Video-assisted Thoracic Surgery Segmentectomy Research Articles

Anatomical variation analysis of left upper pulmonary blood vessels and bronchi based on three-dimensional reconstruction of chest CT.

With its growing popularity and potential outcome, preoperative three-dimensional reconstruction of chest computed tomography (CT) has been widely used in video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) segmentectomy for treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aimed to summarize the experience of anatomical variation analysis of left upper pulmonary blood vessels and bronchi based on the three-dimensional reconstruction of chest CT. A total of 103 patients with early-stage NSCLC were chosen to undergo VATS segmentectomy based on preoperative three-dimensional reconstruction of chest CT in our institute from September 2019 to July 2022. Data such as clinical characteristics and variations in blood vessels and bronchi were reviewed in this study. The branches of the left lingular pulmonary artery may mutate into the LS1 + 2 + 3. A1 + 2 has four subtypes. The distribution of variation is relatively balanced, and the most common variation is type I (35/103, 33.9%). Most lingular arteries originate from the oblique cleft side of the lingular bronchus (79/103,76.7%). Most V(1 + 2)c* are small developments (70/103, 68.0%). The venous return of the proper segment mainly depends on V(1 + 2)b + c. The variation in the left upper lobe bronchus is complex. The most common variant is the bifurcation type (type A to G, 92/103, 89.3%) and bifurcation type A (62/103, 60.2%). The posterior apical segment artery of the left upper lobe is not accompanied by its bronchus. The variation types of blood vessels and bronchus in the upper lobe of the left lung are complex. Preoperative CT-based three-dimensional reconstruction of pulmonary arteries, veins, and bronchi is of great significance. It can help understand the variations, accurately locate lesions before the surgery, and effectively plan surgeries.

Uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery basal segmentectomy: a single-center retrospective cohort study.

Uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) basal segmentectomy is technically challenging and requires a deep understanding of the segmental anatomy of the lung. This report describes the uniportal VATS segmentectomy of basal segments using a single-direction approach. A total of 49 patients who underwent uniportal VATS basal segmentectomy between April 2019 and April 2021 were included in this retrospective study. All the surgeries were conducted using a single-direction approach. The resections of segments 7-8 were mainly performed using the interlobar fissure approach, while the resections of segments 9-10 were performed using the inferior pulmonary ligament approach. A total of 33 patients underwent a single basal segmentectomy and 16 patients underwent combined basal segmentectomy/sub-segmentectomy. The median operative time was 120 min (range, 60-180 min), and the median blood loss was 20 mL (range, 10-100 mL). The median chest tube duration was 2 days (range, 1-5 days), and the median hospital stay after surgery was 4 days (range, 2-15 days). The morbidity rate after surgery was 6.1% (3/49). There were no perioperative deaths. The pathological examinations revealed 3 cases of adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), 33 cases of minimally invasive adenocarcinoma, and 13 cases of lepidic-predominant invasive adenocarcinoma. No recrudescence or mortality was reported during the median follow-up time of 7 months (range, 2-25 months). Uniportal VATS basal segmentectomy is a feasible and reliable technique based on our experience. This single-direction method allows the uniportal VATS basal segmentectomy to be performed in an easy manner with the targeted segmental bronchi and vessels exposed from superficial to deep in order of their appearance while avoiding the repeated turnover of the lung.

Is faster better? Impact of operative time on postoperative outcomes after VATS anatomical pulmonary resection.

