Operative outcomes and middle-term survival of robotic-assisted lung resection for clinical stage IA lung cancer compared with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Despite limited published evidence, robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) for anatomic lung resection in early-stage lung cancer continues growing. The aim of this study is to evaluate its safety and oncologic efficacy compared to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). METHODS: Single-centre retrospective study of all patients with resected clinical stage IA NSCLC who underwent RATS or VATS anatomic lung resection from June 2018 to January 2022. RATS and VATS cases were matched by propensity scoring (PSM) according to age, sex, histology, and type of resection. Short-term outcomes were compared, and the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to evaluate the overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). RESULTS: 321 patients (94 RATS and 227 VATS cases) were included. After PSM, 94 VATS and 94 RATS cases were compared. Demographics, pulmonary function, and comorbidity were similar in both groups. Overall postoperative morbidity was comparable for RATS and VATS cases (20.2% vs 25.5%, P = 0.385, respectively). Pathological nodal upstaging was similar in both groups (10.6% in RATS and 12.8% in VATS). During the 3.5-year follow-up period (median: 29 months; IQR: 18-39), recurrence rate was 6.4% in RATS group and 18.1% in the VATS group (P = 0.014). OS and DFS were similar in RATS and VATS groups (log rank P = 0.848 and P = 0.117, respectively). CONCLUSION: RATS can be performed safely in patients with early-stage NSCLC. For clinical stage IA disease, robotic anatomic lung resection offers better oncologic outcomes in terms of recurrence, although there are no differences in OS and DFS compared with VATS.

Non-hiatal diaphragmatic hernias: results of transabdominal and transthoracic surgical approaches at a fourth-level hospital.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to elucidate the clinical and demographic profiles, as well as perioperative outcomes, of patients undergoing surgery for non-hiatal diaphragmatic hernias. Additionally, it aims to analyse these outcomes based on the surgical approach employed (transthoracic versus transabdominal). METHODS: This retrospective, observational study was conducted at a single center and involved patients diagnosed with non-hiatal diaphragmatic hernia who underwent either emergency or elective surgery between July 2007 and March 2023. Clinical characteristics and perioperative outcomes of these patients were compared using appropriate statistical tests.The research protocol for this observational, retrospective, and comparative study followed the Declaration of Helsinki's ethical requirements. The need for Clinical Research Ethics Committee approval was waived according to our institutional law because the study was a retrospective cohort study based on anonymous data of patients. Informed consent was waived because this study involved the secondary analysis of patient medical records. Additionally, this study followed the STROBE guidelines for reporting observational studies. RESULTS: The analysis included 22 patients being 59.1% men, with median age of 61 years. The predominant clinical presentation was restrictive lung disease (40.9%). The majority of cases (68%) had traumatic aetiology with a median defect size of 4 cm (range of 3-8 cm). Elective surgery was performed in 15 cases (68.1%) and transthoracic approach was employed in 13 patients (54.5%). Postoperative major morbidity reached 27.2% and mortality within 30 days was 9.1%. Emergency surgeries accounted for 44.4% of transabdominal interventions, compared to 23% in the transthoracic subgroup (p = 0.376). There were no statistically significant differences between the transabdominal and trasnthoracic approaches in terms of global postoperative complications (88.8% vs. 84.6%, p = 1), major complications (44.4% vs 15.4%, p = 0.734), mortality (11.1% v 7.6%, p = 1) and recurrence (11.1% vs 7.6%, p = 1). Postoperative stay was significantly shorter in the transthoracic subgroup (6 days vs. 14 days, p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Non-hiatal diaphragmatic hernias are characterized by significant postoperative major morbidity and mortality rates, standing at 27.2% and 9.1%, respectively, accompanied by a recurrence rate of 9.1%. Both transthoracic and transabdominal approaches demonstrate comparable short- and long-term outcomes.

Failure to rescue following anatomical lung resection. Analysis of a prospective nationwide database.

