Significance of preoperative exercise oxygen desaturation in lung cancer with interstitial lung disease.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluating the diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco) is crucial for patients with lung cancer and interstitial lung disease. However, the clinical significance of assessing exercise oxygen desaturation (EOD) remains unclear. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed 186 consecutive patients with interstitial lung disease who underwent lobectomy for non-small-cell lung cancer. EOD was assessed using the two-flight test (TFT), with TFT positivity defined as ≥5% SpO2 reduction. We investigated the impact of EOD and predicted postoperative (ppo)%DLco on postoperative complications and prognosis. RESULTS: A total of 106 (57%) patients were identified as TFT-positive, and 58 (31%) patients had ppo% DLco < 30%. Pulmonary complications were significantly more prevalent in TFT-positive patients than in TFT-negative patients (52% vs 19%, P < 0.001), and multivariable analysis revealed that TFT-positivity was an independent risk factor (odds ratio 3.46, 95% confidence interval 1.70-7.07, P < 0.001), whereas ppo%DLco was not (P = 0.09). In terms of long-term outcomes, both TFT positivity and ppo%DLco < 30% independently predicted overall survival. We divided the patients into 4 groups based on TFT positivity and ppo%DLco status. TFT-positive patients with ppo%DLco < 30% exhibited the significantly lowest 5-year overall survival among the 4 groups: ppo%DLco ≥ 30% and TFT-negative, 54.2%; ppo%DLco < 30% and TFT-negative, 68.8%; ppo%DLco ≥ 30% and TFT-positive, 38.1%; and ppo%DLco < 30% and TFT-positive, 16.7% (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Incorporating EOD evaluation was useful for predicting postoperative complications and survival outcomes in patients with lung cancer and interstitial lung disease.

Early chest tube removal regardless of drainage volume after anatomic pulmonary resection: A multicenter, randomized, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of early chest tube removal after anatomic pulmonary resection, regardless of the drainage volume. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, randomized, controlled, noninferiority trial. Patients with greater than 300 mL drainage volume during postoperative day 1 were randomly assigned to group A (tube removed on postoperative day 2) and group B (tube retained until drainage volume ≤300 mL/24 hours). The primary end point was the frequency of respiratory-related adverse events (grade 2 or higher based on the Clavien-Dindo classification) within 30 days postoperatively. RESULTS: Between April 2019 and October 2021, 175 patients were assigned to group A (N = 88) or group B (N = 87). One patient in group B who experienced chylothorax was excluded from the study. Respiratory-related adverse events were observed in 10 patients (11.4%) in group A and 12 patients (14.0%) in group B (P = .008). The frequencies of thoracentesis or chest tube reinsertion were not significantly different (8.0% and 9.3% in groups A and B, respectively, P = .752). Additionally, the duration of chest tube placement was significantly shorter in group A than in group B (median, 2 vs 3 days; P < .001). No significant difference between groups A and B was found in postoperative hospital stay (median, 6 vs 7 days, P = .231). CONCLUSIONS: Early chest tube removal, regardless of drainage volume, was safe and feasible in patients who underwent anatomic pulmonary resection.

