Preoperative Three-Dimensional Lung Simulation Before Thoracoscopic Anatomical Segmentectomy for Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Three-Dimensional Lung Reconstructions for Preoperative Planning of Uniportal Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Segmentectomies Using Visible Patient Software

In this article, we present the use of 3-dimensional (3D) lung reconstructions performed by Visible Patient software and share our experience with the first 5 patients who were scheduled for a segmentectomy. These reconstructions provided useful insights into more accurate lung nodule locations, resulting in a preoperative change in the surgical plan in 3 of the 5 patients. In addition, surgeons were better prepared for surgery with the preoperative knowledge of anatomical variations identified in 4 patients. These findings highlight the critical role of preoperative 3D lung reconstructions in determining the appropriate surgical indication and refining the surgical plan when thoracoscopic segmentectomy is initially indicated.

Evaluating three-dimensional lung reconstructions for thoracoscopic lung resections using open-source software: a pilot study

Background

Preoperative three-dimensional (3D) lung reconstructions can reduce intraoperative blood loss, conversion rate, and operation duration. These 3D reconstructions are predominantly provided by commercial expensive products, hence we aimed to assess the usability and performance of preoperative 3D lung reconstructions created with open-source software.

Methods

Patients were invited to participate in this prospective pilot study if they were planned for uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy or segmentectomy between January and February 2023. Participants were excluded if a two-dimensional (2D) late-arterial-phase computed tomography (CT) scan contained motion artifacts, another surgical procedure was performed, or the surgery was canceled. After informed consent was obtained, 3D lung reconstructions were constructed using open-source 3D Slicer software. The system usability score (SUS) questionnaire assessed the usability of these reconstructions, whilst performance was evaluated based on anatomical validity compared to prior 2D CT assessment as well as operative findings. Descriptive statistics were reported.

Results

Thirteen patients were included, of whom one underwent a segmentectomy. Eighty-three percent of the 3D lung reconstructions scored above average (SUS >68). Compared to 2D CT scans, 38% of lung nodule segmental locations were detected more accurately through 3D lung reconstructions. Furthermore, 3D lung reconstructions revealed anatomical variations in 62%, which were not recognized on 2D CT scans, and provided surgeons with insights that would change the procedure and/or transection planes in 62%. One 3D lung reconstruction failed to demonstrate an intraoperative recognized segmental pulmonary artery (A6) branch.

Conclusions

Three-dimensional lung reconstructions created with open-source software were usable and effective for uniportal VATS anatomical resections.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT06132607.

Noninvasive 3D-CT simulation versus glue injection to localize small pulmonary nodules prior to anatomical segmentectomy: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate whether adding glue injection to three-dimensional computed tomography bronchography and angiography (3D-CTBA) has extra benefits to facilitate anatomical segmentectomy for pulmonary nodules.

METHODS

We conducted a randomized controlled trial. The patients undergoing thoracoscopic segmentectomy assisted with 3D-CTBA simulation were enrolled. Then, they were divided into the 3D-CTBA group and the glue-labelling group who received additional computed tomography-guided percutaneous glue (2-octyl cyanoacrylate) injection to label the nodules. The primary outcome was the resection rate of the nodules, and the secondary measures included the operation time, complications and thorax drainage.

RESULTS

A total of 173 patients were randomized into the 3D-CTBA group (89 patients) and glue-labelling group (84 patients) between January 2018 and March 2019. Before the segmentectomy, the patients using glue labelling recorded 5 (6.0%) cases of pneumothorax, 2 (2.4%) cases of haemothorax and 1 (1.2%) case of severe chest pain. All the surgical procedure was performed fluently and safely. The resection rate of the nodules was 100% in both groups. Furthermore, these patients demonstrated similar operation time [(141.5 ± 41.9) vs (142.1 ± 38.9) min], estimated blood loss [(111.3 ± 74.0) vs (106.0 ± 63.8) ml], duration of chest tube duration [(5.1 ± 3.0) vs (5.0 ± 3.5) days] and total drainage volume [(872.3 ± 643.1) vs (826.7 ± 806.0) ml], with a P-value of >0.05 respectively. In addition, 6 (7.1%) patients in the glue-labelling group and 6 (6.7%) patients in the 3D-CTBA group reported air leakage (>5 days) and chylothorax.