Background: Rescue failure has been described as an important factor that conditions postoperative mortality after surgical interventions. The objective of this study is to determine the incidence and main determinants of failure to rescue after anatomical lung resections. Methods: Prospective multicenter study that included all patients undergoing anatomical pulmonary resection between December 2016 and March 2018 and registered in the Spanish nationwide database GEVATS. Postoperative complications were classified as minor (grades I and II) and major (grades IIIa to V) according to the Clavien-Dindo standardized classification. Patients that died after a major complication were considered rescue failure. A stepwise logistic regression model was created to identify predictors of failure to rescue. Results: 3,533 patients were analyzed. In total, 361 cases (10.2%) had major complications, of which 59 (16.3%) could not be rescued. The variables associated with rescue failure were: ppoDLCO% (OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.96-1; p = 0.067), cardiac comorbidity (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.1-4; p = 0.024), extended resection (OR, 2.26; 95% CI, 0.94-5.41; p = 0.067), pneumonectomy (OR, 2.53; 95 CI, 1.07-6.03; p = 0.036) and hospital volume <120 cases per year (OR, 2.53; CI 95%, 1.26-5.07; p = 0.009). The area under the curve of the ROC curve was 0.72 (95% CI: 0.64-0.79). Conclusion: A significant percentage of patients who presented major complications after anatomical lung resection did not survive to discharge. Pneumonectomy and annual surgical volume are the risk factors most closely related to rescue failure. Complex thoracic surgical pathology should be concentrated in high-volume centers to obtain the best results in potentially high-risk patients.

Autologous mesenchymal stromal cells embedded with Tissucol Duo® for prevention of air leak after anatomical lung resection: results of a prospective phase I/II clinical trial with long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Prolonged air leak (PAL) is the most frequent complication after pulmonary resection. Several measures have been described to prevent the occurrence of PAL in high-risk patients, however, the potential role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) applied in the parenchymal suture line to prevent postoperative air leak in this setting has not been fully addressed. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the feasibility, safety and potential clinical efficacy of the implantation of autologous MSCs embedded in Tissucol Duo® as a prophylactic alternative to prevent postoperative prolonged air leak after pulmonary resection in high-risk patients. STUDY DESIGN: Phase I/II single-arm prospective clinical trial. METHODS: Six patients with high risk of PAL undergoing elective pulmonary resection were included. Autologous bone marrow-derived MSCs were expanded at our Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Facility and implanted (embedded in a Tissucol Duo® carrier) in the parenchymal suture line during pulmonary resection surgery. Patients were monitored in the early postoperative period and evaluated for possible complications or adverse reactions. In addition, all patients were followed-up to 5 years for clinical outcomes. RESULTS: The median age of patients included was 66 years (range: 55-70 years), and male/female ratio was 5/1. Autologous MSCs were expanded in five cases, in one case MSCs expansion was insufficient. There were no adverse effects related to cell implantation. Regarding efficacy, median air leak duration was 0 days (range: 0-2 days). The incidence of PAL was nil. Radiologically, only one patient presented pneumothorax in the chest X-ray at discharge. No adverse effects related to the procedure were recorded during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The use of autologous MSCs for prevention of PAL in patients with high risk of PAL is feasible, safe and potentially effective. TRIAL REGISTRATION NO: EudraCT: 2013-000535-27. CLINICALTRIALS: gov idenfier: NCT02045745.

Predictive factors of prolonged postoperative length of stay after anatomic pulmonary resection.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study is to create a predictive model of prolonged postoperative length of stay (PLOS) in patients undergoing anatomic lung resection, to validate it in an external series and to evaluate the influence of PLOS on readmission and 90-day mortality. METHODS: All patients registered in the GEVATS database discharged after the intervention were included. We define PLOS as the postoperative stay in days above the 75th percentile of stay for all patients in the series. A univariate and multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression and the model was validated in an external cohort. The possible association between PLOS and readmission and mortality at 90 days was analyzed. RESULTS: 3473 patients were included in the study. The median postoperative stay was 5 days (IQR: 4-7). 815 patients had PLOS (≥8 days), of which 79.9% had postoperative complications. The final model included as variables: age, BMI, male sex, ppoFEV1%, ppoDLCO% and thoracotomy; the AUC in the referral series was 0.684 (95% CI: 0.661-0.706) and in the validation series was 0.73 (95% CI: 0.681-0.78). A significant association was found between PLOS and readmission (p < .000) and 90-day mortality (p < .000). CONCLUSIONS: The variables age, BMI, male sex, ppoFEV1%, ppoDLCO% and thoracotomy affect PLOS. PLOS is associated with an increased risk of readmission and 90-day mortality. 20% of PLOS are not related to the occurrence of postoperative complications.