Oncologic outcomes of segmentectomy for stage IA radiological solid-predominant lung cancer >2 cm in maximum tumour size.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare the outcomes of segmentectomy with those of lobectomy in clinical-stage IA radiological solid-predominant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) >2 cm in maximum tumour size. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed for radiological solid-predominant NSCLC >2-3 cm in maximum tumour size with a ground-glass opacity component on thin-section computed tomography. Multivariable or propensity score-matched analyses were performed to control for confounders for survival. Overall survival (OS) was analysed using a Kaplan-Meier estimation. RESULTS: Of the 215 eligible cases, segmentectomy and lobectomy were performed in 46 and 169 patients. Multivariable analysis revealed that standardized uptake value (hazard ratio: 1.148, 95% confidence interval: 1.032-1.276, P = 0.011) was an independently significant prognosticators of OS, while the operative mode was not associated (hazard ratio: 0.635, 95% confidence interval: 0.132-3.049, P = 0.570). The 5 y-OS was excellent and did not differ significantly between segmentectomy and lobectomy (95.5% vs 90.2%; P = 0.697), which was also shown in the propensity score analysis (96.8% vs 94.0%; P = 0.406), with a median follow-up time of 5.2 years. Locoregional recurrence was found in 2 (4.3%) segmentectomy and 13 (7.7%) lobectomy (P = 0.443). In the subgroup analysis stratified by solid component size, the 5 y-OS was similar between segmentectomy and lobectomy in the c-T1b and c-T1c groups, respectively [c-T1b (n = 163): 94.1% vs 91.8%; P = 0.887 and c-T1c (n = 52): 100% vs 84.9%; P = 0.197]. CONCLUSIONS: Segmentectomy showed similar oncological results compared to lobectomy in solid-predominant NSCLC with a ground-glass opacity component >2-3 cm in maximum tumour size. More prospective randomized trials are needed to adequately expand the indication of anatomic segmentectomy for early-stage NSCLC.

Perioperative management of thoracic surgery in patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis.

BACKGROUND: General surgery for patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is infrequent, however, general surgeons also occasionally experience it. Only a few reports have described the specific perioperative management appropriate for patients with LAM. Hence, in this case series, we aimed to investigate the surgical outcomes of LAM patients and their characteristics. CASE PRESENTATION: Medical records of 4482 patients who underwent thoracic surgery between 2009 and 2017 at our institution were assessed. Twelve patients were diagnosed with LAM. Details of the postoperative courses and surgical outcomes of LAM patients were retrospectively examined. All LAM patients were female (age 41.3 ± 10.6 years). Surgeries were performed for patients undergoing biopsy (n = 4) and those with pneumothorax (n = 3), lung cancer (n = 2), and other conditions (n = 3). The mortality rate was 0% and the length of hospital stay was 27.4 ± 8.9 days. Ten postoperative complications occurred in six patients (50%): hypoxemia (n = 5), chylothorax (n = 2), and prolonged air leakage (n = 3). CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic surgery may pose a risk of postoperative complications and long hospitalization for patients with LAM, although it lowers the risk of fatality. Management of perioperative air and chyle leakages and lymphatic stasis in the lungs is important for preventing morbidities.

Surgical Outcome After Extended Sleeve Lobectomy in Centrally Located Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND: We primarily aimed to evaluate the operative techniques, clinicopathologic characteristics, and surgical outcomes after extended sleeve lobectomy (ESL). Additionally, we evaluated the feasibility of ESL for centrally located non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) compared with pneumonectomy (PN). METHODS: A retrospective review identified 119 patients who underwent pulmonary resections for centrally located NSCLC; of whom, 43 underwent ESLs and 76 underwent PNs. Perioperative morbidity and oncologic outcomes of ESL were analyzed. Postoperative morbidity was evaluated according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. Overall survival was evaluated using a Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: According to the classifications of ESL, 10 patients comprised type A, 8 (19%) type B, 16 (37%) type C, and 9 (21%) type D. Pulmonary artery reconstructions were performed in 5 of type A, 8 of type B, 1 of type C, and 1 of type D, and pulmonary vein reconstructions occurred in 3 of type A and 2 of type C. After ESL, 30-day hospital mortality occurred in 1 patient (2.3%), and grade ≥3 morbidities occurred in 13 patients (30%). In particular, bronchial anastomosis/stump fistula was seen in 4 patients (9.3%) after ESL, and blood perfusion disorders due to the presence of thrombi were seen in 4 (9.3%). The 3-year overall survival was significantly better after ESL compared with that after PN (62.8% vs 45.2%, P = .047). CONCLUSIONS: ESLs to preserve lung parenchyma will likely become a promising operative strategy in appropriately selected patients with centrally located NSCLC.

Exercise oxygen desaturation is a predictor of cardiopulmonary complications after lung resection.

BACKGROUND: To investigate whether oxygen desaturation during low technology tests was associated with complications after lung resection. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 1097 candidates for pulmonary resection; seven metabolic equivalents in the Master's double two-step test were loaded. The predicted postoperative (PPO) forced expiratory volume in 1 s and PPO diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide were estimated. The patients were divided into three groups: those with both values ≥60% (≥60% group (n=298)), either value <30% (<30% group (n=112)) and others (30%-60% group (n=687)). The relationships between postoperative cardiopulmonary complications and exercise stress test based on availability, symptoms and percutaneous oxygen saturation values were investigated in each group. RESULTS: Τhe cardiopulmonary morbidity rates in the ≥60%, 30%-60%, and <30% groups were 7.7%, 14.6%, and 47.3%, respectively. Multivariate analyses revealed that predictors of complications were age (OR 0.96; p<0.001), male sex (OR 1.74; p=0.016) and exercise oxygen desaturation (EOD) >4% (OR 2.39; p=0.001) in the 30%-60% group, and male sex (OR 3.76; p=0.042) and EOD >4% (OR 2.28; p=0.030) in the <30% group.The two-flight test (TFT) was performed in 181 patients (22.8%); desaturation >4% in the TFT was also a predictor of complications. CONCLUSIONS: A low technology test is also valuable for high-risk patients. EOD >4% is a predictor of postoperative complications. CLINICAL REGISTRATION: This study is a non-interventional observational study and has not been registered in a public database. The study followed the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology reporting guidelines.This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Juntendo University School of Medicine (no. 2016085).

Outcomes of lung cancer surgery for patients with interstitial pneumonia and coronary disease.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the surgical outcomes of lung cancer patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) and/or coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: The subjects of this retrospective study were 2830 patients who underwent surgical resection for lung cancer between 2009 and 2018. Seventy-one patients (2.6%) had both IIP and CAD (FC group). The remaining patients were divided into those with IIP only (group F), those with CAD only (group C), and those without IIP or CAD (group N). We compared mortality and overall survival (OS) among the groups. RESULTS: The 90-day mortality and OS were poorer in group FC than in groups C and N, but equivalent to those in group F. Multivariate analyses revealed that IIP (odds ratio [OR] 3.163; p = 0.001) and emphysema (2.588; p = 0.009) were predictors of 90-day mortality. IIP (OR 2.991, p < 0.001), diabetes (OR 1.241, p = 0.043), and a history of other cancers (OR 1.347, p = 0.011) were all predictors of OS. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term and long-term mortality after lung cancer surgery were not dependent on coexistent CAD but were related to IIP. Thus, computed tomography (CT) should be done preoperatively to check for IIP, which is a risk factor for surgical mortality.

Clinical impact of a small component of ground-glass opacity in solid-dominant clinical stage IA non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Non-small cell lung cancers with a ground-glass opacity component have better prognosis than those with solid nodules of equivalent consolidation size. However, the impact of small ground-glass opacity components on prognosis is unknown. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the significance of a small ground-glass opacity component in solid-dominant clinical stage IA non-small cell lung cancers. METHODS: We reviewed the cases of 543 surgically resected solid-dominant c-stage IA non-small cell lung cancers, which was defined as a tumor with consolidation tumor ratio of 0.75 or more on computed tomography. The patients were classified into 2 groups: 0.75 or less consolidation tumor ratio less than 1 (n = 126) and consolidation tumor ratio of 1 (n = 417). The prognoses were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Among the 543 cases, multivariable analyses revealed that pure-solid appearance was a predictor of worse overall survival (hazard ratio, 2.051; 95% confidence interval, 1.044-4.028). Compared with the part-solid group, the pure-solid group was associated with poor survival in c-stages IA2 (5-year overall survival: 91.5% vs 76.8%, hazard ratio, 2.942; 95% confidence interval, 1.402-6.173; recurrence-free survival: 89.0% vs 68.8%, hazard ratio, 3.439; 95% confidence interval, 1.776-6.669) and IA3 (5-year overall survival: 93.5% vs 63.0%, hazard ratio, 5.110; 95% confidence interval, 1.607-16.241; recurrence-free survival: 80.5% vs 54.1%, hazard ratio, 2.789; 95% confidence interval, 1.290-6.027). The T categories significantly affected 5-year overall survival only in the pure-solid group (cT1a, 89.3%; cT1b, 76.8%; cT1c, 63.0%). CONCLUSIONS: A small ground-glass opacity component has an impact on the prognosis of patients with solid-dominant c-stage IA non-small cell lung cancer. Therefore, c-stage IA non-small cell lung cancers should be evaluated separately for tumors with ground-glass opacity and pure-solid tumors.

Postoperative complications and perioperative management of lung resection in patients with a history of oesophagectomy for oesophageal carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Advances in chemoradiation have improved the long-term prognosis of oesophageal cancer, although perioperative management for lung resection postoesophagectomy is unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate postoperative complications and perioperative management for lung resection postoesophagectomy. METHODS: Between 2002 and 2017, a total of 4694 patients underwent lung resections; of these, 79 were performed postoesophagectomy. Using propensity score matching, we analysed postoperative complications between groups with and without postoesophagectomy lung resection. We also investigated the risk factors of Clavien-Dindo classification grade ≥2 complications by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Sixty-nine of the patients were men with a median age of 67 years. The types of lung resections were as follows: lobectomy in 34, segmentectomy in 12 and wedge resection in 33 patients. Postoperative complications were detected in 35 patients, including grade ≥2 complications in 24. After matching, aspiration pneumonia (P = 0.09) tended to be common in the postoesophagectomy group. Until 2008, non-fasting management before lung resection was performed in all 31, and intraoperative aspiration pneumonia was detected in 2 patients. After switching to fasting management before lung resection, there were no cases of intraoperative aspiration pneumonia. Multivariable analysis revealed that lung resection ipsilateral to oesophagectomy (P = 0.04) and lobectomy (P = 0.03) were predictors of grade ≥2 morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Patients having a lung resection postoesophagectomy tended to have a higher risk of aspiration pneumonia. Fasting management before lung resection is important in preventing intraoperative aspiration pneumonia. Lung resection ipsilateral to oesophagectomy and lobectomy may result in complications requiring therapeutic intervention.

Extent of mediastinal nodal dissection in stage I non-small cell lung cancer with a radiological pure-solid appearance.

BACKGROUND: Radiological pure-solid lung cancer denotes a high invasive nature compared to one that is part-solid. Mediastinal lymph nodal dissection (mLND) is a standard surgical procedure for nodal management in lung cancer surgery, however, the prognostic impact of the extent of mLND in pure-solid lung cancer is still unknown. METHODS: We reviewed 459 patients with c-stage I radiological pure-solid lung cancer that underwent pulmonary lobectomy with mLND. Pure-solid was defined as a tumor showing only a consolidation without any ground glass opacity. The extent of mLND was classified into lobe-specific (L-mLND) and systematic (S-mLND). Prognostic significance of mLND was assessed by a multivariable analysis using propensity-score matching. Survivals were calculated by Kaplan-Meier methods using log-rank test. RESULTS: Pathological nodal metastasis was found in 127 (27.6%) patients (hilar: 52 (11.3%), mediastinal: 75 (16.3%)). L-mLND was performed in 278 (61%) patients. A multivariable analysis did not show the survival difference for the extent of mLND (p = 0.266). The 5-year overall survival (OS) was not significantly different between S-mLND and L-mLND (74.3% vs. 72.7%, p = 0.712), which was similar even in 114 propensity-score matched pairs (78.8% vs. 79.9%, p = 0.665). While S-mLND showed a trend for survival benefit compared to L-mLND provided that the tumor showed higher standardized uptake value (SUVmax) (5y-OS: 70.0% vs. 59.2%, p = 0.093). CONCLUSIONS: Prognostic impact of L-mLND was similar to S-mLND in c-stage I radiological pure-solid lung cancers in the propensity-score matched comparison. Among them, higher SUVmax value might be a promising indicator to decide the extent of mediastinal lymphadenectomy.

