Recently, the frequency of lung disease appears higher and more precise than previously estimated. Small pulmonary nodules (SPNs) are frequently detected on high-resolution computed tomography (CT) scans. For the reason of high rate of false positives by fine needle aspirate biopsy, small lung nodules often can not be confirmed by monitor or palpation with forceps. How to precisely locate and mark the nodule before the surgery is one of the most important things for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). We reviews the methods of location the pulmonary nodules before the surgery and analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of various methods.
ObjectiveTo discuss the safety, feasibility and short-term clinical efficacy of thoracoscopic anterior mediastinal mass resection in lithotomy position via subxiphoid approach or lateral position via transthoracic approach.MethodsA total of 44 patients suffering anterior mediastinal tumor enrolled, including 21 patients (10 males and 11 females as a trial group) with an average age of 43.6±11.8 years who have been performed thoracoscopic anterior mediastinal tumor resection in lithotomy position via subxiphoid approach and 23 patients (13 males and 10 females as a control group) with an average age of 45.3±10.8 years who have been performed thoracoscopic anterior mediastinal tumor resection in lateral position via transthoracic approach. The clinical efficacy of the two groups was compared.ResultsPostoperative chest drainage time (3.8±1.3 d vs. 5.0±1.8 d, P=0.017), postoperative drainage volume (238.8±66.2 mL vs. 467.2±120.0 mL, P=0.000), postoperative mean visual analogue score at 24 h (2.5±0.9 point vs. 4.9±1.0 point, P=0.000), times of self-pressure analgesic pump (3.7±0.9 vs. 8.4±2.0, P=0.000), duration of postoperative hospital stay (4.7±1.3 d vs. 7.4±3.1 d, P=0.000) and hospitalization cost (34±8 kyaun vs. 44±11 kyuan P=0.001) in the trial group were all better than those in the control group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in surgical duration (59.0±18.1 min vs. 60.4±16.4 min) (P>0.05). During follow-up, no recurrence or metastasis occurred in either group.ConclusionCompared with the lateral position through the transthoracic approach, the lithotomy position through subxiphoid approach of thoracoscopic anterior mediastinal mass resection is safe and feasible, and has certain advantages.
Abstract： Objective To evaluate video-assisted thoracic surgery（VATS）and minimal incision thoracotomy（MIT）lobectomy for early stage non-small cell lung cancer patients and the impact upon postoperative quality of life（QOL）. Methods A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted. From January 1, 2008 to December 10, 2011, the qualified patients with early stage NSCLC were recruited and randomized to VATS group （57 patients）and MIT group（49 patients）, totally 106 patients，57 males and 49 females, aged 57.60 years. The quality of life was assessed using Lung Cancer Symptom Scale （LCSS） before operation and at 1,3,6,9,12 months after operation. Results There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in age, sex, the location of tumor, tumor pathologic stage, pathological types, postoperative complications, tumor size, operative time, operative bleeding and air leak days. There were no symptoms after operation at the VATS group worse than the leve before operation. Five major symptoms, including appetit（1.04±0.71 vs.2.00±0.83, F=6.357，P=0.021）, fatigue （4.55±1.17 vs.10.19±2.10, F=4.721，P=0.043）, dyspnea（2.18±0.86 vs.10.26±2.05, F=10.020，P=0.005）, normal activity（5.16±1.70 vs.17.60±3.17, F=12.319，P=0.002）at the MIT group were deteriorated significantly at 1 month after the operation （P＜0.05）. Conclusion The VATS will lead to better quality of life for the patients with early stage NSCLC after surgery and lead to a smooth postoperative recovery.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical characteristics of uniportal and three-port subxiphoid video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (XVATS) extended thymectomy.MethodsThe clinical data of 60 consecutive patients of XVATS thymectomy in Xuzhou Central Hospital from January 2017 to May 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 29 males and 31 females, with an average age of 53.1 (27.0-76.0) years. The patients were divided into an uniportal XVATS group (30 patients) and a three-port XVATS group (30 patients). The clinical effectiveness was compared between the two groups.ResultsThere was no significant difference in age, sex, body mass index, tumor size, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative time of thoracic tube indwelling and thoracic drainage, or postoperative hospitalization time between the two groups (P>0.05). There was no perioperative mortality, conversion to thoracotomy, thrombosis or mediastinal infection. The operation time of the uniportal XVATS group was significantly longer than that of the three-port group (87.5±19.0 min vs. 75.8±15.7 min, P=0.012). Besides, patients in the uniportal group had significantly lower pain score during 3-14 postoperative days than that of the three-port group (P=0.001).ConclusionUniportal XVATS extended thymectomy is feasible with less pain as compared with the patients using three-port XVATS, but it needs longer operation time at initial stage.
