Thoracoscopic salvage esophagectomy with prophylactic mediastinal lymph node dissection after definitive chemoradiotherapy for patients with esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Salvage esophagectomy for residual tumor and localized relapses after definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) for patients with esophageal cancer is associated with a high rate of postoperative complications and in-hospital mortality. In addition, there are many controversial issues associated with salvage esophagectomy, such as the acceptability of minimally invasive surgery and the need for prophylactic dissection of mediastinal lymph nodes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and usefulness of thoracoscopic salvage esophagectomy with prophylactic mediastinal lymph node dissection. METHODS: The study included 31 patients who underwent thoracoscopic salvage esophagectomy with prophylactic mediastinal lymph node dissection after dCRT between 2013 and 2022 (salvage patients) and 610 nonsalvage patients who underwent conventional thoracoscopic esophagectomy during the same time period. RESULTS: Differences between the median ages and sexes of the 2 patient groups were not significant. The dominant location of tumors in the salvage patients was the upper thoracic esophagus. More salvage patients had clinical T4 disease. The salvage patients had a lower median number of retrieved mediastinal lymph nodes than the nonsalvage patients. The differences between the rates of R0, postoperative complications, and in-hospital deaths in the 2 patient groups were not significant. The 3-year overall survival (OS) rates for the salvage patients were 73%, with 3-year OS rates for R0 vs non-R0 of 81% vs 0%, p < 0.01 and pN0 vs pN1-3 of 89% vs 49%, p < 0.01. CONCLUSION: Regarding short-term outcomes, prophylactic mediastinal lymph node dissection for patients undergoing thoracoscopic salvage esophagectomy was as safe as prophylactic dissection for patients undergoing conventional thoracoscopic esophagectomy. R0 surgery and pN0 are important factors for long-term survival in patients undergoing thoracoscopic salvage esophagectomy.

Impact of lymph node dissection on the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with postoperative recurrence of non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: The effect of lymph node dissection (LND) on the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the difference in the effect of ICI between patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) according to the extent of LND performed in surgery prior to postoperative recurrence. Methods: A total of 134 patients with postoperative recurrence (surgery group, n=26) or unresectable advanced lung cancer (non-surgery group, n=108) who were treated with ICIs between January 2016 and December 2022 were included for analysis. In the surgery group, 16 patients underwent systematic LND, whereas the remaining 10 patients underwent selective LND. Progression-free survival with ICI treatment (ICI-PFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared between the surgery and non-surgery groups and between the systematic and selective LND groups using the inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) method to adjust for patient background characteristics. Results: In the IPTW-adjusted analysis, the 2-year PFS rate with ICI treatment was 31.2% in the surgery group and 27.3% in the non-surgery group (P=0.19); the corresponding 2-year OS rates were 69.6% and 62.2%, respectively (P=0.10). In the surgery group, the 2-year PFS rates under ICI were 20.0% in the systematic LND group and 45.7% in the selective LND group (P=0.03). Conclusions: IPTW-adjusted analysis indicated no difference in prognosis between patients with postoperative recurrence and those with advanced unresectable lung cancer. However, in patients with postoperative recurrence, the extent of LND was a significant predictor of ICI-PFS. These findings suggest that systematic LND may reduce the efficacy of ICI, indicating that preoperative ICI administration may be warranted.

Right upper lobectomy with mediastinal dissection under uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for lung cancer in a patient with a right-sided aortic arch: a case report.

BACKGROUND: A right-sided aortic arch is a rare congenital vascular structure variation. Right lobectomy is not commonly performed on patients with such a condition. Further, there are no reports on lobectomy under uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in this patient group. CASE PRESENTATION: A 67-year-old man with a right-sided aortic arch and Kommerell diverticulum underwent right upper lobectomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection under uniportal VATS for primary lung cancer. Due to the right descending aorta, which narrows the space of the dorsal hilum, handling of the stapler for stapling the right upper lobe bronchus from the uniport in the 6th intercostal space at the medial axillary line can be challenging. This issue was resolved by manipulating the staple over the azygos vein toward the inferior margin of the aortic arch. Via mediastinal lymphadenectomy, we found that the right recurrent laryngeal nerve branched from the right vagus nerve and hooked around the right-sided aortic arch. CONCLUSIONS: Right lobectomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection under uniportal VATS can be performed for lung cancer in patients with a right-sided aortic arch.

