Video-assisted thoracic lobectomy with bronchoplasty for lung cancer, with special reference to methodology

Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2011 Apr;12(4):534-8. doi: 10.1510/icvts.2010.258228. Epub 2011 Jan 25.

Abstract

Few studies have described video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) to bronchoplasty with pulmonary resection. Here, we report the successful implementation of VATS bronchoplasty, as determined retrospectively. Between 2005 and 2010, 362 patients underwent elective lung resection for malignant or benign lung tumors. Of these patients, VATS lobectomy with bronchoplasty was performed in seven patients (four men, three women; median age, 72.9 years). The medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Of the seven patients, six had primary lung cancer (PLC), and one had metastatic cancer of the lung. The surgical procedures were lobectomy with wedge bronchoplasty. The patients with PLC also underwent mediastinal or hilar lymph node dissection. The median total operating time was 230 min, and the median blood loss was 152 ml. The median postoperative hospital stay was seven days, without major postoperative complications. The most important feature of the described method is that the surgeon mainly observes the operative field directly, through a working wound; the surgical team observes via a monitor. An advantage for the surgeon is the ability to use the same instruments in VATS as are used in conventional thoracotomy, as well as the same suturing techniques in vascular reconstruction, especially involving the pulmonary artery.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Blood Loss, Surgical
  • Bronchi / surgery*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Length of Stay
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Lymph Node Excision
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pneumonectomy / adverse effects
  • Pneumonectomy / methods*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Suture Techniques
  • Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted* / adverse effects
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome