Intraoperative conversion during video-assisted thoracoscopy resection for lung cancer does not alter survival.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the long-term outcomes of patients treated by anatomical pulmonary resection with the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) approach, VATS requiring intraoperative conversion to thoracotomy or an upfront open thoracotomy for lung cancer surgery. METHODS: We performed a retrospective single-centre study that included consecutive patients between January 2011 and December 2018 treated either by VATS (with or without intraoperative conversion) or open thoracotomy for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients treated for a benign or metastatic condition, stage IV disease, multiple primary lung cancer or by resection, such as pneumonectomies or angioplastic/bronchoplastic/chest wall resections, were excluded. RESULTS: Among 1431 patients, 846 were included: 439 who underwent full-VATS, 94 who underwent VATS-conversion (21 emergent, 73 non-emergent) and 313 treated with upfront open thoracotomy. The median follow-up was 37 months. There were no statistical differences in stage-specific overall survival between the full-VATS, VATS-conversion, and open thoracotomy groups, with 5-year OS for stage I NSCLC of 76%, 72.3% and 69.4%, respectively (P = 0.47). There was a difference in disease-free survival for stage I NSCLC, with 71%, 60.2% and 53%, respectively at 5 years (P = 0.013). Fewer complications occurred in the full-VATS group (pneumonia, arrhythmia, length of stay), but complication rates were similar between the VATS-conversion and thoracotomy groups. CONCLUSIONS: VATS resection for NSCLC with intraoperative conversion does not appear to alter the long-term oncological outcome relative to full-VATS or open upfront thoracotomy. Postoperative complications were higher than for full-VATS and comparable to those for thoracotomy. VATS should be favoured when possible.

Outcomes after Contralateral Anatomic Surgical Resection in Multiple Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Patients treated surgically for lung cancer may present synchronous or metachronous lung cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes after a second contralateral anatomic surgical resection for lung cancer. METHODS: We performed a retrospective two-center study, based on a prospective indexed database. Included patients were treated surgically by bilateral anatomic surgical resection for a second primary lung cancer. We excluded nonanatomic resections, benign lesions, and ipsilateral second surgical resections. RESULTS: Between January 2011 and September 2018, 55 patients underwent contralateral anatomic surgical resections for lung cancer, mostly for metachronous cancers. The first surgical resection was a lobectomy in most cases (45 lobectomies: 81.8%, 9 segmentectomies: 16.4%, and 1 bilobectomy: 1.8%), and a video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) procedure was used in 23 cases (41.8%). The mean interval between the operations was 38 months, and lobectomy was less frequent for the second surgical resection (35 lobectomies: 63.6% and 20 segmentectomies: 36.4%), with VATS procedures performed in 41 cases (74.5%). Ninety-day mortality was 10.9% (n = 6), and 3-year survival was 77%. Risk factor analysis identified the number of resected segments during the second intervention or the total number of resected segments, extent of resection (lobectomy vs. segmentectomy), surgical approach (thoracotomy vs. VATS), tumor stage, and nodal involvement as potential prognostic factors for long-term survival. CONCLUSION: A second contralateral anatomic surgical resection for multiple primary lung cancer is possible, with a higher early mortality rate, but acceptable long-term survival, and should be indicated for carefully selected patients.

Intraoperative conversion during video-assisted thoracoscopy does not constitute a treatment failure†.