Objective To compare the safety and efficacy of the subxiphoid robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (SRATS) and intercostal robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (IRATS) for the treatment of anterior mediastinal tumors. Methods The clinical data of patients who received robot-assisted anterior mediastinal tumor resection in the same medical unit of the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Gansu Provincial Hospital from May 2020 to July 2022 were retrospectively collected. The patients were divided into a SRATS group and an IRATS group according to the surgical procedure. The perioperative data of patients were compared between the two groups. Results Finally 87 patients were collected, including 41 in the SRATS group (23 males and 18 females, mean age of 44.51±11.28 years) and 46 in the IRATS group (21 males and 25 females, mean age of 46.67±8.76 years). All 87 patients completed the surgery successfully. Compared with IRATS group, SRATS group had less intraoperative blood loss (24.41±6.67 mL vs. 37.93±9.23 mL, P=0.000), shorter postoperative catheterization time (1.73±0.59 d vs. 2.54±0.50 d, P=0.000), less postoperative drainage (94.46±34.08 mL vs. 116.72±24.90 mL, P=0.001), lower visual analogue score (VAS) on the first postoperative day (3.66±0.76 points vs. 4.15±0.84 points, P=0.005) and third postoperative day (2.41±0.59 points vs. 2.89±0.82 points, P=0.003), shorter postoperative hospital stay (4.12±0.81 d vs. 4.98±1.02 d, P=0.000) and lower hospitalization costs (45.1±6.5 thousand yuan vs. 48.6±6.8 thousand yuan, P=0.020). There was no significant difference in the operation time or the incidence of postoperative complications. Conclusion Both SRATS and IRATS have high safety and efficacy in the treatment of anterior mediastinal tumors. However, SRATS has less damage, which is more conducive to the rapid recovery of patients after surgery, and has a wide prospect of clinical application.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the correlation between positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) level and postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in patients undergoing thoracoscopic lung surgery. MethodsThe clinical data of patients who underwent elective thoracoscopic lung surgery at West China Hospital of Sichuan University from January 2022 to June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to intraoperative PEEP levels: a PEEP 5 cm H2O group and a PEEP 10 cm H2O group. The incidence of PPCs in the two groups after matching was compared using a nearest neighbor matching method with a ratio of 1∶1, setting the clamp value as 0.02. ResultsA total of 538 patients were screened, and after propensity score-matching, a total of 229 pairs (458 patients) were matched, with an average age of 53.9 years and 69.4% (318/458) females. A total of 118 (25.8%) patients had PPCs during hospitalization after surgery, including 60 (26.2%) patients in the PEEP 5 cm H2O group and 58 (25.3%) patients in the PEEP 10 cm H2O group, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups [OR=0.997, 95%CI (0.495, 1.926), P=0.915]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that PEEP was not an independent risk factor for PPCs [OR=0.920, 95%CI (0.587, 1.441), P=0.715]. ConclusionFor patients undergoing thoracoscopic lung surgery, intraoperative PEEP (5 cm H2O or 10 cm H2O) is not associated with the risk of PPCs during hospitalization after surgery, which needs to be further verified by prospective, large-sample randomized controlled studies.
Objective To assess the safety and clinical outcomes of segmentectomy in one- or two-staged video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for bilateral lung cancer. MethodsWe retrospectively enrolled 100 patients who underwent VATS segmentectomy for bilateral lung cancer at the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from December 2013 to May 2022. We divided the patients into two groups: a one-stage group (52 patients), including 17 males and 35 females with a mean age of 55.17±11.09 years, and a two-stage group (48 patients), including 16 males and 32 females with a mean age of 59.88±11.48 years. We analyzed multiple intraoperative variables and postoperative outcomes. Results All 100 patients successfully completed bilateral VATS, and at least unilateral lung received anatomical segmentectomy. Patients in the one-stage group were younger (P=0.040), had lower rate of comorbidities (P=0.030), were less likely to have a family history of lung cancer (P=0.018), and had a shorter interval between diagnosis and surgery (P=0.000) compared with patients in the two-stage group. Wedge resection on the opposite side was more common in the one-stage group (P=0.000), while lobectomy was more common in the two-stage group. The time to emerge from anesthesia in the one-stage group was longer than that in the first and second operations of the two-stage group (P=0.000, P=0.002). Duration of surgery and anesthesia were similar between two groups (P>0.05). Total number of lymph node stations for sampling and dissection (P=0.041) and lymph nodes involved (P=0.026) were less in the one-stage group. Intraoperative airway management was similar between two groups (P>0.05). The one-stage group was associated with lower activities of daily living (ADL) scores. Conclusion Segmentectomy is safe in one- or two-staged VATS for bilateral lung cancer, including contralateral sublobectomy and lobectomy. Duration of surgery and perioperative complications are similar between two groups, but the one-stage group is associated with lower ADL scores. On the basis of comprehensive consideration in psychological factors, physical conditions and personal wishes of patients, one-staged sequential bilateral VATS can be the first choice.