BackgroundVideo-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is now the preferred approach for standard anatomical pulmonary resections. This study evaluates the impact of operative time (OT) on post-operative outcomes after VATS anatomical pulmonary resection for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed all consecutive patients undergoing VATS lobectomy or segmentectomy for NSCLC between November 2010 and December 2019. Postoperative outcomes were compared between short (<150 minutes) and long (≥150 minutes) OT groups. A multivariable analysis was performed to identify predictors of long OT and overall post-operative complications.ResultsA total of 670 patients underwent lobectomy (n=496, 74%) or segmentectomy (n=174, 26%) for NSCLC. Mediastinal lymph node dissection was performed in 621 patients (92.7%). The median OT was 141 minutes (SD: 47 minutes) and 387 patients (57.8%) were operated within 150 minutes. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was given in 25 patients (3.7%). Conversion thoracotomy was realized in 40 patients (6%). Shorter OT was significantly associated with decreased post-operative overall complication rate (30% vs. 41%; P=0.003), shorter median length of drainage (3 vs. 4 days; P<0.001) and shorter median length of hospital stay (6 vs. 7 days; P<0.001). On multivariable analysis, long OT (≥150 minutes) (OR 1.64, P=0.006), ASA score >2 (OR 1.87, P=0.001), FEV1 <80% (OR 1.47, P=0.046) and DLCO <80% (OR 1.5, P=0.045) were significantly associated with postoperative complications. Two predictors of long OT were identified: neoadjuvant chemotherapy (OR 3.11, P=0.01) and lobectomy (OR 1.5, P=0.032).ConclusionsA prolonged OT is significantly associated with postoperative complications in our collective of patients undergoing VATS anatomical pulmonary resection.

Anatomical segmentectomy versus pulmonary lobectomy for stage I non-small-cell lung cancer: patients selection and outcomes from the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons database analysis.

The aims of this study were to describe the potential selection criteria for patients scheduled for lobectomy versus segmentectomy for stage I non-small-cell lung cancer and to compare the 2 procedures in terms of intraoperative variables and postoperative outcomes using the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS) Registry. This observational multicentre retrospective cross-sectional study was based on data collected from the ESTS database. The following were set as inclusion criteria: pulmonary lobectomy or segmentectomy for stage I primary lung cancer (according to 8th TNM edition), no previous lung surgery and no induction chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Statistical significance was examined using Mann-Whitney or 2 proportions Z tests. Among 63 542 patients enrolled in the ESTS database (2007-2018), 17 692 met the inclusion criteria: 15 845 patients received lobectomy and 1847 segmentectomy. Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy and VATS segmentectomy were the 27.8% and 31.9% of the procedures, respectively. Lobectomy group was significantly younger and had a lower American Society of Anaesthesiology (ASA) score, lower comorbidities prevalence and better respiratory function. The segmentectomy group had lower complications rate (25.6% vs 33.8%). When considering only the last 5 years, ASA score was similar between the 2 groups, although pulmonary function remained significantly lower in the segmentectomy group. According to the ESTS database, segmentectomy was preferably offered to 'compromised' patients, with limited respiratory function, higher ASA score and relevant comorbidities. Nevertheless, the procedure showed lower complications rate and similar short-term outcomes compared to lobectomy. During the last 5 years, segmentectomy appeared to be regarded as a valid alternative, even for selected patients who could tolerate both procedures.

Comparison of Short-term Outcomes of Lung Segmentectomy by Robotic-assisted and Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

背景与目的肺段切除术的开展越来越广泛，在现在的外科技术下，电视辅助胸腔镜手术（video-assisted thoracic surgery, VATS）是广泛采用的手术方式，同时机器人辅助胸腔镜手术（robot-assisted thoracic surgery, RATS）也提供了一种精准高效的手术方式，本研究旨在对比两种手术方式在肺段切除术中的短期效果。方法回顾性分析2016年1月-2017年4月在青岛大学附属医院胸外科行VATS及RATS肺段切除术的患者临床资料，比较两组患者基线数据及手术时间、术中失血量、淋巴结切除数、术后胸腔引流管带管天数、术后住院天数、术后房颤及肺部感染发生率等。结果共166例患者接受肺段切除术，两组均无中转开胸及围手术期死亡病例。其中VATS 85例，RATS 81例，术中淋巴结切除数在RATS组多于VATS组，差异具有统计学意义[（13.07±5.08）个vs（10.81±5.74）个，P=0.010）]，两组在手术时间、术中失血量、术后带管时间及住院时间无统计学差异（P > 0.05），术后的房颤、肺漏气（≥6 d）及术后肺炎发生率方面二组差异无统计学意义（P > 0.05）。结论相比于VATS，RATS具有相似的安全性及可操作性，淋巴结切除数目较VATS明显为多。

Impact of complex segmentectomies by video-assisted thoracic surgery on peri-operative outcomes.