OBJECTIVES: Intraoperative conversion may be required during video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for lung cancer. We evaluated the morbidity and mortality rates associated with VATS for anatomical pulmonary resection with conversion to thoracotomy and compared this technique with full VATS and an open thoracotomic approach. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, single-centre study between January 2011 and January 2017 and included 610 consecutive patients having undergone either VATS (with or without intraoperative conversion) or open thoracotomy for anatomical pulmonary resection. Pneumonectomies and angioplastic/bronchoplastic/chest wall resections were excluded. After propensity score adjustment, we assessed the 90-day mortality and determined whether the surgical approach was a risk factor for mortality. RESULTS: Of the 610 patients, 253 patients underwent full VATS, 56 patients underwent VATS + conversion and 301 patients underwent up-front open thoracotomy. Relative to the open thoracotomy group, the VATS + conversion group had a higher incidence of cardiac or respiratory comorbidities and was more likely to have an early-stage tumour. Following adjustment, the 90-day postoperative mortality rate was 5.4% (n = 3/56) in the VATS + conversion group and 3.7% (n = 11/301) in the open thoracotomy group (P = 0.58). Likewise, the morbidity rate was similar in these 2 groups. In a multivariable analysis, the surgical approach was not a risk factor for postoperative mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Following anatomical resection for lung cancer, VATS with conversion and open thoracotomy were associated with similar early postoperative morbidity and mortality rates. When in doubt, VATS should be preferred to thoracotomy; it potentially provides the patient with benefits of a fully VATS-based resection but is not disadvantageous when intraoperative conversion is required.

Three-dimensional CT angiography of anatomic variations in the pulmonary arterial tree.

PURPOSE: Anatomic variations of the pulmonary arterial tree can cause technical difficulties during pulmonary lobectomy in general and video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Using CT angiography and 3D reconstruction, we sought to identify anatomic variations of the pulmonary arterial tree and assess their respective frequencies. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 88 pulmonary arterial trees in 44 patients having undergone VATS lobectomy for lung cancer over an 18-month period in Amiens University Hospital's Department of Thoracic Surgery. Each CT angiography with 3D reconstruction of the pulmonary arterial tree was performed by two experienced operators, according to a standardized procedure. RESULTS: On the right side, the upper lobe was supplied with blood by a mediastinal artery in 100% of cases and by one or more fissural arteries in 88.6%. The middle lobe was usually supplied by two arteries (54.5%). The upper segment of the right lower lobe was usually supplied by a single artery (90.9%). We identified 11 variations in the vasculature of the basal segments. On the left side, the upper lobe was supplied by four arteries in 50% of cases, three culminal arteries (50%), and a fissural lingular artery (77.3%). The upper segment of the left lower lobe was usually supplied by a single artery (65.9%). We identified 15 anatomic variations in the vasculature of the basal segments. We observed that the origin of the apical artery of the right lower lobe was proximal to the origin of the middle lobe artery in 38.6% of cases. The origin of the apical artery of the left lower lobe artery was proximal to the origin of the lingular fissural artery in 65.9% of cases. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present CT angiography/3D reconstruction study agreed with the reference works on the anatomy of the pulmonary arterial tree and defined the frequency of anatomic variations. It is essential to assess the anatomy of the pulmonary arterial tree before VATS lobectomy.

Lymphatic drainage of lung segments in the visceral pleura: a cadaveric study.

PURPOSE: Although peribronchial lymphatic drainage of the lung has been well characterized, lymphatic drainage in the visceral pleura is less well understood. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the lymphatic drainage of lung segments in the visceral pleura. METHODS: Adult, European cadavers were examined. Cadavers with a history of pleural or pulmonary disease were excluded. The cadavers had been refrigerated but not embalmed. The lungs were surgically removed and re-warmed. Blue dye was injected into the subpleural area and into the first draining visceral pleural lymphatic vessel of each lung segment. RESULTS: Twenty-one cadavers (7 males and 14 females; mean age 80.9 years) were dissected an average of 9.8 day postmortem. A total of 380 dye injections (in 95 lobes) were performed. Lymphatic drainage of the visceral pleura followed a segmental pathway in 44.2% of the injections (n = 168) and an intersegmental pathway in 55.8% (n = 212). Drainage was found to be both intersegmental and interlobar in 2.6% of the injections (n = 10). Lymphatic drainage in the visceral pleura followed an intersegmental pathway in 22.8% (n = 13) of right upper lobe injections, 57.9% (n = 22) of right middle lobe injections, 83.3% (n = 75) of right lower lobe injections, 21% (n = 21) of left upper lobe injections, and 85.3% (n = 81) of left lower lobe injections. CONCLUSION: In the lung, lymphatic drainage in the visceral pleura appears to be more intersegmental than the peribronchial pathway is-especially in the lower lobes. The involvement of intersegmental lymphatic drainage in the visceral pleura should now be evaluated during pulmonary resections (and especially sub-lobar resections) for lung cancer.

