The use of Transcollation Technology for Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery lobectomy.

BACKGROUND: Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) lobectomy is now considered the preferred approach at many centers for early stage lung cancer. However, it needs an adequate learning curve, and it may be challenging in non-expert hands. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Transcollation Technology over Traditional Electrocautery to perform hilar and mediastinal dissection during VATS lobectomy. METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective study including consecutive patients undergoing VATS lobectomy for lung cancer. Patients were divided in two groups based on whether Transcollation Technology (TT Group) or Traditional Electrocautery (TE Group) was used for hilar and mediastinal lymphadenectomy. Operative time and surgical outcome, including number of transfusions, length of chest drainage, length of hospital stay, morbidity and mortality were registered, and the inter-group differences were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: 53 patients were included in the final analysis. The TT Group (n = 24) compared to the TE Group (n = 29) showed significant shorter operative time (75.2 ± 25.8 min versus 98.1 ± 33.3 min; p = 0.023), and reduction of length of chest tube stay (4.7 ± 0.8 days vs. 6.8 ± 1.1 days, p = 0.013) and length of hospital stay (5.3 ± 1.9 days vs. 6.8 ± 1.1 days, p = 0.007). No intraoperative or major postoperative complications were observed in either groups. CONCLUSIONS: Transcollation Technology represents a valid alternative to standard electrocautery instruments during VATS lobectomy. It contributes to reduce the operative time and length of hospital stay. Further larger prospective studies are required to confirm our data.

Impact of Transcollation technology in thoracic surgery: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: This is a retrospective study to evaluate the effectiveness of Transcollation technology (TT) in reducing blood loss and improving the postoperative outcome in patients with severe pleural-parenchymal adhesions who underwent major lung resection. METHODS: Between November 2010 and February 2012, TT was used to perform lysis of adhesions and dissection in 110 patients (TT Group) who underwent major lung resections via thoracotomy. Conventional electrocoagulation was used in 129 patients (EC Group). Operative time, daily drainage amount at 24, 48 and 72 h, pre- and postoperative haemoglobin levels, need for blood transfusion, intra- and postoperative air leaks and duration of chest tube placement and hospital stay were analysed. RESULTS: No adverse events related to the TT system occurred, including reoperation for bleeding. The mean operating time was 95.2 ± 35.4 min in the TT Group versus 117.1 ± 73.4 min in the EC Group (P = 0.017). The mean postoperative haemoglobin level was 12.3 ± 3.9 g/dl versus the preoperative level of 13.8 ± 2.2 g/dl in the TT Group (P = 0.154) and 9.6 ± 2.8 vs 13.2 ± 2.1 g/dl in the EC Group (P = 0.001). Only 2 patients (1.8%) received postoperative blood transfusion in the TT Group vs 19 patients (14.7%) in the EC Group (P = 0.001). Intraoperative and postoperative (24 h) air leak rates were 4.7% (n = 5) and 2.8% (n = 3) in the TT Group vs 13.9% (n = 18) and 12.4% (n = 16) in the EC Group (P = 0.001), respectively. The mean duration of chest tube placement was shorter in the TT Group (4.7 ± 0.8 vs 6.8 ± 1.1 days, P = 0.013), as well as the mean hospital stay (5.3 ± 1.9 vs 7.5 ± 0.3 days, P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: The use of TT seems to reduce haemorrhage occurrence and postoperative hospital stay after major lung resection in patients with severe pleural-parenchymal adhesions.