The Society of Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Surgery Database: 2022 Update on Outcomes and Research

Robotic Lung Transplantation: Feasibility, Initial Experience, and 3-Year Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Lung transplantation is performed through clamshell or sternotomy incisions, which may contribute to morbidity and limit patient eligibility. Robotic lung transplantation offers a less-invasive alternative, but data informing treatment choice are limited. This study was therefore designed to evaluate midterm outcomes of robotic and minimally invasive lung transplantation.

METHODS

Consecutive patients undergoing robotic or minimally invasive lung transplant (defined by <6-cm minithoracotomy) from October 2021 to February 2025 were included in a prospective registry. The primary end point was 1-year survival. A linear mixed-effects regression model compared postoperative pulmonary function. Median follow-up time was 1.8 years (interquartile range, 1-4 years).

RESULTS

During the study period, 209 lung transplants, including 111 (53.1%) minimally invasive (21 robotic [10%] and 90 nonrobotic [43.1%]), were performed at a single center. Three patients were converted from robotic to nonrobotic approaches. The robotic cohort had similar risk factors and lung allocation scores but longer median waiting list times (50 days vs 22.5 days, P = .02) compared with nonrobotic minimally invasive recipients, and mean ischemic time was 486 minutes vs 406 minutes (P = .02), respectively. There were no significant differences in postoperative ventilator support <48 hours (76.2% vs 75.6%, P = .79), early severe primary graft dysfunction (4.8% vs 8.9%, P = .53), hospital stay (14.1 vs 14.3 days, P = .95), postoperative pulmonary function, or 1-year unadjusted survival (95.0% vs 95.5%, log-rank P = .84) in robotic compared with nonrobotic minimally invasive recipients.

CONCLUSIONS

This experience with robotic lung transplantation suggests it is associated with midterm outcomes similar to nonrobotic lung transplantation, despite longer ischemic times.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2024 Risk Models for Lung Cancer Resection: Continued Refinement and Improved Outcomes

BACKGROUND

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) General Thoracic Surgery Database (GTSD) has been used to develop risk models for patients undergoing pulmonary resection for cancer. Leveraging a contemporary and more inclusive cohort, this study sought to refine these models.

METHODS

The study population consisted of adult patients in the STS GTSD who underwent pulmonary resection for cancer between 2015 and 2022. Unlike in previous models, nonelective operations were included. Separate risk models were derived for operative mortality, major morbidity, and composite morbidity or mortality. Logistic regression with backward selection was used with predictors retained in models if P < .10. All derived models were validated using 9-fold cross-validation. Model discrimination and calibration were assessed for the overall cohort and for surgical procedure, demographic, and risk factor subgroups.

RESULTS

Data from 140,927 patients at 337 participating centers were included in the study. Overall operative mortality rate was 1.1%, major morbidity was 7.3%, and composite morbidity or mortality was 7.6%. Novel predictors of short-term outcomes included interstitial lung disease, diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide, and payer status. Overall discrimination was superior to previous STS pulmonary resection models for operative mortality (C-statistic = 0.80) and for composite morbidity or mortality (C-statistic = 0.70). Model discrimination was comparable and model calibration was excellent across all procedure- and demographic-specific subcohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

Among STS GTSD participants, major morbidity and operative mortality rates remained low after pulmonary resection. The newly derived pulmonary resection risk models demonstrate superior performance compared with previous models, with broader real-life applicability and clinical face validity.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Surgery Database: 2024 Update on Outcomes and Research

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Surgery Database (STS GTSD) remains the largest and most comprehensive audited thoracic surgical database in the world. As the STS GTSD grows to nearly 1 million cases, the pulmonary resection for cancer and esophagectomy short-term risk models have been refined to provide participants with benchmarked performance reports to facilitate quality improvement efforts. New for 2025 will be the development of long-term risk models and the online release of both short- and long-term risk calculators. A voluntary module to collect neoadjuvant targeted and immunotherapy data has been created and accepted by participants and is rapidly accruing data. STS GTSD participant public reporting has increased 50% over the last 2 years after the application of the U.S. News & World Report 3% transparency credit. All GTSD data analyses are now performed internally by the STS Research and Analytic Center, resulting in multiple publications through the Access & Publication, Task Force on Funded Research and Participant User File mechanisms. Future initiatives include the incorporation of patient-reported outcomes into the STS GTSD, revision of the data collection form to incorporate variables associated with long-term outcomes, and focused efforts to increase the value of STS GTSD participation. This report delineates volume trends, recent initiatives, and the prolific research output emanating from the STS GTSD, reflecting a year of substantial progress and academic productivity.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Expert Consensus Statements on a Framework for a Standardized National Robotic Curriculum for Thoracic Surgery Trainees