Pulmonary segmentectomies are generally classified into simple (tri-segmentectomy or lingulectomy as well as apical or basilar segmentectomy) and complex (individual or bi-segmentectomy of the upper, middle and lower lobes). Complex segmentectomies are technically feasible by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) but remain challenging, and reports on post-operative outcomes are scarce. This study analyzes the differences between simple and complex VATS segmentectomy in terms of peri- and post-operative outcomes. We retrospectively reviewed records of all patients who underwent anatomical pulmonary segmentectomy by VATS from 2014 to 2018 in two university hospitals. A total of 232 patients (114 men; median age 67 years; range, 29-87 years) underwent VATS segmentectomy for primary lung cancer (n=177), metastases (n=26) and benign lesions (n=29). The overall 30-day mortality and morbidity rates were 0.8% and 29.7%, respectively. The re-operation rate was 4.7%. Complex segmentectomy was realized in 111 patients including 86 (77.5%) upper lobe segmentectomies and 44 (39.6%) bi-segmentectomies. There was no statistical difference between complex and simple segmentectomy in terms of operative time (145 vs. 143 min, respectively; P=0.79) and chest tube duration [median: 1 (range, 0-33) vs. 2 (range, 1-19) days, respectively; P=0.95]. Post-operative overall complication rates were similar for both groups (30% vs. 30%, respectively; P=0.99) and were not correlated with the type of segmentectomy. However, complex segmentectomy patients had a shorter length of hospitalization compared to simple segmentectomy patients [median: 5 (range, 1-36) vs. 7 (range, 2-31) days; P=0.026]. Interestingly, complex segmentectomies were realized most frequently 2 years after implementation of VATS segmentectomy (23% vs. 77%; P=0.01). In comparison with simple segmentectomy, complex segmentectomy by VATS seems to present similar post-operative complication rates. Learning curve and progressive increase in acceptance by surgeons seem to be key elements for successful implementation of complex segmentectomies and could explain the shorter length of stay we observed.

Clinical Application of Near-Infrared Thoracoscopy With Indocyanine Green in Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Anatomical Segmentectomy.

Background. To confirm the impact of near-infrared thoracoscopy with intravenous injection of indocyanine green (ICG) during video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS)-based segmentectomy. Materials and Methods. We retrospectively screened the perioperative data in total 21 patients who underwent segmentectomy by VATS. The segmental arteries and bronchi were identified with the help of preoperative 3-dimensional computed tomography images. Among them, clinical effectiveness and postoperative complications were analyzed. VATS segmentectomy was performed using a 3-port approach with systemic intravenous injection of ICG. Results. A total of 21 patients underwent VATS-based segmentectomy with ICG injection. The mean operation time was 126.19 ± 15.32 minutes, and the mean bleeding volume was 158.10 ± 39.95 mL. In addition, the average drainage volume 1 day after surgery was 153.81 ± 32.19 mL, and mean duration of drainage was 1.62 ± 0.59 days. Complications occurred in 6 of the 21 patients. Two patients had pneumonia, 3 had arrhythmia, and 1 had prolonged air leak. There were no complications resulting from ICG angiography. Conclusions. Near-infrared thoracoscopy with intravenous injection of ICG is a safe, fast, simple, and highly accurate method that can be used to identify the intersegmental plane and facilitate the quality of VATS-based segmentectomy.

Video-assisted thoracic surgery segmentectomies: Brazilian experience

There is growing enthusiasm with lung resections by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) technique in Brazil. The benefits of these minimally invasive procedures and their incorporation in the routine of many Brazilian centers produced a significant increase of sublobar and lobar resections in the country. The changes in our daily practice, including improvements in lung cancer staging, the rising of lung cancer screening programs and the analysis of several recent studies showing equivalent long-term outcomes with sublobar resections, while we treat often an elderly and poor performance population, have made the thoracic surgeon to look to a sublobar resection as a potentially curative procedure. We sought to analyze the Brazilian and institutional experience with VATS sublobar anatomical resections for treatment of benign and malignant diseases, and discuss technical aspects as well. Even though is much underreported, the outcomes of VATS segmentectomies resemble what is observed around the world and constitute in an effective surgery when well indicated. The Brazilian Society of Thoracic Surgery database is improving the notification by many centers and this better quality of data will provide us a deep knowledge about the results of our procedures national-wide.

