Sex-based disparities in patients with lung cancer undergoing lobectomy via robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

Abstract

e20005 Background: The 2023 report from the World Health Organization(WHO) ranked lung cancer (LC) as the top cause of cancer-related fatalities worldwide. Recently, minimally invasive procedures such as robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) have been introduced as part of the treatment of some LC cases. Our study aims to bridge the understanding of potential sex-based disparities among LC patients undergoing lobectomy via RATS. Methods: We analyzed the 2016-2020 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) for adult lung cancer(malignant or carcinoma in situ) patients with a principal procedure code of lobectomy with RATS. Cases with underlying mycoses, mycobacterial infection, and pulmonary abscesses were excluded based on recommendations from prior studies. Multivariate regression models helped evaluate sex-based differences in several complications. Results: An estimated 26385 lung cancer patients underwent lobectomy via RATS, consisting of 56.68% females (14955 cases) and 43.32% males (11430 cases). Age differences were noted as females were younger (mean age 67.80 years vs. 69.14 years, p < 0.01). We also found that females were less likely to report several complications, such as acute kidney injury (AKI) (3% vs. 6.6%, aOR 0.538, p < 0.001), pneumonia (2.8% vs. 4.3%, aOR 0.725, p < 0.001), post-procedural air leak (9.2% vs. 11.2%, aOR 0.797, p < 0.001), post-procedural cardiac arrest (0.6 % vs. 1.6%, aOR 0.349, p < 0.001), pulmonary embolism (0.2% vs. 0.5%, aOR 0.345, p < 0.001), deep vein thrombosis (DVT)(1.5% vs. 2.2%, aOR 0.742, p: 0.003), atrial fibrillation (AF)(13% vs 21.7%, aOR 0.564, p < 0.001), acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (0.2% vs. 0.5%, aOR 0.58, p:0.027), and death (0.3% vs. 0.9%, aOR 0.505, p < 0.001). Notably, females were more likely to have an open procedure conversion (0.2% vs 0.1%, aOR 2.235, p:0.017). However, there is no significant difference between the two sexes regarding post-procedural pneumothorax and respiratory failure, atelectasis, supraventricular tachycardia, and events of acute ischemic stroke. Conclusions: Our most recent analysis confirms that among LC patients undergoing lobectomy via RATS, males were more prone to several complications than females. However, we also found that females were more likely to necessitate an open procedure conversion. We, therefore, advocate for further research to enhance our understanding of such disparities and strategies to address them effectively.