Cancer-associated fibroblast migration in non-small cell lung cancers is modulated by increased integrin α11 expression.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) regulate cancer progression through the modulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and cancer cell adhesion. While undergoing a series of phenotypic changes, CAFs control cancer-stroma interactions through integrin receptor signaling. Here, we isolated CAFs from patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and examined their gene expression profiles. We identified collagen type XI α1 (COL11A1), integrin α11 (ITGA11), and the ITGA11 major ligand collagen type I α1 (COL1A1) among the 390 genes that were significantly enriched in NSCLC-associated CAFs. Increased ITGA11 expression in cancer stroma was correlated with a poor clinical outcome in patients with NSCLC. Increased expression of fibronectin and collagen type I induced ITGA11 expression in CAFs. The cellular migration of CAFs toward collagen type I and fibronectin was promoted via ERK1/2 signaling, independently of the fibronectin receptor integrin α5ß1. Additionally, ERK1/2 signaling induced ITGA11 and COL11A1 expression in cancer stroma. We, therefore, propose that targeting ITGA11 and COL11A1 expressing CAFs to block cancer-stroma interactions may serve as a novel, promising anti-tumor strategy.

Advantages and disadvantages of corticosteroid use for acute exacerbation of interstitial pneumonia after pulmonary resection.

OBJECTIVES: Acute exacerbation of interstitial pneumonia (AE-IP) is the top cause of 30-day mortality in surgery for lung cancer patients. The general treatment for AE-IP is corticosteroid; however, there are some disadvantages of corticosteroid use after surgery. This study was conducted to report the clinical course of AE-IP after surgery and evaluate the effect of corticosteroid use. METHODS: This retrospective study was performed on 337 patients with interstitial pneumonia who underwent surgical resection for lung cancer at our institute between 2009 and 2018. AE-IP were observed in 14 patients (4.2%) and their management and clinical outcome were investigated. RESULTS: All patients received methylprednisolone pulse therapy. Six patients (42.9%) became convalescent after pulse therapy and eight (57.1%) died within 90 days after surgery due to lack of therapeutic efficacy. Oxygenation and ground-glass opacities of the survivors improved within 3 days after starting pulse therapy. Patients who responded to the first pulse also responded to the second pulse. Four patients developed complications including two with bronchopulmonary fistulas that may be related to steroid treatment. Even if the corticosteroid was effective, all AE-IP patients died within 1 year after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Corticosteroid therapy is effective for AE-IP after surgery; however, it may lead to severe complications after surgery.

Postoperative complications and perioperative management in patients on hemodialysis undergoing lung resection.

OBJECTIVES: The rate of lung resection in patients on hemodialysis (HD) is increasing with the increasing number of HD. However, studies assessing lung resection in HD are limited. The study aimed to investigate the perioperative management and postoperative complications of lung resection in HD patients. METHODS: Between 2007 and 2019, of the 4989 patients underwent lung resection, 43 patients had been receiving HD. We compared the characteristics of a Clavien-Dindo classification grade ≥ 2 group against grade ≤ 1 group. Predictive factors of complications were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were men (median age: 69 years). Thirty-eight patients had lung cancer. The reason for HD was diabetic nephropathy in 19 patients, nephrosclerosis in 10, and miscellaneous in 14. The median duration of HD before surgery was 64.6 months. The type of lung resection was lobectomy in 24, segmentectomy in 10, and partial resection in 9 patients. Bronchial calcification was detected in 16 (37%). Reinforcement at the stump was performed in 9 lobectomies, of which 6 involved bronchial calcification. Postoperative complications were detected in 21 (49%), including grade ≥ 2 complications in 14 (33%). Multivariate analysis revealed that pack-year smoking ≥ 10 (p = 0.01) and operation time ≥ 140 min (p = 0.02) were predictors of grade ≥ 2 morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Heavy smoking and longer operative time may result in postoperative complication requiring therapeutic intervention. The frequency of bronchial calcification is relatively high in HD patients, and reinforcement of the calcified bronchial stump should be considered during lobectomy.

