Objective To analyze the effects of different surgical methods on postoperative pulmonary function and exercise capacity in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), so as to explore whether it can effectively improve pulmonary function and promote the recovery of exercise capacity by reducing the number of trocars ports and the resection of normal lung tissues. Methods The clinical data of NSCLC patients who underwent surgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University from January 2016 to June 2019 were collected retrospectively. According to the surgical methods, they were divided into three groups: single utility port video-assisted thoracic surgery (SP-VATS) segmentectomy group, SP-VATS lobectomy group and three port video-assisted thoracic surgery (TP-VATS) lobectomy group. The changes of pulmonary function [forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV)] and 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) at different time points [1st day before the operation (T0); 3rd day (T1), 7th day (T2), 1st month (T3), 3rd month (T4), 6th month (T5) and 1st year (T6) after the operation] were compared among the three groups. Results A total of 342 patients were included, including 102 in SP-VATS segmentectomy group, 116 in SP-VATS lobectomy group and 124 in TP-VATS lobectomy group. Except for pathological type and TNM stage (P<0.05), there was no significant difference in general information, preoperative pulmonary function or 6MWD among the three groups (P>0.05). The pulmonary function and 6MWD of the three groups before and after operation were not affected by pathological type or TNM stage (P>0.05). Except at T6 time point (P>0.05), there were significant differences in postoperative pulmonary function and 6MWD among the three groups at T1-T5 time points (P<0.05). Intra group comparison of pulmonary function and 6MWD in the three groups showed that the operation had the least impact on patients in SP-VATS segmentectomy group with the fastest recovery, followed by SP-VATS lobectomy group, and SP-VATS lobectomy group was the worst. Conclusions Video-assisted thoracoscopic for NSCLC can improve pulmonary function and promote the recovery of exercise capacity by reducing the number of trocars ports and the resection of normal lung tissues. However, this advantage is mainly reflected in the early postoperative stage.
Objective To investigate the optimal procedure and short-term efficacy of uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (U-VATS) lobectomy for lung cancer. Methods The clinical data of 61 patients who underwent lobectomy using U-VATS by the same surgeon between April 2016 and February 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 50 patients (40 males and 10 females, aged 61.4±6.6 years) with conventional procedure. And there were 60 patients (45 males and 15 females, aged 59.2±9.7 years) utilizing multiportal thoracoscopic surgery (M-VATS) during this period. Results The baseline characteristics in both groups such as age, gender, body mass index, comorbidity and tumor size were comparable (P>0.05). There was no postoperative mortality or conversion to thoracotomy in the study. The parameters such as operative time, blood loss, harvested lymph nodes, duration of chest tube drainage, and length of postoperative hospital stay were similar in both groups (P>0.05). However, there was a statistical difference in pain score at 12 h after surgery in favor of the U-VATS approach (3.2vs.4.3, P=0.04). Moreover, subgroup analysis indicated that the operation time using single-direction U-VATS was noticeably shorter than that in both conventional U-VATS and M-VATS (76.4 minvs.125.8 minvs.105.6 min, P<0.05). However, further analysis was not performed because of small sample. Conclusion The short-term efficacy of U-VATS lobectomy for lung cancer is noninferior to M-VATS, meanwhile, single-direction U-VATS lobectomy is feasible followed by shortened operative time.
ObjectiveTo analyze the pathological manifestations and imaging characteristics of bronchiolar adenoma (BA).MethodsThe clinical data of 11 patients with BA who received surgeries in our hospital from January 2019 to September 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, including 5 males and 6 females aged 40-73 (62.40±10.50) years. The intraoperative rapid freezing pathological diagnosis, postoperative pathological classification, cell growth pattern, nuclear proliferation index Ki-67 and other immunohistochemical staining combined with preoperative chest CT imaging characteristics were analyzed.ResultsThe average preoperative observation time was 381.10±278.28 d. The maximum diameter of imaging lesions was 5-27 (10.27±6.34) mm. Eight (72.7%) patients presented with irregular morphology of heterogeneous ground-glass lesions, and 3 (27.3%) patients presented with pure ground-glass lesions. There were 10 (90.9%) patients with vascular signs, 8 (72.7%) patients with vacuolar signs, 1 (9.1%) patient with bronchus sign, 3 (27.3%) patients with pleural traction and 9 (81.8%) patients with burr/lobular sign. The surgical methods included sub-lobectomy in 10 patients and lobectomy in 1 patient. Five (45.5%) patients were reported BA by intraoperative frozen pathology. The postoperative pathological classification included 8 patients with distal-type and 3 patients with proximal-type, and the maximum diameter of the lesions was 4-20 (8.18±5.06) mm. Eight (72.7%) patients showed characteristic bilayer cell structure under microscope, and 10 (90.9%) patients showed thyroid transcription factor 1 expression in pathological tissues. The expression of NapsinA in intracavity cells was found in 9 (81.8%) patients. The Ki-67 index of the lesion tissue was 1%-5% (3.22%±1.72%).ConclusionThe pathological features and imaging findings of BA confirm the premise that BA is a neoplastic lesion. However, to identify BA as a benign or inert tumor needs more clinical data and evidence of molecular pathological studies.