Metastatic pathways to the lower zone by segment in patients with clinical T1 lower lobe non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Segmentectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection (LND) may increasingly be used for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Lymph node metastasis (LNM) distribution varies by lower lobe segments; however, its segment-specific spread to the lower zone (#8, 9) (LZ) in lower lobe NSCLC is seldom reported. METHODS: In total, 352 patients with clinical T1 lower lobe NSCLC who underwent lobectomy with systematic or lobe-specific LND were included for analysis between January 2006 and December 2018. RESULTS: Fifty-eight (16.2%) patients had LNM (pN1: 24, pN2: 34), and nine (2.6%) had LZ metastasis. LZ metastasis was significantly more frequent in tumors with diameter > 2 cm, tumors without ground-glass opacity on radiological findings, left lung cancer, and basal segment lung cancer (respectively, p = 0.039, 0.006, 0.0177, 0.0024). None of the S6 NSCLC patients had LZ metastasis. Two patients with right basal segment NSCLC had LZ metastases (tumor on S10) as well as N1 lymph node and subcarinal zone metastasis. Seven (8.4%) patients with left basal segment NSCLC had LZ metastasis (tumor on S8: 3, tumor on S10: 4). Of them, three patients with left basal NSCLC had isolated LZ metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: The LND of the LZ can be omitted for clinical T1 patients with S6 NSCLC. In addition, the LND of the LZ may be omitted in right basal NSCLC if intraoperative confirmation of negative N1 and subcarinal zone lymph nodes is obtained; however, it is necessary for left basal segment NSCLC.

Influencing Factors on the Quality of Lymph Node Dissection for Stage IA Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Retrospective Nationwide Cohort Study.

Lymphadenectomy is an essential part of complete surgical operation for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This retrospective, multicenter cohort study aimed to identify factors that influence the lymphadenectomy quality. Data were obtained from the Polish Lung Cancer Study Group Database. The primary endpoint was lobe-specific mediastinal lymph node dissection (L-SMLND). The study included 4271 patients who underwent VATS lobectomy for stage IA NSCLC, operated between 2007 and 2022. L-SMLND was performed in 1190 patients (27.9%). The remaining 3081 patients (72.1%) did not meet the L-SMLND criteria. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients with PET-CT (OR 3.238, 95% CI: 2.315 to 4.529; p < 0.001), with larger tumors (pT1a vs. pT1b vs. pT1c) (OR 1.292; 95% CI: 1.009 to 1.653; p = 0.042), and those operated on by experienced surgeons (OR 1.959, 95% CI: 1.432 to 2.679; p < 0.001) had a higher probability of undergoing L-SMLND. The quality of lymphadenectomy decreased over time (OR 0.647, 95% CI: 0.474 to 0.884; p = 0.006). An analysis of propensity-matched groups showed that more extensive lymph node dissection was not related to in-hospital mortality, complication rates, and hospitalization duration. Actions are needed to improve the quality of lymphadenectomy for NSCLC.

Impact of extended mediastinal lymph node dissection for stage I ground-glass opacity lesions.