Comparison of perioperative and oncological outcomes between video-assisted segmentectomy and lobectomy for patients with clinical stage IA non-small cell lung cancer: a propensity score matching study.

Segmentectomy for lung cancer remains controversial because of the complexity of the procedure and concern about an increased recurrence rate. It is important to compare perioperative and oncological outcomes between segmentectomy and lobectomy. From January 2007 to December 2016, 41 segmentectomies by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and 122 VATS lobectomies for 163 patients with clinical stage IA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were performed. Clinicopathological factors, including recurrence rate and survival rate, were compared. In order to reduce biases of outcomes, clinicopathological factors were used for propensity score matching (PSM). Then, 41 VATS segmentectomies and 41 lobectomies were selected and further analyzed. No significant differences were seen between the two groups in age, pulmonary function, comorbidity, operative time, blood loss, chest tube duration days, postoperative stay days, complications, histological type, and multiple primary rate. Smoking index resected number of nodes, tumor size, lymph node metastasis rate, and pathological stage were higher in the lobectomy group than in the segmentectomy group (P<0.05). In the lobectomy group, 16 patients (13.1%) had recurrence, and 2 patients (1.6%) died because of cancer progression. There were no significant differences in the recurrence rate and prognosis between the two groups. In addition, Cox regression analysis suggested that sex, lymph node metastasis, and pathology stage were associated with recurrence (P<0.05), but no factor was an independent prognostic factor. After PSM, the two groups had similar clinicopathological factors, and the type of operation still had no relationship with the recurrence rate or the death rate. Perioperative and oncological outcomes of VATS segmentectomy are similar to those of VATS lobectomy for patients with clinical stage IA NSCLC. VATS segmentectomy can be considered one of the surgical procedures appropriate for patients with clinical stage IA NSCLC.

Learning curve for port-access thoracoscopic anatomic lung segmentectomy

ObjectivesThere have been few prospective randomized studies, but many retrospective studies strongly suggest the benefits of segmentectomy in properly selected patients. The indications for video-assisted thoracic surgery segmentectomy are growing because of the effectiveness and minimal invasiveness of the procedure. The aim of the present study was to analyze the learning curve for video-assisted thoracic surgery segmentectomy procedures in our institution. MethodsWe prospectively collected data from patients undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery segmentectomy and retrospectively reviewed 252 patients from 2004 to 2015. Operative time, bleeding, and complications were analyzed. The learning curve was evaluated using operative time and the cumulative sum value of operative time in all cases with regard to the leading surgeon and nonleading surgeon at our institution. ResultsOnce we applied the cumulative sum method to all cases, we obtained a graph for the cumulative sum value of operative time that showed 3 well-differentiated phases: phase 1 (n = 61), the initial learning phase; phase 2 (n = 23), the increased competence phase; and phase 3 (n = 168), the highest skill phase. As we compared phases 1 and 2 with phase 3, we observed significant differences in relation to operative time (P < .001) and bleeding (P < .001). Without level 3 segmentectomy, we observed a significant reduction in operative time after 32 cases for the leading surgeon and a significant reduction in operative time and bleeding after 38 cases for the nonleading surgeon. ConclusionsThe data suggest that the inflection point for the learning curve was achieved after 84 cases in our institution. Therefore, increased aptitude with video-assisted thoracic surgery is achievable within a relatively short time.

Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic S8 segmentectomy and S1a subsegmentectomy for synchronous multiple primary lung cancers.