OBJECTIVE

With robotic technology's rapid growth and integration, an urgent need to bridge the educational gap in thoracic surgical training has emerged. This document, a result of consensus among a group of experts in the practice and training of robotic surgery from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, aims to provide a framework for a standardized national robotic curriculum for thoracic surgery trainees.

METHODS

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Task Force on Robotic Thoracic Surgery and Workforce on E-learning and Educational Innovation assembled an expert group with the input of the Thoracic Surgery Director's Association. A focused literature review was performed, and expert consensus statements were developed using a modified Delphi process to address 3 major themes: (1) program expectations, (2) components of training, and (3) assessment and feedback.

RESULTS

A consensus was reached on 12 recommendations. These consensus statements reflect updated insights on developing a standardized robotics curriculum based on the latest literature and current educational experience, focusing on program expectations and educational guidelines to develop an optimal training curriculum.

CONCLUSIONS

The expert panel provides several key recommendations to provide a framework for developing a standardized national robotic thoracic curriculum, which would improve resident education and abridge any educational disparity that may exist among programs.

Temporal Trends in the Utilization and Survival Outcomes of Lobar, Segmental, and Wedge Resection for Early-Stage NSCLC, 2004 to 2020

Introduction

Although lobectomy has long been the standard of surgical treatment for early-stage NSCLC, segmental and wedge resections have become another option often used over the past two decades.

Methods

To examine the trends over time in the utilization, quality, and overall survival (OS) differences of lobectomy, segmentectomy, and wedge resection, we performed an observational, population-level study of 76,466 patients with T1 or T2 N0M0 NSCLC tumors 2 cm or less in size in the National Cancer Database, from 2004 to 2020. To compare the OS of the three treatments, we used inverse probability of treatment weighting to analyze a subgroup of cases with nodal examination and minimal comorbidity burden.

Results

From 2004 to 2020, the use of lobectomy decreased from 75.2% to 67.6% of resections, wedge remained relatively stable (20.5%-22.8%), and segmentectomy increased from 4.3% to 9.7%. The likelihood of nodal assessments and negative margins has increased for all treatments. Younger patients, patients with low comorbidity burden, and patients with smaller tumors have become increasingly likely to receive segmental and wedge resections. Five-year OS of segmentectomy (80.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 78.1%-83.2%) remained noninferior to lobectomy (83.6%, 95% CI: 83.1%-84.1%]), whereas wedge resection was inferior until 2016 to 2019 (five-y OS = 79.9%, 95% CI: 75.9%-83.8%).

Conclusions

Sublobar resections, particularly segmentectomies, have increased in frequency and quality. The growing use of sublobar resections for younger and healthier patients highlights the need for additional clinical evidence demonstrating whether these trends do indeed lead to better outcomes.

Predictors of Discharge With Supplemental Oxygen After Lobectomy for Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

Before lung cancer resection, patients inquire about dyspnea and the potential need for supplemental oxygen. The objective of this study was to identify predictors of discharge with supplemental oxygen for patients undergoing lobectomy for lung cancer.

METHODS

Using The Society of Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Surgery Database, study investigators conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent lobectomy for lung cancer from July 2018 to December 2021. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the adjusted association of pulmonary function with discharge on supplemental oxygen and identify independent predictors of discharge with supplemental oxygen. Pulmonary function was modeled as the minimum of either predicted postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second or predicted postoperative diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide.