Background: Mediastinal lymph node dissection (MLND) is a critical component in lung cancer surgery. With the increasing number of patients with ground-glass opacity (GGO) lesions, the clinical impact of MLND has not been sufficiently assessed, particularly for part-solid lesions. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of extended N2 MLND in patients with GGO lesions with a consolidation tumor ratio (CTR) of 0.3-0.7. Methods: Among patients diagnosed with stage I adenocarcinoma between 2013 and 2019, we retrospectively reviewed 138 patients with a CTR of 0.3-0.7. They were divided into the following two groups by MLND: limited N2 MLND (<3 N2 stations; n=100) and extended N2 MLND (≥3 N2 stations; n=38). Kaplan-Meier curves were used to compare oncologic outcomes and logistic regression was used to identify the predictive factors for postoperative complications (PoCs). Propensity-score matching regarding tumor characteristics and surgical extent were also performed to compare these two MLND assessments in clinical outcome. Results: The extended N2 MLND group had larger solid components (9.5 vs. 7.0 mm, P=0.002) and more patients underwent lobectomy (P=0.008). Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed no significant difference in clinical outcomes. After propensity score matching, the difference between two MLND strategies was also non-significant in clinical outcome. However, extended N2 MLND was found to be a significant factor in the development of PoC [odds ratio (OR), 4.57; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.26-16.6; P=0.021]. Conclusions: For GGO lesions with a CTR of 0.3-0.7, the extended MLND strategy may not be optimal in terms of clinical outcome. It could lead to more frequent early complications with no oncologic benefits. Due to the limited number of cases in this study, further prospective research on MLND for part-solid lesions is required.

Lymph node dissection in small peripheral lung cancer: Supplemental analysis of JCOG0802/WJOG4607L.

OBJECTIVE: The optimal region of lymph node dissection (LND) during segmentectomy in patients with small peripheral non-small cell lung cancer requires clarification. Through a supplemental analysis of the Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG) 0802/West Japan Oncology Group (WJOG) 4607L, we investigated the associated factors, distribution, and recurrence pattern of lymph node metastases (LNMs) and proposed the optimal LND region. METHODS: Of the 1106 patients included in the JCOG0802/WJOG4607L, 1056 patients with LNDs were included in this supplemental analysis. We investigated the distribution and recurrence pattern of LNMs along with the radiologic findings (with ground-glass opacity, part-solid tumor; without ground-grass opacity component, pure-solid tumor). RESULTS: The radiologic findings were the only significant factor for LNMs. Of 533 patients with part-solid tumors, 8 (1.5%) had LNMs. Further, only 3 (0.5%) patients had pN2 disease, and no patients had interlobar LNMs from nonadjacent segments. Of the 523 patients with pure-solid tumors, 55 (10.5%) had LNMs, and 28 (5.4%) had pN2 disease. Five patients had metastases to nonadjacent interlobar lymph nodes (LNs). Two (2.0%) patients with S6 tumors had upper mediastinal LNMs. In addition, the incidence of mediastinal LN recurrence in patients with S6 lung cancer was greater in those who underwent selective LND than those who underwent systematic LND (P = .0455). CONCLUSIONS: Nonadjacent interlobar and mediastinal LND have little impact on pathologic nodal staging in patients with part-solid tumors. In contrast, selective LND is recommended at least for patients with pure-solid tumors.

Results of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery versus thoracotomy for lung cancer in a mixed practice medium-volume hospital: a propensity-matched study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the short- and long-term results of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and thoracotomy for non-small-cell lung cancer in a medium-volume centre, where cardiothoracic surgeons perform both cardiac and general thoracic surgery. The primary outcome of interest was 5-year overall survival and disease-specific survival. Secondary outcomes were short-term postoperative complications, length of hospital stay and lymph node yield. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study including 670 lung cancer patients undergoing VATS (n = 207) or open surgery (n = 463) with a curative intent in Oulu University Hospital between the years 2000-2020. Propensity score matching was implemented with surgical technique as the dependent and age, sex, Charlson comorbidity index, pulmonary function, pathological stage, histological type and the year of the operation as covariates resulting in 127 pairs. RESULTS: In the propensity-matched cohort, 5-year overall survival was 64.3% after VATS and 63.2% after thoracotomy (P = 0.969). Five-year disease-specific survival was 71.6% vs 76.2% (P = 0.559). There were no differences in overall (34.6% vs 44.9%, p = 0.096) or major postoperative complications (8.7% vs 14.2%, P = 0.167) between the study groups. The average length of hospital stay was shorter (5.8 vs 6.6 days, P = 0.012) and the median lymph node yield was lower (4.0 vs 7.0, P < 0.001) in the VATS group compared to the thoracotomy group. CONCLUSIONS: According to this study, the long-term results of lung cancer surgery in a mixed practice are comparable between VATS and open surgery.

