As the incidence of lung cancer continues to rise, segmentectomy has emerged as a favored surgical technique for treating selective early-stage non-small cell lung cancer patients, gaining increasing support from thoracic surgery specialists. However, there remains a deficiency in clinical guidance concerning indications and other related aspects for segmentectomy. In April 2023, a collaborative effort among 15 Asia thoracic surgery experts led to the publication of the "Asian expert consensus on segmentectomy in non-small cell lung cancer: A modified Delphi study". This study presents a total of 36 expert consensus agreements across three aspects: patient indications, surgical approaches, lymph node assessment, outlining key principles of them. This paper intends to provide a brief interpretation of these consensuses for the reference of colleagues in clinical practice.
The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) recently introduced the ninth edition of the TNM classification for lung cancer. This milestone is supported by a comprehensive database comprising 124 581 lung cancer patients from 75 centers across 25 nations between 2011 and 2019. Following the exclusion of incomplete data, the analysis focused on 87 043 patients. These insights guided the modifications in the ninth edition of the TNM classification for lung cancer. The updated classification now includes a higher representation of Asian patients, particularly showing significant growth among Chinese patients. This revised classification will offer more pertinent benchmarks for the diagnosis and prognostic assessment of lung cancer. This article delves into the database updates, stage adjustments, and rationale behind the IASLC ninth edition of the TNM classification for lung cancer.
Objective To determine the most appropriate T-stage and surgical resection range of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) with adjacent lobe invasion (ALI). Methods Fifty one NSCLC patients who were confirmed as direct ALI were divided into an ALI-T2 and an ALI-T3 group according to the eighth edition of TNM classification. Cases were matched by propensity score matching method at a ratio of 2∶1. The overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS), postoperative hospitalization, and postoperative complications among the groups were compared. Results Patients' characteristics were comparable among the groups. Three-year or 5-year survival rate in the ALI-T2 group, the single-lobe invasion T2 (SLI-T2) group, and the T3 (SLI-T3) group was 73.90% and 61.60%, 89.60% and 89.60%, 68.90% and 61.20%, respectively. The OS of SLI-T2 group was significantly higher than that of the ALI-T2 ( P=0.042) group and with similar survival in the SLI-T3 group( P=0.955). In the survival analysis of the ALI-T3 group, the 3-year or 5-year OS of the SLI-T3 group was 70.80% and 65.70%, respectively, while in the poorest prognosis ALI-T3 group was only 31.60% and 21.00% ( P=0.009), respectively. However, no statistical difference was detected between the ALI-T3 and SLI-T4 groups ( P=0.343). The PFS of the patients in the ALI-T3 group was closer to the SLI-T4 group level while lower than that of the SLI-T3 group, but the trend had not been confirmed by statistical analysis ( P 1=0.071, P 2=0.648). The OS and PFS did not differ between the patients undergoing a lobectomy plus wedge resection (LWR) and those undergoing a bilobectomy or pneumonectomy. Compared with a bilobectomy or pneumonectomy, LWR had distinct advantages in the postoperative hospital stay (6.90±3.11days vs. 9.23± 4.43 days, P=0.030), the postoperative duration of drainage (4.41±2.98 days vs. 6.50±4.11 days, P=0.041) and complication rates (4.00% vs. 31.58%, P=0.032). Conclusions We believe that T1-2 stage tumor invading adjacent lobe should be classified as T3 and ALI-T3 tumor should be revised as T4. Beside that, LWR could be considered as a reasonable surgical option for patients with lesser invasive depth (less than 2 cm) in the adjacent lobes.
ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) anatomic basal segmentectomy.MethodsThe clinical data of 15 patients who underwent uniportal VATS anatomic basal segmentectomy between June 2020 and December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 4 males and 11 females with a median age of 53 (32-70) years. The incisions were placed in the fifth intercostal space across the mid-axillary line. All basal segmentectomies were performed through the interlobar fissure or inferior pulmonary ligament approach following the strategies of single-direction and stem-branch.ResultsAll patients underwent basal segmentectomy successfully with no conversion to multi-portal procedure or thoracotomy. The median operation time was 120 (90-160) min, median intraoperative blood loss was 20 (10-50) mL, median drainage time was 3 (2-5) d, and median postoperative hospital stay was 4 (4-10) d. The maximum diameter of the lesion in the resected basal segment was 1.2 (0.7-1.9) cm. The median resected lymph nodes were 7 (5-12). There was no evidence of nodal metastases. One patient suffered postoperative atelectasis and subsequent pneumonia. No perioperative death occurred.ConclusionUniportal VATS anatomic basal segmentectomy is feasible and safe. It can be performed in a simple manner following the strategy of single-direction.
Objective To explore the relationship between pure solid non-small cell lung cancer with diameter<2 cm and lymph node metastasis rate. Methods We retrospectively analyzed clinicopathological data of 611 patients who underwent lobectomy and systematic lymph node dissection in our hospital between October 2005 and September 2016. There were 322 males and 289 females aged 58.8±10.0 years (range from 25 to 84 years). The relationship between clinicopathological feature and lymph node metastasis rate was analyzed by logistic regression. Results Lymph node metastasis was observed in 136 patients. The rate of lymph node metastasis was 22.3% in pure solid non-small cell lung cancer with diameter<2 cm. The result of univariate analysis showed that differentiation of tumor (P<0.001), location of tumor (P=0.047) and gender (P=0.032) were associated with lymph node metastasis. Multivariate analysis showed that differentiation of tumor was an independent risk factor for lymph node metastasis (P<0.001). Conclusion The rate of lymph node metastasis is high in pure solid non-small cell lung cancer with diameter<2 cm. Differentiation of tumor is an independent risk factor for lymph node metastasis. We recommend systematic lymph node dissection in the patients of this group. And we should choose sublobar resection prudentially.
Stage ⅠA lung adenocarcinoma presented as ground glass dominant on thin-section high-resolution CT scan is a special subtype of lung cancer. The characteristics of this subtype are quite different from the other patients, which presented as lower malignancy and better prognosis. Clinical, pathological and imaging studies have revealed that the proportion of the solid component in part-solid ground glass nodule is closely related with the pathological type and the prognosis of lung cancer. The methods for the assessment of the solid components in the ground glass nodule can be classified into three types, including subjective assessment, two dimensional measurement and three dimensional measurement. This review summarized the advantages and the limitations of these three methods. We also reviewed the clinical application of these techniques.
ObjectiveTo analyze the operation outcomes and learning curve of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).MethodsAll consecutive patients who underwent uniportal VATS between November 2018 and December 2020 in Shangjin Branch of West China Hospital of Sichuan University were retrospectively enrolled, including 62 males and 86 females with a mean age of 50.1±13.4 years. Operations included lobectomy, segmentectomy, wedge resection, mediastinal mass resection and hemopneumothorax. Accordingly, patients' clinical features in different phases were collected and compared to determine the outcome difference and learning curve for uniportal VATS.ResultsMedian postoperative hospital stay was 5 days, and the overall complication rate was 8.1% (12/148). There was no 30-day death after surgery or readmissions. Median postoperative pain score was 3. Over time, the operation time, incision length and blood loss were optimized in the uniportal VATS lobectomy, the incision length and blood loss increased in the uniportal VATS segmentectomy, and the postoperative hospital stay decreased in the uniportal VATS wedge resection.ConclusionUniportal VATS is safe and feasible for both standard and complex pulmonary resections. While, no remarkable learning curve for uniportal VATS lobectomy is observed for experienced surgeon.