Objective To compare the safety and efficacy of thulium laser wedge resection of the lung under uniportal thoracoscopy with the other two traditional surgical methods (mechanical cutting stapler wedge resection and segmentectomy) in the treatment of small pulmonary nodules.MethodsClinical data of 125 patients with small pulmonary nodules receiving uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery from December 2017 to December 2018 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 33 patients had thulium laser wedge resection (a thulium laser group), including 10 males and 23 females, with an average age of 59.21±11.31 years; 48 patients had mechanical stapling pulmonary wedge resection (a mechanical stapling pulmonary wedge resection group), including 17 males and 31 females, with an average age of 57.27±11.30 years; and 44 patients had pulmonary segmentectomy (a pulmonary segmentectomy group), including 21 males and 23 females, with an average age of 63.00±9.68 years. The surgical margin air leakage, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, drainage days, average daily drainage volume, fever, pain and hospitalization expenses were compared among the three groups. ResultsThe body mass index, gender, smoking history, benign and malignant pathological results, average maximum diameter of lesions and lesion location distribution were not statistically different among the three groups (P>0.05). The average age and the proportion of pleural adhesions in the thulium laser group were not statistically different from those of the other two groups (P>0.05). In the distribution of the number of lesions, the proportion of multiple lesions in the mechanical stapling pulmonary wedge resection group was higher than that of the other two groups, and there was no statistical difference between the other two groups. The intraoperative blood loss in the thulium laser group was less than that of the other two groups (P≤0.05). There was no statistical difference in the classification of surgical margin air leakage or the operation time among the three groups (P>0.05). The proportion of postoperative fever and hospitalization expenses in the thulium laser group were lower or less than those of the other two groups (P<0.05). The length of hospitalization stay and postoperative chest tube placement in the thulium laser group was significantly shorter than that of the pulmonary segmentectomy group (P<0.05), which was not statistically different from the mechanical stapling pulmonary wedge resection group (P>0.05). There was no statistical difference in the average daily drainage volume or the proportion of pain among the three groups (P>0.05). Conclusion The thulium laser wedge resection under uniportal thoracoscopy is a safe, effective and economical method for the treatment of small pulmonary nodules.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of changing of body posture on video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for pulmonary bullae.
MethodsFrom January 2011 to October 2012, 28 patients with pulmonary bullae including 21 males and 7 females were admitted to our department. The median age of these patients was 18 years old, ranging from 16 to 61. All patients were divided into two groups:video-assisted pulmonary bullae resection with changing of body posture (n=14) and without changing of body posture (n=14). Surgery time, blood loss during operation, drainage, duration of drainage, length of stay in hospital, incidence of complications and recurrence rate were observed and compared between the two groups.
ResultsSurgery time in the non-change group was shorter than that in the change group (P<0.05). Blood loss during operation in the non-change group was less than that in the change group (P<0.05). There were no significant difference in drainage, duration of drainage, length of stay in hospital and recurrence rate between the two groups (P>0.05). No complications occurred.
ConclusionFor patients with bilateral bullae having tolerated cardiopulmonary function and not-heavy pleural adhesions, non-changing of body posture is safe and effective, not only to avoid a second surgery, but also to avoid turning over and second surgical disinfection, which is more beneficial to the patients.
Surgery has played an important role in treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Resection is usually the first choice for NSCLC patients in stage Ⅰ and stage Ⅱ, and it is also an important part of the comprehensive treatment for the stage ⅢA patients. Standard surgery of NSCLC includes resection of the primary tumor lesion and swee-ping of ipsilateral lymph nodes and mediastinal lymph nodes. The goal of treatment for lung cancer in early stage aims to decrease the rate of recurrence and mortality. In recent years, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and da Vinci robotic minimal invasive surgery have made gratifying achievements, especially for small peripheral lung nodules surgery. For patients with NSCLC at stage ⅢA, the central focus of research is about identifying patients who will benefit in the surgery combining with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, therefore to choose the appropriate surgery.
