Learning curve for uniportal thoracoscopic pulmonary segmentectomy: how many procedures are required to acquire expertise?

Background: Minimally invasive surgeries are increasingly being performed. However, few studies have evaluated the learning curve for uniportal thoracoscopic segmentectomies. Therefore, we investigated the learning curve for uniportal thoracoscopic segmentectomy in our department. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of consecutive patients who underwent uniportal thoracoscopic segmentectomy at our institution between February 2019 and January 2022. Two senior surgeons [Hitoshi Igai (H.I.) and Natsumi Matsuura (N.M.)] performed all of the surgeries. H.I. introduced uniportal thoracoscopic segmentectomy in our department and supervised N.M. performing this operation. Resident surgeons participated in the operations as assistants. The learning curve for uniportal thoracoscopic segmentectomy was evaluated on the basis of operative time and cumulative sum (CUSUMOT). Results: The entire team, including resident surgeons, completed the learning curve by performing 60 surgeries. The learning curve consisted of three phases: initial learning (60 surgeries), accumulation of competence (16 surgeries), and acquisition of expertise (17 surgeries), respectively. The operative time, blood loss, postoperative drainage, and postoperative hospitalization time significantly improved across the phases. N.M. completed the initial learning curve faster than H.I. (16 and 29 surgeries, respectively). Conclusions: Under supervision by an experienced surgeon, a team successfully completed the learning curve for uniportal thoracoscopic segmentectomy and achieved good perioperative outcomes, which indicates the importance of appropriate supervision for acquiring expertise for this surgery.

Early chest drain removal on the day of uniportal thoracoscopic segmentectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Although early removal of postoperative chest drains can facilitate recovery, it can be difficult to achieve in segmentectomy due to the management of air leakage in intersegmental planes. This study prospectively examined the feasibility of drain removal on the same day of uniportal thoracoscopic segmentectomy. METHODS: Twenty patients who underwent uniportal thoracoscopic segmentectomy between July 2021 and May 2022 were enrolled in this prospective study. The indications for drain removal on the day of surgery were absence of air leakage in an intraoperative sealing test, radiographic evidence of lung expansion, and continuous absence of air leakage via a drainage bottle for 4 h after the operation. The primary endpoint was rate of the patients who required re-drainage after the postoperative drainage tube was removed on the day of surgery. The secondary end points were postoperative pain evaluated using a numerical rating scale on postoperative days 1, 7, and 28; morbidity; and postoperative hospitalization period. RESULTS: Fifteen patients successfully underwent drain removal on the day of surgery. None required re-drainage. The mean postoperative hospitalization period was 2.3 ± 1.7 days. Overall, 12 of the 15 (80%) patients were discharged on postoperative day 1 or 2. The mean numerical rating scale scores were 1.2 ± 1.6, 0.4 ± 0.7, and 0.4 ± 1.5 on postoperative days 1, 7, and 28, respectively. CONCLUSION: In uniportal thoracoscopic segmentectomy, drain removal on the day of surgery is feasible and may reduce pain on postoperative day 1.

Supervision by an experienced surgeon can reduce the learning curve of uniportal thoracoscopic lobectomy.

Background: This retrospective study was performed to investigate the learning curve of uniportal thoracoscopic lobectomy with ND2a-1 or greater lymphadenectomy for two senior surgeons, and to evaluate how supervision affected the learning curve. Methods: Between February 2019 and January 2022, 140 patients with primary lung cancer underwent uniportal thoracoscopic lobectomy with ND2a-1 or greater lymphadenectomy in our department. Two senior surgeons (HI and NM) performed most of the operations, with junior surgeons performing the rest. HI initiated this surgical method in our department and supervised all operations performed by other surgeons. Patient characteristics and perioperative outcomes were reviewed, and the learning curve was evaluated based on operative time and the cumulative sum method (CUSUMOT). Results: No significant differences were observed in patient characteristics or perioperative outcomes between groups. Three distinct learning curve phases were identified for each senior surgeon: HI, cases 1-21, cases 22-40, cases 41-71; NM cases 1-16, cases 17-30, cases 31-49. For HI, the rate of conversion to thoracotomy was significantly higher in the initial phase (14.3%, P=0.04) although other perioperative outcomes were equivalent between phases. For NM, while the duration of postoperative drainage was significantly shorter in phase 2 and phase 3 (P=0.026), other perioperative outcomes, including conversion rate (5.3-7.1%), were equivalent between phases. Conclusions: Supervision by an experienced surgeon was important for avoiding conversion to thoracotomy during the initial period, and facilitated the surgeon rapidly gaining proficiency with the surgical method.