Operating time: an independent and modifiable risk factor for short-term complications after video-thoracoscopic pulmonary lobectomy.

OBJECTIVES: The relationship between operating time and postoperative morbidity has not been fully characterized in lung resection surgery. We aimed to determine the variables associated with prolonged operative times and their influence on postoperative complications after video-thoracoscopic lobectomy. METHODS: Patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy for lung cancer from December 2016 to March 2018, within the prospective registry of the Spanish Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery Group were identified. Operating time was stratified by quartiles and complication rates analysed using chi-squared test. Primary outcomes included 30-day overall, pulmonary and cardiovascular complications and wound infection. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify variables independently associated with operating time and their influence on the occurrence of postoperative complications. RESULTS: Data of 1518 cases were examined. The median operating time was 174 min (interquartile range: 130-210 min). Overall morbidity rates significantly increased with surgical duration (20.5% vs 34.4% in the 1st and 4th quartiles, respectively, P < 0.05) and so did pulmonary complications (14.6% vs 26.4% in the 1st and 4th quartiles, respectively, P < 0.05). Differences were not found regarding cardiovascular and wound complications. After multivariable logistic regression analysis, operating time remained as an independent risk factor for overall (odds ratios, 2.05) and pulmonary complications (odds ratios, 2.01). Male sex, predicted postoperative diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide, number of lymphatic stations harvested, pleural adhesions, fissures completeness, lobectomy site, surgeon seniority, individual video-thoracoscopic surgeon experience and fissureless technique were identified as predictive factors for long operative time. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged operating time is associated with increased odds of postoperative complications. Modifiable factors contributing to prolonged operating time may serve as a target for quality improvement.

Predictive factors of pathological complete response after induction (ypT0N0M0) in non-small cell lung cancer and short-term outcomes: Results of the Spanish Group of Video-assisted Thoracic Surgery (GE-VATS).

INTRODUCTION: To analyze the predictors of pCR in NSCLC patients who underwent anatomical lung resection after induction therapy and to evaluate the postoperative results of these patients. METHODS: All patients prospectively registered in the database of the GE-VATS working group undergone anatomic lung resection by NSCLC after induction treatment and recruited between 12/20/2016 and 3/20/2018 were included in the study. The population was divided into two groups: patients who obtained a complete pathological response after induction (pCR) and patients who did not obtain a complete pathological response after induction (non-pCR). A multivariate analysis was performed using a binary logistic regression to determine the predictors of pCR and the postoperative results of patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 241 patients analyzed, 36 patients (14.9%) achieved pCR. Predictive factors for pCR are male sex (OR: 2.814, 95% CI: 1.015-7.806), histology of squamous carcinoma (OR: 3.065, 95% CI: 1.233-7.619) or other than adenocarcinoma (OR: 5.788, 95% CI: 1.878-17.733) and induction therapy that includes radiation therapy (OR: 4.096, 95% CI: 1.785-9.401) and targeted therapies (OR: 7.625, 95% CI: 2.147-27.077). Prevalence of postoperative pulmonary complications was higher in patients treated with neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy (p = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Male sex, histology of squamous carcinoma or other than ADC, and induction therapy that includes radiotherapy or targeted therapy are positive predictors for obtaining pCR. Induction chemo-radiotherapy is associated with a higher risk of postoperative pulmonary complications.

"Obesity paradox" has not an impact on minimally invasive anatomical lung resection.

INTRODUCTION: The paradoxical benefit of obesity, the 'obesity paradox', has been analyzed in lung surgical populations with contradictory results. Our goal was assessing the relationship of body mass index (BMI) to acute outcomes after minimally invasive major pulmonary resections. METHODS: Retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent pulmonary anatomical resection through a minimally invasive approach for the period 2014-2019. Patients were grouped as underweight, normal, overweight and obese type I, II and III. Adjusted odds ratios regarding postoperative complications (overall, respiratory, cardiovascular and surgical morbidity) were produced with their exact 95% confidence intervals. All tests were considered statistically significant at p<0.05. RESULTS: Among 722 patients included in the study, 37.7% had a normal BMI and 61.8% were overweight or obese patients. When compared with that of normal BMI patients, adjusted pulmonary complications were significantly higher in obese type I patients (2.6% vs 10.6%, OR: 4.53 [95%CI: 1.86-12.11]) and obese type II-III (2.6% vs 10%, OR: 6.09 [95%CI: 1.38-26.89]). No significant differences were found regarding overall, cardiovascular or surgical complications among groups. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity has not favourable effects on early outcomes in patients undergoing minimally invasive anatomical lung resections, since the risk of respiratory complications in patients with BMI≥30kg/m2 and BMI≥35kg/m2 is 4.5 and 6 times higher than that of patients with normal BMI.

