ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility of early chest tube removal following single-direction uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (S-UVATS) anatomical lobectomy. MethodsThe clinical data of consecutive VATS lobectomy by different surgeons in Xuzhou Central Hospital between May 2019 and February 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Finally, the data of 1 084 patients were selected for analysis, including 538 males and 546 females, with a mean age of 61.0±10.1 years. These patients were divided into a S-UVATS group with 558 patients and a conventional group (C-UVATS) with 526 patients according to the surgical procedures. The perioperative parameters such as operation time, blood loss were recorded. In addition, we assessed the amount of residual pleural effusion and the probability of secondary thoracentesis when taking 300 mL/d and 450 mL/d as the threshold of chest tube removal. ResultsTumor-negative surgical margin was achieved without mortality in this cohort. As compared with the C-UVATS group, patients in the S- UVATS group demonstrated significantly shorter operation time (P<0.001), less blood loss (P=0.002), lower rate of conversion to multiple-port VATS or thoracotomy (P=0.003), but more stations and numbers of dissected lymph nodes as well as less suture staplers (P<0.001). Moreover, patients in the S-UVATS demonstrated shorter chest tube duration, less total volume of thoracic drainage and shorter postoperative hospital stay, with statistical differences (P<0.001). After excluding patients of chylothorax and prolonged air leaks>7 d, subgroup analysis was performed. First, assuming that 300 mL/d was the threshold for chest tube removal, as compared with the C-UVATS group, patients in the S-UVATS group would report less residual pleural effusion and less necessitating second thoracentesis with residual pleural effusion>500 mL (P<0.05). Second, assuming that 450 mL/d was the threshold for chest tube removal, as compared with the C-UVATS group, the S-UVATS group would also report less residual pleural effusion and less necessitating second thoracentesis with residual pleural effusion>500 mL (P<0.05). Further multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that S-UVATS was significantly negatively related to drainage volume>1 000 mL (P<0.05); whereas combined lobectomy, longer operation time, more blood loss and air leakage were independent risk factors correlated with drainage volume>1 000 mL following UVATS lobectomy (P<0.05). ConclusionThe short-term efficacy of S-UVATS lobectomy is significantly better than that of the conventional group, indicating shorter operation time and less chest drainage. However, early chest tube removal with a high threshold of thoracic drainage volume probably increases the risk of secondary thoracentesis due to residual pleural effusion.
In recent years, subxiphoid uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is one of the most important innovations in the field of mini-invasive thoracic surgery. Because it avoids the injury of intercostal nerve, previous studies have shown that it can significantly reduce the perioperative and long-term incision pain. The operation is technically more difficult, so the selection of patients is more strict compared with the traditional intercostal surgery. Some special surgical techniques are needed during the operation, and special lengthening instruments should be used. We hope that the experience described in this paper will be continuously supplemented and improved with the further development of this technique, and will produce greater reference value.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of sublobar resection and lobectomy via uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (U-VATS) for lung metastases from colorectal cancer.MethodsRetrospective research was conducted on 42 colorectal cancer patients with lung metastases who underwent U-VATS sublobar resection and lobectomy at the Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology between April 2016 and May 2019, including 24 males and 18 females with an average age of 58.0±9.9 years. Among them 17 patients received U-VATS sublobar resection and 25 patients received lobectomy. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative pulmonary infection, drainage tube indwelling time, drainage volume on the first day after surgery, postoperative hospital stay were analyzed between the two groups, and the relationship between the prognosis and clinical characteristics of the two groups was compared.ResultsSublobar resection patients had less lung metastases (P=0.043) and shorter operation time (P=0.023) compared with the lobectomy patients. There was no significant difference between the lobectomy and sublobar resection groups in intraoperative blood loss (P=0.169), rate of postoperative infection (P=0.982), postoperative drainage duration (P=0.265), drainage volume on the first day after surgery (P=0.402) and postoperative hospital stay (P=0.612). The progression-free survival of the two groups was 25.19 months and 23.63 months (P=0.721), and their overall survival was 29.09 months and 30.64 months (P=0.554).ConclusionConsidering guantity and locations of lung metastases, U-VATS sublobar resection can achieve a similar prognosis to lobectomy for lung metastases from colorectal cancer. Further efficacy of this surgical strategy remains to be proved by longer follow-up.