Feasibility of tubeless thoracoscopic bullectomy in primary spontaneous pneumothorax patients.

OBJECTIVES: Although early removal of postoperative chest drains can facilitate postoperative recovery, there are risks of undetected bleeding and a need for re-drainage to treat delayed pulmonary air leaks. In this study, we aimed to prospectively examine the feasibility of tubeless thoracoscopic bullectomy in primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) patients. METHODS: Between January 2021 and November 2021, 30 PSP patients were enrolled in this prospective study. The absence of air leakage was confirmed and radiographic evidence of lung expansion was acquired; the tube was then removed in the operating room. The primary endpoint was postoperative air leakage requiring re-drainage among patients who underwent tube removal in the operating room. The secondary endpoints were postoperative pain (numerical rating scale) on postoperative days (PODs) 1, 7, and 28, morbidity, and postoperative hospitalization time. RESULTS: Four (13.3%) patients were excluded because of underlying pulmonary disease (n = 2) and air leaks (n = 2) detected in the operating room. Chest drainage tubes were removed in the operating room for the remaining 26 patients; none of them required re-drainage. The mean postoperative hospitalization time was 1.2 ± 0.4 days. The mean numerical rating scale scores were 4.2 ± 2 (median: 4.5), 1.6 ± 1.6 (median: 1), and 0.4 ± 0.8 (median: 0) on PODs 1, 7, and 28, respectively. Only one case of hemoptysis occurred as a postoperative complication. CONCLUSIONS: Tubeless thoracoscopic bullectomy for PSP is feasible and may reduce the postoperative hospitalization time; however, it does not significantly reduce pain on POD1.

[Multidisciplinary Treatment for Postoperative Recurrent Patients-Report of a Long-Term Survivor].

We present a long-term survivor who received multidisciplinary treatment for a postoperative recurrence. A 52-year-old female who had been clinically diagnosed with primary lung cancer underwent a right lower lobectomy, middle lobe wedge resection, and lymph node dissection(ND2a-1), and was pathologically diagnosed with primary pulmonary papillary adenocarcinoma( pT3N0M0, Stage ⅡB)positive for a sensitizing EGFR mutation(L858R). The patient was given UFT as postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for 2 years. During the follow-up, multiple pulmonary metastases occurred in postoperative month 44. Gefitinib was administered as the first-line treatment, which resulted in a complete response for 30 months. Then, stereotactic radiotherapy was administered for 3 brain metastases, and multiple pulmonary metastases were treated with cisplatin plus pemetrexed and carboplatin plus pemetrexed for PD, but an adverse event occurred. Therefore, pemetrexed monotherapy was administered as a fourth-line treatment for 5 months. Then, afatinib, nivolumab, docetaxel, osimertinib, S-1, pembrolizumab, and atezolizumab(11th-line treatment)were administered with each PD or new lesion. Finally, the best supportive care was administered and she died on postoperative month 134, which was post-recurrent month 90.

Uniportal thoracoscopic pulmonary segmentectomy provides good perioperative results and early postoperative recovery.

Background: Although video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) segmentectomy has become widespread, the advantage of uniportal VATS (U-VATS) segmentectomy over multiportal VATS (M-VATS) remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to verify the safety and usefulness of U-VATS segmentectomy compared with conventional hybrid/multiportal segmentectomy. Methods: Here, we retrospectively reviewed the data from anatomical pulmonary segmentectomy cases in a single institution from March 2010 to March 2021. Patients were divided into the U-VATS and hybrid/multiportal VATS (H/M-VATS) groups. Perioperative results were compared between the groups after matching for patient background characteristics. In addition, cases of complex segmentectomy were selected from each group and compared in terms of perioperative results. Results: A total of 180 patients underwent pulmonary segmentectomy during the study period at this institution, comprising 57 cases in the U-VATS group and 123 cases in the H/M-VATS group. After matching for age, sex, disease, tumor location, and type of segmentectomy, no significant differences between the groups were seen in blood loss, major intraoperative bleeding, rate of conversion to thoracotomy, postoperative complications, or re-hospitalization within 30 days after discharge. Operation time (141±46 vs. 174±45 min, P<0.001), postoperative drainage duration (1.5±1.2 vs. 2.3±1.8 days, P=0.007), and postoperative hospital stay (3.4±2.0 vs. 4.6±2.5 days, P=0.006) were significantly lower in the U-VATS group. Subgroup analysis of the complex segmentectomy cases also revealed that operation time (146±34 vs. 185±47 min, P<0.001), postoperative drainage duration (1.5±1.3 vs. 2.2±1.2 days, P=0.021), and postoperative hospital stay (3.0±1.4 vs. 4.9±2.1 days, P<0.001) were significantly reduced in the U-VATS group. Conclusions: U-VATS segmentectomy appears as safe and feasible as H/M-VATS segmentectomy. An experienced surgeon can make a smooth transition to U-VATS.