The robotic surgery learning curve of a surgeon experienced in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery compared with his own video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery learning curve for anatomical lung resections.

OBJECTIVES: Robotic surgery, although it shares some technical features with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), offers some advantages, such as ergonomic design and a 3-dimensional view. Thus, the learning curve for robotic lung resection could be expected to be shorter than that of VATS for surgeons who are proficient in VATS. The goal of this study was to analyse the robotic learning curve of a VATS experienced surgeon and to compare it to his own VATS learning curve for anatomical lung resections. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study based on the prospectively recorded data of the first 150 anatomical lung resections performed with VATS (75 cases) and with the robotic (75 cases) approach by the same surgeon in our centre. Learning curves were analysed using the cumulative sum method to assess the trends for total operating time and surgical failure (intraoperative complications, conversion, technical postoperative complications and reintervention) across case sequences. Subsequently, using adequate statistical tests, we compared the postoperative outcomes in both groups. RESULTS: The median operating time was similar for both approaches (P = 0.401). Surgical failure rate was higher for the robotic cases (21.3% vs 12%; P = 0.125). Based on cumulative sum analyses, operating time decreased starting with case 34 in the VATS group and with case 32 in the robotic cohort. Surgical failure tended to decline starting with case 28 in the VATS group and with case 32 in the robotic group. Perioperative results were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: When we compared robotic and VATS learning curves for anatomical lung resection, we did not find any differences. Postoperative outcomes were also similar with both approaches.

Similar outcomes after newly implemented rats approach compared to standard vats for anatomical lung resection. A propensity-score matched analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Outcomes after the introduction of surgical innovations can be impaired by learning periods. The aim of this study is to compare the short-term outcomes of a recently implemented RATS approach to a standard VATS program for anatomical lung resections. METHODS: Retrospective review of consecutive patients undergoing pulmonary anatomical resection through a minimally invasive approach since RATS approach was applied in our department (June 01, 2018, to November 30, 2019). Propensity score matching was performed according to patients' age, gender, ppoFEV1, cardiac comorbidity, type of malignancy, and type of resection. Outcome evaluation includes: overall morbidity, significant complications (cardiac arrhythmia, pneumonia, prolonged air leak, and reoperation), 30-day mortality, and length of hospital stay. Data were compared by two-sided chi-square or Fisher's exact test for categorical and Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables. RESULTS: A total of 273 patients (206 VATS, 67 RATS) were included in the study. After propensity score matching, data of 132 patients were analyzed. The thirty-days mortality was nil. Overall morbidity (RATS: 22.4%, VATS: 29.2%; p=0.369), major complications (RATS: 9% vs VATS: 9.2%; p=0.956) and the rates of specific major complications (cardiac arrhythmia RATS: 4.5%, VATS: 4.6%, p=1; pneumonia RATS:0%, VATS:4.6%, p=0.117; prolonged air leak RATS: 7.5%; VATS: 4.6%, p=0.718) and reoperation (RATS: 3%, VATS: 1.5%, p=1) were comparable between both groups. The median length of stay was 3 days in both groups (p=0.101). CONCLUSIONS: A RATS program for anatomical lung resection can be implemented safely by experienced VATS surgeons without increasing morbidity rates.

Treatment and intention-to-treat propensity score analysis to evaluate the impact of video-assisted thoracic surgery on 90-day mortality after anatomical resection for lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to know the treatment effect of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) on 90-day mortality after anatomical lung resection based on a nationwide cohort. METHODS: This is a multicentre prospective cohort of 2721 anatomical resections for lung cancer from December 2016 to March 2018. Treatment and intention-to-treat (ITT) analyses were performed after inverse probability score weighting and different propensity score matching algorithms. Covariate balance was assessed by standardized mean differences. The estimators reported were the average treatment effect, the average treatment effect on the treated and odds ratios after conditional logistic models with 95% confidence intervals. The unconfoundedness assumption was evaluated by sensitivity analysis for average treatment effect (c-dependence) and average treatment effect on the treated (Γ). RESULTS: VATS was the initial approach in 1911 patients (70.2%), though 273 cases (14.3%) had to be converted to thoracotomy. Ninety-day mortality rates were: treatment analysis (VATS 1.16% vs open 3.9%, P < 0.001), ITT analysis (VATS 1.78% vs open 3.36%, P = 0.012). After inverse probability score weighting and propensity score matching, in the treatment analysis, VATS meant absolute risk reductions between 2.25% and 2.96% and relative risk reductions between 65% and 70% [OR = 0.34 (95% confidence interval 0.15-0.79), all P-values <0.004). However, all the estimators turned out to be non-significant in the ITT analyses. A high sensitivity to unobservable confounders was proved (c-dependence 0.135, Γ = 1.5). CONCLUSIONS: VATS can reduce the risk of 90-day mortality after anatomical lung resection. However, the implications of conversion to thoracotomy, comparing ITT versus treatment analysis, and the potential impact of hidden bias should deserve further attention in the future.

Surgical Risk Following Anatomic Lung Resection in Thoracic Surgery: A Prediction Model Derived from a Spanish Multicenter Database. / Riesgo quirúrgico tras resección pulmonar anatómica en cirugía torácica. Modelo predictivo a partir de una base de datos nacional multicéntrica.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to develop a surgical risk prediction model in patients undergoing anatomic lung resections from the registry of the Spanish Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery Group (GEVATS). METHODS: Data were collected from 3,533 patients undergoing anatomic lung resection for any diagnosis between December 20, 2016 and March 20, 2018. We defined a combined outcome variable: death or Clavien Dindo grade IV complication at 90 days after surgery. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed by logistic regression. Internal validation of the model was performed using resampling techniques. RESULTS: The incidence of the outcome variable was 4.29% (95% CI 3.6-4.9). The variables remaining in the final logistic model were: age, sex, previous lung cancer resection, dyspnea (mMRC), right pneumonectomy, and ppo DLCO. The performance parameters of the model adjusted by resampling were: C-statistic 0.712 (95% CI 0.648-0.750), Brier score 0.042 and bootstrap shrinkage 0.854. CONCLUSIONS: The risk prediction model obtained from the GEVATS database is a simple, valid, and reliable model that is a useful tool for establishing the risk of a patient undergoing anatomic lung resection.

Quality Control in Anatomical Lung Resection. Major Postoperative Complications vs Failure to Rescue.

OBJECTIVES: Failure to rescue (FTR) is defined by the number of deaths among patients experiencing major complications after surgery. In this report we analyze FTR and apply a cumulative sum control chart (CUSUM) methodology for monitoring performance in a large series of operated lung carcinoma patients. METHODS: Prospectively stored records of cases undergoing anatomical lung resection in one center were reviewed. Postoperative adverse events were coded and included as a binary variable (major, or minor complications). The occurrence of 30-day mortality was also recorded. Patients dying after suffering major complications were considered as FTR. Risk-adjusted CUSUM graphs using EuroLung1 and 2 variables were constructed for major complications and FTR. Points of plateauing or trend inversion were checked to detect intentional or non-adverted changes in the process of care. RESULTS: 2237 cases included. 9.1% cases suffered major complications. The number of cases considered as failures to rescuing was 46 (2.1% of the total series and 22.5% of cases having major complications). The predictive performance of EuroLung1 and 2 models was as follows: EuroLung1 (major morbidity) C-index 0.70 (95%CI: 0.66-0.73); EuroLung2 (applied to FTR) C-index 0.81 (95%CI: 0.750.87). CUSUM graphs depicted improvement in rescuing complicated patients after case 330 but no improvement in the rate of non-complicated cases until case 720. CONCLUSIONS: FTR offers a complementary view to classical outcomes for quality assessment in Thoracic Surgery. Our study also shows how the analysis of FTR on time series can be applied to evaluate changes in team performance along time.