CONCLUSIONS

Noninvasive 3D-CTBA alone is probably sufficient to facilitate anatomical segmentectomy. The additional invasive glue labelling could be avoided in selected patients who undergo intentional segmentectomy.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial was registered under the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR). Identifier: ChiCTR1800018293, https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=29345.

Analysis of the Effect of Quality Nursing on Recovery after Thoracic Surgery

Objective

To observe the feasibility and safety of rapid rehabilitation nursing in the perioperative period of thoracoscopic treatment of lung cancer patients. Rapid rehabilitation nursing was compared with conventional perioperative nursing to explore its clinical efficacy, i.e., its advantages in improving postoperative comfort, postoperative rehabilitation efficiency, and hospitalization cost of patients undergoing thoracoscopic lung cancer resection.

Methods

We carried out a retrospective analysis of 337 lung cancer patients who underwent lobectomy in our thoracic surgery department from July 2019 to June 2021, of which 168 lung cancer patients whose perioperative care method was traditional rehabilitation care were classified as A and 169 lung cancer patients who started to implement the intelligent medical intervention method in the department in September were classified as intelligent medical B. By reviewing patient cases and departmental statistics, general information, length of stay, hospitalization cost, complication rate, pain score, bowel movement recovery time, and pulmonary function index of the two groups A and B were compared. Nursing satisfaction was investigated by using a questionnaire. All the data in the study were processed and analyzed using SPSS 17.0 software.

Results

There were no differences in preoperative general data, pathological findings, preoperative underlying diseases, lesion involvement sites, and postoperative TNM stages (P > 0.05), which were comparable; the incidence of postoperative pulmonary infection and atelectasis complications, postoperative hospitalization time, and hospitalization cost were lower in group B than in group A; the postoperative chest tube drain placement time was shorter in group B than in group A, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The incidence of postoperative pain and discomfort in group B was lower than that in group A, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05); the incidence of postoperative chest pain, bleeding, pneumothorax, pulmonary infection, and atelectasis in group B was lower than that in group A, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Intelligent medical rehabilitation nursing has good application value in thoracoscopic lung cancer surgery. Applying the concept of intelligent medical rehabilitation nursing provides an important experimental basis and theoretical basis for improving the postoperative survival quality and clinical symptoms of patients undergoing thoracoscopic lung cancer resection, which helps to promote the postoperative recovery of patients with thoracoscopic lung cancer, improves the recovery efficiency of patients and their overall quality of life, and is superior to the conventional nursing group.

Application of three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction in the treatment of video-assisted thoracoscopic complex segmentectomy of the lower lung lobe: A retrospective study

Background

An increasing number of lung ground-glass nodules (GGNs) have been detected ever since low-dose computer tomography started growing in popularity. Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction technology plays a critical role in lung resection, especially in segmentectomy. In this study, we explore the role of 3D reconstruction in thoracoscopic complex segmentectomy of lower lung lobe.

Methods

A total of 97 patients who underwent complex segmentectomy of lower lung lobe from January 2021 to March 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. We divided these patients into a 3D group (n = 42) and a routine group (n = 55) based on preoperative 3D reconstruction or without this procedure. The demographics of patients and GGNs were collected and perioperative outcomes were compared between the two groups.

Results

All of the baseline characteristics between the groups were comparable (all P > 0.05). There was no 30-day postoperative mortality and conversion in the two groups. The operation time of the 3D group was significantly shorter than that of the routine group (111.4 ± 20.8 min vs. 127.1 ± 32.3 min, P = 0.007). The number of stapler reloads during surgery in the 3D group was less than that in the routine group (9.0 ± 2.2 vs. 10.4 ± 2.6, P = 0.009). The rate of air leakage on postoperative days 1–3 was lower in the 3D group (11.9% vs. 30.9%, P = 0.027). In addition, the resection margins of all patients in the 3D group were adequate, while four patients in the routine group had inadequate resection margins, although there was no statistically significant difference (P = 0.131). Intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, postoperative hospital stay, pneumonia/atelectasis, and hemoptysis were similar between the two groups.

Conclusions

For performing complex segmentectomy of the lower lung lobe, the procedure of 3D reconstruction may shorten the operation time, decrease the number of stapler reloads, prevent postoperative air leakage, and guarantee a safe surgical margin. Therefore, 3D reconstruction is recommended for complex segmentectomy of the lower lung lobe.