With the increasing incidence of synchronous multiple primary lung cancers (SMPLC), difficulties in diagnosis and decision making for treating patients with SMPLC can result in clinical dilemmas for clinicians. To simplify the diagnostic and treatment course, the less-invasive technique of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) segmentectomy and subsegmentectomy can be selected preferentially. However, segmentectomy and subsegmentectomy are technically more sophisticated compared to lobectomy, and they involve the identification of the nodule locations, confirmation of the targeted structures and ensuring the surgical margin. Here, we describe the performance of uniportal VATS segmentectomy and subsegmentectomy technique in a patient with SMPLC in the right upper lobe with the assistance of three-dimensional (3D) navigation. We detected the intersegmental planes using infrared thoracoscopy with an intravenous injection of indocyanine green (ICG). The patient was discharged with no complication. We think that uniportal VATS segmentectomy is a feasible alternative and technically safe for treating patients with SMPLC.

Pulmonary function changes after different extent of pulmonary resection under video-assisted thoracic surgery.

Limited resections for early stage lung cancer have been of increasing interests recently. However, it is still unclear to what extent a limited resection could preserve pulmonary function comparing to standard lobectomy, especially in the context of minimally invasive surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate postoperative changes of spirometry in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy or limited resections. Spirometry tests were obtained prospectively before and 6 months after 75 VATS lobectomy, 34 VATS segmentectomy, 15 VATS wedge resection. Eleven VATS mediastinal procedures without lung resection were taken as a control group. Results were compared between groups of different resection extent. Demographic characteristics and preoperative pulmonary function showed no differences among the four groups. Forced vital capacity (FVC) loss after lobectomy was significantly greater than after segmentectomy (P=0.048), and much significantly greater than after wedge resection (P<0.001). Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) loss after lobectomy was similar to segmentectomy (P=0.273), both significantly greater than after wedge resection (P<0.01). Diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) loss was similar among these three groups (P=0.293). There was no significant difference in any spirometry index between wedge resection and mediastinal procedures (FVC: P=0.856; FEV1: P=0.671; DLCO: P=0.057). When compared by average value per segment resected, pulmonary function loss was significantly less after lobectomy than after segmentectomy in all spirometry indexes (P<0.001). On average, pulmonary function loss was around 5% per segment for VATS lobectomy and 10% per segment for VATS segmentectomy. In minimal invasive surgery, wedge resection best preserves pulmonary function with similar spirometry change with VATS mediastinal procedures without lung resection. Compared with VATS lobectomy, VATS segmentectomy may help minimize loss of FVC but not FEV1 or DLCO. Pulmonary function loss per segment resected is doubled after VATS segmentectomy than after lobectomy. These results should be taken into account when deciding the extent of resection for patients with early stage lung cancer.

Impact of near-infrared angiography on the quality of anatomical resection during video-assisted thoracic surgery segmentectomy.

The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of near-infrared angiography in guiding intraoperatively sublobar anatomical resection by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). We retrospectively analyzed data from 67 patients who underwent segmentectomy by VATS from November 2014 to November 2017 at the University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland. The need to modify arterial or parenchymal resection based on intraoperative near-infrared imaging was considered the primary study outcome. A total of 67 patients (28 men, 39 women, mean age 66±10 years) underwent anatomical pulmonary segmentectomy by VATS. Histological analysis revealed a primary lung tumor in 59 patients. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) operation time was 154±51 minutes. Identification of the intersegmental plane (ISP) with near-infrared angiography was achieved in 88% of patients and led to modification of the resection during segmentectomy in 7 patients (10%), avoiding inappropriate resection; 2 patients had distant tumor recurrences (3%). Near-infrared angiography during VATS segmentectomy is effective for identifying ISPs, with respect to the oncological margins, as well as for correcting the anatomical resection.

Thoracoscopic segmentectomy: hybrid approach for clinical stage I non-small cell lung cancer.