Intraoperative complications and troubles in robot-assisted anatomical pulmonary resection.

OBJECTIVE: Regarding intraoperative complications and troubles during robot-assisted thoracic surgery, few data are available especially in Japan. This study was aimed to elucidate intraoperative complications and troubles in robotic anatomical lung resection, and to present managements and outcomes of those. METHODS: This was a retrospective singe-institutional study. The first 192 consecutive patients who underwent robot-assisted anatomical lung resection between January 2017 and August 2019 were evaluated. We examined the frequency, management and outcomes of intraoperative complications and troubles. RESULTS: Of the 192 eligible patients who underwent robotic anatomical lung resection, lobectomy was performed for 156 (81.2%), and segmentectomy for 36 (18.8%). Three (1.5%) required conversion to open thoracotomy. Of these, bleeding from the pulmonary artery was the cause in two patients (1.0%) and inflammatory adhesion of hilar lymph nodes in 1 (0.5%). Other intraoperative complications and troubles included bronchial injuries in 3 patients (1.5%), lung injury by assistant in one patient (0.5%) and horizontal movement limitation of da Vinci arm in one patient (0.5%). Regarding bronchial injuries, two of three were stump injuries related to stapling, the remaining was to dissection of the bronchial tissues. All bronchial repairs were completed without conversion, and postoperative complications related to bronchial injury were not observed. The 30-day and 90-day mortality rates were both 0%. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of intraoperative complications and troubles in robot-assisted thoracic surgery was low in our first series. All conversions were related to bleeding and impending bleeding, and no conversion was required for bronchial injury.

Prognostic value of visceral pleural invasion in pure-solid and part-solid lung cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: Visceral pleural invasion (VPI) indicates poor prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and is defined as a T2 descriptor for T1-sized tumor. However, whether its prognostic impact differs between pure-solid and part-solid tumors as preoperative diagnostic imaging is controversial. We aimed to elucidate the prognostic difference of VPI in cT1-sized NSCLC according to radiological tumor type (pure-solid or part-solid). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 498 NSCLC patients who underwent complete anatomical lung resection between 2009 and 2014. Patients with node-negative, cT1-sized (consolidation size, ≤ 3 cm) NSCLCs were included. VPI included pathological PL1 and PL2. The prognostic impact of VPI according to radiological tumor type was assessed using multivariate Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: We evaluated 227 pure-solid and 271 part-solid tumors; median follow-up period was 57 months. VPI was found in 40 (17.6%) and 15 (5.5%) patients with pure-solid and part-solid tumors, respectively (p < 0.001). In pure-solid group, VPI patients showed significantly poorer overall survival (OS) rates than non-VPI patients (p = 0.003). In part-solid group, OS rates did not differ significantly according to VPI (p = 0.770). Multivariate analysis revealed that the adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for poor OS was 2.129 (1.048-4.132, p = 0.037) for pure-solid tumors with VPI compared to pure-solid tumors without VPI, and 0.925 (0.050-4.920, p = 0.941) for part-solid tumors with VPI compared to part-solid tumors without VPI. CONCLUSIONS: VPI had a negative prognostic impact on cT1-sized pure-solid tumors but not on part-solid tumors. Upstaging of the T-category by VPI in cT1-sized NSCLCs may be considered for pure-solid tumors.

Evaluation of solid portions in non-small cell lung cancer-the solid part is not always measurable for clinical T factor.

