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 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.
ObjectiveTo analyze the surgical outcome of patients with lung cancer using double micro-portal video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) technique.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the perioperative data of 200 patients with primary lung cancer who underwent successful two micro-portal VATS lobectomy between September 2016 and June 2018 at our unit. There were 125 males and 75 females, aged 61.01±8.71 years. The length of the main operating hole was about 2.0–2.5 cm, the size of the secondary operating hole and the observation hole was 0.5 cm individually. Thus, the total length of the three incisions was 3.0–3.5 cm.ResultsThe mean operating time was 99.18±21.77 min, blood loss was 170.35±105.12 ml, and the mean number of dissected lymph node was 15.82±3.33. The mean volume and duration of chest tube were 446.90±195.32 ml and 3.67±1.85 days. The postoperative hospital stay was 5.54±2.41 days. Only one patient died of pulmonary embolism after surgery. There were 7 patients who were converted to thoracotomy. Postoperative pulmonary infection after lobectomy was found in 8 patients. Postoperative air leak over 5 days was developed in 7 patients.ConclusionThe double micro-portal VATS procedure is a safe and effective strategy for patients with lung cancer, which is associated with decreased surgical trauma and less postoperative pain. This emerging technology may benefit patients by enhancing comfort during their postoperative hospitalization.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of single-incision video-assisted thoracic surgery versus conventional multiple ports video-assisted thoracic surgery in the treatment of lung cancer as well as providing reference for clinical decision-making. Methods We searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMbase, CBM, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang ect until March 2017 to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, and case-control studies comparing single-incision with conventional multiple ports video-assisted thoracic surgery for lung cancer.Two reviewers independently screened and selected literatures according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Then data extraction and quality assessment of included studies were conducted. RevMan 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis. Results Twenty-six cohort studies (3 053 patients) were included. The quality of the included studies was high with score more than five.Meta-analysis showed that single-incision video-assisted thoracic surgery had shorter thoracic drainage time (MD=–0.71, 95% CI –1.03 to –0.39), shorter hospitalization time (MD=–0.92, 95% CI –1.66 to –0.19), lower pain scores 1 day after surgery (MD=–0.65, 95% CI –0.90 to –0.40), lower pain scores 3 days after surgery (MD=–0.90, 95% CI –1.16 to –0.64), lower pain scores 7 days after surgery (MD=–1.24, 95% CI –1.90 to –0.57), less number of lymph node dissection (MD=–0.72, 95% CI –1.35 to –0.10), less total drainage fluid (MD=–108.60, 95% CI –180.42 to –36.79) and shorter length of surgical incision (MD=–2.74, 95% CI –3.57 to –1.90) than conventional multiple ports video-assisted thoracic surgery. But the differences between the two groups in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications were not statistically significant. Conclusion Single-incision video-assisted thoracic surgery is safer and better in patient's compliance than conventional multiple ports video-assisted thoracic surgery in the treatment of lung cancer. But there is no significant difference in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, or postoperative complications. It still needs large-scale, high-quality studies to demonstrate its effectiveness and safety.
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.
Objective To share the experience of single-stage bilateral pulmonary resections by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for multiple nodules. Methods Clinical records of patients undergoing one-stage bilateral resections of multiple pulmonary nodules between January 2015 and December 2016 in our institution were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. There were 9 males and 15 females, aged from 33 to 69 (55.0±8.0) years. Two patients underwent bilateral lobectomy. Lobar-sublobar (L/SL) resection and bilateral sublobar resection (SL-SL) were conducted in 9 patients and 13 patients respectively. Results All operations completed successfully. Operation time was 135–330 (231.4±59.1) min, duration of use of chest drains was 2–17 (5.4±3.1) days. Overall duration of hospitalization after surgery was 5–37 (8.6±6.3) days. There was no perioperative death. Postoperative course was uneventful in 17 (70.8%) patients. The postoperative complications included one patient of incision infection and one patient of pulmonary infection. Persistent air leak for >3 days duration and unilateral pleural drainage for more than 200 ml/d were observed in 3 patients and 2 patients respectively. Conclusion Single-stage bilateral surgery in selected patients with synchronous bilateral multiple nodules is feasible and associated with satisfactory outcomes.