Recently, minimally invasive surgical approaches have been developed, typified by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). A meticulous surgical procedure to prevent local recurrence is required during segmentectomy for clinical stage I non-small-cell primary lung cancer. In this article, we demonstrated the validity of hybrid VATS segmentectomy. Of these 125 patients, 62 (49.6%) underwent intensively radical segmentectomy (RS). The remaining 63 (50.4%) patients underwent palliative segmentectomy (PS). We used two 2-cm ports and performed a muscle-sparing mini-thoracotomy in which a partially open metal retractor allowed direct, thoracoscopic visualization as hybrid VATS segmentectomy in 63.2% of our cases. The consolidation/tumor ratio obtained with thin-sliced computed tomography was significantly lower in RS cases than in PS cases (P=0.001). The proportion of pathological stage IA cases was significantly higher in RS cases (95.2%) than in PS cases (66.7%; P<0.01). Five-year overall survival (OS) for clinical stage I was 100.0% in RS cases and 73.5% in PS cases (log-rank P<0.001). Five-year disease-free survival (DFS) was 95.5% and 55.7%, respectively (log-rank P<0.001). During segmentectomy, the most critical consideration is establishment of sufficient surgical margins around the cancer. Our hybrid approach that includes meticulous surgical manipulations may produce sufficient surgical margins.

The Initial Experience of Video-assisted Thoracic Surgery Segmentectomy for Early Stage Lung Cancer

背景与目的肺段切除较肺叶切除能够更多地保留健康肺组织，但其在早期肺癌根治性方面仍存在争议。本研究分析35例完全胸腔镜下解剖性肺段切除术临床病理资料并复习文献，探讨胸腔镜下肺段切除术在早期肺癌治疗中面临的问题。方法回顾北京大学第三医院2013年5月-2017年7月单一手术组35例完全胸腔镜下肺段切除术患者的临床病理资料，观察术中及术后并发症等安全性指标及淋巴结清扫数目、转移情况，并将术后病理类型与术前影像类型比对分析。35例肺段切除术中男性11例，女性24例，平均年龄57.7岁。病灶位于右肺上叶者8例，右肺下叶者8例，左肺上叶者13例，左肺下叶者6例。计算机断层扫描（computed tomography, CT）影像学肿瘤最大径平均12.7 mm，肺门及纵隔淋巴结最大直径均小于10 mm，以磨玻璃成为主者23例，以实性成分为主者12例。结果35例均顺利完成电视辅助胸腔镜手术（video-assisted thoracic surgery, VATS）解剖性肺段切除术，平均手术时间为153 min，出血量为51 mL。术后漏气10例，均未超过3天。健侧肺不张1例，乳糜胸1例。平均住院时间为6.1天。出院后30天内门诊复查未发生其他院外手术相关并发症。病理为转移瘤者2例，良性肺病8例，原发肺癌25例。25例原发肺癌中浸润性肺腺癌14例[CT以肺磨玻璃影（ground-glass opacity, GGO）为主者7例]，微小浸润腺癌4例（GGO为主者3例），原位腺癌6例（CT均为纯GGO），肺鳞癌1例（CT以实性成分为主）。25例肺癌平均切除淋巴结7.2枚，所有淋巴结无癌转移。结论VATS解剖性肺段切除术技术上安全可靠，其在肺癌治疗中适应症需严格掌握，其优势仍需前瞻性随机对照实验来证实。

Physiopathology aspects of anatomical video-assisted thoracic surgery resections: current status and prospects of development.

Pulmonary lobectomy remains the gold standard therapy for early-stage lung cancer. With the spread of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), surgeons began using this approach also to perform lobectomies, becoming progressively widespread worldwide. However some early-stage lung cancer patients are of questionable eligibility for open lobectomy being considered at high-risk to develop postoperative complications due to compromised pulmonary function or cardiopulmonary reserve. Herein we evaluate pathophysiology of VATS, focusing on: the correlation between the traditional predictors of outcome and overall complications, the current status of different VATS approaches and the role of VATS segmentectomy in high-risk patients, unable to tolerate lobectomy for their compromised cardiopulmonary reserve.

Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic anatomic segmentectomy for small-sized lung cancer.