Uniportal thoracoscopic left posterior basal segmentectomy using a posterior approach.

Posterior basal (S10) segmentectomy is one of the most challenging (and uncommon) types of pulmonary segmentectomy. Here, we present two key tips for facilitating a uniportal operation. The first is a full understanding of the relative locations of the pulmonary vessels and bronchi (as revealed by preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography/broncho-angiography), and the other is the use of "suction-guided stapling" to dissect and divide the peripheral pulmonary vessels and bronchi. We describe the successful postoperative course of a patient who was so treated.

Uniportal thoracoscopic lateral and posterior basal segmentectomy using intersegmental tunneling: Comparison with multiportal approach.

Thoracoscopic lateral and posterior basal (S9 + 10) segmentectomy (or S10 segmentectomy) is one of the most technically challenging anatomical segmentectomies. We have used "intersegmental tunneling" in the multiportal approach, and we now apply this with a little ingenuity in the uniportal approach. However, because of interference between instruments and the limited insertion angles in the uniportal approach, complex segmentectomies such as S9 + 10 or S10 become even more difficult. The perioperative outcomes were compared between uniportal and multiportal thoracoscopic lateral and posterior basal segmentecomy using intersegmental tunneling. There were no significant differences between the groups in patient characteristics and perioperative outcomes other than operation time, which was significantly shorter in the uniportal group than in the multiportal group (169 ± 21 vs 216 ± 34 min, P = .011). Thoracoscopic S9 + 10 (S10) segmentectomy can be safely performed through the uniportal approach without any difficulties using an intersegmental tunneling method and adding a little ingenuity.

En bloc resection of the left upper lobe and the anterior basal segment of the lower lobe via a uniportal thoracoscopic approach for a dense fissure.

Unidirectional dissection including a fissureless technique is a reasonable procedure for performing uniportal thoracoscopic major pulmonary resections because the angulation of the inserted surgical instruments or a thoracoscope via a single small incision is extremely limited. This type of procedure is considered useful for many types of anatomical pulmonary resections via a uniportal approach. In this video tutorial, which illustrates a more complicated case, we show en bloc resection of a left upper lobe and anterior basal segment (S8) using unidirectional dissection via a uniportal thoracoscopic approach for a patient with a dense fissure.

Novel thoracoscopic segmentectomy combining preoperative three-dimensional image simulation and intravenous administration of indocyanine green.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to assess prospectively the validity and feasibility of segmentectomy using preoperative simulation and intravenous indocyanine green (ICG) with near-infrared (NIR) light thoracoscope to ensure a sufficient surgical margin. METHODS: This study was a prospective, single-centre, phase II, feasibility study. From February to July 2021, 20 patients were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography angiography and bronchography using simulation software. The dominant pulmonary artery of the targeted segment was selected to determine the dissection line and measure the surgical margin to the tumour. Intraoperatively, after the planned dissection of the pulmonary artery, ICG (0.3 mg/kg) was administered intravenously and observed with NIR, and dissection was performed along the line determined by preoperative simulation. Postoperatively, the pathological margin was compared with the simulation margin. RESULTS: All surgeries were performed via an uniport (3.5-4.0-cm skin incision). The regions of segmentectomy were S2, S3, S6, S9 + 10 and S10 of the right side and S1 + 2 + 3, S3, S3 + 4 + 5, S6 and S8 of the left side. The difference between the simulation margin and the pathological margin was not significant (simulation 30.5 ± 10.1 vs pathological 31.0 ± 11.0 mm, P = 0.801). The simulation margin was well correlated with the pathological margin (R2 = 0.677). The proportion of cases successfully achieving the pathological margin of error of plus or minus 10 mm of the simulation margin was 90% (18 of 20 cases). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography simulation and ICG-NIR was effective for securing a sufficient margin in segmentectomy.