ObjectiveTo explore the safety and feasibility of uni-portal video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for the treatment of bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS). MethodsThe clinical data of BPS patients with surgical resection in Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital from February 2010 to June 2021 were reviewed. The patients were divided into a VATS group and a thoracotomy group according to the operation method. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay and postoperative complication rate were compared between the two groups. The VATS group was subdivided into a uni-portal VATS group and a multi-portal VATS group for subgroup analysis. ResultsFinally 131 patients were enrolled, including 62 males and 69 females with an average age of 39.3±13.2 years. There were 103 patients in the VATS group and 28 patients in the thoracotomy group. A total of 104 patients were diagnosed with left lower BPS, 26 with right lower BPS and 1 with bilateral lower BPS. The main symptom was cough (88 patients, 67.2%). There were 119 patients diagnosed by thoracic enhanced CT before operation. Compared with the thoracotomy group, the operation time was not statistically different (P=0.717), but the blood loss was less, the rate of postoperative complication was lower and hospital stay was shorter in the VATS group (P＜0.05). The rate of conversion to open surgery in the uni-portal VATS group and multi-portal VATS group was 11.8% and 13.5%, respectively. Meanwhile, patients in the uni-portal VATS group had shorter operation time and postoperative hospital stay, less blood loss and lower postoperative complication rate than those in the multi-portal VATS group (P＜0.05). Conclusion In order to improve the rate of diagnosis, the lung enhanced CT scan should be selected as an optimal noninvasive method in adult suspected patients (especially those with solid cystic and solid lesions in the lower lobe). Uni-portal VATS is a safe and feasible method for BPS which can be widely promoted.
Objective To analyze the perioperative outcomes of uniportal thoracoscopic lobectomy compared with three-port thoracoscopic lobectomy. Methods Data were extracted from the Western China Lung Cancer Database, a prospectively maintained database at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University. Perioperative outcomes of the patients who underwent uniportal or three-port thoracoscopic lobectomy for lung cancer during January 2014 through April 2021 were analyzed by using propensity score matching. Altogether 5 817 lung cancer patients were enrolled who underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy (uniportal: 530 patients; three-port: 5 287 patients). After matching, 529 patients of uniportal and 1 583 patients of three-port were included. There were 529 patients with 320 males and 209 females at median age of 58 (51, 65) years in the uniportal group and 1 583 patients with 915 males and 668 females at median age of 58 (51, 65) years in the three-port group. Results Uniportal thoracoscopic lobectomy was associated with less intraoperative blood loss (20 mL vs. 30 mL, P<0.001), longer operative time (115 min vs. 105 min, P<0.001) than three-port thoracoscopic lobectomy. No significant difference was found between the two groups regarding the number of lymph node dissected, rate of conversion to thoracotomy, incidence of postoperative complication, postoperative pain score within 3 postoperative days, length of hospital stay, or hospitalization expenses. Conclusion Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy is safe and effective, and the overall perioperative outcomes are comparable between uniportal and three-port strategies, although the two groups show differences in intraoperative blood loss.
ObjectiveTo investigate the short-term quality of life in patients after single-direction video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for lung cancer, and explore the related influencing factors. MethodsPatients who underwent single-direction VATS for lung cancer in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University from July 2020 to August 2021 were continuously selected. The QLQ-C30 and QLQ-LC13 were used to evaluate the quality of life of the patients after the surgery, and the influencing factors were analyzed. ResultsA total of 193 patients were collected. There were 73 males aged 59.44±11.40 years, and 120 females aged 53.73±11.15 years. The QLQ-C30 score of the patients after single-direction VATS for lung cancer was 69.09±20.21 points. Univariate analysis and Pearson correlation analysis showed that age, occupation, anesthesia time, postoperative complications, postoperative antibiotic use time, postoperative hospital stay, insomnia, economic stress, hemoptysis, chest pain, dysphagia, arm or shoulder pain were associated with the quality of life (P≤0.05). The results of multiple regression analysis showed that anesthesia time, economic pressure, insomnia and chest pain had a significant impact on the overall quality of life 30 days after the surgery (P≤0.05). ConclusionThe anesthesia time, economic pressure, insomnia and chest pain are independent influencing factors for the quality of life after the VATS lung cancer surgery.
Objective To explore the perioperative safety of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in Day Care Unit and the risk factors for delayed discharge under centralized management model. MethodsThe patients with VATS managed by the Day Care Unit of the Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical School in 2021 were retrospectively collected. The patients’ postoperative data and risk factors for delayed discharge were analyzed. ResultsA total of 383 patients were enrolled, including 179 males and 204 females with an average age of 46.09±14.82 years. Eleven (2.87%) patients developed grade 3-4 postoperative complications during the hospitalization. Eighteen (4.70%) patients visited unscheduled outpatient clinic within 7 days, and 6 (1.57%) patients were re-hospitalized within 30 days after discharge. The remaining patients had no significant adverse events during the 30-day follow-up. The average length of hospital stay was 2.27±0.35 d. The length of hospital stay was over 48 h in 48 (12.53%) patients. The independent risk factor for delayed discharge was lobectomy or combined resection (OR=3.015, 95%CI 1.174-7.745, P=0.022). ConclusionVATS can be safely conducted under the centralized management in Day Care Unit. The risk factor for delayed discharge is the extent of surgical resection.