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.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness between unilateral laminotomy and bilateral decompression (ULBD) with unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) and uniportal interlaminar endoscopy (UIE) in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis. Methods A clinical data of 52 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis, who met the selection criteria and treated with ULBD between March 2021 and November 2022, was retrospectively analyzed. The patients were allocated into UBE group (23 cases) and UIE group (29 cases) according to the surgical methods. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in age, gender, body mass index, surgical segment, type of lumbar stenosis, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score of low back pain, VAS score of leg pain, Oswestry disability index (ODI), disc height, and dural sac area between the two groups. Perioperative indexes (incision length, operation time, hospital stay, and surgical complications), clinical indicators (VAS score of low back pain, VAS score of leg pain, and ODI before operation and at 3 days, 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months after operation), and imaging indicators (disc height and dural sac area before operation and at 1, 12 months after operation, and dural sac expansion area) were recorded and compared between the two group. Results All operations in both groups were successfully completed. Compared with the UIE group, the UBE group had shorter operation time and longer incision length, with significant differences (P<0.05). But there was no significant difference in hospital stay and incidence of complications between the two groups (P>0.05). All patients were followed up 12-20 months (mean, 14 months). The VAS scores of low back pain and leg pain and ODI after operation significantly improved when compared with preoperative values (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the above indicators between different time points after operation (P>0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups at different time points (P>0.05). Imaging examination showed that there was no significant difference in disc height between the two groups at different time points after operation (P>0.05). However, the dural sac area and dural sac expansion area were significantly larger in the UBE group than in the UIE group (P<0.05). Conclusion ULBD with UBE and UIE can achieve satisfactory effectiveness in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis. But the former has more thorough decompression and better dural sac expansion than the latter.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) technique with the interlaminar uniportal endoscopy (IUE) technique for the treatment of L5, S1 lumbar disc herniation. MethodsThe clinical data of 69 patients with L5, S1 lumbar disc herniation who met the selection criteria between January 2020 and December 2020 were retrospectively analysed. The patients were divided into UBE group (30 cases) and IUE group (39 cases) according to endoscopic surgical technique. The general data, such as gender, age, body mass index, disease duration, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of low back/leg pain and Oswestry disability index (ODI), was not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05). Perioperative outcomes [estimated blood loss (EBL), total operation time, extracanal operation time, intracanal decompression time, intraoperative radiation exposure dose, incision length, operative related complications, and postoperative hospitalization stay] and clinical outcomes (VAS score of low back/leg pain before operation and at 3 days, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after operation as well as the ODI before operation and at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after operation) were recorded and compared between the two groups. ResultsAll patients completed the surgery successfully. The incision length, EBL, and extracanal operation time in UBE group were significantly longer than those in IUE group (P<0.05), and the intracanal decompression time in UBE group was significantly shorter than that in IUE group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the total operation time, intraoperative radiation exposure dose, and postoperative hospitalization stay between the two groups (P>0.05). Patients in both groups were followed up 12-15 months (mean, 13.3 months). Dural tear ocurred in 1 patient of the UBE group, and recurrence ocurred in 1 patient of the IUE group, the others of both groups had no surgery-related complications and recovered well after operation. The VAS scores of low back/leg pain and ODI in both groups at each time point after operation significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in VAS scores and ODI at each time point after operation between two groups (P>0.05). ConclusionThe effectiveness of UBE technique in the treatment of L5, S1 lumbar disc herniation is similar to that of IUE technique, and the efficiency of intraspinal operation is better than that of IUE technique. Although UBE technique is inferior to IUE technique in terms of surgical trauma, there is no significant difference in postoperative recovery between the two techniques.