RESULTS

Overall, 2100 (8.4%) patients who underwent lobectomy were discharged with supplemental oxygen. Those patients with a minimum of either predicted postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second or predicted postoperative diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide ≤60% had a progressively increased risk of discharge with supplemental oxygen than patients with minimum function >60%. The 2 strongest predictors of discharge with supplemental oxygen were increasing body mass index (25-29 kg/m2: adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.38; 95% CI, 1.21-1.57; 30-39 kg/m2: aOR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.88-2.45; ≥40 kg/m2: aOR, 3.51; 95% CI, 2.79-4.39; reference, 18.5-24 kg/m2) and former (aOR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.67-2.52) or current (aOR, 2.61; 95% CI, 2.10-3.26) smoking status (reference, never smoker).

CONCLUSIONS

Of those patients who underwent lobectomy for lung cancer, 8.4% were discharged with supplemental oxygen. The study identified preoperative independent predictors of discharge with supplemental oxygen that may be useful during shared decision-making discussions of treatment options for lung cancer and setting expectations with patients.

Robotic Surgery in Thoracic Training Programs: A National Needs Assessment

BACKGROUND

Cardiothoracic surgical trainees perceive a need for more instruction and exposure to robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery during their training. We sought to assess use and trainee exposure to robotic surgery in thoracic residency programs to identify areas for improvement.

METHODS

A voluntary electronic survey of 10 questions was distributed to surgeons working in all thoracic surgery residency programs in the United States. The survey asked respondents to provide the size of the residency, the availability and use of robots, and the trainee's adoption of robotic surgery in their practice after graduation. Multivariable logistic regression was performed.

RESULTS

Of a total of 76 cardiothoracic surgery training programs, surgeons from 69 training programs (90.8%) completed the survey. Most pulmonary lobectomy was performed using robotic surgery (55%). Approximately half of the training programs (35 of 69) have a formal robotic curriculum for the residents. Of 121 thoracic track trainees, 118 (97.5%) performed robotic surgery as part of their practice, whereas 62 of 110 (56.4%) cardiothoracic track and 16 of 158 (10.1%) cardiac track trainees performed robotic surgery. In a multivariate analysis, the adoption of robotic surgery was associated with having an established robotic training curriculum (odds ratio, 5.82; 95% CI, 1.32-35.7) and a larger training program (odds ratio, 3.78; 95% CI, 1.34-10.6).

CONCLUSIONS

A disparity exists in robotic surgical training among the training programs. A standardized curriculum and formal case requirements may be needed to ensure optimal preparation for future graduates.

Prospective Study of Preoperative Negative Affect and Postoperative Pain in Patients Undergoing Thoracic Surgery: The Moderating Role of Sex

Objective: Preoperative negative affect is a risk factor for worse postoperative pain, but research investigating this association among patients undergoing thoracic surgery is inconsistent. Additionally, female patients often report greater negative affect and postoperative pain than males. This prospective observational study investigated the association between preoperative negative affect and postoperative pain after thoracic surgery and whether this association differed by sex. Methods: Patients (n = 105) undergoing thoracic surgery completed preoperative assessments of pain and negative affect (PROMIS anxiety and depression short forms). Patients reported their daily worst pain over the first 7 postoperative days, and an index score of acute postoperative pain was created. Six months after surgery, a subsample of patients (n = 60) reported their worst pain. Results: Higher levels of preoperative anxiety (r = 0.25, p = 0.011) and depression (r = 0.20, p = 0.042) were associated with greater acute postoperative pain, but preoperative negative affect was not related to chronic postsurgical pain (anxiety: r = 0.19, p = 0.16; depression: r = -0.01, p = 0.94). Moderation analyses revealed that the associations between both preoperative anxiety (b = 0.12, 95% CI [0.04, 0.21], p = 0.004) and depression (b = 0.15, 95% CI [0.04, 0.26], p = 0.008) with acute postoperative pain were stronger among females than males. Similarly, the association between preoperative anxiety and chronic postsurgical pain was stronger among females (b = 0.11, 95% CI [0.02, 0.20], p = 0.022), but the association between preoperative depression and chronic pain did not differ based on sex (b = 0.13, 95% CI [-0.07, 0.34], p = 0.201]). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that negative affect may be especially important to the experience of pain following thoracic surgery among female patients, whose degree of preoperative anxiety may indicate vulnerability to progress to a chronic pain state. Preoperative interventions aimed at reducing negative affect and pain may be particularly useful among females with high negative affect before thoracic surgery.