Increasing evidences prove video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) segmentectomy is accepted as a valid alternative to lobectomy esp. a greater number of small lung nodules have been detected. Uniportal VATS segmentectomy for small-sized lung cancer is more challenging not only for technical issues in simple or complex uniportal segmentectomy, but also considering oncological efficacy in terms of localization, safe margin, the extent of lymph node dissection and pathological analysis. In this work, we evaluated our evolving uniportal experience, the surgical technique and decision-making of uniportal VATS segmentectomy for small-sized lung cancer.

A 2-cm single-incision thoracoscopic left upper division segmentectomy.

A video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) sublobar resection for early lung malignancy has been applied recently in selected patients with the improvement in surgical technique. From 2012, we began VATS segmentectomy with 2-cm single incision in early lung cancer (T1a, tumor size <2 cm) and no lymph node metastasis with preoperative dual localization for lung lesion. In the video clip, we performed a 2-cm single-incisional VATS segmentectomy for early lung cancer at left upper lobe upper divisional segment and lymph node dissection using a 5-mm thoracoscope, articulating or curved endoscopic devices. Dual localization for lung lesion could help to identify the specific location of lung lesion. The potential benefits of single-incisional VATS segmentectomy include less intercostal pain, better postoperative outcomes more over than less incisional scar. A single-incision VATS segmentectomy might be a feasible option for the treatment of early lung cancer in selected patients.

Multiinstitutional Analysis of Single-Port Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Anatomical Resection for Primary Lung Cancer

Multiinstitutional analysis of single-port video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for anatomic pulmonary resection is rare. This study aimed to address the technical feasibility and applicability of single-port video-assisted anatomical resection for primary lung cancer. A total of 121 patients with primary lung cancer undergoing single-port video-assisted anatomical resection between 2011 and 2014 in 4 hospitals were included. The clinicopathologic variables and perioperative outcomes were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Single-port VATS segmentectomies and lobectomies were performed in 24 (19.8%) and 97 (80.2%) patients, respectively. One hundred seven of 121 (88.4%) patients had adenocarcinoma and 93 of 121 (76.9%) had pathologic stage I lung cancer. The average operative time and estimated blood loss was 198.8 ± 65.4 minutes and 99.1 ± 147.6 mL, respectively. The conversion and complication rates were 2.5% (3 of 121 cases) and 14.0% (17 of 121 cases), respectively. There was no surgical mortality, and the average length of hospital stay was 6.6 ± 2.6 days. The mean resected lymph node was 22.6 ± 12.0. We also identified patient age of 60 years or more, male sex, and tumor size greater than 3 cm as unfavorable perioperative outcome predictors after single-port video-assisted anatomical pulmonary resection. This first multiinstitutional single-port VATS study demonstrated that anatomical resection for primary lung cancer can be safely and effectively completed through a single-port VATS approach in hospitals experienced in VATS techniques.

Totally thoracoscopic pulmonary anatomic segmentectomies: technical considerations.

While video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomies are being increasingly accepted, VATS segmentectomies are still considered as technically challenging. With the renewed interest for sublobar resection in the management of early stage lung carcinomas, the thoracoscopic approach may have a major role in a near future. We report our technique and results. Totally thoracoscopic anatomic segmentectomiy, i.e., using only endoscopic instrumentation and video-display without utility incision, was attempted on 117 patients (51 males and 66 females), aged 18 to 81 years (mean: 62 years). The indication was a clinical N0 non-small cell lung carcinoma in 69 cases, a solitary metastasis in 17 cases and a benign lesion in 31 cases. The following segmentectomies were performed: right apicosuperior [26] right superior [10], right basilar [18], lingula sparing left upper lobectomy [15], left apicosuperior [11], lingula [7], left superior [14], left basilar [13] and subsegmental resection [3]. Segmentectomy was associated with a radical lymphadenectomy in 69 cases. There were 5 conversions to thoracotomy. The mean operative time was 181±52 minutes, the mean intraoperative blood loss was 77±81 cc. There were 12 postoperative complications (11.7%). The median postoperative stay was 5.5±2.2 days. Out of the 69 patients operated on for a cN0 lung carcinoma, 6 were finally upstaged. Totally thoracoscopic anatomic pulmonary segmentectomies are feasible and have a low complication rate.