Clinical outcome and risk factors for complications after pulmonary segmentectomy by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: results of an initial experience

Clinical and Oncological Outcomes after Uniportal Anatomical Segmentectomy for Stage IA Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background and Objectives: The existing literature comparing sublobar and lobar resection in the treatment of stage IA lung cancer highlights the trend and overall need for further evaluation of minimally invasive, parenchymal-sparing techniques. The role of uniportal minimally invasive segmentectomy in the oncological therapy of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and midterm oncological outcomes of patients who underwent uniportal video-assisted anatomical segmentectomy for pathological stage IA lung cancer. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all patients with pathological stage IA lung cancer (8th edition UICC) who underwent uniportal minimally invasive anatomical segmentectomy at our institution from January 2015 to December 2018. Results: 85 patients, 54 of whom were men, were included. The median length of hospital stay was 3 days (1.-3. IQR 3-5), whereas 30-day morbidity was 15.3% (13 patients), and the in-hospital mortality rate was 1.2% (1 patient). The 3-year overall survival rate was 87.9% for the total population. It was 90.5% in the IA1 group, 93.3% in the IA2 group, and 70.1% in the IA3 group, respectively. Conclusions: There were satisfactory short-term clinical outcomes with low 30-day morbidity and mortality and promising midterm oncological survival results following uniportal minimally invasive anatomical segmentectomy for pathological stage IA non-small cell lung cancer.

Pulmonary function protection by single-port thoracoscopic segmental lung resection in elderly patients with IA non-small cell lung cancer: A differential matched analysis

In patients with stage IA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (U-VATS) anatomical segmentectomy removes the lung tumor while preserving lung function as much as possible, and it is therefore an alternative to lobectomy. Patients with stage IA NSCLC receiving U-VATS segmental resection at our institution from September 2017 to June 2019 were compared with patients receiving U-VATS lobectomy. A total of 47 patients received segmentectomy and 209 patients received U-VATS lobectomy in the same period. Propensity score matching was conducted to diminish bias. The final study cohort included 42 patients who received segmentectomy and 42 propensity score matching-matched patients who received lobectomy. Perioperative parameters and postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), and forced vital capacity (FVC) were compared between the 2 groups. Surgery was successfully completed in all patients. The mean follow-up was for 8.2 months. The postoperative complication rate was comparable between the 2 groups: 31.0% in segmentectomy patients versus 35.7% in lobectomy patients (P = .643). At 1 month after surgery, FEV1% and FVC% were not significantly different between the 2 groups (P > .05). At 3 months after surgery, FEV1 and FVC were higher in segmentectomy patients than in lobectomy patients (FEV1, 82.79% ± 6.36% vs 78.55% ± 5.42%; FVC, 81.66% ± 6.09% vs 78.90% ± 5.58%, P < .05). Patients receiving segmentectomy suffer less pain and have better postoperative lung function and higher quality of life.

Outcomes of Thoracoscopic Lobectomy after Recent COVID-19 Infection

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 outbreak had a massive impact on lung cancer patients with the rise in the incidence and mortality of lung cancer.

METHODS

We evaluated whether a recent COVID-19 infection affected the outcome of patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy for lung cancer using a retrospective observational mono-centric study conducted between January 2020 and August 2022. Postoperative complications and 90-day mortality were reported. We compared lung cancer patients with a recent history of COVID-19 infection prior to thoracoscopic lobectomy to those without recent COVID-19 infection. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed.

RESULTS

One hundred and fifty-three consecutive lung cancer patients were enrolled. Of these 30 (19%), had a history of recent COVID-19 infection prior to surgery. COVID-19 was not associated with a higher complication rate or 90-day mortality. Patients with recent COVID-19 infection had more frequent pleural adhesions (p = 0.006). There were no differences between groups regarding postoperative complications, conversion, drain removal time, total drainage output, and length of hospital stay.

CONCLUSIONS

COVID-19 infection did not affect the outcomes of thoracoscopic lobectomy for lung cancer. The treatment of these patients should not be delayed in case of recent COVID-19 infection and should not differ from that of the general population.