Differentiation between staple line granuloma and recurrence after sublobar resection for primary lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: The use of sublobar resection for early-stage lung cancer or frail cases that cannot tolerate radical surgery for primary lung cancer has been increasing. This study aimed to identify the frequency, shape, and course of staple line thickening and granuloma formation after sublobar resection for primary lung cancer, and to identify factors that help distinguish them from recurrent cancer cases. METHODS: The medical records of 64 patients who underwent sublobar resection for primary lung cancer from January 2012 to December 2017 at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. Computed tomography (CT) images taken every 6 months for at least 3 years after surgery were reviewed, and the postoperative course was examined. RESULTS: Staple line thickening at the time of the first CT scan after surgery was observed in 43 cases (67.2%). Of them, linear thickening was seen in 31 cases (72.1%), and nodular thickening was seen in 12 cases (27.9%). Of these 43 cases, 25 cases were decreased, 8 cases were unchanged and 10 cases showed a tendency to progress during the follow-up period. Of the 64 cases, 7 (10.9%) had staple line recurrence. Staple line recurrence was significantly correlated with vascular invasion (P=0.015), surgical margin (P=0.013), nodular thickening (P<0.001) and a tendency to show progressive thickening (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Staple line thickening was observed in many cases of sublobar resection, and most of them were linear thickening. Staple line recurrence should be suspected if nodular thickening appears and shows a tendency to progress.

Regeneration of emphysematous lungs using gelatin sheets that release basic fibroblast growth factor.

PURPOSE: Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) induces regeneration and neovascularization of the lungs. We conducted this study to demonstrate the regeneration of emphysematous lungs achieved by gelatin sheets that slowly release bFGF into the visceral pleura in a canine model. METHODS: Porcine pancreatic elastase was used to induce bilateral lower lobe pulmonary emphysema in dogs. Slow-release bFGF gelatin sheets were attached to the visceral pleura of the left lower lobe via thoracotomy. The subjects were divided into two groups: one treated with gelatin sheets containing slow-release bFGF (bFGF+ group, n = 5), and the other, treated with only gelatin sheets (bFGF- group, n = 5). The subjects were euthanized after 28 days and histologic lung assessment was performed. The results were evaluated in terms of the mean linear intercept (MLI) and microvessel count. RESULTS: The MLI was significantly shorter in the bFGF+ group than in the bFGF- group; (110.0 ± 24.38 vs. 208.9 ± 33.08 µm; P = 0.0006). The microvessel count was not significantly different between the bFGF+ and bFGF- groups (12.20 ± 3.007 vs. 5.35 ± 2.3425; P = 0.075); however, it was significantly higher in the bFGF-attached lungs than in the emphysema group (12.20 ± 3.007 vs. 4.57 ± 0.8896; P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Attaching gelatin sheets with slow-release bFGF to the visceral pleura induced lung regeneration and vascularization in a canine pulmonary emphysema model.

Preoperative Simulation of Thoracoscopic Segmentectomy.

When performing thoracoscopic pulmonary segmentectomy, we sometimes encounter a nonpalpable malignant tumor located near the intersegmental plane that we had planned to divide. In such a situation it can be difficult to ensure a sufficient surgical margin. To overcome this problem, we now perform preoperative simulation using the Ziostation2 (Ziosoft, Tokyo, Japan) to calculate the surgical margin. This yields margins of at least 20 mm; the discrepancy between the virtual and actual surgical margins is always less than 5 mm.

[Recurrent Postoperative Lung Cancer with Tumor Shrinkage after Discontinuation of Pembrolizumab-A Case Report].

Our patient was a 41-year-old man with non-small cell lung cancer of grade cT3N2M0 and clinical Stage ⅢA. After induction chemoradiotherapy(weekly CBDCA plus PTX[5 courses]and concurrent radiation of 50 Gy, left upper lobectomy with lymph node dissection(ND2a-1)was performed. The postoperative pathological findings were large cell carcinoma, ypT2aN2M0, Stage ⅢA, with complete resection; the PD-L1 tumor proportion score was 50 to 74%. Consolidation chemotherapy( triweekly CBDCA plus PTX, 1 course)followed. Twelve months after surgery, he developed mediastinal lymph node recurrence(#4L), and pembrolizumab was administered every 3 weeks as a first-line treatment. Complete response was evident after 3 courses; thus, we continued this monotherapy. After 35 courses(24 months)of pembrolizumab, we discontinued the regimen. Twenty-two months later, the disease has not progressed. The patient is being followed-up in our outpatient department. We report a case of recurrent postoperative lung cancer with continuous tumor shrinkage after discontinuation of pembrolizumab.

Infrared thoracoscopic pulmonary segmentectomy with intravenous indocyanine green administration using preoperative simulation.