BACKGROUND: Solid component size on thin-section computed tomography is used for T-staging according to the eighth edition of the Tumor Node Metastasis classification of lung cancer. However, the feasibility of using the solid component to measure clinical T-factor remains controversial. METHODS: We evaluated the feasibility of measuring the solid component in 859 tumours, which were suspected cases of primary lung cancers, requiring surgical resection regardless of the procedure or clinical stage. After excluding 126 pure ground-glass opacity tumours and 450 solid tumours, 283 part-solid tumours were analysed to determine the frequency of cases where the measurement of the solid portion was difficult along with the associated cause. Pathological invasiveness was also evaluated. RESULTS: The solid portion of 10 lesions in 283 part-solid nodules was difficult to measure due to an underlying lung disease (emphysema and pneumonitis). The solid portion of 62 lesions (21.9%) without emphysema and pneumonitis was difficult to measure due to imaging features of the tumours. Among the 62 patients, five had no malignancy and one with a tumour size of 33 mm had nodal metastasis. There were 56 lesions with a tumour size of ≤30 mm, wherein nodal metastases, vascular and/or lymphatic invasions were not observed. CONCLUSION: For one-fifth of the part-solid tumours, measurement of the solid component was difficult. Moreover, these lesions had low invasiveness, especially in T1. The measurement of the solid portion and the classification of T1 in 1-cm increments may be complex.

Repeated anatomical pulmonary resection for metachronous ipsilateral second non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the surgical outcomes of repeated pulmonary resection for metachronous ipsilateral second non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: A retrospective review identified 104 (3.6%) patients who underwent surgical resection for ipsilateral metachronous second NSCLC. Repeated anatomical (reanatomical) resection was defined as a metachronous anatomical surgery for secondary NSCLC after ipsilateral primary major lung resection for NSCLC. Operative morbidity or other clinicopathologic factors were analyzed by a multivariable model. Overall survival (OS) was evaluated using Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: Seventy-seven (74%) patients were diagnosed as second primary cases. The 3-year OS after metachronous surgery for ipsilateral second NSCLC was 80.1%, and that of reanatomical resection was equivalent to the other procedures (reanatomical: 81.8%, others: 78.2%, P = .816), whereas reanatomical resection (n = 56) was a significant predictor of postoperative severe morbidity after ipsilateral second pulmonary resection (P = .036) that was found in 23 (41%) patients. When this procedure was classified into 2 groups, ie, completion pneumonectomy (CP; n = 26) and other reanatomical resection to avoid CP (non-CP; n = 32), non-CP was significant on the right side (P = .011), whereas intrapericardial procedure was employed frequently for both (CP: 85%, non-CP: 47%). In contrast, the oncologic outcome (3-year OS; 75.8% vs 87.1%, P = .881) and several surgical outcomes including morbidities were similar between CP and non-CP. CONCLUSIONS: Reanatomical pulmonary resection showed acceptable oncologic outcomes for metachronous ipsilateral second NSCLC. The non-CP procedure was technically challenging; however, both oncologic and surgical results were feasible compared with the CP. This procedure might be a promising novel strategy for properly selected ipsilateral second NSCLC.