Enhanced efficacy of a novel aspirator in uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic mediastinal lymph node dissection: a non-randomized prospective clinical trial.

Background: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is the standard approach in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and surgical aspirators play a crucial role. Traditional aspirators lack the ability to pull and lift tissue and cannot achieve optimal exposure. Therefore, we designed a new surgical aspirator that combined the function of thoracoscopic forceps. In this study, we aimed to validate the efficacy and safety of this new surgical aspirator. Methods: We performed a prospective non-randomized intervention trial and enrolled 504 consecutive patients scheduled for uniportal VATS in early NSCLC requiring mediastinal lymph node dissection. A novel aspirator we developed with a clamping function via a front pliers-like structure was implemented in intervention group, whereas traditional aspirator was used in control group. Time spent for nodal dissection in No. 2/4R and No. 7R/L (No. 7 lymph nodes resected through right or left side) lymph nodes and perioperative adverse events related to lymph node dissection were recorded. Mann-Whitey U test was applied to analyze sex and pathological type, an independent-samples t-test was applied to analyze surgery time and age. Results: In total, 250 of enrolled patients were allocated into traditional aspirator group and 254 of them were allocated into new aspirator group. Surgeons spent 544.71±120.80 (range, 332-917, median 541) seconds dissecting No. 2/4R lymph nodes with traditional aspirators and 507.54±100.00 (range, 348-702, median 520) seconds dissecting with new aspirators (P=0.008). The traditional aspirator group had an average surgery time of 507.11±104.61 (range, 310-785, median 510) seconds for No. 7R lymph nodes and 608.47±128.50 (range, 397-919, median 606) seconds for No. 7L lymph nodes, while that in the new aspirator group was 465.09±94.94 (range, 271-744, median 476) seconds (P=0.001) and 549.39±102.11 (range, 368-782, median 538) seconds (P<0.001). The new aspirator showed an efficacy advantage in mediastinal lymph node dissection in VATS, without additional risk. Conclusions: This is the first report about a new suction device combining the functions of both traditional surgical aspirators and forceps, which can effectively shorten the time of mediastinal lymph node dissection and improve the efficiency of thoracoscopic surgery without increasing lymph node dissection-related adverse events.

Minimally invasive surgery for gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma: Current evidence and future perspectives.

Minimally invasive surgery is increasingly indicated in the management of malignant disease. Although oesophagectomy is a difficult operation, with a long learning curve, there is actually a shift towards the laparoscopic/thoracoscopic/ robotic approach, due to the advantages of visualization, surgeon comfort (robotic surgery) and the possibility of the whole team to see the operation as well as and the operating surgeon. Although currently there are still many controversial topics, about the surgical treatment of patients with gastro-oesophageal junction (GOJ) adenocarcinoma, such as the type of open or minimally invasive surgical approach, the type of oesophago-gastric resection, the type of lymph node dissection and others, the minimally invasive approach has proven to be a way to reduce postoperative complications of resection, especially by decreasing pulmonary complications. The implementation of new technologies allowed the widening of the range of indications for this type of surgical approach. The short-term and long-term results, as well as the benefits for the patient - reduced surgical trauma, quick and easy recovery - offer this type of surgical treatment the premises for future development. This article reviews the updates and perspectives on the minimally invasive approach for GOJ adenocarcinoma.

Predictors of Long-Term Survival of Thoracoscopic Lobectomy for Stage IA Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Large Retrospective Cohort Study.