With the development of precision diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer, anatomical segmentectomy has become an important surgical procedure for the treatment of early-stage lung cancer. After the widespread popularization of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), the treatment of lung cancer has entered the era of minimally invasive surgery. Since it was first reported in 2012, uniportal video-assisted anatomical segmentectomy has gained increasing clinical application. Uniportal VATS is less invasive than thoracotomy and traditional VATS. At present, the main research hotspots around uniportal video-assisted anatomical segmentectomy include specific indications, short-term and long-term efficacy, and learning curve. This article will introduce the characteristics, indications and surgical techniques of this procedure, then summarize and discuss the latest research progress of uniportal video-assisted anatomical segmentectomy based on the latest evidence-based evidence.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of subxiphoid uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (SUVATS) and intercostal uniportal VATS (IUVATS) in lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).MethodsA total of 428 patients with NSCLC who underwent lobectomy via SUVATS or IUVATS from July 1st to 31st, 2019 in Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital were enrolled. Patient characteristics, perioperative outcomes and postoperative pain scores at different time points were collected. The patients were divided into a SUVATS group (80 patients, 42 males and 38 females with an average age of 58.8±9.6 years) and an IUVATS group (348 patients, 161 males and 187 females, with an average age of 61.2±10.0 years). The clinical effectiveness of the two groups was compared.ResultsThere was no significant difference in sex (P=0.314), age (P=0.052), preoperative pulmonary function (P=0.701), combined chronic comorbidities (chronic cardiovascular disease, P=0.775; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, P=0.678) and postoperative pathology (P=0.132) between the two groups. Compared with the IUVATS group, patients in the SUVATS group had longer operation time (155.6±34.4 min vs. 141.3±27.0 min, P<0.001), less intraoperative blood loss (165.2±160.6 mL vs. 223.7±272.4 mL, P<0.001), shorter time of chest tube use (4.3±2.0 d vs. 4.9±1.9 d, P=0.011) and less postoperative pain score at different time points (postoperative 8 h, P<0.001; postoperative day 1, P=0.019; postoperative day 2, P=0.015; the day before discharge, P<0.001).ConclusionSUVATS is a safe and effective technique for lobectomy in NSCLC patients with less postoperative pain and can promote postoperative recovery.
ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy and safety of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) thymectomy for the treatment of thymoma through subxiphoid uniportal approach using double sternum retractors, and subxiphoid and subcostal arch approach. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of the patients diagnosed with thymoma who underwent VATS thymectomy from June 2023 to June 2024 in West China Hospital. Patients were categorized based on the surgical approach into two groups: a subxiphoid uniportal VATS thymectomy (SUVT) group and a subxiphoid and subcostal arch VATS thymectomy (SASAT) group. Comparisons were made between the two groups regarding surgical duration, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, thymoma size and location, and postoperative pain assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS). ResultsThe SUVT group consisted of 20 patients, including 11 males and 9 females, with an average age of (51.5±14.3) years. The SASAT group comprised 40 patients, including 26 males and 14 females, with an average age of (50.0±13.0) years. Compared to the SASAT group, the SUVT group had significantly larger thymomas [ (5.9±2.7) cm vs. (4.2±2.1) cm, P=0.010] and a higher proportion of neoplasms located in the superior mediastinum (30.0% vs. 2.5%, P=0.007). Additionally, the VAS pain scores on postoperative days 3, 7, and 30 were significantly lower in the SUVT group compared to the SASAT group (P<0.05). There were no statistical differences between the two groups in demographic characteristics, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, duration and volume of postoperative drainage, length of postoperative hospital stay, or the VAS pain score on the first postoperative day. Conclusion SUVT using double sternum retractors significantly reduces postoperative pain and provides superior efficacy in the resection of larger thymomas or those situated in the superior mediastinum.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of multi-sided foramen ultrafine drainage tube with metal support on the formation of thoracic residual cavity after uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) upper lobectomy. MethodsThe clinical data of the patients who underwent uniportal VATS upper lobectomy for lung cancer in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of the First Hospital of Lanzhou University from January 2021 to April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the type of ultrafine drainage tube used in the surgery, the patients were divided into a test group (using metal-supported multi-sided foramen ultrafine drainage tube) and a control group (using ordinary 12F ultrafine drainage tube). The incidence of postoperative thoracic residual cavity and operation-related data were compared between the two groups. ResultsA total of 200 patients were enrolled, including 126 males and 74 females, with a mean age of 57.52 years. There were 90 patients in the test group, and 110 patients in the control group. The incidence of postoperative thoracic residual cavity in the test group was lower than that in the control group (P=0.045). The differences in the postoperative bedtime, postoperative visual analogue scale, postoperative analgesic pump using time, postoperative hospitalization time, times of postoperative thoracentration and drainage, postoperative drainage time and hospitalization cost between the two groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). The incidences of postoperative lung infection, pleural effusion and atelectasis complications were lower in the test group than those in the control group (P<0.05). The differences in the preoperative anesthesia time, operation time, intraoperative bleeding and postoperative lung leakage were not statistically significant (P>0.05). ConclusionThe use of multi-sided foramen ultrafine drainage tube with metal support can reduce the incidence of thoracic residual cavity after uniportal VATS upper lobectomy, and can reduce pain and economical burdens and the incidence of operation-related complications, accelerating the recovery of patients after surgery. The application of multi-sided foramen ultrafine drainage tube with metal support in uniportal VATS upper lobectomy can be widely used in the clinic.