Bronchoplastic Procedure Versus Pneumonectomy After High-dose Radiation for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Studies have revealed that salvage surgery after definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for unresectable advanced non-small cell lung cancer improves survival with acceptable surgical adverse events. Few reports exist regarding pneumonectomy or the bronchoplastic procedure in this setting. METHODS: Between 2008 and 2018, 27 patients (21 men; median age, 61 years) underwent salvage surgery after definitive CRT for non-small cell lung cancer. We investigated postoperative short- and long-term outcomes of salvage surgery and aimed to elucidate the feasibility of pneumonectomy or the bronchoplastic procedure. RESULTS: The median radiation dose was 60 Gy. The median period from the last day for irradiation to the operative day was 8.5 months. Pneumonectomy was performed in 9 patients, including 2 carinal resections; lobectomy was performed in 18 patients, including 5 bronchoplasties. Bronchial wrapping was performed in 9 cases (33%), R0 resection was achieved in 24 (89%), and postoperative complications were detected in 16 (59%). Although bronchopleural fistulas were found in only 2 patients who underwent pneumonectomy, arrhythmia was observed more frequently in patients who underwent the bronchoplastic procedure (P = .05). Regarding major complications, no relationship with any factors were found. The 90-day mortality was 0%. The 5-year overall and recurrence-free survival were 63% and 27%, respectively. R0 resection was a good prognostic factor for recurrence-free survival (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative short- and long-term outcomes of salvage surgery after definitive CRT for non-small cell lung cancer were acceptable. Complete resection offered a better recurrence-free survival. The bronchoplastic procedure or pneumonectomy should be considered as an option even after administration of high-dose CRT.

Negative impact of chemical pleurodesis on postoperative pulmonary function for managing prolonged air leakage after segmentectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Prolonged air leakage (PAL) is the most common postoperative complication after segmentectomy and chemical pleurodesis (CP) is one of the common procedures for managing PAL. However, the impact of CP on postoperative pulmonary function remains unclear. METHODS: We performed a propensity score matching analysis for postoperative pulmonary function in lung cancer patients who underwent segmentectomy. The percentage of postoperative functional change of forced vital capacity (δFVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (δFEV1.0) at postoperative 6 and 12 months were compared between patients who were managed for PAL by CP (CP group, n = 21) and those who did not receive CP (non-CP, n = 21). The predicted δFVC and δFEV1.0 after segmentectomy and lobectomy were also assessed to evaluate the loss of preserved lung function. RESULTS: δFVC and δFEV1.0 in the CP group were confirmed by a significantly larger decline in postoperative pulmonary function than that seen in the non-CP group at postoperative 6 and 12 months (δFVC at 6 months, - 21.1% versus - 5.1%, - 20.8% versus - 6.8% at 12 months, δFEV1.0 at 6 months, - 19.1% versus - 7.2%, - 19.6% versus - 9.7%, at 12 months, p < 0.05 respectively). Both δFVC and δFEV1.0 in the CP group were significantly lower than those predicted after segmentectomy (p < 0.01). They were not statistically different from the values predicted if lobectomy was performed. CONCLUSIONS: CP after segmentectomy caused the same amount of loss in pulmonary function that was predicted if lobectomy was performed. The benefit of segmentectomy compared to lobectomy for preservation of pulmonary function is impaired by CP.

Lobe-specific outcomes of surgery for lung cancer patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonias.

OBJECTIVE: Idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs) are predominantly encountered in the lower lobe, and frequently with concomitant emphysema that is predominantly in the upper lobe. However, the impact of the resection site on surgical outcomes of lung cancer with IIPs remains unclear. This study was conducted to evaluate the surgical outcome between patients undergoing upper or lower lobe resection. METHODS: This retrospective study was performed on 1972 patients who underwent surgical resection for lung cancer at our institute between 2009 and 2018. Review of CT findings revealed that 337 (14.1%) patients had IIPs. Morbidity, mortality, and postoperative pulmonary function test (PFT) were compared between patients who underwent upper or lower lobectomy and stratified by presence or absence of emphysema (CPFE and non-CPFE). RESULTS: Surgical mortality and morbidity were not statistically different between the two groups regardless of CPFE. The difference between actual and predicted postoperative PFTs was statistically larger in the upper lobectomy compared to the lower lobectomy among the non-CPFE patients. (FVC: p = 0.019, FEV1.0: p = 0.001, %DLCO: p = 0.090) CONCLUSIONS: Site of the resected lobe in lung cancer is not a prognostic factor of surgical mortality and morbidity in patients with IIPs. However, the impact of upper lobectomy on postoperative respiratory function reduction is larger than lower lobectomy in non-CPFE patients.