The standard of care for patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is anatomical lung resection with lymphadenectomy. This multicenter, retrospective, cohort study aimed to identify predictors of 5-year survival in patients after thoracoscopic lobectomy for stage IA NSCLC. The study included 1249 patients who underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy for stage IA NSCLC between 17 April 2007, and December 28, 2016. The 5-year survival rate equaled 77.7%. In the multivariate analysis, higher age (OR, 1.025, 95% CI: 1.002 to 1.048; p = 0.032), male sex (OR, 1.410, 95% CI: 1.109 to 1.793; p = 0.005), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR, 1.346, 95% CI: 1.005 to 1.803; p = 0.046), prolonged postoperative air leak (OR, 2.060, 95% CI: 1.424 to 2.980; p < 0.001) and higher pathological stage (OR, 1.271, 95% CI: 1.048 to 1.541; p = 0.015) were related to the increased risk of death within 5 years after surgery. Lobe-specific mediastinal lymph node dissection (OR, 0.725, 95% CI: 0.548 to 0.959; p = 0.024) was related to the decreased risk of death within 5 years after surgery. These findings provide valuable insights for clinical practice and may contribute to improving the quality of treatment of early-stage NSCLC.

Treatment outcomes of lobectomy with and without mediastinal lymph node dissection in older patients with clinical N0 non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: To reduce surgical stress, we omit mediastinal lymph node dissection (MLND) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer aged ≥80 years without N1 metastasis, as confirmed via surgery. This study examined the effect of MLND omission on prognosis. METHODS: Altogether, 212 eligible patients with clinical N0 non-small cell lung cancer underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy between 2007 and 2017. Patients were classified into two groups as follows: patients aged 75-79 years who underwent MLND group, and patients aged ≥80 years in whom MLND was omitted (non-MLND group). Propensity score matching was performed between the two groups. RESULTS: There were 86 patients after matching. The non-MLND group showed shorter operative time (237.5 min vs. 207.5 min, p = 0.018). No differences in postoperative complications were noted between the two groups. Between the MLND group and non-MLND group, the 5-year overall survival rates were 84.0% and 84.7% (p = 0.989), relapse-free survival rates were 69.8% and 74.7% (p = 0.855), and cancer-specific survival rates were 91.4% and 91.6% (p = 0.700), respectively. These results did not differ significantly. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that MLND does not affect the prognosis of patients with non-small cell lung cancer aged ≥80 years. Lobectomy without MLND is one of the surgical treatment options in older patients with clinical N0 non-small cell lung cancer. Naturally, the clinical stage of patients must be carefully evaluated before surgery.

Exploration and optimization of surgical techniques for laparoscopic transhiatal lower mediastinal lymph node dissection for adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction: A prospective IDEAL 2a study with qualitative design.

Objective: To explore the change and feasibility of surgical techniques of laparoscopic transhiatal (TH)-lower mediastinal lymph node dissection (LMLND) for adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) according to Idea, Development, Exploration, Assessment, and Long-term follow-up (IDEAL) 2a standards. Methods: Patients diagnosed with AEG who underwent laparoscopic TH-LMLND were prospectively included from April 14, 2020, to March 26, 2021. Clinical and pathological information as well as surgical outcomes were quantitatively analyzed. Semistructured interviews with the surgeon after each operation were qualitatively analyzed. Results: Thirty-five patients were included. There were no cases of transition to open surgery, but three cases involved combination with transthoracic surgery. In qualitative analysis, 108 items under three main themes were detected: explosion, dissection, and reconstruction. Revised instruction was subsequently designed according to the change in surgical technique and the cognitive process behind it. Three patients had anastomotic leaks postoperatively, with one classified as Clavien-Dindo IIIa. Conclusions: The surgical technique of laparoscopic TH-LMLND is stable and feasible; further IDEAL 2b research is warranted.

Extent of Lymph Node Dissection in Patients with Small-Sized Peripheral Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer during Intentional Segmentectomy.