Usefulness of a routine endoscopic assessment of laryngeal lesions after lung cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Laryngeal pathology following lung cancer surgery is associated with post-operative morbidity and mortality. The aim of our study was to evaluate the usefulness of routine endoscopic assessment. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated vocal cord pathology using laryngeal endoscopy within 24 h post-surgery. Over 25 months, 276 patients underwent thoracic surgery. We excluded 26 patients with previous laryngectomy or vocal cord paralysis, early post-operative reintubation or patients who did not consent to an endoscopy. Endoscopic data were reported using a standardized procedure, recording vocal cord paralysis, swallowing disorders with aspiration, detected using a blue-coloured water test and vocal cord haematoma. RESULTS: Among 250 patients, vocal cord paralysis was diagnosed in 13 patients (5.2%) and was associated with a higher rate of post-operative pneumonia (P = 0.03), post-operative bronchoscopy (P = 0.01), reintubation (P = 0.007) and a trend towards an increased 90-day mortality rate (P = 0.09). Swallowing disorders with aspiration were diagnosed in 18 patients (7.2%) and were associated with a higher rate of post-operative pneumonia (P = 0.007), post-operative bronchoscopy (P = 0.01), reintubation (P = 0.004) and 90-day mortality (P = 0.03). Vocal cord haematomas were diagnosed in 28 patients (11.2%) and were not associated with an increased post-operative morbidity or mortality. CONCLUSION: Post-operative endoscopic laryngeal assessment is effective for diagnosing laryngeal pathology following thoracic surgery. Routine laryngeal endoscopic assessment may detect clinically silent swallowing disorders early to allow prompt treatment, which may prevent respiratory complications.

Quantitative computed tomography to predict postoperative FEV1 after lung cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND: Predicted postoperative FEV1 (ppoFEV1) must be estimated preoperatively prior to surgery for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We evaluated a lung volumetry approach based on chest computed tomography (CT). METHODS: A prospective study was conducted over a period of one year in eligible lung cancer patients to evaluate the difference between ppoFEV1 and the 3-month postoperative FEV1 (poFEV1). Patients in whom CT was performed in another hospital and those with factors influencing poFEV1, such as atelectasis, pleural effusion, pneumothorax, or pneumonia, were excluded. A total of 23 patients were included and ppoFEV1 was calculated according to 4 usual Methods: Nakahara formula, Juhl and Frost formula, ventilation scintigraphy, perfusion scintigraphy, and a fifth method based on quantitative CT. Lung volume was calculated twice and separately by 2 radiologists. Tumor volume, and emphysema defined by a -950 HU limit were subtracted from the total lung volume in order to estimate ppoFEV1. RESULTS: We compared 5 methods of ppoFEV1 estimation and calculated the mean volume difference between ppoFEV1 and poFEV1. A better correlation was observed for quantitative CT than for Nakahara formula, Juhl and Frost formula, perfusion scintigraphy and ventilation scintigraphy with respectively: R2=0.79 vs. 0.75, 0.75, 0.67 and 0.64 with a mean volume difference of 266±229 mL (P<0.01) vs. 320±262 mL (P<0.01), 332±251 mL (P<0.01), 304±295 mL (P<0.01) and 312±303 mL (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative CT appears to be a satisfactory method to evaluate ppoFEV1 evaluation method, and appears to be more reliable than other approaches. Estimation of ppoFEV1, as part of the preoperative assessment, does not involve additional morphologic examinations, particularly scintigraphy. This method may become the reference method for ppoFEV1 evaluation.

Delayed-onset tension hemothorax following blunt trauma and the rupture of a previously undiagnosed aberrant right subclavian artery.

An arteria lusoria is a well-known anatomic variant of the right subclavian artery. We describe a patient in whom an arteria lusoria injury was revealed by delayed-onset tension hemothorax following blunt trauma to the thorax.