The «Weekday Effect¼ Does Not Have an Impact on the Development of Complications or Mortality After Pulmonary Resection: Retrospective Cohort Study. / El «efecto día de la semana¼ no tiene impacto en la aparición de complicaciones o mortalidad tras la resección pulmonar: estudio de cohortes histórico.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether elective anatomic pulmonary resection surgery carried out at the end of the week is associated with a higher mortality and postoperative morbidity than surgery performed at the beginning of the week. METHOD: Historical cohort study. All patients undergoing anatomical pulmonary resection between January 2013 and November 2018 in our center were included. Patients operated at the end of the week (Thursday or Friday) were considered «not exposed¼ and patients operated at the beginning of the week (Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday) were considered «exposed¼. The likelihood of cardiorespiratory complications and operative death (30days) was compared in the two cohorts calculated using the Eurolung1 and2 risk models. 30-day mortality and the occurrence of cardiorespiratory and technical complications were studied as outcome variables. The incidence of these adverse effects was calculated for the overall series and for both cohorts, and the relative risk (RR) and its 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were determined. RESULTS: The overall mortality of the series was 0.9% (10/1172), the incidence of cardiorespiratory complications was 10.2% (120/1172) and that of technical complications was 20.6% (242/1172). The RR calculated for cardiorespiratory, technical complications and mortality in exposed and unexposed subjects was: 0.914 (95%CI: 0.804-1.039), 0.996 (95%CI: 0.895-1.107) and 0.911 (95%CI: 0.606-1.37), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients operated at the end of the week do not present a higher risk of postoperative adverse effects.

"Obesity paradox" has not an impact on minimally invasive anatomical lung resection.

INTRODUCTION: The paradoxical benefit of obesity, the 'obesity paradox', has been analyzed in lung surgical populations with contradictory results. Our goal was assessing the relationship of body mass index (BMI) to acute outcomes after minimally invasive major pulmonary resections. METHODS: Retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent pulmonary anatomical resection through a minimally invasive approach for the period 2014-2019. Patients were grouped as underweight, normal, overweight and obese type I, II and III. Adjusted odds ratios regarding postoperative complications (overall, respiratory, cardiovascular and surgical morbidity) were produced with their exact 95% confidence intervals. All tests were considered statistically significant at p<0.05. RESULTS: Among 722 patients included in the study, 37.7% had a normal BMI and 61.8% were overweight or obese patients. When compared with that of normal BMI patients, adjusted pulmonary complications were significantly higher in obese type I patients (2.6% vs 10.6%, OR: 4.53 [95%CI: 1.86-12.11]) and obese type II-III (2.6% vs 10%, OR: 6.09 [95%CI: 1.38-26.89]). No significant differences were found regarding overall, cardiovascular or surgical complications among groups. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity has not favourable effects on early outcomes in patients undergoing minimally invasive anatomical lung resections, since the risk of respiratory complications in patients with BMI≥30kg/m2 and BMI≥35kg/m2 is 4.5 and 6 times higher than that of patients with normal BMI.

Similar outcomes after newly implemented rats approach compared to standard vats for anatomical lung resection. A propensity-score matched analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Outcomes after the introduction of surgical innovations can be impaired by learning periods. The aim of this study is to compare the short-term outcomes of a recently implemented RATS approach to a standard VATS program for anatomical lung resections. METHODS: Retrospective review of consecutive patients undergoing pulmonary anatomical resection through a minimally invasive approach since RATS approach was applied in our department (June 01, 2018, to November 30, 2019). Propensity score matching was performed according to patients' age, gender, ppoFEV1, cardiac comorbidity, type of malignancy, and type of resection. Outcome evaluation includes: overall morbidity, significant complications (cardiac arrhythmia, pneumonia, prolonged air leak, and reoperation), 30-day mortality, and length of hospital stay. Data were compared by two-sided chi-square or Fisher's exact test for categorical and Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables. RESULTS: A total of 273 patients (206 VATS, 67 RATS) were included in the study. After propensity score matching, data of 132 patients were analyzed. The thirty-days mortality was nil. Overall morbidity (RATS: 22.4%, VATS: 29.2%; p=0.369), major complications (RATS: 9% vs VATS: 9.2%; p=0.956) and the rates of specific major complications (cardiac arrhythmia RATS: 4.5%, VATS: 4.6%, p=1; pneumonia RATS:0%, VATS:4.6%, p=0.117; prolonged air leak RATS: 7.5%; VATS: 4.6%, p=0.718) and reoperation (RATS: 3%, VATS: 1.5%, p=1) were comparable between both groups. The median length of stay was 3 days in both groups (p=0.101). CONCLUSIONS: A RATS program for anatomical lung resection can be implemented safely by experienced VATS surgeons without increasing morbidity rates.

Women in thoracic surgery: European perspectives.

During the last decades, women have been discouraged from entering the medical career and in particular in the surgical specialties. This situation is changing across continents and national and international initiatives are supporting aspiring female surgeons in pursuing the surgical career through mentorship and fellowship programmes. Due to the differences in training programmes, Health Care systems and cultural backgrounds, it's not easy to describe unanimously the pathways and obstacles that junior female thoracic surgeons are experiencing in Europe. The development of female surgical associations, mentorship programmes and national initiatives will further champion the gender equality in this specialty across Europe. During the recent years, the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS) has established initiatives like the first ESTS Women in Thoracic Surgery Scientific Session or the annual Women in Thoracic ESTS Reception during the Annual Conference, which are done in an effort to encourage all female colleagues to join this specialty and increase the opportunity to share their experience and meet potential mentors. In this article we will depict the situation in some of the European countries whose female thoracic surgeons have led their way. We aim to give the next generation the examples that can influence women's choice of surgical career, and the possible strategies and initiatives to reduce the gender discrimination within healthcare.

Predictive factors of pathological complete response after induction (ypT0N0M0) in non-small cell lung cancer and short-term outcomes: results of the Spanish Group of Video-assisted Thoracic Surgery (GE-VATS). / Factores predictores de respuesta completa patológica tras inducción (ypT0N0M0) en cáncer de pulmón no microcítico y resultados a corto plazo: resultados del Grupo Español de Cirugía Torácica Videoasistida (GE-VATS).

INTRODUCTION: To analyze the predictors of pathological complete response (pCR) in not small cells lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients who underwent anatomical lung resection after induction therapy and to evaluate the postoperative results of these patients. METHODS: All patients prospectively registered in the database of the GE-VATS working group undergone anatomic lung resection by NSCLC after induction treatment and recruited between December 20th 2016, and March 20th 2018, were included in the study. The population was divided into two groups: patients who obtained a complete pathological response after induction (pCR) and patients who did not obtain a complete pathological response after induction (non-pCR). A multivariate analysis was performed using a binary logistic regression to determine the predictors of pCR and the postoperative results of patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 241 patients analyzed, 36 patients (14.9%) achieved pCR. Predictive factors for pCR are male sex (OR 2.814, 95% CI 1.015-7.806), histology of squamous carcinoma (OR 3.065, 95% CI 1.233-7.619) or other than adenocarcinoma (ADC) (OR 5.788, 95% CI 1.878-17.733) and induction therapy that includes radiation therapy (OR 4.096, 95% CI 1.785-9.401) and targeted therapies (OR 7.625, 95% CI 2.147-27.077). Prevalence of postoperative pulmonary complications was higher in patients treated with neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy (p = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Male sex, histology of squamous carcinoma or other than ADC, and induction therapy that includes radiotherapy or targeted therapy are positive predictors for obtaining pCR. Induction chemo-radiotherapy is associated with a higher risk of postoperative pulmonary complications.

Changes in the Risk of Mortality and Morbidity After Lung Resection in the Last 20 Years. / Modificación del riesgo de mortalidad y morbilidad tras resección pulmonar en los últimos 20 años.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to evaluate changes in the risk of cardiorespiratory mortality and morbidity calculated by Eurolung risk models 1 and 2 in the last 20 years, and to identify variations in patient selection or surgical practice that might have altered the risk of death and complications after anatomical lung resections. METHOD: This was a retrospective analysis of a series of 2,435 consecutive patients who underwent anatomical lung resection. The population was divided into three time periods: 1994-2006 (976 cases), 2007-2015 (945 cases), and 2016-2017 (420 cases). Eurolung models 1 and 2 were applied to the series, and the individual probability of adverse effects was calculated. We compared this mean probability, and the prevalence or means of each of the variables included in the models in each period and plotted the evolution of the risk. RESULTS: A progressive decrease was observed in both adverse effects over time. The prevalence of the binary variables, except for coronary heart disease, was higher in the last period. The percentage of pneumonectomies and extended resections fell in the last two periods and the number of cases treated with VATS increased substantially in 2016-2017. CONCLUSIONS: The decline in the number of pneumonectomies and the increase in the rate of minimally invasive procedures appear to be the variables most closely associated with decreased risk. Other changes in the clinical characteristics of the patients do not seem to have influenced the outcomes.