PURPOSE: Segmentectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection (MLND) are becoming standard procedures for small-sized (<2 cm) peripheral non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although the benefits of the less resected lung are proven, the extent of lymph node dissection remains unchanged. METHODS: We studied 422 patients who underwent lobectomy with MLND (lobe specific or systemic) for small peripheral NSCLC with clinical N0 disease. Patients with middle lobectomy (n = 39) and a consolidation-to-tumor (C/T) ratio ≤0.50 (n = 33) were excluded. We investigated the clinical factors, lymph node metastasis distributions, and lymph node recurrence patterns of 350 patients. RESULTS: Thirty-five (10.0%) patients had lymph node metastasis; none with C/T ratio <0.75 had lymph node metastasis and lymph node recurrence. None had solitary lymph node metastasis in the outside lobe-specific MLND. Six patients had mediastinal lymph node metastasis at the initial site of recurrence; none had mediastinal lymph node recurrence outside the lobe-specific MLND, except for two patients with S6 primary disease. CONCLUSION: NSCLC patients with small peripheral tumors and a C/T ratio <0.75 during segmentectomy may not require MLND. The optimal MLND for patients with a C/T ratio ≥0.75, except for those with S6 primary, may be lobe-specific MLND.

Portrayal of video-assisted mediastinoscopic lymphadenectomy's range subsequent to its simultaneous use with uniportal VAT-lobectomy for left-sided NSCLC: a case-based perspective.

BACKGROUND: Video-assisted mediastinoscopic lymphadenectomy (VAMLA) is the most precise approach combining staging and therapeutic interventions in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the case of left-sided NSCLC, the likelihood of mediastinal lymph node metastases depends on the involvement of the left lung regional lymphatic network. As such, it appears obvious - at least for selected patients with mediastinal staging by either PET-CT or EBUS-TBNA ± EUS-FNA and with cN ≤ 2 - to merge VAMLA and left-sided video-assisted thoracoscopic (VAT) lobectomy for a single-stage therapeutical procedure. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the clinical course of an 83-year-old patient following simultaneous VAMLA and VAT-lobectomy for invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma of the left upper lobe with a provisional cT3cN0cM0 stage. The patient developed a clinically relevant postoperative pneumothorax due to a persistent parenchymal air leak. CT scan revealed a substantial pneumomediastinum and showed the capability of VAMLAs range for mediastinal lymph node dissection in a unique way. Following the prompt insertion of a second chest tube, the situation was stabilized with an unremarkable further in-hospital stay. The patient remains free of tumor recurrence or distant metastases at a one-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Presenting this aperçu, we encourage reviving the debate on (1) precise mediastinal staging in general and (2) VAMLA's important role as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool.

Arrhythmogenic superior vena cava manifesting after a right-sided pneumonectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection.

No case of AF ablation after right-sided pneumonectomy has been reported, presumably because the pneumonectomy renders the ablation procedure more difficult than lobectomy because of the marked mediastinal displacement. In the case of catheter ablation of AF after right-sided pneumonectomy, it is extremely important to insert a mapping catheter not only into the PV but also into the SVC to accurately diagnose the site of abnormal electrical activity.

Station 3A lymph node dissection does not improve long-term survival in right-side operable non-small-cell lung cancer patients: A propensity score matching study.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the impact of station 3A lymph node dissection (LND) on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in completely resected right-side non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. METHODS: A total of 1661 cases with completely resected right-side NSCLC were included. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to minimize selection bias, and a logistic regression model was conducted to investigate the risk factors associated with station 3A lymph node metastasis (LNM). The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model were used to evaluate the impact of station 3A LND on survival. RESULTS: For the entire cohort, 503 patients (30.3%) underwent station 3A LND. Of those, 11.3% (57/503) presented station 3A LNM. Univariate and multivariate logistic analyses showed that station 10 LNM, tumor location, and the number of resected lymph nodes were independent risk factors associated with station 3A LNM. Before PSM, patients with station 3A LND had worse 5-year OS (p = 0.002) and DFS (p = 0.011), and more drainage on postoperative day 1 (p = 0.041) than those without. After PSM, however, station 3A LND was not associated with the 5-year OS (65.7% vs. 63.6%, p = 0.432) or DFS (57.4% vs. 56.0%, p = 0.437). The multivariate analysis further confirmed that station 3A LND was not a prognostic factor (OS, p = 0.361; DFS, p = 0.447). CONCLUSIONS: Station 3A LND could not improve long-term outcomes and it was unnecessary to dissect station 3A lymph nodes during surgery of right-side NSCLC.

