Outcomes of ‘Complete’ VATS lobectomy for lung cancer with all work performed under thoracoscopy

An Inevitable Step for the Future Evolution of VATS lobectomy

Abstract

Background. Although lobectomy by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS lobectomy) is a well-established and wide-spread therapeutic method for treating small peripheral lung cancer, few reports of ‘Complete’ VATS lobectomy with all work performed under thoracoscopy are available. Methods. We defined ‘Complete’ VATS lobectomy as the operation, in which all operative work of pulmonary lobectomy and nodal dissection was performed under thoracoscopy with no rib-spreader used. Twenty patients underwent this operation as the treatment for lung cancer in clinical stage I. Their operative data and postoperative conditions were reviewed. Results. Although the operation time of ‘Complete’ VATS lobectomy was longer than the conventional VATS, the other results were almost equivalent, partially being superior (average operation time: 260 minutes; blood loss: 95ml; No.of dissected lymph nodes: 32; chest drainage: 4.5days; hospitalization: 16day). All patients were discharged with no major complication. Conclusions. ‘Complete’ VATS lobectomy is a safe, definite and technically feasible operation for the patients with clinical stage I lung cancer, in which the superior results will be expected with increasing experiences and proficient techniques involved.