The Surgical Renaissance: Advancements in Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery and Robotic-Assisted Thoracic Surgery and Their Impact on Patient Outcomes

Minimally invasive thoracic surgery has advanced the treatment of lung cancer since its introduction in the 1990s. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) offer the advantage of smaller incisions without compromising patient outcomes. These techniques have been shown to be safe and effective in standard pulmonary resections (lobectomy and sub-lobar resection) and in complex pulmonary resections (sleeve resection and pneumonectomy). Furthermore, several studies show these techniques enhance patient outcomes from early recovery to improved quality of life (QoL) and excellent oncologic results. The rise of RATS has yielded further operative benefits compared to thoracoscopic surgery. The wristed instruments, neutralization of tremor, dexterity, and magnification allow for more precise and delicate dissection of tissues and vessels. This review summarizes of the advancements in minimally invasive thoracic surgery and the positive impact on patient outcomes.

Interprofessional education in cardiothoracic surgery: a narrative review

Interprofessional education, an approach where healthcare professionals from various disciplines learn with, from, and about each other, is widely recognized as an important strategy for improving collaborative practice and patient outcomes. This narrative review explores the current state and future directions of interprofessional education in cardiothoracic surgery. We conducted a literature search using the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, focusing on English-language articles published after 2000. Our qualitative synthesis identified key themes related to interprofessional education interventions, outcomes, and challenges. The integration of interprofessional education in cardiothoracic surgery training programs varies across regions, with a common focus on teamwork and interpersonal communication. Simulation-based training has emerged as a leading modality for cultivating these skills in multidisciplinary settings, with studies showing improvements in team performance, crisis management, and patient safety. However, significant hurdles remain, including professional socialization, hierarchies, stereotypes, resistance to role expansion, and logistical constraints. Future efforts in this field should prioritize deeper curricular integration, continuous faculty development, strong leadership support, robust outcome evaluation, and sustained political and financial commitment. The integration of interprofessional education in cardiothoracic surgery offers considerable potential for enhancing patient care quality, but realizing this vision requires a multifaceted approach. This approach must address individual, organizational, and systemic factors to build an evidence-based framework for implementation.

Dynamic volume-outcome association for esophagectomies: Do current volume thresholds still apply?

BACKGROUND

It is unknown if the current minimum case volume recommendation of 20 cases per year per hospital is applicable to contemporary practice.

METHODS

Patients undergoing esophageal resection between 2005 and 2015 were identified in the National Cancer Database. High, medium, and low-volume hospital strata were defined by quartiles. Adjusted odds ratios and adjusted 30-day mortality between low-, medium-, and high-volume hospitals were calculated using logistic regression analyses and trended over time.

RESULTS

Only 1.1% of hospitals had ≥20 annual cases. The unadjusted 30-day mortality for esophagectomy was 3.8% overall. Unadjusted and adjusted 30-day mortality trended down for all three strata between 2005 and 2015, with disproportionate decreases for low-volume and medium-volume versus high-volume hospitals. By 2015, adjusted 30-day mortality was similar in medium- and high-volume hospitals (odds ratio 1.35, 95% confidence interval 0.96-1.91). For hospitals with 20 or more annual cases the adjusted 30-day mortality was 2.7% overall. To achieve this same 30-day mortality the minimum volume threshold had lowered to 7 annual cases by 2015.

CONCLUSION

Only 1.1% of hospitals meet current volume recommendations for esophagectomy. Differential improvements in postoperative mortality at low- and medium- versus high-volume hospitals have led to 7 cases in 2015 achieving the same adjusted 30-day mortality as 20 cases in the overall cohort. Lowering volume thresholds for esophagectomy in contemporary practice would potentially increase the proportion of hospitals able to meet volume standards and increase access to quality care without sacrificing quality.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Surgery Database: 2023 Update on Outcomes and Research

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Surgery Database (GTSD) continues its trajectory of growth and enhancement, solidifying its stature as a premier global thoracic surgical database. The past year witnessed a notable expansion with the inclusion of 10 additional participating sites, now totaling 287, augmenting the database's repository to more than 800,000 procedures. A significant stride was made in refining the data audit process, thereby elevating the accuracy and completeness metrics, a testament to the relentless pursuit of data integrity. The GTSD further broadened its research apparatus, with 15 scholarly publications, a 50% uptick from the preceding year. These publications underscore the database's instrumental role in advancing thoracic surgical knowledge. In a concerted effort to alleviate data entry exigencies, the GTSD Task Force also instituted streamlined data submission protocols, a move lauded by participant sites. This report delineates the recent advancements, volume trajectories, and outcome metrics and encapsulates the prolific research output emanating from the GTSD, reflecting a year of substantial progress and academic fecundity.