Transhiatal lower mediastinal lymph node dissection for esophagogastric junction carcinoma by interconnecting four body cavities.

BACKGROUND: Due to the limited number of landmark structures, it is difficult to standardize the surgical procedures for advanced esophagogastric junction cancer such as Ivor Lewis esophagectomy that require transhiatal lower mediastinal lymph node dissection (TH-LMND). We demonstrate an easily reproducible procedure for TH-LMND, wherein four body cavities, namely, the abdominal cavity, infracardiac bursa (ICB), and left and right thoracic cavities are interconnected. METHODS: First, the dissection between the right crus and the esophagus was used to connect the abdominal cavity to the ICB - a lower mediastinal cavity separated from the omental bursa during embryonic development [1,2]. Second, the right thoracic cavity was opened with the shortest distance by dissecting the cranial side of the ICB. The right pulmonary ligament was dissected from the right lung. Third, the dissection to the contralateral side while exposing the aorta and the pericardium connected the left and right thoracic cavities. Then, the left pulmonary ligament was dissected from the left lung. The dissected tissues, including the lymph nodes, were subsequently peeled from the esophagus. RESULTS: Between April 2018 and August 2021, 14 patients underwent laparoscopic or robotic TH-LMND via the procedure above. The median time required to complete the dissection was 75 min. None of the procedures were converted to open surgery, and none of the patients experienced intraoperative complications such as pericardial injury, lung injury, or massive bleeding. CONCLUSION: The surgical concept of interconnecting four body cavities made the procedure more accessible and reproducible while achieving en bloc TH-LMND.

A retrospective and prospective study to establish a preoperative difficulty predicting model for video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection.

BACKGROUND: In previous studies, the difficulty of surgery has rarely been used as a research object. Our study aimed to develop a predictive model to enable preoperative prediction of the technical difficulty of video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection using retrospective data and to validate our findings prospectively. METHODS: Collected data according to the designed data table and took the operation time as the outcome variable. A nomogram to predict the difficulty of surgery was established through Lasso logistic regression. The prospective datasets were analyzed and the outcome was the operation time. RESULTS: This retrospective study enrolled 351 patients and 85 patients were included in the prospective datasets. The variables in the retrospective research were selected by Lasso logistic regression (only used for modeling and not screening), and four significantly related influencing factors were obtained: FEV1/FVC (forced expiratory volume in the first second/forced vital capacity) (p < 0.001, OR, odds ratio = 0.89, 95% CI, confidence interval = 0.84-0.94), FEV1/pred FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in the first second/forced expiratory volume in the first second in predicted) (p = 0.076, OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.95-1.00), history of lung disease (p = 0.027, OR = 4.00, 95% CI = 1.27-15.64), and mediastinal lymph node enlargement or calcification (p < 0.001, OR = 9.78, 95% CI = 5.10-19.69). We used ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curves to evaluate the model. The training set AUC (area under curve) value was 0.877, the test set's AUC was 0.789, and the model had a good calibration curve. In a prospective study, the data obtained in the research cohort were brought into the model again for verification, and the AUC value was 0.772. CONCLUSION: Our retrospective study identified four preoperative variables that are correlated with a longer surgical time and can be presumed to reflect more difficult surgical procedures. Our prospective study verified that the variables in the prediction model (including prior lung disease, FEV1/pred FEV1, FEV1/FVC, mediastinal lymph node enlargement or calcification) were related to the difficulty.