Thoracoscopic anatomic pulmonary segmentectomy for the treatment of congenital lung malformation in children

The clinical features and operation experience of multilobar involved congenital lung malformation: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Congenital lung malformation (CLM) is usually characterized by single-lobe involvement and multilobe involvement is uncommon. There is a lack of experience in the clinical features and surgical treatment of unilateral multilobar CLM. Therefore, this study aims to summarize the clinical characteristics and evaluate the safety and feasibility of thoracoscopic lung sparing resection in the treatment of unilateral multilobar CLM.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted on 34 patients with unilateral multilobar CLM, and 34 unilobar patients were randomly selected as the control group in West China Hospital of Sichuan University from 2014.1 to 2021.1. Clinical, operation and follow-up outcomes were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Twelve (35.2%) patients developed preoperative symptoms in the multilobar group more than 4(11.7%) the unilobar group (p = 0.02), the main preoperative symptom was infection; The multilobar group and unilobar group showed significant differences in mean intraoperative blood loss (13.3 mL vs. 7.5 mL; p = 0.02) and mean surgical time (95.6 min vs. 47.5 min; p = 0.037). The median length of postoperative hospital stay and the median chest tube placement time in the multilobar group were significantly longer (5 d vs.3 d, p = 0.045; 2 d vs.1 d, p = 0.031). There were one (2.9%) patient in unilobar group and 4(11.7%) patients in multilobar group developed complications postoperatively, which is no significant differences between the two groups(p = 0.16). No complications such as thoracic deformity, mediastinal deviation, scoliosis or recurrence were observed in either group at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Unilateral multilobar CLM cases are more susceptible to develop symptoms than unilobar cases. Thoracoscopic lung sparing resection in the treatment of unilateral multilobar CLM has high safety and can effectively avoid serious complications of unilateral multiple lobectomy or pneumonectomy.

Pediatric thoracoscopic lung resections: a comprehensive analysis of congenital lesion cases

BACKGROUND

Congenital lung lesions in pediatric patients may be managed conservatively or by video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). This study aimed to determine the complications after VATS for congenital lung lesions in children.

METHODS

All children undergoing a lung resection between January 2009 and June 2022 were retrospectively identified. Children undergoing a primary open lobectomy or a resection other than a congenital lung lesion were excluded. Both early (<30 days) and late postoperative pulmonary complications were determined. The primary endpoint was postoperative complications within 30 days.

RESULTS

In total, 56 patients were included, with a median age of 13 months (IQR 9-37). A VATS lobectomy were performed in 46 patients (82%), an extralobar sequestration in 8 patients (14%), an wedge resection in 1 patient and a segment resection in 1 patient. During the COVID pandemic, fewer resections were performed with an increase in symptomatic patients. A conversion to open occurred in 6 patients (11%), of which a preoperative lung infection was associated with an increased risk thereof(p = 0.004). The median follow-up was 22 months (IQR 7-57) and all patients were alive. A postoperative complication (Clavien Dindo ≥3) occurred in 9 patients and complications without the need of intervention in 6 patients. During follow-up a pneumonia occurred in 11 patients.

CONCLUSION

There seems to be a shift towards delayed surgery with an increase in symptomatic congenital lung malformations, which might lead to an increase in postoperative complications.

Sublobar Pulmonary Resection in Children With Congenital Lung Abnormalities: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Lobectomy is currently the advised resection for symptomatic congenital lung abnormalities (CLA). Sublobar surgery is suggested as an alternative that enables to conserve healthy lung parenchyma. This systematic review aims to explore the outcomes of sublobar surgery in CLA patients as well as the corresponding surgical terminology and techniques.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed in adherence to PRISMA-P guidelines. The target population consists of children undergoing sublobar pulmonary resection for CLA. All studies were independently assessed by two reviewers, and evaluated by a third reviewer in case of disagreement.

RESULTS

The literature search yielded 901 studies of which 18 studies were included, comprising 1167 cases. The median chest tube insertion duration was 3.6 days (range 2.0-6.9 days), the median hospital admission was 4.9 days (range 2.0-14.5 days), and residual disease was diagnosed in 2% - leading to re-operation in 70%. The median incidence of postoperative complications was 15% (range 0-67%). Follow-up imaging was standard-of-care in 2/3 of studies. Due to the absence of standardised terminology, operative details and specification of resection type did not typically relate between studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Sublobar resection of CLA lesions could be a viable alternative to lobectomy in certain cases, with the advantage of conserving healthy lung parenchyma. Peri- and postoperative complications are comparable with those reported for conventional lobectomy. The incidence of residual disease following sublobar surgery appears to be lower than commonly stated. To improve comparability between studies, we recommend reporting perioperative characteristics in a structured format.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Initial experience of thoracoscopic segmentectomy of basal segment through the inferior pulmonary ligament approach in treating congenital lung malformations in children

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and limitations of thoracoscopic segmentectomy of the basal segment (S10).

METHODS

Clinical data of 15 children with congenital lung malformations (CLM) who underwent thoracoscopic segmentectomy of S10 via the inferior pulmonary ligament approach from January to October 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The demographics, clinical presentation, intraoperative time, blood loss, postoperative events, and follow-up duration were assessed.

RESULTS

There were 15 patients in this group (nine males and six females). Age ranges from 4.3 to 96.0 months (median, 7.7 months). Fourteen patients underwent S10 segmentectomy, with one undergoing right S10 segmentectomy and right S6 partial wedge resection. The surgical time was 57-125 min (median, 80 min), intraoperative bleeding volume (5-20 ml; median, 10 ml), postoperative drainage tube indwelling (2-4 d; median, 3 d), and postoperative hospitalization time (4-7 d; median, 5 d). No intraoperative conversions, surgical mortalities, or major complications were observed among these patients. Subcutaneous emphysema appeared in three patients; however, it disappeared following conservative observation without pneumothorax or bronchopleural fistula occurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Thoracoscopic segmentectomy of S10 via the inferior pulmonary ligament approach is technically feasible for treating CLM; however, this surgical approach may have certain limitations for CLM with large cysts.