Powered stapling system with gripping surface technology for pulmonary resection of lung cancer: real-world clinical effectiveness

OBJECTIVES

Surgical lung resection involves a critical task of stapled ligation and transection of major vascular structures and tissue, which may lead to bleeding and complications. A newer powered stapling system with Gripping Surface Technology (GST) was introduced to account for tissue movements. This study aimed to examine the real-world effectiveness of GST system on intraoperative and postoperative outcomes of pulmonary resection.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted using the electronic medical records of Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital between July 2020 and March 2021 in China. Patients who underwent their first procedures of single-port lobectomy or multi-port segmentectomy by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery were identified and grouped as GST group or manual stapler group (manual group) by the stapler types. The intraoperative outcomes such as bleeding rate, blood loss volume, and intervention rate at the staple line (including intraoperative pressure, suture, and electrocoagulation) were documented by trained nurses during the surgery. Propensity score matching was performed between the two groups, controlling forage, BMI, smoking history, history of surgery, complications, and level of complexity of pneumonectomy.

RESULTS

A total of 108 matched patients were included in the analysis (54 in the GST group and 54 in the manual group). GST group had lower risks for intraoperative bleeding (22.8% vs 51.9%; p = 0.003) and intraoperative interventions (31.5% vs 55.6%; p = 0.02), compared to the manual group. A decrease in the intraoperative blood loss was observed in the GST group, but not statistically significant (134.39 ± 52.82 ml vs 158.11 ± 73.14 ml, p = 0.102). The use of NEOVEIL (reinforcement material to prevent air leakage from the staple line) intraoperatively during surgery was significantly lower in the GST group (24.1%) than in the manual group (50%, p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The GST system was associated with better intraoperative outcomes in clinical practice in China.

Inferior pulmonary ligament approach and/or interlobar fissure approach for posterior and/or lateral basal segment resection: a case-series of 31 patients

Background

Thoracoscopic posterior and/ or lateral basal segment resection is a major difficult segmentectomy for thoracic surgeons, because of its high surgical difficulty and high incidence of postoperative complications. Here we describe the surgical procedure and techniques of the transpulmonary ligament approach and/or interlobar fissure approach for the thoracoscopic posterior and/or lateral basal segment resection.

Methods

The clinical data of 31 patients who underwent thoracoscopic posterior and/or lateral basal segment resection from January 2020 to June 2022 were included. All patients underwent posterior and/or lateral basal segment resection via the inferior pulmonary ligament and/or interlobar fissure approach. Follow-up was continued to September 2022.

Results

All patients including 7 males and 24 females, with a median age of 51 [31-62] years, completed the operation successfully. One patient was converted to lobectomy due to insufficient margins intraoperatively. Two patients were treated using the interlobar fissure approach, 25 patients were treated via the inferior pulmonary ligament approach, and four patients were treated by employing both methods. Also, 20 patients had a single lesion and 1 patient had two lesions. Eleven patients underwent surgical resections on other lesions when posterior and/or lateral basal segment lesions resected. The median operation time was 120 [50-290] minutes, the median intraoperative blood loss was 50 [10-100] mL, the median postoperative drainage time was 4 [2-10] days, and the median postoperative hospital stay was 4 [2-13] days. There was no perioperative death. Postoperative complications included five cases of persistent air leakage longer than 5 days (7, 7, 8, 9, and 10 days), and one patient developed a pulmonary infection and abnormal liver function after the operation. The median maximum diameter of the lesion was 0.8 [0.2-1.5] cm, lymph nodes were resected in a median of 8 [4-15] case.

Conclusions

The approach of the inferior pulmonary ligament to resect posterior and/or the lateral basal segment can optimize the surgical procedure. The surgical trauma and postoperative complications are reduced, which is worthy of popularization and application.

The role of three-dimensional reconstructions in understanding the intersegmental plane: an anatomical study of segment 6

OBJECTIVES

The identification of the intersegmental plane during lung segmentectomies remains a practical difficulty, notably with minimally invasive approaches. The intraoperative techniques are based on demarcating either the bronchial or the vascular territories. The goal of this study was to evaluate the use of 3-dimensional reconstructions in understanding the intersegmental plane of segment 6.

METHODS

Between March and September 2018, Synapse 3-dimensional programme was used to carry out bilateral venous, arterial and bronchial segmentations of segment 6. All computed tomography (CT) scans were contrast-enhanced and of a high resolution (0.6 mm slices). The patients had normal results on respiratory function tests. The volumes obtained from each of the 3 modalities were then compared. The results are presented as mean and standard deviation and as median and interquartile ranges for lung volume measurements.

RESULTS

During the aforementioned period, 15 high-resolution chest CT scans were selected (8 men and 7 women). The median age was 70 years. In all of the studied segments (N = 30, 15 right S6 and 15 left S6), the segmental volume of the vein was greater than the segmental volumes of the bronchus and the artery. A significant difference was found between the segmental volumes obtained from the 3 modalities (P = 0.001). The segmental volume of the vein was significantly higher than the segmental volume of the bronchus (P < 0.001) and the segmental volume of the artery (P < 0.001). On the other hand, the segmental volume of the artery was significantly higher than the segmental volume of the bronchus (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Within the limits of this study, the segmental venous volume of S6 was greater than the volumes of the segmental bronchial and arterial volumes. Thus, depending solely on bronchial techniques might lead to leaving a border zone in venous congestion.

Short-term local control after VATS segmentectomy and lobectomy for solid NSCLC of less than 2 cm

Introduction

VATS pulmonary segmentectomy is increasingly proposed as a parenchyma‐sparing resection for tumors smaller than 2 cm in diameter. The aim of this study was to compare short‐term oncological results and local control in solid non‐small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) <2 cm surgically treated by intentional VATS segmentectomy or lobectomy.

Methods

This study was a single center retrospective study of consecutive patients undergoing VATS lobectomy (VL) or segmentectomy (VS) for solid <2 cm NSCLC from January 2014 to October 2019.

Results

In total, 188 patients with a median age of 65 years (male/female: 99/89) underwent VS (n = 96) or VL (n = 92). Segmentectomies in the upper lobes were performed in 57% and as a single segment in 55% of cases. There was no statistically significant difference between VS and VL in terms of demographics, comorbidities, postoperative outcomes, dissected lymph node stations (2.89 ± 0.95 vs. 2.93 ± 1, P = 0.58), rate of pN1 (2.2% vs. 2.1%, P = 0.96) or pN2 upstaging (1.09% vs. 1.06%, P = 0.98). Adjuvant chemotherapy was given in 15% of patients in the VL and 11% in the VS group. During follow‐up (median: 23 months), no patients presented with local nodal recurrence or on the stapler line (VS group). Three patients on VL and two in VS groups presented with recurrence on the remnant operated lung. New primary pulmonary tumors were diagnosed in 3.3% and 6.3% of patients in the VL and VS groups, respectively.

Conclusions

Despite the short follow‐up, our preliminary data shows that local control is comparable for VATS lobectomy and VATS segmentectomy for patients with NSCLC <2 cm.

Is repeated pulmonary metastasectomy justified?

Recurrence after pulmonary metastasectomy (PM) is frequent, but it is unclear to whom repeated pulmonary metastasectomy (RPM) offers highest benefits. Retrospective analysis of oncological and post-operative outcomes of consecutive patients who underwent PM from 2003 to 2018. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free interval (DFI) were calculated. Cox regression was used to identify variables influencing OS and DFI. In total, 264 patients (female/male: 114/150; median age: 62 years) underwent PM for colorectal cancer (32%), sarcoma (19%), melanoma (16%) and other primary tumors (33%). Pulmonary metastasectomy was approached by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in 73% and pulmonary resection was realized by non-anatomical resection in 76% of cases. The overall median follow-up time was 33 months (IQR 16–56 months) and overall 5-year survival rate was 62%. Local or distant recurrences were observed in 172 patients (65%) and RPM could be performed in 66 patients (25%) for a total of 116 procedures. RPM was realized by VATS in 49% and pulmonary resection by wedge in 77% of cases. In RPM patients, the 5-year survival rate after first PM was 79%. Post-operative cardio-pulmonary complication rate (13% vs. 12%; p = 0.8) and median length of stay (4 vs. 5 days; p = 0.2) were not statistically different between first PM and RPM. Colorectal cancer (HR 0.56), metachronous metastasis (HR 0.48) and RPM (HR 0.5) were associated with better survival. In conclusion, our results suggest that RPM offers favorable survival rates without increasing post-operative morbidity.

Precision surgery in lung metastasectomy

The value of pulmonary metastasis (PM) resection in the context of controlled primary tumor sites was shown to improve survival of patients if complete resection could be achieved. The surgeon's approach can be modulated by various parameters pertaining to safety margins including local growth properties, size, spread and location of PMs. Lymph node dissection and assessment is recommended although its impact on survival remains unclear. Thoracoscopic surgery combined to thin slice chest CT scans has shown results comparable to thoracotomy in patients with few PMs. The management of PMs should therefore be discussed on an individual, interdisciplinary basis to offer the best possible oncological and surgical results as well as to maximize long term patient survival rates.

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

Background

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.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed records of all patients who underwent anatomical pulmonary segmentectomy by VATS from 2014 to 2018 in two university hospitals.

Results

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).

Conclusions

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.