Infrared thoracoscopy with intravenous indocyanine green administration is one of the useful methods to identify an appropriate intersegmental line during thoracoscopic pulmonary segmentectomy. In this procedure, we have introduced preoperative simulation to calculate the distance between the target tumour and intersegmental plane using Ziostation2 (Ziosoft, Tokyo, Japan) to ensure sufficient surgical margin without palpation. By using this preoperative simulation, we obtained sufficient surgical margin in a patient with a 16-mm part-solid nodular shadow undergoing infrared thoracoscopic upper division (S1-3) segmentectomy of left upper lobe with intravenous indocyanine green administration. The discrepancy between the virtual and the actual surgical margin was <10 mm. This preoperative simulation can help us obtain sufficient surgical margin without palpation of the tumour in infrared thoracoscopic segmentectomy.

Application of "suction-guided stapling" during uniportal thoracoscopic major lung resection.

Uniportal thoracoscopic major pulmonary resection is used worldwide as a minimally invasive surgery. Occasionally, it is difficult to insert a stapler smoothly during uniportal thoracoscopic major pulmonary resection because of limited angulation. To address this challenge, we used "suction-guided stapling" to divide the bronchus or pulmonary vein. Here, we provide details of this technique, including division of the pulmonary veins or bronchus in a video. In addition, we validate this technique by showing perioperative results of uniportal thoracoscopic major pulmonary resections in our department.

A dense fissure is not a contra-indication for uniportal thoracoscopic lobectomy.

Background: A dense fissure is a main cause of a postoperative prolonged air leak (PAL). Such a fissure, if exposed, sometimes incidentally injures the pulmonary artery. We investigated whether uniportal thoracoscopic lobectomy which is considered technically more difficult than the conventional multiportal approach was appropriate for patients with dense fissures. Methods: From February 2019 to January 2022, 140 patients with primary lung cancer underwent uniportal thoracoscopic lobectomy with ≥ ND2a-1 lymphadenectomy. Patients were divided into those with dense (n=22) and separated (n=118) fissures. All dense fissures were treated using a fissureless technique without exposure of the pulmonary artery. We compared the characteristics and perioperative results of the two groups. We used multivariate analysis to identify factors predictive of PAL. Results: Although dense fissures were significantly associated with right upper lobectomies, the other patient characteristics and perioperative results were similar between the two groups. No significant pulmonary artery injuries occurred in the fissureless group. In subgroup analyses of right upper lobectomy patients, we found no other significant between-group differences in patient characteristics or perioperative results. In multivariate analyses, right upper lobectomy [odds ratio (OR): 0.047, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.0044-0.49, P=0.011] or smoking index (OR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1-1.07, P=0.048) was the factor predictive of PAL. Conclusions: A dense fissure is not a contraindication for uniportal thoracoscopic lobectomy using the fissureless technique, which is thus safe.

Prognostic significance of postoperative longitudinal change of serum carcinoembryonic antigen level in patients with stage I lung adenocarcinoma completely resected by single-port video-assisted thoracic surgery: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with stage I lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) have varying postoperative prognosis. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of postoperative longitudinal change of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level in patients with stage I LUAD. METHODS: The study cohort comprised 241 patients with stage I LUAD completely resected with single-port video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). The patients were categorized into 4 groups according to the postoperative longitudinal change of serum CEA levels measured in the third and sixth months after surgery: the NN group (continuously normal), HN group (increase first and then decrease), NH group (decrease first and then increase), and HH group (continuously high). Recurrence-free survival (RFS) was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by log-rank test. A nomogram was developed to predict recurrence in the stage I LUAD patients. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, differentiation (P<0.001), visceral pleural invasion (VPI) (P=0.025), tumor diameter (P<0.001), tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage (P=0.008), preoperative CEA levels (≥10.0 vs. <10.0 ng/mL, P<0.001), and postoperative CEA grouping (NH/HH vs. NN/HN, P<0.001) were significant prognostic factors for stage I LUAD patients. Multivariate analysis showed that tumor diameter (P=0.009) and postoperative CEA grouping (P<0.001) were considered to be independent prognostic factors of postoperative recurrence of stage I LUAD. Tumor diameter (≥20 mm) and postoperative CEA (NH/HH vs. NN/HN) were associated with worse RFS. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that postoperative CEA (NH/HH vs. NN/HN) have high sensitivity (64.7%) and specificity (83.2%) for early prediction of postoperative recurrence of stage I LUAD. The area under curve (AUC) value was 0.745. The nomogram based on multivariate Cox regression had a concordance index (value of 0.789). The calibration plot showed that the predicted probabilities closely matched the observed probabilities. CONCLUSIONS: Longitudinal change in serum CEA level after surgery was found to be an independent unfavorable prognostic factor in completely resected stage I LUAD patients. The NH group and HH group were significantly associated with worse RFS. A nomogram was established to predict the postoperative recurrence of patients with stage I LUAD.