ObjectiveTo summarize the perioperative outcome of patients undergoing robot-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) or four-port single-direction video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) right upper lobectomy (RUL), and to discuss the safety and the essentials of the surgery.MethodsThe clinical data of 579 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing minimally invasive RUL in Dr. Luo Qingquan’s team of our center from 2015 to 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 246 males and 333 females aged 33-78 years. The 579 patients were divided into a RATS group (n=283) and a VATS group (n=296) according to surgical methods. Baseline characteristics and perioperative outcomes including dissected lymph nodes, postoperative duration of drainage, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative complications and surgery cost were compared between the two groups.ResultsThere was no significant difference in baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05), and no postoperative 30 d mortality or intraoperative blood transfusion was observed. Compared with VATS, RATS had shorter operation time (90.22±12.16 min vs. 92.68±12.26 min, P=0.016), postoperative hospital stay (4.67±1.43 d vs. 5.31±1.59 d, P<0.001) and time of drainage (3.55±1.38 d vs. 4.16±1.58 d, P<0.001). No significant difference was observed between the two groups in the lymph nodes dissection, blood loss volume, conversion rate or complications. The cost of RATS was much higher than that of VATS (93 275.46±13 276.69 yuan vs. 67 082.58±12 978.17 yuan, P<0.001).ConclusionThe safety and effectiveness of robot-assisted and video-assisted RUL are satisfactory, and they have similar perioperative outcomes. However, RATS costs relatively shorter operation time and postoperative hospital stay.
Objective To explore the early clinical effect of 3D printing external fixed guide combined with video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in the treatment of flail chest, and to provide evidence for the promotion of this technology. Methods Patients with flail chest treated in our hospital from January 2010 to January 2023 were retrospectively selected as the study objects. The trial group was treated with 3D printed external fixation guide combined with VATS, and the control group was treated with open reduction internal fixation. Operation time, intraoperative blood loss, closed thoracic drainage time, thoracic volume recovery, visual analogue scale (VAS) score 1 month after surgery and complications were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 40 patients were included, 20 in each group. In the experimental group, there were 13 males and 7 females, with an average age of 45.7±3.8 years. In the control group, there were 14 males and 6 females, with an average age of 47.3±4.1 years. There was no statistical difference in gender, age, number of rib fractures or VAS between the two groups (P>0.05). The surgery was successful in both groups, the wounds healed in stage Ⅰ, and the pain symptoms were significantly reduced. No postoperative complications occurred in the trial group, while chronic pain occurred in 1 patient, fracture malunion occurred in 1 patient and incision infection occurred in 1 patient in the control group, with a complication rate of 15.0%. Operation time, intraoperative blood loss and closed thoracic drainage time in trial group were lower than those in control group (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in the recovery of thoracic volume and VAS at 1 month after operation (P>0.05). Conclusion 3D printing external fixation guide combined with VATS in the treatment of flail chest has satisfactory early curative effect, which has the advantages of minimally invasive, high efficiency, rapid recovery and reducing postoperative complications. This method can effectively reconstruct the shape of the chest, restore the volume of the chest.
Objective To evaluate the security and clinical value of the combination of three-dimensional computed tomography-bronchography and angiography (3D-CTBA) and indocyanine green (ICG) staining in video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) segmentectomy. Methods The clinical data of 125 patients who received VATS segmentectomy from January 2020 to January 2021 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. There were 40 (32.0%) males and 85 (68.0%) females with an average age of 54.8±11.1 years. Results The procedure was almost identical to the preoperative simulation. All intersegment planes were displayed successfully by ICG reverse staining method. There was no allergic patient. A total of 130 pathological specimens were obtained from the 125 patients. The mean operation time was 126.8±41.9 min, the time of first appearance of fluorescence was 22.7±4.9 s, the mean mark time was 65.6±20.3 s, the median blood loss was 20.0 (10.0-400.0) mL, the postoperative hospital stay was 5.6 (4.0-28.0) d, and the postoperative retention of chest tube time was 3.2 (2.0-25.0) d. Pathological results showed that microinvasive adenocarcinoma was the most common type (38.5%, 50/130), followed by invasive adenocarcinoma (36.9%, 48/130); there were 3 metastatic tumors (3/130, 2.3%).Conclusion The combination of 3D-CTBA and ICG reverse staining is proved to be a safe, necessary and feasible method. It solves the difficult work encountered in the procedure of segmentectomy, and it is worth popularizing and applying in clinic.