Lobectomy, segmentectomy, or wedge resection for peripheral clinical T1aN0 non-small cell lung cancer: A post hoc analysis of CALGB 140503 (Alliance)

BACKGROUND

We have recently reported the primary results of CALGB 140503 (Alliance), a randomized trial in patients with peripheral cT1aN0 non-small cell lung cancer (American Joint Committee on Cancer seventh) treated with either lobar resection (LR) or sublobar resection (SLR). Here we report differences in disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS) and lung cancer-specific survival (LCSS) between LR, segmental resection (SR), and wedge resection (WR). We also report differences between WR and SR in terms of surgical margins, rate of locoregional recurrence (LRR), and expiratory flow rate at 6 months postoperatively.

METHODS

Between June 2007 and March 2017, a total of 697 patients were randomized to LR (n = 357) or SLR (n = 340) stratified by clinical tumor size, histology, and smoking history. Ten patients were converted from SLR to LR, and 5 patients were converted from LR to SLR. Survival endpoints were estimated using the Kaplan-Maier estimator and tested by the stratified log-rank test. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare margins and changes in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) between groups, and the χ2 test was used to test the associations between recurrence and groups.

RESULTS

A total of 362 patients had LR, 131 had SR, and 204 had WR. Basic demographic and clinical and pathologic characteristics were similar in the 3 groups. Five-year DFS was 64.7% after LR (95% confidence interval [CI], 59.6%-70.1%), 63.8% after SR (95% CI, 55.6%-73.2%), and 62.5% after WR (95% CI, 55.8%-69.9%) (P = .888, log-rank test). Five-year OS was 78.7% after LR, 81.9% after SR, and 79.7% after WR (P = .873, log-rank test). Five-year LCSS was 86.8% after LR, 89.2% after SR, and 89.7% after WR (P = .903, log-rank test). LRR occurred in 12% after SR and in 14% after WR (P = .295). At 6 months postoperatively, the median reduction in % FEV1 was 5% after WR and 3% after SR (P = .930).

CONCLUSIONS

In this large randomized trial, LR, SR, and WR were associated with similar survival outcomes. Although LRR was numerically higher after WR compared to SR, the difference was not statistically significant. There was no significant difference in the reduction of FEV1 between the SR and WR groups.

Outcomes and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer patients who underwent curable surgery: a protocol for a real-world, retrospective, population-based and nationwide Chinese National Lung Cancer Cohort (CNLCC) study

INTRODUCTION

Surgery is one of the main approaches for the comprehensive treatment of early and locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study conducts a nationwide multicentre study to explore factors that could influence the outcomes of patients with I-IIIA NSCLC who underwent curable surgery in real-world scenarios.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

All patients diagnosed with NSCLC between January 2013 and December 2020 will be identified from 30 large public medical services centres in mainland China. The algorithm of natural language processing and artificial intelligence techniques were used to extract data from electronic health records of enrolled patients who fulfil the inclusion criteria. Six categories of parameters are collected and stored from the electronic records, then the parameters will be structured as a high-quality structured case report form. The code book will be compiled and each parameter will be classified and designated a code. In addition, the study retrieves the survival status and causes of death of patients from the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. The primary endpoints are overall survival and the secondary endpoint is disease-free survival. Finally, an online platform is formed for data queries and the original records will be stored as secure electronic documents.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study has been approved by the Ethical Committee of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Study findings will be disseminated via presentations at conferences and publications in open-access journals. This study has been registered in the Chinese Trial Register (ChiCTR2100052773) on 11 May 2021, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=136659.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR2100052773.

Is It Time to Cross the Pillars of Evidence in Favor of Segmentectomies in Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer?

In the debate on lobectomy versus segmentectomy for the treatment of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), currently, we have reached two pillars of knowledge, like Jachim and Boaz, which have encompassed the actual boundary of the literature published up until now [...]