.79 L in the thoracotomy group (P<0.05); and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) was 93.90± 15.86 L in the thoracoscopy group and 80.34±17.06 L in the thoracotomy group (P<0.01).
ConclusionThoracoscopic surgery is feasible for patients with encapsulated pleurisy within 3 months of onset. Furthermore video-assisted thoraco-scopy will be superior to thoracotomy.
Objective
To explore the minimal invasiveness and practability of combined video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) with two trocars and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in the treatment of esophageal leiomyoma.
Methods
Between February 2007 and February 2012, we retrospectively analysed the clinical data of 166 patients who underwent various surgeries for the treatment of esophageal leiomyoma. Among them, 62 received routine thoracotomy (group A), 49 accepted conventional VATS surgery with three trocars (group B), and 55 underwent combined VATS surgery with two trocars and EUS (group C). Then, we summarized the clinical indexes of patients in all the three groups for further comparative analysis.
Results
There was no significant difference among the three groups in age, gender, and lesion location, origin level and size (P > 0.05). There were significant differences between group A and C in blood loss, surgery time, intraoperative localization, postoperative incision pain, hospitalization expenses, length of hospital stay, fasting time, pulmonary infection, and the complications during the follow-up (P < 0.05). There were significant differences between group C and B in blood loss, surgery time, intraoperative localization, fasting time and pulmonary infection (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Combined VATS surgery with two trocars and EUS is safe, minimally invasive, thorough with few complications, which is worthy of clinical promotion.