ObjectiveTo compare clinical effects of extended thymectomy for the treatment of thymic abnormalities with myasthenia gravis (MG) between subxiphoid and subcostal arch thoracoscopic resection (SR) and the unilateral thoracoscopic resection (UR) by a propensity-score matching analysis.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 612 patients who presented with MG and were admitted to Tangdu Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University between December 2011 and December 2018. Of these patients, 520 patients underwent subxiphoid and subcostal arch thoracoscopic extended thymectomy (a SR group) and 92 unilateral thoracoscopic extended thymectomy (a UR group). Ninety-two patients in the SR group were matched with the UR group by propensity-score matching analysis. There were 52 males and 40 females with an average age of 26-70 (50.2±10.3) years in the SR group, and 47 males and 45 females with an average age of 20-73 (51.5±12.1) years in the UR group. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, thoracic drainage time, postoperative hospital stay, thorough adipose tissue removal, postoperative remission of MG, patients’ satisfaction score, pain and complications were compared and analyzed between the two groups.ResultsAll operations were accomplished successfully, without conversion to thoracotomy of the two groups. There were statistical differences between the two groups in operation time (46.2±19.5 min vs. 53.4±23.5 min), chest drainage duration (0 d vs. 3.4±1.2 d), hospital stay (2.9±1.9 d vs. 3.6±1.7 d), patients’ satisfaction score (7.9±2.1 points vs. 6.7±1.2 points) and pain scores (all P<0.05). There were no statistical differences between the two groups in intraoperative blood loss (52.2±12.7 mL vs. 51.2±10.3 mL), peripheral adipose tissue removal (8.1±0.6 vs. 7.9±0.9), remission rate of MG (89.1% vs. 85.9%) and rate of postoperative complications (10.9% vs. 6.5%) (all P>0.05). ConclusionSubxiphoid and subcostal arch thoracoscopic extended thymectomy is a safe and feasible minimally invasive procedure for the management of MG with thymic abnormalities.
Objective To compare the perioperative results between uniportal and three-portal thoracoscopic lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods Electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, EMbase, CNKI, Wanfang were systematically searched from the establishment of each database until April 2022. Literature screening, data extraction and bias risk assessment were independently conducted by two researchers. All combined results were performed by RevMan 5.3 and Stata 16.0. The quality of the literature and the risk of bias were evaluated using the Cochrane Bias Risk Assessment Tool. Results Eighteen eligible randomized controlled trials (1 597 patients) were identified eventually, including 800 patients undergoing uniportal thoracoscopic lobectomy and 797 patients undergoing three-portal thoracoscopic lobectomy. Meta-analysis results showed that compared to the three-portal approach, uniportal lobectomy took longer operation time (WMD=7.63, 95%CI 2.36 to 12.91, P=0.005) with less intraoperative blood loss (WMD=–28.81, 95%CI –42.54 to –15.08, P<0.001). Furthermore, patients undergoing uniportal lobectomy achieved lower visual analogue score within 24 hours after the operation (WMD=–1.60, 95%CI –2.26 to –0.94, P<0.001), less volume of drainage after the operation (WMD=–25.30, 95%CI –46.22 to –4.37, P=0.020), as well as shorter drainage duration (WMD=–0.36, 95%CI –0.72 to –0.01, P=0.040). Besides, patients undergoing uniportal lobectomy were also observed with shorter length of hospital stay (WMD=–2.28, 95%CI –2.68 to –1.88, P<0.001) and lower incidence of postoperative complications (RR=0.49, 95%CI 0.38 to 0.63, P<0.001). However, the number of lymph nodes harvested during the operation (WMD=–0.01, 95%CI –0.24 to 0.21, P=0.930) was similar between the two groups. Conclusion Both uniportal and three-portal thoracoscopic lobectomy for NSCLC are safe and feasible. The uniportal approach is superior in reducing short-term postoperative pain, postoperative complications and shortening the length of hospital stay.
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.
In recent years, subxiphoid uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is one of the most important innovations in the field of mini-invasive thoracic surgery. Because it avoids the injury of intercostal nerve, previous studies have shown that it can significantly reduce the perioperative and long-term incision pain. The operation is technically more difficult, so the selection of patients is more strict compared with the traditional intercostal surgery. Some special surgical techniques are needed during the operation, and special lengthening instruments should be used. We hope that the experience described in this paper will be continuously supplemented and improved with the further development of this technique, and will produce greater reference value.