ObjectiveTo explore the treatment strategies for patients with fever and pulmonary complications after thoracic surgery during COVID-19 epidemic.MethodsThe clinical data of 537 patients who ungerwent selective surgery at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shangjin Branch of West China Hospital between February and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, including 242 (45.1%) males and 295 (54.9%) females aged 53.3±13.4 years. We have established a procedure for the patients with fever and pulmonary complications after thoracic surgery to investigate the cause of the disease and track risk factors.ResultsThe overall postoperative complication rate was 16.4% (88/537), and 1 (0.2%) patient died. Of 537 patients, 179 (33.3%) patients were enrolled in our model according to the inclusion criteria: ratio of males [112 (62.6%) vs. 130 (36.3%), P<0.010], patients with a history of smoking [74 (41.3%) vs. 87 (24.3%), P<0.010], or with esophageal cancer surgery [36 (20.1%) vs. 15 (4.2%)], or with traditional thoracotomy [14 (7.8%) vs. 4 (1.1%)] was higher than that of the other patients. Patients in our process due to fever or pulmonary complications had longer ICU stay and postoperative hospital stay (P=0.010). Logistic regression multivariate analysis showed that gender was an independent risk factor for postoperative fever or pulmonary complications.ConclusionIn low-risk areas of the epidemic, the treatment process is simple and feasible, and the cause traceability and corresponding treatment can basically be completed within 24 hours. At the same time, the treatment process has been running stably for a long time.
Objective To share the clinical experience of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) anatomic basal segmentectomy by single-direction method. Methods The clinical data of 352 patients who underwent VATS anatomic basal segmentectomy in West China Hospital between April 2015 and April 2021 were retrospectively reviewed, including 96 males and 256 females with a median age of 50 (range, 26-81) years. All basal segmentectomies were performed under thoracoscopy, through the interlobar fissure or inferior pulmonary ligament approach, and following the strategy of single-direction and the method of "stem-branch". ResultsAll patients underwent basal segmentectomy successfully (49 patients of uniportal procedure, 3 patients of biportal procedure and 300 patients of triportal procedure) without addition of incisions or conversion to thoracotomy and lobectomy. The median operation time was 118 (range, 45-340) min, median intraoperative blood loss was 20 (range, 5-500) mL, median drainage time was 2 (range, 1-22) d and median postoperative hospital stay was 4 (range, 2-24) d. The postoperative complications included pneumonia in 6 patients, prolonged drainage (air leakage duration＞5 d or drainage duration＞7 d) in 18 patients, cerebral infarction in 1 patient and other complications in 2 patients. All patients were treated well and discharged without main complaints. No perioperative death happened. ConclusionVATS anatomic basal segmentectomy is feasible and safe. It can be performed in a simple manner following the strategy of single-direction.
Objective To summarize our treatment experience for patients with chest injuries in “4•20” Lushan earthquake. Methods Medical records of 17 patients with chest injuries after 2013 Lushan earthquake who were admittedto the Department of Thoracic Surgery，West China Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. The diagnosis of chest injuries was mainly confirmed by medical history，physical examination，X-ray and CT scan of the chest. Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes were analyzed. Among the 17 patients，there were 14 men and 3 women with their age of 57.3±16.1 years. Results There were 12 patients （70.6%）with crash injury of heavy objects，4 patients （23.5%） with fall injury and 1 patient with road traffic injury. Chest injuries were skin and soft tissue contusion in 17 patients （100%），rib fracturein 15 patients （88.2%） including 1 patient with abnormal respiratory movements，pulmonary contusion in 15 patients （88.2%），hemopneumothorax in 11 patients （64.7%），sternal fracture in 1 patient （5.9%） and bilateral pneumothorax with widespread subcutaneous emphysema in 1 patient （5.9%）. Thirteen patients （76.5%） had concomitant brain，abdominal，orthopedic or nerve injuries. One patient underwent left thoracotomy，clot removal and internal fixation of rib fractures for left coagulated hemothorax and left lower lobe atelectasis. All the 17 patients received timely and effective treatment and there was noin-hospital mortality. Conclusions Mechanisms of earthquake injuries are often complex，and patients often have multipleinjuries. The main types of chest injury are rib fractures and pulmonary contusion. Tube thoracostomy is a simple andeffective treatment strategy for them. Satisfactory pain management and bronchoscopy procedure can effectively help patientswith removal of respiratory secretions and maintenance of airway patency.